tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14399776239767870682024-03-13T05:20:19.950-07:00RideWalkHikeBikeKathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-59804972759346372092016-02-19T06:47:00.001-08:002016-02-19T06:47:28.819-08:00Puerto Rico and Vieques<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old San Juan</td></tr>
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In early February, we left Providence RI on American Airlines early in the morning, and after a stop in Charlotte S.C. we landed mid- afternoon in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A taxi into Old San Juan from the airport cost $24.00 and delivered us to the <a href="http://www.thegalleryinn.com/" target="_blank">Gallery Inn</a> on Norzagaray St. The Inn is a fascinating place, owned by artist Jan D'Esopo, who has lived in San Juan for years but is originally from CT.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parrot at the Inn</td></tr>
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Her sculptures and her sister's paintings are everywhere throughout the inn. The Inn is a work of art itself, with all kinds of nooks and crannies to explore. There are parrots and orchids and you might find Ms. D'Esopo's sister painting portraits in one of the galleries. You can commission her to do a portrait if the mood strikes. Be aware, though, this is a 300 year old place. It has lots of atmosphere and a great location, but not necessarily a great hot shower in the morning. Things like modern plumbing have to be cobbled together in a place like this.The floors and walls are old, so if you like being in a place that's sparkling new, this isn't for you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Gallery Inn</td></tr>
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Old San Juan is beautiful, full of pastel colored buildings and flowers. There are two Spanish fortresses within walking distance of the inn where we stayed, part of the San Juan National Historic Site. $5.00 buys you entrance to both. The views are amazing and there's usually a breeze, so on a sunny day they are fantastic places to explore.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OSJ restaurants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish fortresses</td></tr>
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You'll have fun just walking around OSJ. There are a lot of restaurants and bars. In general, you don't want to have a car here, the streets are very narrow and parking is difficult.<br />
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We rented a car one day and drove to <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque" target="_blank">El Yunque</a> National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the national forest system. GPS is a good thing to have, as we almost missed the turn off the main road to the forest. It's not as well marked as you might think. Many of the trails seemed to be closed, but we did hike to La Mina Falls in the rain. Going down is easy, coming back up a little tougher. We had umbrellas, but you might want to just wear your bathing suit. You can get in the water at the Falls and change into dry clothes back at your car.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Yunque Rainforest</td></tr>
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We met friends in Condado and hired a van to take us to Fajardo, where we took an hour-long ferry to the island of Vieques. As senior citizens, the ferry cost only $1.00 each way! We rented a house for the week in the town of Isabel Segunda, a charming place with narrow streets where horses and chickens wander freely.<br />
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It's a great place to vacation. There are a lot of beautiful beaches. You'll have to rent a Jeep to get to most of them, as the roads are often rough. Playa Media Luna was probably our favorite. It's a protected cove so the water was calm and easy to get in and out of. It was also easy to find shade to sit in.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the deck, Isabel Segunda</td></tr>
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If you're going to Vieques, you absolutely have to go to the <a href="http://vieques.com/island-bioluminescent-bay/#13/18.1029/-65.4482" target="_blank">Bioluminous Bay</a>. This is best seen during a new moon, which also makes it better to see the thousands of stars in the Milky Way right overhead. Microscopic plankton in the water glow like fireflies when they are disturbed or come into contact with another organism.<br />
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Also, don't miss the little town of Esperanza, a beachside town with a number of restaurants and shops right across the street. We ate at the restaurant <i>Bananas,</i> once for lunch and once upstairs for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esperanza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs at Bananas<br /></td></tr>
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<br />Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-14028281896691488712014-09-02T18:03:00.002-07:002014-09-03T06:56:18.710-07:00Seattle and Olympic National Park<b>Seattle</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5se6X76kr0/VAYJ6Bffn6I/AAAAAAAADKs/boL8HqmGVvg/s1600/sea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5se6X76kr0/VAYJ6Bffn6I/AAAAAAAADKs/boL8HqmGVvg/s1600/sea1.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast elevator: the trip up takes about 45 seconds.</td></tr>
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Turns out, it does not rain continuously in Northwest Washington state! We had eight sunny days at the end of August.<br />
