Travels of Ms. Dolphin and Mr. Marco

Ship's Haven and Wolfe Point

2011-07-31T13:58:00.001-04:00

Ships Haven is a cove about three miles South of the town of Alma, New Brunswick in Fundy National Park. In my view Fundy NP is to Canada what Yellowstone NP is to the USA: a Jewel of the Natural World.

This is Ship's Haven

at High Tide.

Notice the Beach

at Right Center.

Three hours later.

Wolfe Point is

upper Right.

There is a lovely Path

(mostly Boardwalk)

down to the beach.

The shoreline at

Fundy National Park

is mostly cliffs.

To get down requires

a lot of steps like these.

Almost to the Sea

but it keeps receding

with the Tide.

On the Beach

from the first PIC.

Well, not quite...

At High Tide Jan would be

in over her head.

Nova Scotia is out there

in the East.

Finally to the Sea

at Wolfe Point.

At High Tide

(in just 6 hours)

Jan would be about

32 feet

under water.

Geology at work.

These Oscillation Ripple Marks

are in mud.

They will be many feet

under the Sea at

High Tide.

These same patterns can be

seen in sedimentary rock

which was once ancient seabed.

Dickson Falls

2011-07-22T17:02:00.001-04:00

When we think about Fundy NP we will remember steps, lts of them.

Don't be fooled by this

bucolic scene at the

start of the trail.

It quickly turns to boardwalk

and hundreds of steps.

Notice the Mist in the air.

This "forest fog" is typical

of the area and is caused

by the cold Bay of Fundy water.

Notice how green it is.

Ferns and Moss....

Dickson Falls.

Bay of Fundy memories

2011-07-21T21:16:00.000-04:00

Forty-six years ago Jan's Mom and Dad loaded the station wagon with six kids ranging in age from 15-3. Off on a big adventure to see another country. We landed at Fundy Bay where we all had a wonderful time. This year we decided to go to Fundy Bay so that Jan could finally share that magical place with Lew.
First are the past memories that her brothers and sisters might recall.


Entrance to the park view

Amphitheater seemed smaller than I remembered.


The golf course that my brothers and Dad played.

Near to high tide...about 30 minutes low.

Near Low tide..about 30 minutes off

Happenings at Stamford

2011-07-21T15:59:00.000-04:00

June 3-July 16 At Williamstown and Stamford

Bouncing Happenings

Worn out happenings!

Strawberry Festival Happenings


Birthday Weekend Visitors!

For Amy's Birthday we went to Dorset Quarry. She wanted to swim! That apple didn't fall far from the tree! Birthday present for two!

Ithaca

2011-07-21T15:01:00.002-04:00

June 19-June 21. We like Robert Treman SP just South of Ithaca, NY as a stop-over on the way to Vermont.

The cold water in the swimming hole

gave Jan some relief from

Calf muscle pain. We both overdid

in West Virginia.

Lucifer Falls had more

water than we usually see.

While walking the upper gorge loop

I was excited to finally

spot a Hermit Thrush

after listening to their

songs most of my life.

West Virginia

2011-07-21T14:34:00.007-04:00

June 15---School is out and it is time to travel. First stop is Watoga State Park in West Virginia. Situated on the Greenbrier River....

....it has a very nice campground with a nearby bike trail with bridges....

....and tunnels.

From the campground a hiking trail ascends to an observation tower. A 900Ft climb in one Mile.

Like most of America's State Parks this park was built by FDR's CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). This was a Great Depression program which provided three squares and a bed to unemployed single young men. The families also received directly a monthly check which was the man's wages. For many young men that was the only Work they had ever had and for many of their Families that was the only source of Money Income. In 1999 grateful former CCC men erected this statue in Honor of that "big government" program which provided hope&sustenance to so many and which built most of our State Parks. In today's political climate this kind of working-for-the-common-Good can't happen.

MacBook Pro

2011-03-23T09:35:00.002-04:00

An iPad has been my primary computer since it's release one year ago. Though not a fully implemented PC I was able to work around Apple's various constraints and quirks. Blogging was made possible with an App called BlogPress which provided a usable front-end for eBlogger. The App handled uploading PICs from the iPad to Blogger's server where they were then Hosted, the same as we have always done with our Blog. But recently the Bidnessman at BlogPress made a change such that PICs are now Hosted either at Picasa, Flickr, or on the BlogPress server but not on Blogger's server. We don't want people to have to deal with Flickr because it takes several steps to get to a full-screen PIC (the whole purpose of "clicking" on the Thumbnail in a Blog Post) so I set BlogPress to use their server. That worked OK until the Bidnessman got the bright idea (NOT) of shrinking the PICs some and surrounding them with advertisements. For us that was a Deal Breaker. Our Blog doesn't exist to provide an advertising venue to some Bidnessman. But there are no other (usable) Blogging Apps for iPad. Hmmm.

The small size of the iPad screen and the lack of Photo handling capability has been a disadvantage for Blogging and PIC viewing. The BlogPress Bidness Boner was the last straw so I ordered up a refurbished MacBook Pro.

I even paid twenty Bucks

for FedEx next-day.

Yup, it's a Mac

(see the Apple?)

That man seems excited

with his new toy...

...oops, I mean "tool".

I am delighted with the results of the change. The MacBook has a larger, brighter screen which is much better for my eyes and IMO iPhoto can't be beat as an organizational tool with enough included simple editing capability for Blogging. With Apple's multi-function touch-pad I can seamlessly zoom as needed to suit the condition of my eyes at any given moment. This Thing is soooo easy to use that I am quickly redoing each Post that BlogPress messed up.

Violet's First Birthday

2011-03-20T12:57:00.001-04:00

The Crocuses are Blooming so...

it must be Violet's Birthday.

Grandpa got the job of

assembling

Violet's first Ride.

Two pages of Instructions....

Can he do it?

No Problemo!

The Birthday Girl

in her Finery.

At Violet's house the Crocuses are

of course

Violet.

Big Sister Cordelia

made this beautiful sign.

Aha! Birthday presents.

Blocks from Aunt Amy, Uncle Chris

and Nate.

A Talking Bear from Aunt Missy,

Uncle Kevin, Cousin Robbie

and Cousin Kayla.

PJs she can grow into

from Great Grandma.

Violet and her Cousin Robbie

admire the Bear.

Looks like a bib is

Violet's first "blanky".

Her first RV

from Grandma&Grandpa.

Time for

Birthday Pizza.

Violet Loves Food.

All Food.

Just bring it on.

Birthday cake from

Bethel Bakery.

Looks like Cordelia

approves.

Of course Violet

had her own Cake.

Cousin Kayla and Sister Cordelia

enjoyed a visit and the Cake.

Baby Nate Pays a Visit

2011-03-20T12:34:00.000-04:00

Amy had a few days left of her three month Maternity Leave so she and Nate got on the Tin Bird and made their way to the Steel City.

How they do grow

and change!

Baby Violet got to

visit

her Cousin Nate.

Visiting is Hungry Work

so a lot of Silk Road

Takeout was required.

Next morning it was time

for Nate to have a

Walk in the Woods.

These new-fangled

Kangaroo Pouches

are ideal. Nate just

loves going for a

Walk.

Walking is such hard work!

So a Nap is just the Thing.

Grandpa makes a good Nest,

don't you think?

Grandma, Nate and Amy

think Bath Time is

lots of Fun.

Christmas

2011-01-25T14:33:00.003-05:00

Everyone zoomed back to Stamford to celebrate Christmas.

Again, a couple of The Elves needed a Break.

But when Cordelia cracks the whip Things Get Done.

More Pecan Rolls needed to be made...

...and a Christmas Tree needed cut (in Amy and Chris's own Woods).

Back to the house.

Cordelia approves.

All work and no play won't do.

See the Snowball in the air from Cordelia

aimed at her Dad?

The Tree was decorated and...

...the Stockings were hung

by the Chimney (stovepipe) with care,

in hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

And so it was Christmas morning and

it looks like that Jolly Old Elf found his way.

There was even a letter to Cordelia

explaining that her American Girl Doll

was waiting under the Tree at home in Mt Lebanon.

This Craft Supply kit,

put together by Uncle Chris and Aunt Amy,

made a big hit with Cordelia.

Violet enjoyed her first Christmas.

This Elf has her Mommy work cut out for her, Eh?

Sometimes Mommy gets a bit of help from another Elf.

Aren't they Cute?

Merry Christmas!

No New England Christmas would be complete without a Blizzard.

Looks like Katz was disturbed.

Location:Stamford, Vt

Christmas Preparations

2011-01-25T14:13:00.002-05:00

While Jan was meeting Baby Nate, Lew was babysitting....the Siding men.

This is what our poor little house looked like

after having it's failed 28Ft high Chimney partly torn down.

Something had to be done.

Tearing down the rest of the chimney

and installing Vinyl Siding did the trick.

The little house is Cute again, Eh?

Lew even found time to put up Christmas Bows.

Meanwhile, inside Cordelia and Grandma

were busy making Pecan Rolls

(a Tradition with them).

Another Tradition: building a Gingerbread House.

Santa's Elves needed a Break.

Location:Bethel park, Pa

More House Work and the Baby whose house it is

2011-01-25T14:02:00.003-05:00

So on Oct 3 there was this phone call:

Amy: "Dad, can you come and help Paint 'cause we are a bit behind"? (subtext: "the baby is due Dec 17 and the house isn't done").

Lew: "Sure. I'll be there day after tomorrow".

No PICs of me because I was too busy painting. But this PIC shows the just-completed Solar installation. Chris installed all the Collectors. Once the interior paint was done and all the lighting fixtures installed, I took off for Bethel Park.

In case anyone hadn't noticed from the PICs, Amy was expecting her first Child Dec 17, so it was time for a Baby Shower. So back to Stamford we zoomed.

We loaded Katz into her mobile Digs (Adam says that for her it is "Traveling Hell") and away we went. The CG at Robert Treman stays open for Hunting Season so we spent the night there. Marco's electric heat kept us Toasty. It did cost us $28 and this is in a State Park!

This is what the Swimming Hole looks like when drained for the winter.

No PICs at the Shower 'cause we were way to busy.

Then we zoomed back to Bethel Park....on December 8 the call came with the news of Baby Nathaniel Johns Warren had been born around 11PM Dec 7! So Jan got aboard the Tin Bird and took off for Stamford to meet our third Grandchild.

Meanwhile, back in Bethel Park, Christmas preparations were ongoing.

Location:Stamford, Vt

Paul McCartney, the Zoo and other Diversions

2011-01-25T11:35:00.002-05:00

You see, we needed to be in Pittsburgh for something Special. The Beatles played at the old Civic Arena in 1964 and Paul McCartney returned on 8/18/2010 to Dedicate the new home of the Penguins. We got to see and hear a live concert by a Beatle.

