Well, what to say for our last full day in the USA? Well, as per any other day it started off by getting up in the morning. Jess had already gone to work so Mary, Mike and myself took ourselves down to The Strip where we had breakfast/brunch at Primanti Bros (also here and here). Now, it has been said that Primanti's is a Pittsburgh institution and I am quite prepared to believe this. The reason? The food is large (well, it is the USA) and it is cheap - horrendously so, even for the USA. How do they achieve this "much cheapness"? Well, for one thing there are no knives and forks - all they serve is sandwiches. Big ones mind you, so just make sure you can dislocate your jaw in order to eat them. Second reason for the cheapness is that they don't have any plates. "Sandwiches with no plates?" I hear you ask. Yea, for all they do is put the sandwich on a couple of sheets of waxed paper. Simple, really. Just wonder why they don't have places like this back home. Oh, for your information I had a Bockwurst & Cheese, Mary had a Cheese Combination and Mike had Jumbo Fish...or, in McDonald's parlance, Filet o' Fish. Not healthy, but filling.
Then we took ourselves off to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Can't remember much of my Andrew Carnegie history but he was a steel man in Pittsburgh and was, by all accounts, very generous with his money when it came to philanthropy and stuff - just take a look here. Also, consider that he originally came from Dunfermline in Scotland. Anyhow, we paid our money and went in. All I can say is that a lot of museums in the UK could learn a hell of a lot about displaying things in an interesting way by coming to this place and taking a look around. We spent 2-1/2 - 3 hours in there and only covered 1-1/2 of the four floors. Dinosaur Hall, African Hall, North American Hall aswell as displays about the geology of Pennsylvania and a rather large display of minerals. Pics are to follow. The main thing? A Tyranosaurus Rex. But not just any old T-Rex. Oh no - this one is the Holotype. Apparently what that means is that this one speciman is that one from which the description of the wee beasty itself was written. Good, eh? Oh, and musn't forget to mention the Architecture Hall - full of full-size casts of frontages of olde buildings. Now, if only Lord Elgin had though of that...
After leaving the Museum (and going back in to try and locate my supposedly lost passport - it was eventually found in the car!!) we met Jess back at her house (avoiding a landslip on the way there) and then travelled in convoy to meet her parents for a meal. We were supposed to meet them at 1730 but what with traffic (and Metallica playing at the Mellon Arena) it took about 45 minutes longer. But we got there eventually. Great people to be around. Food and drinks were had (ASW: sirloin steak sandwich, MFGU: Italian Hoagie) and then Mike, Mary and I had to split and get back to Columbus.
Got back at about 2315 and packed for tomorrow, 23/09/04 (or today, as I am typing) - a lot easier than packing at the other end, mainly due to learning how to pack for international travel. Due to fly from Columbus to Philadelphia at 1722 and from Philadelphia to Manchester, UK at 2015, arriving 0815, 24/09/04.
We've had a great time thus far and are sorry to be leaving. In fact, getting quite emotional about it...:-( But we'll see if we can put a line in the 'blog on 24/09/04 to let you know how things are.
Oh, and John, I'll see if I can get that photo I promised you...but no promises - depends on time available.
2004-09-23
2004-09-22
Flying back to Pittsburgh...
0800, 21/09/04
Just a quick message to say SNOWWWWW!! But, unfortunately only up by Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park way. Outside THIS window??!! Rain. Lots and lots of rain. Gotta get dressed so will see you all later.
Later
Well, what else for today then? Mike came and picked us up at 0930. Popped off to a donut and bagel place just around the corner and got a few munchies for breakfast. Then popped along Canyon Boulevard and up into the hills (or mountains, to be exact) again. Kept on driving up and up and...until, wahey, we passed the snowline. It wasn't coming down particularly heavily, not even enough to lie on the roads, but there was plenty on the surrounding vegitation. Road was paved for quite a way up but then went to dirt-track. Good job that we had a good car.
Anyhow, we eventually made it to the top and a place called Gold Hill. Yup, 'twas a gold-mining town back in them old days. Stopped off at the Gold Hill Store where we sat by the wood-burning, pot-bellied stove and ate...quiche!! Then we had to come down pretty rapidly and get to Denver International Airport 'cos our flight to Pittsburgh was due at 1615. Suffice it to say that we made it with plenty of time to spare. Dropping off the hire car (Toyota Camry) was no problem either. Flight was uneventful, except for a wee bit of turbulence.
