Sap Shortfall

Well u have already heard me whine about this long cold winter. Heres another issue with the weather: The maple sap that is boiled down to make maple syrup isn’t flowing well at all. A fraction of normal. So it may turn out to be a shortage of Maple Syrup this year.  Can u say price increase?  And despite higher prices the syrup producers will still not made much. Bummer on all sides.

 

 

The Mansion 02

Two shots of a towel

DSCN1124

If u look at the first pic, u can see the same towel thats hanging over the shower.  Yes these two spaces are actually both part of the master bath. Probably equal to the size of some living rooms.

DSCN1125

Shower is large enough that it doesn’t need a shower curtain. What a cool place to wash up.

The Mansion 01

A few years back when my kids were in college we had the privilege to spend Thanksgiving in this beautiful home.  I’m not sure when a house can b called mansion, but to me this qualifies.  These pictures are all from the upper level which was very spacious, but there was also a lower level with about 6 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.  Maybe more, i’m not too sure, as i didn’t take pictures downstairs and spent by far most of my time upstairs.

DSCN1181

DSCN1176

DSCN1172

This place was amazing and it was a great privilege to stay there.

 

LOTR – filmed in NZ

I heard a rumor that my roving correspondent may have been holding out on me.  Or perhaps he doesn’t realize that Lord of the Rings is excellent material for a blog.

So I put out a special request to the R C – please send along any and all media relating to LOTR.

People await with quivering anticipation.

Netflix / Star Trek IV

Just a free plug for Netflix.  I watch lots of TV and most of it involves Netflix.  Today I have on Start Trek IV, The Voyage Home.

Kirk & company save earth by slingshoting around the sun to reach speed allowing time travel, come back to our century and pick up some Humpback Whales.  Then return to the 23rd century and re-establish the Humpback as a species, which had been hunted to extinction.

The whales were able to respond to an alien probe sent to communicate with them, that was damaging earth with its powerful transmissions.  Thus saving the earth because the alien probe stops vaporizing the oceans.

See, Star Trek isn’t that far fetched.

Awesome stuff.  Love Netflix.

What Lies Beneath 04

Most of the formations in the cavern have stopped growing.  The geologists tell us that these amazing things grow, stop, shrink according to the slow drip of water and the chemistry of the water. This one is called the Crystal Dome.  It is still active and you can see its wet, it sits in a pool, and that really makes it all the more beautiful.

The Crystal Dome.

P1010311

P1010310

P1010313

Now here’s what may b the most amazing fact about this whole series: Carlsbad Cavern is a public treasure that u can visit.  The oldest known in the region it was found (by white men) over a hundred years ago.  But there are many others nearby that the park service is exploring.  The area where this cave is located is laced with many caverns like this.  This is just the tip of the stone iceberg.

Series links:  01 02 03 04

Oahu, Waikiki

Ah, the roving correspondent is officially back in the States.  If you have been following his progress he was at the south pole, and lately has been moving further and further north.  Because if you leave the south pole, u pretty much have to. Go north that is.

Wiakiki 1

Waikiki 2

Waikiki 3

If you look at the first picture u can see Diamond Head.  It’s the peak of the volcano that formed the island.  Though it doesn’t look very tall from the picture it is the island’s highest point.  I have visited this island, it is totally awesome.  I even surfed.  You should too if u ever have the chance.