Sir Paul is as good as ever and has a Stage Presence which is bigger than Life.

Our last weekend before School started we zoomed over to Orbisonia as we hadn't been there for many years. While there, we hopped on over Blue Mountain to visit with my Double Cousin Mon and his wife, Nancy.

Orbisonia, Pa is home to the East Broad Top Railroad,

the remnant of an extensive 3Ft gauge system

which served the coal mines of the area.

Boooaard!! This lovely Parlor Car is always the last car.

Adjacent is the trolley museum,

which operates two miles of track on which they run

any of a dozen restored Cars.

A favorite Fall weekend venue for us is the CG near Rockwood.

Rockwood is on one of our favorite Rail Trails,

the Great Allegheny Passage.

You can ride on the grade of the old Western Maryland

from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.

Another Fall diversion is a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo with Cordelia.

Cordelia was intrigued with this sculpture at the entrance

to the Pittsburgh Children's Zoo.

An update of Marco modifications is in order.

The oiled Pine countertop didn't stand up so

it was replaced with Polyurethane finished (3 coats) Pine.

The new location for the A/C works well.

The Aircard/Router and Amplifier fit nicely and out of the way.

Above is the new medicine cabinet.

The Internet equipment runs on 12VDC and is available

even when Boondocking.

A clean installation of the A/C. Notice the LED lights.

Notice also the compact Bike Rack which holds our two bikes handily.

Now this is the best thing since sliced bread.

I'm talking about the Brace running diagonally from top right to bottom left.

The Stabilizing Jack (the heavy black part running fore-aft)

is thus braced in all directions and all "rocking 'n shaking" is ended.

Bathroom Tile and end of the Summer

2011-01-25T10:44:00.001-05:00

We made our way to Stamford to help Amy and Chris a bit more with their house construction.

Laying Tile was a new experience for all of us.

Those Tile are special. They are cut Limestone and have many Fossils Tests.

After laying the Tile in Thinset it must be Grouted to fill between each piece.

Yup, proof that the Yinzers Contingent was there.

With us helping Amy, Chris was freed up to pursue other Vital work, like building interior walls.

With Summer coming to a close it was soon time for us to bug out. We stopped at our favorite NY State Park near Ithaca (Robert Treman) for thee nights so we could take our favorite walk.

The CCC built this Staircase as well as all the Trails and the Campground. This is on a 4.5Mi loop trail.

Fortuitously, on our way home we were able to attend a get-together of ALiner people.

This Bike Carrier gave us a way to solve the problem of carrying Bikes while towing Marco. We ordered one and it works well.

Location:Stamford, Vt : Bethel Park

Plimoth Plantation and Old Sturbridge Village

2011-01-24T14:21:00.029-05:00

After leaving Cape Cod We visited Plimoth Plantation, a recreation of the colony C. 1625. The Staff are well versed in the history and culture of the time and some are excellent Actors. A couple hours spent here gives one an appreciation of the difficulties those folks surmounted.

The Wintertime diets of

the Pilgrims and of

the Native Americans.

Summertime diet

An English Gentleman,

Stranded here for the Winter by Shipwreck.

Sword, Walking Stick and Dagger Leaning on the post

Main Street

All the English Colonists

were equipped with Armor.

The Blacksmith

at his Forge.

Immediately adjacent is this recreation

of a Wompanoag Village of the time.

Our next stop was Old Sturbridge Village, a recreation of the town C.1840, using mostly historic buildings from that time.

You can ride around the village in this Coach.

This is a modern kitchen. Oven in the wall to the right side. Heating was done mostly in open Fireplaces like this one, although the revolutionary change to closed heating stoves was underway. The price of Cordwood had doubled in twenty years bringing on America's first energy crisis. Sea Captains began using English Coal for ballast because it found a ready market in America.

Water powered Mills like this one could cut about 1000 Board Feet of lumber a day, about 1/10 what my Grandad produced on his Steam Powered circular Sawmill.

About centered under the mill you can see

the Pelton Wheel Water Turbine in action.

Of course, every village had a Flour Mill, also water powered. It typically ran one day a week and all the Farmers would bring Grain. They socialized while waiting their turn, hence the term "milling around" that we still use today. The Miller was paid a share of the grain and the rate was set by the State of Massachusetts. No Monopoly practices allowed.

Every village still had a Blacksmith but a revolution was underway. The Blacksmith of Sturbridge used factory-made Hinges in his own house. Wrought-Iron sheathed Wooden Plowshares were being replaced by cheaper Cast Iron Plowshares. Manufactured Iron goods were becoming cheaper than a Blacksmith's wage. Retiring wagon wheels was a large part of a Smith's work by this time.

Another revolution underway was the machine making of Cloth. Textile Mills were just becoming a big industry in New England.

Farming practices looked much the same

as in 1640.

Oh, for all the Radical Rightists of today who want to "take back their country", it was understood in 1840 that "the right to bear arms" is NOT without limits.

Location:Sturbridge, Ma

Cape Cod

2010-08-03T21:33:00.003-04:00

On July 24 we arrived at South Chatham for seven lovely days with our family.

This is the Thank-You note that Cordelia wrote on our last night.

This is the family cottage where Chris spent many summers with his Grandma.

This is the short walk to the little Ocean beach where we spent many hours.

We also went to the Open Ocean at Coast Guard Beach for some big wave action. Jan, Amy and Cordelia are facing the Open Atlantic.

Evenings were spent playing games and talking.

Amy delighted in finding sea critters for us.

Cordelia didn't get to take this conch shell home because it is someone's "house"!

Some of us biked, some of us walked along this trail near Provincetown at the National Seashore.

Katz took quite a liking to the yard and would take extended trips over to the tree in the back yard. She tried to stalk the local bunny rabbit, too.

Thanks to the Warren family for sharing their Cottage.

Location:South Chatham, MA

The Mayflower II

2010-08-03T21:29:00.000-04:00

In the Fall of 1620 one hundred crazy Pilgrims set sale from London Town for Virginia....and landed 66 days later at the tip of what we now call Cape Cod, way up in what we now call Massachusetts. They landed on November 11 and spent their first New England Winter aboard their little ship, the Mayflower. Half of them died that first Winter. In the Spring they founded Plymouth.

This is Plymouth Rock, a large granite beach pebble on which they carved the year of their arrival. In the '50s the English built a Replica of the Mayflower and sailed it to Plymouth, Mass, where they presented it to the American people to commemorate our close ties. The Mayflower II is still at harbor a hundred yards from Plymouth Rock, where Jan visited it as a kid. She remarked to me years later that what struck her was the tiny size of the Vessel with which 100 Pilgrims and 30 Crew crossed the Open Atlantic. It measures just 100ft from Stem to Stern, smaller than some Rich people's yachts. We visited the Mayflower II on the way to Cape Cod.

Jan thinks it still looks tiny for it's Job.

This is the space on the Passenger Deck (beneath the main deck, actually a Hold) occupied by one Family. Six feet by six feet. The horizontal boards in the background are hull planks so in this PIC you are looking from the center of the ship outward. Passengers weren't allowed on Deck as they might interfere with the operation of the Ship. There was a cargo Deck beneath the Passenger Deck where all their equipment, belongings and food were stored. Wow.

Beer was an important Food Source....a Gallon a day, the equivalent of 11 Drinks. Wow. No Prohibition for those Pilgrims, Eh?

Location:Plymouth, Ma

Working on the Children's House

2010-08-03T20:41:00.000-04:00

On Thursday July 15 we started working on the house every day. We have breakfast in Mr. Marco. Then change into work clothes. Drive up to the house.

Go inside and get busy with joint compound, sanding and finally primer paint.

Chris was busy making the stairs.

While Amy worked on getting the laundry room ready to tile. The fashion for the lady with the bad foot and asthma....

when lunchtime rolled around it was off to cleanup, eat and usually shop for additional supplies. We took a break on Sunday but worked every other day until we left for Cape Cod on July 23.

Location:Stamford,VT

Happy Birthday, Amy

2010-08-03T20:37:00.000-04:00

Leaving the South Hills on July 11, we traveled by way of Watkins Glen to Williamstown in time for Birthday cake.

The CCC built the paths in the Glen....Thousands of stone steps.

These are the Shoes which enable Jan's trek on these stone paths. Amy's chosen venue for B'Day Dinner was Elizabeth's in Pittsfield.

His Salad is Divine. On Sunday we enjoyed the Birthday Boston Creme Pie Chris had baked.

Amy's birthday present to herself was a day off with a trip to the Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Her particular interest was the Day Lilly patch.

Lew's particular interest was the Raised Bed Vegetable patch.

We may do this to our front yard at Mine 3. Everyone enjoyed the Frogs.

Happy Birthday, Amy.

Location:Williamstown, Ma

There's Gold and Mountain Lions in those Hills

2010-07-05T09:09:00.001-04:00

We left Yellowstone the morning of June 30 and tried a new road. We spent the night in Hardin, Mt which is located 12 miles from Little Big Horn Battlefield. We had planned on visiting it but Jan was car sick again so it became an item on the someday-we-will-return list. The drive from Hardin to Deadwood was a very pleasant surprise. Most of the time it is treed and rolling hills. We inspected a National Forest campground that was still FREE! It was lovely and not a soul in the campground.

July 1 we arrived in Deadwood and set up in our favorite Campsite, 33/34. We went to Boondocks for a hamburger and a milkshake. We made arrangements for transportation up to Dumont for tomorrow. Everything was full and busy. An annual reunion occurs at Lead and there is a run/walk on the third that is an annual event.

July 2 we went on our favorite bike trail. When we biked in the park, it became obvious that we were in better shape than we thought and the bike ride proved it. 16 miles of what we think is the best biking trail.

Jan didn't want to drive anywhere the next day so we decided to bike up a branch of the trail starting from the Kirk trailhead.

It was along a beautiful rushing creek and was a steady upgrade (1st gear for Lew) to these old mines. About 2.5 miles to the mines.

Shortly after the mines, the trail became very steep. Lew was walking his bike, but Jan was still riding so she was a bit ahead of Lew. It was a steep upgrade so instead of watching the ground, Jan was looking up at the trees. Suddenly there was movement in a tree branch about 75 feet ahead. Thud! A Mountain Lion leaped onto the bike trail, turned and looked at her before trotting across to the other side of the trail. Jan yelled to Lew, "Mountain Lion, Mountain Lion!" but it was already gone into the brush. It was large, a zoo size Mountain Lion. We continued to yell while quickly deciding that walking slowly uphill was not the right idea. So we quickly yelled our way downhill. Fast. No pictures. We thought of it for about one second..then continued on downhill.

