Tucked away in rural Pennsylvania sits a small cave waiting to be explored, off the beaten path in the bank of the small mountains of Manns Choice, PA. The cavern is a bit difficult to find and is a fairly small opertion, but what you will find in the cave is a geologist’s candy. It is probably hinted at in the name of the cave, Coral Caverns, but what you will find inside are clear examples of a stromatolite coral reef from the days of the Devonian.
Stromatolite in Coral Caverns, Manns Choice PA, May 31, 2011
Coral Caverns is a privately owned cave. Small and quaint, what it lacks in the generic souvenir and touristy type shop it makes up for with an enthusastic cave owner who shows the cave with pride. Coral Caverns has been in operatiohn since 1932, a small cave discovered by accident when a quarry found the opening in 1928. The limestone is vertically bedded here, and the inside of the cave has some very well preserved stromatoporoid reefs, along with a moderate display of speleothems.
Coral Caverns May 31, 2011
The visitor center has several interpretative displays that can help teach about fossils and other cave life, especially helpful for kids who are thirsting for knowledge. The caverns are open on the weekends for the public to tour, so try to plan accordingly, although if you are organizing a group I am sure a quick call to the owner could arrange a tour time that is conveinent.
Coral Caverns, Manns Choice, PA May 31, 2011
Very near the cave is a wonderful state park that has camping amenities, Shawnee State Park . The campgrounds are large and beautiful, offering access to a large lake where you can canoe, fish or swim. The views are beautiful, as you can gaze across the lake towards the appalachian mountains in the distance.
Shawnee State Park Pennsylvania May 31, 2011
I could go on and on about how beautiful Coral Caverns was, or about the scenery of Shawnee State Park, but I think this is one of those times where the pictures should do the talking. Enjoy!
Coral Caverns in Manns Choice, PA. May 31, 2011Coral Caverns in Manns Choice, PA. May 31, 2011Looking up in a Coral Caverns Chimney in PA. May 31, 2011Coral caverns May31, 2011Hey geology buffs, can you determine tops? Pen for scale. Coral Caverns, May 31, 2011The lanterns lining the entrance of Coral Caverns in Manns Choice, PA. May 31, 2011 Looking up in Coral Caverns. PA, May 31, 2011The baby robin, newly hatched, in front of Coral Caverns. May 31, 2011Shawnee State Park, Pennsylvania. You can rent boats for the lake. May 31,2011Shawnee State Park Pennsylvania. May 31, 2011
Blue. It’s a color that many of us love. To those who know me, it is almost more of an obsession. How many of you have heard me make remarks about that beautiful shade of cerulean blue? Or watch me eat my blue M&Ms last so that I can enjoy looking at them the longest? Are you one of the dozens of people who have remarked to me how often I wear the color?
The color is something that evokes an emotion in me. The emotion produced by looking at the color is what I crave. Blue is a peaceful color, something tranquil and relaxing. It makes you feel as if you are laying in the sahde on a cool, tropical beach. The same feeling of love that many of us are struck with as we gave upon a waterfall, negative ions swirling in the misty air. The color blue and Niagara Falls have something in common: They create a calm, tranquil, loving environment for us to bathe in, truly soaking in all the goodness of life.
Niagara Falls- Horseshow Falls from the top. May 30, 2011
Niagara Falls actually consists of two falls, the American Falls state-side, and Horseshoe falls on the Canadian side. Located on it’s namesake river, more than 4 million cubic feet of water per minute crashing to the bottom of the falls. The area I was closer to, staying on the Canadian side, was the 173 foot tall Horseshoe Falls. It was during high flow season, and the rate had increased to around 6 million cubic feet of water per minute and the mist was thick. I couldn’t get a clear picture of the falls at all.
One of the tourist attractions, Maid of the Mist, where you can get in a boat and get soaking wet as it chugs it's way as close to the falls as it can. May 30, 2011
The geology of the falls is something temporary, and in the terms of geologic time, very short lived. It is currently eroding the top layer of limestone/dolostone at a rate of ONE FOOT per year! It is a remarkable rate that puts the Niagara Falls extinction at only 50,000 years from today. Only 11,000 years ago the falls were located about 7 miles to the North of it’s present location, but the water tapped into a portion of non-resistant soils and rock, causing it to retreat quickly (in days or hours, even!), forming the “Whirlpool” you can visit downstream today.
