The Martin's Blog

We had a wonderful Christmas with the entire family here for the day.

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning and decided to take the short drive to Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve.  We hiked the trail to John Bryan State Park and back (3 miles) and then had breakfast at Clifton Mill.

October 17 – Southern Boil 

Harold made a SC “Low Country” dinner for Irmi’s 65th birthday – it’s called Southern Boil.  Recipe includes corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, shrimp, crab and a seasoning.  It was great!!!

 October 18 – Mount Le Conte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I had to make the reservation for a cabin at Mt LeConte Lodge on top of the mountain a year in advance because the prime dates (e.g. Fall colors) are booked that far in advance.  Going south, we had anticipated warmer weather and Fall colors.  We got cold and white!   Fortunately, we drove up Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains NP from the southeast (Cherokee) because the same road from the northwest (Gatlinburg) was closed because of snow/ice.  The only way to reach the Lodge is by trail.  There is no electricity and the Lodge is supplied by llamas.  We took the Alum Cave Bluff Trail, the shortest (5 miles) and steepest (about 2800 ft gain in elevation).

The trail was snow covered and slippery but quite beautiful as we hiked along a mountain creek and then up to Alum Cave Bluff.

As we gained elevation there was more snow.  Instead of Fall colors, we were treated to a winter wonderland.

Bear poop on the now icy trail – must have enjoyed the berries from the previous photo!

Cables at exposed parts of the trail were important for safety.  We were also thankful that we had the foresight to bring our hiking poles to help with balance and prevent slipping.

We made it to the Lodge and cabins in about three hours and were happy we had a warm building to “dry out” our clothes and boots.

The date was actually October 18th, must have been too cold for them to change it that day!

Our cozy (with propane stove!) cabin.  Didn’t do much rocking on the front porch!  After a family style dinner in the Lodge, we were treated to a park ranger talk on the history of the park.

When I got up about 3am to go to the outhouse, I found that the storm had blown through and though cold (13 degrees) the sky was crystal clear with a fantastic display of stars!

October 19 – Sunrise, Descent, from Mount Le Conte, and Drive and Hike to Charit Creek Lodge in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

We were up a 6:30 to take the mile hike to Myrtle Point for the Sunrise.  It was spectacular!  First the gold/orange/red glow, then sunrise, then the morning glow on the newly fallen snow.

The storm had produced interesting snow formations that stood out horizontally from branches and leaves.

After a hearty breakfast at the Lodge we headed down on what was to be the most dangerous part of the trip.  The trail was treacherous due to the ice and we both slipped several times (wished we had brought our crampons!).  We caught up to the ranger and as we descended and met people coming up, he advised them not to continue above Alum Cave Bluff due to the ice.

Descending through Arch Rock.

As we hiked down the mountain, the sun rose higher in the sky and the snow fell from the trees like rain.

View looking east toward the mountain under clear skies.

After a four hour drive, we were stiff and sore when we got out of the truck at the entrance to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in northern TN.

Big South Fork Cumberland River.

We took part of the scenic Twin Arch loop trail (2 miles) to descend to the rustic Charit Creek Lodge.

October 20 – Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Our cabin could sleep 12 in three double bunk beds and was heated by a wood burning stove.  The stove burned out during the night so we stayed under our three woolen blankets until breakfast at 8am.

After breakfast, we continued and completed the Twin Arch Loop Trail (another 4 miles) on a beautiful Fall day.

View from top of South Arch.

Arrived at Kayak Chicago, located off North Ave on the north branch of the Chicago River, at 9:30, signed our waiver, got our equipment together, listened to the instructions from the guide and were on the water at 10:15.  We paddled south to Wolf Point where the Merchandise Mart is located and then through the “Loop” and skyscraper canyon to Wabash Ave.  It was Labor Day weekend so there were lots of tour boats and waves to contend with downtown.  We got back to our put in location about 1:30.  Our guide did a nice job of covering interesting architectural/history topics along our 5.5 mile route.

Our wedding anniversary is June 8^th but we celebrated on June 9^th and 10^th with a trip to KY.  We began with a visit to Fort Boonesborough (1775) SP which was of interest because of its connection to famous pioneers Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton who lived in Springfield.

We shared a four course dinner at the Jean Farris Winery & Bistro on the Old Richmond road south of Lexington and then drove to downtown Lexington to walk through the Gratz Park Historic District where Transylvania University is located.  Afterward, we drove about 12 miles north to the Jordan Farm B & B which is a small working horse farm.

