Tales of a Technogypsie

Whitby Abbey

Leaf — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:22:47 +0000

The Gothic Abbey, Whitby, England

The Whitby Abbey
* Abbey Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire – YO22 4JT *

I have always been drawn to the iconography of the Gothic Abbey atop the hills of Whitby, England. It is that vaguely interwoven backdrop of the gothic culture that is drawn to this city that once was home to Bram Stoker and the concept of “Dracula”. This fabulous monastic ruins was founded in 657 of the Common Era by King Oswy of Northumbria as a “double monastery” Anglo-Saxon style masterpiece housing both men and women. Equip with a decent visitor center and museum, one can walk the majestic ruins of this Yorkshire image. The 1220 Early English Gothic style ruins belong to the church of the Benedictine abbey re-founded on its site by the Normans. Embracing the sky with high richly carved pinnacle d east and north end transepts brandishing the marks of war, nature, and history as it is slowly reclaimed by the Earth. Definitely a spectacular monument not to be missed. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

It was this Abbey, belonging to the Benedictine order, that was left in ruin after the dis-establishment after the Dissolution of the Monasteries under the auspices of King Henry VIII. Now preserved, monitored, and cared for by the English Heritage with its museum housed inside the Cholmley House. One of North Yorkshire’s most memorable monuments, it has been used for numerous photo shoots, films, documentaries, and settings. Whitby was originally called “Streoneshalh” (named after Fort Bay or “Tower Bay”, of the Roman settlement that stood here first) and was home to the first Anglo-Saxon monastery here in 657 C.E. by Oswy (Oswiu), the King of Northumbria at the time. Lady Hilda, the abbess of Hartlepool Abbey, and grand-nieces of the first Christian King of Northumbria, Edwin, was appointed founding abbess of this “Streona’s Settlement”. This was a “double monastery”, managed and occupied by Celtic nuns and monks. It was also the home of the great poet Caedmon. By 867-870, the Danes led successive raids of the monastery, leaving it in ruins for almost 200 years. When Reinfrid, one of WIlliam the Conqueror’s soldiers travelled to this site as a monk, it was called “Prestebi” meaning “white settlement” in Old Norse. He founded a new monastery atop the ruins of St. Peters with two carucates of land, joined by the founder’s brother Serlo de Percy, they began Benedictine rule. In 1540, Henry VIII declared the Dissolution of Monasteries, thereby falling into destruction and ruin. Locals mined stones from its structures, leaving it but a crumbling ruin on the landscape. It however was still used as a landmark by sailors coming into port, and was heavy inspiration for Bram Stoker when writing “Dracula”. In 1914, it was shelled by German battle cruisers by a mis-fire giving it un-repairable considerable damage.

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The Diner (Columbia, South Carolina)

Leaf — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:38:03 +0000

The Diner
* 4405 Fort Jackson Blvd * Columbia, SC 29209 * (803) 661-7676 * http://www.thedinercolumbia.com/ * http://www.facebook.com/TheDinerColumbiaSC *

Just off the beaten path outside Gate 1 of Fort Jackson is a nice friendly little artsy diner plainly labelled after its namesake. They are after the classic American diner experience and image, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So far, we’ve only experienced their fantastic breakfast setting. Family owned and operated, they have an assortment of deals, specials, and offers from burgers to pancakes, fish to apple pie. They also cater. They are very kid friendly – so much that kids eat free on mondays. Military and senior citizen discounts apply as well. We’ve tried the pancakes, eggs, and french toast – all of which we were very pleased with. If you’re travelling through Columbia, this hot spot is just off the Interstate, and a great place to take a road break. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

Santeetlah Lake, NC

leafworks — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:16:51 +0000

photos 12/24/12 042-052

Santeetlah Lake

Near the historic Smokey Mountains, in Graham County, North Carolina, is a small town built along the shores of Lake Santeetlah. The town and lake share the name. Boasting a population of approximately 67 (census 2000), the town has approximately 200 residences. Santeetlah is located approximately 6 miles north of Robbinsville and only 15 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The lake is surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. The area is a resort community. Established in 1989 as “Santeetlah”, it was changed to “Lake Santeetlah” in 1999. Originally hunting grounds by various Native American tribes, the area was settled very late by westerners. The area was one of the last sections of the eastern United States to be settled by Europeans. A Detroit native named Kenneth S. Keyes, Sr. found the area and exchanged with the Forest service some land he had held for the area and this was then built into the town of Lake Santeetlah. The originally called the property “Thunderbird Estates” with a dream of building a large hotel complex in the area. He never built, and in 1958 he sold the property to another Florida land developer, and from there it went through a couple of exchanges. By the early 1960′s – Smoky Mountain Resorts built a lodge and some cabins here offering much recreation for those seeking a vacation escape. Always short on funding, the resort fell through various ups and downs, until 1971 when it was sold to W. Bennett Collette. Battles, disputes, and law suits flooded the area over a variety of grievances by owners and residents, becoming resolved by the late 1990′s. The lake is popular by outdoor recreationists who fish bass, walleye, crappie, lake trout, and bream in its waters. The Marina on the lake is the only full-serviced marina on a lake that has 76 miles of shoreline. Around the lake is home to over 200 miles of hiking trails, and area known for swimming, camping, hiking, boating, and picnicking.

