Cruising The Adirondacks

Happy to say. That I am writing this post from "The Green Mountain State". The trip down went well. With no major problems. A special thanks to my 2001 Toyota Corolla. This car doesn't want to get old. It it just keeps running like a top! Plus it keeps bringing me safely back to Vermont. All great things!!!

Also a special thanks to my Garmin "Street Pilot" GPS. Which has also become a integral part of my travel experience. My Street Pilot created one of my favorite scenic drives of all time today. We crossed the St. Lawrence at the town of Prescott. My route took me though the towns of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. The famous town of Lake Placid N.Y. has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. The first time in 1922, and in 1980. I did pass by the arena. Which was the venue for the "Miracle on Ice". When pure emotion from fan support. Carried the U.S. Olympic Hockey team onto wining the gold mental!

I passed back into Vermont crossing over a Bridge from Crown Point N.Y. It always feels like being in a safe and peaceful dreamland when I am here. And I am here!!! The final stage of the trip was passing through the Champlian Valley on my way to the village of Warren.

Special thanks also to Mr. Gordon Lightfoot. I listened to album "A Painter Passing Through". Which was enjoyed! Thanks Al for giving it to me. I have to mention I must have listened to the song "I use to be a country singer" several time during the drive. Great song!! Really helped to make the day a special one!

I have included some pictures from my great day of traveling! One to remember!

Escape To Vermont!

It's that time again. The time to travel. A chance to unwind, relax and live life on my time.

Just like a good habit. As we move from summer to Fall. As the temperatures start to cool down. I am again traveling to "The Green Mountain State" of Vermont.

This annual celebration of life for me. Which began in 2007. I just can't get enough of getting away from it all and having the chance to live in the "Land Of Green". It has to be the constant beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Also the slow and relaxed pace. That has made this New England location so appealing to me.

Vermont represents to me. A unique and beautiful small independent country. That is totally unlike living in the U.S. or in Canada for that matter. For the Greater Toronto Area has turned into a Rat Race of terrible proportions. Which represents just a small part of our world. That is contemplating going completely off the deep end.

Which includes all of the hate, discontent and greed that lives in our world today. Greed that has run a muck. So much division among us humans. The people of today find it a necessity to enjoy our new technology on a daily basis in order to survive. The big news is the new iPhone 5 is ready to be purchased. Well good luck with owning that new iPhone 5. I hope that someday the creators of the iPhone. Can also create a cure cancer, solve our energy problems, create enough organic food for us all to eat. Or help to prevent global warming. Maybe they can also help the world economies grow and become stable. Or maybe the new iPhone 5 will prevent politicians from wasting our tax dollars. Grow and conscience and show some responsible leadership. To manufacture some positive change, for a change!

Vermont here I come! I can't wait to see the wonderful Lake named Champlain! And what lies beyond the Lake in the "Green Mountain State".

The pictures; are all from my summer trip to Vermont last year.
From the top;
1. Hiking north on "The Long Trail", to reach "Silent Cliff"
2. Biking into "Hancock" on route 100!
3. Bristol Falls
4. Biking on the Stove Recreation Path in "The Valley of Green"

The Bike Ride De Terra Cotta

Today was a great day of what was the last day. Of a 3 day long weekend.

I made the most of it and rode one of my favorite bike rides to-date. I rode from where Horseshoe Hill Road meets the Caledon Trailway. To the village of Terra Cotta. Which is located some 9 miles (14.5 KM), riding to the west.

The summer weather today was near perfect. Bright sunny skies. The temperature was about 26 C. and no humidity. I have been frequenting "The Forge Park" located at 215 King Street in the picturesque village of Terra Cotta. To try and survive during the horrible hot summer we have had to endure. By swimming in the Credit River. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Today proved a challenge to get to The Forge Park. As the "The Tour De Terra Cotta". A big biking event was on today. Which used the roads that circled Terra Cotta. I could not drive my car to get to Terra Cotta. However I was able to ride there using the Caledon Trailway.

I enjoyed ever part of the ride. The scenery is varied and beautiful. It is very good luck that one of the best parts of Ontario. Is so close by to visit. When I reached the village of Cheltemham. I stopped in at the historic general store, and picked up a nice Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich to enjoy for my lunch. Then continued my ride to get to Terra Cotta.

On arriving in the village. The bike races were in full swing. Security had to O.K. me to cross to the south side of King Street. So I could walk my Raleigh Mountain Bike to The Forge Park.

I enjoyed my sandwich by a nice shaded spot by the Credit River. Then after lunch I enjoyed a swim in the river. How fantastic the water in the Credit River feels when you dive in. I was surprised that the park was not very busy. What with all of the competitors of the bike races, and the spectators that were on hand.

After enjoying my refreshing swim. I crossed to the north side of King Street. Then rode up Isabella Street to get back to the Caldedon Trailway. I then road back east. I stopped in the village of Inglewood, and indulged in some strawberry Kawartha Dairy ice-cream. The Inglewood General Store is nice. But not as nice as the historic General Store located in Cheltenham. Plus the Inglewood store prices are a little higher.

I then completed my bike ride back to my parked car. My Bike Ride De Terra Cotta was one to remember!
Enjoy the photos I took during the bike ride today.

Souvenirs

Most of my favorite memories. Have been created by visiting some of my favorite locations on this planet.

