Having visited my sister in the Orlando area several times, I already had a good idea of the variety of places to be found in central Florida when I moved here a couple of years ago.  Contrary to what some may think, the landscape is not dominated by theme parks; nor do throngs of gray-haired retirees clog the streets.  There is history here.  One of my favorite things to do is to explore some of the smaller communities that surround Orlando.  Sanford is one of those communities.

A boat ride down the Nile to Luxor's amazing ruins...

Thousands of unbelievable places to see with the best of all that is weird, amazing and bizarre in the world today. Open up a wonderland of curiosities you never knew existed and amaze your friends, your family, and yourself. Seeing is believing!

Among travelers, the Ecuador–Peru border area has a special reputation for being scary. "It's one of the most dangerous I've encountered," says Craig Heimburger, editor of the travel blog Travelvice.com. "It is not to be undertaken lightly."

Yet this South American border is hardly alone in offering potential frights. At borders around the world, travelers face intimidation, misinformation, fake exchange rates, inflated prices, rigged calculators, counterfeit notes, robbery—and, yes, even kidnapping and violence.

Who doesn’t love a city? Lonely Planet has scoured the globe for next year’s hottest cities. Our top picks show that a city doesn’t need to be a heaving metropolis to get on the list. Then again, sometimes it helps.

One of our favourites is the world’s largest city that cannot be reached by road. And there are even a couple of European cities that remain criminally underrated. Here they are, Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities for next year, ranked in order:

People have been traveling the seas for thousands of years. We have inhabited nearly every corner of the Earth, and we’ve done so with gusto. Humans have a long history of making incredible journeys and carving out a living in even the most inhospitable and unforgiving environments Earth has to offer. The vast oceans of Earth are filled with countless remote islands, and many are still uninhabited. Here are 6 islands that just a few people have chosen to call home: the 6 most remote inhabited islands on Earth:

I had the pleasure of attneding the 43rd Annual International Snowmobile Congress last week held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  We flew in form Tornto and saw the snow still deep in the Canadian Rockies before landing.  We were able to spend some time walking around Calgary and then went to an off-site at Heritage Village.

The city was very nice and very enjoyable.  Comfortable and nothing dangerous that we saw.  I hope you enjoy some of the pics I snapped while we were out!

Pictures from a tour of Italy, August 2009.  Everyone said, "Ya gotta go see Rome... It's beautiful."  Seriously, the whole place is in ruins.

This is my first attempt at this, so I hope it works. My family and I live in Germany, and take every opportunity we can to travel around Europe... just thought I'd share some of the things we've seen.

Photo one: Burg Nanstein, originally built in the 1100s.  We've been to castles that are barely recognizable ruins, and others that are completely restored.  Nanstein is somewhere in the middle.

Photo two: I always imagined that seeing the "Mona Lisa" painting in The Louvre would be a casual experience, as if it would be something you could stop and quietly admire along with others in a long hall of famous paintings.  It actually hangs alone on one giant wall in a large room, behind a rope and a wood barrier.  On the day we were there, throngs of people crowded in, "mosh pit" style to steal a glance and take a few pictures.  I did take some pictures of the actual painting, but I thought the scene of people trying to view it was more interesting.

Photo three:  5,076 Americans, including General George Patton, are buried in the Luxermbourg American Cemetery, located just outside Luxembourg City.  Most of the deceased were killed during the "Battle of the Bulge" in 1944.  The cemetery is managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission in accordance with a treaty signed with Luxembourg in 1951.  It occupies 50.5 acres, which the Luxembourg government gave to the US for free, in perpetuity and without taxation.  The white stone chapel near the cemetery's entrance bears the inscription: "In proud rememberance of the achievements of her sons and in humble tribute to their sacrifices this memorial has been erected by the United States of America."

Photo four:  A subdistrict of the The Hague, Scheveningen is a kitschy seaside resort sporting a long double deck pier.  This picture was taken by my son from the end of that pier facing out toward the North Sea.  The pier has an extension to the left (while facing the water) that hosts a restaurant above the water.  To the right is a large tower from which people more insane than I can bungee jump.

Photo One: Reims Cathedral in the Champagne region of France.  We stopped by there on our way back from a trip to Paris.  I'm always amazed at how intricately the facades of places like this are adorned.  It was completed in the 13th century, and was once the place where French kings were crowned.

Photos Two and Three: The Rhine is the longest river in Germany, and is an important commercial transport artery, as evidenced by the barges seen here.  The river is flanked on either side by vineyards and several old castles.  The castles were once used to collect taxes on shipping.  We spent some time one day touring Rheinstein, then took a river cruise upstream to another small town.

Photo Four: I once attended a class in southern Germany and took my wife and son with me.  They drove across the border into Austria one day and stumbled across a small castle ruin and took this picture, among others.

Photo one: Ok, so we got up early and travelled to Burg Eltz, an 800-year-old castle that's been in the same family for 33 generations.  It's beautifully preserved and thought it would be a great photo opportunity.  But when we got there, half the structure was covered for renovations... not real pretty.  Here's what it's supposed to look like:  http://www.rhine-castles-germany.european-vacation.net/rhine-river/burg-eltz-hoch-290_01.jpg  Did they not know we were coming?  Oh well, we took a guided tour, had a couple drinks at their cafe, and wandered around some of the trails surrounding the castle.

Photo two:  As an aside, as we were paying the entrance fee inside the main entrance we could feel something flitting above our heads.  We were being "buzzed" by barn swallows who'd made a home nearby.  They had taken advantage of a nook on the wall in the castle's interior to build a nest. 

Photos three through six:  We ran across Pyrmont accidentally on our way home.  This castle dates from at least 1225.  That's where we took most of our pictures.  I like the way it sort of "grows" out of the hillside, in the way the vines climb out of the forest below and engulf the structure.  On closer inspection you can see where the rocks of the castle walls begin and extend beyond the rocky outcroppings upon which they're stacked.  It's possessed by its natural surroundings at the same time it dominates them.  We walked around the courtyard, then did a self-guided tour through several rooms.  It's a long trek to the top of the ~35 meter tower, but the views of the surrounding countryside (including Burg Eltz, far off in the distance) from the tower's observation deck are well worth the effort.

This article offers a photo journey to 15 of the world's smallest regions. Some are independent countries, while others are territories, but they're all under 30 square miles.

The list includes:

the world's smallest region, at .17 square miles (hint: it's in Europe);

the world's smallest island nation, at 8 square miles

a one square mile nation state (also in Europe and has a monarch)

the world's oldest surviving sovereign state (Europe again)

and what has to be one the world's least populous territories at less than 50 people (an island and British Territory, think mutiny).

People have made some ridiculous things. From fiery sink holes in Turkmenistan to the World's Largest Basket in Ohio, we might feel like masters of the universe. But it just takes one look at the incredible phenomena naturally occurring all over the planet to remember that Mother Nature always gets the last word.

Looking to visit these bad boys? Some can be harder to get to than others, but they are all accessible to the adventurous traveler - and unquestionably worth the trip. Many of these natural phenomena occur only one place on earth, and will win you epic bragging rights from the rest of the human race.

I had to drop off a painting for an upcoming art show in Erie so we thought we would take a nice little drive to Presque Isle and take some photos.

We stopped first at Dobbins Landing and took a photo of one of the large ships that travel the great lakes. Boy was it huge. When one of these large ships is coming into port during the early part of the year, it is announced so that ice fisherman know that the ice will be broken up and weakened.

We rode around the landing and stopped by the Erie Maritime Museum and the convention center and took a few shots then it was off to Presque Isle which is a wonderful and very unique State park.

Presque Isle was named by the French in 1720, who were the first white men to see it, it means 'almost an island'. It is an arm of land that juts out into the lake and then runs parallel with the shore line. It has 6 different environments all in a little less than 3,200 acres. It was created about 11,000 years ago from a moving glacier that created a moraine, the wave action then deposited sand and pebbles onto the moraine and created the peninsula that is now known as Presque Isle. Presque Isle was made a National Natural landmark in 1969. Presque Isle is always moving and changing from the wave action of the lake. At one time it was an island but has since returned to a peninsula.

It is a major resting place for many different birds on their spring and fall migrations and is also a nesting site for Pipping Plovers and many other birds. Many rare plants and wildflower exist and thrive here. It is a unique area that attracts waterfowl, songbirds, eagles, osprey and owls. Many types of mammals make the isle their home. There are 300 species of mushrooms, 1200 species of insects and is a landfall for migrating Monarch butterflies. I have found these butterflies right on the edge of the water line where they touched down during the Fall migration. I would walk along the beach and pick them up and move them inland, they were so tired that they could not fly away. 189 different species of birds have been recorded stopping at Presque Isle.