That lion really could have not moved and then dropped out of the tree right onto Jan. Wow!

July 4 found us traveling toward my sister's place in Bloomington, Il. We spent the night at Jackson, Mn. Jan drove for a bit in the hopes of helping with the motion thing. It seemed to help some but the ear needs to get better.

Baby Bison,Walks and a View from the Inn

2010-07-01T18:32:00.000-04:00

Today (Tuesday, June 29) was an unforgettable day. It started off with a large group walk. Because of various Yellowstone National Park rules and regulations, names and places and faces with be omitted. Maybe the walk was outside the park? We went past the eagle's nest in the early morning hours to meet up for the walk.

We still got stuck in traffic and were last to reach our meeting place. Everyone was ready and off we went for a group gazer adventure.

As we were being Geeks Out Stumbling About a bison appeared that was snorting and grunting. Finally it crossed the river.

We examined bones with marrow still intact...

...and various growing Flowers.

When the same bison recrossed the river and snorted and grunted at us we decided it was time to leave. We started back with the bison making really a lot of noises. Two people in the group noticed a white movement just ahead. A person went over to investigate and found a baby bison with just it's little head out of the warm mud.

Everyone was very careful of the area and the Mother became quiet and just watched as a group attempted a rescue.

The baby bison was so tired it just rested when success was near.

Mom just stood and watched. When the baby was lifted out a single bleat and snort and all is well in the world. Mum has mud from Junior ecstatically Rubbing against her.

We figured the baby was stuck in the mud for at least an hour. I sure hope the baby survives the trauma. Then another adventure of going to the top of the inn...

...to help take down the Flag.

Of course, we stayed for an Old Faithful eruption.

Thanks David. What an unforgettable day!

More Old Friends

2010-06-29T00:51:00.000-04:00

Then we started to meet the people...Schwarz's, Udo without Jan.

Udo, John (a friend of the Dunns), Tom, Dan Miller, Genean, Trish, and Me. A bunch of us decided to bike to Lone Star.

Yes, that is bug juice Lew is holding.We needed it for an old enemy. Another old favorite is Pizza at the Wild West.David and Dana joined us for the meal.

Something new this trip was our campground. We spent three nights at Baker's Hole. The road to our land was under construction this year. We would like to get campsite 42 next year.

Old Friends

2010-06-29T00:31:00.000-04:00

Jan met Lew at the Airport as planned and they drove off to visit the land.

Then off to visit old friends..The trumpeter swan is back. The swan has been mateless for a number of years now. The Bald Eagle nest had some babies in it.

Then on to see more friends... First a lovely Great Fountain

Beehive from the parking lot.

Then a fashion show at Grotto...What every good Geyser Gazer wears.

On our way back to West we got stuck in a bison jam. Soon we hear a horn look back two cars and it's Cynthia and the kids on their way to O.F. To see us. At the Lower Parking lot we set up for a nice chat and play.

Alex:"Mommy, could we please go and see my favorite geyser?". Talk about a blast from the past. Note the crowd.

Summary

2010-06-24T03:46:00.000-04:00

Last morning in our lovely apartment. The Lanikai Beach is rated one of the best and wow we sure are sorry we won't see that beautiful sunrise tomorrow. Jan was the only one to hit the waves this morning. She was out doing water aerobics while the others took a last stroll.

Then to face the steps one last time.

To recap a few things: Photo art:

Fashion while being tourists:

Fashion for going out to see molten lava after dark:

Fashion for going to the beach:

And the fashion for saying a very fond Aloha to Our Hawaiian adventures.

Made It to the North Country

2010-06-23T21:31:00.001-04:00

So Lew and Katz headed on North through Coyote and Roadrunner Country.

This Pic was taken near Moab, Utah. The Red Rock Country this area is famous for.

Moab is also famous for it's Arches. Northward the Intrepid Travelers Journeyed. Climbing the Long Grade to Soldier Summit Lew considered 'Scape's very hard working Transmission and the number of Long Hard Pulls Marco&Scape have made....there is something called a "Transmission Power Flush", the only way to really change all nine quarts of the Fluid which is the Lifeblood of an Automatic Transmission. The harder 'Scape pulled the more Lew thought about that Fluid. Sooo, some INet searching and a Cellphone call determined that there was a qualified Shop in Idaho Falls.

Meet Chris, of C&S Auto Repair (the "S" is his Wife Shannon). Good People who know what they are doing. I recommend them.

Out with the old Blood (the dark stuff) and in with the new (the lovely Pink colored stuff). $125 worth of Peace of Mind and well worth it. Intrepid Travelers need all the help they can get. On Northward they ventured until....

They arrived in the Tourist Town of West Yellowstone, Mt. See Katz's Nest Snuggled into the trees.

This is Proof that while PICs don't lie, photographers do. This is actually a very busy and packed-in-close RV Park in a packed-in-close little Western town. Off to see what there is to see....which, in Geyserland is....

Geysers! Well, not really. Lew chose to visit Norris Geyser Basin today. Geyser Gazers have nicknamed it Snorris because these days everything there is Snoozing. This is the Crater of STEAMBOAT, the World's Largest Geyser (WHEN ACTIVE), which it obviously is NOT.

Another view from 1/4 Mi away.

Geothermal areas are ever-changing and none more so than Norris. There used to be a cute little Geyser here named "Porkchop". One day in 1989 there was a Steam Explosion and this Crater/Steaming Pool is what is left.

Location:West Yellowstone, Wy

Beach Day

2010-06-23T13:20:00.000-04:00

A lazy day at the beach that is just three blocks away. We started the day with a trip to a restaurant with the famous macadamia nut sauce.

Then to the beach..

With some underwater shots from snorkeling. Do you see the fish?

Cool. Unfortunately, Jan found that getting seasick while snorkeling was a guarantee. A final dinner with Carol and Charlie, ending as we started.

Going south

2010-06-22T14:06:00.000-04:00

Monday June 21 Woke up in the rain forest to more rain! We had decided that going to the south most point of the U.S. Would be fun. So we said good bye to Volcano National Park.

Then onward to the south point.

No signs, no marker...just Tuna fisherman. Of course, we did find this sign.

Sorry folks, no pictures of the mango donuts. Just fond memories by now. Next we went to a black sand beach with sea turtles resting!

Off we go to visit Carole's cousin Shannon, who teaches math and has "lived off the land". She took us to Lava Tree State Park for a look at plants and rocks.

We also went to a hot pool that is heated by a fissure. A local favorite for swimming.

Next stop was a walk to see where the latest lava flowed. This was a road.

After the lava cools, you still have ownership.

Then a fond farewell to Shannon and another day ends.

Volcanos

2010-06-21T12:52:00.000-04:00

On my things to see list is an active volcano. So we arrived on the Big Island and immediately went and looked at waterfalls. This is rainbow waterfalls. You can see why it has that name.

Then to boiling pots.

On the way to boiling pots, Carole and Dee picked mangoes off the ground for a snack...that was tasty too. Now on to Volcanos!

This is what you can see of the active volcano, Kilauea from the Jagger museum. We went back at night and saw it in the dark.

The lava flow had stopped while we were there but not the glow from the magma. We went for a walk through the lava tubes.

That walk ended with a stroll through a fern tree forest. Sure made me think of my Mother-in-law.

Next we stopped and looked at some lava trees.

Rather interesting rock.

Lava flows

To the sea...that's all new land.

Then it's to the very edge.

We are in a rain forest environment. That includes the rainbows.

We were so hungry for supper that I forgot a pic until the very end.

Oven cooked pizza. It was good!

Really Not Kansas, Katz

2010-06-20T22:40:00.001-04:00

Lew and Katz are back on the Road. Heading North for Bozeman, Mt.

This is Katz's view out Marco's front window this evening....definitely not Kansas.

That is Mesa Verde. The aboriginal people built a Civilization up there based on growing Corn and Gathering all else. They built extensive Cliff Dwelling Homes and then abandoned it all around 1200AD. Global Climate Change was a Bitch then and is now. The saddest thing is that, whereas they were Laid Low by natural changes over which they had no control, we could choose to exert Control and Mitigate the Climate Change we are causing. Will we??? Or will our Civilization and Culture become merely the Subject of Future Archaeology Courses?

Location:Cortez, Co

Travels with Charlie

2010-06-20T03:37:00.000-04:00

Day Four: June 19 Started the day with a other trip to the beach. A swim out to the Coral Reef before Breakfast. I didn't take the camera so no pics today. I am quite looking forward to more time at the coral reef later. Then off we went with Shannon's Dad as a guide to the tour of the island.

These are the islands in front of our apartment from another view.

Hey that isn't a geyser is it? No it's called blowout and is located:

On to a wonderful beach that the military has... The house behind us is were Clinton vacationed in Hawaii.

Then on to see sea turtles. This species is endangered. I talked to the volunteer who told me that 600 of these turtles exist. One hatched eggs this season 500 miles away. Can you see the turtle?

I want to snorkel with the turtles! Then on to the Dole Plantation where we attempted the maze and quit after spending a half hour getting three of the eight stamps...yes we lose.

But the real reward was the pineapple float.

Enough food for the ice of us for sure. Then after a tour of the barracks at Hickman field back to the apartment for a much needed rest.

Polynesian culture

2010-06-20T03:10:00.000-04:00

Day Three: June 18 Three of us started the day with a walk. Carole, Shannon and Dee hiked to the ridge behind our house. Jan stayed home and blogged.

After a wonderful lunch with Carol, the five of us took off to spend the afternoon at the Polynesian Culture Center. We went to three of the seven shows before the luau.

After the shows we went off to the traditional luau. Here is the kings court.

The food was very good.

The blue roll is very good sweet bread. The purple sweet potato in either a salad or baked was tasty. The green stuff is spinach. Rice,pork, spiced dried beef, pineapple,poi, and a salad finished off Jan's plate. THe real surprise of the evening was the evening show Ha, Breathe of life. We were all very impressed with the show.

Of course Intermission consisted of more food.

Then it ended with lots of fire...which includes smoke....see Jan run...See Jan having an asthma attack...see Carole running with Jan...it was a great show.

Then home and the end of the day.

Out and About in New Mexico

2010-06-18T17:50:00.001-04:00

While the Ladies (including the one with the Good Looking Legs) are seeing about Tropical Hawaii, Lew and his 98Yr old Dad set out to explore a little corner of the Black Range on the West side of the Rio Grande Valley. To that end 'Scape trucked them from Silver City Eastward up to Emory Pass.

