tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87841863895185576192024-02-19T02:19:57.985-05:00Wandering Sylville. . . find beauty in the ordinaryGin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-59517014011365896432013-10-22T18:06:00.000-04:002013-12-06T14:40:24.268-05:00We’re OK, Adios, and Anniversary<br />
EG Simmons Park<br />
Ruskin, FL<br />
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Where have we been? Well, we finished up the month of July in Trenton, ME totally enjoying Acadia and the Bar Harbor area. We will go back there again sometime. Besides the wonderful hiking and biking, we enjoyed a puffin/whale watching tour, horse carriage ride, sunset from Cadillac Mountain, and a few other things.<br />
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We then spent a week near Moosehead Lake, ME and yes, we saw a couple of moose. We liked it there because it’s less touristy but still touristy enough, if that makes sense. That is where I developed an abscessed tooth that hurt like the dickens. We decided to cut our New England trip short and head for NC so that I could get some dental work done. My brother is a dentist and he was able to work me in nicely. I am now a triple crown winner with three gold crowns. I had two cracked teeth crowned (one abscess) and one preventative crown. That took half of August and all of September which was a great time to visit with family. It had been about 11 months since we last visited so we probably won’t go that long again.<br />
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It’s now October and we are in FL for the winter. We had our yearly service done at Lazy Days and also had all four jacks replaced. Thank goodness HWH covered that part. We had always had trouble with them, but during the summer they got to the point where they would not come up without spraying them. After talking with HWH, they said to stop spraying them so that they would fail for Lazy Days. Thank goodness we didn’t move much because we had to pry them up every time.<br />
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We are on our way to the Keys for a few weeks. We were lucky enough to get reservations at a State Park with some friends. Then we plan to spend the rest of the winter in Cedar Key. We are in the process of purchasing a lot there so it will be our winter home on a regular basis.<br />
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After this last hiatus from blogging, I have come to the conclusion that it just isn’t meant for me to blog. There are thousands of other full-timers out there that don’t blog or do facebook, and I bet they enjoy themselves just fine. I find myself feeling guilty if I don’t post once a month, but then I start dreading it. Life is too short to put myself in that position. I do plan to update <b><a href="http://tawandastracks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tawanda's Tracks</a></b> in the next few days and keep it fairly updated. Gin is on facebook but rarely posts also.<br />
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On a brighter note, today is our 30 year anniversary! We don’t have a marriage certificate or wedding photos to share but we have each other. What did we do to celebrate you ask? Had lunch at McDonalds. You see, when we started seeing each other, we ate there quite often. It has been years since we actually sat down inside to eat a Big Mac and fries. Brought back lots of memories and that’s what it’s all about! Enjoy making memories with the one you love.<br />
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Remember to enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary. Adios amigos! Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-3697834241406498932013-07-15T16:06:00.000-04:002013-08-21T16:15:34.974-04:00Hike up the Bubbles and around Jordan Pond<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
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The Bubbles are two mountains that over look Jordan Pond. They show up in many photos taken from the grounds of Jordan Pond House. That was on our radar today.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L2bV4jS2KOk/UhUd4TjknfI/AAAAAAAAGP8/ow6w3tVaH1c/s1600-h/P1010054%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jordan Pond with the Bubbles in the background" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wDkLEE5PgBM/UhUd4zNUgiI/AAAAAAAAGQE/OhBbCacN3fs/P1010054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jordan Pond with the Bubbles in the background" width="244" /></a></div>
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The Bubbles overlooking Jordan Pond</div>
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I joined Nancy, Bill, Tricia and Dan for a hike up North Bubble to the summit, through the crevice (cleavage) and up South Bubble then around Jordan Pond. We get early starts so the crowds aren’t so bad. It’s another beautiful day!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-piWQti_8IE4/UhUd5RAlIDI/AAAAAAAAGQM/XYiQzLeuUAQ/s1600-h/IMG_1726%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hiking Acadia" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WKLepxj1mxs/UhUd5wcIYUI/AAAAAAAAGQU/Eb8aveYUfNs/IMG_1726_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hiking Acadia" width="190" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U23P4gnkmPo/UhUd6axDuRI/AAAAAAAAGQc/EfRerJaFwiQ/s1600-h/IMG_1728%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from atop North Bubble... Bill, Tricia, Dan and Nancy" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g7HTPwNhArU/UhUd7NnpQ5I/AAAAAAAAGQk/Avx-JsJxqdU/IMG_1728_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from atop North Bubble... Bill, Tricia, Dan and Nancy" width="244" /></a></div>
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Starting up the trail View from atop North Bubble</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uJzMXFnKgAg/UhUd7V3TLRI/AAAAAAAAGQs/JBER8wL9CNE/s1600-h/IMG_1729%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tricia at North Bubble summit" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGAsunKz-Og/UhUd8OEcdbI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/-uealXiMYtw/IMG_1729_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tricia at North Bubble summit" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cePFH91qo5s/UhUd873iYUI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/Z_9VJA68dt0/s1600-h/IMG_1730%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dan soaking it up" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dyLGFVoRP5Y/UhUd9XUcr1I/AAAAAAAAGRE/GcMkTIy3TBg/IMG_1730_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan soaking it up" width="244" /></a> </div>
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Tricia at North Bubble Summit Dan soaking it up</div>
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We all started our decent but a certain section got a little too steep for most of us. Dan continued on that way but the rest of us back tracked and took a different route.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Uy68NyVyPOc/UhUd-HE-amI/AAAAAAAAGRM/YCet1qRYkMw/s1600-h/IMG_1735%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Going down" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W4_H7xHTclE/UhUd-r1uHoI/AAAAAAAAGRU/RQUtdrJqFi0/IMG_1735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Going down" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7p5RhecZak0/UhUd_LhxZuI/AAAAAAAAGRc/uda93cj892Y/s1600-h/IMG_1739%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Too steep!" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ffvSaHaNkxc/UhUd_qG8bhI/AAAAAAAAGRk/GrJP3GawW0U/IMG_1739_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Too steep!" width="244" /></a></div>
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Going down A little <i>too</i> steep!</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPn-BJ7gjkg/UhUeADEXUpI/AAAAAAAAGRs/59GAAAS7MJE/s1600-h/IMG_1740%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Going back up" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BWqkctpKwuI/UhUeAyIU4oI/AAAAAAAAGR0/hQlZiPxAnL0/IMG_1740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Going back up" width="244" /></a></div>
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Going right back UP!</div>
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One of the great features on this hike is Balance Rock. It looks like it’s barely hanging on to the side of the rock face. Of course, everyone takes photos of folks pushing on it. I am no exception. <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-584s1iZ6IVQ/UhUeBRIhbYI/AAAAAAAAGR8/xBg1JzoB7qc/s1600-h/IMG_1738%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bill and Tricia at Ballance Rock" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w4GPcE83WzM/UhUeB_rATCI/AAAAAAAAGSE/J_22lEdc5bI/IMG_1738_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bill and Tricia at Ballance Rock" width="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zQ0k7Bxfwhk/UhUeCHfXooI/AAAAAAAAGSM/Jk3Ww9s8Vik/s1600-h/IMG_1737%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dan and Ballance Rock" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8UGnxpPzneM/UhUeCu1qMQI/AAAAAAAAGSU/7pekT4aTV2g/IMG_1737_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan and Ballance Rock" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bI1rA6muhgA/UhUeDSfOPYI/AAAAAAAAGSc/vnpOGcaHOxU/s1600-h/IMG_1736%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Balance Rock" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ju6AyZPwaJE/UhUeFVnPZAI/AAAAAAAAGSk/L6Qjx1O8M9A/IMG_1736_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Balance Rock" width="184" /></a></div>
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Bill and Tricia push Dan leans and the Rock remains </div>
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We make it down to the flatter trail around Jordan Pond. It goes all the way around the lake and offers great views. It may be flat but the footing is still pretty dicey in sections.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qdOsuCHZv6A/UhUeF_lAy9I/AAAAAAAAGSs/5UAjD1BWkH4/s1600-h/IMG_1743%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Neat footbridge on the trail around Jordan Pond" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3N9pI-5-A_Q/UhUeGZ1IV1I/AAAAAAAAGS0/6-fSDb74dK8/IMG_1743_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Neat footbridge on the trail around Jordan Pond" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YC1Dsovppkc/UhUeG7-5N5I/AAAAAAAAGS8/NXMOkIgqQyg/s1600-h/IMG_1742%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jordan Pond from the base of the Bubbles" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NRHARi-muOQ/UhUeHVn7svI/AAAAAAAAGTE/3kV4VxPwb30/IMG_1742_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jordan Pond from the base of the Bubbles" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GWRHNsMi6lo/UhUeH2_C2tI/AAAAAAAAGTM/rNdB97K-hig/s1600-h/IMG_1744%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tricia on the trail around Jordan Pond" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RPbpIcfuUuA/UhUeIPTG_eI/AAAAAAAAGTU/xWVI8pIt15I/IMG_1744_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tricia on the trail around Jordan Pond" width="244" /></a></div>
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Hiking around Jordan Pond</div>
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As we headed back to the Tahoe in the parking lot, we stopped to admire a curious onlooker. She was actually waiting for us to go so that she could cross the trail to reach her destination. Enjoyed her big brown eyes and it was a befitting wrap up for this varied hike.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SsEgD30WCS4/UhUeIps-AVI/AAAAAAAAGTc/ntYlcaEoAAs/s1600-h/IMG_1748%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Curious deer" border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhFSjDZcS_tRdSDMBF71y8sDwOAqquWKGIH7nJw_Pn7yCigDLAKlkvW0hxdTTyTV21Y3brrY_opVU12oFJuqL1ojZZvPUgw7oZvVpe7LFtR76JkOoZqOv6zcytJ6hiMpq6bu5uS-nFlsC/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Curious deer" width="244" /></a></div>
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-41761898257066674892013-07-14T14:42:00.000-04:002013-08-21T14:45:57.776-04:00Bike Ride and Connors Nubble<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
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Another great day awaits us so I join Nancy, Bill, Tricia and Dan for a bike ride on the Carriage Trails that includes a stop to hike up Connors Nubble to pick a few Maine blueberries. They are so good!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-13zn5R0Vozc/UhUKYASd2rI/AAAAAAAAGN0/COu0dwnfCh0/s1600-h/P1010054%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jordan Pond with the Bubbles in the background" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YkgpDo8hY1c/UhUKY0Bp1iI/AAAAAAAAGN8/Qdd_pbidjtQ/P1010054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jordan Pond with the Bubbles in the background" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tcQ90yv32LE/UhUKZfB7yhI/AAAAAAAAGOE/G_C9CA_BjoI/s1600-h/P1010056%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rock slide area along a Carriage Trail" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WqKetbAdYT0/UhUKaDwE5dI/AAAAAAAAGOM/8QrdBnqcrpU/P1010056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rock slide area along a Carriage Trail" width="184" /></a></div>
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Connors Nubble isn’t as high as many other peaks here but the views are still stunning. I love the views overlooking Eagle Lake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BpYj9-1qFPyQuQq2RGLqCBaCgyUMHjE41ENgpKWBaWyx9oYShrgRdPuLAw_Op0lbdc612g7yGuCKESqMH_15DgR6i_RKgYRjMyAQJbGo1Rhp8GBEJEeZhyCXFAkZB-0797V1R4isbvpk/s1600-h/P1010058%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Connors Nubble in Acadia" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EwSZf2evdd0/UhUKbGDkvuI/AAAAAAAAGOc/MOMdvW5U2uU/P1010058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Connors Nubble in Acadia" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0gyZq11Ueyk/UhUKbtrLneI/AAAAAAAAGOk/J40kubPKvxk/s1600-h/P1010059%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blueberries on top of Connors Nubble at Acadia" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FSidZabT4HI/UhUKcDtTYNI/AAAAAAAAGOs/8DyL79cM3ho/P1010059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blueberries on top of Connors Nubble at Acadia" width="244" /></a></div>
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Connors Nubble Overlooking Eagle Lake</div>
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I know that I have mixed up my days, hikes and bikes but I <i>do</i> know how much I love this place. One bike day, Tricia, Nancy and I take a break while Bill and Dan ride all the way up to Day Mountain summit. As we sat on the coping stones that edge the trails, a couple of the Carriage Tour wagons come by. These are some beautiful draft horses that are well cared for.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6LjGQL5_CCI/UhUKcopEHcI/AAAAAAAAGO0/qadoCu3dxVk/s1600-h/P1010066%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carriage tour on the carriage roads" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_uPscwsPy_Q/UhUKdL3-XDI/AAAAAAAAGO8/DNluXQhA0ag/P1010066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carriage tour on the carriage roads" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O5badS0jqPI/UhUKdkSgpSI/AAAAAAAAGPE/iOKDBnN6cnQ/s1600-h/P1010065%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carriage tour group" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xI2fHKqi_fM/UhUKd03m4SI/AAAAAAAAGPM/tVaTgX1IobM/P1010065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carriage tour group" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1MHBqoAYbrw/UhUKehOr1kI/AAAAAAAAGPU/7Z0flWINMXM/s1600-h/P1010068%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carriage tour" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qfsft47tg0Y/UhUKfB58F7I/AAAAAAAAGPc/ta-WJtOhmiM/P1010068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carriage tour" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JY0TWnzD7Ys/UhUKfqH9VSI/AAAAAAAAGPk/EXvx1_A47Gs/s1600-h/P1010067%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carriage tour" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rFR7Uzvj68g/UhUKgM5V2tI/AAAAAAAAGPs/-z-s-8e42IA/P1010067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carriage tour" width="244" /></a></div>
Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-37613044081592206172013-07-13T13:43:00.000-04:002013-08-21T13:51:32.684-04:00Group Bike Ride<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
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(The next several posts will be based on my general recollections </div>
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so there won’t be any details. It’s actually August 21 as I type this.)</div>
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After enjoying an active day of hiking, we all decided to pile in to Bill and Nancy’s Tahoe and ride over to Schoodic Peninsula for the day. It was dreary and overcast but the beauty there still shown through.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qaTZCLpKHoA/UhT53doFEdI/AAAAAAAAGKM/28VcFGh3SxI/s1600-h/IMG_1718%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Schoodic Peninsula ride on a cloudy day" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uDT7Twnj_oM/UhT534h5WlI/AAAAAAAAGKQ/1-QnACvNuss/IMG_1718_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Schoodic Peninsula ride on a cloudy day" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yX32HtY-TcQ/UhT54eMspDI/AAAAAAAAGKc/_HsA9nR9I4c/s1600-h/IMG_1717%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lighthouse at Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j2rNYj99y0Y/UhT54nzAbXI/AAAAAAAAGKk/We0qPC8GPlM/IMG_1717_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lighthouse at Acadia NP" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zeaisu0Ff4Y/UhT55CUNTwI/AAAAAAAAGKs/6nK65nRAYSE/s1600-h/IMG_1721%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lobster boat" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s6lOBP-OfOo/UhT55q8nDjI/AAAAAAAAGK0/wNOOtjCR4qo/IMG_1721_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lobster boat" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GlFDeP4-WRs/UhT56A0x02I/AAAAAAAAGK8/xT6WgUJ1uAA/s1600-h/IMG_1723%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Family checking lobster pots" border="0" height="146" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r7Dh1_OMwL4/UhT56sSEcVI/AAAAAAAAGLE/py6O5vLD8vI/IMG_1723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Family checking lobster pots" width="244" /></a></div>
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We all went on a bike ride on the Carriage Trails in Acadia. Bill and Nancy put Pam’s bike in the back of their Tahoe along with theirs. They then put Tricia and Dan’s bike rack on the hitch. Tricia and Dan rode with us and Pam. We all made it to the Visitor’s Center parking lot just fine. The toughest part of the bike ride was the first half mile because it was so steep. We all had to push our bikes a bit to get to a more level trail.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iOWxM5U1NUE/UhT57MocShI/AAAAAAAAGLM/nbnFFjVpZWA/s1600-h/P1010023%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Riding the Carriage Trails of Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pd1QjzI4FuU/UhT57jCNvgI/AAAAAAAAGLU/yNvPrJ9POCg/P1010023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Riding the Carriage Trails of Acadia NP" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWQZJANlNoTFujHQVp7nAsUWcQtHMpIhPuN8m7oeaV4-0KIH7QQUw4kAMKuTii2tq7qFKcCLorQOBszDo5zK_4kOtNtDsTluEp1kJQjerI9tUBRS1plPMMLPDiiIjLTyODCEF5TZYrD20/s1600-h/P1010026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam, Gin and Syl on the Carriage Trail in Acadia" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LuFTWxASnJI/UhT58QY_dBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/RcOeupTm96s/P1010026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam, Gin and Syl on the Carriage Trail in Acadia" width="244" /></a></div>
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Pedal Power! Pam, Gin and Syl taking a break</div>
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These Carriage Trails are a great way to see Acadia. Rockefeller worked closely with the construction crew with the design and engineering of the roads and the 17 bridges throughout the park. He wanted to keep cars away from this beautiful land as much as possible. We took a break at one of those bridges and admired the work first hand.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0jt0eipyE8I/UhT58zuurOI/AAAAAAAAGLs/DwxFVhZMmeI/s1600-h/P1010028%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Gin on a Carriage Trail Bridge" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YbKtoHMW7JI/UhT59dMkKbI/AAAAAAAAGL0/rjUvA0Tp8-Y/P1010028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Gin on a Carriage Trail Bridge" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dfu-98v8zB8/UhT59wgDz5I/AAAAAAAAGL8/6-eSv9LwAnA/s1600-h/P1010031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carriage Trail bridge over a stream" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kvV3pOTE1MU/UhT5-U_fzgI/AAAAAAAAGME/EeorXSV5bWo/P1010031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carriage Trail bridge over a stream" width="184" /></a></div>
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After the bike ride, we rode to the Loop Road and found a place along the rocks overlooking the ocean to enjoy a picnic lunch. The views are absolutely stunning! The photos do not do it justice!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pda1yeSwf4Y/UhT5-70wPuI/AAAAAAAAGMM/FbkCE0jhg38/s1600-h/P1010033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin, Tricia and Pam" border="0" height="177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oU-S1L3VqM4/UhT5_fOmw3I/AAAAAAAAGMU/wpx8MjCU7x4/P1010033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin, Tricia and Pam" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XP33w_A3CmYGSHKY_gClaRE0eU37TTxcPtGAIoRKkI43bCM11H8gtbdKCXAXRBpSpz-hn6pBGi0MDiPh6ZFMXitynvAt9IzYZWq1cT0dWXS33oaPDZ5Wf0M34KgqjCglO4HYPUrJry9F/s1600-h/P1010036%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Tricia eating lunch" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O-SL0lOuGE4/UhT6AYB7JGI/AAAAAAAAGMk/nH6QbrQHENA/P1010036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Tricia eating lunch" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nDIS2VDb71o/UhT6BMDM82I/AAAAAAAAGMs/Bk9_Ie2aWOI/s1600-h/P1010037%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Nancy relaxing" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I8l9bT7Vtx0/UhT6BvM9qJI/AAAAAAAAGM0/3CBvIl2qWSM/P1010037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nancy relaxing" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7zMEXcQGmLo/UhT6CHrWHSI/AAAAAAAAGM8/TvHRv6mpNSc/s1600-h/P1010040%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Syl and Gin at Acadia" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ir7YzHt-oUw/UhT6Cs73HFI/AAAAAAAAGNE/80J_YNbEQZE/P1010040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Syl and Gin at Acadia" width="244" /></a></div>
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Stunning Views!</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O2DVyt-yJZ0/UhT6DDD0sbI/AAAAAAAAGNM/4PNr2WasE8g/s1600-h/P1010034%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rock climbers" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jR8LsY-zeMw/UhT6DgnlN0I/AAAAAAAAGNU/BtjqGwAqVV0/P1010034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rock climbers" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bg9ZhI4L1o8/UhT6EEVp_dI/AAAAAAAAGNc/Xmw3dw_kmhc/s1600-h/P1010048%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Thunder Hole at Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Onc-uUOHjjo/UhT6FHOYfJI/AAAAAAAAGNk/pKCEDahJfao/P1010048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Thunder Hole at Acadia NP" width="244" /></a></div>
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-53406143598771591292013-07-12T11:34:00.000-04:002013-08-21T13:49:24.264-04:00Fire Tower Hike<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