A fleet was built in Erie in 1813 to defeat the British on the lake. There is a commerative monument that was built in 1926 in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry who defeated the British at Put-in-Bay Ohio. Perry's flagship, The Lawrence had the flag "don't give up the ship", ironically he did have to give up the Lawrence and rowed over to another ship, The Niagara and defeated the British fleet from the decks of that ship. After the battle Perry proudly reported to General Harrison "we have met the enemy and they are ours, two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop".

The American fleet was built by Daniel Dobbins who lived in the city Erie and was assigned by the navy to build the fleet on Lake Erie. Each man who worked on the fleet was paid 2.75 a day with a pint of whiskey added to their pay. The workmen came from Pittsburgh and Philidephia and many small towns and villages in between.

The hulk of the Niagara was raised in 1913 and re-built to commemorate the battle's centennial, by 1931 the ship had severely decayed and the State of Pennsylvania took on the task of re-building her. The hull was not completed till 1943 because the Great Depression delayed the work. The mast and rigging was completed in 1963. The ship was launched on September 10 1988 to celebrate the 175th anniversary of The Battle of Lake Erie. You can walk on some of the original timbers and tour the Niagara at the port of Erie.

On Horseshoe Pond you can find house boats and there is a Coast Guard station near by. Since it is a port of entry into the United States there a border patrol office right at the port.

Millions of people have come to this small peninsula to enjoy the beaches, walk the trails, come to picnic, bird watch, bike and boat, canoe, hunt and fish along the shores.

Presque Isle is also known as one of the greatest sunset spots in the east. many artists come here to photograph and paint the beauty of this natrual wonderland.

Presque Isle is a wonderful place to visit with many hotels and motels near by to stay. There is an amusement park at the entrance of the state park and an environmental study center too. The park is in the city limits of Erie and you are not far from every resturant, shop, art galleries and stores.

It is a great place to see many things, nature, fun and history abounds here. Come visit Presque Isle as soon as you can, you will remember it forever. Your family will enjoy their time here and you will too.

weekend exposure is a weekly addition to the newsvine photographers group.

Earlier this week, I was encouraged to post some pictures of Egypt (thanks, Dowser and Michael).

It seemed timely, given the images we've been seeing over the last 17 days. In contrast to the protests and violence, I wanted to show a different kind of Egypt - the one I came to know by actually visiting the country many times, and making so many friends.

I hoped to write about my wonderful experiences with these friendly and fascinating people. I wanted to show how they work and live.

Above all, I wanted to share the magic of this place. I didn't intend to post my best pictures, or the incredible treasures of this country. Instead, I wanted to show faces and special memories - faces of friends and faces of stangers, but all faces of Egypt.

The events of today leave me disheartened. I don't have the words.

These pictures will have to speak for themselves.

Foto Friday is a regular feature of Newsvine Photographers.

Update: The original title of this piece was 'An Homage to the People...' As of 10:30 this morning, it deserves a new title.

At the very end of paved roads on Vancouver Island is the town of Tofino.

Here, one can walk on endless miles of empty beaches, hike through old-growth temperate rain forests, observe grizzlies and bald eagles, and end the day in a 5-star restaurant with incredible views. This is my kind of travel!

Tofino is a remote location. I travelled from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., and then took the ferry to Vancouver Island. From the ferry landing spot, it was about a five-hour to drive to Tofino. The scenery is pristine and magnificent. I drove along the shores of the island, across mountain ranges, and past the famous old growth forests.

At the end of the drive was the scenery above. A wonderful destination, indeed.

Nagaland is a mountainous state in far northeastern India, bordering Burma. Its people, majority Christian today, still have strong tribal affiliations, with each of the 16 Naga tribes speaking its own distinct language (all related to Tibetan).

It's time to PRE-REGISTER FOR THE VINEMEET!

Pre-register now for your spot in the VineMeet Group Fun! Pre-registration forms are due by:

Deadline: April 1, 2011

Fill out your sign-up sheet, and pre-register for your selection of VineMeet group activities! Your sign-up and pre-registration fees will include:

• A gift bag!
• A Derby Hat to decorate as you wish!  Prizes will be awarded for the best hats!
• A VineMeet 2011 T-shirt!
• Door Prizes!
• Plus, use of the meeting room, computers, free WiFi, and other Fun Activities!

Payment is by PayPal, which also accepts major credit cards, or you can use your PayPal Account!  Here are the group activities that you can register for:

The Kentucky Derby Museum!  You can also sign up to take a walking tour of the back side/stall area and Millionaire Row, or a Van tour of the back side. 

Churchill Downs, Skye Terrace!  Join us on Millionaire Row for a buffet luncheon, and watch the races from our own viewing balcony!  Kids 8 and up are welcome to attend!

Puzzles Fun Dome!  A fun activity for kids, while their parents are watching the horses run!

The Louisville Zoo!  Come and see Louisville's award-winning zoo, that includes special areas such as Glacier Run, Lorikeet Landing, the Gorilla Forest, the Tiger Tundra and more!

Old Louisville Ghost Tour!  You can sign up for a walking tour of all the spooky spots, OR you can take the Van Tour through Old Louisville and all the spooky spots!

Golf at Long Run Park!  Play 9 holes of golf at one of Louisville's finest city golf courses!

Louisville Slugger Museum!  Visit the place where the famous Louisville Slugger is made, and enjoy many interactive exhibits!

The Belle of Louisville!  Sign up for the Lunch and Cruise, or the Excursion Only tickets for a relaxing afternoon on the historic Belle of Louisville!

Babysitting services will be available on Saturday night.  We'll be making reservations for dinner at some of the delightful restaurants in Louisville for groups of 12 or less, too-- and the hotels in the VineMeet area serve a complimentary breakfast!

The VineMeet will be based at the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel, at the junction of I64 and Blankenbaker Lane.  We have a group rate of $89 per night.  This gives us free WiFi, use of two computers, a large meeting room, a breakfast area, patio, pool, and plenty of other amenities!

Sign up and make your reservations today! 

(Your tickets, gift bags, T-shirts, and Derby Hats will be given to you at registration at the Wingate by Wyndham!)

All details about the VineMeet, and lots of other information is available on our VineMeet Website!

Join the Louisville VineMeet Group today and keep up with the news! Louisville VineMeet 2011 Group

I look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you for coming by!

Get in the Mood!  See the Video below!

Tulum was a city perched on the cliffs on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Aside from overlloking what are arguably the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, this was a good stratigic spot to build a city. Being as the Yucatán peninsula is so flat there are very few places you can build a city that is perched above the landscape. The area enclosed by the city walls is fairly small. Tulum is one of the later Mayan cities, and it is thought it was built after Chichén Itzá was abandoned.

A few more that I didn't have room for in yesterday's article. I had to share more of the swans because they are so lovely. And I threw in a couple more of the tower as well as some miscellaneous shots. Enjoy!

More information on the Bok Tower Gardens and additional photos can be found here.

Weekend Exposure is a regular feature of Newsvine Photographers.

Bok Tower Gardens is a spectacular place. It contains three main attractions: the gardens which are situated on approximately 50 acres and which contain a large variety of plants, the Bok Carillon Tower which is designated as a National Historic Landmark, and the Pinewood Estate which is a beautiful example of Mediterranean-style architecture.

Edward Bok was editor of the Ladies Home Journal. In the 1920s, he and his wife, Mary Louise, decided to establish a garden and bird sanctuary in the Lake Wales region of Florida. They commissioned Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to design the gardens. The gardens were established as a gift to the American people in 1929. Today they contain acres of trees and flowers including a large number of camellias, magnolias and azaleas. The best time to catch the azaleas in full bloom is from mid-February through March; we were there a bit too early to see the blooms.

The Bok Carillon Tower is an amazing structure. It is 205 feet high and stands on one of the highest elevation points in the state, Iron Mountain. The tower was designed by architect Milton B. Medary and is constructed of marble and coquina. The exterior is embellished with beautiful mosaics, carvings and iron work. Also known as the Singing Tower, carillon music is still played there on a daily basis. The moat around the tower is a lovely koi pond.

The Pinewood Estate was built by Charles Austin Buck in the 1930s. Buck was a vice president of Bethelem Steel and this estate was his winter retreat. The gardens on the estate were designed by William Lyman Phillips. The house itself contains wonderful examples of tile work. Much of the original furniture has been reacquired and placed in the home as it was when Buck lived there. The Pinewood Estate was purchased by the Bok Tower Gardens in 1970 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The day we were there I took somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 photos. What I've tried to show you today is a sample of images from the various areas included in the gardens. It is really a wonderful place. Admission to the gardens is $10 for adults and an extra $6 for a tour through the Pinewood mansion. If you are visiting the gardens for the first time, I highly recommend spending the extra amount for the tour of the house.

Enjoy the photos! Additional information on the gardens can be found here:

http://boktowergardens.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bok_Tower_Gardens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carillon

Foto Friday is a regular feature of Newsvine Photographers.