Lew's Dad at Emory Pass. Sawyers Peak in the background soars 9,660 Ft above Sea Level. That View is looking South. Turning 90Deg to the Left you are then looking East and this is what you see....

....the Rio Grande valley in the distance.

In the Foreground is the village of Kingston and....

in the Background is Hillsboro, NM. Caballo Lake in the distance is about 25 Mi away and the mountain is 30 Mi away. The Haze is actually Smoke from a Wildfire on Ft Bliss (El Paso) 130 Mi to the South. This Landscape is a Stark Contrast to Hawaii, Eh?

Memorials and beaches

2010-06-18T15:48:00.000-04:00

On Thursday we awaken to the gorgeous sunrise right from out balcony.

We decided to visit the Arizona Memorial. Shannon opted to stay behind and watch the coconuts that grow right outside the door.

We arrived at the Memorial at 8:30 AM and our tickets for the boat ride was for 12:40. What to do? Why visit another beach! Off we went to see Waikiki beach.

Did a bit of shopping...

Then back to visit the Arizona Memorial.

In the photo below, you can see bits of what is left. The battleship is the Missouri.

Then back to our beach for some afternoon cool down time.

Evening saw us in a local restaurant with Carol and Charlie.

Here we go again

2010-06-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

We are all ready to go. School is over and the adventures begin. Last year we lost our luggage so we decided to do carry-on only. Not a lot of luggage for four women.

First stop was Minneapolis for supper.

An overnight stay in Seattle and a fine arrival in Hawaii on June 15.

Charlie and Carol (Shannon's folks) greeted us with warmth and kindness.

They prepared a wonderful meal for our first night.

Served in a beautiful location...

And let's not ignore the trip to the beach literally three blocks away! I know some of you are wondering what does Janet do for shoes? Quite the fashion on the beach!

Jan was the only one to rush into the ocean. The water was simply lovely, warm and so clear.

And that was day one of Oahu.

Location:Onekea Dr,Kailua,United States

Not in Kansas

2010-06-09T19:04:00.000-04:00

Lew and Katz are on the Road. First stop Silver City, NM to visit Lew's Dad, Sis and BIL. Onward from there to Bozeman, MT where Lew will pick up Jan at the Airport. The Tin Bird will have brought her from Hawaii. Then a week in Yellowstone Country followed by Biking Down to Deadwood (South Dakota, the place the HBO Series was named for).

Yup, Katz knows this isn't Bethel Park (that's her peering out the door).

Looks like a Storm is Brewing here in Ruidoso, NM. It might rain 10 drops.

Location:Ruidoso, NM

Pennsylvania Spring

2010-05-17T19:02:00.001-04:00

That is Downtown Pittsburgh.

But just eight miles South is a different World.

This is Boyce Park on the grounds of what used to be Mayview State Hospital. There is a lovely Wetland area here in the valley of Chartiers Creek.

We see this Great Blue Heron often here.

Hmm, what is this?

It's a Spiny Soft Shell Turtle. Pennsylvania's "Sea Turtle". Shell about 16"-18" diameter, a big critter, Eh?

Gulf Drilling Must Stop

2010-05-13T10:53:00.000-04:00

Would we be OK with Airliners if the Manufacturer, the Airline and the FAA assured us the On-Board Engine Fire Extinguisher System was designed (as a cost saving measure) to Function only 90% of the times it might be called upon? Deepwater Oil Well Blow Out Preventers are designed such that they are capable of Shearing the Drill Stem (the last and only way to stop a Blow Out) only 90% of the time (it can't Shear Joints which account for 10% of the length of the drill stem).

My Anger is as Towering as that Pyre which had been euphemistically christened "Deepwater Horizons". The Hubris of an "Industry", it's Tame Administration&Congress, and we Low-Information " Consumers" in allowing the Risk of permanent Injury or Death to the whole Gulf Ecosystem for a few Barrels of The Devil's Tears is unforgivable. It is clear that the Bush/Cheney Administration stacked the Minerals Management Service (the branch of Interior Dept tasked with "overseeing" Offshore Drilling) with Oil Industry Lackeys. Cocaine parties and Sex with Oil Industry "representatives" was the Rule-of-Day at the Bush/Cheney MMS, not checking out bogus claims of the "inconceivability" of a Disaster.

When BP finally released Video of the Oil Volcano there was realization of how bad it really is: Based on “sophisticated scientific analysis of seafloor video made available Wednesday,” Steve Wereley, an associate professor at Purdue University, told NPR the actual spill rate of the BP oil disaster is about 3 million gallons a day — 15 times the official guess of BP and the federal government. Another scientific expert, Eugene Chiang, a professor of astrophysics at the University of California, Berkeley, calculated the rate of flow to be between 840,000 and four million gallons a day. These estimates mean that the Deepwater Horizon wreckage could have spilled about five times as much oil as the 12-million-gallon Exxon Valdez disaster…. In an email to ThinkProgress, Dr. Wereley clarifies: “My analysis is based strictly on what is seen in the video, so only one pipe and only for that brief period of time. I’m making no claims about what happened earlier or what may happen in the future.”

All Gulf Drilling MUST STOP NOW. The maximum Development of those Reserves can only ever reduce the price of a Gallon of Motorfuel by a few cents ten to twenty years hence. Because Oil is Fungible there is no such thing as "decreasing our dependence on Foreign Oil". All Oil goes into the World Oil Market (which America invented) so any Barrel from anyplace is likely to be used by anyone on Earth. Politicians know this but Use Nationalism and Jingoism to Prey on Low Information American Voters in order to enable their Oil Patrons, their real Constituency. The purpose of "drill here, drill now" and of "Drill, Baby Drill" is only to promote the Profits of Oil Developers, 60%of which are Foreign Owned. Read it and Weep for America's loss of Moral Compass and of a sense of the Absolute Necessity of Strict Government Regulation of many Business Practices in order to guard&protect the Overwhelming Public Interest: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/12/AR2010051202190_pf.html

There'll Be One Child Born in the World to Carry On

2010-05-12T11:22:00.001-04:00

March 18
A good day to welcome a Child
Into the World.

Ms Violet Jane Mentz-Johns is welcomed
Into the World by her Mom and older Sis.

Happy Grandma and sleeping Violet.

Grandpa thinks that, just like with Cordelia
seven years ago, this is just the Bees Knees.

Little Sis, Big Sis. Cordelia and Grandma
Figured out and did the Embroidery.

Aunt Amy looks pretty happy about her new
niece....and about Babies in general. Hmmm.

Violet and Cordelia's Uncle Chris got to celebrate
His Birthday and Violet's birth together.

Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris

took Cordelia, Grandma and Grandpa

Geocaching.

Marco gets a New Bathroom

2009-12-14T11:39:00.014-05:00

Marco was built with two 15Gal wastewater tanks, one for just the Kitchen Sink and the other for the Toilet, Shower and Bathroom Sink. Needless to say, the latter fills long before the former. So, the project became installing a combo Shower-Pan/Toilet-Tank unit in place of the OEM Bathroom. With it's built-in 7Gal Tank servicing the Toilet, both OEM Tanks could be plumbed together to service the Sinks and Shower. 30Gal of capacity would be quite adequate for showering/washing. So a combo shower pan was procured.

This is the underside of a similar unit. The black part is the Toilet holding tank.

The Shower-Pan/Toilet-Tank

ready to install with

wood support structure

added.

A standard "short" RV Toilet

bolts to the black Flange.

These 1X2 Oak pieces

were added to better support the Toilet. They are screwed to the box structure and the Toilet mounting Flange is screwed to them in turn.

The Combo unit in place in Marco. This will be what is called a "Wet Bath", wherein the entire Bathroom functions as a Shower enclosure.

DWV Plumbing installed. The foreground void will be filled in and become a high threshold when stepping up into the Bathroom.

The Sink finished. Spar Urethane makes it Waterproof.... (remember, "Wet Bath"?)

This view shows the location of the Telephone Shower Head and other details. The new Bathroom is more compact than the OEM facility was. The bifolding Pine door was retained. New Drain Plumbing was required. Remember that there are now three Wastewater Holding Tanks, hence the somewhat complicated looking nest of pipes, hoses and valves. The Toilet Tank is situated inside under the Toilet but above the Floor. It's Drain exits vertically and has the large valve seen in the PIC directly under the "Drain Outlet" label. The Kitchen Sink Tank and the Shower/Bathroom-Sink Tank drain through the black 1.5" ABS pipe. Being connected in common they provide a capacity of 30Gal. The small valve below and to the Right of the large valve controls flow from the two Tanks to the Macerator Pump, seen bottom Left in the PIC. The Sewage discharge hose is in the foreground going from Left to Right.

Clear as Mud, Eh? This new Bathroom will permit us to Dry Camp for several days while still enjoying the Luxury of Showering and Cooking without having to Break Camp for a trip to....the Dump Station.

Marco Hefty Smurf

2009-08-05T16:01:00.014-04:00

According to the CNW (manufacturer of Marco) Website, Marco weighs 2550Lb empty and with no Fluids. The posted GVW is 3000Lb, giving a CCC of 450Lb.

BTW, Inside a cupboard door is this curiosity.... an empty weight (UVW-Unloaded Vehicle Weight) of just 1820Lb????

Lew finally weighed Marco at a Scale outside Alamogordo, NM and this is what he found....

Holey Sagging Springs, Batman! This thing weighs 3280Lb. 10% over it's Maximum GVW. Grrrr.

So Lew got out Sue's Bathroom Scale and weighed stuff: ~68Lb (2 Propane Bottles), ~80Lb (2 Bikes on an Aluminum Hitch-Haul platform on the rear Receiver), ~70Lb (one Grp27 AGM Battery), ~20Lb (Kyocera 125W Solar Panel), ~110Lb fresh water (~13Gal), ~50Lb Water in WTR HTR ~20Lb Tools, ~25Lb Canned Goods, ~40Lb Cookware/Flatware/Dishes (including Just-for-Dinner Breadmachine, Mini-food-processor, 10" Cast Iron Skillet), ~30Lb Clothes, ~30Lb Bedclothes/Memory Foam/Pillows, ~20Lb Bread Machine Mix, ~50Lb Add-a-Room, ~30Lb Misc Items, ~15Lb (Books), ~15Lb (2nd Fantastic Fan), ~15Lb (19" LCDHDTV), ~20Lb (Kitty Toilet), ~30Lb (Spare Tire), ~ 15Lb (food-in-Fridge), ~10Lb (Macerator Pump&Plumbing). Subtract 60Lb from OEM due to replacement of 100Lb Roof A/C with 40Lb Window unit. That all comes to an added weight of 703Lb. 2550Lb + 700Lb = 3250Lb. Pretty close agreement with CNW's posted empty weight. But if the GVW is 3000Lb we are tooo heavy. Hmm, something's gotta give, Eh?

