St. Mary's Lake and Wild Goose Island

St. Mary's Lake, a gallery on Flickr.

One of the most photographed Lakes in Glacier National Park is St. Mary's Lake becuase of the unique little island in the lake known as Wild Goose Island. There are many nice spots  to view this nice little island along a lake side trail. You will aslo find many huge flat rock to sit and relax and enjoy the sun on the lake.
Travel dates Sept. 2004

Trail of Cedars

Green Rocks White Noise, a photo by BaubCat on Flickr.

This lovely photo was taken on the "Trail of Cedars" in Glacier National Park. It was a lush and beautiful trail, one of the greenest spots in the park and sort of damp. And the great part is that it is handicap accessible, so every visitor can enjoy it. There was a small bridge across this beautiful little gorge and you could continue off the path and walk along side it. As usual I climbed right to the edge to peer over, that always freaks out my hubby.

travel date sept. 2004

Mushrooms of the Great Smokey Mountains

Untitled, a photo by BaubCat on Flickr.

I never knew there were so many varieties of wild mushrooms until I started doing a lot of hiking. Everywhere we go, we see unusual ones. Here is one of the lovely ones we saw in the Great Smokey Mountains on our foggy Blue Ridge Parkway trip (guess the trip did have a few highlights). Click thru on the picture and you can see the whole set of mushroom photos from Bob's flickrstream.

travel date Sept. 2009

Blue Ridge Parkway Blues

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway a video by b-a-boop on Flickr.

A few summers ago we planned a camping trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Both of us had been on the Blue Ridge when we were kids, but we hadn’t been together or even been close to it on several other trips along the east coast. It has a reputation for gorgeous mountain & valley views, waterfalls, caves, etc. and we were looking forward to driving over the Linn Cove Viaduct.
Well the trip didn’t pan out as expected. It was rainy & foggy the whole time we were there. Driving was hell as you could barely see a few fee in front of the car, much less any of the spectacular views we’d been hoping for. At times we passed not only motorcycles, but bicycles too (don’t know why they were out there in such danger). We pitched a tent the 1st night, but the weather was bad so we drove off the parkway into a nearby town for dinner & to get Bob a sweatshirt. The next morning we visited a few overlooks, got in a few hikes and saw some nice waterfalls in the Lineville Falls area. But as we proceeded north to the next campground, the fog got thicker & thicker. The campground was so wet, we decided to keep heading north & see if things improved. They didn’t, the site distance got so bad that as we approached the Viaduct, I was too scared to drive any further, not that we be seeing anything anyway. We headed back south, but my nerves we so testy by then that I picked a fight with my hubby about the wet campgrounds and he got really annoyed with me, so we ended up cutting the trip short. I hope next time we go we get nice weather.

travel date Sept. 2009

Museum of Appalachia

While camping at various site in the eastern USA we came upon one of the best History Museums we’ve yet to visit. The Museum of Appalachia is a wonderful complex located in Clinton, TN. It features 2 large buildings, which house everything from tools to quilts to toys & musical instruments. There are also many historic log structures located on the grounds including the former cabin of Mark Twain’s family. Also there are gardens, farm animals and local folk artists to show you the ancient arts. My favorite part though was the building that housed all of the old tools and such (I think it brings back happy memories of exploring in my two grandpa’s sheds and basements)

 
 
 
 
 

travel dates Sept 2001

We Love Waterfalls

One of our favorite things to see when hiking in the wilderness is waterfalls. Perhaps it’s because we live in south Florida where the only hills are interstate overpasses. We will hike all kinds of steep, rough trails to get to falling water, most times we aren’t disappointed. We could spend all day resting peacefully by the sound of rushing water.

Here are some photos from our many trips.

Marguerite Falls, Greenville, TN – Sept.2009

Cumberland Falls, KY – June 2007

Grizzly Falls, Kings Canyon N.P. CA, - Oct. 2006

Eagle Falls, Cumberland S.P., KY – Sept 2001

Amicalola Fall,s State Park, GA – Sept 2001

Alberta Falls, Rocky Mnt. N.P., CO -June 2000

Sabbaday Falls, Kancamagus Hwy., NH -Sept 1997

Yellowstone Falls, WY- Sept 1996

Racing the Dragster – Roller Coaster Thrills part 2

Top Thrill Dragster

Power Tower and Top Thrill Dragster

In the morning it was 48° but the sun was out and Lake Erie was beautiful. We strolled down the beach to the next hotel and then drove over to the marina to a restaurant that served breakfast. The park didn’t open till 11:00, so we explored the Breakers (built in 1905) and strolled up the beach. Bob was brave enough to put his feet in the ice cold waters of Lake Erie. Once the park opened we headed straight for the Top Thrill Dragster. We had been watching them test it all morning, half the time it didn’t make it over the top.  The line was already long. They loaded the first car only ½ full and it didn’t go over. They backed it up and tried again and it made it. Same thing happened with the second car and they announced the ride would be closing. About half the people left the line, but we decided to wait it out. After a few successful runs it opened up again. Lots of people were hoping that their car wouldn’t go over, but not me. Our turn finally came. I was doing deep breathing waiting for the lights that indicate the launch. The take off is wicked fast and a sign indicates the speed 120 MPH as you start vertical. It was the fastest I’ve ever moved in anything other than a plane. It is so exhilarating. It was mercifully fast. You really don’t have time to be scared.  Something malfunctioned after our ride and we had to wait in the car about 20 minutes before we could get out. One of the guys working the ride was telling us that the problem was the high winds, about 25mph. It was closed on and off the rest of the day, so we were glad we held our spot in the beginning.

