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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:05:10 GMT -5
The castle was being painted and we took several pictures of the crane for Marion. ;D That's my handiwork, Matt, standing by my side and snapping the photo. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:09:14 GMT -5
An informational sign wanted us to believe that flamingos get their rosy color from the shrimp they eat. Daughter says it's true. There's one for your T&F thread! It was nap time and some of them had managed this figure 8 thing with their necks so well and had their heads tucked so deep beneath their wings that one could scarcely recognize them as living creatures. The little fellow is a freeloader, I believe, who felt right at home with other birdies who stand on one leg. Not sure what it is. Some kind of ibis? Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:18:26 GMT -5
The day we were at Blue Springs St. Park the rangers had counted 180+ manatee. We didn't see any older ones. These appear to be young. That place reminds me of Ponce de Leon and the Fountain of Youth. The spring pours a million plus gallons of the most beautiful water into the St. Johns River everyday. All at a perfect 72 degree temp all year round. When the water comes out of the ground there is no oxygen in it so few water creatures can manage living at the source other than the ones which can "come up for air." It is the site, I believe, of the oldest White settlement in FLA, a sturdy pioneer family from New York who grew oranges and were dependent on a ferry for their sustenance. The old wood frame house has a wonderful porch (veranda in the South?) and is raised off the ground. Made the perfect crawlspace playhouse for a young boy,who used it and was lost to a rattlesnake bite. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:25:43 GMT -5
Here's Judi in front of New Tribes Mission on the bike I believe I helped her purchase. We had a little joke about that. Over the years I'd send gifts of money to her on her birthdays and religious holidays. Sometimes, when she would donate some of it to the mission, I'd get a letter from them directing me to send the money directly to them and I, being some contrary on the subject, continued to mail it to her to make the decision. I know she's a sincere missionary with a good heart and I also suspect she kept a little nest egg for that bike. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:28:48 GMT -5
Here's a more complete view of the mission. It's a lovely and well-preserved, both inside and out, former resort. Our guest accommodations were delightful. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:35:51 GMT -5
Enjoying a nostalgic ride on Philadephia Toboggan Company's #46 (1917) at WDW. One of my hobbies is riding as many of the original hundred and some, most of which are gone, as I can. I was delighted to get a seat on my favorite of the horses on that one - the one with the bogey squashed under the saddle. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:49:59 GMT -5
Eat it all and get a lousy t-shirt. He did a noble job and when he found out that included the fries Mom got little worried. Jane asked on another thread about "ghosts." We both swear that burger came with a poltergeist. Both the plate and burger had a mind of their own and moved several times with no apparent stimulus! What dat? Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 24, 2010 22:52:13 GMT -5
One for my peeps! Okay. The posture is going down hill here when I'm tired. Matt say it looks like the troll's name is Ben Dover. Attachments:
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Post by BoatBabe on Jan 25, 2010 0:49:53 GMT -5
Great photos, Hart! What a fun trip. And how cool that Matt went with you!
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 25, 2010 1:24:24 GMT -5
Thanks, Babe. Yes, it was cool. Matt is a man of few words and being alone with him for any extended period of time provides the treat of getting to listen to his thoughts. He also the master of the dry statement that has me snorting through my nose a few minutes after the fact. But then I suppose everyone's son is equally amusing to them.
One last vacation post. Here's a ride we took at Sea World. It's either proof that I am getting senile or that I've grown brave in maturity as I never would have ridden this thirty years ago.
I can't make out the URL so go to You Tube and seach "Manta Cam - Ride the Flying Ray." Whee!
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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2010 8:05:01 GMT -5
So have I lost my mind? Here's Hart, describing pictures that I cannot see, no matter how hard I look. Am I delusional? Not seeing things that are there? Or is it Hart, seeing purty pitchures where none exiist?
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Post by Jane on Jan 25, 2010 8:06:03 GMT -5
omg tis I. Now I go in and there they are.
sorry
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Post by BoatBabe on Jan 25, 2010 9:31:59 GMT -5
Yes, Jane, I'm waiting for Jay to drive by and tell us the Empress is nekked. I wonder what is up with his computer(s) not downloading Hart's photos? Clearly your computer got bravely over it.
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Post by gailkate on Jan 25, 2010 11:08:21 GMT -5
I've karmalyzed Hart for these great pictures and commentary.
I love the shy armadillo (which should be a contradiction in terms) and the flamingo lore. We have flamingoes at the Como zoo, and I've wondered at some of the pale ones. I thought maybe they were a variation of the species, but now I know they need shrimp!
Matt takes great pics and must know some trick of uploading - normally we can't click on a pic to make them enlarge. But for those who're having trouble seeing them, I wonder if it's a program they can't open. I mean, is there something missing from their store of software, the way I can't open Powerpoint.
Did you take your Viking horns with you for a photo op or do Floridians claim to have had vikings, too?
