BanjoJoe

Just got back (pre-Memorial Day 2007) from a trip to the Adirondack Museum. When this place was designed, it was clearly well thought-out. The exhibits are spacious and informative, the grounds are pleasant and easy to get around, and the staff is helpful. The gift shop has a lot of nice items as well. Worth visiting.

MOST IMPORTANT: if you go - here or, for that matter, any other place in the Adirondacks - apply plenty of bug spray to all exposed skin. When you think you’ve applied enough, apply some more. The black flies are relentless.

I was here only briefly, a few months back. It was absolutely gorgeous, overlooking the canyon. If you’ve ever seen a turkey vulture in flight, you already know how graceful they are. What was new and interesting about the turkey vultures at Pine Greek Gorge is the fact that I was viewing them from above. I was on the overlook on one of the canyon rims, and I observed (from above) the turkey vultures soaring back and forth. Amazing.

I plan to come back here again, allotting more time (a few days), so I can hike and enjoy the bottom of the canyon.

Went to Kidron and to Lehman’s Non-Electric Store on a recent trip through Pennsylvania and Ohio. Anyone who’s driven across Pennsylvania can tell you: it’s a long drive, but it is always scenic. I can’t say the same thing about Ohio. Almost as soon as I crossed the Pennsylvania border into Ohio, and started heading southwest past Akron, the roads got worse and the scenery practically disappeared.

The visit to Lehman’s itself was good. I picked up a number of items I’d been planning to buy, as well as quite a few that were impulse purchases. But Kidron is boooorrrriiinggg, although it was cool seeing an 18-wheeler truck crawling along the road behind an Amish guy in his horse cart.

So, bottom line? Go to Lehman’s to indulge your self-sufficient streak—but then, get out of Kidron (and Ohio) as fast as possible, and get back to some place more interesting.

On a recent trip across northern Pennsylvania, I stopped in to the Lumber Museum. Considering how critical lumbering was at one time-not only to Pennsylvania but also to the growth of much of this country-I expected more. Several of the buildings (see the map on 43Things page for this) were locked. The tour was self-guided, with which I don’t have a problem, but the exhibits themselves were mostly unmarked. Areas were roped off, and considering that there were no electric lights, it was difficult to see inside. The best part of the tour was the introductory 10-minute video—which was from an old grainy VHS; you’d think they’d switch to DVD!

The museum is in quite a lovely location in the Endless Mountains. You could have a picnic there, if you’re driving in the vicinity.

The admission fee was only $4, so I can’t exactly complain that I was swindled. But I was certainly disappointed. Considering how much of this museum was devoted to FDR and the Civilian Conservation Corps, I expect the entire museum was a make-work project, tucked away into the Pennsylvania state budget at one time to spend some more taxpayer money.

There is certainly potential for this museum. At the moment, though, it is not even close to living up to that potential.

A great place for a day trip. Also makes a nice spot for a first date. It’s a nice little town for walking around and the site of Kent Falls State Park.

“Eric Sloane (1905-1985), noted Connecticut artist, writer and tool collector, donated the fine early American tools on exhibit in this museum. The land and building were donated to the State of Connecticut by The Stanley Works to commemorate its 125th anniversary of manufacturing quality tools for the American craftsman.

“The tools were arranged by Mr. Sloane to present both an artistic and educational display. With the early settler’s reverence for wood and his skill in designing ingenious tools, the collection tells a valuable story about our forefathers and the great American heritage of craftsmanship. Many of the tools are handmade and reflect how carefully and beautifully the early craftsmen created things.

“The Diary of an Early American Boy is a small wood-backed, leather bound 1805 diary purported to be written by Noah Blake who had received the diary for his fifteenth birthday. Using the notations in the diary, Mr. Sloane built a small cabin next to the museum in 1974. The structure reflects the austere conditions of an early frontier cabin.

“The site of this museum was once alive with the activity of the Kent Iron Furnace. The furnace began productions of pig iron in 1826 and continued for almost 70 years. The ruins of the furnace with its granite blocks and Gothic arch can be seen just below the museum. The outbuildings and the millrace which once diverted water from the Housatonic River are now overgrown, but the clearing of the area and partial restoration of the furnace is part of the overall development plan for the site. In the lobby of the museum is a diorama of the Kent Iron Furnace as it appeared in the late nineteenth century. Also included are photographs depicting the operation of the blast furnace during the period of operation. overgrown, but the clearing of the area and partial restoration of the furnace is part of the overall development plan for the site. In the lobby of the museum is a diorama of the Kent Iron Furnace as it appeared in the late nineteenth century. Also included are photographs depicting the operation of the blast furnace during the period of operation.

“The museum also features a recreation of Sloane’s Warren, Connecticut studio.”

Built in the 1930s, Hoover Dam is still one of the engineering marvels of the world. The story of this dam is incredible, not just from the engineering viewpoint but also from social and historical perspectives. If you can catch it on television, watch the excellent A&E program about the Hoover Dam.

Check out these websites:
The Hoover Dam: Lonely Lands Made FruitfulThe Story of Hoover DamThe American Experience: Hoover DamWorkers Buried in Hoover Dam? —- No. Here’s the story.

When I was in the Navy, stationed in Pearl Harbor for 2 years, I spent many an afternoon in Waikiki. Crowded, yes. Expensive, yes. But fun. One need not even spend money - just walking around can be fun. Stay out of the water, though - the bacteria counts at Waikiki Beach are pretty high. For better water, head up to the North Shore of Oahu.

Waikiki—hana hou!

Smack in the middle of hurricane alley, trapped on island with only one highway bridge to get out, too many of “them” down there….. Plenty of other oceanfront places to go in this world without having to put up with all that.

People from 49 other states would say they are going “to the beach.” Not here! In New Jersey, one does not go “to the beach” but “down the shore.” (No, not down “to” the shore, either!)