Corkscrew

Mean Streak

Mantis

It was already 1:30 and we had 8 coasters still to conquer. We planned for the Raptor and the Mantis. Millenium Force was next to Mantis and the sign estimated a ½ hour wait, so it was time to try it in the daylight, this time I even raised my hands (not on the first drop though).  We then headed down to the Mean Streak. I think one of the largest wooden coasters around. We took the back seat on Mean Streak. It was a very bumpy ride and our brains got rattled around, but it had some really good drops. We then ran across the park to Mantis. Mantis is a standing coaster, first time for both of us on that kind. Similar to Raptor in that you loop, spiral and flip all over, but trying to stay in that standing position is very tough on the legs. You get off and your legs are sore, then you have to walk down stairs, a bit shaky. Pretty cool ride though. We then went next door to the Wild Cat, what looks like a variation on the old Wild Mouse that was outlawed but not with quite those sharp turns (that was my favorite ride as a kid). Didn’t look like much, but was actually a lot of fun, lots of ups and downs. We then headed to the Corkscrew, which spirals all across the midway.  We had walked under it many times. From the lines at other coasters I had watched it and it seemed slow, I told Bob it was a kiddy coaster.  Proved me wrong, lots of fun, but still much tamer than the biggies. We then headed to Blue Streak, built in, 1964, a classic up and back wood coaster. It was a very pleasant nostalgic ride. We decided to stay at the front end of the park & ride what was there before the Raptor. We went to Disaster Transport, an indoor coaster. It’s mostly dark and boring and topped Iron Dragon as our least favorite. We then noticed that they had opened the Sky Ride, what a nice overview of the park and gave our sore feet a rest. Then a return to the Raptor, what a blast. It was now starting to get dark, so we decided to break for dinner. The sun was setting and the sky was beautiful, so Bob got his camera & took a few shots. We didn’t carry it around the park while going on rides because you can’t take anything on the big coasters. Even your glasses need to be strapped on. After dinner, we stopped at Magnum XL-200 again.  It’s an excellent coaster. Since they close Sunday at 6:00PM, it was our last night to get into Werewolf Canyon. There were a few animatronic wolves with glowing eyes than were neat, they sent up one cloud of fog that was so thick I couldn’t move, I was afraid I’d run into something, couldn’t see an inch in front of me. We headed through the Fright Zone again, many more spooks than the night before and it was more fun than the canyon. We needed somewhere to rest, so we got on the Giant Wheel. It was now around 10 or 11 and the temp was dropping again, down to the 40’s. It was really cold up there at the top, but at least we were off our feet. We then went up in the Space Spiral, enclosed & much warmer, but too short a ride. It was now approaching midnight and closing time. Ready for another hot bath. We should have taken advantage of the  indoor heated pool or hot tub, but by the time we climbed the stairs to our room, we didn’t want to move again.

travel date Oct. 2003

To the Point – Roller Coasters at Cedar Point

we had waited long enough; it was time to do our roller coaster trip. We had talked about it for years, both of us loved coasters, my love started at an early age when my dad took me on an huge coaster at about the age of 5. A friend had told us about Cedar Point and we had been receiving their newsletter for quite some time. Bob had been anxious to ride Millennium Force, which had been the tallest coaster when it opened in 2000. We knew they had lots of world record coasters at Cedar Point, and with that year’s opening of the tallest and fastest coaster in the world, the Top Trill Dragster, that made our decision.  Cedar Point was past their summer season and only open for “Halloweekends”. 

