The Trip is Right Around The Corner

Posted on April 18, 2014April 18, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I’ve been so busy and had so much on my mind that I didn’t realize my Tennessee adventure is fast approaching. What made me think of it was an email I got from the concierge at the resort. It was a very nice email with a list of upcoming events and directions to the resort.

One thing that I was very disappointed to learn is that the Aerial Tram will be closed this year from April 28 through May 22, 2014 for additional scheduled preventive maintenance and updates. Of course my trip falls in that time frame 🙁 That was something I really wanted to do.

As if to make up for taking away one attraction I ran across the Gatlinburg Space Needle.

I loved the space needle in Seattle so maybe this will be a good substitute for the Tram. The advertisement encourages you to “Ride the glass elevators over 400 feet and step out to a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Smokies by day or Downtown Gatlinburg’s lights by night.”

There’s also a chairlift : Gatlinburg Sky lift. Enjoy a peaceful ride as the chairlift takes you to the mountain’s top and back, providing breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains.

Hop on from the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, and experience a tranquil escape as the Sky Lift gently glides over the Little Pigeon River and then climbs to the overlook at an elevation of 1,800 feet. The vantage point and views are unparalleled. You’ve arrived at Gatlinburg’s #1 scenic overlook!

That sounds like a must do with the camera. Nice high shots of the Great Smokey Mountains!

I may not mind the tram being down after all.

First Annual Herring Run Festival

Posted on April 14, 2014April 14, 2014 by Dusty Roads

What was that I was saying about missing out on things because they were on the weekend and I worked? A perfect example was this past weekend.

I saw signs the day I drove over to the Grist Mill Pond; “Oliver Mill festival April 11-13”. I’d never heard of the Oliver Mill festival.

I like to take pictures at the Herring Run. There are bridges, stone ruins , a park with picnic tables and of course the fish ladder. There’s usually gulls and birds and often a Great Blue Heron for photo subjects.

Last year was a bit harder for photos than previous years because it was very crowded with people fishing and trying to kayak. All the human activity drove away some of the wildlife so I spent less time there and more time checking out alternate locations.

But back to the festival. Another photographer I know attended on Saturday.

http://photobee1.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-first-annual-middleborough.html?spref=fb

I was going to take a run down there in the morning Sunday only to find out it didn’t start until 11 am. I’d just have time to get there and have to turn around and come home to work. So I did the next best thing…I looked it up on the internet.

I found this little blip:

MIDDLEBOROUGH — This old town’s first big push to draw in tourists will be launched this weekend with a three-day party to celebrate a centuries-old annual phenomenon.

Organizers expect thousands to gather for the First Annual Herring Run Festival, based primarily at Oliver Mill Park on Route 44 but with other activities planned all over town.

Crowds of alewife and blueback herring, as they do every spring, are already making their way up the Nemasket River, adjacent to the park and considered the largest herring run in the state.

Last year, more than 850,000 herring made the trek to the 5,000 acres of spawning and nursery habitat in the river’s upper reaches where they lay eggs before returning to salt water.

That explains why I’d never heard of it before, this is the first year. Maybe next year I’ll be on that Mon- Fri schedule and able to attend for myself.

For really interesting comments and great photos check out : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photo-Bee-1-Photographing-the-Natural-World-Around-Us/191608700932223

Change is Good

Posted on April 13, 2014April 13, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Change is often hard. This coming from the person who packed up and moved to a new state where they knew no one and knew nothing about the state.

I was young and restless and fearless. Now I still get itchy feet. It comes out in my travels but I also have a stronger sense of home. I like my adopted state, maybe not the cold winters but there’s a lot of other good stuff to recommend it. (No digs about “Taxachusetts”).

Looks like change is once again headed my way. If it happens I guess you can say I went reluctantly which is surprising because I really want it to happen. It all boils down to change.

Rumor has it that there’s a position with another department opening up. The powers that be have brought the opportunity to my attention and it would be a fun job. Off the record I have been told I can keep working from home (once I’m trained). I’d be eligible for bonuses. Bonuses are very good. My budget has been quite tight without the overtime I used to get at my old company. So what am I hesitating for? The schedule change required.

I feel like I will have to mourn my old schedule.

I know that’s funny but for 10 years I worked weekends at my old company and I have continued as a Night and Weekend worker in my new job. I’m used to having weekdays to go to the doctor, dentist, bank, vet and all those other errands that can’t be done easily on the weekend. I am used to having quiet hiking spaces and deserted attractions. The crowds show up on weekends.