The Niagara Falls "whirlpool"...I don't think you get the scale, let me post another picture.So, here it is zoomed in a bit. Do you see the people down there yet? No? Ok...let's zoom in again (Click on photos to see in original size)Zoomed in as much as I can with my stock lens. Yes, there are people down there. They are just TINY!~
Today Niagara Falls is a HUGE tourist destination, and as such the prices of dining and tourism have risen dramatically. Parking is a full $20 (although they like to note that you can “come and leave all you want…for this day only…ha ha.), the tours are short and cost betwee 15 and 20 dollars, and the food is slightly pricier than normal restaurant prices. I decided that I didn’t feel like getting wet as I was already feeling a little cool because of the mist, so I decided to watch “Niagara’s Fury- A 4D experience”. It only lasted a little over 20 minutes, and although the “4D” effects of a moving floor, snowfall and water spray were interesting, it wasn’t informative enough nor impressive enough to be deserving of the $17.36 I had to pay.
I would say that you can certainaly make your Niagara Falls trip less expensive if you have more time to see everything. If you bike or hike from a nearby campsite or inexpensive hotel to the Falls you save $20, and there are several inexpensive grocery stores nearby (I went to a local grocery called “No Frills” and I was able to purchase two lunches and two dinners, with drinks, for under $12).
A Niagara Falls rainbow. May 30, 2011
The water wasn’t only at it’s high point while I was there- it was overunning the place. I was the only person crazy enough at my KOA campsite to *attempt* to sleep in a tent. I arrived at my campsite the evening before to a muddy mess, but managed to find a damp spot that my tent would have been ok on- If a severe thunderstorm hadn’t decided to roll through. The entire campsite turned into a wetland, and I had to evacuate my $9.98 tent to my Jeep. I paid for two nights worth of camping to sleep in my Jeep, but hey, this trip isn’t always going to be perfect. It’s an adventure. The storm may have been strong, but I do enjoy a good thunder and lightening show.
The mud of my campsite. At least my Jeep enjoyed it. May 30, 2011 at Niagara Falls, ON, Canada KOA campground.
This wasn’t the first time my tent was in a severe thunderstorm. It has survived many nights and days in such storms, but it was the first time it leaked. I am more than happy with my tent’s performance, considering I bought it for $9.98 from my local Wal-Mart. I don’t think any tent could have survived while pitched in the middle of a mini lake.
The Niagara Falls color-changing night lightshow. May 30, 2011
At night Niagara Falls comes alive with a light show. This time of year (late spring to early summer) the mist is more dense because of the increased water flow so the show isn’t as pretty as it could be (although still enjoyable). If you want the full effect of the Niagara Falls experience I highly recommend coming in late summer or early fall.
The lights of the night at Niagara Falls. May 30, 2011The Niagara Falls nightly firework show. May 30, 2011
I spent my night at the Falls watching the colored lights pour over the misty water of Niagara Falls, watching the people dancing in the grass to the live band, until the end of the firework show they put on everynight. It was a soothing night, listening to the falling water and feeling that cool mist breeze through the air. A refresher before another long day in my Jeep tomorrow as I drove back into the states to see another cave.
A Blue Niagara Falls. May 30, 2011
In case you were wondering, yes, as the lights changed there were times when the falls were all blue. In some cases, it even qualified as a shade of cerulean.
I’ll see everyone again when I report back state-side. Until then…
-Nicole
"Don't Jump In" is what the sign is telling you.....believe it or not, people actually do go over the Falls in barrels...even with the high fine for the violation. May 30, 2011Horseshoe Falls- The water is just about to give in to gravity. May 30, 2011 in Niagara Falls, ON. Yes, there are rainbows at Niagara Falls too! May 30, 2011Standing in front of Niagara Falls, the American Falls in the background, in Canada. May 30, 2011The night lights of Niagara Falls. May 30, 2011Niagara's night lights. May 30, 2011Live band and dancing audience at Niagara Falls. May 30, 2011
As I had described on Day 15, what I share with you is only a small portion of what I do in a day. Going to so many places, so far away, involves a lot of driving. Today was another one of those days where driving was the main attraction of the day. This isn’t to say that a day of driving is anything less than exciting- it is more of a series of evens rather than one main event. Little things that add up to one whole experience.
Canadian Gas Prices (in liters) May 29, 2011
Driving through Canada was certainly different. The first noticeable difference on the road in Canada is that everything is in Km instead of Miles. Armed with a Tom Tom GPS unit, this conversion is made with just a couple clicks of the button. Another difference hits you when you stop at the gas station. The sign, at first, looks appealing: Only $1.21 for gas!!!! However, the gas is sold in liters, not gallons, and while right now the Canadian and U.S. dollar are almost par, the Canadian dollar does hold a slightly higher value. I calculate my gas mileage at every gas stop to make sure my Jeep is runnnig smoothly. Try calculating your MPG when you have filled up in liters and driven so many Km. Wouldn’t the world be so much easier if we all used the simple, countable and easily convertible metric system? I think so….