Fontana Village Resort

leafworks — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:55:11 +0000

Fontana Village Resort

Fontana Village Resort

* http://www.fontanavillage.com/ * Fontana Village Resort | 300 Woods Road • P.O. Box 68 | Fontana Dam, North Carolina 28733 * Phone: 828.498.2211 *

We were seeking an escape to the mountains and while this time of year the blue ridge parkway had segments shut down, we ventured via main roads to the Smoky Mountains National Park. On advise from a co-worker, we settled in on the “Fontana Village Resort” which was running a special lodging rate, and decided to check it out. We checked into the “Willow cabins”. Nothing more than manufactured houses in cabin style, with a porch and rocking chairs, a nice living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom … we settled in for the afternoon. Check-in was easy, and it was peaceful and quiet for the stay. The resort was pretty empty, as winter was upon us as well as the holidays calling others to family gatherings. Still there were families out venturing to collect firewood. Our cabin however did not have a fire place. no phone, just basic tv. While it didn’t advertise a wifi signal, one drifted in and out sporadically for us to stay in touch with the outside world. Given it was winter, the resort had many of its facilities shut down … including the convenience store (only open 9 am til 1 pm – and we arrived at 4 pm), grocery store, and other restaurants except for the main lodge. Closest grocery run was a town 30 minutes drive each way. With the rain that hovered over us, we couldn’t participate in many of the outdoor activities the resort offers – but it looked like a great array of choices to choose from. We just enjoyed the solitude. We’d stay again for sure. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

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Fontana Village Resort

Current Mood: cheerful

Fontana Lake (Smokey Mountains, North Carolina)

leafworks — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:28:48 +0000

Fontana Lake
* Smokey Mountains National Park, Fontana Dam, North Carolina *

Named after the Italian word for “fountain”, Fontana Lake is named after the flooded town of Fontana, which was the Smokey Mountains infamous lumber and copper-mining hub back in the day at the mouth of Eagle Creek. Now a reservoir contained by Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River. The lake creates the southern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, separating it from the Nantahala National Forest. The depth, length, and width of the lake varies with the seasons and flood controls by the dam, but at its greatest containment measures approximately 17 miles long with a maximum elevation of approximately 1,710 feet above sea level. The lake is measured as being over 10,230 acres. The lake houses many inlets, coves, and islands formed from former mountain peaks from when it was land, especially by the eastern edge. Many hiking trails weave their ways around the lake, and the lake itself gives access to some of the more remote areas of the National Park. The apalachian trail crosses the top of the dam. Fontana Dam, the tallest dam in the eastern U.S., is a hydro-electric dam along the Little Tennessee River that manages the lake and its levels. This was built in the 1940′s.

Cheoah Lake/River/Dam, Fontana Dam, NC

Twenty-mile Trail/Hwy 28:

Waterfall along the roadside:

Twentymile trail loop/creek:

Duffy’s Pond (near Congaree National Park), Columbia, South Carolina

Leaf — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 22:21:39 +0000

Duffy’s Pond

along Old Bluff Road, enroute to Congaree National Park, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

I don’t know much about this pond historically and would welcome any local knowledge to be shared on this page.

The following are photos I took roadside:

Congaree National Park (Columbia, South Carolina)

Leaf — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 21:29:34 +0000

Congaree National Park
100 National Park Road, Hopkins, SC 29061 * Phone: (803) 783-4241 * (outside of Columbia, South Carolina) * http://www.nps.gov/cong/ *

One of the natural attractions to Columbia, South Carolina is the infamous Congaree National Park which preserves the largest tract of old growth bottom land hardwood forest that remains left in the United States. The Park is nicknamed the “Home of Champions” for its age-old hardwood trees. The park offers views of an astonishing bio-diversity along the waters from the Congaree river and the Wateree rivers throughout their flood plains. The park consists of just over 26,500 acres of national park designated as such since 2003 for some of the tallest trees leftin the Eastern United States. The Congaree river flows through the park which is dotted with wooden walkways for hikers, bird watchers, and nature enthusiasts to come enjoy the woodlands and not get mucked up in the swamps and to protect the environment which is 57 percent designated wilderness area. The Park declares itself a National Designated Wilderness Area, an International Biosphere Reserve, National Natural Landmark, and a Globally Important Bird area. The park offers primitive campsites (for free), hiking trails, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching activities. The park is inhabited by numerous wildlife ranging from a variety of fish such as bowfin, largemouth bass, panfish, and catfish onwards to alligators, snakes, feral dogs, coyotes, armadillos, turkeys, bobcat, deer, feral pigs, turtles, opossum, raccoon, and a plethera of different bird species. The Park is notable for its Bald Cypress, the tallest/largest Loblolly Pines alive today, and hardwood tree spectrum. Some of its more famous hiking trails are the Weston Lake Loop Trail (4.6 miles), Oakridge Trail (7.5 miles), King Snake Trail (11.1 miles), and the Bluff Trail (.7 miles). The Park is home to the Harry Hampton Visitor’s Center, elevated 2.4 miles of boarded walkways, and a 20 mile long marked canoe trail.

Home of a variety of plants and animals. Some researched/photographed by us as follows:

Plants, Fungi, Lichens, Botany:

Lichen

Shelf or Bracket Fungi

Usnea spp. or Beard Lichen

Hill of Uisneach

leafworks — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:46:12 +0000

The Hill of Uisneach / Cnoc Uisnigh or Ushnagh, in the heart of County Westmeath, is a 182 meter high sacred hill that was once considered to be the absolute center of Ireland. Located along the northern side of R390, and 8 kilometers east of Ballymore, next to the village of Loughanavally – it is a pivotal connection of four adjacent townlands – Ushnagh Hill, Mweelra, Rathnew, and Kellybrook; and is the meeting point of the provincial borders of Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster and Midhe. (Midhe was the once separate 5th province) and by so being, has been called the “omphalos” or “mystical navel of Ireland” atop which rests the Cat stone, the Ail na Míreann or “stone of divisions”. (The actual geographic center of Ireland is near the western shore of Lough Ree to the west). The site was seen as the tromping grounds of the tutelary Goddess Ériu who is seen as the personification of Ireland and is where she legendarily met the invading Milesians and the poet Amergin, after much debate, agreed to give the country her name. The site was most famous for the lighting of the Beltane fires and Druidic ceremonies, of which has been reconstructed with Irelands infamous Festival of Fires Celebration. According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of the Takings of Ireland) the first fire was lit here by the Nemedian Druid Mide and ever since, a fire was lit here during the feast of Beltane which supposedly can be seen from the Hill of Tara. According to legend, when those at Tara saw the fires lit at Uisneach, they would light the fires on Tara. According to the Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed that the stones of Stonehenge were brought to Britain from the Hill of Uisneach. Some say the hill is also Riba or Raiba that was identified by Ptolemy (Ptolemaeus), the Egyptian/Greek astronomer when he wrote Geographia in 140 C.E. The site is rather large, spread out over two square kilometers including holy wells, wells, enclosures, barrows, megalithic tomb, and two ancient roads.

Stekkjarkot, Keflavik, Iceland

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:31:56 +0000

Stekkjarkot – Keflavik, Iceland

Stekkjarkot
* Fitjar, Njarðvík, Reykjanesbær, Keflavik, Iceland * Phone: 00354 8942874 * vikingship@simnet.is *

In Keflavik is an example of the type of architecture that was common around 17th-19th centuries as a household dwelling. These were turf roof houses called the Stekkjarkot and seen dotted around the landscape. This house was a roughly built turf, timber, and stone fisherman’s cottage. They were inhabited by fishermen and their families. This particular house was the last inhabited turf house in Njarðvík from 1857 to 1924 and believed to have had 15 inhabitants at one time. This one was reconstructed and opened to the public in 1993. Part of the cotage has an open hearth dating to the 19th century.

Stekkjarkot – Keflavik, Iceland

Keflavik, Reykjavik, Iceland

leafworks — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:25:40 +0000

Keflavik
Reykjavik, Iceland

When you fly into Reykjavik, you actually land just outside of Keflavik. “Keflavik” means “Driftwood Bay” and is a prominent town in the Reykjanes region of Southwestern Iceland. With a population of just over 8,000 it is part of a larger municipality region called Reykjanesbaer totalling over 13,000 inhabitants. The town was founded in the 16th century developed over its fishing industry by Scottish entrepreneurs. The airport was added in the 1940′s. Earlier, the airport was home to a important NATO military base and pre-jet refueling stop for trans-Atlantic air traffic. It was a popular refuel point during World War II, and during the cold war the air station was used to monitoring marine and submarine traffic from the Norwegian and Greenland seas through the Atlantic. Once the Soviet Union collapsed, the base was no longer needed, and officially closed in 2006. Keflavik was also a popular hotspot for Icelandic music, especially during the 1960′s-1970′s at which point was called “The Beatle Town”. The town was used as a theme for Tom Clancy’s novel “Red Storm Rising”.

Conwy, Wales

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 02:00:01 +0000

Conwy, Wales

Along the River Conwy lies the ancient walled town of Conwy or Conway. It was a major market center of the north coast of Wales. With a population of just over 14,000 inhabitants, it is a great tourist destination for those wanting to get away in Wales. The old Welsh language is very popular in this region, and can be found in widespread casual and official use within the town’s operations and culture. Home to the Conwy Castle as well as a vivid geological landscape, the area is popular for photography. It was also the original home to the Aberconwy Abbey that was founded by Llewellyn the Great. Conwy Suspension Bridge, Town Walls, Conwy Railway Bridge, Aberconwy House, Plas Mawr, and the toll-keeper’s house are also very popular tourist venues. Conwy is also home to the smallest house in Great Britain ranging from 3.05×1.8 meters in dimensions as listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Fresh (Dublin)

leafworks — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:54:32 +0000

Fresh

* 1 Crown Alley * Temple Bar * Dublin, Ireland * 2 * phone: (01) 671 8423 * http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-Temple-Bar/ *

One of Dublin’s little hotspots for fashion, club wear, and alternative garb … “Fresh” is in the heart of Temple Bar along Crown Alley, and boasts the best of alternative brands for vintage, punk, gothic, mod, street, rock, metal, and raver clothing, accessories, and fashion. Open from 11-6 mondays through saturdays, and sundays from 1 to 5. Great shop, great selection, and for Dublin, one of its finest. Lots of eye candy in the shop and good offers.

The Meeting Place Statue, a.k.a. “The Hags with the Bags” (Dublin)

leafworks — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:51:14 +0000

The Meeting Place Statue ~ aka The Hags with the Bags
* Lower Liffey Street * (near Ha’penny Bridge) * Dublin, Ireland *

Just across the Ha’penny Bridge, one will find the statue of two women engaged in conversation with shopping bags at their feet. This one is nicknamed “The Hags with the Bags” but is officially called “The Meeting Place Statue”. On one of the bags is written “Arnotts”. This is located along Lower Liffey Street. It was sculpted by Jakki McKenna in 1988. It was designed to reflect everyday life in Dublin’s marketplace to which it greets people to one of the area’s most popular shopping areas on Henry & Jervis streets, just after one crosses the Ha’penny bridge from Temple Bar.

Bibliography/Recommended References:

Away City: Dublin Statues. Website referenced June 2012. http://www.awaycity.com/wiki/Dublin/Tourism/Statues.

Ibanda Blogs: Dublin Statues and Their Names. Website referenced June 2012. http://ibanda.blogs.com/panchromatica/2004/03/dublin_statues_.html.

Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Statues in Dublin. Website referenced June 2012.