© 2011 HollyKL

As sometimes happens when company comes to town, I've been dusting off my list of "sometime I need to go there" places. One of those places is the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens here in Winter Park, FL. I pass the museum entrance every time I go to the library or the farmer's market or run some errand downtown and have been curious about it since I moved here. So I finally took time for a visit this past week while my mother was in town. I wasn't sure what to expect but I'm happy to say that it was worth the time spent there.

Albin Polasek was a sculptor who emigrated from Moravia to the United States in 1901 at the age of 22. He trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He won multiple awards for his work and became head of the Sculpture Department of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916, a post he held for many years. He retired to Winter Park, FL in 1950.

Shortly after retirement, Polasek suffered a stroke. He was 71. Soon after that, he married for the first time. His bride was his companion and former student, Ruth Sherwood. She died not long after their marriage and Polasek then wed Emily Kubat. Emily was apparently very active in support of his work and it was she who convinced him to leave the house in Winter Park as a museum.

Though Polasek was a devout Roman Catholic and many of his works are religious in nature, he displayed a wide range of subject matter throughout the years. I found his sculptures of figures from Slavic mythology to be particularly interesting. He also worked with a variety of media including bronze, cement, wood, terra cotta and fiberglass. He was a prolific and active artist until his death in 1965.

All in all, the museum and sculpture garden are well worth a visit. The modest entry fee ($5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for students) gives you access to the sculpture gardens behind the house and includes a guided tour through the house. There is also a gallery that contains changing exhibits of photography and art by various artists. The setting is beautiful. The art pieces are interesting. It is a wonderful little place.

More information on Albin Polasek and the museum can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albin_Polasek

http://polasek.org/

Some pretty impressive waterfalls!

New Bedford Massachusetts is kind of quiet these days. I was at the whale blubber sandwich shop and the guy said he only sold 2 sandwiches all day. (I'm messing with you, you can't get a whale blubber sandwich west of Fall River LOL). All kidding aside New Bedford has always been a town of big abandoned factories. Big empty brick buildings with smoke stacks that haven't spewed smoke in many years. Many of them were converted to marine and industrial business. Wharehouses and industrial sales places where the fishing industry and marine construction get all of the parts and pieces that make boats and other equipment go.

Today even those businesses are slow. The fishing vessels that have bustled in and out of the port working to bring in the product of the sea that has kept New Bedford the number one fishing port in America for decades (revenue) are for the most part tied up and quiet. It is kind of disconcerting how quiet the boats are. I am sure they will go back to work when the quota comes out again in May. That is a long time for many people to go without work but what can they do?

The government has forgotten these fishermen in the midst of the downturn. The administration strung them along while the appointed minions and low level officials made sure that overly restrictive and unfair regulations eliminated as many jobs and businesses as possible. An entire generation of fishermen have been dis-enfranchised by a corrupt political process, greedy officials, and oil trust pay offs.

My thanks to the Mayor Lang for going after the corrupt bastards that have done this to America's number one fishport and to the fishermen of New Bedford that spoke out at council on behalf of the herring industry. They helped to fix our regulatory problem with haddock bycatch in the council this week. United we have a chance.

The pictures are for Foto-friday but the story is for my fellow fishermen, the factory workers, the lumpers, the drivers, the service men, and all the rest of the workers of the waterfront.

"A big part of travel is that feeling you get when experiencing something completely new, something you haven't seen or done before. Many travel destinations offer an amenity or two that other places don't--but there are only a few locations in the world that offer a truly unique experience.

Couple years back we were deciding what to do for my wife for her birthday. We decided on a road trip around to some fun spots in the state we had heard of but not had the chance to check out or really explore. Decided to pick a quarter of the state & find a few fun things we had not checked out before. With the help of the internet, tips from friends & a really cool book ( Oddball Colorado: A Guide To Some Really Strange Places - is a series you should check out and see if they have one for your state) we came up with a few places to hit along with anything interesting we could find along the way. One of the places we checked out was the Great Sand Dunes National Park (near Alamosa, in the San Luis Valley)

History & How the Dunes were created - Animation & more information

Red Tank Draw. Another nice short hike. It's a little tough to follow any trail here because you have to clamber over the river bed rocks most of the way. I'm always afraid I'm going to twist an ankle when getting into this kind of area -- well, that and getting lost because I'm gawking at stuff and not paying attention to where I'm going --- don't laugh, it's happened more than once. I swear this was a really long hike but found out later that I only went in a few miles -- a few tough miles for this old guy. Just to show that I wasn't a wimp I went and did the Sacred Mountain trail right after I got back from here. Afterwards I treated myself to well deserved, IMO, glass of wine and a chair on my friends porch.

After I got back home I found a hiking website that listed the Red Tank petroglyphs. Once again, I was just a mile or so from finding them. I got the directions (yes, I do ask for directions -- sometimes --LOL) Since this hike is close to my friends place I will definitely be going back to get some pictures. It will be spring when I return and there should be some good birds and wildflowers to photograph too. Maybe I should just move to Sedona? Ahhh -- wouldn't that be nice.

""Gaza has everything for your next vacation - beaches, kids attractions, fine dining, shopping malls, open markets and more. This is Gaza 2011 - not what you think."

"A filmmaker and adventurer takes us on a simply incredible tour of the rarely seen ancient and stunning infrastructure built under New York City. Make sure you watch the end as well for a special view of Manhattan from above"

"This is a 24 hour observation of all of the large aircraft flights in the world, condensed down to 1:11. From space we look like a bee hive of activity. What you will see, is a video showing air traffic around the world for 24 hours, taken from a satellite. The yellow dots are airplanes in the sky during a 24 hour period.

No matter how you pronounce it, the city of Louisville is a great place to visit! Centrally located for the Midwest area of the US, Louisville is the crossroads of Middle America—and one that you'll enjoy! For this reason, YOU are cordially invited to attend a VineMeet in June, 2011 at Louisville, Kentucky!

Why Louisville, Kentucky?
Louisville is within 500 miles of many major US cities, and is served by several interstate highways as well as Standiford Field, Louisville's International Airport. Located along the Ohio River, Louisville is home to Churchill Downs and the famous Kentucky Derby—known as the most exciting two minutes in sports! Louisville is influenced both by Southern and Midwestern cultures, and is often referred to as the northernmost Southern city, or the southernmost Northern city in the Midwest. Louisville's blend of cultures and diversity of international cultures brings a unique flavor to any gathering!

Mileage to major cities:

• Atlanta, GA – 415 miles
• Birmingham, AL – 364 miles
• Buffalo, NY – 541 miles
• Charleston, WV – 251 miles
• Charlotte, NC – 475 miles
• Chicago, IL – 297 miles
• Cleveland, OH – 355 miles
• Columbus, OH – 214 miles
• Detroit, MI – 363 miles
• Indianapolis, IN – 114 miles
• Kansas City, MO – 515 miles
• Memphis, TN – 383 miles
• Milwaukee, WI – 396 miles
• Nashville, TN – 175 miles
• Pittsburgh, PA – 393 miles
• St. Louis, MO – 261 miles

The population of the Metro Area is over 1 million, and with the consolidation of the Metro Government, Louisville is the 16th largest city in the US. Yet, the cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. As a convention area, or for a group gathering, the Louisville Area is both fun and affordable!

Family or Single?
There are plenty of activities for people of all ages and stages—we'll have family-type activities as well as fun for the more swinging set! If there are enough of us to go as a group, we'll be able to get discounts for group activities. You will be able to pick and choose what suits your needs and desires—and whether or not you wish to go with a group, or select your own agenda. You will be able to make advance reservations, if you wish—although some reservations, (and payment), will be required ahead of time for particular group activities—but, if you just like to 'wing it', that can be accomplished, as well.

Meet Your Tour Guide
Hi! My name is Dowser here on the Vine, and Marsha Meyer every place else!

I have volunteered to make arrangements, collect payments for group activities, and plan our VineMeet fun. I'll set up a specific email, post office box, and everyone will have access to my phone, etc. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll put up a web page, somehow… Until then, I'll write a series of articles about all the fun things to do here in Louisville, and gather input from polls, etc. Here is what I'm thinking about:

1. Wish I had the money to front all of this, but I'm just a regular gal, who works part time, and doesn't have all that much $$ myself—so, we'll all pay as we go, unless there are specific activities for which we need to collect some up-front money! In any case, we'll divide it among all of us, to keep costs as low as possible!

2. Rent a van for transportation for those who may wish to fly in, but not have the expense of renting a car. We'll split expenses! This will include airport pick up for those who don't want to rent a car for the weekend. I'll do my best!

3. Babysitters and specific children's activities will be available, should parents want to do something without the kids—but there are plenty of things to that are "Family Friendly"!. Again, we can all split expenses! (If I can talk my college-aged stepdaughter to help, we'll be in great shape!)

4. I'll book a block of rooms at one of the hotels on the east side—mid to low price. Those that want to stay in more deluxe accommodations will be welcome to do so. All the hotels are within easy walking distance of one another, as well as restaurants, shopping, etc.