Maple sugar candies. Best enjoyed from Canada, in Canada. May 29, 2011
When I travel I try my hardest to always eat and drink items that are not necessarily available at home. I look for the drinks I have never heard of, the foods that are unique, or sometimes the items that are available back home but are notorious in the area. The following is a collection of a few of the items I have found along my way that are unique to the areas I enjoyed them in.
What have you found on your travels to be unique? Are these certain items that, when you go to a particular state or country, are a must-eat or drink? I look forward to hearing from everyone.
-Nicole
I decided to try a new beer when I arrived at my campsite in Ontario, Canada May 29, 2011A coconut hershey's chocolate bar in Canada. Notice that the product labeling is required by law to be in both English and French. May 29, 2011I had never seen this candybar before. Ontario, Canada May 29, 2011While this is available almost anywhere, it seems to be fitting to drink it while in the country of it's origin. May 29, 2011Apparently Cadbury makes more than the easter creme eggs. ...Alcohol, huh? It was yummy.
When you are truly passionate about something people take notice. Everyone that you know, and some you don’t, supply you with more information about the subject of your heart and the knowledge and experience simply snowballs. A wonderful effect of passion, because each day brings something new. In planning my trip I decided a visit to my friends in Canada was a must on my schedule. Shortly after organizing the dates my friends told me of a place to visit that I simply couldn’t refuse. Nestled in the Ottawa Valley of Ontario laid in wait something I had yet to experience: My first Canadian cave.
The "Canadian Passport" mark. (lol)Renfrew, Ontario's Historic Swinging Bridge (Restored in 1983). May 28, 2011
Canada is a whole new animal for me, and this was my first visit. I was very excited about earning another stamp in my passport, but was disappointed to find that they don’t stamp it when you are crossing via vehicle. The universe didn’t seem to think that was vefry fitting for my picture-taking, thoroughly documenting ways of travel and I heard a loud shot as something hit my windshield only a few miles past the border. Something had slammed into my windshield (that I just recently replaced this year, I might add) creating a rather remarkable shape: A double “C” on the passenger side. My Jeep had, rather unfortunately, been branded with my trip to Canada.
Odi's King Burgers in Renfrew, Ontario. May 28, 2011Poutine and a cheeseburger from Odi's in Renfrew, Ontario. May 28, 2011
All four of us (or rather 3 and a half since one was an adorable 2 year old) then headed into town where I was to partake of some local cusine before we headed to the caves. We dined at Odi’s King Burger in Renfrew, enjoying some Poutine. Poutine is a french dish, consisting of french fries covered in gravy and cheese. If you ask me, I think it was like a fried version of mashed potatoes and gravy. Delicious.
The Bonnechere Caves of Ontario, Canada. May 28, 2011The Bonnechere Caves. May 28, 2011 in Ontario.
Bonnechere Cave is located north of Algonquin park and is located in fossil-abundant Ordovician limestone. The cave consists of passages, with no large rooms to speak of, and has very little ornamentation. I would place the very sparse speleothem development at less than 1%. This is quite obviously due to the nature of the cave since it has been mostly filled with rushing water in recent geologic times. The limestone of the cave may be older than some, but the constant rushing water that filled the caverns did not allow redeposition to occur in any large manner. The cave passageways are incredibly interesting. They very methodically follow prominant jointing in the cave’s home formation. It seems to be located all within the same formation, the limestone being all of the same type, but I have yet to complete the research to know which limestone this is.
The roaring waters of Bonnechere River in Ontario. May 28, 2011
The Bonnechere river roars past the cave and into one of the natural entrances carved by melting glacial waters. The entrance is best viewed from the other side of the river, where you can stand on the remnants of an old bridge. The water was pretty high today, this area of Canada suffering from the same high waters that much of America is suffering from this Spring.
Teh Bonnechere River, and it's namesake Cave's entrance. May 28, 2011 in Ontario.
My visit to this area of Canada was fantastic, especially since I was able to spend it with such wonderful and accomodating friends. Spending time with them and their son reminded me again how precious spending time with friends can be. I loved every minute of it, and it even made me think a second about having kids of my own. The passion of cave geology calls, however….someday in the distant future I suppose. For right now I have many great friends with cute kids to play with and enjoy (then send them back to their parents when they get grumpy! Ha ha!~)
Tomorrow I was to head off on my own again. I was going to miss spending time with my friends, but I had something pretty majestic to ease the pain: Niagara Falls. I’ll see you there, if I survive the barrel drop (j/k).