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Needle" target="_blank">Space Needle</a>, built as the centerpiece for the 1962 World's Fair, is a must-see. The day we visited was crystal clear and the view from atop the 605 foot structure was spectacular, although Mount Rainier was not visible. Luckily, no swaying as it did during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Alaska_earthquake" target="_blank">Great Alaska Earthquake</a> of 1964.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great tour guide</td></tr>
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We took an interesting tour of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Underground" target="_blank">Seattle's Underground</a>. We explored old sidewalks one story below the current ones. To make a long story short, Seattle's "ground" level was raised one story after a major fire in 1889. This was done to prevent flooding and sewer backups during high tide. Walking in this underworld, you can see the original first floor (now the basement) of several buildings and look up through skylights in the current sidewalks made of small pieces of glass.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selecting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deciding</td></tr>
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It seems everyone visits the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_Place_Market" target="_blank">Pike Place Market</a>. Even if you buy nothing, and it is nearly impossible not to, the people watching is outstanding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdUS4bqZQHk/VAZVr-oQKrI/AAAAAAAADMQ/RkVRGuP8Oyo/s1600/P1220418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdUS4bqZQHk/VAZVr-oQKrI/AAAAAAAADMQ/RkVRGuP8Oyo/s1600/P1220418.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Japanese Garden</td></tr>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Park,_Seattle" target="_blank">Washington Park</a> provides access to Lake Washington and hosts a beautiful <a href="http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/gardens/wpa.shtml" target="_blank">arboretum</a> maintained by the <a href="http://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank">University of Washington</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxmYTHs2g6o/VAZUtSBl1MI/AAAAAAAADMI/Iapf9OQzu4Q/s1600/sea18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxmYTHs2g6o/VAZUtSBl1MI/AAAAAAAADMI/Iapf9OQzu4Q/s1600/sea18.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friendly place</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We spent an enjoyable hour or two at this old saloon at <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/tour/pioneer.htm" target="_blank">Pioneer Square</a> on our last evening in town. Great bartenders. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Also on our last night, we stayed at a hotel near </span><a href="http://www.portseattle.org/sea-tac/Pages/default.aspx" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sea-Tac Airport</a><span style="text-align: center;">, which is a distance from downtown Seattle. We took the light rail from the airport to Chinatown.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That was a big tree</td></tr>
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<b>Olympic National Park</b><br />
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The temperate rain forest was a "bucket list" item, and it was nice to visit it on a sunny day! Unlike tropical rain forests, which consist mostly of deciduous trees, this forest is primarily coniferous: Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, western hemlock. A few glorious big leaf maples can also be found.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50KGjIvBQYk/VAYYVEApGoI/AAAAAAAADLk/Kei2CTxkchQ/s1600/sea10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50KGjIvBQYk/VAYYVEApGoI/AAAAAAAADLk/Kei2CTxkchQ/s1600/sea10.jpg" height="320" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost tame</td></tr>
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Why is there a rain forest? Because the mountains on the Olympic peninsula block the cold Canadian air sweeping down in the winter. Warm wet air comes up the coast from California.<br />
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We met this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-tailed_deer" target="_blank">black-tailed deer</a> on a spectacular hike at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-hurricane-ridge.htm" target="_blank">Hurricane Ridge</a>. Our presence was only a minor annoyance to him.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTp0UA8FvH4/VAZHw1WV_bI/AAAAAAAADLw/vEiW0G0Ngb0/s1600/P1220543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BTp0UA8FvH4/VAZHw1WV_bI/AAAAAAAADLw/vEiW0G0Ngb0/s1600/P1220543.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Olympus, 7980 feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj26tsY3lds/VAZOHTfy8tI/AAAAAAAADL8/a1lhd9vJlfg/s1600/P1220521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj26tsY3lds/VAZOHTfy8tI/AAAAAAAADL8/a1lhd9vJlfg/s1600/P1220521.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stack_%28geology%29" target="_blank">stacks</a>, fog, and gray sand at La Push on the Pacific coast.</td></tr>
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Hurricane Ridge was also our vantage point for viewing the several active glaciers near the summit of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/climbing-mount-olympus.htm" target="_blank">Mount Olympus</a>. (Zeus does not reside here.)<br />
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<b><br /></b>A <a href="http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-mora-and-rialto.htm" target="_blank">separate section</a> of the National Park along the Pacific coast provides a mystical scene and cool temperatures. Signs warn of Tsunami danger.<br />
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<b>Port Angeles and Port Townsend</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QflvYCMbhmo/VAZdQcz04WI/AAAAAAAADMc/eW3IQiLGNAo/s1600/sea14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QflvYCMbhmo/VAZdQcz04WI/AAAAAAAADMc/eW3IQiLGNAo/s1600/sea14.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Port Angeles</td></tr>