One quick thing is to

carry no water on-the-road. Besides draining the Freshwater Tank, this water heater shut-off and Quick-Drain were installed.

Yup, that took 100Lb off.

The bike rack and Bikes weighed 80Lb. The bikes need to go in Scape, the TV. Hmmm.

This shiny new Dahon Folding Bike tucks handily in the car with a folded size of just 25"X31"X12", thus leaving room to stuff Jan's Comfort Bike in as well.

No great loss without some small gain, I suppose. This new bike is actually a great ride with it's very Smooth-Shifting Shimano Nexus 8 speed internal hub transmission.

By having no water and carrying the Bikes, the Add-a-Room, tools, as well as some food and other Bits in the car, the weight of Marco will be just at it's GVW. Not exactly what we planned at the Outset but Live and Learn, Eh? Update: So Lew crawled under Marco and read the Tag on the Axle and this is what he found....

....Hmmm, that says 3500Lb (1591Kg). That would give a CCC of 750Lb. Respectable for a small TT. This is in agreement with the CNW Website, which states Marco's axle rating and GVW as 3500Lb. So why does the Tag on the side of the Trailer say that the GVW = 3000Lb??

Further Update:On 08/06/09 I received an EMail from Mr. Ned Collins, CEO of Columbia Northwest(manufacturer of Marco), to the effect that the GVW of this TT is indeed 3500Lb. CNW will mail me a new weight sticker to this effect. This indeed provides a CCC of 950Lb, quite usable for a TT of this size.

July 21-July 30: Helping out

2009-08-04T16:45:00.005-04:00

The Travelers arrived back in Bethel Park on the 21st. For four days they Commuted to the Woods and worked on the installation of a new Furnace and the Primer Painting (with anti-mildew Kilz) of Lew's Dad's Cabin. Jan also removed the rest of the Ancient Wool carpet (which had been discarded from the Alcoa Building in Pittsburgh in 1968). One day was spent wirebrushing and scrubbing the walls and floor of the "Coal cellar" (for those uninitiated, the coal to fuel a coal furnace fills a room, usually in the Basement of the structure).

The imperative for replacement.

The new Furnace.

Condition of the "Coal Cellar" prior to scrubbing.

The evening of July 26 was the "final walkthrough" for Adam and Trista prior to Closing the next morning on their "new" Home in Mt Lebanon. Lew load-tested all the Electrical Outlets to be sure all "Knob-and-Tube" Wiring had been replaced. July 27, 28, and 29 were spent helping Paint.

July 19: A Summer Afternoon

2009-08-04T16:14:00.011-04:00

Lew and Jan always look forward to a stop at Jerri and Tim's place in Bloomington, Il. Kids and Grandkids descend on them regularly.

Tim's Tomato Forest has taken over the Deck. Yes, that is a Golf Course in the background.

Talk about a Grandkid Attractor! The Pool sees heavy use on hot summer days.

Tim fishes thousands of Golf Balls from the Lake. High entertainment is Driving them back into the Lake. (Power Hitters make the distant Trees) Ethan determinedly tried his Hand.

Jerri showed Jan the Proper Form and....

....Strike One! (missed that one)

Another Grandkid Attractor is the Trampoline.

Jan had better success with that Activity.

See Grandpa Troublemaker Tim handing out those little round Crackers that expode when thrown onto a hard surface.... ....or a Sibling's or Cousin's foot.

July 16: The Ingalls Homestead

2009-08-03T15:37:00.009-04:00

Remember that the Ingalls family (Little House on the Prairie) settled in DeSmet, SD and that Pa filed a Homestead Claim just outside of town? The Sullivans have reconstructed Pa's Claim Shanty in it's correct location to Laura's description and according to the description given in the Claim Papers. There is now a tiny RV Campground on Laura's Hilltop as well as a reconstructed Schoolhouse.

The Hilltop Laura wrote of in Little House on the Prairie. The Claim Shanty is in the lower right.

Pa's Claim Shanty reconstructed as seen from Laura's Hilltop. DeSmet is visible from it's windows about a mile to the Northwest.

A copy of part of Pa's Claim Papers.

The Slough Laura wrote of from which Pa harvested the Slough Grass with which they heated the Store during The Long Winter. PIC taken from the Claim Shanty porch.

This original Claim Shanty from the adjacent Homestead was donated and moved onto the Ingalls Homestead by the Sullivans.

It's History.

July 13: Down to Deadwood and Up from Mystic

2009-08-01T13:05:00.016-04:00

The Black Hills is a good place for Lew and Jan
(read as lots to do)
so they keep returning there.

First Marco and Katz
were installed on
the third Level at
the Deadwood KOA,
an RV Park built up
the steep mountainside
in five tiers.
In the background is
the Talings from the
Homestake Mine.
At the 8000Ft Level the
temperature in this Goldmine
is 138DegF.
Jan is plotting the next
day's activity....

....which will be having the Taxi drop the Humanoids
and their Machines off at the top of the Mountain
so they can Bike the [mostly] downhill 16.4Mi back
to Deadwood.

This PIC is to remind Lew
that the first two miles
are actually uphill.

Jan stopped to marvel
at the Green-ness of
the Black Hills
this year.

Look at that Green Grass!
(and the running Creek)

Now she has a Roll on it!

Sore bodies dictated that the next day's activity should
be a walk rather than another another Bike Ride.
The Flume Trail is a nice walk in the woods and has....

....a Tunnel,
as well as....

....skirting a Cliff.

Further on was this Gigantic Fungus.

The return loop of the 4Mi walk
is on the floor of
the Gulch.

For the third day in the Black Hills another bit
of the George S Mickelson Rail Trail was explored.
The five mile Grade South from Mystic has two Tunnels.
Then you get to ride the steep Downgrade to Mystic.

Jan is about to enter Tunnel #1.

Lew is about to enter Tunnel #2.
Note that it is curved.
The plan for next year is to
Bike from Mystic to Hill City.

After the Ride Lunch was
at Boondocks.

Critters of Yellowstone

2009-07-31T22:01:00.009-04:00

Everyone has PICs of Yellowstone Wildlife but since this BLOG is our Memory Bank here are a few notables for us in '09.

This is actually a common sight in The Park these days. The Bison have habituated to the Humanoid Path. Anyone thinking to be 500Mi away by this Evening can think again, Eh?

This eagle's Nest has been in use for many years (near 7 Mile Bridge). It appears that this year was successful with two Chicks Fledged.

One of the Bison Herds frequents Fountain Flats this summer. In the background are the Thermal Features of the Lower Basin.

A very successful year for the Bison of Yellowstone. Aren't they Cute?

Can't say the same (cute) for this Grizz.

July 7: Mudpots and Mud Parties

2009-07-31T20:38:00.009-04:00

A visit with Mike and Cynthia also means a visit with Alex and Megan....

While some Sybs argue and fight, these two are best of friends. They were having great fun digging a hole. Then Jan, troublemaker that all middle school teachers must be at heart, suggested that the hole could be filled with water....

....and the rest became history. A Princess Mud Party! It took three fillings of the Bathtub before Clean Kids appeared again.

Then it was time for Bedtime reading.

Katz liked Alex and Megan's house because Pocket Gophers live under one corner.

Some Backyard, Eh?

Next morning it was time for Alex's favorite Walk (around Artist Paintpots).

See the mud splashed up on the railing?

This is what they all were watching, a Yellowstone Mudpot.

June 29: Old Haunts and Old Friends

2009-07-28T07:52:00.014-04:00

After a two year absence Yellowstone still feels.... like Home.

Geyser Hill. The thermal features are pinpointed by their early morning steam clouds

Jan and Lew were up at Observation Point when a radio call alerted everyone: "Water in Beehive's Indicator!" Heeding this warning of imminent Eruption, they turned on the Afterburners and Jetted to the scene in time for the show.

Among the old friends who saw Beehive that day were Karl Hoppe and his family. Karl was about his son's age when he introduced the Johns family to Geysergazing in 1985.

A favorite Old Haunt is Grotto Geyser where a start is always exciting.

Lunch at The Inn is just the Thing after a morning with the Geysers.

Aurum Geyser on Geyser Hill.

A 2.5Mi bike ride along the Firehole River brings one to Lone Star Geyser, so named because of it's rare solitary occurrence. The Ride and the Geyser were both Beautiful, as always.

Relaxing with old friends on the porch of the Lower Hamilton Store.

Dan helped Alex learn to use a digicam.

The day isn't quite complete without seeing Riverside Geyser.

Arches National Park

2009-06-29T12:58:00.008-04:00

Arrived in Moab on Saturday in the late afternoon. We found a private campground and left Mr. Marco in the hands of Katz. We went and found replacement Red Dirt Shirts (dyed with Utah red dirt) and went to the grocery store. We both simply love the Red Dirt Land in this area. It is so pretty. Our plan was to wake up bright and early on Sunday and hike the Devil's Garden trail and see Landscape Arch. This is the trail that we took in 1990 with Adam and Amy. We stayed in the National Park Campground overnight that year and they also walked the primitive trail that included a few other arches. We got to the entrance gate before 8 AM. It was a brisk 61 degrees. The ranger at the gate told us that some campsites were available if we stopped at the Visitor's Center. Well, we quickly decided that we could stand the heat for the rare chance of camping in the Arches. So we paid for the site and then went for our walk before the day turned hot. Devil's Garden Trail Landscape Arch Our Campsite in Arches It was not only quite hot for these three Easterners, it had gnats and other small bitey flying things. Katz decided that a red dust bath was the answer. Only came out with water! The next morning it was a warm 71 degrees at 6:30 AM. Off for another quick arches walk. Then on our way to hopefully cooler land.

Bandalier National Monument

2009-06-27T16:12:00.008-04:00

We left Silver City Thursday June 25 and drove over Emory Pass and up the Interstate to Bandalier National Monument. What a lovely campground. Its at 6800 so it is nicely treed with stones and ruins within walking distance. We called our friends Tom and Genean and arranged to meet them the next day at the Visitors Center. Wandered all over the Bandalier Ruins. and wondered at my ability to see within a week what was occurring in the art world in the 1200's while the American Indians were making a living in these caves in the same time period. These are the ruins of the people's homes who lived in the valley. These are the peoples who built against the cliff face. The holes in the cliffs are the roofs of the different levels. This is a painting that was drawn in Italy around 1200 AD of Saint Francis. Of course, being with our old geyser gazer friends we had to go off and find a hot spring. We also had to be Geeks out stumbling about! Nothing like old friends and new places to have a really great day.