5. Campgrounds are nearby as well—and I'll be sure to include information about the various campgrounds, for those who enjoy the camping experience!

6. For those that are driving in, we'll have maps galore! If those that drive don't mind, maybe we can carpool!

7. We'll have a hospitality room available for everyone—a place to gather, meet for group activities, and visit—again, stuff will be available for kids, (a good movie? crafts?). A small registration fee will be collected to help meet expenses.

8. Maps to a really good liquor store will be provided, but it is BYOB. Remember that Kentucky Bourbon is inexpensive here! i.e. locally grown.

9. I'll include information about day care for pets, and information on hotels that accept pets, as well!

10. Everyone will check in at the VineMeet Desk—you'll get maps, driving directories, itineraries, and your customized tickets to events. We'll work all that out together!

Fun things to do:
What is there to do in Louisville? LOTS! The list below is a sampling of some of the activities that are available! We'll get more into specifics of costs, menus, age appropriate activities, activities for those of us with disabilities, and other details later, but as a short list:

Museums and Activities

• Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory – baseball bat factory, special section for baseball greats
• Belle of Louisville – steamboat ride on the Ohio River, complete with meals, beverages, Riverboat music, and the calliope
• Frazier International History Museum – European weaponry from the Crusades to modern-day, demonstrations, interactive exhibits
• Kentucky Derby Museum – More than just the Kentucky Derby, this is a movie in the round, plus many interactive exhibits
• Churchill Downs – activities available from early morning tours of the stables, days at the race, night racing, etc. We may be able to rent a box, if there are enough of us!
• The Louisville Zoo – a premier zoo! (Better than Atlanta's and they'll tell you that themselves!)
• Louisville Science Center – a great museum with special, travelling exhibits
• Louisville Mega Cavern – an abandoned cave-like quarry with all kinds of fun things to do!
• Speed Art Museum – come see our Rembrandt!
• Louisville Ghost Tours – ya gotta see it to believe it, either bus or walk
• Louisville Slugger Field – home to the seed team for the Cardinals, the Louisville Bats
• The Muhammad Ali Center – museum of "The Greatest"
• The Palace Theatre – ever seen Rococo? Here is the place for a concert!
• The Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts – real juried artisans
• Waverly Hills Sanatorium – one of the scariest places on earth
• Howard Steamboat Museum – featuring the era of steam boats, special exhibit of WWII Landing Craft
• Actor's Theatre – Off Off Broadway, but good!
• The Kentucky Center for Performing Arts – Broadway productions
• The Louisville Ballet – wow!
• "Roarchestra" – may be available, a Louisville Orchestra popular concert at the Zoo
• Fourth Street Live – live free concert downtown

Restaurants

• Captain Quarter's Riverside Grill – dine on the terrace and watch the yachts come in…
• Phoenix Hill Tavern – for the partying set, live concerts, meals
• Improv, Louisville – comedy club
• Mark's Feed Store
• Lynn's Paradise Cafe
• Kaelin's
• KT's

Outdoor/Indoor Recreation

• Cherokee Park – one of Olmstead's Parks, (he who designed Central Park in NYC)
• Louisville Equestrian Center – learn to play Polo, or ride a horse
• Louisville Horse Trams – carriage rides downtown
• Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center – indoor pool, some outside activities, heated pool for those with disabilities
• Louisville Extreme Park – skateboarders heaven
• E. P. Tom Sawyer State Park – tennis, swimming, model airplanes, dog walks, etc. (no camping)
• Long Run Golf Course – city run golf course, great course!
• All About Kids – gym, tae kwon do, other activities for kids, slumber party may be available
• Puzzle's Fun Dome -- play place for kids

Historic Hotels, Historic Places, and Architecture

• Seelbach Hotel -- wow
• The Brown Hotel -- home of the famous Kentucky Hot Brown
• Louisville Water Company -- visit the oldest municipal water tower in the US
• Historic Cave Hill Cemetery – visit historic graves and architecture
• Zachary Taylor National Cemetery – Old Rough 'n Ready himself is here
• Historic Locust Grove – George Rogers Clark's last home, 1700s farm, Wow
• Conrad-Caldwell House – historic house and museum in Old Louisville
• The Farmington Historic Home – authentically restored 1850's hemp farm, (yes, Abe Lincoln slept here)
• Thomas Edison's House – yep, Thomas Edison slept here

Special Shopping

• A Little Bit of Bybee – Bybee Pottery
• A Taste of Kentucky – specializes in all things Kentucky
• Joe Ley Antiques

Not Far From Louisville:

• Mammoth Cave
• Diamond Caverns
• Kentucky Down Under
• Lincoln's Birthplace
• Tours of Bourbon Distilleries
• Kentucky Horse Park
• Santa Claus Land
• Rock Shops, Rock/Fossil Hunting
• Wakefield-Scearce Gallery
• Ft. Knox -- Patton Museum

There are Plenty of Possibilities! Maybe you'll want to stay for a visit!

Visit our Website at: Louisville VineMeet 2011

VineMeet Dates: JUNE 24 - 26

Thanks for coming by!
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"Namibia's beauty is wonderfully surreal and alluring, and I, for one, fell in love with it! When we visited Namibia, we didn't know that we were embarking on a highly addictive journey, one we wished would never end, as the surprises in scenery are endless. Namibia has so much to offer to those who love nature and wide-open spaces.

In the land of the bizarre, you will find harsh landscapes, vast deserts of surreal beauty, moments of solitude, and the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

"Those people who have been avidly following the BBC TV series Merlin may have wondered about the wonderful set used to recreate Camelot.

Many people believe that the Camelot seen in the TV series is an elaborate, expensive set. In fact, the place exists in reality. Situated North of Paris near the Forest of Compiègne, Château de Pierrefonds makes the perfect setting for the Camelot of the Arthurian legend re-imagined for the twenty first century.

"Lake Bled in Slovenia has had visitors for thousands of years. Little wonder when you consider its mild climate and beautiful surroundings.

The lake has an island, tear-shaped and the only real island in the virtually land-locked country.

Facts:Crater Lake was formed when a massive eruption of Mount Mazama 7700 years ago caused the mountain to collapse, leaving a steaming caldera. Centuries of rain and snow filled the caldera creating Crater Lake.

Its depth of 1,943 feet (592 meters) makes it the deepest lake in the United States, and the seventh deepest in the world. Its fresh water is some of the clearest found anywhere in the world.

Crater Lake National Park is comprised of 183,224 acres of mountains, peaks, evergreen forests, and lake. Elevations range from 4000 feet along the borders of the park to 8,929 feet at Mount Scott. These elevations offer diverse habitats, including
ponderosa pine forest in the southern end of the park; mixed pine, fir, and hemlock forest in the 5,000 to 7,500-foot range; and sub-albine environments including whitebark pine above 7,000 feet.

Fun: I lived in OR for a time, met my wife there (we didn't get together till years later after I had moved (a few times). Anyway got together with some family from Houston for a NW trip. We Visited Seattle, Portland, traveled all down the Oregon coast & down into the Cali Redwoods. And of course visited some family & friends in some of the places we used to live. Will post more pics from this & other trips as I have the time. :) Hope you enjoy these.

From a distance it looks like a flying saucer on a tripod, and when it was built for the 1962 World's Fair, the 605-foot-tall Space Needle was meant to suggest future architectural trends. Today the Space Needle is the quintessential symbol of Seattle, and at 520 feet above ground level, its observation deck provides superb views of the city and its surroundings. Displays identify more than 60 sites and activities in the Seattle area, and high-powered telescopes let you zoom in on them. You'll also find a pricey restaurant, SkyCity, atop the tower. If you don't mind standing in line and paying quite a bit for an elevator ride, make this your first stop in Seattle so that you can orient yourself.

Going up there is very cool and the restaraunt is not too shabby either. We decided to have lunch instead of paying 16 dollars a piece for an elevator ride. The ling cod was very good and the hamburger looked a lot like the top of the space needle itself. Unlike many fancy places the Sky City gives you plenty of food. Most folks need a doggy bag to bring home the rest. Prices are decent when you consider the cost of the ride. I took pictures all the way around the 360 degree view. We also rode the mono-rail down to Westlake center and back while we were there.

This is just a photo-article and is a feature of MightyJ's column.

While you are traveling in Kentucky, espcially looking for rocks, minerals, and fossils, take care to avoid some of our more unpleasant members of the animal kingdom. There aren't that many, and I will be sure to tell you if I think you may get into a nest of vipers... So, please allow me to preface the article with a Please Be Careful.

We only have four kinds of poisonous snakes, the Copperhead snake, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Western Cottonmouth, and the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake. There are lots of other snakes, here and there, but they are non-poisonous, non-threatening, and please don't kill them. They are sweet. Or they are as sweet as a snake can get. They eat vermin and many of them eat the bad snakes, too.

