A nice night for the first projectile of the year

Perhaps a strange title this evening, but it seemed like an apt description of last night's ride. Someone threw a fast food container at me and missed (well, Queenslanders aren't known for their competence). Not normally a noteworthy event on the Gold Coast, except that it was the first one for the year -- in May! It hasn't taken that long since 2001. At first there was a mild disappointment that I allowed it to distract me and failed to get some registration details, but these days I'm too cynical to expect much to come of it. In anycase, I found some hills a bit later on and that always makes me feel better.
I suppose the one good point was that it happened closer to here...

... than to here.

It wasn't long after this that the sun went down, and the wind picked up as I headed down Currumbin Valley in the darkness, in an increasingly deserted atmosphere. IBy now the incident had been completely forgotten as I enjoyed an inspiringly windy evening. Indeed, it came as something of a surprise to encounter someone asking for directions to Murwillumbah. Giving the directions was easy enough, but just what he was expecting to find open down there, I have no idea.

Holiday Cheer: Lights-a-Twinkle and Dancing Water

Our quest to enjoy the holiday decorations that others have labored to put up continues.  This time, we drove north to visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

We drove up I-95N to Wilmington, DE and then to Kennett Square, PA via rural routes.

Longwood requires timed admission tickets, so we bought our tickets online last week for the 5:00p entry slot ($18/person non-peak rate; increases to $25 pp for weekends; once inside, you can stay as long as you want.)  To ensure that we’d get there with plenty of time to spare, we left the house at 12:30p.  Traffic was heavy getting out of DC — no surprise — but at least it flowed at interstate speeds.  Past the I-270 cut-off, the number of vehicles dwindled down considerably and we made good time driving the 126 miles (202 km) to Wilmington in 2½ hours.

Why Wilmington, you ask?  Because that’s where we booked our overnight hotel.  With limited accommodations in Kennett Square, we figured we’d have better luck with Priceline bidding for a hotel in a larger city.  We were right; we got the Doubletree for $50/night … a 49% savings.  And yes, Priceline came through again with a very nice, clean room with a bonus — scrumptious chocolate chip cookies still warm from the oven when we checked in!

Room 358 — a nice, quiet room for an overnight stay.
And the chocolate chip cookies — well, you had to be there to taste how good they were!

The one mistake we made after checking in was our decision to grab a bite to eat before continuing on to Longwood Gardens.  It wasn’t that the restaurant didn’t deliver on a good meal.  In fact, the crab cakes we scarfed down at Harry’s Savoy Grill were really good.  No, it was that we didn’t have a chance to enjoy a leisurely meal, because I started stressing about the time it would take to get to Longwood for our 5:00p admission.  It wouldn’t have been so bad had I not left the pre-printed admission tickets in our hotel room!!!  Duh!!!!

A 10-minute detour to pick up the tickets and rush-hour traffic added about 30 minutes to what is usually a 15-minute drive from the Doubletree to Longwood, but we made it just as the clock struck 5:00p.  (Yes, Mui, I know you said we’d be OK!)  By the time we parked, bundled up in our layers (it was already 41F [5C] and dipping fast), collected our camera gear, and stopped at guest services to drop off the tripod permits we’d pre-completed, it was well past our entry time, but we made it through the doors before 5:30p so we were golden.

Welcome to Longwood Gardens!

This wasn’t our first visit to Longwood Gardens, but it was our first time during the holiday season.  All I can say is WOW; the gardens delivered on the holiday spirit in spades.  From the twinkling lights … to the dancing water show at the Open Air Theater … to the festive decorations at the Peirce-du Pont House … to the miniature trains … to the yummy gingerbread spice hot chocolate we picked up at the Terrace Restaurant — it was all an “A+” experience.  But the Conservatory … well that was the pièce de résistance of the entire evening.

The elegant grandeur of Longwood can’t be described in words, so here are some photos to start out with …

The Holiday Fountain Show from the trail that runs behind the Open Air Theater.
[Sorry about the two spotlights that resemble eyes peering back at us.]