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To visit the park, we stayed at the Quality Inn in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Angeles,_Washington" target="_blank">Port Angeles</a>, which is on top of a bluff giving a great view of downtown, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Juan_de_Fuca" target="_blank">Strait of Juan de Fuca</a> and Canada beyond. A staircase connects top and bottom right outside the hotel, which was convenient.<br />
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Lumber is king here. There is a constant stream of logging trucks in and out of town. There is also a ferry to the city of Victoria, Canada, just across the Strait, that leaves several times a day.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpORJf1IyxQ/VAZfthlXOWI/AAAAAAAADMk/CejO6k8Fb38/s1600/sea16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpORJf1IyxQ/VAZfthlXOWI/AAAAAAAADMk/CejO6k8Fb38/s1600/sea16.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lake Crescent Lodge</td></tr>
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We went swimming one day at <a href="http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/visiting-lake-crescent.htm" target="_blank">Lake Crescent</a>, an absolutely beautiful lake in the park, and had lunch at the Lake Crescent Lodge.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Townsend,_Washington" target="_blank">Port Townsend</a> was our last port of call. It's a charming city with a lot of Victorian architecture. It's more upscale than Port Angeles, with a lot of shopping and restaurants on the waterfront. And be sure to visit Fort Worden Park, with its beach and lighthouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxw6di9g6Hg/VAZh2IicwkI/AAAAAAAADMs/PvNT4iO2J5w/s1600/sea17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxw6di9g6Hg/VAZh2IicwkI/AAAAAAAADMs/PvNT4iO2J5w/s1600/sea17.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Townsend</td></tr>
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Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-41817533244549966072014-02-02T15:09:00.000-08:002014-02-02T18:05:41.386-08:00Las Vegas and Death ValleyWe left Rhode Island on Southwest Air, an early morning flight to Chicago then on to Las Vegas. Both flights were packed, but arrived on time and with luggage.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlGP4u6WwMY/Uu7PjO_SVDI/AAAAAAAAC14/VY7sFBEsWkw/s1600/slipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlGP4u6WwMY/Uu7PjO_SVDI/AAAAAAAAC14/VY7sFBEsWkw/s1600/slipper.jpg" height="194" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Las Vegas airport is not an experience to recommend. A walk plus tram ride to baggage claim, a huge place with hundreds of people trying to get their luggage. Then line up for a bus ride to the car rental building, line up again to see the person at the counter, who tries to get you to upgrade (no thanks) and tries to scare you into buying more insurance (again, no thanks).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKQ9GbfCQzw/Uu7K0ma-vcI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/5doMVJ2rV60/s1600/eiffel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKQ9GbfCQzw/Uu7K0ma-vcI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/5doMVJ2rV60/s1600/eiffel.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Bellagio Casino</td></tr>
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Finally, in the car and riding down the Strip. It is Disney for adults- Egyptian pyramids, the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, Rome, Venice complete with gondolas- it's crazy. We're staying at the Flamingo, right in the middle of the action. After parking in their garage, we check in. They want $30. for early check-in but will waive it if I get a rewards card, so I do. A good room on the 10th floor, facing the Strip, but don't expect little niceties like a coffeemaker. If you want to eat or drink, go downstairs to one of the many restaurants and bars.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATzqXScsRVw/Uu7K3paxY4I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/Th3sRspGdKU/s1600/venetian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ATzqXScsRVw/Uu7K3paxY4I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/Th3sRspGdKU/s1600/venetian.jpg" height="200" width="171" /></a></div>
We go out for a walk and food. Las Vegas has gotten huge since we were there last, nearly 20 years ago. Much more traffic, more people, crowds on the street like New York. We get a bite to eat and a beer at a sidewalk place and watch 2 gorgeous blonde girls who are dressed like cops, except with bikinis and platform boots along with the handcuffs, nightsticks and leather jackets. Everyone- well, every guy- wants to have their picture taken with them, and they're pulling in money like crazy. The waiter says they're there every day, so they must be doing pretty well.<br />
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In Las Vegas, you always feel like you're being hustled. FYI- those "free" tickets to shows may well have one-drink minimums, and the half price "Tix4tonight" may be for general admission, not reserved seats, which could mean more standing in line.<br />
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Las Vegas is surrounded by mountains and has some fantastic scenery. The next day we head out to <a href="http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/" target="_blank">Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area</a>, which I highly recommend. You can just ride the 13 mile loop road, or stop and do some hikes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7vMxSbMS54/Uu7Lf4PETTI/AAAAAAAAC0g/VnDUZwlvkgI/s1600/redrocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7vMxSbMS54/Uu7Lf4PETTI/AAAAAAAAC0g/VnDUZwlvkgI/s1600/redrocks.jpg" height="163" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Rock Canyon</td></tr>