I used to see all kinds of snakes, everywhere, and they terrified me, but that was before I perfected my snake repellent movement: Stomp really hard and yell, "Snakes! Snakes! I'm A-coming through! Go Away, Now! Shoo!" stomp stomp stomp. Take about 2 steps, carefully, and repeat. Yeah, right. Well, I'm at the point that I really don't care who thinks I've lost my mind-- I haven't seen a snake since I started doing this, and this is from the person who nearly urinated on a Timber Rattler.

Without further ado, please refer to the pictures at the right. Some really GOOD snakes look like the poisonous snakes in Kentucky, but they are non-poisonous. Some good snakes are really hard to tell from the bad snakes. I just never kill a snake, in case. If I see one, I run like the wind to get out of there. But, again, since developing my snake repellent technique, I've not seen a snake when out and about-- with the exception of on the drilling rig.

Deer Flies are a problem around Land Between the Lakes about one week out of the year, and Oh My Gosh. They are a little smaller than a horse fly, and they take plugs out of you. Forget going down to the water, because they will eat you alive and you will have bleeding bites on your arms and legs. Nothing works against them, repellent wise, and the very best thing to do is go elsewhere. Before you plan your trip, you may wish to contact the LBL, or the state parks, and make sure you are not planning a trip there during deer fly season. They don't seem to be too bad at the other lakes in the state.

Another, very dangerous denizen, who may appear to be totally harmless at first is a moonshiner. If you are out in the sticks and happen to run across an apparatus that you don't understand, get out of there, fast. Leave the county, and don't look back. There aren't many, any more, but, in spots, there are a few. They don't 'hold with' strangers and it is much safer to leave. Immediately.

Lastly, I have read that there are meth labs out in the woods, and the Department of Natural Resources is telling hunters to be very careful. If you run across coffee filters, odd looking camping spots, piles of garbage that look like pseudafed packages, whatever, get out of there, as quickly as possible. Get in your car and GO. Don't stop in the next county over, just get out of there... Maybe two or three counties over, you'll be ok... Kentucky is no different from any other state, and you certainly don't want to get cross-wise with people, especially that kind of people. However, no one purposely puts a meth lab or a still near where they know people will be, so if you stay close to the beaten path, you'll be ok.

I have been reminded below, in the comment section, to also be on the lookout for marijuana growers! There may be traps set nearby, and I do understand that those areas may be quite dangerous for the unwary. Again, run as fast and as far as you can, and leave the area immediately, if you stumble upon one. I also know, however, that the state and the feds use satellite photography to located the pot fields, and this photography has the resolution down to one plant. Please be careful!

So, in rock hunting, try to stay near the public view, don't stray too far off the beaten path, and please keep safe! Remember the snake repellent maneuver and have a wonderful time!

Link to Rock Central

Here is a link to the KY DNR, where I got my information: Kentucky Snakes

Take Care! Thanks for coming to see me!

While you're enjoying your experience at the Land Between the Lakes, an afternoon side trip to Fort Donelson is well worth the effort!

Fort Donelson is located in Dover, TN, about 1.3 miles east of The Trace on US 76/79. There are several entrances to the National Battlefield and Park, which overlooks the Cumberland River, below Lake Barkely. Fort Donelson was the site of a historic battle between US General Ulysses S. Grant and his friend Genearl Simon Bolivar Buckner. The surrender of Fort Donelson opened the way for the invasion of the south by Grant's troops.

Grant was a relatively obscure general in the Union ranks until this battle. When stationed in Fort Ord, California, Grant was allowed to leave the army with his honor intact, (he was drinking heavily, away from his family). Lacking the money to get home to his wife, Julia, his friend and colleague, Simon Buckner, loaned him the money needed. During the battle, Grant communicated to Gen. Buckner that he would accept no less than 'unconditional surrender'. Once the fort was surrendered, General Grant, paid his friend the money owed, and sent General Buckner and his men home. His terms of surrender earned General Grant the nickname of 'Unconditional Surrender Grant', which brought the general to the attention of President Lincoln.

During the battle, ironclad gunboats sailed down the Cumberland River and engaged in battle with shore batteries located on a bluff overlooking the river. These shore batteries are in place today, and may be seen and enjoyed, not only as a historical point, but as an Eagle-watching point, as the eagles enjoy their perches in the trees overlooking the river.

The fort offers a very interesting museum with artifacts from the battle, a self-guided tour of the battlefield, cabin quarters of the Confederacy, and a beautiful national cemetary, dedicated to the Union soldiers. The Confederates are buried down the hill a piece, under a marker provided by the Daughters of the Confederacy. The battle lines are maintained to this day, and made of logs, with dirt slung over them, to provide cover for the Confederate soldiers.

A very special place to visit, the National Cemetary dedicated to the soldiers who lost their life in the battle, offers a beautiful, peaceful, and contemplative look at the aftermath of the horrible battle. Many years ago, when I was a child, we began to take flowers to the soldiers on the hill when we visited. My family follows this custom to this day, placing our offering and thanks to them, by placing flowers on the grave of one soldier-- a boy named Christian Fox. Mr. Fox was a 17 year old boy from Indiana, who lost his life in the battle. We attempt to honor them all. Christian's grave is easy to find. He is one of the few that have a name, in the first circle of graves, as you enter the cemetary, towards the right hand side.

At places throughout the cemetary are large markers with the words to the famous poem at Arlington, "The Bivouac of the Dead", by Theodore O'Hara, who was from Kentucky. Although O'Hara fought for the Confederates, his poem graces many national cemetaries, and are written on the gates of Arlington National Cemetary. It is a beautiful poem, and inspiring to all who visit the cemetary.

Native American Artifacts -- Once you have visited Ft. Donelson, turn east on US 76/79 and continue to the bridge over Lake Barkley. As soon as one crosses the bridge, find a place to park, and, under the bridge, if the water is down, there are always arrowheads and other prehistoric Native American artifacts that wash up on the beach. This is not an archaeological site, it just happens to be a place where arrowheads and other prehistoric tools seem to collect. Just be careful parking, because traffic can be hazardous, and if you do not see a rocky bar under the bridge, the water is too high.

The little town of Dover has a great Dollar-type Store, and one decent Mom and Pop restaurant, (I hope they are still in business). They will pack you a picnic lunch, if requested, and you can picnic and look for arrowheads beneath the bridge. Or, you can picnic at the Fort Donelson park-- picnic tables are available. We always ate while sitting on the cannons, but I would only bet that they frown on that now... No rock collecting in the park, as it is a National Park, but feel free to peruse the gravel anywhere else-- especially along the edges of the river.

References used:Fort Donelson National Battlefield, (link above)
Battle of Fort Donelson, Wikipedia
"Ulysses S. Grant" by Josiah Bunting, (book)
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I left Florida last Thursday with some sadness. When I was there, I wrote briefly about my holiday then but couldn't put in any pictures because I couldn't upload them from my camera. I thought I would include a few here today for all the friends who asked. But first things first - the holiday itself.

I arrived in Cape Coral two weeks ago not knowing what to expect, feeling a bit apprehensive though excited at getting some sunshine and having a break after the topsy turvy year I've had. I couldn't have chosen a better place to stay. The sun was very hot every day (82 degrees plus), the locals were charming and welcoming, seeming to have a fondness for a British accent, and the whole calm ambience was just what I needed to relax.

I took in some local sites in both Cape Coral and Fort Myers, with the help of a dishy local, called Tom, who also took a shine to me! I must say that Sanibel, a few miles from the Cape, has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. I spent a few magical hours there picking up shells from the sand and basking in the sheer beauty of it! I also made sure that I enjoyed the hotel pool almost every day, which also had the most glorious piped music of all those American old hits I hadn't heard in years! I was in seventh heaven.

I had a great trip back to Britain, though it didn't start off too well when the Fort Myers plane was late taking off by nearly 40 minutes and I was worried about missing my connection in Atlanta. That would have been an unfortunate end to one of the best holidays I have had in years. We finally took off and I reached in good time to get the connection then promptly got lost trying to find my way around as the terminal mentioned on my ticket appears not to have existed (old name, I suppose!). Anyway, finally made it and had a beautiful last leg over to London. Delta Airline pilots surely know how to have smooth landings! :o)

I arrived at Heathrow airport to great sunshine (must have brought some back with me!), had to make tons of calls to people who had no idea I had gone off to Florida and were getting concerned, freshened up my hair and went off to the disco to show off my wonderful tan - as well as other things! Didn't think I could get darker but it shows how long I haven't been in the sun because my body is now definitely two tones. :o)

I have a little bit of jet lag - slept until 12 midday yesterday, so still in Florida time - but am getting back into my usual routine after my wonderful trip and fantastic experiences. I hope the pictures give a true flavour of it!

Enjoy!

Holiday Tip

If you ever go to Cape Coral, the hotel to stay in has got to be the Hampton Inn & Suites on SE 47 Terrace. A home from home, from the manager (Linda Mulch) downwards, the service and the care is par excellence, the rooms are clean and spacious, the breakfast - LOTS of it - is included (they even give you a handy food bag if you are too busy to have a sit-down meal!) and the atmosphere is of a family home where everyone is looked after because they are not only part of the family, but rather special too! Well that's how I felt, and that mattered to me greatly coming all the way from England on my own! But they had guests who kept coming back, so they must feel special too.