Left: The Wildlife Tree is decorated with edible icicles, suet bags, and citrus cups
filled with bird-seed, dried flowers, and Indian corn for wildlife winter treats.
right: inside the peirce-du Pont house.

The Conservatory shines like a golden oasis on a cold winter night.

No holiday decorations, but on this very impressive “Green Wall” 47,000 vibrant plants
sprout from floor to ceiling — the largest indoor “Living Wall” in North America.

lights and reflections across from the Music Room in the East Conservatory.

Trees of Light

I tried to select for this post some of the scenes that are not included in Mui’s video below.  If you’d like to see more of my pictures, feel free to browse my online gallery; you can adjust the speed of the slideshow in the top left corner.  The tripod was definitely worth its weight in gold.

Now for Mui’s perspective of our visit — complete with Christmas carols and dancing water.  Enjoy!

We wandered around the grounds until closing time (9:00p) and took our time walking back to the visitor center to let the traffic dwindle a bit.  With the parking lot at near capacity when we arrived, I expected that getting on the road might be a bit of a challenge.  Surprisingly, it turned out to be a piece of cake.  I guess not everyone stayed until the last minute!  The drive back to the hotel took all of 15-20 minutes, with no traffic back ups along the way.

The gardens were certainly crowded; especially the conservatory — and that was on a non-peak evening.  Highly recommend an in-week visit.  Not only will you save on the admission, but you’ll be able to take your time touring the enclosed spaces.  Dress warmly in layers that can be easily removed when inside.  The conservatory was comfortably warm without our jackets, but the rooms in which the historic exhibits are displayed at the Peirce-du Pont House were sauna-warm and we didn’t linger long although there was much to see there.

And on that note, time to snuggle under the comfy duvet for a good night’s sleep.  We have no set plans for tomorrow, and didn’t see any signs on the drive north to give us any ideas on things to do as we head back home.  I guess we’ll just play it by ear.

I still pwn

Another trophy on the mantlepiece. This is what happened here today. Yes, I rode in it, as I will do tomorrow if it persists -- and let's hope it does because we need the rain. It was actually strangely liberating, almost like a medieval joust -- me vs the wind. Best of all, there was finally some decent rain in it. Even the notorious Gold Coast hoons didn't fancy it.
I still pwn.

First World War Visitors, from Canada, USA, Australia, South Africa...

One of my interests is books, especially if those books happen to be handwritten.





This particular book is bound in green leather and has been decoratively tooled in gilt and red. It is a visitors book. It dates from April 4th 1916 and the final entry is August 1943, although there are still lots of blank pages.





It was used during the latter half of the first world war, and quite a hefty chunk of the second one too. I can't help but wonder why it ends where it did. Unfortunately I don't know who it belonged to, nor do I know which, presumably fairly grand, house they inhabited.





It doesn't stop me from speculating on the war time visitors who signed in.





People like Vernon Brown, R.F.C. - Royal Flying Corps. Could this be the Sir Vernon Brown, pilot,who "obtained an unconfirmed victory over a Gotha bomber, which was seen to go down in the sea off Zeebrugge" (I found this on www.flyingmachines.ru)? I don't know, I don't suppose I will ever know, but I do find it interesting to speculate. For some further information on a Vernon Brown tryhttp://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Brown_V.htm if it is the same one he had quite an illustrious career and a long life!









How about R B Bourdillon Lt, R.F.C., or Ian Henderson, R.F.C., did they perform heroic feats; did they make it through to the end of the war?





How about some of the overseas visitors - HJ (or it could be HT) Cooper, Toronto Regiment, he visited on 16th August 1916.





Or Sydney E Wedd, also of the Toronto Regiment who stayed 1st December 1916.





Did they have a brief respite from the war; did they make it through?





T. Lucovich, 3rd S.A. Inf, I hope I have got his name right. Whatever happened to him?





C.R.Hogg of Regina, Canada, James .... from South Bay, Canada, or Richard B Munday R.N.A.S.





So many signatures, names and dates. So many untold stories. The signatures range from tiny writing through to bold flamboyant ones - just as I am sure the personalities varied immensely too.





They were from Chicago, New York, Sydney, Kansas, Ontario, Canada - and lots without any place name specified.