Made it back to Pittsburgh OK, where Jessica picked us up. We took a "tourist" route back to her place, going through the tunnel and up to a viewpoint on Mount Washington, part of Pittsburgh. Oooo - given that it was about 2215 local time the skyline was all lit up. So out with my trusty Nikon D70 and a few night-time shots were taken. Quite good aswell myself, if I might say so. Again, those who need to take a look will surely be shown them in due course. Anyhow, after that we vanished off back to Jessica's house where bagels were consumed for supper.
Given that it is now 0102, 22/09/04 I had better get to bed. See ya later.
Just a quick message to say SNOWWWWW!! But, unfortunately only up by Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park way. Outside THIS window??!! Rain. Lots and lots of rain. Gotta get dressed so will see you all later.
Later
Well, what else for today then? Mike came and picked us up at 0930. Popped off to a donut and bagel place just around the corner and got a few munchies for breakfast. Then popped along Canyon Boulevard and up into the hills (or mountains, to be exact) again. Kept on driving up and up and...until, wahey, we passed the snowline. It wasn't coming down particularly heavily, not even enough to lie on the roads, but there was plenty on the surrounding vegitation. Road was paved for quite a way up but then went to dirt-track. Good job that we had a good car.
Anyhow, we eventually made it to the top and a place called Gold Hill. Yup, 'twas a gold-mining town back in them old days. Stopped off at the Gold Hill Store where we sat by the wood-burning, pot-bellied stove and ate...quiche!! Then we had to come down pretty rapidly and get to Denver International Airport 'cos our flight to Pittsburgh was due at 1615. Suffice it to say that we made it with plenty of time to spare. Dropping off the hire car (Toyota Camry) was no problem either. Flight was uneventful, except for a wee bit of turbulence.
Made it back to Pittsburgh OK, where Jessica picked us up. We took a "tourist" route back to her place, going through the tunnel and up to a viewpoint on Mount Washington, part of Pittsburgh. Oooo - given that it was about 2215 local time the skyline was all lit up. So out with my trusty Nikon D70 and a few night-time shots were taken. Quite good aswell myself, if I might say so. Again, those who need to take a look will surely be shown them in due course. Anyhow, after that we vanished off back to Jessica's house where bagels were consumed for supper.
Given that it is now 0102, 22/09/04 I had better get to bed. See ya later.
2004-09-21
Two days on...
OK, let's start this entry with...WOW!!! Opened the curtains 19/09/04 and there they were - the American Rockies. They certainly look a lot better in the daylight than when we came in on 18/09/04. But go out the room and to the end of the corridor and you have an even more impressive scene - the Flatirons. In case you don't know what they are...let's just say that it kinda looks like someone ripped the side out of the mountain then tipped that ripped part on it's side, kinda jutting out the rest of the mountain. The pics will clear that up for you...when I get them posted.
Breakfast was spent at Le Peep just around the corner from the hotel. Very good food - omlettes, links, coffee, OJ and iced water. Not too unreasonable a price aswell.
The majority of the day was spent in the area of Boulder known as Pearl Street Mall. Quite an ecclectic mix of shops, boutiques and other places. Popped into Borders to pick up a CD by Big Head Todd and the Monsters - Riviera. Given that the band are from Boulder it seemed unreasonable not to look for said CD in a shop in Boulder. You may ask why I went into Borders. Well, 'tis the same reason that I use MS Windows...go figure!!
Popped into Ben & Jerrys for a Strawberry Cream Smoothie - mmmmm!! And then into one of the local adventure clothing emporiums to buy a pair of adventure sandals. Ended up buying a pair of Nikes at 40% discount only 'cos the other brand coming in at a 40% discount came from Israel.
The other place that we visited was a little chocolate shop at 1634 Walnut Street called Belvedere. Very small, very friendly and...well, all you chocoholics know what I mean. Oh, just in case you need to know how to get there try this.