-Nicole
The Bonnechere River, rushing past the wild, abundantly blooming lilac bushes of Ontario. May 28, 2011Some of the proliferous fossils that adorn Bonnechere Caves in Ontario. May 28, 2011Could it be...cephalapoda? Why are you in the Bonnechere Caves? Oh...it's Ordovician? Of course you would hang out here. May 28, 2011Some of the very sparse speleothem development present in Bonnechere. I have seen these many times, and I have named them "lizard backs". May 28, 2011 Ontario, Canada.Emerging from the Bonnechere Caves to the trail. May 28, 2011 Ontario
The old American West was a time, and a culture, in itself. A tumultuos time where your next dinner depended on your hunting abilities, and natives were in tense relationship with the cowboys and pioneers invading their lands. Today the world is small. We are interconnected with technology and an unknown land is no where to be found. There is no new frontier to conquer, as far as morals and top-side land is concerned, so it can be difficult for us to understand what this time was like. Luckily that time was documented well by the artwork of Frederic Remington, famous sculptor, painter and writer who was passionate about capturing the life of this time.
Remington's "Coming through the Rye" bronze, no. 15. 1902. Ogdensburg, NY May 27, 2011
The Remington Museum sits in Ogdensburg, NY. A small city, port to Ontario, it happily claims itself to be the home of Frederic Remington. His career began as an illustrator for Harpers, and as he became notorious for his work many sought him out to freeze these moments in time forever. As time went by he desired a more artistic venue, and he began painting and sculpting some of the most famous works portraying the American West.
The detail of one of Remington's bronze scupltures. May 27, 2011
His attention to detail is exquisite, especially notable in his bronze sculptures that would have delicate bridles and ropes adorning the sculpture. Every sculpture of Remington is dynamic, capturing a moment in time that was in action or full of emotion. My favorite painting (top) has to be “The End of the Day”. The blue color used for the snow really does capture how cold it was outside as the logger returned home for the evening. My favorite sculpture of his would be “Mountain Man”, an image of a man riding his horse down a steep grade.
Remington's "The Mountain Man" Cast No. 54 July 1903. Remington Art Museum Ogdensburg, NY May 27, 2011
Along with displays of originals of his work, and some artwork by other artists that Remington had collected, the house itself is remarkable. The Parish Mansion, home of the Remington museum, was built in 1809. Recently renovated, Remington’s wife, Eva, moved into the home in 1915. When she passed away she left her late husband’s art and collections in a will to form the museum.
Frederic Remington's "The Last March" 1906 oil on canvas. The Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, NY May 27, 2011
While Remington’s finished works are the main attraction of the museum, I have always found the sketches and unfinished works to be more interesting. It shows the raw image that the artist had in his mind and often conveys a more dramatic idea of what he wanted to attain in the finished work.
Remington's unfinished painting, "Ghost Stories".
While the museum was beautiful, it was time for me to make like the Wild West and countinue my wagon trail northward. Tonight I headed into Ontario, Canada to visit some friends and, of course, a cave. In a way a Jeep is the modern covered wagon, the adventurous way to go anywhere and pioneer forwards.
I’ll see you at the end of my next trail.
-Nicole
Stairs in the Parish Mansion, home of the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg, NY. May 27, 2011
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that have captivated us for years. The feeders that are sold so that we can view these tiny birds up close are varietal and numerous, a staple for many homes within their habitat. The Ruby-throated hummingbird is one that most of North America is at least familiar with. The birds normally beat their wings around 65 times per second but can reach up to 200 beats per second. Their heart rate, and metabolism, are equally as impressive. They are incredibly fast yet they can be moving so fast and still in the air at the same time.
Hummingbird in St. Lawrence County, New York May 26, 2011
This quality makes the hummingbird unique, and a life lesson for all of us. The hummingbird can be both focused and expeditious at the same time, and still able to flit from place to place at speeds of over 30 mph when needed. These small birds captivated me as I sat on my relative’s porch in the country, watching them interact with each other around the nectar provided.
Hummingbird feeding in St. Lawrence County, NY May 26, 2011
Spending a day in the country was exactly what I needed. I had been running around to so many places, accomplishing so many goals, that I honestly felt like a hummingbird. I was exhausted and I needed to revitalize myself for some further exploration. In hummingbird lingo, I really needed to enter torpor. My relatives’ home (who cooks the best salmon dishes I’ve had to date) was far from the reaches of my cell reception and distractions, the perfect haven after being on the go for over 2 weeks.
St. Lawrence County, New York State. Goats, Horses, Cattle and more.The horses running in a field in St. Lawrence County, New York
The countryside of St. Lawrence county rolls with green hills, dairy farms dotting the landscape. In the fields adjoining their property were horses, goats, cattle, geese and other domestic animals, as well as an abundance of wild animals including many beautifully-colored birds. Granite outcrops adorned the fields looking like round, gray elephants laying down for a nap. It was a beautiful view to take in.
