Mountainous Motorcycling

We didn't have any "Big and Evil Plans" for the weekend. So when His Sweetie mentioned that it might be a good time for a motorcycle trip to the mountains, The Fuzz agreed.This is a look at Table Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It has been hot and dry around here but up there it was rather pleasant.
He started out on some of the local country roads rather then heading straight for the main one. He was hoping to avoid that first, relatively boring section. He had some local maps since he was unfamiliar with this area, and had a route planned out. While he was looking for one of his turns, he passed up this old house and decided to turn back for some pix. Then, as he was getting ready to pull off, he noticed the name of that gravel road he was next to. It turned out it had been the road he was looking for. Although he lives on a dirt road, he is not fond of riding his street bike on loose gravel. But this was where he needed to go, so he carefully set off. He made it to the highway with out mishap, and headed off for the highlands.
I am happy to relate, that he had an excellent ride . There was lots of variety. Some twisties to keep him on his toes, and the fairly mellow Parkway. And he made it home safe and sound, and with a rather sore butt.

July 4th

We pretty much took things easy on the 4th.
The Fuzz & His Sweetie took the pooches for a walk along the river.
Later, Young Daughter and His Sweetie played with beads and The Fuzz took a short stroll.

Here's a couple of pix of what's left of an old building in the woods near here.

About all that's left are the walls and some tin laying around.
And here's a look at The Beading Session.

Arizona Memorial

Today ( actually, yesterday now ) was the day for our Pearl Harbor tour. As guests of the Air Force we were set up with the special military tour, much cozier and personal. This is not the boat we rode, it is the Admral's "Barge".In my youth I lived for a time near the Erie Cannal, And I saw plenty of barges. None of them looked like this one. Aparently, things are diferent for admrals.This vessel, however, is in diferant condithion. This is what is left of the Utah. It seems that before our friends the japanise were sending us Toyotas, they were seending bombs. The Utah was a recipreant of a few. Here is a look at the Arazona, the finaal resting place of many of our sailors. This happened like, over 65 years ago and the oil is still seeping from the hulk. In the memorial the smell of fuel oil is still strong. You can see the rainbow paterns floating on the surface as you study the ship below.

Garbagical Historical

Back then, before my own involvement incineration was the going thing. This was a state of the art facility in that bygone era. I can only guess that in those more innocent times, hazardous, choking, fumes were not a major concern. As one can see, this facility is no longer in use.
There are places these days where, I hear, they burn the trash to make electricity. This was not that sort of place. This must have been a fairly common arrangement back then. I remember going with my father to a similar facility in another town. They would push the garbage down through a hole in the floor. It made me think of Hell. But that was years ago.
Here is a closer look at what's left of the guts of this thing. I suppose in it's day, this spot contained it's own bit of Hell. Not today however, it was a cold day when I visited.
There are all those ruins in Greece, and Rome that people go to see. We have our own here, although they don't seem to
have as much class. But they are a lot closer. I sometimes wonder what future generations might think about our debris. Of course, this place might be a cinder by then anyway.

Next time we'll look at equipment.

Long Time Gone

I took a walk in the woods the other day. And as I wandered, I came upon this relic of bygone days. It seems this was once part of a thriving homestead. For those who are uneducated in these matters..... I wonder if a quiz would be in order ? Probably not. Yes, this was once a state of the art outhouse. I know all about these things on account of I, myself, recently made a visit to similar facilities right here at home. Of course, ours is equipped with walls and a roof. Be that as it may, there is a melancholy attraction to these remnants of abandoned homes one stumbles upon out in the woods. I always wonder, what kind of people lived here ? How long has it been ? Why was it abandoned ? How many cold nights did someone come here in a solitary moment, and just relax their mind, forgetting about the cares of the day ? Here one could sit in peace and admire the stars, listening to the crickets and the frogs of the night.
Here the old ways and the new ways coexist. I write these words on this electronical wonder, but step out into the night for peace.