As the book moves through to the 1920's I wonder whether these visitors were arriving for roaring twenties style house parties and ended up doing the charleston dance and having a whale of a time! Women with cigarette holders, wearing flapper dresses ...





Certainly the signatures become more like family groups arriving for short stays and longer breaks. Often the same group many times over through from the 1920's and up until 1943.





It is a lovely book - and although the stories are unknown and the words have not been written here - I do wonder about them.

Fort Union and the Santa Fe Trail

On the road again - to Albuquerque. Tuesday was a long day of driving. Drove from home to Pueblo, CO (about 680 miles). Wednesday I did not get out of the room until 8am. In Raton, NM (basically the state line on I25) I found the Tourist Information and picked up some brochures.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
While there, i asked what there would be to stop and see along by route. The suggested Ft. Union and the Turquoise Trail. Ft Union is only 8 miles off I-25.
To get to Ft. Union National Monument drive I-25 to exit 337. Take the road to West (NM 165) to the Fort. You can't miss it, because the road ends at the monument.
The fort was constructed and manned to guard the Santa Fe Trail. The trail was an important commerce route between the Indian tribes of the Southwest and the merchants to the East.
Today's photo shoes the shows the rut in he earth caused by the trail. Ruins of the Fort union Hospital was in the background.
Actually, there were 3 different Fort unions. The first 2 were temporary structures. The ruins at the monument are the remnants of the last Fort Union.
The fort had most of the materials for its construction. Sandstone was quarried in the area. Wood was available in the nearby forests. There were mud pits for adobe. In the days if the fort, there was a lake in the area. Fire break was about the only building materials transported long distant 0 that cam from the St. Louis area.
As you walk on the self-guided tour, to can see many more foundations. Unfortunately, scavengers got to Ft. union before the National Park Service aquired it and started protecting the ruins.
Check the the web sire information about Ft. Union. It was a hub of activity. A great break from the boring drive on the prairie of NE New Medico

World Snake Day

Just another vine hanging out on the fence... nothing to worry your pretty little heads about, my sweet little tweetie birds...
I was going to post this tomorrow, but I found out from Bug Girl that it's World Snake Day today so I had to put it up a bit early.
I wrote about Black Racers earlier this spring. (Still not sure if this one is Coluber constrictor constrictor or C. constrictor priapus.)
He didn't like me standing so close. I raised my arm to point at a Green Heron flying over and VOOM! The Racer was gone.

Early sunset

After our day of heavy snow on Monday that brought central Scotland to a standstill, Tuesday was a perfect day of frost and sun. The afterglow of sunset lights up the sky behind Edinburgh Castle. The time is 2.50 p.m. I seem to have a penchant for taking winter sunset photos at 2.50 p.m: I posted an allotment sunset from that time on Sunday at my Slow Growing blog.
For those curious about sunrise time, it was 8.31 a.m. today. Technically sunset is later, at 3.40 at Tuesday, but I judge sunset by when I can't see the sun any more. I have to admit that the bulk of Edinburgh Castle does mean that the sun is hidden that bit earlier, but from where I was standing it felt like sunset for me.
More skies around the world are at Skywatch Friday.

We Almost Had No Christmas Cards

Tuesday, December 27

When we sold our townhouse and moved into the condo in May, we dutifully contacted the post office to change our address and have our mail forwarded.  As requested, we completed the online application and then sat back to wait for envelopes with yellow forwarding stickers to show up.  During the first week, a few envelopes were delivered.  And then … nothing.  Mui stopped by the post office and talked to someone at the counter to verify that our request was on file.  It was and he was assured we’d be getting our mail.

It’s not like we get a lot of snail mail anyway, so when there wasn’t much in our mailbox during the subsequent weeks, we weren’t too concerned.  Until, that is, the woman who bought our townhouse sent us an email to let us know that she was still getting mail for us at our old address.  Another trip to the post office; more assurances that the problem was resolved.