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We also visit <a href="http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/" target="_blank">Valley of Fire State Park</a>, which I also recommend, about an hour's drive west of the city. On our way back to Las Vegas we drive through the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/lake/index.htm" target="_blank">Lake Mead National Recreation Area</a>. Breathtaking, constantly changing desert scenery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Eoz7JfwKY/Uu7L2KK4tJI/AAAAAAAAC0s/DUwGXMdqqgk/s1600/valleyoffire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Eoz7JfwKY/Uu7L2KK4tJI/AAAAAAAAC0s/DUwGXMdqqgk/s1600/valleyoffire.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Valley of Fire</td></tr>
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We head out to Beatty, NV on the fourth day, where we're staying to visit Death Valley National Park. The weather is great, in the 50's and 60's, sometimes sunny and sometimes overcast. Much better than New England in January. On our way there we stop at <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Ash_Meadows/" target="_blank">Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge</a>. It's pretty amazing to see springs of water in the desert, and even more amazing to read about how the whole place almost became a housing development/ casino/golf course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_wGhRfsWrg/Uu7M6gGH0wI/AAAAAAAAC00/i9QUjrMT5mA/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_wGhRfsWrg/Uu7M6gGH0wI/AAAAAAAAC00/i9QUjrMT5mA/s1600/spring.jpg" height="200" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Spring at Ash Meadows</td></tr>
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We're staying at the Exchange Club Motel in Beatty, right on Main St. Across the street are the Sourdough Saloon, the Happy Burro, and KC's Outpost, all of which we patronize during our stay. The menus are limited but the people are very friendly.<br />
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After settling in, we drive 4 miles down the road to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/deva/historyculture/rhyolite-ghost-town.htm" target="_blank">Rhyolite</a>, a ghost town with an interesting story behind it. Lots of picture taking going on here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIdcEkfOvAc/Uu7NKnKOndI/AAAAAAAAC08/BuiCKwJZEv8/s1600/rhyolite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIdcEkfOvAc/Uu7NKnKOndI/AAAAAAAAC08/BuiCKwJZEv8/s1600/rhyolite.jpg" height="152" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhyolite</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_2JCPDVotI/Uu7NNK6sCfI/AAAAAAAAC1E/EGt_pKW6DtM/s1600/car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K_2JCPDVotI/Uu7NNK6sCfI/AAAAAAAAC1E/EGt_pKW6DtM/s1600/car.jpg" height="187" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographers in Rhyolite</td></tr>
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The next day, <a href="http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm" target="_blank">Death Valley</a>. We go to Furnace Creek, stop and hike up Golden Canyon, go to Badwater, and then do the Artists Palette Drive on the way back. Then on to Zabriskie Point and Dante's View, an amazing place to see a bird's eye view of the Valley. We tried to see the Natural Bridge, but the road was rough and we got nervous with our rental car, so we turned around. The park is young and a number of roads are still unpaved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYFRhcz35Pc/Uu7NouCW9II/AAAAAAAAC1Q/jmD6C4EpLFA/s1600/golden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYFRhcz35Pc/Uu7NouCW9II/AAAAAAAAC1Q/jmD6C4EpLFA/s1600/golden.jpg" height="147" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgaKLRzfG2M/Uu7Ns346HUI/AAAAAAAAC1g/YPxWOu0W0Sc/s1600/badwater1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XgaKLRzfG2M/Uu7Ns346HUI/AAAAAAAAC1g/YPxWOu0W0Sc/s1600/badwater1.jpg" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA87dzPD5tk/Uu7Ny80jVCI/AAAAAAAAC1w/rpY9mUWuiqg/s1600/dante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kA87dzPD5tk/Uu7Ny80jVCI/AAAAAAAAC1w/rpY9mUWuiqg/s1600/dante.jpg" height="296" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dante's View</td></tr>
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We were told, one night at the Sourdough Saloon, that Titus Canyon is a must see. The turnoff is a few miles west of Beatty, a one way road through the canyon that ends on Scotty's Castle Rd. Four wheel drive is recommended, and a local bartender told us that getting towed out of there will set you back $2000. Sadly, we decided to skip it, although there are jeep tours if you have the time.<br />
From Death Valley we went to visit friends, then there was a long drive back to Las Vegas to fly home.Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-61320751930977609012013-08-20T09:57:00.000-07:002013-08-20T11:09:45.219-07:00Along U.S. Route 6U.S. Route 6 runs from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts, a distance of 3205 miles through 14 states. It is officially called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic" target="_blank">Grand Army of the Republic</a> or the G.A.R. Highway. It used to go all the way to the pacific coast at Long Beach, but a section was decommissioned in 1964. Prior to this <a href="http://www.usends.com/00-09/006/006.html" target="_blank">decommissioning</a>, it was the longest transcontinental route, spanning 3652 miles. That title is now held by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_20" target="_blank">U.S. Route 20</a>.<br />