A bright yellow bird (I forgot the name, help?) in St. Lawrence County, New York. May 26, 2011
I spent a long time sitting on the porches at the different bird feeders, mostly the hummingbird feeders, observing them interact with another. One hummingbird would lay claim to a feeder, and when it finished feeding it would find a good branch with a view of it’s feeder and watch to fend off the feeder from others of his kind that dared to take a drink. The hummingbird was never allowed to take an eye off it’s feeder, for every few minutes another would approach and they would zip through the air quarreling over nectar rights.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird in rural New York (St. Lawrence County) May 26, 2011
I couldn’t help but think to myself how amazing the hummingbirds were, to be able to move their wings so fast and stand still. It reminded me of myself as I watched them flit from place to place, each stop but a rapid action in space. I have many interests, and I try hard to be successful at everything I do. This means my attention is often divided, and I have to flit from place to place like the humming bird. This doesn’t mean I don’t accomplish much: I actually accomplish a lot. Even with all this movement I still have one main focus in life, my nectar that I feel compelled to place at the top in hierarchy.
A hummingbird drinking nectar in NY. May 26, 2011 (I had to turn the shutter speed way up to capture the wings...so it is dark. Any tips for a Nikon DSLR are appreciated.)
Life is a journey like that of the hummingbird’s flight. We move from place to place, working hard to achieve what we want, but still having that one feeder to claim as our niche in life. Even if we change feeders at one point in life, even several points, we always have that one thing that keeps us driven to do everything else that we require of ourselves. Make sure you accomplish this like the hummingbird: every second counts when life is so short (but not to forget that torpor is a necessity for life to go on…our metabolism can only go so long).
-Nicole
The goats playing in St. Lawrence County, New York May 26, 2011Close-up of a goat in St. Lawrence County, New York May 26, 2011A close-up of one of the Belgian horses in St. Lawrence County, New York May 26, 2011Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding in St. Lawrence County, NY. May 26, 2011
Even when thousands of miles away, you can feel as if you are only a few miles away from home. During this trip I have found myself in unfamiliar territory many times, in places that I hadn’t even done much prior research on. A few others I had been to once or more before and I knew what to expect. No matter where I was, near or far, I always found something that made it feel like home. You can been thousands of miles away from familiar territory, but since the world is so integrated it can feel like you are right next door.
Sitting on the coast of Kennebunkport, ME May 25, 2011
I was born on the west coast, and although I currently situate myself in Missouri I have found myself traveling to the Wild West many times, and it feels familiar to me. The East coast, notably the New England coast, has always been a whole new bird. Strange and different from the warm waters of the Pacific. It was in this strange land that I had ventured yesterday, and found myself gazing upon the waters in this morning.
It turns out that as many differences that the West coast and the East coast have, there are still some simliarities. What? Well the answer is perhaps so simple that it seems ridiculous to state it, but they are both coastal environments. They both offer that same salty air serenity that many of us crave as a vital piece to our mental well being. The sound of the waves crashing, the feel of the ocean spray in the air. Thousands of miles away from the golden coast and I felt like I was in the same place, especially as the sun was shining on a warm Spring day.
Kennebunkport, ME Morning of May 25, 2011
As I traveled west towards my destination for the night, a relative’s home in the country of upstate New York, I saw many things that made me feel like even less space was between I and my home. Many of the trees were similar to those of the midwest, agriculture dotted the land (although much sparser than that of the midwest), and road-kill deer littered the sides of the road. When I reached Lake Champlain it was flooded, much like the flooding of the midwest right now. Homes sat in a couple feet of water and fields looked like lakes, the water only a foot from the railways and roadbed. Was I really halfway across the continent?
The flooding of Lake Champlain, NY May 25, 2011
The differences were certainly more noticeable. The mountains were much taller, animal Xing signs warned not only of deer, but also moose and bear, roadway outcrops had more igneous and metamorphic rocks than sedimentary. Gas stations and restaurants of unfamiliar names appeared on highway signs and of what agriculture I did see it was predominantly livestock as opposed to crops. I was certainly in a different place, so why did I feel so close to home?
I think sometimes we spend so much time looking at the differences that we miss out on the similarities. We point out the items that stick out like a sore thumb to what we are accustomed to, focusing on them. We forget to acknowledge that all of these places, or people in some cases, are of the same world, same universe, and even the same matter. While travel is usually directed towards finding something different, perhaps we should also consider what is the same. I think our world would be a much better place if we all realized that every place, and every person, has something in common with another. Next door or thousands of miles away, our lives are intricately woven together in this universe.
What we do today can have effects on others for years to come. Whether it be an action, a voiced opinion, or a product of our creative mind, we all have an input on the way the world revolves. Each of us has a part to play in this small world, each of us our strengths and weakensses. It is up to us to determine what role we can play best to contribute. Even though we all have our unique attributes, we are all of the same place- we should never forget that.