I cannot remember when I have enjoyed a trip to the USA so much, and even got a tan as well! I have decided that I have to keep going back to this little American paradise and might even arrange some speaking engagements there so that I can return a few times a year, I am that impressed!

As we enter the Land Between the Lakes area of Kentucky and Tennessee, there should be a large sign posted: Abandon Worries, Cares, and Troubles-- All Ye Who Enter Here! Land Between the Lakes, (LBL), is the closest thing to paradise that I know of in Kentucky, or can imagine. Let me tell you a little about the wonderful place!

Land Between the Lakes is a peninsula, between the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers in Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the TVA act, which was designed “to create ‘a corporation clothed with the power of government but possessed of the flexibility and initiative of a private enterprise.’ Right from the start, TVA established a unique problem-solving approach to fulfilling its mission: integrated resource management. Each issue TVA faced—whether it was power production, navigation, flood control, malaria prevention, reforestation or erosion control—was studied in its broadest context. TVA weighed each issue in relation to the others.

From this, the area that became the LBL recreation area, a whole new economic outlook was developed. The Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC), constructed campgrounds and facilities, some of which are still in use today. Under the continued direction of President Harry Truman, and with the help of Vice President Alben Barkley, two dams were built, to provide hydroelectric power to the impoverished area, flood control, and as a part of the integrated resource management program that was the TVA’s mission.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated the peninsula formed by Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, as a The Lakes National Recreation Area in an effort to demonstrate how an area with limited timber, agricultural, and industrial resources could be converted into a recreation asset that would stimulate economic growth in the area. Today, LBL remains the only such demonstration area in the country, and, in my mind, it has been a definite success.

With more than 170,000 acres, 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, the LBL offers a unique opportunity for education and recreation. Educational facilities range from the historical and cultural heritage of the area, to environmental education, land management, resource management, and represents an unprecedented effort at integrating all these aspects into one area.

Today, LBL is managed by both the US Forest Service and the US Department of Agriculture. It is the largest inland peninsula in the US, and Kentucky Lake is the largest man-made lake in the US. Just for jollies, allow me to list some of its finer points of outdoor recreation areas:

• 22 lake access areas with boat ramps, with 5 courtesy docks, and 4 fishing piers;
• 6 sandy beaches;
• 420 miles of roads, along which one can spot hundreds of deer at night, with 90 bridges and 5 dams;
• 200 miles of hiking and biking trails and 100 miles of horse and wagon trails;
• Horseback riding trails and campground;
• Off-highway vehicle area; and
• 985 developed campsites that will accept reservations, 5 lake access areas with primitive camping, and virtually unlimited backcountry camping.

Did I mention educational activities? Well, in addition to all the fun listed above:

• A nature center, with on-going activities designed to showcase the wildlife and 1,300 species of plant life of the area;
• Residential campground/cabin Camp Energy with outdoor and indoor classrooms;
• The largest publicly owned bison herd east of the Mississippi River;
• A lovely Elk Prairie area, where elk have been reintroduced to the area for the first time in 150 years;
• Living History Farm, set in the 1850’s, and populated with ‘family members’ that work the farm;
• Planetarium and observatory;
• Eagle Watch of 12-15 nesting sites, along with other bird watching areas;
• Designated Red Wolf breeding pair, as part of the recovery effort for that species;
• Interpretive site, which includes the old 1860s iron industrial smelt; and
• 3 visitor centers with gift shops.

There are no hotels within the LBL, but you can always stay at one of three state parks near the area—KenLake State Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Park, or Lake Barkley State Park. There is no commercial gas available, nor groceries or any of the hustle and bustle associated with a megalopolis… However, there are plenty of surrounding communities that offer these amenities to the traveler and they sure appreciate the business!

I’ve included maps and some pictures in this article, and provided links below.

Very Brief Notes About the Geology

Geologically speaking, once you cross Kentucky Lake into the LBL area, you are in a different world. Beneath the more recent deposits, you will be traveling back in time to the Mississippian Era of the Paleozoic. There will be limestones and dolomites of the Mississippian age, and there will be gravels of the Cretaceous age, and sands and gravels of the Tertiary age, and, all along the edges recent sands and gravels. It is a mish-mash of ages, but you’re going to enjoy finding ancient fossils among the more recent deposits.

THERE IS NO RESTRICTION FOR ROCK COLLECTING. Pick up what you find any place you find it, except at specifically designated areas, like the iron smelting furnace. As you will notice in the pictures on the right, I’ve collected quite a few samples there. Most, I can remember where I got them, but some I can’t… I will include pictures of them anyway, just because they are neat!

You can look for arrowheads along the shoreline, too—I’ve found quite a few there. But don’t forget to look up, once in a while, to enjoy the scenery. I’m going to start my rock collection at the most northern point of LBL, at the dam on Kentucky Lake. The captions will explain where I found things, as we go along. Feel free to refer to the general map of LBL, and there is a link below, if you wish to print it up for future reference.

Note to collectors: There seem to be lots of yellowish brown rocks and lots of gray rocks. Gray rocks are definitely Mississippian in age. However, many of the rocks at the surface, even the Mississippian aged rocks, have been weathered and are stained by iron, and appear to be the same color as the more recent deposits. Don’t let this fool you, although, when I first started learning about this area, it puzzled me greatly. Cretaceous aged to more recent aged materials are usually brownish yellow to red and consist of sands and gravels. The earlier, Mississippian stuff can be either color, (gray or brownish yellow), but are limestones and dolomitic limestones-- and fossils.

Fun Things To Do and Helpful Hints

Not to leave out all the resources listed above and fun places to go, but we used to drive at night along the back roads, (not in deer season), and count deer. Please drive carefully, keep your eyeballs peeled, stay on gravel or paved roads, and do not exceed 30 mph. When you catch a herd of deer in the headlights, stop, and creep along. We have often counted 200 or more deer along some of the roads in one evening. They are so beautiful! Be sure you don’t do this during deer season!

Take your telescope and your binoculars—there is so much to see! The stars at night are fabulous and there is always some sort of wildlife doing something out there that you would love to see, but don’t wish to disturb.

If you like to walk through the woods, you can see, (but not take), all kinds of wildflowers. I mean all kinds! They are beautiful! But, you are not allowed to collect them. I don’t know if you are allowed to pick them, either, any more, but years ago, we would gather a small bunch and take them down to Dover, TN to put on the soldier’s graves… More about this later.

In some of the little ‘hollers’ and creeks of the area, if you are very careful and still, you may be able to observe beavers. The trick to beaver watching— don’t get too close. Stay as far away as you can and still see them. Aim for downwind of them, so they can’t smell you. Sit down under a tree, get comfortable, and do not move. Do not twitch, make sudden movements, or scratch—keep all your movement slow and very deliberate. If you use insect repellent, they will smell you and won’t come out, but if you just sit there, (and plan on sitting still for at least an hour), they will come out with their babies and you can watch them… They are so cute! The best time to watch beavers is in the late afternoon, early evening. At least that is when I had the best luck.

Don’t forget to visit the elk and the bison herds—Oh my! They are so funny with their babies! On hot days, they like shade—so look under the trees from your car window. Stay in your car! Oh, and if you need to use the restroom, you have to leave and go all the way back to the Golden Pond Visitor’s Center—only a couple of miles, but it is best to visit the Visitor’s Center first.

I can’t tell you how nice the campgrounds are—they are lovely! But be sure to make reservations—before they took reservations my family would drive down for a weekend of fun, and end up going from campground to campground—they fill up fast!

Companion Articles

I will be writing a couple of companion articles for this one— side trips you may wish to take, snakes to leave alone, birds, etc. Links will be posted below.

I hope that you have fun here, and can come for a visit! Thank you so very much for coming by to see me!

"Last year, the first Hebrew city celebrated its centenary. Celebrities and dignitaries from around the globe joined the festivities, often expressing admiration at Tel Aviv's emergence as a dynamic world city. The foreign commentators noted Tel Aviv's reputation as the "nonstop city" and recalled its designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its abundant Bauhaus architecture. Contrary to the skeptics, the neighborhood in the dunes did not become a ghetto: Tel Aviv is now the most affluent, tolerant, and culture-soaked city in the Middle East.

There is a lot more fun to be had in the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky! As we leave Columbus-Belmont State Park, we’ll be heading toward Mayfield and Murray, KY, on our way to the KenLake State Resort Park. I’ve drawn a map for you to use as a guide, on the Google Maps, and have provided a link for you!