Back to the hotel for an hour or two after that so we could get ready to go out for dinner. We decided upon a place called the Walnut Brewery. 'Tis a microbrewery that serves food - you can see all the brew equipment from wherever you sit in the main area. I got Buffalo Fajitas with the Indian Peaks Pale Ale, whilst Mary had Mahi Tacos with St James Irish Red Ale. Good food, good beer. In fact, food so good that we both were unable to finish our platters. Left feeling VERY satisfied.
Ended the day at the bar in the hotel - Newcastle Brown Ale and a Vodka and Orange. But - horror of horrors - the Broon was only being served in 12oz bottles!!! Just wonder why the USA can't standardise on the Imperial pint or the litre...then to bed.
[As an aside, gas/petrol costs $1.79/gallon here. Not much variation. But remember that a US gallon is 16 fl oz.]
The next day (20/09/04) we had breakfast at Le Peep again. We then went up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Yea, Uncle Alan was flying solo again in the car (this time a Toyota Camry) with Mary, no brother in sight. Came out the the hotel, turned right, hung a left onto Route 36 West/28th Street, and then zoomed (well, not quite - might've been gotten for speeding...if there had been any speed cops about) up to Lyon and then across to Estes Park, where we stopped for a stretching of the legs and spending of monies on souvenirs. Saw some elk in the middle of Estes Park grazing in a field. (Incidentally, Estes Park is at 7796 ft).
Proceed in an upwards direction to a maximum of 12, 183 ft, a lot of the last section being driven through cloud. Had looked at the weather reports on the local stations before coming up - said that there was a chance of snow, but we saw nothing much to speak of when up there. Though I will say that driving in the cloud was very un-nerving. Took lots of pictures on the way up, but the d*mn camera battery went dead halfway up the mountain trail, Trail Ridge Road. We eventually made it to the Alpine Visitor Centre but, as you might imagine, not a lot could be seen 'cos of the cloud. However, that's wasn't a bad thing 'cos by now Mary and I were feeling distinctly lightheaded and dizzy. So food was purchased and eaten in the centre and then we drove back down the road and all the way back to the hotel, stopping occaisionally to take pictures of nice things.
Finally, went out for an Indian this evening to a place called the Yak and Yeti. Actaully, it's Nepalese but the food was Indian. Went there with Mary & Mike and Mike's friends Lori, Bjorn & Jocelyn. 'Twas good. Only problem was driving back to Boulder. Now, I can drive on the right and I can drive in the dark but driving on the right AND in the dark??!!! Well, suffice it to say that I managed to make it back with the help of Bjorn and his wife - just convoyed into Boulder and took the appropriate exit. Mike was supposed to be driving back to Bjorn's with Lori but they "got lost" and ended up at the hotel where we had a beer with them.
Well, gotta go'cos it's 0018 local time and Mary's already asleep. Might see you sometime tomorrow - we fly from Denver International Airport to Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon.
Breakfast was spent at Le Peep just around the corner from the hotel. Very good food - omlettes, links, coffee, OJ and iced water. Not too unreasonable a price aswell.
The majority of the day was spent in the area of Boulder known as Pearl Street Mall. Quite an ecclectic mix of shops, boutiques and other places. Popped into Borders to pick up a CD by Big Head Todd and the Monsters - Riviera. Given that the band are from Boulder it seemed unreasonable not to look for said CD in a shop in Boulder. You may ask why I went into Borders. Well, 'tis the same reason that I use MS Windows...go figure!!
Popped into Ben & Jerrys for a Strawberry Cream Smoothie - mmmmm!! And then into one of the local adventure clothing emporiums to buy a pair of adventure sandals. Ended up buying a pair of Nikes at 40% discount only 'cos the other brand coming in at a 40% discount came from Israel.
The other place that we visited was a little chocolate shop at 1634 Walnut Street called Belvedere. Very small, very friendly and...well, all you chocoholics know what I mean. Oh, just in case you need to know how to get there try this.
Back to the hotel for an hour or two after that so we could get ready to go out for dinner. We decided upon a place called the Walnut Brewery. 'Tis a microbrewery that serves food - you can see all the brew equipment from wherever you sit in the main area. I got Buffalo Fajitas with the Indian Peaks Pale Ale, whilst Mary had Mahi Tacos with St James Irish Red Ale. Good food, good beer. In fact, food so good that we both were unable to finish our platters. Left feeling VERY satisfied.