June 23-24

2009-06-25T15:58:00.007-04:00

Lew was very busy with a father project. The house needed a new furnace. We had to wait quite a while on Tuesday for the furnace to arrive. Everyone waited including: The Dogs: The Horses: Finally the Furnace Arrived! Head Honcho: So here are the workers. While we waited for the furnace man to do his part.....we chatted. Colt: Oran:

June 22

2009-06-25T15:50:00.006-04:00

Not done flying yet! The three Paris paintings are staying in Pittsburgh with the wine. No more worrying about packages on this flight. Off to meet Lew in New Mexico. Caught the flight to Atlanta, then on to El Paso. Arrived after five hours of flying. Here is a view from the plane of a piece of Texas. Lew arrived at the airport and off we went to get to the Silver City Quail Ridge Estate. Here is Sue's house: Here is Wade's house: Here is Marco: How glad Jan is to finally move in to her own space and bed!

June 21st

2009-06-22T11:38:00.011-04:00

Au Revoir Paris....what fun it was.... Our front door. Our entrance way. Our living room. Across from the couch. And the table was in the living room also. Our kitchen. Opposite wall. The toilet room (not a sink or bathtub) Shannon and My Bedroom. Front window. An the shops in the area. I was so impressed with the little stores all around us. Here are some of the pictures of the stores around our apartment. A clothing store. Fish for sale.

June 20th

2009-06-22T11:28:00.009-04:00

Last day for Paris... We set the alarm and got an early start arriving at Chateau de Versailles before it opened. We toured the castle first. Now that is a globe to have in your study! Then went to the Gardens. The fountains were operating for the weekend. Jan decided to go to the D'Orsay again and left the other three to fully explore Versailles. At the D'Orsay Jan found the Renoir paintings she thought it had. Looked at the paintings and started to feel tired. She decided that food and coffee would allow more paint viewings. The French coffee is very potent and comes in a very small coffee cup. she had that along with a red raspberry tart...good tasting stuff. She went back to the apartment and found that Micheal and Lisa Goldberg had called. When he called back again, it was decided that we would meet for dinner. Our deserts!

June 19th

2009-06-22T07:22:00.011-04:00

Shannon and I stayed at the apartment while Carole and Dee went to the Eiffel Tower. Here is a photo of what it looks like. I figured long lines and it took them three hours to do it all. I tried to sleep some more as did Shannon. I've only been sleeping a few hours every night and it is starting to wear me out! When they came back we took off to take the RER to Restaurant Fournaise. We were too late to eat but Dee's quickly asking for a desert got us in before it closed. They said they would serve us the only meal they had which was duck salad and a desert. I got to sit and look at the boat launch painting scenery. The food not to good but I loved the setting! After our late lunch the order of the day became shopping for the others while I took off for a late night at the Louvre and what a treat occurred! I was sitting by myself in one of the tiny rooms looking intently at on the the pieces when a English speaking group came into the room. I listened while a guide talked about how the accession numbers on the paintings indicated the art piece is one of the 1,500 pieces that the Louvre displays that the Nazis had taken from private citizen's. I was quite taken with his talk and a woman came over and asked it I would like to go to the next room with them. I was invited to join their tour. Seems it's a group of English speaking people who meet every month at the Louvre for a curator talk. This one was on what happened to the paintings in France during WW II. It was fascinating and I was thrilled to hear it all. I thanked everyone for allowing me to join them. They wanted to know where I got my chair! Some folks have never seen it so here is picture of me sitting in it. Check other photos and you will see me carrying it around. I barely made it back to the Apartment by the 10 PM time I had said. Then another great meal of pasta, baguettes and wine. Bed with an early start needed for the next day. What a grand day for me!

June 18

2009-06-18T20:36:00.011-04:00

Another fine day in Paris. Took off in the morning for a visit to the Lourve. I went and saw some of the paintings I saw on the day before. That place is full of paintings and paintings. If I would do this again, I would stay or plan on visiting the Lourve for a few hours every day. Its just a bit much to spend a day. I noted more details in some of the work and found others I liked. Lots of kid tours. The kids act differently here. In front of one nude photo, two kids were being posed to show how the light angles would work. The guide was explaining with gestures so I could follow a bit. They all were seriously looking without a snicker in the lot. The culture angle sure shows. We saw a white paper tour that reminded me of the yellow notebook tours in Yellowstone. All going in a line somewhere with a front and rear person. I wondered if they had a few hours to find the various art work! At Yellowstone they run around looking for geysers and get extra points for if it is erupting. After time in the Lourve, we went to eat lunch at the Tuileries Garden which is just outside the Lourve. Three of us had a salad while Shannon ate a French hotdog. It was in real bread with a sausage flavor. She shared! We walked through the garden and to the Orangerie Museum. Lots of Monet and Renoir along with Picasso. Next we went to the Sainte-Chapelle, built in 1248, with 70% of the windows original. Finally supper at a Chinese restaurant.

June 17---for me a day at the Lourve

2009-06-17T18:23:00.008-04:00

Shannon had a friend visiting so she volunteered to stay and get my luggage. Carole and Dee decided to go to the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile. My foot is having issues with me so I decided I better get going with seeing the paintings I so want to see. So I set off for the Lourve. I rented one of the audioguides and started with the Lourve book to find all the paintings of my dreams. It was not crowded, for example I was the only person in the Rembrandt room, all alone with those paintings. Talk about a happy camper. My Mom would be so astonished that I am so interested in the art she loved. It rubbed off after all. This is the map of the rooms I saw and I marked the ones I want to revisit if I can. The page numbers match the lourve catalog of great art book that Dee and I bought. I paid so much attention to the art, that it was late lunchtime before I knew it. I decided to simply rest my foot by eating in the museum. I managed to order some food. Coffee and a quinche. And stare at the statues that shared my space. This was a late night for the Lourve which worked out well for me. It took me until 6:30 to find my Renoir that I knew was in that place somewhere! Finally left at 7:30 PM for dinner with the girls. A truly grand day for me.

June 16--Travels to Montmartre

2009-06-17T16:34:00.016-04:00

We woke up early to lovely sun and nice walking temperatures. So since we are all in education...we know how to adapt plans and bailed on the museum and went for a walk in the Montmartre "artist" area. We got on the Metro. Then we went to a the area where we could ride the funiculaire - called an incline in Pittsburgh! Beside the entrance to the funiculaire was a carousel. It was a double-decker, although the horses didn't have the sharp quality of the older horses. Have to look up age of the carousel another day. Here is the view from Sacré-Coeur church. We took these pictures from places that were in the movie Amelie. Then had a great lunch...everyone ate crepes. They were delicious. Next was watching the artists. Did Jan really spend money on art work? Vote and tell me what you think! Stayed tuned for an answer. We went and looked at the line to go up the Eiffel Tower and passed on that activity. On to a museum since we have a museum pass. We chose the D'Orsay. We only saw one Renoir (although we need to return) and this very lovely Degas ballerina. It is lovely. I am truly astonished that I can take photos of the art work. As long as you don't use flash (and lots do) its ok. Its why so much of the artwork is behind glass (which I hate the glare of the glass). To end the day's adventures, the other ladies went on a boat tour, while I stayed behind and wandered about. I found another bike rental place. I love this idea. You rent a bike and return it at that station or another station within 2 hours for a pass French people can get. I tried to get a pass and the machine said no. A kindly Parisian tried to help me but the credit card wasn't accepted. He thought because it was an "English" credit card. Sigh... no bike for me. Then another supper... ...and finally back to the apartment, we were learned that my luggage will be returned tomorrow. A full and very pleasant day.

2009-06-16T01:42:00.007-04:00

June 15 Luggage is arriving for 3 of us today. So we need to be here to get the luggage. First to arrive is Shannon's luggage. After we Ahh and Ohh over things like make-up, we ventured out into the city to get our metro passes and musuem pass. The metro system is heavily used. We had to wait in line quite a while to get our passes which are good Monday-Sunday in all of the Paris zones. I had some troubles the day before with running out of metro tickets and not being able to get more so I am very happy to have my metro pass. Then on to the Louvre. Wow! I made it! We went and saw some of the most famous works. It was very crowded. Then back to the apartment to receive more luggage. More unpacking! Everyone but one (me) changed clothes to go eat out. Finally supper at a local restaurant (Italian). It was 10 minutes to midnight when we were done eating. Just made it to the metro before it closed.

2009-06-15T02:03:00.011-04:00

June 11 The last student day at school. The Paris girls get into the mood by wearing their new Paris shirts. June 12 Last teacher day....and we are off.... Well kinda off....thunderstorm in Atlanta lead to the crew timing out in a holding pattern...we went to Greenville then back to Atlanta on another airplane....missed our connection to Paris. So here we are: Night One 2 AM is not the best time to make decisions. Carole is talking to Delta and rearranging our flight from the next night: instead LeGuardia to JFK then using Air France to Paris. Arriving at our Apt at 9AM.....without our luggage. We got to our apartment and went grocery shopping. This is our first meal in our digs. Pasta from a pasta store, baguettes from the local bakery, salad and wine from the grocery store. The world view changes with good food and friends. Shannon is sitting beside me and Dee is across. Carole is taking the pic. Then it was off to mass at the Notre Dame. With the famous Rose Window. This is a street from the left bank. Reminds me of several Impressionist paintings. Fun and games then occurred as we split up. I got lost in a metro station and the other three did not find the Seine River tour they wanted to take. But I made it back to the apartment as did they. Our first night ended.

On to Silver City

2009-06-11T18:34:00.007-04:00

Click on a PIC to enlarge it. After Ambling across West Texas Lew and Katz stormed up the long [gentle] Grade from Hobbs, NM to a lovely little CG just East of Cloudcroft, where they tucked in for the Night.

In the Pines @ 8000Ft.

The next morning they Drifted down out of Cloudcroft.

Yup, that sign means it. A 4000Ft Drop in 15Mi at a careful 35MPH. No Hot Brakes for Marco or Scape!

That is White Sands showing 'way out there on the valley floor.

Marco&Scape in an Alien Landscape, Eh? The intense White of Gypsum Sand gives the place it's name.

Marco tucked in at Silver City

where Katz will need to become acquainted with.... two Cats, two Goats and one curious Horse.

Westward Ho! the Wagons

2009-06-05T22:09:00.013-04:00

While Jan is finishing up her last two weeks of Work (School Teacher).... and then Flitting off to Paris for eight days!.... Lew and Traveling Katz Blasted off for New Mexico. So after many miles of....

....this, they came to....

....this,....

....the Mighty Mississippi. Then it truly became Westward Ho! the [Marco] Wagon, Eh?