On the way, near Mayfield, there are several quarries where you can stop and, perhaps, find some of our Kentucky minerals. I’ve also marked areas of fossil beds. If you follow the links below, you can zoom in to just about any place you would like to go on the geologic map, and the roads are marked, as you zoom in. The shells of the geologic map shows where fossils are reported to have been found. The names of the quarries are listed on the map, and should be fairly easy to find in the yellow pages. It is always a good idea to call ahead and ask if you may play around the edges of their property. Sometimes their trash is our treasure!

As you drive near Mayfield and Murray, you may notice some sandstone, siltstone, and shale deposits at the surface of the ground. These rocks are of the Jackson and Claiborne formations of the Tertiary age. You can always stop and look on top of the rock cuts—sometimes you have good luck, and other times, not... In addition, you also may notice along the sides of streams, a nice clay formation, known as the Potter Creek Clay formation. This is mined extensively in the area as a source for clay products, (drainage tiles, pipes, even pottery and porcelain). Most of the clay is of the mineral Kaolinite.

However, one does not really have to be near a reported location to find fossils from the Tertiary aged materials. I found my only decent Dinosaur fossil in a gravel parking lot, in the driveway of the Pike Lodge, in Murray, KY. It is pictured to the right, and is a fossilized footprint of a small dinosaur!

Other Fun Things To Do

Fancy Farm, KY – Fancy Farm is a tiny, sleepy little community west of Mayfield, KY. Except for election years, when the entire state goes down to the St. Jerome Church and watches the political baby-kissing, back slapping, wheedling, and dealing that is a normal part of Kentucky politics, it is a nice place to drive through. The Fancy Farm Picnic is a great barbeque, even if you don’t like politics! If you’re trying to get through town, though, on your way to somewhere else, try to avoid this area the first Saturday of August!

Mayfield, KY – Birthplace of Alben Barkley, Vice President under Harry Truman. Mayfield has a historical cemetery, of which they are very proud. Special monuments commemorate the Civil War soldiers, (when KY did not secede, the Jackson Purchase area nearly seceded from KY to join up with Tennessee), and calls itself the “Pearl of the Purchase”. Part of my husband’s family is from Mayfield, and I once had a project there on a chicken farm. If you pass Mayfield High School, wave at it for me— I was a substitute teacher there, my first year of teaching in the fall of 1977.

As you drive through the area, if you are there in the fall, you may notice that smoke is coming out of the barns. Don’t worry, that is the method for curing tobacco in the Jackson Purchase Area-- the tobacco is smoked by slow burning hickory wood. In the summer, you will see fields of tobacco growing. It is our cash crop, and we export most of it.

Also, you will likely see lots and lots of rocks that resemble brains on people’s front porches. I don’t know where they come from in this area, but they are geodes. I have one, but it was my dear mother-in-law’s, and sat on her front porch. Ask around, and someone may be able to tell you where to find them.

Murray, KY – Murray, KY is the home to Murray State University, my alma mater! Nathan B. Stubblefield, the other guy who invented the radio, is from Murray, and one can listen to the local radio station named in his honor, WNBS.

If you like antiques, drive 8 miles south on Hwy 641, to Hazel, KY—the entire main street is antique shops. If you see a fruit and vegetable stand, STOP and get some—they have the sweetest apples in the whole Purchase! If you want bottled liquor for your trip, you can go about two miles further, and there is a package store down in Tennessee. The attached bar specializes in pickled eggs and beer—and it has all the old wonderful country songs on the juke box. (D-I-V-O-R-C-E, We’re Not the Jet Set, etc.)

Don’t forget to get a fabulous pizza at Pagliai’s in Murray, (on the court square), and if you want a real down home breakfast, stop by the Hungry Bear Restaurant, in the old Burger Queen building on Main Street, across from the DQ. (Note: This building is faced with pumice. When they built it in the mid 1970s, they allowed me to take a boulder!)

This is the only other place in the Jackson Purchase, besides Paducah, where you can purchase an alcoholic beverage in a restaurant. You may meet a bootlegger somewhere in Murray, who will gladly sell you a bottle of bourbon-- be sure to be nice about the Sherriff, it is likely his brother.

Murray State University has been listed as one of the top ten values for education in the south by the US News and World Report and by other magazines, as academic excellence for the price. At one time, the library contained Jesse Stuart’s papers, and may still. I believe that Jesse Stuart attended Murray back when it was a teacher’s college.

Blackburn Hall, where I sweated over all those fossils, has a small display of rocks in the Geosciences area, or they did, years ago. If you would like to drive through, it is a very pretty campus, and something is always going on, even in the summer. If you happen to pass by during a football game, you’ll be able to watch the famous Murray State Racer thoroughbred horse lap the track in celebration! He has retired from the racing industry and lives at the agricultural farm near the main campus.

KenLake State Resort Park – Make note here: You are on the cusp of heaven! KenLake is a state park that borders a National Recreation Area, Land Between the Lakes, (LBL). We will spend at least one article at the LBL, if I can fit it all in. I’ve camped here at KenLake since it first opened... In fact, I remember when Lake Barkley was filling up with water. I guess I was there when God made dirt, too-- but in this end of the state, it is blessed dirt, at that! I can drive down here and my heart lifts with joy!

There is enough to keep you busy at KenLake for quite awhile. First, there is the KenLake hotel, which has beautiful flower gardens, walkways and paths, and is set on a hill overlooking Kentucky Lake. The gift shop is oh so much fun, with many tasteful selections. There is a fireplace in the main lobby for cool fall and winter evenings. Both the rooms and the restaurant, which serves delicious food, are priced very reasonably. Don’t expect fancy food—but if you like honey baked ham, sweet corn bread, and local honey, this is the place for you! Not only that, the view of the lake is mesmerizing!

If you wish more private accommodations, cabins are available for rent, as well. These are reasonably priced in the summer, and are a real bargain in the winter months! Weekends during the winter, the KY State Parks Department together with the Kentucky Division of Natural Resources host Eagle Watch Weekends, which are available for all guests. Not only are special demonstrations and activities planned throughout the year, but guests may participate in a wide variety of activities that include ‘show and tell’ about Kentucky’s birds of prey, Kentucky’s birds and wildlife, quilts, dulcimers, watermelon feasts, and other truly fun activities. Participate, because it is worth it!

The campground is wonderful and almost all sites have water and electricity on site, and the bathroom/showers are very well maintained and clean. Overlooking the lake, campers may walk down to the water to enjoy the largest man-made lake in the US, Kentucky Lake. There are plenty of rocks and fossils to pick up, and No One Cares. After all, they will all be moved around at the next high water anyway.

In addition, there is boating with a large marina available, boat rentals, fishing, tennis, nature trails, a swimming pool in the summer, picnic shelters, playgrounds, and a nine-hole golf course. Anywhere along the shoreline, one may find all kinds of rocks and fossils, like the chert pictured at the right, stained with iron.

If you go to the campground, be sure to sit at the very edge of the spit, looking out over the lake—it seems like you can see forever. Watch for traffic on the river—there are lots of tow boats, yachts, and large houseboats! If you are going to rent a boat, be sure to pick up a map of the topography of the lake at the marina—remember that this is the flood plain for the Tennessee River, and there may be some unpleasant surprises. Watch out for windy days, unless you are accustomed to ocean sailing... The waves can quickly become enormous, if the wind is right.

Take your telescope, because the stars are brilliant at night, and be sure to enjoy the local souvenir shops at Aurora. There are several additional restaurants there, as well!

Our next stop will be the Land Between the Lakes! Bring a few collecting bags with you, because we are going to have a LOT of fun! Oh, and climate-wise? By the first of May it is already late spring; the dogwoods are at the last of their blooms, and the trees are covered with leaves. While Kentucky’s weather is variable, bring a light jacket, but you won’t need the down coat with the fur-lined hood! In the fall, the trees are rarely leafless before November—so you’ll have a long summer to enjoy the area!

Thank you for coming by to see me!

Welcome to the Columbus-Belmont State Park! We will begin our geologic/cultural/historic/amusement tour in the most recent geologic deposits of the Quaternary age, (recent). We’re just across the river from New Madrid, Missouri, which gave its name to the New Madrid Fault, epicenter of the strongest earthquake to ever hit the lower 48 states in recorded history. We stand at the western edge of the Jackson Purchase Area, in the youngest or newest geologic formations found in Kentucky!

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I hope I have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.” Born in Kentucky, and married to Mary Todd of Lexington, KY, President Lincoln was sure that the state was the key to his early battles with the Confederacy. Columbus Belmont State Park is the site of one of the early battles of the Civil War, on November 7, 1861. Here, Confederate General Leonidas Polk staked out both sides of the river and declared his fort “The Gibraltar of the West.”

General Polk and his 19,000 troops built trenches and stretched a huge, hand forged iron chain across the Mississippi to block the Union gunboats, the ends of which may still be seen at the park. However, General Ulysses S. Grant had other ideas. He outflanked Polk’s entrenchments and routed the Confederates in the first victory of the Northern battle to control the Mississippi River, opening the way to the siege of Vicksburg.