Ended the day at the bar in the hotel - Newcastle Brown Ale and a Vodka and Orange. But - horror of horrors - the Broon was only being served in 12oz bottles!!! Just wonder why the USA can't standardise on the Imperial pint or the litre...then to bed.
[As an aside, gas/petrol costs $1.79/gallon here. Not much variation. But remember that a US gallon is 16 fl oz.]
The next day (20/09/04) we had breakfast at Le Peep again. We then went up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Yea, Uncle Alan was flying solo again in the car (this time a Toyota Camry) with Mary, no brother in sight. Came out the the hotel, turned right, hung a left onto Route 36 West/28th Street, and then zoomed (well, not quite - might've been gotten for speeding...if there had been any speed cops about) up to Lyon and then across to Estes Park, where we stopped for a stretching of the legs and spending of monies on souvenirs. Saw some elk in the middle of Estes Park grazing in a field. (Incidentally, Estes Park is at 7796 ft).
Proceed in an upwards direction to a maximum of 12, 183 ft, a lot of the last section being driven through cloud. Had looked at the weather reports on the local stations before coming up - said that there was a chance of snow, but we saw nothing much to speak of when up there. Though I will say that driving in the cloud was very un-nerving. Took lots of pictures on the way up, but the d*mn camera battery went dead halfway up the mountain trail, Trail Ridge Road. We eventually made it to the Alpine Visitor Centre but, as you might imagine, not a lot could be seen 'cos of the cloud. However, that's wasn't a bad thing 'cos by now Mary and I were feeling distinctly lightheaded and dizzy. So food was purchased and eaten in the centre and then we drove back down the road and all the way back to the hotel, stopping occaisionally to take pictures of nice things.
Finally, went out for an Indian this evening to a place called the Yak and Yeti. Actaully, it's Nepalese but the food was Indian. Went there with Mary & Mike and Mike's friends Lori, Bjorn & Jocelyn. 'Twas good. Only problem was driving back to Boulder. Now, I can drive on the right and I can drive in the dark but driving on the right AND in the dark??!!! Well, suffice it to say that I managed to make it back with the help of Bjorn and his wife - just convoyed into Boulder and took the appropriate exit. Mike was supposed to be driving back to Bjorn's with Lori but they "got lost" and ended up at the hotel where we had a beer with them.
Well, gotta go'cos it's 0018 local time and Mary's already asleep. Might see you sometime tomorrow - we fly from Denver International Airport to Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon.
2004-09-18
Pittsburgh to Denver...
Not a bad day today. Started off by going down to the Strip in Pittsburgh. Started off with a coffee at one of the coffee places(!) and then proceeded to a shop called Art of Steel. Lots of stuff made out of steel and other materials. Very interesting and inspiring.
Looked at a furniture store aswell.
Next was a food store called PennMac. Rice, pasta, bread, fruit & veg...and cheese - lots of cheese!! Very smelly, but a great cheese smell. You think that the USA isn't all that great for cheese. True, I didn't see too much of what might be called American cheese but there did appear to be a lot of imported European cheese. Got some stuff so we could make risotto for Mike on Wednesday evening...or maybe even Tuesday, I can't quite remember.
Lunch - the Church Brew Workshouse. It's been built inside a large, dis-used Baptist Church. Didn't have a beer but we did have a Feta, smoked Gouda and spinach dip to start off, then ordered two pizzas - a chicken and sun-blushed tomatoe and a pesto pizza. So good that we had to box the remains to take back to Jess's.
Oh, before we get to the next bit just have to tell you that the river in Pittsburgh rose 33 ft. Damage eveywhere in low-lying land - stuff that existed just doesn't any more.
Next up, we went to Pittsburgh International Airport and flew US Airways to Denver, CO, also know as the Mile High City. Got a hire car from Avis (upgraded from a Kia to a Toyota Camry) and drove to Boulder, CO and checked into the Boulder Marriot. Looks like we got the largest suite on the Concierge floor. At $93/night fairly costly...but we weren't paying for it!! :-)))
Well, gotta sign off for this evening. Catch you all later on.
PS - The Rockies are just outside the hotel.
Looked at a furniture store aswell.