The new position requires Monday – Friday. The opportunity is too good not to try for it so I’ve been trying to get myself thinking positive about the schedule. Many events and activities are only on the weekends and I miss out unless I take a day off. Some examples are AAA Travel Expo… usually Thurs- Sun; Riverquest boat rides on the Connecticut River, again usually weekends; The Spring Flower Shows.. always weekends; summer Fairs, Autumn Harvest Festivals and so on.

So I guess there’s a lot to be said for being conforming and working like the rest of the world. Now if I can only get the job. 🙂

Sibling Rivalry in Vegas?

Posted on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I’m still exploring Free things to do in Vegas. I’m pretty sure our budget will be tight so I figure we should do the Free things first and save our money incase we run out of Free things to do.

The Forum Shops at Caesars sounds like a place to go shopping so I was just going to skip right over that. I’m not much of a shopper as anyone who has ever looked in my closet can attest. As my waistline has expanded and my need for business attire has diminished my wardrobe has shrunk accordingly. Jeans, sweats and T’s are my wardrobe du jour. But then my curiosity got the better if me. What did it mean by “Fall of Atlantis” at Caesars Forum Shops?

A little more google and voila! I have answers! 🙂

This was the best description:

Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops Description:

The Atlantis Shows inside the Forum Shops is sibling rivalry at its fiercest. Sure, you may have once fought over toys, food or even listened in on each other’s phone calls with your own brother or sister, but this feud is like no other.

Roaring fires. Splashing waters. Thunderous sounds. A huge, horrific beast. These all come into play in the free 11-minute show. Get your video camera ready for the dramatic, mind-blowing special effects, neon lights and the surrounding fountains. For a second, you’ll forget you’re in a mall.

Witness the fall of Atlantis reenacted by 9-foot-tall lifelike animatronic statues (and a scary 20-foot winged dragon) costumed in armor and leather by the legendary Hollywood blacksmith company Sword & Stone.

The tale begins with King Atlas deciding whether his son or daughter should take over in ruling Atlantis. Greed and haughtiness get the best of the two as they brag about how one’s ability is better than the other. The sister waves her staff and shows off her water power. On the flip side, the brother waves his torch and bursts of flames erupt all around him. The warmth of the heat is shockingly strong. You can also feel the sound waves.

The family learns the ultimate lesson — let’s just say it doesn’t result in a “time-out.” The decision falls out of the father’s hands and the other gods show their wrath with the Fall of Atlantis. A terrifying beast with wings appears from behind Atlas’ throne and watches the destruction of Atlantis. The ferocious flames and wild water effects prove that these guys are serious.

Be sure to get to the show a few minutes early to grab a good spot since it tends to fill up fast. You’ll find it next to Nike and the Cheesecake Factory.

Before or after the show, make sure to check out the 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the Fall of Atlantis. The breathtaking aquarium features more than 300 fish. You can walk right up to the glass and snap amazing shots of stingrays, flounders, tropical puffers and other fish you’d see in Disney’s “Finding Nemo.” Another plus? There are plenty of places to sit around the aquarium. Lose track of time while you watch in awe.

Sounds like another “Not to Miss” experience!

What’s New in Vegas

Posted on March 25, 2014March 25, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Like I said yesterday, I haven’t been to Vegas in a long time so I thought I’d poke around some of the web pages and see what’s been happening and what we might want to see.

First of all, I looked for FREE things to do. Free is always good! XD

I don’t believe the Silverton Hotel was there when I last visited. Certainly the Aquarium wasn’t. I wonder if this is one of the ATM Aquariums from the Animal Planet Show Tanked. ATM is based in Las Vegas and they installed a huge aquarium where they do a mermaid show.

And guess what! There’s a mermaid show at the Silverton Hotel’s Aquarium. We will just have to check that out! I have seen a mermaid show before in Florida at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

I think I need to compare the shows.

A little more poking around and sure enough, this Aquarium is the ATM aquarium featured in the Tanked series! The review I found was written by a big Fan of the show and she gave the aquarium rave reviews. and included pictures!. Now it’s definitely a must see…cameras at ready.

Up next in the Free department is the Bellagio Conservatory. The Bellagio was under construction when I was in Vegas last for more than a change of planes and that was back in 1998. I told you it had been awhile. Anyway, this looks amazing.

The exhibit in the conservatory changes according to the season. They even have live musical performances daily. I bet this would be even more amazing during the holidays!

Of course while we’re visiting the Bellagio we have to see the dancing fountains. That was actually what I thought the Bellagio was known for, not the Conservatory. The Bellagio fountains were designed to “romance” the senses.

In a show of water , music and light the fountains strive to mesmerize the views. This is the most ambitious, choreographically complex water feature ever conceived and it amazes against the beautiful backdrop of Las Vegas’ lavender sky. (My tripod is going on this trip for sure!)