After another day of Motoring they finally came to....

....this friendly Port-of-Call, where Marco snuggled in with his Pal Gulfstream 'O Sprinter.

Of course it is Donna and Jim's place in Weatherford, Tx. You'd never know you were a few miles from Ft Worth, Eh? Their Lovely place has 93 Post Oak trees, part of the Cross Timbers region.

The next morning it was time for the daily Bike ride around the neighborhood.

Pepper loves to go Biking. Of course she doesn't need Wheels. Look at her Go!

There they go.

Later...

....Jim and Donna....

....and Steven took Lew to their local State Park at Mineral Wells. Thanks, Guys!

Ms Dolphin Finds a New Home!

2009-04-30T09:57:00.007-04:00

Remember when Ms Dolphin indicated to us that she.... ....would prefer a more relaxed Lifestyle? So we bought Mr Marco to be our new Home on Wheels? Well. Ms Dolphin sat looking Bored in our driveway until Jan got the Bright Idea that there might be someone out there who would provide a new Home for her. So Jan placed an Add in Craigslist. Gary quickly responded that he wanted Ms Dolphin! Good-O!

Ms Dolphin looking Lonely and Bored.

Today Gary and Jodi came for Ms Dolphin.

Ms Dolphin's new Humans. Don't they look Happy?

Ms Dolphin and her new People heading off into the Sunset. Goodbye Ms Dolphin! We have had a lot of Fun traveling around the Country with you. We hope Gary and Jodi enjoy you similarly.

Out and About at Last!

2009-04-19T15:20:00.013-04:00

Aha! The Weather Nerd promised 70DegF for this weekend.... ....so Friday evening it was off to see about some Exercise. There is a COE CG just 72Mi East of Pittsburgh which is situated on the Great Allegheny Passage, one of the Premier Rail Trails. Next morning Jan and Lew left Katz in Charge of Camp and Mounted Up. They weren't the only Humanoids up&about though....

....it was also the First Day of Trout Season. There were Hundreds of Fisher Folk in the Youghiogheny River seeing about those Fishies.

A couple miles down the Path was this sign. Hmm, why not, Eh?

A Special Spring Treat. The Bloodroot was in Blossom. (so named because it's Sap is Red.)

It just doesn't get any better than this. Blue sky, Green Rhododendron and a Clear Path. Pretty Wild looking country, Eh? . . . . You never know what (or Who) might be keeping you company in these Wild Hills. This Mountain Lion was hit by a Car a few miles from the Rail Trail near Grantsville, MD.

Fishermen and Bikers weren't the only Folks out&about. The Yough is a favorite Whitewater stream.

Bit of Whitewater here. Don't be deceived. Upstream are Class V Rapids and downstream are Class IV Rapids. Something for everyone on this River.

Back at Camp the Humanoids wondered why they were so Sore. The Odometer tells it all. 21.4Mi Good Job!

Bikers, Fishermen and Rafters weren't the only Folks out&about. Campers filled this CG. (those are Fishermen in the Drink.)

In this enlargement of the previous PIC, see Marco hiding amongst the Throng?

Spring Breakout!

2009-04-06T20:48:00.007-04:00

Enough Winter. Jan and Lew and Katz needed.... ....an Outing. So it was off to Slippery Rock Creek.

Lookit! Blue Sky in Western Pa! (Katz likes it, Eh?)

Aha! Trilliums are Up. Spring is here.

This one will Blossom soon.

Slippery Rock Creek looks a little different than it did last October.

That is some pretty Fast Water.

Remodel Redux

2009-03-24T21:37:00.010-04:00

So how has it all turned out? Better and Better.

Remember, this was Marco as-built? A 54" wide front bed and a 30" side bed.

The most extensive Remodel was narrowing the Front Bed to a 39" Twinbed and converting the Dinette/30" Bed to a Couch/39" Twinbed. (Look, pretty&soft Carpet, finally!)

Ahh! Hotel Marco.

Another PIC of Marco as-built.

Another PIC of Marco now. Kitchen with more Counter space, Ergonomic Bathroom, Bifold Bathroom Door (tucks out-of-the-way), Gaucho (couch-bed), (Pine) Table-for-Two. On the rear right wall: Solar Panel Charge Controller (Black), Internet/Cellphone Amplifier (Green), Internet Aircard/Wireless Router (Gray). Marco's Roof with A/C replaced by a Fantastic Fan, 125Watt Kyocera Solar Panel, Omni-directional Digital TV Antenna, and the Cellphone (Internet) Antenna.

Bathroom Remodeling

2009-03-19T18:16:00.008-04:00

Click on a PIC to enlarge it. People who design RVs should try living in their Creations. Marco's Bathroom, while occupying the same space as Old Ms Dolphin's facility, was very difficult to use. When seated on the Throne a tall person's knees prevented the door from closing. Also the corner of the Sink poked one's side. Just not user-friendly.

Marco's Bathroom as-built. Note from the door frame position (lower left corner of the PIC) how close the Door will be to the toilet when closed. Also note that awful square Sink corner. Finally note how close the cabinetwork is to the back of the toilet. Very cramped!

Time to do something about the situation. Time to Remodel the Bathroom.

Much better! Abbreviating the Cabinetwork and rotating the Throne made all the difference. A very open feeling, lots of legroom and, no more protruding corners. Another piece of Pine did the trick for a new (matching) Countertop.

People have wondered what we would do for a Table since we removed the original Dinette. We finally solved that problem....

....by utilizing yet another piece of Pine.

Just the right size for two Plates. This PIC shows our use of a standard RV table leg and it's sockets.

A Kitchen for "Middle Aged" Humanoids

2009-03-11T20:50:00.011-04:00

Click on a PIC to Enlarge it. Well.... Jan and Lew seem to have Sand between their Toes. If they can't be out burnin' up Pavement and Gas... (Hmm, they say Idle Hands do the Devil's Work, Eh?) then they keep busy getting ready to do so. So one of them had a Bright Idea.... ....or maybe both of them did.... ....actually a couple of Ideas. (all Ideas are Bright, Eh?)

Remember this PIC? (from First Weekend Post) It turns out that a TV at the end of the Couch.... is pretty Awkward to watch. Well....

....Oops! Not only is the Door different, but where is the TV? And what in the World happened to the Kitchen?

This is a PIC of Marco's Kitchen as-built. Big Stove, Little Countertop. OK for young people \who want to Fry Up all sorts of Things. Then Middle Age happens (if you are Fortunate). Think Less Fat. Think More Veggies. Fresh Veggies take a lot of Prep and less Cooking.

Time to rebuild the Kitchen. Oh, Looky-Looky! There's the TV, directly opposite the Couch now. What does this have to do with Veggies, you ask?? Well.

Besides the TV being much more viewable, with this arrangement there are now two usable Countertop areas, one at each side of the Sink. So what? Fresh Veggies take a lot of Prep, that's what. Now Jan and Lew can both cut, chop, wash, slice&dice.

The Sink is now central to the Kitchen and a two burner Stove is plenty.... for Reformed Middle Aged Types (Pay no Attention to this Recent Blog PIC). P.S. How about that Spiffy real Wood Countertop? Sanded Pine treated with 4 coats of Mineral Oil.

Crystal Palace Lunch

2009-02-13T12:16:00.010-05:00

If you are looking for Fine Dining then Walt Disney World is not your kind of place. But.... If you are looking for a different Ambiance, may we say one with "character"(s), then Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom is just the right kind of place for Lunch.

Yes, Crystal Palace does have a lot of Glass, doesn't it....

....making it a Light and Airy pleasant sort of place.

The view from our Table was special.... Princess Cinderella's castle, the venue of our recent Breakfast.

But there is something else which adds to the Ambiance of a Crystal Palace Lunch....

You see, Pooh and his pals hang out there.

While patrons enjoy a leisurely lunch (a very decent Buffet, BTW, with something in it for everyone)....

....Pooh, Tigger, Eyore and Piglet....

....circulate among the guests, meeting and greeting everyone. This is great fun for the adults as well because everyone gets to act silly.

Obtaining the Autographs of such Famous Personages....

....is an important part of the Fun.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

2009-02-09T18:27:00.008-05:00

Sigh.... It came to pass that Jan, Trista and Cordelia had to ride the Tin Bird Home. Lew and Katz were left to drive Marco&Scape back north. But.... We had 6 day Park Passes and had used only 5 days. So Lew spent an extra day at WDW. He chose to go to Magic Kingdom because he wanted some PICs. Because of high G Forces and/or partial/total Darkness it is impossible to take PICs of most Disney Roller Coasters. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the exception, so Lew set out to take some PICs. He had to ride six times to accomplish that goal. Tsk, such hard work.

Only at Walt Disney World: The Red Hills of Utah in Florida. Notice the building at the extreme left....

....It is the "Station" for this "Railroad". 'BOARD!

Here you see the "Train", actually a Steel 'Coaster.

A thoroughly Disney touch, an animated Bobcat treed (or should I say "Cactused") by a group of Javelina.

Yup, BTMRR even has "Geysers" (the spray from which occasionally wets Riders).

My Prize. A Hidden Mickey! The Imagineers who build Disney Attractions occasionally place likenesses of the Icon in plain sight (if you are looking the right way at the right time). See Mickey's round Ears and round face?

Well. After all that work of riding Space Mountain 8 times and BTMRR 6 times Lew had worked up quite an Appetite, and he knew just what to do about it. Jan had previously pointed out the Hamburger Joint in Tomorrowland which sets out Vats of Fried Onions, Fried Mushrooms, Fresh Tomatoes and about every other Condiment you could name. Yum.

Scenes from around the World

2009-02-08T15:40:00.011-05:00

(Walt Disney World, that is). Click on a PIC to enlarge it.

Perhaps the second-most familiar Icon in this small World is "Spaceship Earth" at Epcot. Like most things here it serves multiple purposes. Its interior houses a ride.

One morning recently found a couple of familiar people lurking in its shadow.

This is a familiar Disney World scene repeated thousands of times: a young Princess and her Entourage (entering Tomorrrowland in this case).

Disney Characters often lurk giving people a way to actually enter the Fantasy.

A familiar scene at Hollywood studios is the Indiana Jones Stage where stunt-work is demonstrated, complete with Crashing and Burning vehicles and Bad Guys/Good Guys Fights.

Volunteers serve as Extras here. Trista and Jan made so much noise and commotion from the back of the audience that they were called upon (second and third from the right).

After a session with Wardrobe they appeared in Costume and joined the performance (from a position safely Stage Rear and later Safely Stage Right). The truck full of Bad Guys Crashes and Burns Stage Left).

Mickey in his Wizard costume (from Fantasmic).