Route 6 has been a thread throughout our adult lives. Except in our childhoods, we've almost always lived along it: in Mattapoisett, Fairhaven, New Bedford, and North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and now in East Providence, Rhode Island. It has popped up on several western trips. We noticed it in Denver and, during a trip to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, we saw its western end. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:P-town.jpg" target="_blank">See the sign at the California end.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvmqW0ckhoE/UhOEU2OhowI/AAAAAAAAClA/myymkdv1FVk/s1600/P1020300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvmqW0ckhoE/UhOEU2OhowI/AAAAAAAAClA/myymkdv1FVk/s320/P1020300.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The east end of U.S. Route 6 is marked with this sign, which needs to be revised.</td></tr>
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<b>Cape Cod National Seashore</b><br />
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Three short hikes (totaling about two miles) in Provincetown and Truro show glacial effects and feature miniature forests of low growing trees. These tiny forests surround small fresh water ponds and provide oases in the sand dunes. Mainly evident are pitch pine, beech, tupelo, and black and white oak. It's amazing that trees can grow at all in such a sandy soil. Recommended hikes are Beech Forest in Provincetown and, at Pilgrim Heights in Truro, Small's Swamp Trail and Pilgrim Spring Trail. Beech Forest is located in Provincelands which also features a seven mile bike trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gqFs6awI5Q/UhOagNvYNAI/AAAAAAAACl0/LFJiPU344r8/s1600/P1040296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2gqFs6awI5Q/UhOagNvYNAI/AAAAAAAACl0/LFJiPU344r8/s320/P1040296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beech Forest trail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bV_3Ip_VcHk/UhOauHYErkI/AAAAAAAACl8/mnT6eBg3U-I/s1600/P1040302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bV_3Ip_VcHk/UhOauHYErkI/AAAAAAAACl8/mnT6eBg3U-I/s320/P1040302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshwater oasis in the dunes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRiLymQJAjc/UhObL4y0eGI/AAAAAAAACmE/7uVUlrs9W-k/s1600/P1040284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hRiLymQJAjc/UhObL4y0eGI/AAAAAAAACmE/7uVUlrs9W-k/s320/P1040284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow by the sea</td></tr>
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<b>Connecticut/Rhode Island Border</b><br />
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When it crosses from Rhode Island into Connecticut, Route 6 runs right past <a href="http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=435384&deepNav_GID=1650" target="_blank">Old Furnace State Park</a> in Killingly. This small gem features beautiful and interesting terrain. The woodland showcases large white pines, pitch pine, oak, maple, hickory and birch but, unfortunately, the hemlocks are dying because of infestation by a non-native insect, the <a href="http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/hemadelgid.html" target="_blank">hemlock woolly adelgid</a>. Rocky outcrops and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacial_erratic" target="_blank">glacial erratics</a> are evident all along a three mile trail. The highlight of the walk is the view from a 200 foot cliff over Half Hill Pond looking east into Rhode Island. The cliff is used by technical rock climbers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead and dying hemlocks</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock climbers below!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the cliff</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc_5-8YmcEs/UhOWvCxeCTI/AAAAAAAAClo/bUzjqov2hew/s1600/P1040241.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rc_5-8YmcEs/UhOWvCxeCTI/AAAAAAAAClo/bUzjqov2hew/s320/P1040241.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacial landscape</td></tr>
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Post by Paul Courcy<br />
<br />Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-65200151871903131262012-09-07T10:13:00.000-07:002013-08-20T11:10:14.712-07:00Old Growth Forests and 1/1000th of the Appalachian Trail<div>
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This posting combines two summer 2012 forays in search of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-growth_forest" target="_blank">old growth forest</a> in the northeast. Almost all the original forest encountered by European settlers was cleared for farms, and the rest was logged for timber by the 1920s. Only small patches remain, escaping the lumberman's saw and axe because of inaccessibility, steep slopes, or boundary issues. Featured here are two sites in Pennsylvania and one in Connecticut.<br />
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<b>Pennsylvania</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/oldgrowth/heartscontent.aspx" target="_blank">Hearts Content Scenic Area</a> in western PA is a long way to travel for a one-mile loop hike, but if you're a tree lover, it's worth the trip. The girth of some of the oldest trees could challenge any tree hugger. The oldest eastern white pines are approximately 400 years old. Other large specimens include eastern hemlock and American beech, although the latter are being killed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech_bark_disease" target="_blank">beech bark disease</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the canopy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A towering hemlock</td></tr>