-Nicole
Travel is a complex activity that can originate from many different inspirations. Some of us travel to get away, others travel to learn, some travel to experience. No matter what the reason of travel, we all chose to go somewhere specific for one reason or another. Some of the places we visit because we have seen advertisements for them, read about them in books or online articles (such as this website, geojeep.com), or what we have heard from family and friends. My trip to Kennebunkport, Maine was one of the latter, and I dedicate this particular spot to my late paternal grandparents.
Me, sitting on the shore of Kennebunkport, Maine. May 24, 2011The ocean spray as the waves hit the cliffs of Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011
They loved to travel, and went on as many trips to many places within the U.S. They passed away within 4 months of each other a little over a year ago, but I still remember clearly what how they described Kennebunkport. They had told me several times that someday, if I had the chance, I should visit the area. Today, I followed their advice and did just that.
Kennebunkport, ME coast. May 24, 2011
Kennebunkport Maine is along the Atlantic coast, almost as far south as you can get for the state. The coast mostly consists of rocky cliffs, constantly bombarded by the waves of the ocean, water spraying up high into the air when if find no other place to go. There are a few sandy beaches, but I would have to say this coast is not about basking in the sun and swiming in the sea: It’s about absorbing your surroundings, and drinking ni what a coastal environment has to offer for your health. I chose to play most of the day on ear, having booked a hotel less than 10 miles away at a Comfort Inn. I looked at the map and found the road closest to the ocean and simply headed in that direction.
Standing on the seaside cliffs of Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011
I was pleasantly suprised by a beautiful coast, lined by granite outcrops that cut sharply down to the cold sea. Little did I know at that moment, but almost all of the area was just as scenic. As I followed the roads into the afternoon I couldn’t find a single spot that wasn’t as picturesque as the last.
I chose to eat dinner at a restaurant with a view of the ocean. Pier 77 was located on the coast, with a view of Cape Porpoise harbor where lobster boats come in during the season. It was here that I ordred lobster for the first time, and I have to say it was delicious.
Pier 77 restuarant, near Kennebunkport, Maine. May 24, 2011The view from my table at Pierr 77 in Maine. May 24, 2011Lobster in Maine. at Pier 77 near Kennebunkport. May 24, 2011
The chef had everything perfectly prepared, the greens with the perfect seasoning and everything was always artfully placed on the plate. My server was by far superior to most I have ever had the pleasure of dining with, especially considering he knew very well how to handle a single patron. Many try to overcompensate attention to a diner who is eating alone, but he had just the right mix of talk and space. I orderd a desert, the creme brulee, of which they serve garnished with an orchid blossom.
The Creme Brulee @ Pier 77 near Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011If you haven't tried creme brulee, I encourage you to do so. Make sure you have a good chef. Pier 77, May 24, 2011Beign the orchid lover I am, I felt the need to reassemble my garnish. May 24, 2011 @ Pier 77 in Kennebunkport, ME
I finished dinner just in time for sunset, and as I rushed out the door to make sure I caught the sunset on my camera, to be viewed eternally, I noticed something to the east: A rainbow. This marks the third I have seen in this trip, and for something that is touted as so rare I am very thankful for this symbol of success. Everytime I see one I feel reassured that everything will be ok. I have been through many storms, but I will always find a rainbow afterwards.
The rainbow of Maine, May 24, 2011The partial rainbow outside Pier 77 in Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011Sunset at Pier 77 in Maine. May 24, 2011
Tomorrow I will head from Maine to upstate New York to visit a relative of mine in the country. I can’t gurantee any rainbows, but I can gurantee this: Life is full of adventure, and the those who are truely successful in life are those who are active in the constant motion. We can’t control everything, but we can control our reactions to what life throws at us. Success is measured in our own eyes, and by no one else. Tomorrow is simply a promise to myself that I will succeed another day. You should do the same. I’ll see you there…
-Nicole
One of the many nice amenties you get for paying more for a hotel: An indoor pool at the Comfort Inn of Biddeford, ME (near Kennebunkport)The anchor dedicated to George Bush along the coast in Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011The lobster ship dock near Pier 77 near Kennebunkport, ME. May 24, 2011A picture I title "Finne". May 24, 2011 in Maine.
Fear does a funny thing to us, especially a fear of what we can not control. The of one person can often lead to mass panic by others. We seek out to either detroy the source of the fear, or if we can’t, we jump at every sound. Such was the effect of the panic during the late 17th century, when 20 men and women were killed.