Sean O’ Casey Bridge (Dublin, Ireland)

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:47:21 +0000

Sean O’ Casey Bridge
* Dublin, Ireland *

One of the best bridges to view the Jeanie Johnson from … The “Sean O’ Casey” (a.k.a. Droichead Sheáin Uí Chathasaigh) spans the River Liffey approximately 100 meters as a pedestrian swing bridge with two balanced cantilever arms to connect the City Quay to the North Wall Quay in the Grand Canal Docks area and the IFSC. It was built in 2005 by Cyril O’Neill and O’Connor Sutton Cronin Engineers as part of the large urban renewal scheme by the Dublin Docklands Authority to rejuvenate the area. It memorializes Seán O’Casey (1880–1964), a famous Irish playwright and member of the Irish Citizens Army who used to live in the North Wall area.

Jeannie Johnson Tall Sailing Ship & Museum

The CHQ Building (Dublin, Ireland)

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:41:40 +0000

The CHQ Building
* River Liffey * Dublin, Ireland * http://www.chq.ie/ *

A shopping center with future promise, as many of the stores are empty as they stand today. But big names like Starbucks, Louis Copeland and Sons, Fran & Jane, Carphone Warehouse, and Pilates IFSC have set up shop within. Historically the building was known as “Stack A” as a tobacco store with vaults below to store wine and was designed by the infamous engineer Scot John Rennie. It is a protected building under the Planning Acts, steeped with local history, and traditionally known as the “Banquet Hall” as it was used for the Crimean War banquet in the mid-nineteenth century which gave it its popularity.

Current Mood: cold

The Jeanie Johnson Museum Tour (Dublin, Ireland)

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:35:36 +0000

Jeannie Johnson Tall Sailing Ship & Museum

Dublin, Ireland

Sitting in the Harbour of the River Liffey, just outside the CHQ Building is the replica of the infamous “Jeanie Johnston” ~ the three masted barque built in 1847 by John Munn that brought settlers over to the New World during the great Irish Famine. This replica was completed in 2002 and now sits primarily as a onboard history museum with night activities and events. The replica was designed by former Chief Naval Architect Fred Walker with the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich England. She is originally established as a ocean-going sail training vessel at sea and then in port coverts to a living history museum over the 19th century emigration between Ireland and the Americas. For 8 Euro or less, a guided tour takes you to her upper and lower decks giving a full narrated history of her chronology, feats, and sorrows. The main cabin demonstrates a picturesque view of what life was like onboard with numerous wax figures of her historic passengers. Overall the tour was masterfully done and a wonderful piece of Dublin’s maritime history. A must visit to any Irish tourist. Rating: 5 stars out of 5 by Leaf McGowan

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Current Mood: cheerful

Manly Market (Queensland, Australia)

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:30:35 +0000

Manly Market
Manly Beach, Queensland, Australia
http://www.manlyharbourvillage.com/

Every sunday the Manly Creative Markets spreads out its presence in the Little Bayside Park along the Esplanade of the beaching and boating resort of Manly Beach. It runs from 8 am to 3 pm offering a wonderful assortment of hand crafts, Australian local gifts, food, snacks, handcrafts, and farmer’s produce. Lots of Food, fruits s, vegetables, plants, and crafts are available. On the entertainment side offered are kid’s rides, a coffee shop, massage services, performances, and a dog wash. Great place to get gifts!

Manly Harbour, Queensland, Australia

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:25:18 +0000

Manly Harbour
Manly Beach, Queensland, Australia
http://www.manlyharbourvillage.com/

Manly Harbour is a popular resort location, especially for boating. It is also home to Manly Harbour Village which supports the community of boaters and recreationists who utilize the docks. Sheltered from harsh weather and the sea, Manly Beach and its harbour is conveniently locaed 20 minutes outside of Brisbane and is Brisbane’s only bayside village. Manly Beach Harbour is also Australia’s east coast’s largest man-made marina giving a docking home to over 1,500 boats and vessels. Surrounding the marina are many restaurants, coffee houses, galleries, accomodations, and entertainment/recreational venues … and its a portal to many islands such as Moreton Bay and historic St. Helena Island. In addition, it is home to an annual Harbour festival and weekly arts, crafts, and farmer’s markets. With a long stretch of esplanade to walk, completely bounding the marina, is a great panorama of the boater’s world. Inset into internationally recognized wetlands, even the bird watcher can come here to view over 43 species of wading birds.

Bradford Interchange / Bradford Exchange

Leaf — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 01:02:05 +0000

Bradford Exchange, Bradford, England

The Bradford Interchange (originally called Bradford Exchange) is a major hub of activity for traffic of travelers, commuters, pedestrians, and passengers coming to Yorkshire. It is a combined coach, bus, and railway station located in Bradford, England. Originally the Bradford Exchange as a train station, it was completely rebuilt on the same site in 1880 with 10 bay platforms and two arched roofs with wrought iron, glass, timber, slate, and plain stone wall construct in a classic corinthian style. Originally designed as a show piece for European design (its current design), it was created in 1962 and opened in 1971. he station was rebuilt again in 1973 to a smaller size. The Bradford Crown court, Magistrates’ and Coroner’s Courts took over the un-used space. In 1977 a bus station was built alongside the train station and re-named to the Bradford Interchange linking together bus and train traffic. By 1999 another rebuilding of the bus station took place with a grand opening in 2001. On its lower level is a main entrance where taxi services, passenger pickup, and a car park is located. Upstairs is the train and bus platforms. Within the central concourse downstairs are ticket booths, information, a news agent, a cafe, fast food outlet, and a few shops. Phones, ATM, refreshment machines, and toilets are located just off the main concourse. In the railway station is a British Transport Police Office and lost luggage desk. The station is monitored by close circuit television as well as patrolling police and security officers. There are separate train and bus ticket outlets in the concourse. The Bus/Metro office also covers National Express coach services. The bus station, managed by Metro, includes First West Yorkshire, Arriva Yorkshire, Centrebus, Geldards Coaches, Transdev, Stagecoach Yorkshire, TLC Travel, and National Express. Station sees regular services to London Kings Cross via Pontefract and Doncaster.