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In <a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/oldgrowth/cookforest.aspx" target="_blank">Cook Forest State Park</a>, one can still see dead trunks of the American chestnut, which succumbed to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chestnut_blight" target="_blank">chestnut blight</a>, accidentally imported from China or Japan around 1900. The park, once called the "Black Forest", contains a "Forest Cathedral" of towering eastern white pines and eastern hemlocks and is designated a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Natural_Landmarks" target="_blank">National Natural Landmark</a>. The "swamp area" contains red and white oaks, red maples, and black cherry, some over 280 years old. If you visit, be sure to hike the 1.2 mile Longfellow Trail which passes through many 300 to 400 year old trees. Many of the white pines reach 150 feet in height.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eastern white pines are the tallest, up to 183 feet...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but hemlock are the most abundant of the giants</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very tall oaks and maples are a pain in the neck</td></tr>
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The twisted "snag" of a chestnut tree, which probably died in the 1920s</td></tr>
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<b>Connecticut</b></div>
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When thinking about the 2,184-mile <a href="http://www.nps.gov/appa/index.htm" target="_blank">Appalachian Trail</a>, the state of Connecticut does not come readily to mind. Far more dramatic views from the famous trail can be found in North Carolina's <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm" target="_blank">Great Smoky Mountains</a> or in New Hampshire's Presidential Range. But traveling on lesser known sections offers more subtle (and less strenuous) beauty. Hiking a 2.1 mile section in the northwest corner of Connecticut took me over <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_Mountain_%28Connecticut%29" target="_blank">Bear Mountain</a>, the highest summit in that state (although the highest point in the state is about a mile west on the south slope of Mt. Frissell whose summit is in Massachusetts), and through a picturesque gorge known as <a href="http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes/sages_ravine.html" target="_blank">Sage's Ravine</a>. The forest here is technically "second-growth" or regrown forest, but it looks very similar to true old growth. The best way to access this section of the Appalachian Trail is through <a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/mwas.htm" target="_blank">Mount Washington State Forest</a> at the southwest corner of Massachusetts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3ZZ6RDyaK0/UEezEYofqUI/AAAAAAAACIw/FsDV36XVTHc/s1600/P1020059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u3ZZ6RDyaK0/UEezEYofqUI/AAAAAAAACIw/FsDV36XVTHc/s320/P1020059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Bear Mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sage's Ravine</td></tr>
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Some other old growth forests in eastern US:<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Greylock" target="_blank">Mount Greylock, MA</a><br />
<a href="http://landisarboretum.org/about.html" target="_blank">Landis Arboretum, NY</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linville_Gorge_Wilderness" target="_blank">Linville Gorge Wilderness, NC</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce-Kilmer_Slickrock_Wilderness" target="_blank">Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, NC</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://theblueridgehighlander.com/Joyce-Kilmer-Memorial-Forest/enter-the-forest.php" target="_blank">Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, NC</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_old_growth_forests" target="_blank">A list of old growth forests</a><br />
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Post by Paul Courcy </div>
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Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-70867949788583274082012-06-29T12:17:00.001-07:002013-08-20T11:12:24.206-07:00Niagara Falls and The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7VDQDffy8/T-2M6au0dWI/AAAAAAAAB-M/kCNZET8BqIo/s1600/DSCN0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7VDQDffy8/T-2M6au0dWI/AAAAAAAAB-M/kCNZET8BqIo/s200/DSCN0155.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone takes this picture.</td></tr>
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<b>Niagara Falls</b> is an awesome spectacle demonstrating the power of water. It's especially amazing when you consider that only about half the water flowing down the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_River" target="_blank">Niagara River</a> is allotted to go over the falls. The rest is diverted to turbines generating electricity. Because of this decrease in flow, the falls is eroding at a slower pace.<br />
We found a reasonably priced hotel within walking distance of the falls. This made it easy to check out the illuminated falls after dark.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting wet on Hurricane Deck!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7HeshmBsVA/T-2kmnBSglI/AAAAAAAAB_I/xAcfmjo_aMs/s1600/DSCN0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t7HeshmBsVA/T-2kmnBSglI/AAAAAAAAB_I/xAcfmjo_aMs/s200/DSCN0113.JPG" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young couple poses for a picture.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Because we did not have our passports with us, we remained on the American side of the falls. Besides viewing the American and Horseshoe Falls from the observation deck and from other high viewpoints, we also took the elevator down to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/cave-of-the-winds.aspx" target="_blank">Cave of the Winds</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. This is where you put on water sandals (quite stylish and you get to keep them) and a plastic parka (more like a trash bag with a hood) and walk along a wooden walkway near the base of Bridal Veil Falls. First you encounter the spray. Then, on the Hurricane Deck, you get as wet as you care to and it's lots of fun. We actually went back for a second dunking. </span></span><br />