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Acadia has some world class hiking trails. Since it’s on a mountain, us flat-landers were in for a challenge. What is considered moderate here would certainly be strenuous in my book! I joined Nancy, Bill, Tricia and Dan. Nancy had a couple of trails picked out but we ad libbed a bit. I don’t remember where we parked or the name of the trail, but I do remember seeing a fire tower in the distance. That was our goal (Beech Mountain). Check it out.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u9kIKevrjRk/UebNm3TkYTI/AAAAAAAAGFw/TW1wiltygxM/s1600-h/IMG_1702%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fire Tower in Acadia" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lz0zDbXJ5pM/UebNnWEEXEI/AAAAAAAAGF4/XPoegWgBzW0/IMG_1702_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fire Tower in Acadia" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xE1XR2butCU/UebNnnuMnwI/AAAAAAAAGGA/adFf0i_bf1I/s1600-h/IMG_1713%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Made it to the Fire Tower!" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IwX3DL_nULw/UebNoDZ8xhI/AAAAAAAAGGI/Zzn0knQ2ZII/IMG_1713_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Made it to the Fire Tower!" width="184" /></a></div>
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Fire tower at the top We made it!</div>
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As we hiked, we found that Dan (Billy Goat) made a good trailblazer with Bill next in line. Tricia and I would switch about often while Nancy the photographer would pull up the rear. It worked well for us.<br />
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The views from the first rocky top really took my breath away. Not only do words not do it justice, but pictures don’t come that close either! I’ll just let the pictures try though. (Click pic to enlarge)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TY95S5L5ABg/UebNop3TkRI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/J8ioDkDvijg/s1600-h/IMG_1696%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rock steps on the trail" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tiI3a4afLUA/UebNpLGoTDI/AAAAAAAAGGY/3LryUrKSkG4/IMG_1696_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rock steps on the trail" width="184" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8itgtRkx_eiulNGLNYQUIXBZi4T9iwjbdSCtM5hb_8h4s2xrOb2Dfyn6KBlNJlNu5bgaQswdsPeJjtb0wXH7Xqbod02E1vMcchmkAwDNcP1wS4YBDeahkKBknhEgeBpz_AfwZVOXjoVQ/s1600-h/IMG_1703%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Interesting rock" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7isyoxDVnVE/UebNqERiFWI/AAAAAAAAGGo/IAkJHYuSbFo/IMG_1703_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Interesting rock" width="184" /></a></div>
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Rocky steps Interesting rock<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BYd5pX4axUY/UebNqssHvGI/AAAAAAAAGGw/8E4lNWtAlqM/s1600-h/IMG_1697%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hiking scenery in Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R93xGf6IyNA/UebNrpGJrxI/AAAAAAAAGG4/NqDNAjxCNQk/IMG_1697_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hiking scenery in Acadia NP" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A3Kfla8Ib4Q/UebNrzzzGrI/AAAAAAAAGHA/uvKQp9UaiRk/s1600-h/IMG_1698%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hiking scenery at Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lnzFtZiM6aU/UebNsUz4yaI/AAAAAAAAGHI/55QU-qLXYn8/IMG_1698_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hiking scenery at Acadia NP" width="244" /></a></div>
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Beautiful trees everywhere!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i-MjIsO1ivI/UebNs7gUYdI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/L29uKErP694/s1600-h/IMG_1699%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Keeping on the trail" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JMGSz46ee-w/UebNtXtlXsI/AAAAAAAAGHY/HDLU97RlqlA/IMG_1699_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Keeping on the trail" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BHPnUNzHF8s/UebNtmiPmDI/AAAAAAAAGHg/ZPkTCjWW44I/s1600-h/IMG_1700%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Consulting the map" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1STb23TuLxo/UebNuC7DaVI/AAAAAAAAGHo/uC2sBoliqvs/IMG_1700_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Consulting the map" width="244" /></a></div>
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Keep checking the map<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kGRwHJ1V1tc/UebNuhjkhCI/AAAAAAAAGHw/vEAgVMARCM0/s1600-h/IMG_1704%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chief Hightower (Dan) pointing out something" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IJYjfv_JQ-w/UebNuzDay6I/AAAAAAAAGH4/WkXhKmmhx2Q/IMG_1704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chief Hightower (Dan) pointing out something" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5OCb_TH63o/UebNvoA7jeI/AAAAAAAAGIA/aeUrzXwAWpM/s1600-h/IMG_1706%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1706" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D0YTxXjdVp4/UebNwONpJTI/AAAAAAAAGII/SA57BjONTsM/IMG_1706_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1706" width="244" /></a></div>
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Breathtaking views!!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2YubFmXE5Ww/UebNwm86hEI/AAAAAAAAGIQ/KprQNg4Wo6g/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Hiking in Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tUWNpREryUE/UebNxG385XI/AAAAAAAAGIY/6hFjxjp0dCQ/IMG_1710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hiking in Acadia NP" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vwbfIpWjKyY/UebNxRBeKoI/AAAAAAAAGIg/5nfVjPQPsDo/s1600-h/IMG_1707%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="More beauty!" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nybjQXMusv0/UebNx--fvdI/AAAAAAAAGIk/1StmC9_keWQ/IMG_1707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="More beauty!" width="244" /></a></div>
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More breathtaking views!!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1XFOh9r6jZk/UebNydMooLI/AAAAAAAAGIw/movzscvlod4/s1600-h/IMG_1711%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1711" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDh43WQwoDRAO6T2lURY_ggd-1VVhQJP1fRx5OpuHpuBo5uRl_JxuONmH-uTa0a9rZzUVKGBt2yaONEi9T04dYfR1hz9szBshKnrfoGThYG9woIVKOs1O2YFvUdeaCbzJNYxPnH6S6pTa/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1711" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mrqk21Q61gs/UebNzGx7MKI/AAAAAAAAGI8/cktos6GIV_U/s1600-h/IMG_1708%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bill won't get any closer to the edge" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_li2Cr0Trbw/UebNzsfmjRI/AAAAAAAAGJI/tSlKq94C7T0/IMG_1708_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bill won't get any closer to the edge" width="244" /></a></div>
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Piece of cake Tricia Bill’s close to the edge<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8U4u1WRZ0Q/UebN0CnZYCI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/wXCU8_brMWU/s1600-h/IMG_1715%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from the Fire Tower" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5UiabU2tV4k/UebN0eZ-yZI/AAAAAAAAGJU/7Y3KlFP1xKU/IMG_1715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from the Fire Tower" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E70-VSzaGho/UebN1Da5UgI/AAAAAAAAGJg/OoDv5V9tHpc/s1600-h/IMG_1714%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from the Fire Tower" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z5JsHco6Kv8/UebN1SfZG6I/AAAAAAAAGJo/T3tWr9wm8FU/IMG_1714_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from the Fire Tower" width="244" /></a></div>
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Views from the fire tower</div>
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IEicAyS1LeA/UebN2JYq9DI/AAAAAAAAGJw/03Q1UADlHEg/s1600-h/IMG_1716%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Beautiful views on the hike" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-upzkboM0b-s/UebN2Qh35rI/AAAAAAAAGJ4/LpEmBhuNO5c/IMG_1716_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beautiful views on the hike" width="244" /></a></div>
Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-66231116540274273882013-07-10T16:15:00.000-04:002013-07-16T16:49:44.722-04:00First few days of Bar Harbor area<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
<br />
We had made reservations here along with some great friends for the whole month of July. Dan and Tricia arrived with us while Bill and Nancy arrived shortly before us. They are morning people and had a fairly short drive down from Lubec, ME. Gail and Rick were suppose to join us all here but had a family emergency to take care of. Things are ok with them now thankfully.<br />
<br />
We arrived on my birthday and all of us went out for a lobster supper at the nearest lobster pound. One of my favorite sweets is brownies, and Tricia had made a batch. Great with ice cream!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qk7fU0cva3A/UeWxWMthGJI/AAAAAAAAGCI/iUU6jSSnT_E/s1600-h/P1010022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Birthday with my Buds!" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MGAJX2zKoaA/UeWxWmrI9dI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/H5EvRVLHqDE/P1010022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Birthday with my Buds!" width="244" /></a></div>
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Birthday with my Buds!!</div>
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Our first whole day was a bit foggy but Gin, Pam and I drove up to the Acadia Visitor Center and Cadillac Mountain to get an idea of the beauty there is to see in Acadia National Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a thing! It was in a thick cloud. We did at least stop at Seal Harbor when we came down the Park Loop Road.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jeSSqzFm7KI/UeWxXLGEtcI/AAAAAAAAGCY/5WdHNmJCDeI/s1600-h/IMG_1658%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Seal Harbor" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wukpQa4G4Jg/UeWxXp_Ga3I/AAAAAAAAGCg/6iN91Ip--JQ/IMG_1658_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seal Harbor" width="244" /></a></div>
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Seal Harbor</div>
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Acadia has a free LP powered bus system sponsored by LL Bean that makes a stop at this cg along with several others. In order to get our bearings, I joined Bill, Nancy, Dan and Tricia for a day on Mount Desert Island on the buses while Gin and Pam relaxed. It was a beautiful day and we decided to walk the Ocean Path beside the Loop Road from Sand Beach up to Otter Point passing Thunder Hole along the way. The scenery was just spectacular!! Many people were out relaxing on the rocky cliff where the mountain meets the sea. I’ll just close out with a few photos of the walk since words cannot do it justice!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TZy6I2AkLxc/UeWxYDPBJ2I/AAAAAAAAGCo/MqSSl2erz4E/s1600-h/IMG_1661%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sand Beach at Acadia NP" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wwU1kd9oKUI/UeWxYYVrJ6I/AAAAAAAAGCw/amve4tVqAPc/IMG_1661_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sand Beach at Acadia NP" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-numz3rcdZrE/UeWxY3xGCYI/AAAAAAAAGC4/tooyp02Joj8/s1600-h/IMG_1663%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dan at Acadia NP" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aQnk-8zSikI/UeWxZNccbcI/AAAAAAAAGDA/NGGw7HwYEYA/IMG_1663_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan at Acadia NP" width="244" /></a></div>
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Sand Beach Dan loves rocks!</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VVgAd6wxPFg/UeWxZuD_EQI/AAAAAAAAGDI/b-3wfSxW9sg/s1600-h/IMG_1670-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Beautiful Acadia coast!" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4CZu5R_NHzU/UeWxaHszAQI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/64E-ughZNCA/IMG_1670-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beautiful Acadia coast!" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OUGVI0mUuLU/UeWxag5HGoI/AAAAAAAAGDY/Gdv2uHmhr2s/s1600-h/IMG_1667%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Relaxing on the rocks" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N4oOhxsKrOQ/UeWxa-eUyII/AAAAAAAAGDc/nJl6ZMMK8DA/IMG_1667_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Relaxing on the rocks" width="244" /></a></div>
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Wow!! Lots of people on the rocks</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fzgkRBPJslk/UeWxbSrn7pI/AAAAAAAAGDo/w2JL1aq1cek/s1600-h/IMG_1677%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="More scenery" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ep8W7J3aiNk/UeWxb33cdkI/AAAAAAAAGDw/CDcgui5bfyg/IMG_1677_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="More scenery" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-epkb4AoBIDc/UeWxcVzL3XI/AAAAAAAAGD4/-VHv9SlGIf0/s1600-h/IMG_1676%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Acadia NP scenery" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XVbU0j7ixFw/UeWxclNwUEI/AAAAAAAAGEA/jBLxtPO1n4o/IMG_1676_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Acadia NP scenery" width="244" /></a></div>
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No words can describe the beauty!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4Cvgc-R91X9vjfQeu43-00e-KcydaFvONF463PqVDyHnZ5Gs_v-4pNKthFyMn2KV7by1Ixqz7YVwXwJIW8VkNWnM9-9u_mwiHLDRiVxlTX_s3x-mmPnQC58bxLvlTTmPALDcHK-hbTw1/s1600-h/IMG_1674%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Thunder Hole at Acadia NP" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ctm0ZE6M1SY/UeWxdhvkWtI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/dOFHIHCANpc/IMG_1674_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Thunder Hole at Acadia NP" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hrLOp_EpQME/UeWxeP0aGSI/AAAAAAAAGEY/CQqAQRmBCjs/s1600-h/IMG_1686%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rock climbing guide at Acadia" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8x5xhZoRg2E/UeWxenJZnsI/AAAAAAAAGEg/vXvmETMUukE/IMG_1686_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rock climbing guide at Acadia" width="182" /></a> </div>
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Thunder Hole at low tide Rock climber guide</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y55juoBj9ng/UeWxfZi1XVI/AAAAAAAAGEo/rM-_KEkCKjU/s1600-h/IMG_1679%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Love it here!" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yxG8d3dPZOo/UeWxfmk8D3I/AAAAAAAAGEw/9aDRZaOhorM/IMG_1679_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Love it here!" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yk42603bztg/UeWxgLGcF1I/AAAAAAAAGE4/iRERsZr3FXE/s1600-h/IMG_1681%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Walk from Thunder Hole to Otter Point" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i3gzbfy0DS0/UeWxgpca42I/AAAAAAAAGFA/CWcLXtAi9p4/IMG_1681_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Walk from Thunder Hole to Otter Point" width="244" /></a></div>
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Love the rocks! Thunder Hole to Otter Point</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xl3CyNHUz4o/UeWxhGoHllI/AAAAAAAAGFI/w7OFJK-XGWE/s1600-h/IMG_1689%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sailing in Acadia" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-43_KvNGnMNg/UeWxhWl53eI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/Vg1s5dEsl9o/IMG_1689_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sailing in Acadia" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3wHVtJaACWI/UeWxh5xCMbI/AAAAAAAAGFY/GiWwBz3ysJs/s1600-h/IMG_1687%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cliffs of Acadia" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ED6cF_uF8EE/UeWxiVlpTXI/AAAAAAAAGFg/YZfSMe5G3UY/IMG_1687_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cliffs of Acadia" width="184" /></a></div>
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Sailing off the shore Mountain meets the sea</div>
Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-15483739886361713382013-07-07T12:09:00.000-04:002013-07-13T12:10:14.793-04:00Time Flies<br />
Trenton, ME<br />
Narrows Too RV Resort<br />
<br />
We have made it to our park for the month of July so I need to fill in the past couple of weeks of June. Gin, Pam and I enjoyed a couple of easy bike rides along Lake Erie before heading to a state park in New York.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f7PTk-fxI8w/UeF6hYPPy4I/AAAAAAAAF7w/btOLgWZjT4c/s1600-h/P1000929%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Erie beach" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Ru0UqqX0IE/UeF6h5oEo4I/AAAAAAAAF74/EEMA6-UqiUA/P1000929_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Erie beach" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OSkJBWysaIQ/UeF6ieJtxFI/AAAAAAAAF8A/IHKmF7m2VUU/s1600-h/P1000926%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam at Lake Erie" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bgvnz3HEi9E/UeF6jUMeHJI/AAAAAAAAF8I/LIXgi-3p8EA/P1000926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam at Lake Erie" width="169" /></a></div>
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Lake Erie and Pam on the shore</div>
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Darien Lakes State Park (NY) is located about an hour from Niagara Falls and an hour from Letchworth State Park. Since Gin and I enjoyed Niagara last summer, we wanted to share the experience with Pam this year (June 17). We were met by a very friendly black squirrel who held my hand with his soft fingers while I fed him a seed. We all did the Cave of the Winds and the Maid of the Mist tours. There was a lot more water this time of year than late July of last year so we got quite wet but loved it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjCTumf7F_9nrSFMl9-BDs-Em0JxF2P2WR-Dt2nkpy3YsZxzWMLZSvjzWONIXpa4zEcNxOrl0-yoKO_OwUtPJN1KaWViwjQhS9kOEUDGbvnIe30ULkelMO6A4jI_slk185VzW9ivxZgkX/s1600-h/IMG_1637%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Selfie at Niagara" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DXalB7cyzAY/UeF6kZzSGxI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/tFtyDg09VEw/IMG_1637_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Selfie at Niagara" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GRdygz6lpng/UeF6k6MJpbI/AAAAAAAAF8g/IlKDbn46AQg/s1600-h/IMG_1629%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Black squirrel at Niagara" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PhVpztCbBZY/UeF6lWhZeaI/AAAAAAAAF8o/VULVsSIKl1c/IMG_1629_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Black squirrel at Niagara" width="244" /></a></div>
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GPS at Niagara Friendly black squirrel</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-McEDVBPnvWQ/UeF6ljFUo_I/AAAAAAAAF8w/IbqUmI4eBHU/s1600-h/YourPhoto%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam, Gin and Syl at Niagara Falls Cave of the Winds" border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFWdc-o5wapVF_fITfezRbsXNpQxywUmcM8sVlBsGKiYJ6SdY-MsT5amh2j_MYMvIi4hdQpZMPpIWuSqCCVZEnhcMiURLgL-zLKRujkUgqaT3NU6zDJjSiZAvENvWeMx6Xjrh7b8Fdeam/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam, Gin and Syl at Niagara Falls Cave of the Winds" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cg-yQzeJ8t8/UeF6mmnS0yI/AAAAAAAAF9A/4ivFsq7op0I/s1600-h/IMG_1645%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="From the bow of the boat" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CWlCqalGa4Y/UeF6nCc94WI/AAAAAAAAF9I/zQWxPZ3sirI/IMG_1645_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="From the bow of the boat" width="244" /></a></div>
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Cave of the Winds Maid of the Mist</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S1hHuf2h5wc/UeF6noNpLII/AAAAAAAAF9Q/aCOnbKUs7rU/s1600-h/IMG_1648%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Falls from the Observation Tower" border="0" height="165" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jgh6BZdWh3c/UeF6oAv_SEI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/gn4LCwEG9cY/IMG_1648_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara Falls from the Observation Tower" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hG2xAN-sw30/UeF6op1Lb0I/AAAAAAAAF9g/kgs_rJtHAYU/s1600-h/IMG_1639%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Pam at Niagara" border="0" height="159" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j5PAMTBPb6w/UeF6pGqPriI/AAAAAAAAF9o/-tMiL4Oq--c/IMG_1639_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Pam at Niagara" width="244" /></a></div>
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We saw a couple of interesting signs near Buffalo that I want to share. The first is a great monument type billboard for local iron workers I guess. The other is for a funeral home that makes you ask if it’s really a family name or a joke.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OBk3rtQXJ1g/UeF6pqNPUtI/AAAAAAAAF9w/aUsyBwCVDG4/s1600-h/IMG_1654%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Along Hwy 384 near Buffalo" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K8crRPrLpdE/UeF6p7bWYmI/AAAAAAAAF90/9z6gd90yqFg/IMG_1654_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Along Hwy 384 near Buffalo" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HB4CFiDE-uk/UeF6qSnBhTI/AAAAAAAAF-A/s3CLOZButq0/s1600-h/IMG_1655%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Do you need to ask?" border="0" height="132" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VEp2Q15rOwg/UeF6q5hLczI/AAAAAAAAF-I/MJmWK1AjbXw/IMG_1655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Do you need to ask?" width="244" /></a></div>
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Iron workers Amigone…?!? </div>
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Letchworth State Park was another very good day trip. They have a campground there but I’m not sure if Tawanda would fit. The Genesee River has cut a gorge in many layers of rock and some cliffs are about 600 feet high. It made for more beautiful waterfalls.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jQZwMjcTsKI/UeF6razJr6I/AAAAAAAAF-Q/u38WPht0Hic/s1600-h/P1000937%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Gin at Letchworth State Park NY" border="0" height="178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h-Yf6DoAb-c/UeF6rvpodBI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/217Chy2vFBc/P1000937_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Gin at Letchworth State Park NY" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-258f5eGGEmM/UeF6sJCzknI/AAAAAAAAF-g/mV2sIWFhVIs/s1600-h/P1000952%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Syl, Gin and Pam at Inspiration Point in Letchworth" border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWaW-1gKvOZ2tjL1sPyMtUt00wU_Pj5lQHRNrIhqnljQWZ_AsPHCFLVUDXBhb_6JbCTZcxT8cbwzRZEVfbMRqhLfPpIyzh8c5E_m4rntPoBxP6cungxryEod6t111NrKoCmyNmKWdgCf3/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Syl, Gin and Pam at Inspiration Point in Letchworth" width="244" /></a></div>
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The cliffs at Letchworth GPS at Inspiration Point</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lTRwTIbeM_s/UeF6tIEubzI/AAAAAAAAF-w/GNQSu-l53Kk/s1600-h/P1000947%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Middle Falls at Letchworth" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rGk_twwvjfg/UeF6tmJ_4jI/AAAAAAAAF-4/VxFWq3434uw/P1000947_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Middle Falls at Letchworth" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VBT-aoJcebU/UeF6t1b9e-I/AAAAAAAAF_A/ZbTaB8isWg0/s1600-h/P1000943%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin at Upper Falls of Letchworth" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Ozs_AMRjEo/UeF6ues5weI/AAAAAAAAF_I/la_Gr5r9zNg/P1000943_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin at Upper Falls of Letchworth" width="168" /></a></div>
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Middle Falls at Letchworth Gin at the Upper Falls</div>