I did also bring home some interesting and obscure items during my travels. I thought it would be a fun idea. To prevent some of these items as a post on this blog.

I will start with Coca-Cola bottle that I brought home from my trip to Israel in 1988. The script on the bottle is in English and also in Hebrew. Which is the main official language that is spoken in the state of Israel.

Souvenir number 2 is an actual street Kentucky Derby Sign. That was obtained by me. After we ran "Truth Of It All" in the 1993 Kentucky Derby.

A Grolsch Beer glass that was found by me in a Thrift Store in the city of "The Hague" during my 2009 trip to Europe.

I purchased an antique restaurant "Tab" clock. During my summer 2008 trip to Vermont. I did spent some time also in the state of New Hampshire. This clock was found in an Antique and collectible store in Claremont, New Hampshire.

I purchased and brought home a very nice antique maple syrup pitcher. Which was found in the antique mall in Chester, Vermont. This was during my summer 2011 trip in the Green Mountain State.

During my 2009 summer trip to visit the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I found and purchased the Complete Playboy Centerfold Book. In a thrift store in Seaside, Oregon. Lots of beautiful scenery to view in this book.

Then after completing the "Mount Hood Loop". I found myself in Sandy, Oregon. Located on the west side of Mount Hood. There happens to be a "Goodwill" Thrift Store located in Sandy. I found a brought home a nice pair of Schwinn biking gloves. Which are still in use today. I also purchased a working first edition of Bose noise canceling headphones. I think both items only cost me $15. No sales tax in Oregon!

During my stay in Portland Oregon last October. I was perusing through Cameron's Used Books. I found a rare copy of the "Great Vending Machine" book by Michael Colmer.

This Post Card was sent on June 10, 2012, from Martha's Vineyard. This was the last day of my trip to visit the islands of Cape Cod. This post card was sent home. It arrived on July 31, 2012. I thought I would never see this postcard. The old saying; "better late then never". This postcard is an aerial shot of Edgartown and there historic lighthouse.

How about a couple of good songs about "Souvenirs". Here is classic footage of John Prine and the late Steve Goodman. Singing about the fun of collecting great memories. Also a not very well known song sung by Jimmy Buffett. That will always help. To bring back some special memories to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOTbg39-I5Q&feature=share

https://fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCSpyTF7-u7sW2n&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FICKE0X7QVwU%2Fmqdefault.jpg

Lost A Good Friend and Fellow Traveler.

This picture was taken of Mike. After our hike in "Enchanted Rock" state park located in Texas.


http://travelwolfe.blogspot.ca/2010/02/enchanted-rock_25.html

Sad to report the death of a good friend and fellow traveler. Mike Bykov who passed away just recently.

I met Mike in 2010 during my February tour of south Texas. Meeting friendly and interesting people is part of the fun of any trip. For if you would of stayed at home. You would have never met some of the people that make the travel experience so rewarding. That become a part of your life! I arrived in the city of Austin. I checked in at the Hosteling International hostel located there. When I met Mike we just became friends right away. For Mike Bykov was a person who had a charismatic personality. Who just loved to live!

Mike was also a very bright and creative person. I could of predicted down the road that Mike was destined to gain a great job. Working for a prominent company. Mike was someone that could of changed our world for the better. For Mike had a lot going for him.

Mike and I shared some great time together even though it was brief. Our hike in "The Enchanted Rock" state park in Texas was a great part of my Texas trip. We also shared a passion for great food, and great beer! We also shared the ambition to travel out into this interesting and beautiful planet we get to call our home. And to enjoy ever minute of the adventure!

This weekend I plan to remember my friend by enjoying one of his favorite meals. That would be an incredible steak dinner. Served with all the trimming. Oh yes and some imported beer from Belgium. I believe Mike would of approved.

The world has lost a great person in Mike Bykov. I have lost a great friend. This thing we call life can be so unfair. Mike Bykov was only 28 years young.

All those that had the great luck of knowing you Mike will miss you! Safe Travels my friend. Wherever you go from here.

My menu for dinner tonight. Was designed to honor and remember the life of my good friend Mike Bykov.
The main course consisted of a fried Organic Angus Beef N.Y. cut steak. Served with fried mushrooms & onions, garlic & chive home-fried potatoes, and fresh sliced tomato.
The beverage was an imported beer from the Abbey of Leffe, Belgium.

For desert was strawberry shortcake served with mixed berry frozen yogurt. It was a meal to remember. I just know you would of also enjoyed this meal Mike!

A Swim In The Credit River

This summer has been a real scorcher. To try and beat the heat, and survive this hot, dry and very humid summer of 2012. I have retreated back to my roots. Back to the country. You can take the boy out of the country. But you can't take the country out of the boy.

Last year during a very enjoyable bike ride along the Caledon Trailway. I rode my bike to the picturesque little village of Terra Cotta located in Caledon. I enjoyed my first swim in the "Credit River". I enjoyed that experience so much. I just have to keep doing it. This location to swim in the Credit River has proved to be one of my all time favorite places to pretend I'm a fish.

Thanks to my waterproof digital Lumix camera. I was able to take pictures of the scerney while I was in the river.

The final picture is of 1887 Cheltenham General Store. I enjoy very much finding an old country general store. Yes and the icecream cone was also enjoyed!