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<img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QV34qG1odlg/T-2NQ6HLeiI/AAAAAAAAB-U/uOaJBmrtF2E/s200/DSCN0216.JPG" width="200" /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1gpdS7NpDs/T-27TdnmgFI/AAAAAAAAB_s/5SRxPXIFbs4/s1600/DSCN0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1gpdS7NpDs/T-27TdnmgFI/AAAAAAAAB_s/5SRxPXIFbs4/s200/DSCN0226.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike its namesake in Arizona, the <b>Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania</b> is under a
blanket of vegetation. Red maple, red oak, black cherry, sumac, and sassafras are some of the forest hardwoods. Everything is green in late June, but we're told the fall foliage is spectacular. We
rented bikes in the village of Ansonia and biked along the <a href="http://visittiogapa.com/railtrail.html" target="_blank">Pine Creek Rail Trail</a> running north and south through the gorge. Although the trail runs 62 miles from the towns of Wellsboro
Junction to Jersey Shore, our round trip (from the bike <a href="http://www.pinecrk.com/" target="_blank">rental place</a> on US 6 south to the 20
mile marker) was a total of about 25 miles. The grade was slightly
downhill so coming back was a bit more difficult.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWrKmhFfzJE/T-2N08l0hXI/AAAAAAAAB-k/lfV6RaZ4yGc/s1600/DSCN0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWrKmhFfzJE/T-2N08l0hXI/AAAAAAAAB-k/lfV6RaZ4yGc/s200/DSCN0233.JPG" width="200" /></a>The day before biking, we hiked along the Rim Trail at <a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/coltonpoint/index.htm" target="_blank">Colton Point State Park</a>. This offered a view of the gorge from the rim. Another
great view was from the overlook at Leonard Harrsion State Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Camping at <a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/leonardharrison/index.htm" target="_blank">Leonard Harrison State Park</a> was easy and convenient, but offered zero privacy. We
were camped two nights on a lawn with many other tents. I suppose it was good enough
for campers like us who went out to dinner both nights and never lit a fire. Sleeping outdoors does
have its advantages, though. The stars in north central Pennsylvania are
amazing, and we were kept company all night by many fireflies. The ones that
landed on the tent could be seen blinking right through the tent fabric.
Camping is great if you have a good air mattress, it doesn’t rain, and it stays
warm all night. So camping was great.<br />
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Hiking down the gorge on the Turkey Path Trail, we saw lots of little waterfalls. Going down is a lot easier than coming back up.</div>
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The small town of <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=wellsboro,pa&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=74.317792,82.177734&t=h&hnear=Wellsboro,+Tioga,+Pennsylvania&z=14" target="_blank">Wellsboro</a> is very inviting, with several nice restaurants and places to stay. We had drinks and dinner at the <a href="http://pennwells.com/" target="_blank">Penn Wells Hotel</a> (next time we'll probably stay here) and breakfast at the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g53942-d775933-Reviews-Wellsboro_Diner-Wellsboro_Pennsylvania.html" target="_blank">Wellsboro Diner</a>.<br />
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Dinner at the Penn Wells Hotel</div>
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Breakfast at the historic Wellsboro Diner</div>
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The Grand Canyon area is all within Tioga State Forest in north central Pennsylvania. It is beautiful and, if you like hiking and biking, it's a great place to spend a couple of days. Although we did see some kayakers, the water seemed a bit low in late June.</div>
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Post by Paul Courcy </div>
Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-5659591189001013292011-10-27T13:21:00.000-07:002013-08-20T11:10:48.609-07:00Biking the Cape Cod Canal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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On a Saturday morning recently we strapped the bikes to the car and headed for Buzzards Bay to meet friends and go riding on the Cape Cod Canal bikepath. There are two bikepaths, one on either side of the canal. We were on the mainland side, and planned to ride from west to east along the canal, about 7 miles, have some lunch at Scusset Beach, and then return.<br />
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A very friendly wind patted our backs on the way east, so much so that we hardly needed to pedal. The sky turned ominously gray, and started to spit rain. Then the rain started coming down in light showers, but the wind was blowing it sideways, so that if you stood beside one of the cedar trees beside the canal, you could stay dry. It rained in fits and starts, but when it started to come down more heavily we sought shelter underneath the portico of the closed tourist information center.<br />
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On Ed's iPhone, we could see the satellite view of the rain showers moving overhead. It was just a squall blowing through and wouldn't last long. It was a somewhat surreal experience to be able to see both sides of this little storm. What it didn't tell us about, though, was the thunder, lightning and hail. That little squall packed a punch. I wonder how quarter-inch ice pellets feel when you're biking through them. Those two guys who biked past us as we waited out the storm must know...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting out the storm</td></tr>