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We enjoyed our stay but it was time to move across NY to Cooperstown for a few nights. Taking Hwy 20 was great because we could see the countryside and go through the small town villages. You know we had to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame there. All the shops in Cooperstown are baseball oriented.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTiT9M8UAu1OgIq0GfsN58QGADTzuLEzZozdtwCUuY0TWVDmNVBZDUU42V9DRnE-ohsi0GyY98zTTIvRVBvB71-YeQVGflttRmrC2clpwHxY1wLTx6pDv3y36693MqrypxpkL8CGm6ogbJ/s1600-h/P1000960%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="NY Dairy" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bd2VHhQdE1Y/UeF6vAySI0I/AAAAAAAAF_Y/_kCLBcQBd0I/P1000960_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="NY Dairy" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OqYDj1xBeZ0/UeF6vs1M5CI/AAAAAAAAF_g/2LeulmxZu2s/s1600-h/P1000962%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YjT03NrR0K4/UeF6wFopU8I/AAAAAAAAF_o/oe8mimsPcco/P1000962_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum" width="244" /></a></div>
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Beautiful countryside Baseball Hall of Fame</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tJBm1FvULAI/UeF6wtu26nI/AAAAAAAAF_w/jhOw_xN1Pg0/s1600-h/P1000968%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Jim "Catfish" Hunter" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L8Ls1c8gsFs/UeF6ww0HkYI/AAAAAAAAF_4/Ho42Y29x84c/P1000968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jim "Catfish" Hunter" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-diQfENgU3R4/UeF6xRIV2RI/AAAAAAAAGAA/W1tfqO6eiB0/s1600-h/P1000967%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The Reds of the '70's" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5do7crZHJY/UeF6x_QrIoI/AAAAAAAAGAI/4nfhJetdUPs/P1000967_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The Reds of the '70's" width="244" /></a></div>
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Our next stop was near Concord NH in a family run campground. We met up with our travelling buds, Tricia and Dan and relaxed a bit and enjoyed a day trip to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack NH. Our next stop was near Freeport ME. Tricia rode in the MH with Pam and me while Gin rode with Dan in their truck. We all shopped and people watched in Freeport and tried our first lobstah roll.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pdvYpNQyJoM/UeF6yXLtA6I/AAAAAAAAGAQ/frs1n8pDxR4/s1600-h/P1000980%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Anheuser-Busch tour Pam, Dan and Tricia" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3KEn-TsOnvU/UeF6zD4ZduI/AAAAAAAAGAY/aN3ceH2iGWw/P1000980_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Anheuser-Busch tour Pam, Dan and Tricia" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-at_P289unjw/UeF6zkZsXeI/AAAAAAAAGAg/iGgytyQURHk/s1600-h/P1000983%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Clydesdales" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hiuPeNvewog/UeF6z1zFESI/AAAAAAAAGAo/nzwMSRwHaV8/P1000983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Clydesdales" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToH97ZFMJCtvNkhrrDuLSRCZIH265-m8X5LlhWRTmZjxVuJwqzUJrjS2fmBKASIsA9eBul3UVGmkOMHms_s2Aq4Mp6kQXtsXs7dcEOPr1Z6lWO1PSBFxYAoeduWPgcUePWk7s7tOl20mj/s1600-h/P1000993%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1000993" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sGrRFDktkL0/UeF61HU528I/AAAAAAAAGA4/rvmT7aHmUTs/P1000993_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000993" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uCbY-dvDILg/UeF61t0suII/AAAAAAAAGBA/EoKBF4-95BI/s1600-h/P1000997%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lotsa bottles!" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5kGyOzNlQlQ/UeF62P0Zj3I/AAAAAAAAGBI/VhUtFQS6AXA/P1000997_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lotsa bottles!" width="244" /></a></div>
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Brewery tour</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GxUlVVLODCc/UeF62cKOwAI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/Y_IH1lm_Klg/s1600-h/P1010003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Red Squirrel in a trash can" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PoEsHsz6mIc/UeF62yRAlgI/AAAAAAAAGBY/DvBbdfcNviQ/P1010003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Red Squirrel in a trash can" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bMnWEE3r5-c/UeF63To0ImI/AAAAAAAAGBg/GOn1k3xX2sw/s1600-h/P1010004%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Red squirrel at Cozy Pond" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RYoblbpCsuM/UeF639R80TI/AAAAAAAAGBo/p7DZOOKRicQ/P1010004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Red squirrel at Cozy Pond" width="229" /></a></div>
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Red squirrels aren’t much bigger than a chipmunk</div>
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It was a busy couple of weeks of travel, but we have landed in Narrows Too for the month of July. It’s near Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. I’ll try do a post on some of our activities here soon.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ioa4xIvGagg/UeF64eEu3XI/AAAAAAAAGBw/32qKev6NOJ8/s1600-h/IMG_1625%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Black squirrel at Niagara" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i6wA8yg-n1U/UeF64xeC8tI/AAAAAAAAGB4/bN4vk1PzvOU/IMG_1625_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Black squirrel at Niagara" width="244" /></a></div>
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The End!</div>
Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-29762491843490336292013-06-14T18:32:00.001-04:002013-06-14T18:32:51.188-04:00Summer Hitchhiker<br />
Geneva, OH<br />
Geneva State Park<br />
<br />
Since the middle of May, we have been staying at several COE Parks and have been lucky enough to have waterfront sites. The one in Montgomery AL was for two weeks since it had FHU. Then we stayed at a couple of COEs in MS and even one in Nashville TN for a couple of nights. We really enjoyed relaxing by the water. <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UZ47DPHX7LI/UbuY7QlYH6I/AAAAAAAAFpw/Y_6Fm6IQUxw/s1600-h/P1000886%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Syl's view at Enid Lake" border="0" height="177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VFb8J9FpiEU/UbuY-hZS4CI/AAAAAAAAFp4/rsQbMWMiAsA/P1000886_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Syl's view at Enid Lake" width="244" /></a></div>
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Tennessee is where we picked up our summer hitchhiker Pam. She’s Gin’s cousin who recently retired and had one of those ‘big’ birthdays. She enjoys rving and spent a little time with us last summer, so we invited her to join us for about 3 months so that she can relax and see some sites. We have been to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. There are some beautiful rolling hills around the Bowling Green area. We’ve also stayed at a variety of places; commercial park, COE, WalMart and now a State Park on Lake Erie. That covers a lot in a little bit of time. We plan to do quite a bit more though.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tqhna2YcMsQ/UbuY_3YRXGI/AAAAAAAAFqA/8Mfm2AFixeg/s1600-h/P1000912%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Gin at Mammoth Cave" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s9EGwMbLfOs/UbuZDuvCshI/AAAAAAAAFqI/GPf-xUikcj0/P1000912_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Gin at Mammoth Cave" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMVdmKA0Hik/UbuZN90kpsI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/v1tnnhQ-jk8/s1600-h/IMG_1595%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Gin at Lost River Cave" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A-LoAmJsFAs/UbuZPCownPI/AAAAAAAAFqY/82GVAkW5sUQ/IMG_1595_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Gin at Lost River Cave" width="244" /></a></div>
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Pam and Gin at Mammoth Cave and walking to Lost River Cave</div>
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-42023221905584521232013-05-20T12:45:00.000-04:002013-05-20T12:45:02.274-04:00In a Nutshell and Tawanda’s TracksMontgomery, AL<br />
Gunter Hill COE<br />
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Wow! It’s been 8 months since I last posted! I certainly didn’t intend for it to be that long, but once I wasn’t in the mood for blogging, time flew by. I really enjoyed just living without thinking (sounds dangerous too). Since it was mid September 2012 when I last posted, let me do a little catch up here.<br />
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The second half of <i>September</i> we went to Cedar Key RV Resort in Florida and surprised Dan for his 50th birthday. The month of <i>October</i> was spent at Lazy Days in Tampa for the yearly service and warranty issues. Bill and Nancy were there with their Baby too. We all became Florida residents.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9al-G5a-pz0/UZpRrmVXEQI/AAAAAAAAFV8/K91XOjhiqos/s1600-h/P1000559%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Goofing off with Tricia an Dan at the Pickled Pelican" border="0" height="194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D2QOr8HsWTo/UZpRsUPghVI/AAAAAAAAFWE/gkJs3iDAGX4/P1000559_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Goofing off with Tricia an Dan at the Pickled Pelican" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hdi7loV-FYw/UZpRtDJQu9I/AAAAAAAAFWM/izp_cstzzX4/s1600-h/P1000587%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bill and Nancy at Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yc79XXp0ouk/UZpRufHWFjI/AAAAAAAAFWU/nO3OsJ7J70U/P1000587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bill and Nancy at Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa" width="244" /></a></div>
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Happy Birthday Dan! Which way did they go?</div>
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<i>November</i> was a great month. The first couple of weeks we were in Huntington Beach State Park in SC with the Carolina Clan. Great bunch of friends so you know we had a great time! The last half of the month, we were at Rainbow Springs State Park in Florida. The spring fed river is like an aquarium.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yTL8KKM2VN0/UZpRvB6d1eI/AAAAAAAAFWc/ZDq11EZTR7s/s1600-h/Carolina%252520Clan%25252011-2012%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carolina Clan 11-2012" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XDU9AOXrBsA/UZpRv5Rv7MI/AAAAAAAAFWk/Q5oZIeYbZc8/Carolina%252520Clan%25252011-2012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carolina Clan 11-2012" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qtGhJbfcVsg/UZpRwu3IJnI/AAAAAAAAFWs/1iz_nzW6g-8/s1600-h/IMG_5198%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Carolina Clan enjoying the day on the water" border="0" height="130" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x0VqF6drjpA/UZpRxRwuXfI/AAAAAAAAFW0/1dLWwXp9dT0/IMG_5198_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Carolina Clan enjoying the day on the water" width="244" /></a></div>
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The Carolina Clan… What happens at the Gathering, stays at the Gathering.</div>
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<i>December</i> found us back at Lazy Days to finally get our floor tiles properly fixed by replacing the slide rollers with the improved models. We did manage to get away before Christmas and landed back at Cedar Key RV for the holiday and New Years. <i>January</i> was quite busy. The first couple of weeks, we were in Silver River State Park (FL) with a few days of Bill and Nancy. The RV Supershow in Tampa was next and then a week at Disney with Bill, Nancy, Dan, Tricia, Bruce and Laura.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s5ru6uHcJ9M/UZpRyILkOcI/AAAAAAAAFW8/kUckhO-ARbM/s1600-h/P1000675%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Our home exposed!" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--xBBU7iyT9c/UZpRyyhYAbI/AAAAAAAAFXE/dFocWiUKOZ4/P1000675_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Our home exposed!" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NhXEnV_X0Mg/UZpRzldAleI/AAAAAAAAFXM/9fn9fydrqQQ/s1600-h/IMG_1491%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Protective mother" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ysQacRsKBX0/UZpR0oeu_OI/AAAAAAAAFXU/F_GGTwGiiic/IMG_1491_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Protective mother" width="236" /></a></div>
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Open house Monkeys at Silver River</div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-50Le7X2tLZ8/UZpR1SO34GI/AAAAAAAAFXc/5m6-PGGo3gM/s1600-h/P1000710%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Song and Dance parade at Magic Kingdom" border="0" height="218" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6pPtA1eKu5w/UZpR2EvscEI/AAAAAAAAFXk/vWPirpE9z7k/P1000710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Song and Dance parade at Magic Kingdom" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QeAo3kBlThk/UZpR27h62xI/AAAAAAAAFXs/c_fYMx-52RI/s1600-h/P1000765%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The Group at EPCOT" border="0" height="210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nKbV4rxsfnc/UZpR3tRyrUI/AAAAAAAAFX0/lSJgx8owun4/P1000765_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The Group at EPCOT" width="244" /></a></div>
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Magic Kingdom EPCOT</div>
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<i>February</i> was spent with Dan, Tricia, Bill and Nancy at Jonathan Dickenson State Park (FL) recovering from a bad virus from Disney. We all then went down to Flamingo CG in the Everglades. Sherry and David were there also for a couple of days. Beautiful wildlife and ecosystem. <i> March</i> found us at Lazy Days for a couple of weeks and then a couple of weeks at Cedar Key RV.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j1Hkoq4_2qM/UZpR4NDYsnI/AAAAAAAAFX8/UXG6cuILCFI/s1600-h/IMG_1513%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Crocodile at the boat ramp" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jjpoMLffxQk/UZpR4-DJvgI/AAAAAAAAFYE/kRIcmP8JhnM/IMG_1513_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Crocodile at the boat ramp" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3MFtriU83DU/UZpR5p_QsQI/AAAAAAAAFYM/botJjvOXlk0/s1600-h/IMG_1528%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cormorant on the Anhinga Trail" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4D6gV5D2dgM/UZpR6fZ51iI/AAAAAAAAFYU/12w0Jg_ITYQ/IMG_1528_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cormorant on the Anhinga Trail" width="244" /></a></div>
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Crocodile Cormorant</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4OLThgGeBCI/UZpR7EqXONI/AAAAAAAAFYc/CDm31l771TI/s1600-h/IMG_1581%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Wood Stork eating in Eco Pond" border="0" height="222" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3SbauLowPEE/UZpR7ue5KXI/AAAAAAAAFYk/eKAUwOfk-Q8/IMG_1581_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wood Stork eating in Eco Pond" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q0OwVZ64HnU/UZpR8WSb3jI/AAAAAAAAFYs/NebOBcPTBtI/s1600-h/IMG_1526%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="White Pelicans and Coots on Eco Pond" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qddX6-NIwUw/UZpR9EG1_VI/AAAAAAAAFY0/VXuwn8guElc/IMG_1526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="White Pelicans and Coots on Eco Pond" width="244" /></a></div>
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Wood Stork White Pelicans and Coots</div>
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<i>April </i>was spent in Pensacola taking care of regular doctor’s visits and doing a little bit of sightseeing. Gin finally got new glasses so she can see those sights better. That brings us to <i>May</i>. We are presently relaxing amongst the trees in a COE park near Montgomery, AL. We plan to work our way up the Mississippi River Valley and then the Ohio River Valley on our way to Maine for July.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wQp9IlXs5fk/UZpR-RcnopI/AAAAAAAAFY8/qxjzLVR2yrg/s1600-h/P1000830%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fort Pickens cannon" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Muw5yRalBBQ/UZpR_PGzVwI/AAAAAAAAFZE/OX5q5kxs6wY/P1000830_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fort Pickens cannon" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jLJoYfwZpT4/UZpR_414kwI/AAAAAAAAFZM/Y1lX8XJJ6Ho/s1600-h/P1000839%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Water tower at Pensacola Beach" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I3zl1m30heE/UZpSATZisxI/AAAAAAAAFZU/-UK1paQ1MjU/P1000839_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Water tower at Pensacola Beach" width="183" /></a></div>
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Fort Pickens Pensacola Beach watertower</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHtykr6zdZBKiwSF2XkQ4BRFflgJNUmqgOK_R8smFsl9y1Zg7Lbgwhbk9KHb2lzcrfVaLeOhVD3iSCvlArWSLaS4tCiXUsBsACyCl4LepW6PZh-njuvuk6SEda7CHjrwXwWyzmbBZg25j/s1600-h/P1000847%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View of the water at site 35 Catoma Loop" border="0" height="155" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p1HTUzuqlXI/UZpSBygFW-I/AAAAAAAAFZk/NUF1K42F1hE/P1000847_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View of the water at site 35 Catoma Loop" width="244" /></a></div>
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Just relaxing at a COE</div>
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Well that’s what we’ve been doing for the past eight months or so, minus a lot of details. A couple of weeks ago, I added a link on my sidebar to my other blog, <a href="http://tawandastracks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tawanda's Tracks</b></a>. It’s a general review of the campgrounds that we’ve stayed at in Tawanda. There’s just enough info on it to remind us of what we did during our visit. I’ll keep it updated better since there may be a few friends and family that wonder what we’re up to. I also hope it helps folks if they are travelling in the same area and want to see what we thought of the place. Check it out. I’ll also keep this blog going by posting a few times a year or whenever I feel bloggy.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-10434263958557619492012-09-15T22:21:00.000-04:002012-09-15T22:21:19.165-04:00To See or Not to See…<b></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Aug 13, 2012 to the Present</b><br />
<i>(Notice the dates…We’ve been here more than a month.)</i><br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
Roanoke Rapids, NC<br />
RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads sites P32 and P24<br />
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We made it to Roanoke Rapids to spend some time visiting with family and to get new glasses for Gin. As it’s worked out, she didn’t get new glasses but we’ve enjoyed time here with family. This is a nice park with FHU and the monthly rates are nice. The daily rates are a bit high but it’s close to Mom and Gin’s parents who live in Rocky Mount. Here’s the entry and office which has a nice laundry and bathhouse.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ru_ppzpkPRA/UFU27Bt4RTI/AAAAAAAAEA4/cdRImjkn6fI/s1600-h/P1000537-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Entry Sign" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xp3lJ9tcDTg/UFU27mt6RkI/AAAAAAAAEBA/1drT2Mv18E4/P1000537-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Entry Sign" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_QwF5HxJ2AI/UFU28OSQ_PI/AAAAAAAAEBI/GBLUbXH_wCw/s1600-h/P1000538%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Office at RV Resort" border="0" height="165" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WbdF1F9DxFQ/UFU2849XMlI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/TMJuhe-xJaU/P1000538_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Office at RV Resort" width="244" /></a></div>
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There’s also a Rally Room in the office building. They have some kind of rv rally here at least once a month. Here’s our site and the swimming pool that we’ve enjoyed. We slid down the slide some but no bathing suit pics of us will ever appear on this blog.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b86DsT2pkN0/UFU29WVJI7I/AAAAAAAAEBY/QtoYEJRK77Y/s1600-h/P1000528-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads site P32" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxT_nPWdQgsJOdOnRL5KFZc-5jiLCWfZCwyukTj6RzY6tzvY6RplZ6knpjaVNLDyTprxvUe-0mD6qbNlb6jAoZa86AKUP-7T0jYbdO8MEVZme3Gw_8MAMG6u5mnRuVzP3BLLAm18E1r2R/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads site P32" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5Z5PMDnLai8/UFU2-UtwULI/AAAAAAAAEBo/MHIH11506kw/s1600-h/P1000540-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pool and Pavillion at RV Resort" border="0" height="159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7oBLlDuRd7E/UFU2_D66NsI/AAAAAAAAEBw/nRJa89e0cBg/P1000540-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pool and Pavillion at RV Resort" width="244" /></a></div>
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When we first got here, Gin went to the eye doctor to get new glasses. Well, they wouldn’t even dilate her eyes because the fluid pressure was too high. An appointment was made in four weeks time to have laser surgery to correct this problem (angle closure glaucoma) so we just enjoyed the time here with family. We stayed with Gin’s folks some and enjoyed afternoons with my mom several times. Gin’s folks have put their MH in a park near Emerald Isle so we spent a few nights with them there. It rained the whole time but we enjoyed it any way. We drove over the bridge and walked out on the pier between sprinkles.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0bo03_68U2I/UFU3AZnypVI/AAAAAAAAEB4/r1mRZA3bQbg/s1600-h/P1000533%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View over the Bridge" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EHxHc3GEKXA/UFU3BGT-XiI/AAAAAAAAECA/0O4fKM-0lpo/P1000533_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View over the Bridge" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XJSmeEt4Ha4/UFU3BrCdNXI/AAAAAAAAECI/Le4M5qpxbvE/s1600-h/P1000535-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from the Bridge" border="0" height="161" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xKyEOu92WYg/UFU3C6GXZLI/AAAAAAAAECQ/nXrA49UbPUo/P1000535-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from the Bridge" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fhDUIwBHzwk/UFU3DzqjmhI/AAAAAAAAECY/X5gR3wuLdGQ/s1600-h/P1000530-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from Bogue Inlet Pier" border="0" height="135" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2z-n0BASg5o/UFU3EqbDKOI/AAAAAAAAECg/O606PWa-kl4/P1000530-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from Bogue Inlet Pier" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L8t9N6AYCqo/UFU3FO6VwgI/AAAAAAAAECo/I_DezKwjPk8/s1600-h/P1000529-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View from Bogue Inlet Pier" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QsXU7hmRKPM/UFU3FixOZYI/AAAAAAAAECw/ieKdXgaQw4w/P1000529-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View from Bogue Inlet Pier" width="244" /></a></div>
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We have definitely gone off of our diets this past month but we’ll get back on it soon. Mom is quite active considering that she’s 84 years old. One of the things she likes to do on Friday nights is take a couple of her more senior friends out to eat. We joined them a couple of times and I drove her car. I refer to it as “driving a bouquet of daisies” after that movie with Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. Here’s Miss Elizabeth, Lucille, Mom and me after giving them a tour of our home.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IJekuqSmbok/UFU3GWM4iXI/AAAAAAAAEC4/4t8XDvcu1X8/s1600-h/P1000541-001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Miss Daisies" border="0" height="172" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WIQUeh0dew4/UFU3HAKBc1I/AAAAAAAAEDA/oHC4vYuzmF8/P1000541-001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Miss Daisies" width="244" /></a></div>