The park contains a 2.5 mile hiking trail, featuring the entrenchments built by the Confederate troops, weaponry used during the battle, and the large, forged iron chain anchored on either shore of the Mississippi River, and supported by boats, anchored in the river. The Civil War Infirmary Museum offers a unique history into the times, as well as the battle that was fought there. A campground is available, as well as picnic areas, trails, and mini golf. The park is a certified interpretive center for the Mississippi River.

Geology of the Area

We’re in the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky, which is the common name for the Mississippi Embayment physiographic and geologic region of the state. Most of the rocks here at the surface are unconsolidated sediments, instead of rocks. They are easily eroded, and this part of Kentucky is relatively flat, with a topographic relief of less than 100 feet. There are numerous lakes, ponds, and swamps in the area. The lowest spot in the state is found within the Jackson Purchase Area, but don’t ask me where it is, because I don’t know for sure. I would guess that it is south of the state park, perhaps in that little spit of land surrounded on three sides by the Mississippi River—where no one lives...

The Mississippi Embayment begins here, in the Jackson Purchase, and extends southward, expanding through the southern states. This is a stupendous aquifer, deep, and composed mainly of fine, clean, sands that offer a high yield for water supplies. Beneath the embayment, bedrock is likely composed of the limestones, shales, and sandstones of the early Paleozoic. Don’t quote me on this, because I really have no clue, and there are few wells to those depths. Note: The KGS has no clue, either, as little exploration has been completed into the bedrock below...

However, these rocks are likely very highly faulted as a part of the New Madrid fault system. The New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 – 1812 were the strongest in recorded US history for the lower 48 states, and were caused by movement along the New Madrid faults in Missouri and within the Jackson Purchase.

From the Overlook

Standing on the overlook at the park, you are directly on top of the Quaternary aged alluvium of the Mississippi River. Quaternary aged rocks have been deposited from 1.5 million years ago to today, right now, as of this minute. The Pleistocene Epoch ended about 10,000 years ago, and we are currently in the Holocene Epoch, or recent age. Clear as mud, right? The geologic time scale on the left may help.

Look at it this way—the Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. From where you are standing, the watershed extends northward to Lake Itasca, MN, westward along the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, and eastward to the Appalachians. It drains most of the Great Plains and is the 10^th most powerful river in the world. (From Wikipedia). If you walk along the river’s edge, you may find anything—any kind of rock or fossil from over 31 states... Now, that makes it worth seeing, doesn’t it?

The state park has a boat ramp, if you brought your boat—but you can walk along the side of the river, and may find anything... (Including dead fish, but, never mind... Hope springs eternal!) There are plenty of boat ramps in the area, handy for boat launching, fishing, and for exploration!

At the overlook area, make note of the fact that this area was devastated by the 1811/1812 earthquakes. If you were standing at this spot on February 7, 1812, you may have seen the Mississippi River appear to flow backward. It did, for a brief time. Born in 1809, the three year old Abraham Lincoln was almost ready to celebrate his third birthday. Did his family feel the earthquake in their cabin at Hodgenville, KY? Most certainly! For more information about the 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes, please visit the companion article from my column. (The link will be supplied below.)

As you move east, driving along the highway toward Arlington, (Hwy 123 to Hwy 80, east), you will cross a very thin area of loess—wind blown soils that weather in strange ways. Loess is a fine, unlayered, uniform soil that may seriously erode into trenches, or even slices. As you cross over the loess, just think that you are crossing over wind-blown pieces of soil from Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois that was deposited during the last periods of glaciation. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it? This rich soil is one reason why Kentucky’s agricultural areas are so prolific.

Just on the other side of the loess, you’ll see more normal soils and loess, intermixed. These are of the Tertiary age, and are from 10,000 to 1.5 million years old. While all this is good, we’re not finished exploring the geology of the Mississippi River just yet, but this will give us a basis for enjoying the different things to do in the immediate area.

Other Fun Things To Do

Hickman, KY – located just south of Columbus, KY lays the small town of Hickman. I would guess that this is near the lowest spot in the state, (meaning it is all uphill from here). The courthouse, built in 1903 contains the original clock works, of which the town is quite proud. But, the most fun thing to do is to ride the ferry across the Mississippi River. It only costs $14.00 per car load, and what fun! (Maybe I am easily amused...) If you want to take a picnic, there is a really nice pavilion on the river, overlooking the Mississippi River.

Wyckliffe, KY – located north of Columbus, KY, the town of Wycliffe offers a little more to do than Hickman, even if there are fewer people. First, visit Wyckliffe Mounds, a national historic site. Wycliffe Mounds was the site of the Mississippian (archaeological term), Native American burial mound and cities, according to archaeologists. There is a lovely museum there, and a demonstration of archaeological techniques that enhance the visitor’s interpretation of the importance of the site. Visitors may also picnic at the historic site, or walk the hiking trail through the native plantings.

Ballard County Wildlife Management Area – This area consists of sloughs, agricultural bottomlands, with scattered stands of hardwood, including bald cypress. This is a very popular birding area for many species of wild birds. In fact, Dr. Tory Petersen, the prominent ornithologist, often watched the migration of birds through this area, as it is a major migration route for many northern birds. In addition to birds, there are many other kinds of wildlife in the area. There are several roads for easier access to those interested. If you follow the links provided below, you will be able to find more Wildlife Management Areas in the Jackson Purchase Region.

I hope you have fun in the Jackson Purchase Area—there is more to come!

Thank you for coming by to see me!

"The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, the first international luxury hotel in the capital of Tibet, is set to open for guests on November 15. Standing on the "Roof of the World," the 32,000-square-meter St. Regis Lhasa Resort is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The hotel is also green, as it uses solar and geothermal energy to save on diesel energy consumption. Situated in the famous ancient Barkhor area, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort is quite near to the holy Potala Palace, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jokhang Temple.

"Argentine Native Animals The Carpincho Photo
Canadian photographer Daniel Fox traveled extensively through Argentina to capture the beauty of nature and animals for The Wild Image Project

New Mexico is certainly the Land of Enchantment for photographers. Here are some more of the pictures I took there while accompanying an environmental science field trip.

"Ask any one to name a great wall and the chances are that the word China will appear somewhere in their answer. However, a small under visited town in Croatia has a well kept secret – a wall hundreds of years old which is the longest complete fortress system around a town in Europe –and the second in the world. Yet very few seem to have heard of the Walls of Ston.

Here's what happens when the swimming pool dries up and the guests stop coming

"Yuyuan Garden is believed to be built in the Ming Dynasty more than 400 years ago. Built in traditional Chinese style with numerous rock and tree garden areas, ponds, dragon-lined walls and numerous doorways and zigzagging bridges separating the various garden areas and pavilions. In the past over 400 years, Yuyuan was restored and reopened several times.

"Vietnam's coastline is spectacular. Its cities buzz with capitalist vitality – and a zillion mopeds. The food is mesmerising. How much has changed since the war, marvels veteran reporter Michael Buerk, as he travels the length of the country.

"From the geysers of Dominica's Valley of Desolation to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, we showcase 10 of the world's most bizarre landscapes.

Drag racing, climbing a mountain or swimming with sharks can get the adrenaline pumping

Wildlife, history, cuisine await adventurous travelers

It's important to be selective when doing ancient sightseeing

We love places of worship - their grandeur, their peacefulness, their architectural beauty.

We especially admire mosques. Here's our pick of 21 beautiful mosques, from Morocco to Malaysia, which reflect the great cultural diversity of the Muslim world.

There are countless more, of course, that we could not include - your contributions are welcome!

(Note: click on "English" on top right to see text in English).

The re are many more links HERE

"A Colossal Undertaking

"The laying out of the gardens required enormous work. Vast amounts of earth had to be shifted to lay out the flower beds, the Orangerie, the fountains and the Canal, where previously only woods, grasslands and marshes were. The earth was transported in wheelbarrows, the trees were conveyed by cart from all the provinces of France and thousands of men, sometimes whole regiments, took part in this vast enterprise."

Okay... you asked for it, so here are Mal's Yellowstone Photos on a Google Map

Some of my Foto-Friday friends asked me to make a map showing where I took the photos that are shown in my article titled "The Colors of Yellowstone." Below you will find a Google map with marks that Identify where some of these images were taken. You may want to zoom the map up a bit because some of the markers are a bit close together, and then you will need to pan around to find all the markers. Clicking on the marker will show you a thumbnail of an image (or two).

These really are little more than a selection of my snapshots with a digital camera that I still can't figure out how to use properly. I used to have professional film equipment, even processed my own stuff, but now I bought the only digital snapshot camera in China that had a manual written in English besides Chinese, an Olympus 760i. I did not publish them to a photography group because I'm a little embarrassed by the quality. Anyway, these photos are a collection from many of my travels in China.

The photos are not in any particular order geographically or chronologically. Most of them are captioned as to where they were taken, and some have explanations.

As Yosemite marks 120 years, national park anniversaries offer another reason to visit