Next was a food store called PennMac. Rice, pasta, bread, fruit & veg...and cheese - lots of cheese!! Very smelly, but a great cheese smell. You think that the USA isn't all that great for cheese. True, I didn't see too much of what might be called American cheese but there did appear to be a lot of imported European cheese. Got some stuff so we could make risotto for Mike on Wednesday evening...or maybe even Tuesday, I can't quite remember.
Lunch - the Church Brew Workshouse. It's been built inside a large, dis-used Baptist Church. Didn't have a beer but we did have a Feta, smoked Gouda and spinach dip to start off, then ordered two pizzas - a chicken and sun-blushed tomatoe and a pesto pizza. So good that we had to box the remains to take back to Jess's.
Oh, before we get to the next bit just have to tell you that the river in Pittsburgh rose 33 ft. Damage eveywhere in low-lying land - stuff that existed just doesn't any more.
Next up, we went to Pittsburgh International Airport and flew US Airways to Denver, CO, also know as the Mile High City. Got a hire car from Avis (upgraded from a Kia to a Toyota Camry) and drove to Boulder, CO and checked into the Boulder Marriot. Looks like we got the largest suite on the Concierge floor. At $93/night fairly costly...but we weren't paying for it!! :-)))
Well, gotta sign off for this evening. Catch you all later on.
PS - The Rockies are just outside the hotel.
2004-09-17
What I did last night...I think
Well, starting on Thursday 16th September...flew solo on the car and drove to Columbus Zoo. Not too bad a drive and the Zoo itself was pretty good - lots of animals to see and some good pictures taken aswell. Driving back to the apartment was another matter - took a left turn into oncoming traffic but there was an escape route so nothing happened.
The evening...well, I can remember being driven to the bar, I can remember being in the bar and talking to folks and drinking beer...but after that, I cannot remember leaving the bar, being driven home nor brushing my teeth and getting into bed. So it was a good night.
Today, we had breakfast at Bob Evans - first time I've ever had gravy with my breakfast. Then we packed and drove to Pittsburgh, PA. Might've been a nice run except for the fact that we're currently getting the tail-end of Hurricane Ivan. Several Counties in PA are under states of emergency and the flooding is quite horrendous. Landslips on the route from Coloumbus, OH to Pittsburgh, PA. Managed to make it to Jessica's place...eventually. The place was gridlocked and many roads were closed due to flooding. After we got there we headed to Fat Heads for food - burger and beer. Now we're back and watching the rolling weather news ATM. River is scheduled to rise at least 28 ft - ouch!!
The evening...well, I can remember being driven to the bar, I can remember being in the bar and talking to folks and drinking beer...but after that, I cannot remember leaving the bar, being driven home nor brushing my teeth and getting into bed. So it was a good night.
Today, we had breakfast at Bob Evans - first time I've ever had gravy with my breakfast. Then we packed and drove to Pittsburgh, PA. Might've been a nice run except for the fact that we're currently getting the tail-end of Hurricane Ivan. Several Counties in PA are under states of emergency and the flooding is quite horrendous. Landslips on the route from Coloumbus, OH to Pittsburgh, PA. Managed to make it to Jessica's place...eventually. The place was gridlocked and many roads were closed due to flooding. After we got there we headed to Fat Heads for food - burger and beer. Now we're back and watching the rolling weather news ATM. River is scheduled to rise at least 28 ft - ouch!!
2004-09-15
Fish and...
Normal start today - breakfast was at Stauf's Coffee Roasters, where we both had a bagel and cream cheese (poppy and cinnamon & raisin, for the record) c/w a mug of coffee and a mug of hot chocolate. Then vanished off to Mike's place of work (OSU) to see if we could find a CF reader - no luck so we might have to buy one. BTW, I did all the driving up to this point.
We then took a road-trip down to near Cincinatti, OH. In fact it was to Newport, KY. Got there and had lunch at an Irish pub on the Ohio River. Then we vanished off to the Newport Aquarium, not too far from the pub. Now, everyone in Scotland might think that Deep Sea World in North Queensferry is the bee's knees. Well, let me tell you that Newport Aquarium not only has the bee's kness but also it's legs, thorax and other attached appendages!! Bl**dy brilliant is all I can say. Again, out came the Nikon D70 for some macro and close-up pics. Had to up the ISO to 1600 to get the pics, so a little bit grainy but well worth it - if we get a hold of that CF adaptor you may get a look-see.
