Saturday, July 31, 2010
Pioneer Tunnel-Ashland Pa. Thursday 7/29
We took a small detour to explore the anthracite coal region at Ashland and ride an old-fashioned Narrow Gauge steam train. The tunnel runs 1800 feet straight into the side of the Mahanoy Mountain.We rode in open mine cars pulled by a battery-operated mine motor.The temperature inside the mine averages 52 degrees-jackets/sweaters are provided if needed. Deep inside the mine
we left our car and followed the miner-guide and were given an explanation of how coal is mined.We saw coal seams and various configurations of passageways,some so narrow was accessible only by crawling on your belly. The Henry Clay ,built 1920's took us on a 3/4 mile ride around the side of Mahanoy Mt where we saw the remains of strip mining.On the mountain is the remains of a :bootleg” coal hole.These were dug by men who defied trespass laws and danger of cave-ins to obtain a few bags of coal to heat their homes.
Franklin Pa. Wednesday July 28
Not just any small town De Bence antique music world,on Liberty Street in downtown Franklin Pa. The museum houses a collection of more than 100 antique mechanical musical instruments dating from 1800-1940's. Mechanical is defined as any music produced by other than human hands. Player Pianos,Nickelodeons, Carousel Organs,and Music Boxes are mechanical music instruments. We were treated to the playing of at least 20 of these,they being one of a kind or 100 year old antiques. We've enclosed some of video clips of what we saw and listened too.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Leaving Jackson Center Ohio July 26-27 2010
Minor repairs and warranty touch ups finished, we did an afternoon of touring in adjacent towns outside of Jackson Center. We came across a nice sculpture of the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts done in sand, some of it had begun to deteriorate, but still worthy of a photo.
In one of the service bays at Jackson Center there was a motorcycle that had been constructed by and donated to Airstream by Jesse James. Note the workmanship of the aluminum side car.
Monday, July 26, 2010
7/21/10 Wed. Riverboat - Betsey Northrup
Nice day to kick back, again very hot, so we decided to take a riverboat ride out of St. Paul on the Mississippi River . We saw barge activity on the river, our push boat had a hydraulic lift style pilot house, and we went up river to Fort Snelling which was our turn around point. Fort Snelling was where Taber had done reenactments as an Indian agent back in the 1880s - one summer Carl visited Taber at the fort , playing a steam boat engineer and found himself landing in jail , because he was trading liquor to the Indians for firewood to be used in the steamboat's boiler !!!
7/19-20/10 travel days - Minnesota
Monday 7/19 we finished coming across Neb. and into Pinestone MN. Spent night there and moved on 7/20 to arrive at Taber & Beth's in Farmington, MN. We need to thank Taber & Beth for the "reserved parking" especially where parking spots are hard to locate .
7/18/10 , Sunday , Nebraska
We used Rte 20 to go across Neb. instead of the interstate, more interesting viewing & stops. One of our stops was in Hay Springs to visit "Museum of the Fur Trade " - history of the 1st business in No. America - fur trade . Very well done on the Indian & French history , with lots of displays.
In the evening we stopped in Stuart City park for our campsite - offering complete camp facilities - elec.,water, sewerage all for $10.Sunday evening we walked across this park to stock car races held on a 1/4 mile dirt track with wood bleachers - the pit was under trees on grass that surrounded the park - temp. was around 80 F at race time - good sitting outside.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Cody Wy Friday 7/16/10
What started out as only spending a couple of hours in "Buffalo Bill Historical Center " ended up with a full day, the center being divided into 5 different buildings ( Firearms, Western Art, Plains Indian People, Buffalo Bill and the American West, and finally The Nature of Yellowstone ) Our favorite was The Indian bldg. where we spent the most time. Excellent exhibits - if you come this way - it is a MUST - especially if the temperature outside is 95 F !
On the way to the Cody evening rodeo , we stopped for suppa at the "Silver Dollar outdoor bar -grill",and watched a "shoot-out" on the street in front of the Hotel Irma. This hotel was Buffalo Bill's favorite drinking hole . The original bar is still in use. Shoot out is sponsored by local civic groups as a fund raiser for their charities. Cody is known as the rodeo capital of the world .
Yellowstone Nat'l PK 7/15/10
From Ennis , MT we passed thru an interesting valley on our way to West Yellowstone MT and the national park. Took us into an 1959 Madison River Canyon Earthquake Area which is now overseen by the National Forest Service. Many pictures and spent a lot of time in this area - impressive what Mother Nature can move around . The "Memorial Boulder " seen in the pictures , was on the other side of the canyon ( solid rock ) and thrown across as one whole piece .
The rest of the day was spent in Yellowstone ,and "Old Faithful " was already blowing it's top, we arrived in time to take a picture. From here we exited "East Entrance " @ 6951 ' and this was one of the low spots for the day We were on our way to stay in Cody WY for a couple of days. Beautiful clear weather, so great visibility .
Leaving Glacier NP--Wednesday 7-14 Helena MT
The Hungry Horse Clearing BALL is 4.5 ton,8-foot diameter ball used in 1950 for clearing operations on 6,207 acres in the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Not an easy pushover for Carl.In the capital of MT,Helena, we visited the Cathedral of St. Helena . While there we noted another spire on the skyline, walked over there to view a Masonic temple in the form of a mosque , now serving as the cities civic center. Before arriving in Ennis MT , where spent the night and Rachel took picture of our last sunset in MT , we visited the Wheat Montana Bakery/Farms, and had a chance to sample some of their pastry !! Their farms consist of 15,000 acres between the continental divide and the headwaters of the Missouri River .
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Whitewater Rafting July 12
On Friday, we ( Dave , Vickie, Callie, Rachel & I ) made arrangements for a whitewater rafting trip on Monday AM - 1st run of the day on Middle Fork Flathead River, having class 2 & 3 rapids. We were in a small 10 person raft, including our guide , and 4 rafts launched at the same time . In bathing suits, but had rented boots to keep feet warm in the gracieral water - a GREAT ride . Picture was taken in area known as "bone crusher ", and other picture back at the store .
Logan Pass Photos
These are pictures that should have been posted with previous writings for July 9.
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