On June 10^th we started the day with a walk around Jordan Farm and then spent most of the day touring the Kentucky Horse Park.  We saw the Hall of Champions show, Mare & Foal show, Parade of Breeds, International Museum of the Horse and finished by watching (in the rain) some of the jumping competition that was taking place in several of the outdoor arenas.  The world Equestrian championships will be held here in 2010 – the first time ever in the U.S.

We took a short side trip to the Woodford Reserve Distillery, famous for its top shelf Kentucky bourbon, before driving back to Ohio.

We boarded the Fast Cat II at 7:30am in Key West for our 2.5 hour trip (70 miles) to Dry Tortugas National Park.  Ponce De Leon named these islands “Las Tortugas” – Spanish for “the turtles.”  The cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, became known as Dry Tortugas on mariners’ charts because they offered no fresh water.  They are the western most of the Florida Keys.  Fort Jefferson on Garden Key was started in 1846 to protect shipping through the Gulf of Mexico to the Mississippi.  It is the largest brick structure in the US and was used as a Union military prison during the Civil War.  Perhaps its most famous resident was Dr. Samuel Mudd who was convicted of complicity in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  There were many Frigate birds hovering over the fort – some with 6-7 foot wingspans.

We took a tour of the fort, had lunch on the boat, and then went snorkeling.  Mike and I snorkeled almost entirely around the fort (island) keeping close to the walls where there were many corals, sea fans, anemones and fish.  I had a little excitement when I almost ran into a Portuguese Man or War and then noticed a three foot Barracuda following me.

After returning to Key West and showering, we went to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant.  Of course we had to have the mandatory margarita and chose to share the Volcano Nachos for dinner.  This is considered a “starter” but we were unable to finish the whole thing.  However, after taking an hour walk along Duval Street, we returned to share a piece of key lime pie!

We met ranger Dan at 8:15am at Nine Mile Pond in Everglades NP for our guided tour of the Canoe Trail.   

It was great fun canoeing by the alligators on the pond and then through the mangroves.

 Afterward, we drove to downtown Key West and walked to Mallory Square to watch the performers and sunset.

We stayed with Mike and Bev in Fort Meyers for the AAHPERD convention.  The day after we finished, we drove to Everglades City and did the 1.5 hour boat tour through the Thousand Islands.  It was an enjoyable ride, saw a number of birds (e.g. osprey, egrets, pelicans and a great white heron) and dolphins.  

Afterwards we visited the Smallwood Store/Ole Indian Trading Post (established 1906) and Museum in Chokoloskee.  A magazine add behind the counter states that “More Doctors Smoke Camels Than any Other Cigarette.”  Also, the cash register only went up to $3.99!

We had fresh grouper sandwiches with a side of caramelized onions for lunch at Camellia Street Grill in Everglades City and then headed east on the Tamiami Trail (US 41).

We stopped at the H. P. Williams Roadside Park Big Cypress National Preserve, then took the scenic Loop Road (dirt) stopping many times to view the alligators.  

We drove to and across Hoover Dam to Willow Beach Marina about 14 miles downriver on the Colorado.  We rented a 17’ Campion boat with a 60 hp motor to cruise upriver to the dam.  It was cold and picturesque as we moved up Black Canyon against the current to the dam.  They are building a new road over the canyon near the dam.

On the way back we beached the boat just downstream from the Ringbolt Rapids and took the short hike up a slot canyon to the Arizona Hot Springs.  There were three pools and a 20 foot ladder to reach the best one.  We enjoyed a good soak in the 104^o mineral waters. 

After returning to LV, we got cleaned up and went to the Bally’s Paris casino for their famous buffet and then to the Tropicana to see the Folies Bergere.  It is the longest running show in LV (almost 50 years) but will be ending in 2009.  Helen didn’t care for the show or the bare breasted women.

We got picked up at 8:45 for the tour of Tahiti Village Family Resort and condos.  As expected, the pressure was high to buy into the vacation condo experience but the three free nights at the Stratosphere, $50 in slot play (Helen won $28!), 2 buffet tickets, and two tickets to the top of the Stratosphere made it all worthwhile.  After lunch at the NASCAR Café, Helen, Irmi and I drove to and parked at the MGM, saw the lions there, walked through NY NY, the Excaliber and the Mandalay Bay casinos before returning to the Stratosphere for the buffet and the elevator ride to the top.  There is a great view of LV and the three rides on top are “screamers.”