Given that most of the day was spent driving not a lot more happened. We got back to the apartment and had dinner - pasta with meat sauce. We also discussed the ins and outs of buying gas in the USA and also the plans for tomorrow, which should be interesting. Suffice it to say that I shall be flying solo on the highways tomorrow - watch the news!!
Ciao folks - sleep is catching up with me.
We then took a road-trip down to near Cincinatti, OH. In fact it was to Newport, KY. Got there and had lunch at an Irish pub on the Ohio River. Then we vanished off to the Newport Aquarium, not too far from the pub. Now, everyone in Scotland might think that Deep Sea World in North Queensferry is the bee's knees. Well, let me tell you that Newport Aquarium not only has the bee's kness but also it's legs, thorax and other attached appendages!! Bl**dy brilliant is all I can say. Again, out came the Nikon D70 for some macro and close-up pics. Had to up the ISO to 1600 to get the pics, so a little bit grainy but well worth it - if we get a hold of that CF adaptor you may get a look-see.
Given that most of the day was spent driving not a lot more happened. We got back to the apartment and had dinner - pasta with meat sauce. We also discussed the ins and outs of buying gas in the USA and also the plans for tomorrow, which should be interesting. Suffice it to say that I shall be flying solo on the highways tomorrow - watch the news!!
Ciao folks - sleep is catching up with me.
2004-09-14
A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet...
Well, what to say about the rest of today...went to one of the local metropolitan parks (Highbanks) and had a wander around one of the naure trails there. Saw the Olentangy river and several buzzards and turkey vultures flying about, too high to take a picture of even with a 300mm lens on my Nikon D70 - equates to about a 500mm lens when attached to the camera. Sweeeeet!! Did however see Punxsutawney Bill hanging out so took a few pictures of him. Also looked for hummers (of the feathered variety) at the Ranger Station feeding tray but none graced us with their presence.
Next up was the Rose Park. Now, those who know me would think that I would not be interested in taking pictures of flowers. WRONG!!! Once I got started on the macro photography...well, lets just say that I would have happily shot off two reels of film if I had my Nikon F70 with me. Some stunning blooms...only bummer being that they are starting to go off-season so some were looking a little wilted. But if you are ever in the area then I would seriously recommend a look at this park. BTW Helen, some good pics for stitching - I'll give you a copy of a few. Tried the pics with both the 300mm zoom and the Nikon D70 kit lens - I feel so good about those that I might actually post them to a forum I look at occaisionally and await adulation. But that may have to wait until I get back - unless I can find a CF reader whilst I am out here.
Oh, shopping for food and wine: Trader Joes. The aroma can be described as ecelectic - spices and stuff. And there's a Kroger up the road...
Also popped along to one of the local ice parlours, Graeters. They certainly know their stuff - a choccy wafer cone with two scoops, one of coconut choc chip and one of almond chocolate. Now, I reckon that they should be done under trades description: it *should* read "Coconut Choc CHUNK". Suffice it to say that it were sooooo good that I couldn't finish it and felt rather full afterwards.
German Village next, and popped into Loft Books. "OK", I hear you say, "It's a book store - so what?" Ah, but what a concept. Instead of building a store they've taken one of the old houses there and built a book store inside it. Nothing novel there, but they have no departments. They have instead kept the original rooms and books are arranged by them - Room 1 for travel, room 2 for history, etc. They have 32 rooms in all, with quite a large variety of books.
Oh John, you asked about the Taurus. Just that I've never driven an automatic before, much less one with a column shift and on the "wrong" side of the road. It's a good job that I was following Mike back to the apartment. And John, we've seen a Mini billboard advert that you'd crack up at - I'll see if I can get a picture of it.
Anyhow, the plan tomorrow is to go to the aquarium in Newport - 2-1/2 trip there and the same back, so it'll be an early start. Will let you all know how it goes.
Ciao
Next up was the Rose Park. Now, those who know me would think that I would not be interested in taking pictures of flowers. WRONG!!! Once I got started on the macro photography...well, lets just say that I would have happily shot off two reels of film if I had my Nikon F70 with me. Some stunning blooms...only bummer being that they are starting to go off-season so some were looking a little wilted. But if you are ever in the area then I would seriously recommend a look at this park. BTW Helen, some good pics for stitching - I'll give you a copy of a few. Tried the pics with both the 300mm zoom and the Nikon D70 kit lens - I feel so good about those that I might actually post them to a forum I look at occaisionally and await adulation. But that may have to wait until I get back - unless I can find a CF reader whilst I am out here.