Fast forward through summer, fall, and winter.  There were plenty of envelopes showing up in our mailbox, so we assumed all was well even though the yellow-stickered ones were few and far between.  Which is at it should be, right?  After all, each time we had a piece of forwarded mail, we contacted the sender to change our address.  Well, we were wrong; all wasn’t well.

The day before Christmas Eve, we received an email from the owner of our former townhouse saying that she had a stack of what looked like Christmas cards for us!!!  A trip to pick them up from where she left our mail on her stoop was followed by another visit to the post office.  Apologies, assurances, and whatnot … but it doesn’t matter anymore; we simply don’t believe them.

Almost missed out on having any cards this year.

With service like this, is it any surprise that we have curtailed using snail mail?  Even that description doesn’t apply anymore … it’s more like “disappearing into the black hole of the USPS mail.”  From this point forward, we’ll be using the US Postal Service only if alternative options are not available.

Of course, our problem isn’t nearly as bad as Paul and Marti’s mail-forwarding woes (post here).  Lesson learned … we’ll be switching our mailing address to our South Dakota domicile well before we get on the road.  That way, we’ll still be here to resolve any issues that crop up with getting our mail forwarded to Alternative Resources, the service we plan to use while we’re full-timing.  We’re also going to personally contact any person/company of importance and provide them with our new address ourselves.  Hopefully, we’ll thus avoid any major headaches.  What’s that adage about an ounce of prevention?  Perhaps we can make it work for us.

Fun on the Beach

Monday, 10 DECEMBER
HUNTING ISLAND STATE PARK — SOUTH CAROLINA
TEMPS: LO 60F / HI 72F (15.5C / 22C)

It was overcast at 9:00a when we hopped on our trikes to ride the mile or so to the Hunting Island State Park (HISP) visitor center office. There’s no paved trail suitable for our trikes, so we went via the main road. Vehicles were few and far between, so it wasn’t bad, but if we need to go back that way, we’ll use the walking trail to get there instead.

Our goal was three-fold — get some exercise; send a fax; and watch a documentary video about the history of Hunting Island. Check on the first and third goal. The second one was a bust; but not through any fault of the ranger on duty. She tried and tried to send the fax, but the recipient line gave her nothing but a busy tone.

Left: scale model of the Hunting Island Lighthouse Station; the cast iron
lighthouse was built in 1875 and decommissioned in 1933. The mannequin is
dressed in a circa late 1800s Lighthouse Keeper's uniform.

Right: The canopy at the head of the Maritime Forest Trail (in B&W).

We were going to ride further into the park, but seeing the sun breaking out of the clouds, we decided to ride back to the campground, pick up some lunch fixings from home, and head out for a walk on the beach instead. The little bit of sun that was peeking through was gone by the time we got to the beach, but that did not stop us from going ahead with our plans.

With the ebb tide at its lowest, the beach had quadrupled in width (if not more). The hard packed sand was ideal for a walk. I was surprised at how few people were out, but hey … we like solitude, so we weren’t about to complain.

the beach yesterday as the tide is coming in.	the beach today at the peak of low tide.

We walked in the direction of the lighthouse as it looked like there might be more of interest that way. And boy, was there ever. Trees and logs that had been submerged at high tide were now visible, sticking out of the sand like relics from another age. The overcast made the entire scene desolate and moody. (I posted one of my favorite photos from this afternoon in Two to Travel’s Viewfinder if you want to check it out.)

I can't get over the size of some of these trees!

Left: With their roots so exposed, these trees are prime candidates for toppling
over when mother nature deems the time is right.

Right: Standing near the edge of the water, Mui provides perspective for the vast
expanse of beach that becomes visible at low tide.

Left: if you look closely at the bubbles in the foam, you can see a rainbow of colors.

Right: a closer look at the power of water to erode land.

We were resigned to the overcast when patches of blue magically started to show up in the sky. Five minutes later, the sun was shining bright, painting the desolate scenery in a cheery light. Perching on a relatively dry tree trunk, we ate our lunch and studied the marvelous shapes of the toppled trees as the ocean began its move back towards the shoreline.

The sun comes out and Two to Travel stop for a photo op.

