New River Gorge Bridge

On my golf trip with the guys to Davenport, Florida this year I intended to cross off one of my bucket list items - a walk across the New River Gorge, on the catwalk under the highway.

On the way down on March 6th the prospects didn't look too good.  West Virginia had just been hit by another snow storm as the following pictures will show.

However, by March 22nd the weather had improved, to above freezing.  But now our challenge was fog which had moved into the gorge.

Nevertheless, we were assured by the Bridgewalk folks that all would be well.  So we proceed, joined by Giselle from Oakville who had walked in just 15 minutes before our scheduled hike.

Doug, our guide, harnessed us up and took our pictures before and during the walk.

And off we went.

The passage of a train hauling West Virginia coal to Newport News for export to China for its coal fired plants started an energy discussion that predictably was steered by Roy to the subject of wind turbines.  Did I mention that the trip across the bridge took us an hour and a half?

Views were awesome.  

The only time I had vertigo was when I was looking through the camera lens at this shot, straight down.

If you think we were foolish, think about these folks running the rapids.

Challenge accomplished.  Now to add a replacement item to the bucket list.

Took My Kid To Legoland

January 22, 2015.

Jo-Ann's trip to Florida to celebrate her retirement has been busy and eventful.  We introduced her to the Morse Museum, Bok Tower Gardens, Bealls Department Store, Downtown Disney (a new addiction for her), and today we capped off her three weeks with a trip to Legoland.

First off was a ride on the Island in the Sky to see the scope of what used to be Cypress Gardens.

The water show was not on today, but from the air we got to see the new Legoland Hotel which is expected to open later this year.

What kid wouldn't want to ride on the merry-go-round?  Second floor too!

Next up, a trip through Miniland.

Seemed as if we had stumbled into Gulliver's Travels!  That's Bok Tower in the right foreground.

Watched a 4D movie at the Fun Town Theatre, then had an "all you can eat  pizza, salad and drink lunch" for $14.99.  Next, a ride on the Safari Trek, to see the life-size Lego animals.

Watched the Fire Department Rescue Academy train some "apprentices".  Next up, target practice on the Lost Kingdom adventure.

The pictures didn't pass muster though.

And finally, a couple of attempts to win a stuffed animal.

A trip through the Cypress Gardens section of the park was just great.

The big kid had a fine day!  HAPPY RETIREMENT JO-ANN!

Country Club of Crystal Coast

November 5/14 - We decided to try out a new course for our day at the coast.  The Country Club of Crystal Coast had been recommended by a sales person at Dick's.  Billed as a "placement" course, it lived up to its reputation.  At par 70, the 5,558 yard whites have a slope rating of 122 and the 4,816 yard reds are 120.

We will definitely be putting this on the "tour".  Take your camera and a disposable score card.

Beautiful old course with lots of water, trees in bad places, and challenging greens.

And views of Bogue Sound from six of the holes on the back nine.

Very pretty!

A very enjoyable day with Rose and Ed.

Happy Hallowe'en

It has become a tradition (our second time) to hold a theme dinner on our annual New Bern golf trip.  Last year, Rada and John helped us to welcome the guests from the other house for a Mexican night.  This time, Maureen and Matt joined us in hosting our Hallowe'en themed dinner.

First we decorated.

Then the food.   Eyes.

And faces.

And mummies.

And the hosts.

o

And finally,the guests.

A good time was had by all!

Postscript

Not much to report today, but I will throw in some bits and pieces that you may find interesting.

But first, on our final push home we decided to enjoy one more lunch at our new favourite fast food restaurant - Culver's - home of the Butterbest Burger.  Never heard of them before, but they have outlets across a good portion of the States and we will be looking for them in the future.

Our odyssey ended at 5:15 p.m., in Grimsby, where it began 23 days ago.

We covered 10,917 kilometres on our trip.  One stone chip in the wind-shield, one wheel that needs to be rebalanced, otherwise the van looked after us well.

Our mileage readings were typically in the 8.1 to 8.5 litre range per 100 kilometres, despite sustained high speeds, in high temperatures, with strong headwinds, mountain driving at altitude, etc. The western states have a 75 mph (120 km) limit on their interstates (Utah allows 80 mph but I was content to set the cruise at 75).  Secondary highways are usually 65 mph.

Now for the tidbits.  Did I tell you about the trail rules of the Grand Canyon?

• Uphill climbers have the right-of-way, because it's harder to restart heading uphill.
• Mules have the right-of-way in either direction.  Move to the inside of the trail and let them pass. Mules will not fall off the trail, but would have no compunction about pushing you over the edge if you were in the way.
• There were toilets of some kind in each of our campsites.  But if you were caught short away from the facilities you must go at least 200 feet away from any water source or creek.
• In these cases, if your "business'" requires toilet paper, you must dig a hole, bury it, save the toilet paper in a sealable plastic bag, and pack it out of the canyon.
• All food waste must be brought out of the canyon, including crumbs.  The Grand Canyon has biting ants and they don't want them, or the animals, to be encouraged.
• Do not keep food in your backpack at night, or in your tent.  Food, including leftovers, must be placed in the ammo cans to prevent animals from raiding it.
• Soap or shampoo are not allowed to be used anywhere except in the Colorado River itself (good luck with that - remember the 47F temp?).  I would just soak my shirt in a creek or under a tap and rinse off, then wring out the shirt and put it back on - it would be dry in minutes.  No shaving either - the result being that you end up looking (and smelling) like a grizzled prospector before the trip is over.

• There are mountain lions, bobcats, rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas in the canyon, but we didn't see any of these.
• Surprisingly, the most dangerous animal in the canyon is this guy:

More people are treated for squirrel bites than for anything else.  Don't feed the animals stupid!

• If you want a great travel companion, I can recommend Ewen.  He was a real delight, not just for me but for all of our group.  Polite, intelligent conversation and questions (and answers).  Willing to do whatever was asked of him.
• As for me, I'm retired from this level of adventure.  It's now time to plan Sarah-Jean's western trip next summer with Reggie to Las Vegas, Sedona, Palm Springs, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  No hiking, just sightseeing and shopping!

But first, I have a cycling and canoeing weekend with the Trompers starting on Friday.  Don't hang up the spurs yet, Bud!

Thanks for taking the time to read the blog.  Hope you all enjoyed it. 

Dorsal.

Gateway Arch, St. Louis.

Just one destination on the agenda today, but it was on Ewen's bucket list so we made sure we got there.

Following the Louisiana Purchase, St. Louis became the gateway to the new lands west of the Mississippi. The Arch, seen here as we came from the west (much more impressive coming from the east as you can see it across the Mississippi) is intended to portray that gateway image.

It's hard to believe, looking up from the park level, that you can actually go up inside the structure!

But, you can!

Four minutes after we enter our pod we're at the top.  The pod re-levels itself as it progresses up inside the arch.  And 630 feet below us is the city (actually, nothing below us but air!).

And, on the other side, the Mississippi.

If you are lucky, as Ewen was, you get to watch a St. Louis Cardinal's game being played!

The picture below shows just a small portion of Gateway Park, a beautiful inner city parkland.

We reached Plainfield, Indiana tonight.  Tomorrow, The Homecoming!