Oh, shopping for food and wine: Trader Joes. The aroma can be described as ecelectic - spices and stuff. And there's a Kroger up the road...
Also popped along to one of the local ice parlours, Graeters. They certainly know their stuff - a choccy wafer cone with two scoops, one of coconut choc chip and one of almond chocolate. Now, I reckon that they should be done under trades description: it *should* read "Coconut Choc CHUNK". Suffice it to say that it were sooooo good that I couldn't finish it and felt rather full afterwards.
German Village next, and popped into Loft Books. "OK", I hear you say, "It's a book store - so what?" Ah, but what a concept. Instead of building a store they've taken one of the old houses there and built a book store inside it. Nothing novel there, but they have no departments. They have instead kept the original rooms and books are arranged by them - Room 1 for travel, room 2 for history, etc. They have 32 rooms in all, with quite a large variety of books.
Oh John, you asked about the Taurus. Just that I've never driven an automatic before, much less one with a column shift and on the "wrong" side of the road. It's a good job that I was following Mike back to the apartment. And John, we've seen a Mini billboard advert that you'd crack up at - I'll see if I can get a picture of it.
Anyhow, the plan tomorrow is to go to the aquarium in Newport - 2-1/2 trip there and the same back, so it'll be an early start. Will let you all know how it goes.
Ciao
In the Land of The Nominally Free
Suffice it to say that we made state-side last night - 1920 EST, 13/09/04 which is about 0030 14/09.04. Flights weren't too bad - Manchester, UK -> Philadelphia, PA and then to Columbus, OH. Mike (my bro') and his friend Jerome gave us a ride back to Mike's place - nice apartment in Columbus, OH. Pizza was gotten and eaten, along with Pepsi and homebrew - kinda like heavy but, 'cos hops were added, with a bit of a bitter after-taste at the back of the tongue.
One things I hadn't reckoned on last night was the noise made by the crickets - incessent all night. Along with the fans made sleeping almost impossible until the earplugs were put in. 2-3 hours sleep, but I thrive on that kind of thing.
American breakfast this morning - sausage, mushroom and swiss cheese omlette c/w hash browns (shredded), washed down with copious amounts of iced water, orange juice and coffee - the ubiq. bottomless coffee cup. Great service aswell - must remember to get the name of the place and the waitress from Mike - he knows the place quite well.
Got the hire car today aswell - upgraded from a Cheve Cavalier to a Ford Taurus at no extra cost due to Mike's airmiles. Tried to drive Mike's sports car back to the apartment but failed, so drove the Ford - interesting, to say the least.
Back at the apartment now, planning to go out somewhere to get shorts and things - heat is starting to pick up, sitting at about 21C at the moment but will probs jump to about 25C or so.
Will try and take pics and post them, but don't count your chickens.
CU later.
[More info: Jack & Benny's was where we had breakfast, and the waitresse's name was Nona]
One things I hadn't reckoned on last night was the noise made by the crickets - incessent all night. Along with the fans made sleeping almost impossible until the earplugs were put in. 2-3 hours sleep, but I thrive on that kind of thing.
American breakfast this morning - sausage, mushroom and swiss cheese omlette c/w hash browns (shredded), washed down with copious amounts of iced water, orange juice and coffee - the ubiq. bottomless coffee cup. Great service aswell - must remember to get the name of the place and the waitress from Mike - he knows the place quite well.
Got the hire car today aswell - upgraded from a Cheve Cavalier to a Ford Taurus at no extra cost due to Mike's airmiles. Tried to drive Mike's sports car back to the apartment but failed, so drove the Ford - interesting, to say the least.
Back at the apartment now, planning to go out somewhere to get shorts and things - heat is starting to pick up, sitting at about 21C at the moment but will probs jump to about 25C or so.
Will try and take pics and post them, but don't count your chickens.
CU later.
[More info: Jack & Benny's was where we had breakfast, and the waitresse's name was Nona]
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