When a couple riding their bikes on the beach popped out from amongst the tangle of trees, the bulb went off in our heads. We didn’t have to go triking on the paved main road … we could ride them on the beach at low tide. Wolfing down the remainder of our lunch, we quick-stepped it back home to get our trikes.

Glimpse of the waterfront side of the campground from the beach.

We had to walk the trikes through the soft sand at the beach entrance closest to our site, but once we were on the hard pack, we were able to whiz down the beach, our colorful flags twirling and flapping in the wind. We were simply elated — the sun and wind in our faces, not a care in the world.

We went back to the far section where we had walked before and could see how far the water had risen in the 45 minutes it had taken us to get back to the beach. Still, there was plenty of space for us to ride around and play for the next hour.

I’m posting a video since the child-like fun we had on the beach can best be appreciated in motion. It’s 1 minute long; but if you don’t have the bandwidth to watch it, there are a couple of still shots below as well.

Click the arrow for 60 minutes of fun in 60 seconds.

Having a grand ole time on the beach with our trikes …

… WAS an unexpected opportunity that popped up to make our day!

What a great spot to enjoy a snack break and contemplate the ocean.

When fog suddenly moved in, we decided to park the trikes, bundle up, and enjoy the beach in a more sedentary fashion. After all, we’d been on the move all day and we deserved a bit of rest ;-) This time I managed to read a couple of pages of the book I brought with me.

Our beach chairs come with shoulder harnesses that make them easy to carry!

No sign of the fog where we’re sitting …

… but there’s plenty veiling the scenery on the far side where we went triking.

When the wind picked up around 4:00p, we decided to call it quits and return to the coach where the screen shelter we set up yesterday got its share of our presence for an hour or so. We would have eaten dinner out there, but around 5:00p, the weather chilled quite suddenly. Oh well; we had breakfast in the shelter and lunch on the beach … there will be opportunities to enjoy al fresco dinners down the road, I’m sure.

It sure was a good day on the beach!

The forecasters say we’ll have decent weather tomorrow before the temps dip towards seasonal norms … better go line up some fun ideas to make the most of it.

7 SIGHTS OF BUENOS AIRES - A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY IN A HOT SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE ARGENTINIAN CAPITAL

In the quarter of San Telmo, in a Sunday afternoon, people dance in the square.

Tango, the art of Argentina, is actual as ever.

Walking in Buenos Aires in a hot Sunday afternoon is a very different way to visit the Argentinian capital.

Streets are deserted around Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, even along the main shopping street Avenida Florida only few tourists are wondering about.

Where the locals went?

The ones who remained in town are strolling leisurely in the narrow streets of the picturesque old quarter of San Telmo, where a huge flea market is on in a Sunday.

Many other Portenos went for a walk in the beautiful park Tres de Febrero and some others enjoy a light breeze in the old docks of Buenos Aires at Puerto Madero.

Hope you enjoy your visit in Buenos Aires and our photos below!

Find more info about Buenos Aires and Argentina at the end of the post.

A secondhand music instruments shop in San Telmo. There is somehow an armony in this window shop.

Live traditional music in San Telmo's streets. All talks of music in a Sunday afternoon in Buenos Aires

Fileteados - The wonderful artistic drawing, with stylised lines and flowered, climbing plants, typical of Buenos Aires.

Signs, taxis and buses are adorned with fileteados. Skilled fileteadores work in San Telmo's Market.

Puerto Madero - The old docks of Buenos Aires are now a trendy area with bars and restaurants, where locals enjoy an afternoom walk, nice breeze from the sea and some good music.

Parque Tres de Febrero, in the elegant quarter of Palermo, is a beautiful park where locals practise some sport or just enjoy the quiet of its gardens.

The beautiful rosetum in Parque Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires.

Planning to travel to Buenos Aires?

You might want to read about Buenos Aires:

How to get to Argentina and Buenos Aires

Where to stay in Buenos Aires



Want to read more about Argentina?

You can read more about Argentina and some recommended itineraries for your journey on our "Visit Argentina" Page
READ MORE ABOUT ARGENTINA AND BUENOS AIRES ON OUR PARTNER SIDE EDARGENTINEDREAM