Friday (10-3-03) around noon we left hot sunny (90’s) Florida and flew to Cleveland. We arrived around 4:00 PM. It was in the mid 50’s and the guys at the rental car agency said there had been light snow the night before & that it was about ten degrees lower than normal for the time of year. Definitely different for us. We hopped on the Ohio Turnpike to Sanduskey as the park was due to open at 5:30 for resort guest As soon as we arrived at the gate, it started to sprinkle rain. We followed the signs to the Breakers Hotel.  The hotel was nicely decorated for Halloween and Dracula was standing on a balcony.  We parked at the closest entrance to our room, took up our luggage, put on raincoats and headed out. As soon as we got outside it was raining steadily and I saw a wall of water approaching. The sun was going down and so was the temperature, but we were determined to enjoy ourselves.  The first coaster we came to was the Magnum XL-200. Built in 1989, 205’ tall with a 60° drop.  Tallest in the world when it was built, it was voted the #3 steel coaster in the world a few years ago. We got in line, due to the weather it was quite short. As we churned slowly up the hill I began to question my actions. Cold rain hitting our faces, we went into our first plunge. A thrill I haven’t experienced in quite a few years and it was probably the tallest coaster I’d ever been on. By the time we got off my hands were vibrating and frozen from holding on through a whipping ride. I was now even less sure I could handle Millennium Force, which scared me just to look at. The 80° straight down drop it takes from 315 feet is so frightening.  My strategy had been to ride the Top Thrill Dragster first, even though it was taller, it drops down in a spiral and at 120mph the ride is over in about 27 seconds.  I figured I’d warm up to Millennium on that one. Not all of the rides were scheduled to be open on Friday night, but the weather conditions ended up closing even more. Top Trill Dragster doesn’t run in the rain, so we weren’t going to ride that. We rode another open coaster, the Iron Dragon, it has cars that swing from a rail above. It was rather wimpy for us. We were now very wet and cold, so we decided to stop at Johnny Rockets for dinner, burgers and shakes. It was entertaining and we got to dry out and warm back up a little. Not far from the diner, we found the Raptor open.  It’s another coaster where the track is above you. Bob wanted to do the front seat, but I was too chicken, so we took the next seat back. Big mistake; as soon as we left the platform ice cold rain that had gathered on top of the car in front of us dumped straight in our laps, we were already soaked again. It turned, twisted and flipped us every was possible, one of my favorite rides, but they all have such different qualities it’s hard to say.

We ducked into an Arcade to get out of the rain and wind for awhile. New video games, old pinball machines, pac man, even antique fortunetellers and love meters. We then walked over to Millennium Force. Since only a hand full of coaster were open and the line was short, I swallowed hard and said OK. I wouldn’t even watch it go up the hill as the cars loaded for the rides before ours. But with kids ¼ my age waiting in line I tried to tell myself it was nothing. Half way up the hill I was freaking out, Bob was in heaven. As soon as we went over the top, the drop was so steep we couldn’t see the track and I felt the back end would tumble past me. I was practically catatonic the rest of the ride, couldn’t move or scream. Definitely the scariest coaster in the world to me. Bob was thrilled beyond belief, and said that he had known all along that I would ride it. We then walked though the Fright Zone, a dark area of the park where they were sending out fog and had bizarre colored lights swirling though the fog. Scary characters would jump out form the dark and scream and rattle things at you. It was too cool. We got in line for Werewolf Canyon, a Spook Tour attraction, but it was closing, so we walked back to the Power Tower which was open. We did the Space Shot side which shoots you up & you free fall down, we had never done this type of ride before, but it seemed milder than we expected, probably from doing those coasters first. It did help dry out our pants though. We then headed to the only other coaster we saw was open, Wicked Twister.  And it is wicked, excellent fast take off and you shoot forwards and backwards on twisting tracks, never knowing how far up the momentum will take you. We went for the front seat again.

It was now approaching closing time, but we saw them running the Dragster, so we went over. They were running it empty and it wasn’t making it over the top. It was so cool to watch how fast the takeoff was and to see all the hydraulics involved in moving it back along the track to the starting position.  They announced it would not open unless the rain stopped completely, so we decided it was time to warm up in a hot bath.

Breakers Hotel

Magnum XL

Raptor

Millennium Force

Wicked Twister

travel date Oct. 2003

More roller coaster fun coming up in part 2.

Highline Trail, Glacier National Park

Hold on Tight, a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

This is Bob holding on to the handrail made from hose along a narrow section at the beginning of the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park in Montana. It was one of our most adveturous hikes as we got stuck out on the trail in a lightning storm and had to seek cover in the rocky ledge.

Where this photo was taken there’s about a 200’ drop down onto the “Going to the Sun” road below. 

You can hike this trail up to some cabins that are only accessible on foot, but we didn’t go that far.

We had hiked quite a distance from the trailhead when the sky started to darken. We saw other hikers scurrying past us to go back to the lower end of the trail, but we didn’t think there was enough time to get back before the rain came, so we didn’t turn around.

 This beautiful hike had gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, although when I saw a lightning bolt curve over and strike the mountain on the other side of the valley it really frightened me. Up to that point I had figured we were safe against the side of the mountain. Luckily we had some rain ponchos with us & in the last photo you can see the rock outcropping we happened upon that sheltered us from the rain. It was a good thing the storm passed quickly and we even had sunshine again on the way back.

This hike is highly recommended by us both.

travel dates sept. 2004

Space Needle

Space Needle a photo by b-a-boop on Flickr.

The Seattle Space Needle. We visited this after returning from our Alaskan Cruise in Sept. 2010. The display showing the design and building of this lovely structure was very interesting and the views were spectacular.