The Salem Witch Museum, May 24, 2011, Salem, MA
Spending the night near Boston, in Danvers, MA, I discovered I was only 7 miles away from historic Salem, MA. A place of many interesting places, such as the House of Seven Gables, a historic maritime past, and most notably to the American public: The Salem Witch Trials. My first stop in Salem was at the Salem Witch Museum, an interesting display of the history and causes of the hanging of 19 men and women, and one man who was pressed to death.
It is described as being a time of panic created by some young, bored girls of Salem village. The times of the puritans were difficult and incredibly strict, leaving little entertainment for young girls who were couped up in the home. They began to play games, creating their own sort of “witchcraft”, and soon they had theirselves freightened. Many of the girls starting going into a near catonic state, staring off into space for long periods of time. The girls began to blame their actions on others, and used witchery as an excuse. They began blaming innocent villagers of Salem of practicing witchcraft, and since the doctor could not explain the girls’ state with the medicine of the time, the villagers followed suit in the hysteria.
Each of the accused was allowed a trial, but these trials were often unfair. If a judge ruled not guilty, the girls would go into a frenzy and a retrial would find the defendent guilty. At first they were simply jailed, but when the girl’s afflictions continued they decided hanging was the only way to rid themselves of the devil’s work.
Giles Corey, who was pressed to death during the Salem Witch Trials. May 24, 2011
One man suffered a more horrendous death when he refused to submit to trial. He was strapped down and a plank put atop him, loaded one by one with heavy rocks. When the man, over 80 years old, continued to refuse more rocks were added on top until his rib cage simply couldn’t hold the weight any longer.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial in Salem, MA May 24, 2011
Today there is a simple memorial to the deaths of these 20 Salem villages. Located next to the old cemetary, it consists of bench-like protrusions of a granite that has their names, and the the date and method of their death. A rather simple memorial, I think, for something so gruesome that took place.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Historic Salem, MA May 24, 2011
After visiting the places regarding the Salem witch trials, I went to visit the old Maritime exhibit in the bay. A reproduction of “The Friendship of Salem” ship sits in the bay across from the old store. Near by is the House of Seven Gables, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was built in 1668, the house still stands as original, having been taken care for over 100 years by preservationalists.
The "Friendship of Salem" reproduction ship at Salem Maritime National ParkThe House of Seven Gables in Salem, MA. May 24, 2011
Something notable is that at the same time of  my visit to the Salem Witch Museum a new hysteria was taking place back in Missouri: The tornado hysteria. Tornados are, unfortunately, a regular occurence of the midwest and tornado alley. There are few weeks that pass by during the season when, living in small town Missouri, the tornado sirens don’t go off. Most of the time the tornados touch down in uninhabited areas, and are less powerful than the one that hit Joplin. This tornado outbreak, marked by the destruction of Joplin with an F5, has created a media frenzy that has everyone on high alert. It may be, however, that this time the hysteria is a blessing in disguise. We get so used to hearing the sirens that after a period of time we start to ignore them. This time it was shown just how real that threat is when those sirens go off, and how important it is to be educated about what areas are safe and what are not during such a storm.
It is after times of panic and hysteria that we can look back calmly and learn from the situation that was at hand. While in the case of the Salem Witch Trials the girls finally admitted to their foolery, which resulted in the death of 20 villagers, perhaps in the midwest and other areas afflicted by tornados we can learn something else. It is time to take these sorts of alarms seriously, and step back from our fast paced lives. So often we ignore these warnings because we have “too much to do”.
Life has been increasing in it’s complexity and business to the point we fail to heed simple warnings. It is time to take value of what life is worth, and slow down. When are we going to realize that we can’t keep going at such a speed? I am guilty of this too, and I fault it to our society. As an american society we simply don’t allow for down time. Expectations are high. Let us take stock of how important every day is, whether it is filled to the brim or not, so we can avoid the hysteria that results in negative outcomes.
-Nicole
The first settler of Salem, MA. Downtown historic Salem, MA. May 24, 2011The Salem Maritime Customer House near the bay. May 24, 2011The Salem Maritime National Park May 24, 2011
The Friendship of Salem reproduction ship. May 24, 2011Lilac at the House of Seven Gables in Salem, MA. May 24, 2011. It smelled WONDERFUL!
A closeup of the Lilac at the House of Seven Gables. May 24, 2011
A few of the historic homes of Salem, MA. I love how they could paint the houses bold colors, like black. May 24, 2011
In front of a river in rural Massachusetts. May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
A restaurant on the edge of the hairpin curve. May 23, 2011 in rural Massachusetts. (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
What I normally share are the different stops along my journey. You get to see the grand places I have chosen to see along my grand adventure: the parks, caverns, museums, beachs and universities. Since today had no stops at such places I figured it was the perfect opportunity to share with one of the largest time consumers of my adventure: the drive. You can thank technology, and the ease of taking a picture with my cell phone, for most of these photos (a little lower quality than my Nikon D5000).