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We will be leaving here in a few days to go to FL. We have chosen to have our mail forwarding handled there and need to get our domicile established. Gin returned to the eye doctor to have the laser surgery. She was the first appointment of the day but still waited over an hour for the doctor. After looking at her eye with a microscope, he said that the blockage was not total and that there was still fluid circulating around the eye. She could have her eyes dilated for an exam and glasses. Then he said that he would do the surgery that day if he had time so he asked his assistant if they had time. She gave him the look that said “no” and he said to make sure no one dilates her eyes before they check her angles then walked out the door. The assistant said to make an appointment for next week to get glasses but when checking out, the office said it would be two weeks at the earliest. Gin felt like she was getting the run around so we will take care of it in FL after getting domiciled there. Wish her luck.<br />
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We’ve managed to do some projects here, well mainly Gin’s done them but I handed her the tools. After much thought, I’ve decided to cut back on blogging. We’re just enjoying the little things in life and I’ve never kept a journal before. I’ll still do a post once in a while when we go or do something really noteworthy and read my favorite blogs. I seldom leave comments because I often times read them on my phone. I think I’ll enjoy life better when I don’t find myself thinking “I should put that in the blog” if that makes any sense. It’s all about freedom.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-87479958866479464842012-09-12T16:43:00.001-04:002012-09-12T16:43:19.678-04:00Tanglewood Park CG (NC)<br />
<b>Aug 12-13, 2012</b><br />
<i>(I’m guilty of extreme blog fatigue but I wanted to highlight this cg near Winston Salem NC.)</i><br />
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Clemmons, NC<br />
Tanglewood Park CG site 2<br />
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This is a great place to pull in for one night as we did. The rate is a little high for us to stay much longer but I fell in love with the place. It’s an easy on/off from I40 at exit 182 and has everything needed to relax. <a href="http://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/" target="_blank"><b>Tanglewood Park</b></a> is a part of Forsyth County Parks and Rec Department. They offer an aquatic center, stables, tennis, golf, soccer, pond fishing, a Manor House bed and breakfast, arboretum, rose garden and a FHU <a href="http://rvtanglewood.com/" target="_blank"><b>campground</b></a>. There’s a paved multi-use trail that winds around the woods for two miles which was great for my morning walk. Here’s what was in the neighbor’s backyard right next to the rv park.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_c989b-lg9Y/UFDw25J0hZI/AAAAAAAAD88/Jd_OFrsu7Xo/s1600-h/P1000512%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Neighbors at Tanglewood" border="0" height="173" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G5DQruCVSiU/UFDw3oSPXaI/AAAAAAAAD9E/EVEIsnjR9_8/P1000512_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Neighbors at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> </div>
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The sites are paved but many of them are not level. I’m glad we called the office the day before to get a great site. Not a problem during the week.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y8IhgSE8yXc/UFDw4TKf_3I/AAAAAAAAD9M/1ebLvB87Uag/s1600-h/P1000491%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tanglewood Park-site 2" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vuHm6TCownU/UFDw5LXaMsI/AAAAAAAAD9U/y_YSj2Vaw9o/P1000491_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tanglewood Park-site 2" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQonuk8W4jo/UFDw5jEsS0I/AAAAAAAAD9c/jU6DPP-77MU/s1600-h/P1000493%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tanglewood Park-Clemmons NC" border="0" height="181" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--fmq65rD6iM/UFDw6b3WezI/AAAAAAAAD9k/aG-r_A6UMfE/P1000493_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tanglewood Park-Clemmons NC" width="244" /></a></div>
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Most of those amenities like the pool, stables, etc. cost a little extra but the arboretum and rose garden were included in the cg fee. I spent a little time relaxing in the arboretum in the afternoon. The rose garden was in direct hot sunshine which is great for the flowers but not for this rosebud. <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v3I3NfvfQfE/UFDw62Hm_LI/AAAAAAAAD9s/Zo0t_FtPIK4/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hGOA4f4DTHE/UFDw7dGDYJI/AAAAAAAAD90/lYdpVNB9j78/s1600-h/P1000509%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Relaxing Arboretum" border="0" height="153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G5PkCmzJ_lQ/UFDw8GGZ9FI/AAAAAAAAD98/axg6oE-vH_c/P1000509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Relaxing Arboretum" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lHWA0mgSZOc/UFDw88orSTI/AAAAAAAAD-E/t5GLM6l1-3E/s1600-h/P1000506%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="141" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z0Jp5_by2_k/UFDw9gqgCFI/AAAAAAAAD-M/cEFXj0UTCVc/P1000506_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NzTwxD2j-M8/UFDw-BoqbxI/AAAAAAAAD-U/r2lVG2TbLno/s1600-h/P1000507%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wHKxf6PaVp0/UFDw_Ly2ItI/AAAAAAAAD-c/fGEo9-J-Phw/P1000507_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BM1Gv8S-Fyg/UFDw_ylClQI/AAAAAAAAD-k/510AaGSwRS0/s1600-h/P1000500%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="235" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-leexneyRkc4/UFDxAkAqjCI/AAAAAAAAD-s/rByqi5FgP3w/P1000500_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DJDuycih8Xo/UFDxBRm11QI/AAAAAAAAD-0/9PrbV0u6Mcg/s1600-h/P1000495%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XMa-Ar3cBUg/UFDxCEonWtI/AAAAAAAAD-8/FkFDZ1vo58Y/P1000495_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qogXCwfSvFI/UFDxCqeHD5I/AAAAAAAAD_E/tg52y0xR3dA/s1600-h/P1000496%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oiUpYp74YYI/UFDxDbb7_QI/AAAAAAAAD_M/BYRUkBB9L0g/P1000496_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IXrXSDP8X1Q/UFDxEWQUp6I/AAAAAAAAD_U/HU2Xau3O1ls/s1600-h/P1000499%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Arboretum at Tanglewood" border="0" height="222" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KNlYUw6Uypo/UFDxFEXytlI/AAAAAAAAD_c/xL2QEZPEXU0/P1000499_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Arboretum at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Since this is a county park instead of a commercial park, there was plenty of space between the sites. There were also some very large old oak trees throughout the park. The rv park had been closed down for several years and was remodeled about three years ago. I could still see some of the old overgrown sites in the woods on my morning walk. The multi-use trail through the park is wonderful.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_5Gq0LGnmQw/UFDxF4TtEpI/AAAAAAAAD_k/yIGBr-5sPkw/s1600-h/P1000492%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Multi-use Trail at Tanglewood" border="0" height="150" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jjfzj6VxsCo/UFDxGnCtRCI/AAAAAAAAD_s/VNg8tnKvGgc/P1000492_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Multi-use Trail at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V70aAjumcjo/UFDxHb7bVBI/AAAAAAAAD_0/1u-y4Bs_7To/s1600-h/P1000511%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Multi-use Trail at Tanglewood" border="0" height="187" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WYcKxUBWruk/UFDxIJxCvsI/AAAAAAAAD_8/kA2fl20a5Wc/P1000511_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Multi-use Trail at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Many people walk or run and some ride their bicycles. There are also mountain bike trails through the woods for the more adventuresome. On my morning walk, I stopped counting the deer when I got over 20. There was even one of them in the corral with the horses just grazing with them like he belonged there.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uqxxPOt2ZfQ/UFDxIr2Cq6I/AAAAAAAAEAE/It0cWKwoz0k/s1600-h/P1000517%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Deer at Tanglewood" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2XIS5FeO9ks/UFDxJf16e0I/AAAAAAAAEAM/SOuebuHf2YA/P1000517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Deer at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MaYal3_DVtM/UFDxJ5cIduI/AAAAAAAAEAU/m52E8-anOD0/s1600-h/P1000513%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Deer near the Trail at Tanglewood" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NhxCqTOOFmw/UFDxKi511-I/AAAAAAAAEAc/sgtiFHVMt-Q/P1000513_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Deer near the Trail at Tanglewood" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
This was our last stop before arriving in Roanoke Rapids to visit with family, but I don’t think that it will be our <i>only</i> stay here. It’s definitely worth a return.<br />
<br />
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-5607007109532415132012-08-23T13:44:00.001-04:002012-08-23T13:44:32.615-04:00Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail<br />
<b>Aug 8-12, 2012</b><br />
<i>(I wanted to do just one post for our stay here but the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail was so nice that it deserves it’s own post.)</i><br />
<br />
Sevierville, TN<br />
River Plantation RV Park site 165<br />
<br />
We thumbed through the cg brochure that was given to us at check-in and decided to take this nice ride in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg. It was wonderful! It’s a five mile long narrow winding road with mountain streams, cascades, moss covered boulders, and green forests by the roadside. It’s like taking a hike without any of the effort! <br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QRltzeVjNaA/UDZqTFyGR9I/AAAAAAAAD0s/-03qQMRfO7k/s1600-h/P10003503.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GmwdhnGz0Ls/UDZqUNPlJ6I/AAAAAAAAD04/PRwkGAIuQyc/P1000350_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork" width="244" /></a> </div>
<br />
We lowered the windows on Suki and opened the sunroof to let our ears and noses enjoy the ride too.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dl6Dx_ukDPM/UDZqVf0ESYI/AAAAAAAAD1A/naJU8cbLjAA/s1600-h/P10003523.jpg"><img alt="Sunroof View-Roaring Fork" border="0" height="169" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MPDWGNs_6bQ/UDZqWle1dBI/AAAAAAAAD1I/ezwxkaPFzjo/P1000352_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sunroof View-Roaring Fork" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qBu8MR4zYg0/UDZqXvTUbbI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/dcsdI1Isv0I/s1600-h/P10004243.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork Motor Tour" border="0" height="213" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4bA8WvgTtS4/UDZqYPf9P-I/AAAAAAAAD1Y/ktyMR32p_Lk/P1000424_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork Motor Tour" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DJ9ywKzF5Ls/UDZqZNoqFGI/AAAAAAAAD1g/4E5t3imNLZc/s1600-h/P10003513.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork Motor Tour" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dTJdV5PLBMM/UDZqZxDTtzI/AAAAAAAAD1o/mGoPgdl5ELI/P1000351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork Motor Tour" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
There were several places to park and take real hikes but we enjoyed the few stops at the overlooks.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EoywsuJrtD0/UDZqaXoiMUI/AAAAAAAAD1w/FjiFltDbwVE/s1600-h/P10003553.jpg"><img alt="Roaoring Fork Auto Tour" border="0" height="149" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jQY_QXgWkOM/UDZqbONBScI/AAAAAAAAD14/sCE8hN9B7lc/P1000355_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaoring Fork Auto Tour" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cxuUXKMIWlg/UDZqbyi6GQI/AAAAAAAAD2A/fVDzex6FbKM/s1600-h/P10003533.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork Overlook" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yy2GDyKyr1Q/UDZqcgwXH4I/AAAAAAAAD2I/41i_j3tESwI/P1000353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork Overlook" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8wsGXtomHMs/UDZqde0km4I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/CqM_wEQ91-M/s1600-h/P10003603.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork Overlook" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V4-boVwH3W0/UDZqeNo-Z8I/AAAAAAAAD2Y/9pFXlfloxas/P1000360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork Overlook" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
I have always loved the lush green foliage that is found in the Great Smokies. There was green everywhere!<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-44-4QMeYO-I/UDZqe6VsmyI/AAAAAAAAD2g/kW25GQO00CU/s1600-h/P10003633.jpg"><img alt="Forest engulfs you" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ip3WWplmXdY/UDZqfUwtS9I/AAAAAAAAD2o/MbLzkr3fUBM/P1000363_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Forest engulfs you" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4WZ1rkI_0wM/UDZqgVuNUCI/AAAAAAAAD2w/VUtI93oEGdg/s1600-h/P10003663.jpg"><img alt="Moss everywhere" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4DuFFMXgVbE/UDZqhCxieBI/AAAAAAAAD24/6cCN5rxVB3Q/P1000366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Moss everywhere" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
There was moss growing on everything that didn’t move. Tree trunks were covered even before they fell to the ground and the boulders were green with moss!<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KaV_kUyejc4/UDZqh1qp5VI/AAAAAAAAD3A/Ut9Mg1w8LRg/s1600-h/P10003773.jpg"><img alt="Mossy Rocks-Roaring Forks" border="0" height="149" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ul5A3iULtJM/UDZqiq0xgnI/AAAAAAAAD3I/U2KaGVZ02e0/P1000377_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mossy Rocks-Roaring Forks" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-noKEVFLQqqo/UDZqjUkhUyI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/Fx5Y_h8SlAw/s1600-h/P10003733.jpg"><img alt="Mossy Trunk-Roaring Fork" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cismbuNxWyM/UDZqkAkvTCI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/UC1riD7wm9U/P1000373_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mossy Trunk-Roaring Fork" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOjRRrQ5V0g/UDZqlFPSWyI/AAAAAAAAD3g/XbjCPf5ivY4/s1600-h/P10003713.jpg"><img alt="Mossy Log-Roaring Fork" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1GnwmseR5g4/UDZqln6PxhI/AAAAAAAAD3o/s_ObUHmzNC4/P1000371_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mossy Log-Roaring Fork" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
We could see and hear the mountain stream that flowed along beside the road much of the time. So refreshing and cooler in the higher altitude. I just had to sit on a rock and enjoy it for a while.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qa6d2bgOlMo/UDZqmr0vMcI/AAAAAAAAD3w/vaCmCqMiz8w/s1600-h/P10003853.jpg"><img alt="Mountain Stream" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZFBmFSnfH5Y/UDZqnKjuOEI/AAAAAAAAD34/kbcQ3NisDD8/P1000385_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mountain Stream" width="171" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2fUyhdwPZuA/UDZqn2pxuDI/AAAAAAAAD4A/m5qULBFFSsw/s1600-h/P10003673.jpg"><img alt="Mountain Stream" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-efHSB6HhBmY/UDZqo545HtI/AAAAAAAAD4I/z8KpHCiLAsg/P1000367_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mountain Stream" width="184" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-644oppYDAmo/UDZqps7ZYmI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/gC0ydqbuwnY/s1600-h/P10003883.jpg"><img alt="Enjoying Nature" border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrH4FJ37U_wfr4eV0hKag8ohcw1zXuhTd0OhvJMk4cOTqelMUFxlywOKg5Wz-TkfMzaGiYG0Z6-yYqM4LZ8bRAG7v_sHkW4qXrBQUwl0ITSkeXBGba5VxgZ5mjQxfKxrVLoI5VFv1NVFi/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Enjoying Nature" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3YeVlsCVbg0/UDZquqwGLSI/AAAAAAAAD4g/UUMN2rc-JHQ/s1600-h/P10003903.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dqaj5A-6OTw/UDZqvhVTKjI/AAAAAAAAD4o/TwKEi1-ZXQU/P1000390_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
The tour took us by a few buildings that were left by the families that lived here before the National Park was created. We were just more engrossed with nature.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HA2VYXySE3Q/UDZqwkKIAeI/AAAAAAAAD4w/yYd1nowLfcA/s1600-h/P10004123.jpg"><img alt="Road over the Stream" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4MbUwsvrBxc/UDZqxLddqNI/AAAAAAAAD44/UlMS0evyXUk/P1000412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Road over the Stream" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bb7B05MOVFA/UDZqyDULfdI/AAAAAAAAD5A/lxQcQ7-LGPk/s1600-h/P10004023.jpg"><img alt="Road over the Stream" border="0" height="197" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RDcDOzZMkzw/UDZqyvdqX_I/AAAAAAAAD5I/ElKvnNLcs7Q/P1000402_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Road over the Stream" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
I have always enjoyed rock outcroppings too. There were several boulders along the roadside with trees and bushes growing right out of them.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--G2jgpRVmlM/UDZqz7B3abI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/MetjnTsRgRk/s1600-h/P10004153.jpg"><img alt="Roadside Boulders" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7SUnyafnJ8U/UDZq0xB3RNI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/9bhSjeAOcio/P1000415_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roadside Boulders" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3do9r7t6E30/UDZq1rAtzoI/AAAAAAAAD5g/JI2nHKowEws/s1600-h/P10004253.jpg"><img alt="Roadside Boulders" border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHY16yTM-psEYKa1IzcLFmWmxDcGJQktarmeNxpSibsAg6-5ENVVm47C3YON-HR-qv-oBKuISQwaFtaEehFphu1zDW_xq5FCKNPUB9szQ7Edatl0UJY5hYwmLRo7UeulPURbZPtWPvb7x/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roadside Boulders" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-heG-Y2rLUZU/UDZq3aXnukI/AAAAAAAAD5w/oIDaqpP-NDs/s1600-h/P10004223.jpg"><img alt="Mossy Boulders" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p_YiB4B2BF8/UDZq4adnsDI/AAAAAAAAD54/oTPBXcPDtkg/P1000422_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mossy Boulders" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oq_kIDL0aLA/UDZq5ZHBETI/AAAAAAAAD6A/VzMUiYIOuOg/s1600-h/P10004273.jpg"><img alt="Roadside Boulders" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qj3iCmeg4xQ/UDZq6GSqkWI/AAAAAAAAD6I/OFT8vv9qrG0/P1000427_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roadside Boulders" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
But the most exciting thing that happened to us to make this day so very special was our own personal bear sighting. I drove very slowly on this auto tour and any time a car rolled up behind us, I would pull over and let them go by. There was no one else around when this juvenile black bear sauntered across the road only 20 feet in front of us. The pics are a little fuzzy because Gin was so excited she couldn’t hold the camera steady.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yCOwQkIH0_U/UDZq6sXFrCI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/LX3xw5piSuA/s1600-h/P10003943.jpg"><img alt="Roaring Fork Bear" border="0" height="181" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZASjm-YM5R0/UDZq71ZNieI/AAAAAAAAD6Y/OAM__sqkAEA/P1000394_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Roaring Fork Bear" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DKuPSYFuJ_U/UDZq8vK8KOI/AAAAAAAAD6g/1khC_w82tCg/s1600-h/P10004003.jpg"><img alt="Bear in the Woods" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wEkzy4ctw7M/UDZq9S7BifI/AAAAAAAAD6o/hDUEFHveLTc/P1000400_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bear in the Woods" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uJ6hv8_TQ2o/UDZq-IeKWjI/AAAAAAAAD6w/YqtWai6qUwU/s1600-h/P10003953.jpg"><img alt="Fuzzy Bear" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y5TdXgtoXY4/UDZq-lGFDlI/AAAAAAAAD64/O9kQGqVyoso/P1000395_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fuzzy Bear" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mwGT_uMwZIs/UDZq_bE03bI/AAAAAAAAD7A/m60PWxojTPo/s1600-h/P10003983.jpg"><img alt="Bear Butt" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rm-qlW8Ltu8/UDZrAR4EgTI/AAAAAAAAD7I/TLeCVKnx4fA/P1000398_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bear Butt" width="244" /></a></div>
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The bear took it’s time wandering across the road a couple of times while foraging for food. She never paid any attention to us in the car. It was very magical for us. Gin took a brief video of the bear as it left the road to return to the woods one last time. This is dedicated to Tricia who would have thoroughly enjoyed this too.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhM_RLso7PY" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('50531e07-bc0a-4c65-abcb-dabf6a47ab55'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"336\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QhM_RLso7PY?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/QhM_RLso7PY?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"336\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QdDZBgpdtp4/UDZrBCRZifI/AAAAAAAAD7Q/wTgyGI9XiO0/video4528ad64931a%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none;" /></a></div>
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This Bear’s for you Tricia</div>
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<br />
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-84681472757784084862012-08-21T11:41:00.000-04:002012-08-21T11:41:33.392-04:00River Plantation RV Park (TN)<br />
<b>Aug 8-12, 2012</b><br />
<i>(Catching up in the Great Smoky Mountains.)</i><br />
<br />
Sevierville, TN<br />
River Plantation RV Park site 165<br />
<br />
We stopped by here for a few days to enjoy full hook up on our way to visit family back in NC. We really wanted to go to the Cable Mill Visitor’s Center of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm" target="_blank"><b>Cades Cove</b></a> and get some Caribbean pancakes at <a href="http://www.flapjackspancakes.com/" target="_blank"><b>Flapjacks Pancakes</b></a> which is right next to this RV Park. Many of you are familiar with this place because we were at the <a href="http://www.rv-dreams.com/" target="_blank"><b>RV Dreams</b></a> Rally in April of 2011. There is a new office to check-in at in the <a href="http://riverplantationrv.com/" target="_blank"><b>park</b></a> and it is still a well maintained park.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TfOeUuSeuas/UDOqXBFcSGI/AAAAAAAADv4/BXPvahvSfBA/s1600-h/P10004873.jpg"><img alt="Entry at River Plantation" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ex4gutQQZg0/UDOqXwDKlCI/AAAAAAAADwA/AlYYZepgsKM/P1000487_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Entry at River Plantation" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6uzbImN1ums/UDOqY_UOsGI/AAAAAAAADwI/8cMVvKCrzGU/s1600-h/P10004843.jpg"><img alt="New Office at River Plantation RV Park" border="0" height="215" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4MQj-r3o644/UDOqZg6QMII/AAAAAAAADwQ/wncN0MviKKU/P1000484_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="New Office at River Plantation RV Park" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c_favfnkTRIw671osFdw5ghOengjxhmOWbQnvXCSc8u8C9GiNQpUBL_su5BPc3iMUIPc22o62BXB8IQzhijv8ixA8kNY9XS6oFN2ttHsNierdDk1LsCmLEGnKaOpWqidHcNWtpVT8D3D/s1600-h/P10004783.jpg"><img alt="River Plantation RV Park-Sevierville TN" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DesMbvVl3NQ/UDOqbCnieVI/AAAAAAAADwg/oZx2ty3wdpQ/P1000478_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="River Plantation RV Park-Sevierville TN" width="244" /></a></div>