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Post by jspnrvr on Jan 25, 2010 14:06:26 GMT -5
I've karmalyzed Hart for these great pictures and commentary. I love the shy armadillo (which should be a contradiction in terms) and the flamingo lore. We have flamingoes at the Como zoo, and I've wondered at some of the pale ones. I thought maybe they were a variation of the species, but now I know they need shrimp! Matt takes great pics and must know some trick of uploading - normally we can't click on a pic to make them enlarge. But for those who're having trouble seeing them, I wonder if it's a program they can't open. I mean, is there something missing from their store of software, the way I can't open Powerpoint. Did you take your Viking horns with you for a photo op or do Floridians claim to have had vikings, too? Well, uhhh......as a matter of fact www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/sep/27/leif-erikson-sail-again-jensen-beach/Jensen Beach is named for our first Postmaster, a Dane. A small, non-incorporated community up the road, White City, was founded by Danes who made their land purchases at the Chicago Exposition of 1896, "White City" being the name of the lit-up electric midway at the exposition. Our local Jensen Beach Elementary kids go by the name of "The Vikings". Their mascot is a 20 foot tall "Jenguard", who stands out front of the school, replete with horn-ed helmet. He's made it through all the storms, never wavered. I keep trying to get our local station WQCS to invite Garrison down here, bring the PHC to set up and broadcast down here during Leif Erickson Days. Besides the local Sons of Norway we have lots of local talent, including a world class (literally) high school chorus, Opus, from Martin County High School. One of our best bar bands is Bobby and the Blisters. Bobby was one of our patients when I was working in a local doc's office. It was a great day when the doc, Bobby and I were all out in the hallway jamming acapella to "Love Potion #9".
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Post by jspnrvr on Jan 25, 2010 14:11:12 GMT -5
Yes, Jane, I'm waiting for Jay to drive by and tell us the Empress is nekked. I wonder what is up with his computer(s) not downloading Hart's photos? Clearly your computer got bravely over it. Actually, I figured it out. The pictures weren't coming through on the "25 most recent posts" review, but when I went back to the actual thread I did see Marion's photo. It was really cool. Now with this batch, maybe it has to do with them being jpeg, they come through over here, I saw them right away as I was scrolling through the "recent posts".
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:15:39 GMT -5
My soup is on and I have some time to share a few pictures with you. This is a mix from the vacation to Yucatan we took together last Spring and my follow-up vacation this Fall. This is the view from the tippytoppy of the hill of the ruins in Tulum. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:22:59 GMT -5
This is the temple where human sacrifices were offered in Tulum. It was so beautiful there that I would have taken the chance, I think.
It was interesting to hear the guide's revision of history and his discussion of how the nobility used their wise men of science to develop a religion which ruled the people by fear.
Initially an agrarian society, when they became powerful enough they trained the peons to be brave warriors. This resulted in the people rising up against the weathy.
The original believers were routed onto the island of Cozumel where they maintained the old religion of Ixchel, goddess of the moon.
Hope I'm getting my (revised) history right.
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:24:42 GMT -5
This pic goes with the above quote: Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:28:30 GMT -5
Marion doing his King of the Hill on a coral reef on the windward side of Cozumel. The entire island and the peninsula of Yucatan are limestone. It was raised out of the ocean when a huge meteor (the one they now think killed the dinosaurs) struck the earth. Very difficult to walk on and dangerous to fall upon but fun to look at with all the little fossilized sea creatures and plants. Yes, I brought back way too much of the stuff! Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:38:42 GMT -5
Mr. Brown pelican seemed to have the whole resort to himself and came to work on time every day to have lunch and fill his bill. He was fun to watch. From his perch on top of the open air restaurant he'd watch and then plunge straight down. How he avoided getting his bill stuck in the sand was a puzzle to me. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:44:45 GMT -5
They weren't busy the day we parasailed which was also my birthday and the crew left me floating in silence for quite a long time. The ocean was crayon color blue. Very relaxing. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 17:48:23 GMT -5
As we were leaving the ruins at Tulum we were fortunate to catch this re-enactment of a Mayan ceremony. The man at the top is playing a flute. It was eerie. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 18:12:18 GMT -5
This was taken in the museum on Cozumel and I believe that it's the oldest image that has been discovered in the area (not Marion!)
The Old Woman. Believed to represent Ixchel.
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 18:13:57 GMT -5
This goes with above post: Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 18:22:57 GMT -5
A bit of the ruins at El Cedral, Cozumel. The area is ancient and important to the Mayans who celebrate in the area every Spring. It was used as an US Marine base during WWII and the ruins were used for target practice (shades of Napoleon!) and so it's in shambles. They are in the slow process of deveoping it. This will be both a blessing and curse for the little ecologically-minded island. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 18:26:05 GMT -5
This home near our hotel must have been spectacular before Hurricane Andrew. Not sure why it was abandoned. Attachments:
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Post by hartlikeawheel on Jan 31, 2010 18:30:29 GMT -5
Pix from this Fall later. Time to finish cooking.
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Post by jspnrvr on Jan 31, 2010 18:44:32 GMT -5
Good pictures, hart. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by BoatBabe on Feb 1, 2010 9:57:50 GMT -5
Great pics, Hart! What a shot that Mayan ceremonial re-enactment is . . . just amazing.
Did your watch survive parasailing?
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