Cordelia just hanging out at Animal Kingdom, but look above her head in the Background. That's the Mt Everest Roller Coaster, one of the best themed rides anywhere, where the Rider meets up with the Mountain Yetti in a dark Tunnel.

Another familiar scene, checking one's Character Autographs from the day.

Walt Disney World Parades

2009-02-04T10:50:00.010-05:00

Walt Disney World is a special place. There is a Parade in each Park every afternoon and Fireworks at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios every night of the year. That's the way Walt wanted it. Disney Enterprises bought a Fireworks maker to ensure a neverending Supply. The Cynic might say that with what Disney charges they can afford some Floats and Skyrockets.... but that would be shallow. Parades and Fireworks are a carefully Crafted and excellently Presented part of the whole experience at WDW. Walt said he wanted to create a Holiday Place for the entire Family, young to old, and his Minions have succeeded for him (remember that Walt died in 1966 so he never saw this place, except in his mind).

Every Parade at WDW is attended by that Main Mouse, Mickey himself.

Snow White in the Magic Kingdom Parade.

Cinderella's Castle is a Landmark of MK, so she and her Prince are part of the Parade there.

The Parade at Animal Kingdom has an entirely different feel. Cordelia Danced through the entire Parade.

Disney Parades tend to be Interactive, especially for Kids. This Peacock bowed his head for Cordelia.

Dale spotted Cordelia Dancing....

....and gave her a High Five.

Breakfast at Cinderella's Castle

2009-02-03T09:35:00.014-05:00

This year Grandma left nothing to Chance. She reserved places at the Breakfast Table at the Castle.

Cinderella's Castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

So at the Crack of Dawn on the Appointed day Trista helped Cordelia get ready.

Then it was time for a walk to the Castle. (the street is empty because the Park hasn't opened yet)

Castles, especially a Disney Castle, must have suits of Armor on display, Eh?

Princess Cordelia having a conversation with Princess Cinderella.

Again, the Smiles say it all.

Then it was time to go upstairs for....

....Breakfast Of course the Plates are shaped like Mickey. How else??

But Cordelia could have cared less about eating.... because you see, Disney Princesses attend Breakfast at the Castle.

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty).

And Snow White, of course.

Belle (Beauty and the Beast) was there.

Later Cordelia had a conversation with Princess Jasmine about the Dance. (notice the feet) Yes, there is just something about little Girls and Disney Princesses.

Getting Out of Dodge

2009-01-25T17:13:00.006-05:00

January in Penn's Woods.... Bears know enough to Hibernate, but the silly Humans don't know how. But the Humans invented Trains and Boats and Planes. So Lew and Katz blasted off with Marco&Scape for Florida. Jan, Trista and Cordelia will use the Tin Bird and they will all warm up.... at Walt Disney World.

When Lew and Katz left it was -8DegF. Seventy Per was the rule-of-the-day (couldn't get out of Dodge fast enough). Only got 10MPG at that speed. Didn't care.

Now that's a sight for sore eyes!

Almost Home. The entrance to Fort Wilderness, our favorite Camp Ground. Right in the middle of Walt Disney World.

Loyal Fans may want to know why a Blog Post has been slow in coming. Lew was busy. You see, Cordelia wanted a Bedroom. So a "Patty O' Room" was purchased to add to Marco's Awning. When installed it creates an outside room. The "when installed" part took some time, work and even some redesign.

Marco with the new Patty O' Room addition set up at Fort Wilderness, Site 1629. Ready for soon to be arriving Guests.

Cordelia has a bed (and so does Mommy).

Just outside Marco's door.

"Improvements"

2009-01-15T16:37:00.012-05:00

Click on a PIC to enlarge it. More Marco MODS. Living in a Tiny Space requires a little Creativity&Ingenuity. Marco's Bathroom Door was in the way.... Always having to Open it, then Close it (the Wastebasket, Kleenex, and Hand Towels are in there). So Lew built a Bifold door using a Pine 1"X12" and a Pine 1"X10".

The new door closed....

....and open. See how it is neatly out-or-the-way when open? Now the Bathroom stays Warm in the Cold and Cool in the Heat.

People wondered what we would do

for a Table (since we had scrapped the OEM Dinette). Our solution.

Private Campgrounds and some State and Federal CGs have Electric Service to each Campsite, and the Cost is usually included in the Fee. In such CGs why use Propane when Electric Heat costs nothing extra?

So Lew installed this Electric Heater.

With an input/output of 1500Watts/5100BTU this Broan "Kickspace Heater" raises the Temp inside Marco about 40DegF above Ambient, and its Thermostat Controlled.

Christmas Gift Projects

2009-01-13T08:00:00.013-05:00

Click on a PIC to enlarge it. Cordelia wanted to make a Purse as a Gift for her Mommy. She wanted it to have a pretty Embroidery on it, and she thought her Aunt Amy could help her with the Sewing. She picked the Pattern and the Material. She and Grandma cut out the pieces and Machine Embroidered the front.

Later Lew and Katz Machine Embroidered what would be the back.

Then Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris made the Loong Drive from Western Massachusetts....

...and the Christmas Elves went to Work on the Christmas Gift Project.

On Christmas Eve the Stockings were hung by the Chimney with Care.

Christmas Eve is also the time for another Project, the assembling of complicated Toys. Grandma was called in to help with Playmobil Noah's Ark (notice the Cat watching). Soon it was Christmas Morning....

....and time to open Gifts....

....and time to Play with Gifts. This little scene took Grandma and Grandpa back many years (Adam and Amy playing).

Finally Cordelia gave her Gift to Mommy.

Aunt Amy had been working on a Sewing Project of her own, a Big Girl Quilt for Cordelia (whose favorite color is Red).

Later Dana received the Christmas Gift Project Chris had been working on, his own Webpage.

Christmas Card Time!

2008-12-17T14:02:00.008-05:00

Yup, its that Time of Year again and one of Jan and Lew's Favorite Things is sending and receiving Christmas Cards. For several years we have done something in Machine Embroidery for our Cards. Click on any PIC to Enlarge it.

Jan saw a Christmas Card with a Cat on a Bookshelf and she found a Machine Embroidery Pattern for a Free Standing Lace Bookmark. Yup, that'll do it. Inside will be a PIC of Adam and his Book.

Our new Machine at Work stitching Bookmarks to go with this year's Book theme Cards.

They are being stitched on "melt-away" stabilizer. Soaking in Water dissolves the white cloth-like stuff....

And what remains is Free Standing Lace. This year's Bookmark on the Right.

Unfortunately we ran out of Blue Embroidery Thread, Printer Ink and Time before we had done a Card and Bookmark for everyone so some folks are receiving the Card without Bookmark and PICs.

Books and Elections

2008-11-12T14:27:00.010-05:00

In early April 2006 Adam Defended his Doctoral Dissertation. Jan and Lew were in Attendance and were sooo proud of him and his accomplishment. They were pleasantly surprised when Adam's Committee voiced their Recommendations that he submit his Dissertation to Book Publishers.

Click on any PIC to Enlarge it.

John Adam Johns ready to Defend. That Stack would make a Weighty Tome, Eh? Fast Forward to the Present.

J Adam Johns's first Book. 259 pages including.... a 22 page Bibliography. A Scholarly Work indeed.

From the Back Cover.

It won the Elizabeth Agee Prize for Best Manuscript in American Literature. It is on stock at Amazon.com. Lew and Jan are sooo Proud of Adam, a Brilliant young Intellectual. In a World of rapidly increasing Complexity this is the kind of man this country desperately needs more of.... And just got. Barack Obama, a Brilliant young College Professor, will be our next President. A Thinking Machine; always analyzing and assessing. No more "shooting from the hip" or "by the seat of his pants" in the Oval Office.

For election day dinner it was suggested that something "Liberal" should be served.

Mushrooms stuffed with Parmesan, Parsley, Garlic and Shallots was served on a Bed of Arugula. Northern Spy Hard Cider was the beverage. Perfect.... and so were the Election returns. A Gale Force Breath of Fresh Air is Blowing toward Washington,DC.

37th Anniversary

2008-11-02T15:47:00.009-05:00

'a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.', Jan's Dad escorted her Down the Aisle. Well actually the Year was 1971.... and the Place was the little Church in Castle Garden,Pa. Click on any PIC to enlarge it.

The Bride was (of course) Radiant.

Just Married on a Beautiful Fall Day (beside their first RV).

The Newlyweds. * * * * *

Timewarp to the Present.

Some people think Lew and Jan are ....well, a bit strange. They think the best way to celebrate a Wedding anniversary is to go RoVing.

Anniversary Camping Marco.

What better way to Celebrate than to go for a Walk in the Woods. (Slippery Rock Creek again)

Of course all that Walking causes.... (you know where this is going, right?) an Appetite. When Jan was a Teenager (in a galaxy far, far away) The Hoagie Shop was The Place. Sooo....

It is still there. They still make their own Sauce from their own Tomatoes. Anniversary Dinner. Yumm!

Trouble in Paradise

2008-10-17T21:16:00.018-04:00

Click on a PIC to enlarge it. This isn't about RoVing. It's about Lew's 96Yr old Dad who didn't return from the West to His Woods this Summer. Summer '08 in Western Pa was Humid and his Little House in the Woods Suffered. Lew and Jan stopped to check on the place in late August and found ....Trouble.

Yup, that is Black Mold. Sickens most and Kills the Old.

Dunno about this White Mold. Adam, Jan and Lew donned Surgical Masks and dealt with it. Please Pass the Wrecking Bar.

Rot&Mold.

This is [was] a Douglas Fir 2X8. Doug Fir is [usually] resistant to Rot. Hmm, that amount of Decay didn't happen in just one damp Summer, Eh? Using a Basement as living space in Pennsylvania isn't practical in the Long Term.

The "Root Cellar/Darkroom" cleaned out. The way a basement should be. Empty. Two Clorox applications. No Mold. 'Nuff Said.

On to the Next Problem....

Not a suitable Heating appliance. This old Coal Furnace is a Hazard.

Again, not acceptable. This Heat Exchanger was exchanging more Stack Gas than Heat. This Furnace needed replaced 10Yrs ago.

So Lew and Jan are working to install a new Gas Furnace to make the Cabin in the Woods habitable again for Lew's Dad.

And the next Problem....

Adam, Jan and Lew found This in the "Coal Cellar".

What is it?? It made them all Ill.

And now the Gorilla in the Room....

That is Asbestos backed Vinyl Flooring. Somehow this must be Mitigated, in order that Lew's Dad might return to his Dear Woods and not have Visitors risking their Lives. Asbestos exposure Kills some 90,000 Americans every Year.