Many vacationers take a flight to get to their destination. It is sensible when you are on a limited time constraint, but it takes all of the journey out of the vacation. A big part of an adventure is experiencing it all, like watching the environment slowly shift around you until you find yourself in a place completely alienated from what you call home. It also includes the strange vehicles and fellow travelers you see along your route, the beautiful views, the roaring rivers, and the roadside wildflowers. If you are interested in geology, the road cuts are hard to ignore. (I once had a geology professor exclaim that it was an “occupational hazard” as a geologist).
Today was a longer drive, and through an area I had never been to before, so it was quite an experience with plenty to see along the way. After leaving my cousin’s in Baltimore around 730 in the morning I headed through Pennsylvania, which was blanketed in a thick fog. The drive here reminded me a bit of the video game Silent Hill, which happened to be even more fitting since Pennsylvania is full of coal. I used to play that game as a kid and it would scare me so much I would have to pause the game, walk away, and come back.
The foggy drive through Pennsylvania- A little Silent Hill-esque May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)
After I made my way through the fog I found myself in the rolling green mountains of eastern Pennsylvania. The towns sat in valleys, with tall church steeples standing out against a sea of mostly white homes and businesses. There were wildflowers blooming along the road that I was able to enjoy when stuck in traffic in a construction zone.
Some of the wildflowers along the road in Pennsylvania. May 23, 2011. (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)The Construction Zone in Pennsylvania. May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)
Entering New York for the first time, I had prepared myself to see the country. I had reminded myself several times before this drive that New York state is much more than New York City. Many of us who don’t live on the east coast automatically think of big city lights when thinking of New York. Driving through New York for the first time, most of what I saw was the countryside.
Driving through the mountains in rural New York. May 23, 2011. (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)
Massachusets was much the same as the New York I drove through. My GPS has this lovely option: Anytime I enter a route it asks me if I would like to avoid toll roads. I always click yes, and it will take me on a glorious, scenic router through the country side. Along the way to Boston I saw a waterfall and, without thinking twice, turned right over the bridge so I could make a quick stop to see it.
The bridge, I didn’t notice until I was already on it, was closed in the opposite direction so I had created a bit of a detour for myself. I parked along the road at the end of the bridge, that went over the Conneticut River (I believe) and walked down to where I thought I would be able to see the fall. I walked across an old bridge, following the sound of rushing water, and realized I couldn’t see it from this vantage. When I looked back across the bridge I realized that walking across it probably wasn’t the best idea: The river was flooding and the water was swirling about the bottom of the bridge. The walk back across the bridge to solid ground was disorienting now that I noticed how close the roaring surface of the river was to my feet. It made you feel as if you were walking a little sideways.
The flooding Connecticut River in Massachusetts. May 23, 2011. (Taken with my Nikon D5000)The bridge in Massachusetts that was near flooding stage- It was scary to walk across!) May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
After arriving safely on the other side I took more pictures of the area and promptly decided it was probably time to get back on the road so I could arrive at my hotel in Boston area at a decent hour. The rest of the drive was fairly uneventful. I took pictures of some notable signs that I don’t see on a regular basis (I missed taking a picture of “Moose Xing” right outside of Boston).
A Bear Xing sign in rural Massachusetts May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)
Tomorrow was to be another day, full of activities, and the long drive had worn me out. It wasn’t hard to sleep tonight. You may ask why I would want to spend so much time driving. I get asked all the time how I can spend so many hours on the road. Well, I think all of these pictures tell the tale themselves, but the answer is simple: It is an exciting journey, full of sites and experiences all in it’s own. While we plan on starting and ending points, and certain via points along the way, the journey itself can sometimes be just as stimulating. It sure beats sitting an an airplane looking at clouds all day.
-Nicole
The amazing confetti peanut butter cookies, baked by my good friend in North Carolina, that fueled my drive. May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)This Semi was coming right at me!!! (Not really...it was being towed...still looks scary, right) Taken with my Blackberry CurveIt turns out this boat was going in the same direction as me, I saw it all the way to Troy, New York from Baltimore, MD. (Taken with my blackberry curve)The hair pin curve in Massachusetts. Famous, apparently. May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)My GPS took me through downtown Troy, NY for some reason... May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Blackberry Curve)A bridge in Rural New York where I took the picture of the roaring river (next). May 23, 2011. (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
The Little Hoosic River in rural New York, along route 2. May 23, 2011. (Taken with my Nikon D5000)Along the "Taconic Trail". May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
The flooding river in Massachusetts May 23, 2011 (Taken with my Nikon D5000)