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The first order of business for the day was the Caribbean pancakes. We had enjoyed some when we were here a year and a half ago and our taste buds were ready for some more. We sat down in a booth and saw that it was no longer on the menu! I asked our waitress about it and she said that it would be no trouble for the cook who could whip up some just special for us. They were good with coconut, banana, pineapple and nuts on them. Yum!<br />
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Next, we decided to take a ride on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. It was so nice there that I’ve decided to do a separate post on that soon. It started raining as we finished up with that but we still drove over to Cades Cove.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-InZacjPRFk0/UDOqb7ZR2iI/AAAAAAAADwo/jOqQUkTdRsQ/s1600-h/P10004503.jpg"><img alt="Rain moving in" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-etdt5FxTbMo/UDOqcUCTnjI/AAAAAAAADww/zmwFZ5GCxek/P1000450_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rain moving in" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2_pMgBfUeiM/UDOqdA0MKmI/AAAAAAAADw4/1dgwjM8R4Uw/s1600-h/P10004513.jpg"><img alt="Rain moving in at Cades Cove" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PaJBwRE9PKw/UDOqdtwtAqI/AAAAAAAADxA/Brz4fwJ3e10/P1000451_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rain moving in at Cades Cove" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FeijJg6SY4o/UDOqec9iZzI/AAAAAAAADxI/pxvlSAR5pZ8/s1600-h/P10004523.jpg"><img alt="Disappearing Mountain" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6qeNVfdQgZ8/UDOqfJSb7xI/AAAAAAAADxQ/1VyUCr4Dfy8/P1000452_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Disappearing Mountain" width="244" /></a></div>
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In our previous visit here we had stopped at most of the restored pioneer buildings and I did a <a href="http://wanderingsylville.blogspot.com/2011/04/cades-cove-and-bear-butt.html" target="_blank"><b>post</b></a> about them that day. We just enjoyed our ride today by finding some wildlife in the meadows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO3tTwT8HRyV4qj9jgvhfwZzyfKRiZjiW4B31LmuBmuOa3AlxIvyonzR5EzID2nZHDZedHZzdRN9oLjo6INqfjx04ZIU4JS_lrZA9gdCYon8MfK7FqfBH9jlti217SvT90YuVtYyPmHKS/s1600-h/P10004653.jpg"><img alt="Deer at Cades Cove" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TNM422TVoh0/UDOqhg1xt3I/AAAAAAAADxg/sGlJdDmsLKM/P1000465_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Deer at Cades Cove" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wy5DNlpjj04/UDOqieFaGOI/AAAAAAAADxo/hK7KW4am3bY/s1600-h/P10004533.jpg"><img alt="Deer at Cades Cove" border="0" height="163" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N58tb51rZIQ/UDOqjDhjz2I/AAAAAAAADxw/G8E8ar0PLLc/P1000453_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Deer at Cades Cove" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dEcYNNRhfI0/UDOqjyukiLI/AAAAAAAADx4/25tLH8FxQRI/s1600-h/P10004493.jpg"><img alt="Wild Turkey at Cades Cove" border="0" height="139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Unr4iyWR5js/UDOqkuH-sQI/AAAAAAAADyA/GYbm33AZz_M/P1000449_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wild Turkey at Cades Cove" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vvNLe3no1Nk/UDOqll12EgI/AAAAAAAADyI/wojeD0c02V0/s1600-h/P10004563.jpg"><img alt="Wild Turkey at Cades Cove" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tGgK4Y1TPzg/UDOqmrJTS0I/AAAAAAAADyQ/48OmlauZv98/P1000456_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wild Turkey at Cades Cove" width="244" /></a></div>
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Much of the attraction of driving to Cades Cove is the drive itself. There is a stream that runs along beside the road most of the way there and there are lots of squiggles (curves).<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ysyh5TKkOYs/UDOqniq4ewI/AAAAAAAADyY/g8im26xTu5w/s1600-h/P10004733.jpg"><img alt="P1000473" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C0z8F9iVSnc/UDOqoYk9FWI/AAAAAAAADyg/sT2gnHhWLOA/P1000473_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000473" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LyKyvrGCafo/UDOqpF-4N5I/AAAAAAAADyo/3r3RP9-P8Is/s1600-h/P10004713.jpg"><img alt="Cut through the rock" border="0" height="202" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7WAfllAB7zc/UDOqp0rqXDI/AAAAAAAADyw/wKZ0lkLOixQ/P1000471_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cut through the rock" width="244" /></a></div>
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We could tell that a strong storm had hit the mountain not too long ago. There were several places along the road that had many trees down. I think that some of them had been cleared away but most of them were still laying there.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3k1RvtHZ_t4/UDOqrP4NC8I/AAAAAAAADy4/atNrGzl0muo/s1600-h/P10004693.jpg"><img alt="Tree down" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sDPMfXIdHIw/UDOqr0UhTbI/AAAAAAAADzA/i3bvllxCNPA/P1000469_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tree down" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-db8lVyt2s74/UDOqsx24DmI/AAAAAAAADzI/40QlCn-Hhig/s1600-h/P10004703.jpg"><img alt="Trees down" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SJX4bxUmRn0/UDOqtnabamI/AAAAAAAADzQ/asX4dJ_brt8/P1000470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Trees down" width="244" /></a></div>
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I guess it’s nature’s way to open up the canopy to let new growth sprout forth. This rainy day also helps with the new growth and keeps everything a very lush green.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-48628622092044656992012-08-19T20:34:00.000-04:002012-08-19T20:34:03.908-04:00Fort Boonesborough State Park (KY)<br />
<b>Aug 6-8, 2012</b><br />
<i>(Playing catch up but still having way too much fun.)</i><br />
<br />
Richmond, KY<br />
Fort Boonesborough State Park (KY) site 135<br />
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This state park isn’t far from I64 or I75 so it was a convenient stopover for a couple of nights. We had no trouble getting adjoining sites during the middle of the week. It was nice to have 50 amp again and water at the site, even if we did have to share a pedestal and use extra water hose.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AGOuE_iF-7o/UDGFFai4lpI/AAAAAAAADro/WEu81HR6gbs/s1600-h/P10003263.jpg"><img alt="Fort Boonesborough State Park (KY) site 135" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UMj6qrlEMfY/UDGFGC2yv4I/AAAAAAAADrw/gOBYZtGv49A/P1000326_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fort Boonesborough State Park (KY) site 135" width="244" /></a></div>
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One of the nice features of this park is the working Fort Boonesborough. It is a reconstruction of the 1775 fort established by Daniel Boone as the second settlement in pioneer Kentucky. It was nice to have air conditioning in the cabins. We are spoiled. There were several artisans showing us how things were done in pioneer days. It was a hard life but the people had to work from sunup to sundown. One of the bigger blockhouses was a representation of a Tavern or Mercantile.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9WP5wKLLFTs/UDGFG34hJVI/AAAAAAAADr4/IJtSKXgyVv4/s1600-h/P10003353.jpg"><img alt="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EtYHJKWXU28/UDGFHXl4QCI/AAAAAAAADsA/XTyjS-KloNc/P1000335_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hyn_r28jDzs/UDGFIKf8s3I/AAAAAAAADsI/2xzvySHDvIM/s1600-h/P10003333.jpg"><img alt="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BkTQp14F2-c/UDGFI8aKQjI/AAAAAAAADsQ/nABMuh8N_OM/P1000333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nVwJDM6jhzM/UDGFJcYui-I/AAAAAAAADsY/kko0H5_xLsk/s1600-h/P10003343.jpg"><img alt="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" border="0" height="171" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PdU4vTRcNZs/UDGFKMK30MI/AAAAAAAADsg/-S9pMTEjj8E/P1000334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kentucky Tavern of 1780's" width="244" /></a></div>
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There was a cabin with looms to make cloth and a woodworking cabin.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yZCucGKdmA4/UDGFK00cneI/AAAAAAAADso/puFVVfOIvdQ/s1600-h/P10003323.jpg"><img alt="Loom at Fort Boonesborough" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-In0t1VbEJsk/UDGFLRo4KRI/AAAAAAAADsw/gLThF2hoLNs/P1000332_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Loom at Fort Boonesborough" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z-WD7Vi7ziM/UDGFMG-HhoI/AAAAAAAADs4/IrC_cc6Ftow/s1600-h/P10003373.jpg"><img alt="Woodworking Shop at Fort" border="0" height="170" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xgIwSwMZh_M/UDGFMnZqsOI/AAAAAAAADtA/KwIEmEpki-Q/P1000337_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Woodworking Shop at Fort" width="244" /></a></div>
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There was a cabin for the whitesmith or metal working shop and another for making candles.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vP18LMaTDBc/UDGFNf6VJgI/AAAAAAAADtI/PUjQpi3kINM/s1600-h/P10003393.jpg"><img alt="White Smith or Metalworking Shop" border="0" height="177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dk_aHARtnAg/UDGFNwcj3GI/AAAAAAAADtQ/XVDjkyY8KRk/P1000339_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="White Smith or Metalworking Shop" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-apYK3etjFCw/UDGFOjTgGnI/AAAAAAAADtY/0rfGd1pMGSQ/s1600-h/P10003423.jpg"><img alt="Candle Making" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-prujSFpTG6U/UDGFPBtsY0I/AAAAAAAADtg/K2AdB94bVJk/P1000342_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Candle Making" width="244" /></a></div>
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In the courtyard was the blacksmith and a community garden. We also saw a very heavy canoe that was made from a huge tree trunk log.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eBxkTuPtPw0/UDGFP0PFTdI/AAAAAAAADto/B3rzSKca5E4/s1600-h/P10003383.jpg"><img alt="Heavy Canoe" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wj3-eRiKufI/UDGFQuW-NQI/AAAAAAAADtw/77OkuLiTjKo/P1000338_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Heavy Canoe" width="186" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the artisans were at their stations and gave nice presentations of their crafts. A woman was busy spinning yarn and another one was making lye soap. She said that the pioneers only bathed about once a months. <br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pzVCzRujPew/UDGFRRPTT4I/AAAAAAAADt4/I-TyqrIbPxg/s1600-h/P10003433.jpg"><img alt="Spinning Yarns" border="0" height="172" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PXk6BzVSCIg/UDGFR1BdusI/AAAAAAAADuA/XXc3ULGJUhM/P1000343_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spinning Yarns" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Um7EixiSHGs/UDGFSgtkW1I/AAAAAAAADuI/OEc62BYBxIM/s1600-h/P10003453.jpg"><img alt="Making Soap" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qRHjv3pskps/UDGFTBJrtlI/AAAAAAAADuQ/HK5trRi6Nsk/P1000345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Making Soap" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
The last artisan that we spoke with was the cobbler. He said that the leather soled shoes back then only lasted about 6 months so most people went barefoot during the summer.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3fpmGX-vKRw/UDGFT3NPgyI/AAAAAAAADuY/r4-potxdc1E/s1600-h/P10003473.jpg"><img alt="Cobbler" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QUho5kXbVRQ/UDGFUbtEKbI/AAAAAAAADug/IgbXrk-QsIc/P1000347_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cobbler" width="244" /></a></div>
It was a nice way to spend a couple of hours on a hot summer afternoon. Back at camp, we all decided to go for a ride in the Suki after supper to see some of the beautiful rolling hills and rock walls in the Kentucky countryside. It was a great way to wrap up our travels with Dan and Tricia. They planned to go a little further west the next day while we were headed southeast. We’ve enjoyed tagging along with them. It has made me more comfortable with route planning, driving and picking a good campsite. It’s kinda like they were our training wheels. We will miss our fellow Pelicans but know that we will get back together before you know it.<br />
<br />
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-61940675596400114842012-08-17T10:26:00.000-04:002012-08-17T10:26:12.439-04:00North Bend State Park (WV)<br />
<b>Aug 2-6, 2012</b><br />
<i>(Another state but still catching up.)</i><br />
<br />
Cairo, WV<br />
North Bend State Park<br />
Cokeley CG site 25<br />
<br />
There are two cg’s at this state park. River Bend is better suited for smaller rigs that can handle hairpin turns and low branches. We opted for the big rig friendly Cokeley CG. It’s also walk-in only so it was no problem getting adjoining sites since we arrived on Thursday.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oj14JCT5jmo/UC5TuOhwsXI/AAAAAAAADmc/itdnWlfuWiY/s1600-h/P10003243.jpg"><img alt="Cokeley CG-North Bend State Park (WV)" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-juF7DMlQs2s/UC5Tv-c9IEI/AAAAAAAADmk/-fsV6eXxvRw/P1000324_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cokeley CG-North Bend State Park (WV)" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ee0aZfIu_2k/UC5TxoJyeuI/AAAAAAAADms/jeiKPRDxOKk/s1600-h/P10003233.jpg"><img alt="Cokeley CG site 25-North Bend State Park (WV)" border="0" height="153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l_vWdwehRgA/UC5TyAd6vAI/AAAAAAAADm0/OoXZlBua6ao/P1000323_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cokeley CG site 25-North Bend State Park (WV)" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
I got back in the habit of my morning power walks and one morning I counted 21 deer in separate herds! I like to see that kind of wildlife while I walk. I’m sure that the deer think I’m crazy but it makes me smile.<br />
<br />
We chose this park because there is a Rail Trail that borders the cg. The four of us packed our lunches and set off for a hot day on the trail. It is a 72 mile trail but we rode a little more than 14 miles and called it a day. It’s pea gravel instead of paved so it wore us out. Here is where it adjoins the state park.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rHItXp0kHw8/UC5TzoO_SgI/AAAAAAAADm8/f6VXfSxyi0Y/s1600-h/P10003013.jpg"><img alt="North Bend Rail Trail (WV)" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H_kxdlAJ1Co/UC5T1X-6gAI/AAAAAAAADnE/6iakW00zjP8/P1000301_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="North Bend Rail Trail (WV)" width="175" /></a></div>
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There is a 353 foot tunnel right at Bonds Creek near the park. In 1956 a train wrecked as it emerged from the tunnel and it went into Bonds Creek. The engineer and fireman were killed and 45 other folks were injured.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MI4zZ97k4k8/UC5T21Art8I/AAAAAAAADnM/RDQ9FfPq5IQ/s1600-h/P10003023.jpg"><img alt="Bonds Creek Tunnel (353 feet long)" border="0" height="227" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bdGJOlarvOw/UC5T4gRZDwI/AAAAAAAADnU/IJZ6YiTAlhE/P1000302_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bonds Creek Tunnel (353 feet long)" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-646KmOr-cPI/UC5T7rJ3N6I/AAAAAAAADnc/86F8mItYEvo/s1600-h/P10003223.jpg"><img alt="Train Wreck in 1956" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f1vyB0moP0c/UC5T87diNOI/AAAAAAAADnk/GdCXPsVWVdc/P1000322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Train Wreck in 1956" width="244" /></a></div>
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We rode our bikes past Cairo to the next tunnel in that direction. It is the 1376 foot long Silver Run Tunnel and it is said to be haunted. Glad we had flashlights and our head lights! It was <i>dark</i> in there!<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uvpI6IdCdCg/UC5T-AMgjUI/AAAAAAAADns/GxNcCIt9g10/s1600-h/P10003053.jpg"><img alt="Gin, Tricia and Syl at Silver Run Tunnel (1376 feet long)" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1VviI8dJ95o/UC5UAOve-TI/AAAAAAAADn0/8laXpDWYqiw/P1000305_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin, Tricia and Syl at Silver Run Tunnel (1376 feet long)" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9pUYvbY_hak/UC5UBO0VhtI/AAAAAAAADn8/tBYM-D0PGCk/s1600-h/P10003113.jpg"><img alt="Dan checking out the rocks at Silver Run Tunnel" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7In7c7JKuws/UC5UB3Sk2wI/AAAAAAAADoA/ks45jAIUqxY/P1000311_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan checking out the rocks at Silver Run Tunnel" width="172" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed the spots of shade and it was nice to slow down and enjoy the rock formations that were blasted to create this railway in the mid 1800’s.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2qLncWLBav0/UC5UEu5SPEI/AAAAAAAADoM/-RMedls0sqQ/s1600-h/P10003033.jpg"><img alt="Rock Formations" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2K4tML4CpUc/UC5UFOnjP7I/AAAAAAAADoU/-g4c68h9XC8/P1000303_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rock Formations" width="244" /></a></div>
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On our way back to camp, we stopped in the little town of Cairo to have some ice cream and stretch our legs. The ice cream shop had just opened for business that morning. The woman working the counter struck up a conversation with us when we mentioned that we were staying in the cg. She had given some water to Howard and Linda of <a href="http://www.rv-dreams.com/" target="_blank"><b>RV-Dreams</b></a> a couple of years ago and still follows their blog.<br />
<br />
The town of Cairo has a rich history but unfortunately it seems to have a poor future. It was an oil boomtown in the mid 1800’s and the railroad brought in supplies for the growing town. I loved some of the unusual architecture and the way they are trying to preserve it with the Rail Trail.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TdoD3-IQAzo/UC5UGHDiMSI/AAAAAAAADoc/vCdKcw9OyMg/s1600-h/P10003213.jpg"><img alt="P1000321" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wOhHLFNQIwk/UC5UGn-ffcI/AAAAAAAADok/SEcVgXVe64I/P1000321_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000321" width="184" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VAowTVqqVoU/UC5UH43IrnI/AAAAAAAADos/a3nPwUlEB7s/s1600-h/P10003123.jpg"><img alt="Cairo WV map from 1899" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u0QxdKZ8hMk/UC5UISitY8I/AAAAAAAADo0/Uux2M56W8Ws/P1000312_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cairo WV map from 1899" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r5QjhNqSrnU/UC5UJj-xS6I/AAAAAAAADo8/-pCCPJHrxIQ/s1600-h/P10003183.jpg"><img alt="P1000318" border="0" height="205" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VRNzaTIyRAk/UC5UJzR13tI/AAAAAAAADpE/O39ENBjhNXA/P1000318_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000318" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
I liked the Town Square and the old Hardware Store…<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SecxHW5mpck/UC5UK0xblUI/AAAAAAAADpM/tIGiEEY5FsE/s1600-h/P10003203.jpg"><img alt="Town Square-Cairo WV" border="0" height="185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NZHEEvEnuXw/UC5ULi8iw-I/AAAAAAAADpQ/kYx2hEAH0kQ/P1000320_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Town Square-Cairo WV" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sJ_Dsr_nOUh-oS3XLiNb-PfJTgylFUPWt5PD1e0COQU4tLjvwrrwdo09krAmRL4DSGFRpZWuyMXPI3UqSScX0UD5TkQmPN232o4X5mubhDK_xUHSaWKZI6I9dq7hGl6dax9-FsbNjaWx/s1600-h/P10003133.jpg"><img alt="Cairo WV old Hardware Store" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HyC1RzrScMo/UC5UM42oWhI/AAAAAAAADpk/ZYZyrraoTW4/P1000313_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cairo WV old Hardware Store" width="244" /></a></div>
but I especially liked the old Bank of Cairo.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SKkikf79sE8/UC5UN484T7I/AAAAAAAADps/zDUGUGRZWX4/s1600-h/P10003143.jpg"><img alt="Old Bank of Cairo WV Building" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PX6h8RnAnbo/UC5UOi_IkdI/AAAAAAAADp0/oC29yVNHe-I/P1000314_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Old Bank of Cairo WV Building" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xf7QelK6gcA/UC5UPc1tEwI/AAAAAAAADp8/QmNI87PXzk0/s1600-h/P10003173.jpg"><img alt="Great Architecture" border="0" height="208" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xnNAaqgdhV4/UC5UP4oHW5I/AAAAAAAADqE/Pv0zK8Onrqc/P1000317_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Great Architecture" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o3KpH5grU9I/UC5UQiLoBLI/AAAAAAAADqM/iOkSUYdakgE/s1600-h/P10003193.jpg"><img alt="Unusual Architecture" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dPQmUG1I_Sc/UC5URKnWt_I/AAAAAAAADqQ/NlPkVgUzO04/P1000319_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Unusual Architecture" width="168" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a great bike ride but we were worn out and just relaxed for the rest of our stay here. I think we were all happy to be away from the big crowds of Niagara and in more natural surroundings.<br />
<br />
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-38628896389951031592012-08-15T18:06:00.000-04:002012-08-15T18:06:09.305-04:00Geneva State Park (OH)<br />
<b>July 31-Aug 2, 2012</b><br />
(<i>Only stayed two nights but wished for longer. Maybe next time!)</i><br />
<br />
Geneva, OH<br />
Geneva State Park (OH) site 56<br />
<br />
We left Niagara and traveled with Dan and Tricia to <a href="http://ohiodnr.com/parks/geneva/tabid/736/Default.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Geneva State Park</b></a><b> </b>in Ohio. Since we were all headed south in the coming weeks, we thought it would be nice to travel together. We decided on this cg because it was on Lake Erie and within our driving range of close to 200 miles. We had 50 amp and had to put water in our tank since there was no hookup at the sites. The shade was very welcomed.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PwAiG9G1Qew/UCwcxqJbz2I/AAAAAAAADj0/vvTGekhvIJE/s1600-h/P10003003.jpg"><img alt="Geneva State Park (OH)" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSdtdoI8jzsa5fwm8WKzd04g4v-RM_egVUFAVbQj6JiKjLJJg2W4UBNBPU0fz87qbkBrxF0EDsXedv6IpBhdKfdKizLngIZioxID606yg7-7iVgqcSDT48BacL3TuNGXfKdmo-3PsXuZz/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Geneva State Park (OH)" width="244" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3S6jT4i6kiw/UCwczqwNsHI/AAAAAAAADkE/CdoZ9unTBuM/s1600-h/P10002923.jpg"><img alt="Dan at Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6YHY9TlF350/UCwc0LA_FCI/AAAAAAAADkM/88gSz9jlG38/P1000292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan at Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" width="229" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_ib_syWbmJLS1mQbl8ZUBLDzHXie77Whw3gcTaN431hKM8yiAiEVc_AfUwUy5-OFkGndcQHpsBHEEWcC7HtChI_Kvtj3VNpItetNabbnA_LVMQBLKcPgdK5Dj35HDA7xLOPGj9TrQspQ/s1600-h/P10002933.jpg"><img alt="Tricia, Gin and Dan at Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-09sfZOFj0WQ/UCwc1-m0IlI/AAAAAAAADkc/jE0LS7dRRjQ/P1000293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tricia, Gin and Dan at Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the delights of this cg was the paved bike path that goes along Lake Erie and into the quaint little resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake. We all pedaled in to town one afternoon and enjoyed some unhealthy eating. Burger, fries and ice cream served up 50’s style. We figured that we would have to pedal a lot to burn up some of those calories.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ENaz7fzOk3o/UCwc3ssEJkI/AAAAAAAADkk/a1X94291y7A/s1600-h/P10002983.jpg"><img alt="Bike path by Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" border="0" height="178" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LdTWGssvxVg/UCwc34KhGPI/AAAAAAAADks/tWmbDpNso34/P1000298_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bike path by Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H9vVe0TvHko/UCwc5vco7TI/AAAAAAAADk0/pSnH3gmldAo/s1600-h/P10002973.jpg"><img alt="Bike path by Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-61FtpnympNQ/UCwc6DMcRcI/AAAAAAAADk8/N8GkxARYW9c/P1000297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bike path by Lake Erie-Geneva State Park (OH)" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a nice state park with a resort lodge and marina on the grounds. I’m glad that there are some states that think it’s worth saving and promoting their natural resources for everyone to enjoy. Gin’s checking up on Neptune.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DEzSvMks4i4/UCwc7BC1GvI/AAAAAAAADlE/4n-PHSpHskg/s1600-h/P10002943.jpg"><img alt="Geneva State Park Marina (OH)" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e7K0g28G4cw/UCwc7kxVWTI/AAAAAAAADlM/6J1G3xH6DqM/P1000294_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Geneva State Park Marina (OH)" width="161" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-85892836169144208312012-08-14T11:52:00.000-04:002012-08-14T11:52:17.265-04:00Wrapping up at Niagara<br />