Current Mood: cheerful

Bottomless Lakes State Park (Roswell, NM)

leafworks — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 02:37:48 +0000

Bottomless Lakes State Park
* Roswell, New Mexico, USA *

Our swimming hole playground while living in Roswell, New Mexico – Bottomless Lakes provided much cooling off during the hot and dry summers of the desert. Only Fifteen miles from Roswell, the Lakes are Located along the Pecos River, and are a series of natural caves and sinkholes forming lakes used for recreation. The parks were established in 1933 and was the first State Park composed in New Mexico. There are nine small deep lakes along the escarpment of the Pecos River Valley that represents the remains of an ancient limestone reef. Caves formed within this limestone and eventually collapsed via erosion creating sinkholes or “cenotes” as round circular lakes or swimming holes. One of the largest lakes is Lea Lake and Lazy Lagoon, providing a large sandy shoreline that outdoor recreational visitors can use for picnicking, camping, outdoor sports, and swimming. Lazy Lagoon is the largest of the lakes and spans over 26 acres as a single lake but is made up of three interconnected sink holes. The lagoon is level with the salt flats which gives it an appearance of being very shallow, where in contrast, it is actually quite deep – over 90 feet deep. As opposed to the old days, Lea Lake is the only lake in which swimming is allowed, due to accidents that occurred in the others, especially Devil’s Inkwell.

The shallowest is Pasture Lake with a depth of 18 feet and a surface of .76 acres. The deepest are Lea Lake (90 feet deep – only one that allows swimming) and Lazy Lagoon (90 feet/ 26 acres). The smallest of the lakes, is the darkest, known for its color, steep sides, and algae growth, called “the Devil’s Inkwell” and is approximately .36 of an acre. Figure 8 Lake is actually two lakes separated by a thin beach that seasonally gets covered making it look like one lake at times. The circular shapes connecting create the figure 8 symbol. Cottonwood Lake is 30 feet deep, and Mirror Lake at 50 feet. The Lakes are fed by underground streams and aquifers perculating through the rocks up into the catchment holes. The lakes are home to various endangered species and all of the park’s lakes are protected. The four known endangered species found at the park are the Cricket Frog, Eastern Barking Frog, Rainwater Killifish, and the Pecos Pupfish. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. ~ Thomas Baurley and Leaf McGowan.

Current Mood: cheerful

The Sirena: Ferry Service from Harwich to Esbjerg

leafworks — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:54:23 +0000

MS Dana Sirena
* directferries.co.uk * http://www.directferries.co.uk/dfds_seaways_dana_sirena.htm * http://www.directferries.co.uk/harwich_esbjerg_ferry.htm *
The Dana Sirena, named just like a ship out of folklore, appropriate since my first journey on her was embarking on a voyage from Jorvik to Norway for my first Viking festival. This brilliant RoPax ferry carries over 620 passengers and 435 cars. It is also a freight ferry. Its a pretty comfortable ferry, with all passengers having their own onboard cabins and/or reserved seating. Facilities such as free wifi, restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, and a children’s area are located within. The beds were comfortable, showers were nice, rooms came with bedding, towels, and wardrobe space. As I was on a budget, I packed my own food for the journey, so can’t comment on the restaurant or bar services. I’ve been told there is sufficient variety offered. I didn’t partake of the shopping, and was able to catch some of the entertainment. The entertainment was mediocre, but some of the passengers seemed pleased. Apparently there was a featured “films on demand” service, of which I cannot comment on since I didn’t use it. The ship sails from Harwich, England to Esbjerg, Denmark, and back. The Sirena is built of iron and steel in 2001 originally named the “MS Golfo Dei Delfini” owned by Lloyd Sardegna, acquired by the DFDS Tor Line then DFDS Seaways, then renamed the “Dana Sirena” after 2003. In 2001-2002 its port of registry was Olbia, Sardinia; then in 2002 registered in Esbjerg, Denmark. It was built by Stocznia Szczecinska in 2001. It is 22,382 GT tonnage, with a 654.2 ft length and a 78″3 height. It travels at 23 knots. I quite enjoyed the ferry trip, much better than most ferries I’ve been on. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

The Sirena Ferry, Harwich to Esbjerg

The Sirena Ferry, Harwich to Esbjerg

Color line Ferry – Denmark to Norway

leafworks — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:50:34 +0000

Colorline Ferry: Service from Denmark to Norway

One of the fastest methods, albeit an extremely expensive one, to get your car from Denmark to Norway is the “Color Line” ferry. As I was travelling from England to Norway with a friend via Denmark, this is the ferry we took. It is also the largest cruise ferry line operating on routes to and from Norway. The service offers transportation for cargo, vehicles, and passengers as well as a wide range of services while on board including restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and lodging. The ferry’s headquarters are in Oslo, with satellite offices in Stavanger, Kristiansand, Sandefjord, Bergen, Larvik, Kiel, Hirtshals, and Strömstad. I found the ferry however sub-par in comfort, lack of amenities as compared to other ferries I’ve travelled around the world especially in comparison to the expense they charge. Rating: 3 stars out of 5.