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We got to the beach and had broke out the sandwiches, hunkering down to get out of the wind. Something big made a splash out in the canal, then submerged- a small whale, maybe? It never reappeared.<br />
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Then, the ride back. Have you ever biked against gale force winds? Because that's what they were, 40 mph winds, a wall of wind unrelenting, for 7 miles back to our cars. Sometimes a bigger gust would come along and almost push you over. We struggled to pass pedestrians. Our average speed was, I believe, about 4 miles per hour. I kept my head down and tried to plan painting lessons for my students, anything to keep my mind off the grind of pushing pushing pushing through that wind. Allen called it the Tour de France in slow motion. We finally made it back, though, and were rewarded with a BIG BOAT!<br />
Thanks, Ed, for the photos!<br />
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Post by Kathleen Weber Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1439977623976787068.post-90996205714034345862010-08-30T06:46:00.000-07:002013-08-20T11:13:17.509-07:00A Bit of Vermont<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Vermont really is as beautiful as they say. We just got back from a 5 day trip there, and I highly recommend a visit.<br />
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We started our trip in <a href="http://www.stateparks.com/groton.html" target="_blank">Groton State Forest</a>. There are half a dozen state parks within the forest, mostly situated around various ponds. We stayed at <a href="http://www.campvermont.com/html/cgs/state_north/ricker.htm" target="_blank">Ricker Pond State Park</a>, which has a lovely little pond with resident loons. Their eerie cries at night really make you feel like you're getting the wilderness experience! The campground has tent and RV sites, as well as lean-tos and one room cabins for rent at very reasonable prices. There is a little sandy beach on the pond, perfect for kids. The Cross-Vermont Bike Path runs right through the campground, which was the reason we chose it.<br />
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The next morning after arriving, we rode our bikes up the trail to the town of Marshfield, which took about 1.5 hours. The trail is a little rough, gravel, not paved. It's on an old railroad bed, so the grade, whether uphill or down, is very gradual- until you get to Marshfield. Then it's a downhill run into town, fun even though you know you'll pay for it later when you have to go back up. We stopped in at <a href="http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3723107989/rainbow-sweets-marshfield" target="_blank">Rainbow Sweets</a>, a cafe and bakery celebrating 25 years in business. Its owner assured us that people come from miles around to eat there, and it wasn't hard to believe. The spanakopita was excellent, and the glass case full of pastries was tempting, although we didn't indulge.<br />
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The following day, we explored a little more on foot, going to Peacham Bog for a hike, and Owl's Head to see the view. Then we headed off to Burlington.<br />
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Burlington really is a jewel, a little college town on the edge of Lake Champlain. Heading into town on Rt. 2 west, there is a view from a hilltop of the town, lake, and the Adirondack mountains on the New York side that is quite beautiful. We stayed at <a href="http://www.lq.com/lq/index.jsp" target="_blank">La Quinta</a>, a chain motel that wasn't exciting but was clean, with a heated outdoor pool and continental breakfast, for reasonable rates. They didn't blink an eye when we rolled our bikes through the lobby and took them up in the elevator to our room.<br />
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Later that day, we met our friends at the<a href="http://www.breakwatervt.com/" target="_blank"> Breakwater Cafe</a>. As you might guess from the name, it's located right on the water, nestled between a marina and 2 ferry docks. There's a large outdoor patio, pub food, and friendly waitresses. As the evening went on, the atmosphere became quite lively, with a band and dancing.<br />
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The next morning, we headed out for a ride on the <a href="http://www.champlainbikeways.org/" target="_blank">Lake Champlain Bikeway</a>. If you are even just a casual rider, you will love this bike path! The scenery along Lake Champlain is breathtaking, the path is paved and mostly flat. At one point, we chose to ride along a causeway out into the lake, rather than along the shore. The causeway heads toward Grand Isle, although you can't ride all the way there, because of a cut that allows boat traffic through. Instead, there is a little ferry that takes bikes across for a $10.00 round trip fee. We chose to turn around and head back to Burlington at that point, but the possibilities for bike riding up through the chain of islands in the middle of the lake are really intriguing and a possible future vacation.<br />
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That night we ate at the<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/315/1528006/restaurant/Vermont/Farmhouse-Tap-and-Grill-Burlington" target="_blank"> Farmhouse Tap and Grill</a>, not cheap but the food was very good. The next morning we packed up and headed home. A short, fairly inexpensive vaction that we really enjoyed.<br />
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Post by Kathleen Weber Kathy Weberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05556549012755206646noreply@blogger.com0