<b>July 23-31, 2012</b><br />
<i>(I promise that I’ll get caught up…really)</i><br />
<br />
Youngstown, NY<br />
Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65<br />
<br />
So do you want to hear the rest of the story about that camera shot? Well it started about a week or so earlier. We wanted a good but smaller camera so that we would actually use it more, especially while we were at Niagara so we ordered a new Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 with 16x zoom. It was delivered to us while we were at the farm in PA. Do you also remember the shot of that nice Observation Gazebo along the walkway on the Canada side? Well it appears that the camera wanted to sit there a bit while the rest of us walked away. We didn’t realize it was gone until after supper. I walked back to look for it but it was gone of course. We wrote it off as one of those things that happen in life and continued to enjoy our evening of fireworks.<br />
<br />
That was on Friday. Fast forward a couple of days to Sunday. Gin and I decided to stay at camp to relax while Dan, Tricia, Brandon and Amanda went back to enjoy the Canadian attraction, <a href="http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/behind-the-falls.html/" target="_blank"><b>Journey Behind the Falls</b></a>. While they were there, they checked the lost and found at the Park Police building. The officer said they did indeed have one turned in on Friday matching that description! It was locked up for safekeeping and they would need to wait around for about 30 minutes while someone came in that could unlock the storage room. (I could think of worse places to hang out for a while since the views were gorgeous.)<br />
<br />
After checking to make sure it was our camera, Tricia signed for it and brought it back to us. They had taken that picture of our camera at the Falls to tease us. We were sitting outside at our MH when they got back from their day trip and Brandon said that they had taken a really nice picture that they wanted to show us. Tricia came over and had that shot open on her camera. We just smiled, jumped up, and gave her a big hug!! We were so happy to have it back! A good Samaritan had turned it in to the police just a few minutes after we walked away from it. Thank you Dan, Tricia, Brandon and Amanda for getting it out of lock up for us! So now you know the rest of the story.<br />
<br />
We enjoyed being tourist while here but we enjoyed the relaxing down time with friends also. On the last day here I joined Tricia, Brandon and Amanda for a little hike to the Niagara River in nearby Artpark. It’s another NY State Park in the area that has a music venue and art on the grounds. Here’s some examples.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kjVd6i130tA/UCZr1pVtneI/AAAAAAAADZo/Nd5UAQxQfpk/s1600-h/P1000279%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ArtPark NY" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oEzo_OiwRTQ/UCZr2SDZcpI/AAAAAAAADZw/dc-g3WzEY8o/P1000279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ArtPark NY" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uA4HgG58ccs/UCZr22ses0I/AAAAAAAADZ4/wsdQxWOgww0/s1600-h/P1000280%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ArtPark NY" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zlLO3X75LhE/UCZr3mlMQxI/AAAAAAAADaA/fTBDethqf6s/P1000280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ArtPark NY" width="169" /></a></div>
<br />
We found a trail that led us down to the Niagara River and got a good view of some of the whirlpools. I love the color of the water and like the River about as much as I like the Falls.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y_-K3UQ-_hc/UCZr4THr3VI/AAAAAAAADaI/T0j_ARBYXKw/s1600-h/P1000285%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Amanda and Brandon at the Niagara River" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wRaCpsiypE8/UCZr5EbpISI/AAAAAAAADaQ/blPAI5GZHdk/P1000285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Amanda and Brandon at the Niagara River" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LoCbFG12viE/UCZr6GwFDII/AAAAAAAADaY/gISCsS84Yjs/s1600-h/P1000286%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara River" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SLN5dv7zL1w/UCZr6hdWwXI/AAAAAAAADag/MX8UbmWSd6M/P1000286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara River" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw several of the Whirlpool Jet Boats go by with lots of people in them. They had on their ponchos so I’m sure they all got wet at some point.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dwSWocCX-tY/UCZr7oMPT4I/AAAAAAAADao/sv6_uPig3eA/s1600-h/P1000290%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara River" border="0" height="187" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O0JC6jPdzQU/UCZr8c3IvTI/AAAAAAAADaw/hSn_slEpUzk/P1000290_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara River" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nRANGQdsIBQ/UCZr-XpLY8I/AAAAAAAADa4/4YEa9DSYBDE/s1600-h/P1000283%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1000283" border="0" height="167" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9829vKe644E/UCZr-yIj-lI/AAAAAAAADbA/HFN6WiPqWBU/P1000283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000283" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdBswH0s8c0mkkSdbTxH9lfvSS71OLya5bNn1fxP_EfkoBXogq1ja1lTnjuzOn28qFaf6q0ag1Pphju4AhtQEXCEei2F_DX7D5RhUPPfkNZgLl32NU6pA8CH1W3UJGI8PRsvSecUZaUf-/s1600-h/P1000284%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Whirlpool Jet Boat on Niagara River" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4QAKPwqgWz4/UCZsAdRQoBI/AAAAAAAADbQ/CgBs4T6A1H8/P1000284_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Whirlpool Jet Boat on Niagara River" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
We enjoyed our relaxing time at this cg too. On a clear day, we could see the skyline of Toronto, Ontario across Lake Ontario.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hSwoMWYqjuw/UCZsAycNlSI/AAAAAAAADbY/itLY9AjGDsU/s1600-h/P1000265%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Toronto Skyline beyond Lake Ontario" border="0" height="126" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g14TMZ5Qkwk/UCZsBXaO5rI/AAAAAAAADbg/LZOBcJsYW_g/P1000265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Toronto Skyline beyond Lake Ontario" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fbfXgCJT9sY/UCZsCKY4f4I/AAAAAAAADbo/iOErfjK07-4/s1600-h/P1000238%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dusk at Lake Ontario-Toronto Skyline" border="0" height="161" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G3id7dpzC4M/UCZsC2GslcI/AAAAAAAADbw/86eFiaR2NcY/P1000238_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dusk at Lake Ontario-Toronto Skyline" width="244" /></a> </div>
There were many beautiful sunsets over Lake Ontario. Here are just a few parting shots.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iT08JQjsyPk/UCZsDjrGiMI/AAAAAAAADb4/w2bS8_VSizI/s1600-h/P1000237%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Amanda and Brandon enjoying a sunset over Lake Ontario" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R6nVDkmyQEo/UCZsEULm_4I/AAAAAAAADcA/TzjFc-X3U3U/P1000237_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Amanda and Brandon enjoying a sunset over Lake Ontario" width="207" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VJe6Xb4yr8U/UCZsFdDS8dI/AAAAAAAADcI/6EW-uOA2fZk/s1600-h/P1000248%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1000248" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7poYwgAayPI/UCZsFkMPpdI/AAAAAAAADcQ/O1MIBEe7M7s/P1000248_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000248" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uAu6HXSbOTU/UCZsGAPHDmI/AAAAAAAADcY/3kKtd_Omnwk/s1600-h/P1000251%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Ontario" border="0" height="156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AI_sEfPgh-U/UCZsHSMj-PI/AAAAAAAADcg/eqdZTcYonlk/P1000251_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Ontario" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
I think this one is my favorite one though.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FgQSH3JCWQQ/UCZsH422WFI/AAAAAAAADco/_NTn4n3zOBY/s1600-h/P1000245%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Ontario" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jWtyqNCCXtY/UCZsIoRAp-I/AAAAAAAADcw/L25zdsiA1-M/P1000245_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Ontario" width="168" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
The End</div>
Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-28077289682529356762012-08-12T20:41:00.001-04:002012-08-12T20:44:44.979-04:00Niagara from Canada<br />
<b>July 23-31, 2012</b><br />
<i>(Catching up but still having fun.)</i><br />
<br />
Youngstown, NY<br />
Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65<br />
<br />
This will be three days in a row that we have played tourist at Niagara Falls and we lived through it. This was also the day of closing on the sale of our house so we had that in the back of our minds all day. We all piled in to our Suki and rode over the Rainbow Bridge to Canada for the afternoon and evening. The Falls are illuminated at night and fireworks were also scheduled. <br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HF2xGOu0pIA/UChL0oNPksI/AAAAAAAADd8/F6Q_cgqYGoI/s1600-h/P10001913.jpg"><img alt="Under the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara-Canada" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rSUeyA-jRMk/UChL1Kt58SI/AAAAAAAADeE/H-NCDDeB_0g/P1000191_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Under the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara-Canada" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NbEakJHfJvc/UChL18e7klI/AAAAAAAADeM/XouFLqeVZbg/s1600-h/P10001923.jpg"><img alt="American Falls-Niagara Canada" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f3YJO2Vv9dw/UChL2TWm37I/AAAAAAAADeU/brbj5m69u3E/P1000192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="American Falls-Niagara Canada" width="166" /></a></div>
<br />
We had always heard that the view of the Falls were prettier from Canada so we had to check it out. It was <i>very</i> crowded but beautiful! <br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jsU3CSKGUdo/UChL3Q4xNlI/AAAAAAAADec/SKPhu4oy0UE/s1600-h/P10001943.jpg"><img alt="Niaga Falls from Canada" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1jwWjnWK67s/UChL4SFSRGI/AAAAAAAADek/AXokZIxJt-s/P1000194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niaga Falls from Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9R7qmltPIVw/UChL5FtV0TI/AAAAAAAADes/rzI9JDnh2l4/s1600-h/P10001963.jpg"><img alt="American Falls from Canada" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DV-j73GUSmw/UChL5ngYt4I/AAAAAAAADe0/U6trN-jicao/P1000196_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="American Falls from Canada" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iZiXTojUKZo/UChL6Ba-kJI/AAAAAAAADe8/k81Ri-GCC-8/s1600-h/P10001953.jpg"><img alt="Horseshoe Falls from Canada" border="0" height="187" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zSyad2BXrFU/UChL6iqGytI/AAAAAAAADfE/bEY_ZlZCQdo/P1000195_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Horseshoe Falls from Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
We all got our obligatory posed pictures taken…<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X2rjTnBRYwg/UChL7RgfktI/AAAAAAAADfM/HlFxmPLeOjs/s1600-h/P10001973.jpg"><img alt="Goofy Dan and Tricia" border="0" height="156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gmhNed-Xn2A/UChL7xoHXeI/AAAAAAAADfU/BXJqM9KjLmg/P1000197_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Goofy Dan and Tricia" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EwTvWBVy1so/UChL8gTvr7I/AAAAAAAADfY/vTubfwmXaKA/s1600-h/P10002013.jpg"><img alt="Brandon and Amanda" border="0" height="140" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GlPknpCzSc4/UChL9FlhAWI/AAAAAAAADfc/XHirQ5Fd-SM/P1000201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Brandon and Amanda" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S1jSuHiyGSs/UChL9yLQ8zI/AAAAAAAADfg/NS02Qg_oiN4/s1600-h/P10001983.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Syl" border="0" height="154" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uMnyKFrAZ5A/UChL-cZfE9I/AAAAAAAADfo/5uFWHanWEbY/P1000198_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Syl" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
and continued walking towards Horseshoe Falls.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MT-G9udmkYo/UChL-4fDpII/AAAAAAAADf0/fFCd3JpIgYE/s1600-h/P10002033.jpg"><img alt="American Falls-Canada" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3LtHsn2fhk4/UChL_XANgPI/AAAAAAAADgE/XEPYphcOlS0/P1000203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="American Falls-Canada" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oYBQNCUrfqs/UChMA5S7eoI/AAAAAAAADgM/EHBnkDp26l4/s1600-h/P10002023.jpg"><img alt="Horseshoe Falls -Canada" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cwj_gQQtE48/UChMBINyoxI/AAAAAAAADgU/Dzh7wT0HWHw/P1000202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Horseshoe Falls -Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
There’s a very nice Observation Gazebo about halfway to Horseshoe Falls and this is the Rainbow Bridge between Canada and the US.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gwdj6EbJ53Q/UChMBw26nLI/AAAAAAAADgc/86dBejMpfO4/s1600-h/P10002053.jpg"><img alt="Observation Gazebo" border="0" height="178" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S0JJcra_awk/UChMCU5d-DI/AAAAAAAADgk/_fJBZMTFzkk/P1000205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Observation Gazebo" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gY6LdXQN4bk/UChMC9FWNEI/AAAAAAAADgs/ndV6vedqJm0/s1600-h/P10002043.jpg"><img alt="Rainbow Bridge from Canada" border="0" height="173" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8CXKLlUNiL8/UChMDhs5KWI/AAAAAAAADg0/GU84Rdd8oIk/P1000204_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rainbow Bridge from Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
I have not taken my morning power walks while visiting here because I knew that I would get plenty of exercise as a tourist. We continue on and got closer to Horseshoe Falls.<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DiaVKtn-9ug/UChMENN2CKI/AAAAAAAADg8/zA-V-C9pzgs/s1600-h/P10002193.jpg"><img alt="Horseshoe Falls-Canada" border="0" height="189" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0peCgR4Rjbg/UChMFGwH0GI/AAAAAAAADhE/-PAATviZpJM/P1000219_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Horseshoe Falls-Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember that bridge we drove across? It’s a little farther away now.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pFH376szKRE/UChMFqT3QTI/AAAAAAAADhM/bJieM7Ayn4Q/s1600-h/P10002203.jpg"><img alt="American Falls from Canada" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fy8eEZyjV4c/UChMGcJsguI/AAAAAAAADhU/7qIRBLaPX80/P1000220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="American Falls from Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
We made it to the edge of Horseshoe Falls. I could have stood there for hours just watching all that water cascade down. About 90 percent of the volume of water here goes over Horseshoe while the other 10 percent goes over American Falls. I can still hear it and feel the sheer power!<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oKkeIXQwH1E/UChMHeOe-pI/AAAAAAAADhc/ZW2qwK-Yato/s1600-h/P10002213.jpg"><img alt="Top of Horseshoe Falls-Canada" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j32HL1RhoOc/UChMHkm2feI/AAAAAAAADhk/LScMyh5mvNo/P1000221_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Top of Horseshoe Falls-Canada" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FPpf4SGkZ28/UChMIWRdshI/AAAAAAAADhs/RRnoeJkJzTc/s1600-h/P10002233.jpg"><img alt="Top of Horseshoe Falls-Canada" border="0" height="204" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KxAOVqIYplw/UChMIzgJVQI/AAAAAAAADh0/NEXnA5EOV74/P1000223_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Top of Horseshoe Falls-Canada" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
After this crowded walk to Horseshoe, we started walking back the other way to find a place to eat supper and people watch before the illumination and fireworks began. The Canadian side of the Falls is quite different from the US side. The view of the Falls is nicer and it is more manicured but also more expensive and more crowded. I’m glad we did both, but I’m not sure which side I liked better. Here is the Niagara Parks Police building in Ontario and some of the beautiful flowers which are all around the place.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rQwQC4EqeX0/UChMJp4386I/AAAAAAAADh8/2h5cUwY9B-M/s1600-h/P10002293.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Park Police Building-Canada" border="0" height="157" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nGQo39cmbO4/UChMKFSmuVI/AAAAAAAADiA/HuOkI9OQfY0/P1000229_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara Park Police Building-Canada" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8ojxfWlZT0o/UChMK92e7II/AAAAAAAADiM/GnGF0ppoSt0/s1600-h/P10002283.jpg"><img alt="Pretty gardens" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7wRw0WjYiqw/UChMLZgg-zI/AAAAAAAADiU/QxgYOqJWYGg/P1000228_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pretty gardens" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Gin and I stayed in Canada to watch the fireworks while Tricia, Dan, Brandon and Amanda walked over the bridge and stood in two countries to watch the fireworks. We picked them up just as we reentered the country.<br />
<br />
I want to leave you with one last beautiful shot. In my next post, I’ll tell you the rest of the story…<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MYE4LLpIBLk/UChMMN33R7I/AAAAAAAADic/WR4taBa2fo8/s1600-h/P10208213.jpg"><img alt="Our Camera" border="0" height="167" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-21D6wFBRQRQ/UChMMpbDNnI/AAAAAAAADik/i3MPM6xLNP8/P1020821_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Our Camera" width="244" /></a></div>Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-74562539741388692562012-08-11T07:51:00.000-04:002012-08-11T14:51:47.183-04:00More Niagara Falls<br />
<b>July 23-31, 2012</b><br />
<i>(Catching up is hard to do when you’re busy having fun!)</i><br />
<br />
Youngstown, NY<br />
Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65<br />
<br />
To take advantage of all of the touristy things offered at the Niagara Falls State Park, we had purchased a <a href="http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/buy-niagara-discovery-pass-tickets.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Discovery Pass</b></a> which included tickets to five attractions. We had already enjoyed the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds so today we were going to enjoy the other three; Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, Niagara Adventure Theater, and Aquarium of Niagara. <br />
<br />
The Discovery Center basically educated folks on how the Falls and Gorge developed into being after the Ice Age. I find the geology to be both interesting and a little boring at the same time, if that makes sense. The Adventure Theater delved into the history of the people at the Falls from the Native Indians up to the barrel plunging daredevils. The Aquarium of course focused on what lives in the water. It focused a lot on seals, which I thought was interesting since seals aren’t native to the Niagara area. They were all rescued seals and there was a nice outdoor display.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F111DupuBcs/UCZF_RbRBmI/AAAAAAAADWE/SdNh0izSLHg/s1600-h/P1000154%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1000154" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-20wGlbpZkUs/UCZF_2hbTcI/AAAAAAAADWM/4epigDlhbDg/P1000154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000154" width="244" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mnw7Pb7kA3E/UCZGAZslfTI/AAAAAAAADWU/4pOCrEZ59is/s1600-h/P1000149%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Seals at the Aquarium of Niagara" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9_9zCjIZMAM/UCZGBPoWbkI/AAAAAAAADWc/oU38pwQzuNQ/P1000149_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seals at the Aquarium of Niagara" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VMR_LMSibr8/UCZGBvhT41I/AAAAAAAADWk/qedVf_WMqos/s1600-h/P1000153%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Aquarium of Niagara seals" border="0" height="204" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L52mPG18wtQ/UCZGCTC8mLI/AAAAAAAADWs/tgV8iz9SdPs/P1000153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Aquarium of Niagara seals" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
There were several penguins and tanks of different fresh water fish displayed and this terrarium which had colorful poisonous Dart Frogs in it.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9xgOpSi6SXQ/UCZGC9Jv0xI/AAAAAAAADW0/5RJIK8SnjHw/s1600-h/P1000157%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Poinsonous Dart Frogs" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cRaxF5Aa4u8/UCZGDkTEt9I/AAAAAAAADW8/dLyLqSvocaw/P1000157_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Poinsonous Dart Frogs" width="211" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vv9yvUhh84g/UCZGEEYFXkI/AAAAAAAADXE/nNJRLFv-L_0/s1600-h/P1000159%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Poisonous Dart Frogs" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Ge40Sbm-h8/UCZGEhBCfXI/AAAAAAAADXM/RtvziX9Vcm4/P1000159_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Poisonous Dart Frogs" width="171" /></a></div>
<br />
We didn’t go to the penguin feeding because it was too crowded, but we timed it right to get a good spot to watch the sea lion show. They were also rescues and could jump through hoops and clap on command. It was a real crowd pleaser.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AAfwdj93Yro/UCZGFU1ssNI/AAAAAAAADXU/ND8Z632Rwnw/s1600-h/P1000160%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Performance Seals" border="0" height="165" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U0EjwTw7nyY/UCZGF25l0JI/AAAAAAAADXc/7BAA4otoGOY/P1000160_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Performance Seals" width="244" /></a></div>
After this enjoyable day, we made our way back to camp to relax and have a little fun for Gin’s birthday. We played a friendly but competitive game of Spoons and Tricia had made a Nutty Buddy Pie since I couldn’t find an ice cream cake nearby. It was way sweet but delish.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-967Rf5y_KEU/UCZGGbfBjII/AAAAAAAADXk/Ljq2TgXlRKU/s1600-h/P1000170%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Heated game of Spoons-Brandon, Amanda, Tricia, Syl and Gin" border="0" height="173" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zgHdCcJt6UA/UCZGG4fnDWI/AAAAAAAADXs/HAjQsbpMNVA/P1000170_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Heated game of Spoons-Brandon, Amanda, Tricia, Syl and Gin" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