Viking Art Stone, Borre, Norway

Leaf — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:46:54 +0000

Viking Art/Rune Stone, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

The Viking Art Stone
Borrehaugene National Park, Borre, Norway

In the Borrehaugene National Park lies a modern artistic replication of a Viking runic stone as one walks towards the grave mounds. The Park is home to the largest number of burial mounds from the Viking age – which were contemporaneous to the famous boat graves at Oseberg and the trading centre Kaupang in Tjølling. It is suggested that this burial site was used for burying Norwegian kings descending from the Ynglinge dynasty. I unfortunately could not find any information about who created this piece of art on the boulder, if the boulder was added to the park or was a currently standing one, and what is the age of the painting. It does however look very modern.

Borre Viking Marked

leafworks — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:43:13 +0000

Borre Viking Marked
Viking Market / Festival, Borre, Borrekaupangen – the historical Borre Park, Norway: Sunday, 8th July 2012. http://www.borrevikinglag.com/?page_id=961

An amazing trek across the Irish and North Seas, through four countries, three days to reach, three days to embrace, and three days to return … I was taken captive by a Jorvik Viking from York and sailed to this impressive market illustrating the Viking Way of life. It is reknown as one of Norway’s best Viking Festivals and Markets. Focusing on vending, fun, games, entertainment, and ancient craft – it is definitely a highlight not to miss for any history buff. It has been running since 1994 and one of the largest in Scandinavia, with over 12,000 visitors and 500 vikings participating annually. From July 6th-8th, 2012, it was held in Borrekaupangen – the historical Borre Park, Norway, at the base of Viking burial mounds, near the Viking museum, along the Oslo Fjord. The smells, sounds, activities, and environment of all things Viking was had by all, celebrating one of the more impressive eras of Nordic history. Unfortunately I missed the “Vikings only” “kaupang” that preceded the public market occuring all week long involving learning and teaching of dying wool, making shoes, weapons, and other Viking crafts. There were several hundred viking tents with well over 700 vikings from all over Europe – Scandinavia, Ireland, England, Iceland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, France, and many other places. The village was bustling with activity from artisans, musicians, fire performers, jugglers, battles, slave markets, black smiths, cloth dying, and craft creation. Authentic reproductions from the Viking age was of high importance, as each craftsman or artisan researched their wares, art, and creativity based on the same materials, equipment, tools, and weapons that were used in the Viking Age. It is a reflection of the Viking way of life, with everyone wearing the clothes of the period, cooking food over fires, selling their commodities, and doing “Viking business”. I myself, an archaeologist, participated by investigating the use of ceremonial and war body paints based on the colors of the time from woad, madder, indigo, and other spectrums created by what the era produced. Designs were tricky especially as the public wandered through the day with modern kids wanting modern designs and trying to lure them to the designs of the day. The musicians, storytellers, performance art, and ritual to commemorate the burials nearby were fantastic. Viking warfare, battles, and re-enactments of games, feuds, and commerce were stunning. Lots of activities were had for the children. Friday saw a public marking running from 2 pm until midnight, Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, with a grand feast for all the Vikings Saturday night. Parties all night, and the market running from 11 am until 6 pm on sunday. This event was more than stunning, it was phenomenal … Rating 5 stars out of 5.

Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

Slave sale, Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

Borre Viking Marked

Facepainting by Leaf McGowan, Borre Viking Marked, Borre, Norway

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Photography is copyright 2012 by Technogypsie.com as photographed by Leaf McGowan, Thomas Baurley, and other Technogypsie photographers. Photos can be requested and/or purchased, on a individual per photo basis, as well as permission for reproduction can be granted by enquiring at http://www.technogypsie.com/photography.html. All content of this web page is copyright Thomas Baurley / Leaf McGowan / Technogypsie.com.

In its 7th year … The Chronicles of Sir Thomas Leaf are back … The Great Walkabout Down under and Sailing the Seven Seas will be on hold in its completion for the time being due to funding & time it takes to process the photos, write, and design the pages – these tales should resume back in production come August 2012. Meanwhile, we are focusing on current journeys of Sir Thomas Leaf … hopefully (funding dependent) … live … day to day … If you’d like to see this happen, NOW is the time to pledge support or send in your donations as Sir Thomas will be journeying on the tightest shoestring he has yet travelled on … A $5 donation will buy him a chai where he can get online and weave you a tale with photos … otherwise, you’ll have to wait as fate allows publishing … But we digress … Lets begin … the Chronicles of Sir Thomas Rhymer … and a Viking Tale … This is to replace the failed funding project of the Pirates which couldn’t happen like we wanted it to so is being replaced by this adventure, which

Charleston Municipal Marina

leafworks — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 07:37:57 +0000

Charleston Municipal Marina, Charleston, SC

Charleston Municipal Marina

* http://www.charlestoncitymarina.com/ * 17 Lookwood Drive * Charleston, South Carolina *
(843) 577-7702 *

One of several, this beautiful marina is stocked full of boats, visitors, and harbourers. The floating docks look quite popular, even though we didn’t venture out on it, just sat on the bench after a nice seafood dining experience at the marina’s restaurant. At the heart of the network for the three main rivers connecting Charleston to the Atlantic Ocean, it appeared to be quite a hotspot, and walking distance from historic downtown. This beauty is located on the Atlantic Intra-coastal Waterway along mile marker 469.5 featuring over 19,000 feet of linear dock space with over 40 acres of water. State of the art facilities, amenities, and docking support. The Mega-dock extends over 1,500 feet and is the longest free standing floating fuel dock in the Southeastern United States. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

Stratton Spring (Manitou Springs)

Leaf — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:28:46 +0000

Stratton Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Stratton Spring
Manitou Springs, Colorado