Just a little comment or two about this state park. We had 50 amp but no water at the site. We were close enough to a hookup so that we could fill up our tank without moving so that was nice. Since it is right on Lake Ontario, it was a nice breeze most of the time. It was so nice to have a relaxing place to retire to after being around the tourist crowds all day.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zrBfyMhHF-I/UCZGHgdQKAI/AAAAAAAADX0/Mvln0CkFG74/s1600-h/P1000072%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65" border="0" height="140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pMHmPJB6_P4/UCZGJn1z5bI/AAAAAAAADX8/jPPjhVKzFk4/P1000072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AZJr6jgMKm8/UCZGKh16KcI/AAAAAAAADYE/6nUgVR1Fiw8/s1600-h/P1000075%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Ontario at Four Mile Creek State Park (NY)" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hb8onsJWlOs/UCZGLLffXHI/AAAAAAAADYM/yPP2aKwJ1cA/P1000075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Ontario at Four Mile Creek State Park (NY)" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ARMvhYxoLDY/UCZGLyhBUkI/AAAAAAAADYU/qn3uDOJVGTQ/s1600-h/P1000081%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sunset on Ontario" border="0" height="151" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f4TG8NB17hI/UCZGMYIY00I/AAAAAAAADYc/s0GyI3HCtmY/P1000081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sunset on Ontario" width="244" /></a></div>
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The End.</div>Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-80573626456854340462012-08-08T21:40:00.000-04:002012-08-11T09:03:01.220-04:00Niagara Falls<b>July 23-31, 2012</b><br />
<i>(This week will be broken up to be a few posts since it is photo intensive. It was a busy, wonderful week!)</i><br />
<br />
Youngstown, NY<br />
Four Mile Creek State Park (NY) site 65<br />
<br />
If you want to be a tourist, then Niagara Falls is the place to be. We set up camp next to Dan and Tricia at a NY State Park that was about 13 miles away from all the hubbub so that we could enjoy a little quiet time also. Tricia’s son Brandon and his wife Amanda flew in from Wake Forest NC to join us for the week. Also in camp was Mac and Moe who are a hoot of a couple that Dan and Tricia met this past winter in Cedar Key FL. We all went to the Falls on the first day along with a few thousand other people. It is Beautiful!!<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U9fZYGCvKnw/UCMUF7Zv6iI/AAAAAAAADQQ/BQ4NSt6GMyA/s1600-h/P10001323.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Falls-American Falls and Horseshoe Falls" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zT-rhM2SZNM/UCMUGsUmZiI/AAAAAAAADQY/8FqknNmL3NM/P1000132_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara Falls-American Falls and Horseshoe Falls" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--qqiqLiiWU8/UCMUHPzVviI/AAAAAAAADQc/tcwqClB4Adg/s1600-h/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-0403.jpg"><img alt="Syl, Gin, Amanda, Dan, Tricia, Moe and Mac (Brandon took picture)" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M3kidcHcO00/UCMUHrXowoI/AAAAAAAADQk/PB8gHjJXXdE/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Syl, Gin, Amanda, Dan, Tricia, Moe and Mac (Brandon took picture)" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
We all enjoyed walking around the NY side and I just marveled at the power and beautiful color of the water. Since we had our receipt from the other state park cg, we didn’t have to pay for parking. That was nice.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tiblCXsu7vo/UCMUI7A5ogI/AAAAAAAADQw/saFbI2aAqR8/s1600-h/P10001023.jpg"><img alt="P1000102" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bMZ6U6ZP46I/UCMUJoG1aaI/AAAAAAAADQ4/Eo6o1gqYQ8w/P1000102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000102" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RPPHRFhzdWs/UCMUKXV215I/AAAAAAAADRA/6477qX3oHX8/s1600-h/P10000933.jpg"><img alt="The American Falls at Niagara" border="0" height="158" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pTfFLvCcHRY/UCMULNpxjII/AAAAAAAADRI/hxrKfgkkLYs/P1000093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The American Falls at Niagara" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yF_dko219x0/UCMUMLfENxI/AAAAAAAADRQ/_zyFkoJH9c0/s1600-h/P10000973.jpg"><img alt="Canada Shore" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8FUFZbdQj_4/UCMUM3RyLHI/AAAAAAAADRY/lrDF99BdDNk/P1000097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Canada Shore" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vPWeKZldacs/UCMUNgiYMRI/AAAAAAAADRg/u8I-rrlw_fs/s1600-h/P10001083.jpg"><img alt="Horseshoe Falls at Niagara" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cES_zCC7N4k/UCMUOb-bUwI/AAAAAAAADRo/5CnB9IY-Nxo/P1000108_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Horseshoe Falls at Niagara" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
It was indeed a lot of people there, but the park is set up so that it didn’t feel all that crowded. There are a few different attractions to get you closer to the Falls and to get a bit of history of this Natural Wonder so that helps to spread out the crowd.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_6a-_IrvkdU/UCMUPTmsUhI/AAAAAAAADRw/xxdk0zdCjDg/s1600-h/P10001253.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Falls" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LblBXg_1xZs/UCMUP4A362I/AAAAAAAADR4/xlLr48Xf8kM/P1000125_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara Falls" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-249IpVW-Rik/UCMURL9JgaI/AAAAAAAADSA/KTdQCJsvelk/s1600-h/P10000993.jpg"><img alt="P1000099" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u3k3dYBLZyg/UCMUR5063jI/AAAAAAAADSI/KAsMaP4xIGg/P1000099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000099" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
One of those attractions is Maid of the Mist which is a boat ride upstream to the base of the Falls. They run a boat from the Canada side and another from the US side. They issue a blue poncho to you so that you won’t get completely wet.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wkmacFxGcsg/UCMUSzczYWI/AAAAAAAADSQ/6Q22Tg78DD4/s1600-h/P10000953.jpg"><img alt="Maid of the Mist" border="0" height="224" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ODXNnTqWYXk/UCMUTs4BqjI/AAAAAAAADSY/ZWEJ81gPx7Y/P1000095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Maid of the Mist" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lawWYJDJtGc/UCMUULJ7HeI/AAAAAAAADSg/8fl0-EtFUCk/s1600-h/P10001203.jpg"><img alt="Rainbow in the Niagara Mist" border="0" height="149" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BL75fvBPKvw/UCMUU4J4yrI/AAAAAAAADSo/uDXO8mJa-bE/P1000120_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rainbow in the Niagara Mist" width="244" /></a></div>
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The next three shots were taken from the boat before I had to put the camera away due to the spray. The awesome power of the water is just indescribable.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--lffCwoVuLw/UCMUVblZviI/AAAAAAAADSw/apvwLVSwub8/s1600-h/P10001283.jpg"><img alt="Rainbow Bridge to Canada from Maid of the Mist" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hd6fAGJug-w/UCMUWO3AV5I/AAAAAAAADS8/yEvTBm8FGv0/P1000128_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rainbow Bridge to Canada from Maid of the Mist" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pk0nwA6PiIg/UCMUWgc1acI/AAAAAAAADTE/g2z-qKbvYOc/s1600-h/P10001273.jpg"><img alt="From the Bottom" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BeXONT2kiyo/UCMUXSjxEEI/AAAAAAAADTI/e0cYvtKq23A/P1000127_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="From the Bottom" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vKjIa4G5BJQ/UCMUXyI4dzI/AAAAAAAADTU/xtCLsJ5wu68/s1600-h/P10001293.jpg"><img alt="From Maid of the Mist" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9sFJBv0_cFA/UCMUYuswPeI/AAAAAAAADTc/P5ARzdH3x3c/P1000129_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="From Maid of the Mist" width="244" /></a></div>
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There were lots of posed pictures taken with beautiful backdrops…<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1OcpT1AriNM/UCMUZIm-LRI/AAAAAAAADTk/3LVKp4KudIA/s1600-h/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-0523.jpg"><img alt="After Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls NY" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-afCB6Y6e5Bo/UCMUZ06WrrI/AAAAAAAADTs/7kEqLAfZcK8/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="After Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls NY" width="244" /></a> </div>
and some pictures developed much slower.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GX8AZgsqBF0/UCMUaoXxCaI/AAAAAAAADT0/9E_sypNoyec/s1600-h/P10001313.jpg"><img alt="Nice touch" border="0" height="169" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-99uPwPmGztE/UCMUbtYYelI/AAAAAAAADT8/McKoUXaAOH8/P1000131_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Nice touch" width="244" /></a></div>
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Another attraction that we took advantage of on this first day of Niagara was the Caves of the Wind walk on the Hurricane Deck. The decking and stairs are replaced every year due to the extreme winter weather.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rD-vCR80U5w/UCMUcau5fxI/AAAAAAAADUE/7IimjjbS5Ho/s1600-h/P10001393.jpg"><img alt="Cave of the Winds" border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXawZcVGo3drWyv9Bj_CTE9FyE22-J05PAgCT8Fvo0ud8_n8i6GLa_4FA7GWQqww3VkVyqy8Q3pGiVTSB8NeP4MYnrWwdj8lPPk2WAUoou-O-Q-JEbUnhm5KoV7RCtd_Srrbwwk0GBvEGe/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cave of the Winds" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uivyYg-nnzE/UCMUd64J9qI/AAAAAAAADUU/OfHgVzUNmBE/s1600-h/P10001403.jpg"><img alt="Cave of the Winds-Niagara Falls NY" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OL9iuVLtfvA/UCMUehy9r3I/AAAAAAAADUc/YkGgzQWu260/P1000140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cave of the Winds-Niagara Falls NY" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QtNnFx3kQmU/UCMUfIf_YWI/AAAAAAAADUk/jwULBwI43n0/s1600-h/P10001383.jpg"><img alt="Cave of the Winds" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--O4wTvplUWA/UCMUgFWbRZI/AAAAAAAADUs/S1amp6pIj2M/P1000138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cave of the Winds" width="244" /></a></div>
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We finished off our first day at Niagara by walking over to Three Sisters Islands which isn’t nearly so crowded. It was a nice way to end our extreme tourist experience.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MOmNKB9zag8/UCMUg-96cII/AAAAAAAADU0/BozBhZbvMsc/s1600-h/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-0593.jpg"><img alt="THE END" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JHKD3KIX6Xw/UCMUiTu8amI/AAAAAAAADU8/186f5ZvYJBI/Niagara-Falls-July-2012-059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="THE END" width="170" /></a></div>
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The End</div>Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-56976293714741202762012-08-06T23:05:00.000-04:002012-08-06T23:05:01.623-04:00Athens PA (Watkins Glen, Susquehanna, Thumbsucking, and a Surprise Visitor)<div align="left">
<b>July 17-23, 2012</b></div>
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<i>(My next few posts will go back in time to wrap up the highlights of the past few weeks. Between being busy, blog lazy, and poor internet connection, I’ve fallen behind quite a bit.)</i></div>
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We enjoyed a tourist day with Dan and Tricia by going to Watkins Glen NY. Dan drove the Suki since he is familiar with the roads. That sure was nice. We first did a quick ride to see Watkins Glen Raceway for all you racing fans. It was closed for a car club (Porsche) to use so we didn’t really see too much. Next we enjoyed a picnic on the shore of Seneca Lake which is one of the Finger Lakes in NY. It was a very hot day but there was a nice cool breeze coming off of the deep water.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wT1FXn8vIPc/UCCETx_Vu7I/AAAAAAAADIU/8FRU0y42yao/s1600-h/IMG_13493.jpg"><img alt="Seneca Lake looking back at Watkins Glen NY" border="0" height="167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wfxTpVe7Pvg/UCCEUj8w_jI/AAAAAAAADIc/vJbuUpCvkOY/IMG_1349_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seneca Lake looking back at Watkins Glen NY" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5TYeY7GxJ4w/UCCEVnW_ymI/AAAAAAAADIk/T37QC4ya27o/s1600-h/IMG_13463.jpg"><img alt="Dan on the jetty at Seneca Lake" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kTsuCLPI6XY/UCCEWStBH0I/AAAAAAAADIs/3raL5fghTxE/IMG_1346_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan on the jetty at Seneca Lake" width="244" /></a></div>
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Our next stop that day was <a href="http://nysparks.com/parks/142/details.aspx" target="_blank"><b>Watkins Glen State Park</b></a>. We parked in the main lot along with a few hundred other folks and walked along the Gorge walkway. It was a nice cool breeze there at times also.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x71VTjwIi24/UCCEX1mY4EI/AAAAAAAADI0/F2mF8_KCxKM/s1600-h/IMG_13503.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen State Park NY" border="0" height="206" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZPGgV7KBoNU/UCCEYvclxKI/AAAAAAAADI8/EVQxgSTwHtQ/IMG_1350_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen State Park NY" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ViO8LxmxJ0Q/UCCEZySJPYI/AAAAAAAADJE/BYRDKv6KFxA/s1600-h/IMG_13593.jpg"><img alt="Gin, Tricia and Dan at Watkins Glen NY" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EtmITyTyrpk/UCCEawDODKI/AAAAAAAADJM/hMfzSSdihT4/IMG_1359_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin, Tricia and Dan at Watkins Glen NY" width="203" /></a></div>
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I absolutely love waterfalls so you know I fell in love with this spot. There are several waterfalls along Glen Creek which formed this Gorge thousands of years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyDNz1bNVblLmsZ14T30mJO2-ER_I3L0rINPCStYQCoW8jwaJJJPyiyapWrOVJ1-arOR6k_1gLNzPuBC-ZYrzeKNROt35aQKeScpQ8gjMzqZsnkBM4twO2yUlsRe3dyUzO1TDfjTchGq/s1600-h/IMG_13523.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen NY waterfall" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0tc7pkP20as/UCCEc76wcqI/AAAAAAAADJc/xicTEiLsNuo/IMG_1352_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen NY waterfall" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F8Hkd7I4DWU/UCCEeIljsTI/AAAAAAAADJk/t7fo-LoNJyk/s1600-h/IMG_13513.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen NY" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-uUSCA6Gpxl6xC_yjO6YQu6mi_4fXDBatLiF7H8X4W5tYghKgNCUvMIRiW4lZI0rqtfOxMLMOriJf2b0i1441S372o6a11OITmG2TToncXtcBkum1h3ZzSOKYg4zRH7xLAWgWngN4-Wd/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen NY" width="147" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T76JpAuE7OU/UCCEgEtKLRI/AAAAAAAADJ0/N0LdlT9FivA/s1600-h/IMG_13613.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen NY waterfall" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HSUzWcrPUaE/UCCEhjP4blI/AAAAAAAADJ8/l4cry4DLAF4/IMG_1361_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen NY waterfall" width="177" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h2xt4FOwsj-ixGLwMsxjnvmrZRdujfCYt_2_dEHv73bPE4BGhmZBkXjN1dWpOf7sY3mgeTu1ryQ_N5yFlp_D1LZ-h2oJ_mDQ1YpuO1XeHojxz1nsXi74AGSKBbwNoVdL9VS9Xo3_fa95/s1600-h/IMG_13533.jpg"><img alt="Glen Creek cutting the Gorge" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h3yZRWbjgds/UCCEjoccSsI/AAAAAAAADKM/V3yw31u2als/IMG_1353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Glen Creek cutting the Gorge" width="162" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0KNU4eCJcJk/UCCEk5c7cFI/AAAAAAAADKU/bvdY2ynepbo/s1600-h/IMG_13573.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen NY waterfalls" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5WagY4h2Oog/UCCEl-XmsvI/AAAAAAAADKc/xYXBKd7BWMA/IMG_1357_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen NY waterfalls" width="167" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfHpjY6Owlka6yUzg_Nd1ij5SMNsv2vA_LWj2da9579QznHk4CTjmpVDK7pwvb77ORDOOOwak3eWl-LJZJn-fRDa4KhM8bPfPdL7qn91DQT-i2BaviknmLF3WCsu331erm3Rn9zqsdDPe/s1600-h/IMG_13603.jpg"><img alt="Watkins Glen Gorge" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kvGEH_pjThM/UCCEn4iA6_I/AAAAAAAADKs/NppjlX27mgI/IMG_1360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Watkins Glen Gorge" width="184" /></a></div>
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Dan enjoyed walking the whole trail while the rest of us went at a much more relaxed pace. He found the Suspension Bridge first but Tricia and I found it also. Unfortunately, Gin got a little overheated and went back to the car for some ice water (that darn MS).<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-30tGL7assj4/UCCEphXO_YI/AAAAAAAADK0/25DWlkts5RI/s1600-h/IMG_13623.jpg"><img alt="Dan on the suspension bridge" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9UpjonYJKvU/UCCEqeKnWvI/AAAAAAAADK8/7V5_UjP4lhQ/IMG_1362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan on the suspension bridge" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHZv_bl24G0/UCCEr2H3xYI/AAAAAAAADLE/23zf4jJxC60/s1600-h/IMG_13663.jpg"><img alt="Looking down from the Suspension Bridge" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n5pNtBOcgP4/UCCEvl-FeSI/AAAAAAAADLM/rJNiyU33CPk/IMG_1366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Looking down from the Suspension Bridge" width="184" /></a></div>
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On another day of this enjoyable visit, we floated on the Susquehanna River right from the family farm. It was not nearly as touristy which was fine with us. We enjoyed holding on to Dan and Tricia’s Paddleski since he had put a trolling motor on it. I call it “Dangineering”.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OVRvcmipQfA/UCCExQLFyNI/AAAAAAAADLU/augF2-hsroY/s1600-h/P10000033.jpg"><img alt="Paddleskis ready" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lhNCbCh_sx4/UCCEyU3ix2I/AAAAAAAADLc/1jegd_yHgNs/P1000003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Paddleskis ready" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5fSxztsd7R4/UCCEzkd_3bI/AAAAAAAADLk/a4eHZMpXX_4/s1600-h/P10000093.jpg"><img alt="Dangineered paddleski" border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0_gSK29HYIO599U4S8K_JkHn9zDpSfUOCcneXfU0Aj0pwvHY1kLoHvphwbntn1ttbpGrU19EAjok3KFFDu-F7ChN-gDn9ThXTgWaF14fI3ADeUroiWUDYAGmiK2sVofE-M1-nmxEnf4K/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dangineered paddleski" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1esMw2DrN-Y/UCCE2Oe9LLI/AAAAAAAADL0/FXSnVHw3Htw/s1600-h/P10000073.jpg"><img alt="Floating down the Susquehanna" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K4TFo0hACwI/UCCE3G435lI/AAAAAAAADL8/8qug0UX4i6s/P1000007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Floating down the Susquehanna" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V5iZKx8DHA4/UCCE4FLyv0I/AAAAAAAADME/KnT_vHVpYF0/s1600-h/P10000103.jpg"><img alt="Just Floatin'" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ODcOOBZ4Qbk/UCCE434ABmI/AAAAAAAADMM/VGZDlwfByws/P1000010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Just Floatin'" width="244" /></a></div>
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We saw about eight Bald Eagles flying along the shore. Some of you might think that we saw the same bird eight times but we actually did see three at one time so I know it was a good number of them.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8auCVe05wdg/UCCE6PnLSXI/AAAAAAAADMU/BDseTynfDME/s1600-h/P10000153.jpg"><img alt="Bald Eagle on Susquehanna" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O-lU2zfoD88/UCCE6rXQAvI/AAAAAAAADMc/bl-qR1kbYxk/P1000015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bald Eagle on Susquehanna" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DyfuLRCWBSU/UCCE76ofGyI/AAAAAAAADMk/Kav6D_Lvdco/s1600-h/P10000163.jpg"><img alt="Bald Eagle on Susquehanna" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aKGQhBTZGtI/UCCE8hhR44I/AAAAAAAADMs/70eaxP0qBTA/P1000016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bald Eagle on Susquehanna" width="244" /></a></div>
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On the last day of our visit, we all went to a working dairy farm. Dan’s friend Doug had invited us over to see some of their new calves and get our thumbs sucked. Boy, they have some powerful suction!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wrk--6lbLyo/UCCE92u04HI/AAAAAAAADM0/65SOuBKKA1U/s1600-h/P10000383.jpg"><img alt="Curious One" border="0" height="219" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nG-gypTz2Jc/UCCE-_etJ4I/AAAAAAAADM8/OBcgE3AVGEE/P1000038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Curious One" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4m0YMCZzo9E/UCCFAB7jkaI/AAAAAAAADNE/_BgwuTgHpTw/s1600-h/P10000343.jpg"><img alt="Thumbsucker!" border="0" height="198" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jWf5d2oCV70/UCCFBRGllSI/AAAAAAAADNM/o3rJIOE-U-Q/P1000034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Thumbsucker!" width="244" /></a></div>
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I love animals but I’m not real comfortable around the big ones. Horses make me nervous but I had to rub this beauty. I also had a chance to mike a cow without getting kicked! Thanks Doug!<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3lLXdw-_F38/UCCFCud18dI/AAAAAAAADNU/ZI2koN_Ztmo/s1600-h/P10000503.jpg"><img alt="Horses make me nervous" border="0" height="171" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sUZx4JGFU90/UCCFDds00WI/AAAAAAAADNc/G8uyjswZbJw/P1000050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Horses make me nervous" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MH7uD7g1JuM/UCCFEqDzpII/AAAAAAAADNk/uRsnnAWgdAE/s1600-h/P10000413.jpg"><img alt="I milked a cow!" border="0" height="186" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NtDX0x0Qyzw/UCCFFkzZ3DI/AAAAAAAADNs/_GBAtC8uE9c/P1000041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="I milked a cow!" width="244" /></a></div>
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While sitting outside on the morning of our last day, we enjoyed the wildlife. There was always a hawk squawking, a deer grazing, or a chipmunk running around.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dW-4283N7Vs/UCCFG2uCbdI/AAAAAAAADN0/oxIZzRjrti8/s1600-h/P10000607.jpg"><img alt="Pauline and Dan" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5RFmJMczJ0U/UCCFHhn29PI/AAAAAAAADN8/z4ZDrUXok8U/P1000060_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline and Dan" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lbUj3H6UEA0/UCCFJI46p2I/AAAAAAAADOE/iaqCRJkTU7k/s1600-h/P10000583.jpg"><img alt="Chipmunk" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hWj1qxwDsm4/UCCFJwIvKFI/AAAAAAAADOM/LvdZglYEYd4/P1000058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chipmunk" width="244" /></a></div>
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I don’t know how Pauline managed it but she had a surprise visitor show up for us. Running up one of her driveways and through her back yard was a Black Bear. I had our little camera out so we have proof (click the pic to enlarge).<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8tFYZhAPPVU/UCCFK-g9M5I/AAAAAAAADOU/FzJGaN20yB4/s1600-h/P10000193.jpg"><img alt="Bear!!" border="0" height="172" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U7AzCsYaVbY/UCCFL2nqMWI/AAAAAAAADOc/MXBE0E7w3SY/P1000019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bear!!" width="244" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxMUnCPmlrs_ZdwOGpZ71maRk5KoqSNdAkoy1soBuOy2Hnw1Bc94MBzzFLuz-ZedcqWh8hpzfYRvztmnH_D8Nf2tGppcLP_rxXLxI0XO9huSX6MwXZqGSaxvMVWfHI497kH1tM_XZVir0/s1600-h/P10000203.jpg"><img alt="P1000020" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WmRd1V6lU4M/UCCFNhuyzmI/AAAAAAAADOs/2qTbrJ3onx8/P1000020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P1000020" width="244" /></a></div>
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It ran right by the blackberries which is where Dan and his mom were at the time. Dan had seen one earlier in the week during a morning walk.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jmvIkRyREUA/UCCFOrhKWRI/AAAAAAAADO0/N1q-X9_VS7M/s1600-h/P10000213.jpg"><img alt="Bear!" border="0" height="165" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9kLAoNdB8LI/UCCFPlp3hyI/AAAAAAAADO8/lSbHbUhQRmI/P1000021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bear!" width="244" /></a></div>