From the deep fissures of the Ute Pass Fault, where the rainwater and snow melt of Pikes Peak meet and become heated and mineralized in the deep limestone caverns where they take thousands of years to make their way to the surface absorbing numerous minerals and nutrients as well as natural carbonation. Stratton Spring was a drilled source by the Stratton Foundation as a service to the town where they felt it was located along earlier Native American trails. The Mountain Ute would come through this pass alongside many other tribes to pay homage and become treated by the magical waters they believe were blessed by the great Spirit Manitou. In the late 1880′s, developers and Westerners pushed the tribes out of the valley and began to commercialize on the healing waters with spas, bath houses, and other commercial ventures such as bottling water companies. This spring, one of 10 within Manitou Springs, was believed to have healing properties to treat TB and other illnesses. This spring flows two gallons a minute of naturally carbonated soda type spring water. The well was drilled to a depth of 167 feet. This Spring being drilled, has little folklore to it besides it more modern healing attributes. It was drilled by Winfield Scott Stratton, a local carpenter and building contractor who lived in the area after trying his hand at prospecting during the Cripple Creek Gold Strike which led him to become the first millionaire from that Gold Rush. He died in 1902 and willed his fortune to take care of the county’s elderly and needy children through the Myron STratton Foundation. The Spring was restored by 1989 through an EL POMAR Foundation grant as well as various volunteers and donors from the region.

Stratton Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Stratton Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Stratton Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

photos 09/06/12 60 to 63

Wheeler Spring (Manitou Springs)

Leaf — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 04:00:20 +0000

Wheeler Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Wheeler Spring
Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA * 13S E 507091 N 4301190 * N 38° 51.571 W 104° 55.096 *

One of the lesser known sacred ten of the downtown Manitou Springs natural soda springs is Wheeler Spring as it is on a parallel street running alongside main street. These naturally carbonated springs are created from the rainwater and Pikes Peak snow melt flowing into volcanic rock fractures along the Ute Pass fault line where they become heated and mineralized in the limestone caverns beneath, taking thousands of years to complete its passage to the surface bringing with it a unique taste and flavor of the minerals of the rocks it absorbs along its journey. Native Americans, such as the Utes, would come to these sacred springs of the Great Spirit Manitou whom they believed blessed the waters with magical and healing properties. Unfortunately, once Euro-American homesteaders and westerners discovered the magical beliefs and attributes of the waters, they pushed the tribes out of the area and began to commercialize on the waters by the late 1880′s with spas, baths, and bottled water plants. This particular Spring was drilled by Manitou Springs developer and business owner, Jerome Wheeler (New York Macy’s businessman) this one became his favorite. This spring was finally donated by the Wheeler family to the city of Manitou Springs. This Spring was known for its healing waters to help cure tuberculosis and other illnesses. Once the spa and bottling water industry crashed in town, the city revitalized the springs to the public fonts as they exist now.

Wheeler Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Wheeler Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

photos 09.06.12 71-73

Cheyenne Spring (Manitou)

Leaf — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 03:35:58 +0000

Cheyenne Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Cheyenne Spring
Manitou Springs, Colorado

The spring waters are fissured up through rock fractures from the rainwater and snow melt coming from Pikes Peak. Water reaching the depths become heated and mineralized, flowing up through the Ute Pass fault zone, into limestone caverns which carbonate them, and tapped into by natural springs or wells. Each spring in the area has its own distinct taste and flavor. Cheyenne Springs is one of 7 very popular natural soda springs in the downtown area of historic Manitou Springs. The temperature of the waters of this natural spring average from 49-55 degrees Fahrenheit, producing a sweet tasting soda water that comes from the limestone aquifers a mile deep from beneath the spring font. This particular spring is believed to be over 20,000 years old. The spring was originally visited by Native American tribes in the area such as the Ute. When the Westerners and Euro-American homesteaders discovered these magic waters, they came and settled Manitou Springs, pushing out the tribes. Commercialization of the Springs took place in the 1800′s and by 1872 a rustic stick pagoda was built over this spring by the Town Company which was owned by Manitou Springs founder Dr. William A. Bell and his friend General William J. Palmer. At this time, a park stood over this space, called Soda Springs Park (which has since been reduced in size and taken over by commercial businesses) and was flanked by Soda Springs and Navajo Springs. By 1872 the first bottling plant and bath house was built here combining these waters with Navajo Springs. The Manitou Mineral Water Company in 1890 replaced the stick pagoda with a sandstone house. When the Company collapsed, the spring’s font and housing fell into disrepair until it and its surrounding park was restored by the Mineral Springs Foundation in 1990-1991. The Springhouse which is located in a circular bricked spring house behind the public font houses a copper-clad carbon dioxide gas collector in its center. This was used by the Manitou Mineral Water Company to capture the natural carbon dioxide gas from Shoshone Springs, Navajo Springs, and Cheyenne Springs to re-insert it during bottling processing of the popular sparkling “Manitou Table Water”. The Public font was created by local sculpture artist Paul Rogers in bronze.