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We thoroughly enjoyed our time here with great friends and their family. It’s a very nice community and we felt very welcomed. I love the summer weather but I think the winters would be a bit too cold for us.<br />
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This shot is especially for <a href="http://tumbleweed-jimdee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tumbleweed</b></a>.</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wu1eKQ3mC1o/UCCFQ8Mx-5I/AAAAAAAADPE/B87GnugHpqE/s1600-h/P10000563.jpg"><img alt="THE END" border="0" height="147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NgAX0KZkPyI/UCCFRg5NEwI/AAAAAAAADPM/bioZGwJFHAU/P1000056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="THE END" width="244" /></a></div>
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The End.</div>Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-6414809539439099672012-07-28T16:06:00.000-04:002012-07-28T16:06:02.335-04:00It HappenedYoungstown, NY<br />
Four Mile Creek State Park CG(site 65)<br />
<br />
I’ll try to update the past two weeks later, but I just wanted to let folks see what we’ve been up to. Here’s where we’ve been the past few days. Beautiful, eh?<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RLfHGu8O6gg/UBQ4Jcfco7I/AAAAAAAADHU/rGt7v_ioBfI/s1600-h/P1000132%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Niagara Falls-American Falls and Horseshoe Falls" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3or8leSbCdQ/UBQ4QMuTzNI/AAAAAAAADHc/OBO1epoIgOU/P1000132_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Niagara Falls-American Falls and Horseshoe Falls" width="244" /></a></div>
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Through the magic of modern technology, we’ve been able to enjoy traveling while things have been busy back in Clayton NC. You see, while we were at Lazy Days Tampa back around Memorial Day, we got an offer on the house. We kept it quiet and we didn’t even get excited about it since we had “sold” the house twice before. Well yesterday was the settlement date and it went through without a hitch. <b><span style="color: blue;"><i>It is Sold!!</i></span></b> The money is actually in the bank! What a relief! Now we are house-free and can see what this full-timing is all about.<br />
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Remember to pay close attention to your surroundings and take time to celebrate the beauty found in each day. Cherish what you have and remember not to take it for granted.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-20959442683214630352012-07-16T12:21:00.000-04:002012-07-18T12:24:47.341-04:00Where Are We?Athens, PA<br />
<br />
We left Wilkesboro, NC and wandered north. After a few days we made it to the PA/NY border to spend some time with <a href="http://keepingupwithtanddontheroad.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Dan and Tricia</b></a> who are staying on Dan’s family farm. We were invited to join them for a few days before we all head to Niagra Falls next week. He grew up in this wonderful setting. After meeting most of his family, I can understand why he is such a great guy. Here’s a few shots of the farm.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z4jQqfqN_AU/UAbhErJ2KjI/AAAAAAAADDw/WUo0dds6SbE/s1600-h/IMG_1322%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Susquehanna River is just beyond the treeeline" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BX9UtR1eIRM/UAbhFHTO1PI/AAAAAAAADD4/xskMx25S-u8/IMG_1322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Susquehanna River is just beyond the treeeline" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6lSZpcWU1cE/UAbhF-pEjGI/AAAAAAAADEA/95KFzVdG05M/s1600-h/IMG_1325%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Half way down the Hill" border="0" height="161" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EiKsLpdemnE/UAbhGg3qg0I/AAAAAAAADEI/fZetjqXP1Yg/IMG_1325_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Half way down the Hill" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2zXaZSZSarE/UAbhHUrEhfI/AAAAAAAADEQ/bIlogmbDOpg/s1600-h/IMG_1338%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dan's Family Farm from the Susquehanna Treeline" border="0" height="193" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Ath7fG6vZw/UAbhIF5OcHI/AAAAAAAADEY/7OQm4rbsrIE/IMG_1338_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dan's Family Farm from the Susquehanna Treeline" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q0DlY9L1kvE/UAbhJeRpZnI/AAAAAAAADEg/cOeaRLrbaSE/s1600-h/IMG_1329%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pauline's House" border="0" height="168" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fmrDiDQDjKk/UAbhNI4vGOI/AAAAAAAADEo/RwXfRsE_YDE/IMG_1329_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline's House" width="244" /></a></div>
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It was a working dairy farm until shortly after his father passed away in 2001. His mom, Pauline, leases out the land for crops. Even though she is in her mid 70’s, she takes care of the yard and gardens. It’s really beautiful.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b1FFINOrH18/UAbhOi0mvJI/AAAAAAAADEw/uU37svuKwgQ/s1600-h/IMG_1341%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pauline's Flowers" border="0" height="173" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z9GOMRzZSb0/UAbhPJf_QvI/AAAAAAAADE4/bzsPPhaDe5k/IMG_1341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline's Flowers" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8FzdSTvVzuw/UAbhQO0k3DI/AAAAAAAADFA/NOrXlP22fPM/s1600-h/IMG_1343%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="More Flowers" border="0" height="156" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pOawxri6xaU/UAbhQjoJQdI/AAAAAAAADFI/AQ3er9Mgq3A/IMG_1343_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="More Flowers" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FB_WggfEVRw/UAbhRUSXsCI/AAAAAAAADFQ/vp3hLjttfyQ/s1600-h/IMG_1342%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pauline's Garden" border="0" height="136" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0JBfj6k9sAU/UAbhRzdhEeI/AAAAAAAADFY/JQxTRYuTw5Y/IMG_1342_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline's Garden" width="244" /></a></div>
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We have parked the rv’s between a couple of the barns facing each others patio. It’s almost like having a private little campground. <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vnBZTpGB1qw/UAbhSYceJOI/AAAAAAAADFg/P6DnFqNTd50/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X3TI2WmBFZE/UAbhTI9J-PI/AAAAAAAADFo/M6bQXODgtPo/s1600-h/IMG_1326%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pauline's Campground" border="0" height="147" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BKbZFpAi_IQ/UAbhT89R5EI/AAAAAAAADFw/vFJZb39QLro/IMG_1326_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline's Campground" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cp7monRX3js/UAbhUjr2vGI/AAAAAAAADF4/WCUoNB_hR6A/s1600-h/IMG_1327%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pauline's Campground" border="0" height="148" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZccMIeSJdM0/UAbhVUktEVI/AAAAAAAADGA/iF3RjrVD6cI/IMG_1327_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pauline's Campground" width="244" /></a></div>
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It’s been nice meeting most of Dan’s family. They have made us feel very welcomed here. Pauline went out of her way on Saturday and had the family over for a homemade pizza dinner. There was also homemade pie, cake, and ice cream. Good thing I’m continuing my morning walks (up that hill is tough). It was all delicious. I’ve been told that she does this great family dinner get together quite often. She’s pretty amazing.<br />
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The farm land borders the Susquehanna River so I had to walk the corn field to check it out. Hopefully we can get the SeaEagles out there if it cools off a little bit.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rtdYvAKKR6Y/UAbhWTC8XeI/AAAAAAAADGI/s8b_zXrIuKA/s1600-h/IMG_1331%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Susquehanna River bordering Dan's Family Farm" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CAnwon0XvwY/UAbhXHFSM-I/AAAAAAAADGQ/gATDNJD1Xz8/IMG_1331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Susquehanna River bordering Dan's Family Farm" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q6TlA0dK2Vk/UAbhYDw5yXI/AAAAAAAADGY/MlvQVLwkeoY/s1600-h/IMG_1332%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="View Upstream" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VHcLXVOdUgY/UAbhYlJYLqI/AAAAAAAADGg/RuLr5UHfjU0/IMG_1332_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="View Upstream" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AM1XFchvzPc/UAbhaIuQuDI/AAAAAAAADGo/0YBbILnuZv0/s1600-h/IMG_1335%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cananda Geese waking up across the Susquehanna" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fHzYqjbyCuc/UAbha7hcFLI/AAAAAAAADGw/ZiX5jQcrNts/IMG_1335_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cananda Geese waking up across the Susquehanna" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n0DN8vJfGtM/UAbhcOBX1wI/AAAAAAAADG4/WeqVG8nU6nc/s1600-h/IMG_1336%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Susquehanna River is shallow" border="0" height="153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v2mbstktdk0/UAbhcoCV59I/AAAAAAAADHA/beCZMjYeSkE/IMG_1336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Susquehanna River is shallow" width="244" /></a></div>
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On Sunday, we drove over to Nichols, NY to <a href="http://www.tiogadowns.com/racing/" target="_blank"><b>Tioga Downs</b></a> to watch the harness racing. It was quite interesting to see the horses run with the riders in the sulky (cart). They throw t-shirts into the crowd between races and I caught one. Just my size too.<br />
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We’ve enjoyed relaxing here and spending time catching up with Dan and Tricia. I think tomorrow may be “tourist day”. Enough for right now.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-22184938271543831232012-07-08T22:14:00.000-04:002012-07-12T08:48:35.282-04:00Raffaldini VineyardsWarrior Creek CG site 26<br />
Kerr Scott Reservoir COE<br />
Wilkesboro, NC<br />
<br />
It has been extremely hot and humid so the three of us wanted to find something to do in air conditioned comfort. While at the visitor center the other day, we learned about <a href="http://raffaldini.com/" target="_blank"><b>Raffaldini Vineyards</b></a>, a nice vineyard that wasn’t too far away in the Yadkin River Valley area that offered wine tastings. They were having a special Music in the Vineyard on Sunday so we all decided to go. A little wine and jazz really made me feel like a cultured lady…ha! <br />
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The Villa was located down a rather narrow gravel country road so I didn’t know what to expect. (Click on any pic to enlarge). As we pulled into the driveway, I felt transported to another country…Italy. Here’s the entry and driveway…<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tjvp9yZnVmU/T_4yaDqajCI/AAAAAAAADAI/wfrhcb5Q0LU/s1600-h/IMG_1288%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Raffaldini's Entry" border="0" height="152" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fpyv3feA2f0/T_4yamG-eFI/AAAAAAAADAQ/ZIF9TMbfYRw/IMG_1288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Raffaldini's Entry" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RyccR2LzLYs/T_4ybBWGJMI/AAAAAAAADAY/C0UvIQNk8g4/s1600-h/IMG_1297%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Driveway to Raffaldini's" border="0" height="155" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q3iUe-BXuPA/T_4ybX-2LrI/AAAAAAAADAg/rEwvF-OMc9M/IMG_1297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Driveway to Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
…and the Villa itself.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OltUJ9qO9bc/T_4yb1vLxUI/AAAAAAAADAo/jSIJX91URD8/s1600-h/IMG_1293%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Raffaldini's" border="0" height="166" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_vISSeDKXbM/T_4ycQDPHeI/AAAAAAAADAw/TvJOGeIU-MA/IMG_1293_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DXlQeYYprzk/T_4yc5HK14I/AAAAAAAADA4/CcINFbTgj-I/s1600-h/IMG_1309%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Raffaldini's" border="0" height="149" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DGA1y7MfUtE/T_4ydUjOy5I/AAAAAAAADBA/y_Adfz-z_PQ/IMG_1309_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a></div>
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Just walking from the parking lot to the Villa was refreshing. There were koi ponds and roses all around. Too bad it was still in the 90’s.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_5Hw1YShXwA/T_4yd0jnriI/AAAAAAAADBI/TOEjl4tjTYg/s1600-h/IMG_1291%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Shade" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M6pmNdysoAA/T_4yed2qKjI/AAAAAAAADBQ/Ems5W4TzL14/IMG_1291_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Shade" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PTBMfxlstT8/T_4yfDf0lqI/AAAAAAAADBY/pR1MieUKX0E/s1600-h/IMG_1289%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Koy Pond at Raffaldini's" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-scOe9h8g2W4/T_4yfkWJHdI/AAAAAAAADBg/XqN3Gmtn4gc/IMG_1289_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Koy Pond at Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CW1jcZD6NmY/T_4ygIAmvNI/AAAAAAAADBo/Fu_MhkjJPg4/s1600-h/IMG_1292%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Rose Garden at Raffaldini's" border="0" height="176" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bs58Kt0PCOU/T_4ygoaNvrI/AAAAAAAADBw/5Tw275ULWAI/IMG_1292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rose Garden at Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed a few sips of several different wines and decided to buy a few bottles of their La Dolce Vita which is a sweet white wine so that we can enjoy it later on special occasions. The scenery from the second floor was so beautiful that we just had to take some more posed shots.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-INhV_dpmzVE/T_4yhWeAn-I/AAAAAAAADB4/ktscoFXYnzE/s1600-h/IMG_1304%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Syl at Raffaldini's" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gzR8OFwHKZo/T_4yh0l0xvI/AAAAAAAADCA/_W-_43wJ7qg/IMG_1304_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Syl at Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-slE-sSb47FM/T_4yieO8CyI/AAAAAAAADCI/BsYOln3-u_8/s1600-h/IMG_1306%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Syl at Raffaldini's" border="0" height="174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P1pDJtg2rBs/T_4yi9ozOhI/AAAAAAAADCQ/dRvLFDElfWU/IMG_1306_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Syl at Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a></div>
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It’s too bad that it was so hot because there wasn’t much live music outside on the patio. The performers were just melting not to mention the spectators.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gJyMe0HmfWI/T_4yjRdrhwI/AAAAAAAADCY/kr39UhCbp74/s1600-h/IMG_1295%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Patio at Raffaldini's" border="0" height="188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l-kku99O88Q/T_4yj_nbxvI/AAAAAAAADCg/G51dNvB-zNk/IMG_1295_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Patio at Raffaldini's" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6l-CiEVXaGg/T_4ykxVsEVI/AAAAAAAADCo/wxOEJYWivZE/s1600-h/IMG_1296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Beautiful!" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u89SYd0bJPQ/T_4ylVsprDI/AAAAAAAADCw/SPMrgjjmJJ8/IMG_1296_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beautiful!" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JTsc_-ejrEc/T_4yl2_uajI/AAAAAAAADC4/OuJDJSf7hAM/s1600-h/IMG_1300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Shade!" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-suBuNafnERI/T_4ynE_0oEI/AAAAAAAADDA/WIuGkZP0SlI/IMG_1300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Shade!" width="244" /></a></div>
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They are not that big of a winery. Most of the sells occur at the Villa and through restaurant distributions. They also book private events on the grounds such as weddings. I can certainly say that this would be a beautiful place to have a ceremony.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uhIlZtLhGsw/T_4yniY-ngI/AAAAAAAADDI/eaA9ZnWPjiM/s1600-h/IMG_1294%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Driveway through the Vineyard" border="0" height="149" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YZedW3Qe260/T_4yoBQ4OdI/AAAAAAAADDQ/DroQItitmWk/IMG_1294_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Driveway through the Vineyard" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h6VXbdykPiE/T_4yolQFM4I/AAAAAAAADDY/MrESEOkPtqw/s1600-h/IMG_1301%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Syl at Raffaldidni's" border="0" height="163" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KOeLF7FweCU/T_4ypN9MLdI/AAAAAAAADDg/kFHBdO1r1HM/IMG_1301_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Syl at Raffaldidni's" width="244" /></a></div>
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784186389518557619.post-35403672645499042682012-07-07T17:31:00.000-04:002012-07-11T17:34:27.019-04:00Tree Down and DramaWarrior Creek CG site 26<br />
Kerr Scott Reservoir COE<br />
Wilkesboro, NC<br />
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First a little news from the house back in Clayton. Nope, it ain’t sold yet but the money pit hits from a distance. Remember the beaver that gnawed on a tree? Well the wind blew one part of it over.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z99Q_EoDQgs/T_3vvVv19UI/AAAAAAAAC9w/CvC81pSoMVo/s1600-h/20120701_171044%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Beaver and wind damage" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-as6YzO8woGc/T_3vv7UJoWI/AAAAAAAAC94/wjGy_tjj8-Q/20120701_171044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Beaver and wind damage" width="217" /></a> </div>
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That wasn’t so bad. My neighbor Mark and his son Jordan took care of that for us. They are great folks and I miss them. The next photos that Mark sent us are the real deal as far as having a tree down. We had one large oak tree in the back yard and it was uprooted during a hard thunderstorm a couple of days ago.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2UI16_-HBtM/T_3vxpoVH5I/AAAAAAAAC-A/6nPilzzxD1s/s1600-h/20120705_172803%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Storm blew tree down at house" border="0" height="154" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l6QmLuAV3o4/T_3vzOJ80YI/AAAAAAAAC-I/pVuL6BzIGJA/20120705_172803_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Storm blew tree down at house" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OgbHIKZQ-Y0/T_3v0KoLeKI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/AkKDDCoMeHQ/s1600-h/20120705_173605%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Storm blew tree down at house" border="0" height="179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r5dte_-7aYY/T_3v0lY34mI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/fRf4T7dbfgs/20120705_173605_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Storm blew tree down at house" width="244" /></a></div>
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Mark met with a tree service guy for us and it will be cut up and the root ball ground up in the next few days. I also told our realtor who went over to check it out. She said the same thing that Mark did…it couldn’t have landed in a more perfect place. There was no other damage and it didn’t really land in the water which would have made it hard to get out. We’re blessed in that respect.<br />
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Now a little bit about Pam’s visit. She is Gin’s cousin who joined us this weekend for a little fun in the hills of NC. We spent a little time at the visitor center and went to the Mountain View Overlook to kid around a bit.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XroawIEYpfc/T_3v1Cf-cWI/AAAAAAAAC-g/OnHAqbQfdU8/s1600-h/Gin-Pam-Syl%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="The Three Stooges" border="0" height="162" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i3kOBcAJlSU/T_3v2EQRMfI/AAAAAAAAC-o/tiJz4TU3jDI/Gin-Pam-Syl_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="The Three Stooges" width="244" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ip_hznKemSU/T_3v2jM71sI/AAAAAAAAC-w/FJo7vYAM3oA/s1600-h/IMG_1274%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Pam" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5P9C5vqa_zI/T_3v3Ou-cZI/AAAAAAAAC-4/2uokbZtX_N4/IMG_1274_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Pam" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Oz3dA8eDTDo/T_3v3kAulcI/AAAAAAAAC_A/m0pQqHfLDy8/s1600-h/IMG_1279%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gin and Syl" border="0" height="181" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zw0zWQMK2Nc/T_3v5Hge39I/AAAAAAAAC_I/g-BsWQzZCOA/IMG_1279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gin and Syl" width="244" /></a></div>
We decided to drive over to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a little bit of curves. This section isn’t as nice as the part near Brevard NC in my opinion. You can see houses right next to the road so that made it seem like most any other mountain road to me. We stopped at an overlook to stretch our legs.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LhPefVMUlUU/T_3v5oBpEhI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/Xus-IrTNMLM/s1600-h/IMG_1282%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Ridge Parkway Rock Outcropping" border="0" height="182" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mWcX27F6N40/T_3v6PHI_wI/AAAAAAAAC_Y/ul0Rv2i6Los/IMG_1282_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Ridge Parkway Rock Outcropping" width="244" /></a></div>
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We also drove through the nice upscale but crowded downtown of Blowing Rock on our way back down the mountain. We just <i>had</i> to stop at this nice roadside stand and get some goodies.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pcxbm1knvzQ/T_3v6jlDEYI/AAAAAAAAC_g/Usc0HiNVciU/s1600-h/IMG_1285%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pam and Gin at a Roadside Stand near Blowing Rock NC" border="0" height="169" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FckIGx_bWlw/T_3v7qbUm8I/AAAAAAAAC_o/_8gNFmu5zsU/IMG_1285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pam and Gin at a Roadside Stand near Blowing Rock NC" width="244" /></a></div>
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We ended the day by going to watch “Tom Dooley: a Wilkes County Legend”. It’s an outdoor drama that was presented at the amphitheater in the Fort Hamby CG across the lake.</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CKVYmSfgH9g/T_3v8Itck2I/AAAAAAAAC_w/L1GuN66_T8c/s1600-h/IMG_1286%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Amphitheatre at Fort Hamby CG COE" border="0" height="170" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WKnBmumG0yw/T_3v8jrBM3I/AAAAAAAAC_4/FQLB6wATunU/IMG_1286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Amphitheatre at Fort Hamby CG COE" width="244" /></a></div>
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It was an interesting story of a womanizing man set in the 1860’s. Nothing like a lover’s triangle that leads to murder to make for an interesting show. Here’s a little background link to <a href="http://blueridgecountry.com/archive/tom-dooley.html" target="_blank"><b>Tom Dooley</b></a>. Bad things happened back then too.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by and enjoy each day of your life’s journey by finding beauty in the ordinary.Gin and Sylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11849882478471352086noreply@blogger.com5