Cheyenne Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Cheyenne Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

photo 09/06/12 56 to 58

Navajo Spring (Manitou Springs)

Leaf — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 03:11:00 +0000

Navajo Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Navajo Spring
Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA

Just off of main street in historic Manitou Springs, at the back of the popcorn and candy store in front of the amusement arcade, coming out of the wall in a decorated font is a natural soda spring that is one of 7 popular natural springs that put this town on the map. Originally visited by Native American Indians who sought their healing and spiritual powers whom some believed were gifted by the great spirit called Manitou. They were then frequented by white Euro-American settlers, who pushed the tribes out and commercialized the area. It is because of the commercialization of this particular spring is the one where legend has it the Utes placed a curse on all whites that the westerners can never have a successful business in this place. By the late 1880′s, the westerners built a large bath house and spa, as well as a bottling plant on this former location, but did not succeed. The waters however were famous throughout American in that time and place. The spring waters are fissured up through rock fracures from the rainwater and snow melt coming from Pikes Peak. Water reaching the depths become heated and mineralized, flowing up through the Ute Pass fault zone, into limestone caverns which carbonate them, and tapped into by natural springs or wells. Each spring in the area has its own distinct taste and flavor. This particular spring originally had a bowl-like concretion of calcium carbonate that was large enough to dip or wash oneself in. From 1871-1972, Chief Joseph Tafoya – Chief Joe “LIttle Deer” and his family came to this spot to do authentic Indian dances and songs from the Tewa tribe of the Pueblo Reservation of Santa Clara, New Mexico. In 1889 Jerome Wheeler built a 3 story bottling plant east of the arcade and used these waters to bottle up to 5,000 gallons of water a day selling it throughout the world as table water of the popular non-alcoholic Giner Champagne. After collapse of the plant, the spring fell into abuse, and was restored in 1991 by Manitou’s residents and donors.

Navajo Spring: “Chief Joseph Tafoya – Chief Joe ‘Little Deer’ 1891-1972: Generations of the Tafoya family have presented authentic Indian dances and songs on this site and at the Manitou Cliff Dwellings Museum since 1925. The Tafoya Family Dancers are members of the Tewa tribe from the Pueblo Reservation of Santa Clara, New Mexico, and descendants of the ancient Puye Cliff Dwellers. For 15 years, Chief Joseph Little Deer served both as governor of the Santa Clara Reservation and Chairman for the All Pueblo Indian Council. He introduced a democratic form of government on the reservation, opened his home to orphaned Indian children, and worked tirelessly to improve the living conditions of his people. Chief Little Deer married Petra Suazo, a great niece of Cheif Manitou so named for his active promotion of Manitou Springs at the turn of the century. Chief Manitou danced for 20 summers at the Cliff Dwellings museum. Navajo Spring is one of the seven natural soda-type springs that led to the settlement of Manitou. The early French trappers named the bordering creek “Fountaine qui Bouille”, the Boiling Water. Mineral deposits containing large amounts of carbonate of lime created a natural basin where the Indians bathed their sick and wounded. The white mineral basin now is hidden under the arcade floor. In 1889, Jerome Wheeler built a 3-story bottling plant east of the arcade and used Navajo Spring for bottling up to 5000 gallons of water a day. The water was sold worldwide as table water of the popular non-alcoholic Ginger Champagne. Navajo Spring was restored in 1991 by generous assistance from various donors” ~ sign outside the Spring.

Navajo Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Navajo Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Navajo Spring, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Current Mood: accomplished

The Brennivin Ghost

Leaf — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:19:16 +0000

Icelandic Wonders Museum, Iceland

The Brennivin Ghost of Iceland

While visiting the Icelandic wonders museum, we learned about the infamous Brennivín Ghost, haunting the region where the original Icelandic Schnapps is named. Haunting the halls at Kolviðarhóll, who is the apparition of the Danish “Assistant” who worked in the Sunchenberg Store in Reykjavik. His job was to keep count of liquor in the store, and as a avid lover of the spirits, would travel by horse back to Kolvidarhóll and Marardalur to drink. He passed away in his bed while in Reykjavik. He apparently haunts the stores, halls, and the meadows on Kolviðarhóll.
The first recording of his apparition was two men the following winter from Suarnes travelling over the heath and stopping to sleep at the refuge hut in Kolviaarholl. As they entered the hut, heard chanting in the loft, and were greeted with a vision of a man sitting alone, striking, and elegant with a large top hat and wig, drinking a big container of brennivin. Other reports were as similar. The Icelandic Wonders Museum claims the ghost watches over them.

“The Brennivin Ghost: One of many acquaintances Kolviaarholl was the Brennivin Ghost. He was believed to be the ghost of the Danish ‘Assistant’ Sunchenberg store in Reykjavik. He had the responsibility of counting the beverages in the store, but he was very keen on the beverages. It was his custom, summer after summer on holy days, to ride his horse up to Kolviaarholl and into Marardalur to consume a substantial amount of the libation. He thought that those trips were his greatest pleasure in life … Now, this man passed away in his sickbed in Reykjavik, but the following winter two men from Suaurnes went over the heath and were planning to sleep at the refuge hut at Kolviaarholl. When they opened the hut, they were shocked when they heard a chant up in the loft. The two men weren’t expecting anyone to be there, because they didn’t see anything outside that indicated that someone was there. When the two men went inside the house and up to the loft, the most surreal vision awaited them when they opened the hatch. On the floor, just by the window, there was a man sitting alone who seemed to be very mellow. He was striking to see and very elegant, with a large top hat and a wig, and was wearing clothes with silver buttons on both lapels. Between his feet on the floor, he had a biggish container full of brennivin, from which a sweet smell emanated. In one hand the man had a tin mug that he used to take brennivin from the container, and then he drank from the mug and tipped the rest of the brennivin back into the container. He looked roguishly at what he was doing. The two men greeted the strange man and made his see how surprised they were about his behavior and how well stocked he seemed to be with beverages. He didn’t respond to their greetings, but instead he extended one of his feet, on which there was a Danish shoe, and said a little verse with his dark voice. Then he stood up and swung out his hand with the bennivin mug. With that he disappeared in an instant with a bright glow, and the loft became dark. The two men felt uncomfortable and a little shaken, and ran down the stairs and out into the bright spring night, after whch they started to feel better. Needless to say, the two men continued over the heath until they reached Reykir in Olfus early next morning.” ~ museum sign in Icelandic Wonders Museum.

Icelandic Wonders Museum, Iceland

Current Mood: cold