We left South Beach early on Thursday 28 February 2008 to start the long haul home. We had been looking at various islands off the South Carolina coast as a point to stop for a few nights around the halfway point. We ended up in a two bedroom villa at the Marriott Barony Beach Club on Hilton Head Island. While temperatures here were down to around 20 deg C, it was warm enough to convince us to add a third night to our stay. It was also enjoyable to be in a larger place with a full kitchen, spa baths etc after all those nights in hotel rooms, many without even a refrigerator.
We didn't do a lot here although we haven't been relaxing as much as we planned. Main activities have been visiting the beach, swimming in the indoor pool, eating, drinking, etc. We have also had a couple of trips up to the outlet shops, as if the poor old Subaru wasn't already too full!
We leave here early on Sunday 2 March for what should be around 9 hours of driving to get us back to 'Dori's house' as Kieren calls it. He is keen to get back home and to see his mates at school. The rest of us would be quite happy to head back to Key West to just hang out for a few more weeks. Although Donna has already planned birthday parties for both kids and is working on a Las Vegas / Grand Canyon week in the near future!
Malcolm
Friday, February 29, 2008
Florida Road Trip 8: Miami and South Beach
We kept driving on Tuesday 26 February 2008 from the Dolphin Research Center through Miami to South Beach where we were booked at the Royal Palm. On the way through Miami, the radio was full of comments about major power station shutdowns, leaving half of Florida without power and many schools in lock down mode as they didn't want parents driving through streets without traffic lights to pick up their children. There was also a tornado warning which was a bit concerning given the big storm we could see as we drove past the airport!
However all came to nothing with South Beach having power and missing all storms on the way through. We arrived late in the afternoon so after checking in we wandered up to Lincoln Mall to have an early dinner. We had an enjoyable Italian dinner sitting outside in the Mall, watching the passing parade enjoying the warm weather. The South Beach population either is some of the best looking and over proportioned people in the States or cosmetic surgeons are doing quite well here. The feeling wasn't as laid back as Key West and a bit more artificial, making us wish we had planned at least an extra night in Key West.
Kieren also put on a bit of a performance for us after dinner, running through his repertoire: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/TheManyFacesOfKieren.
The main reason for choosing to stop in South Beach was the art deco and related architecture. So on Wednesday 27 February 2008 we rugged up (comparatively to the rest of the trip) and headed out. We started with breakfast at Jerry's Famous Deli (although we didn't realise it was a 2002 import to South Beach, previously being Hoffman's Cafeteria). This is housed in a Henry Hohauser masterpiece from 1940 which has been described as being 'reminiscent of the bow of a tugboat cutting through the waves. The nautical imagery continues with a central smokestack, flagpoles and terrific cutout portholes on the parapet. The wide, curving canopy at the entry smoothly rounds the corner. On the sides, long eyebrows and incised speed bands pick up the motion, stretching the wings out in either direction.'
We then walked down to the Art Deco Welcome Center to hire their iPod self guided audio tour. This took us around the architectural highlights of the Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue area in a bit over an hour. We pushed it a bit as keeping the kids onside was a tough side job. We tried to add a couple of stops at a playground but a crazy occupying a park bench next to the equipment was doing a good job of scaring everyone away. Really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about art deco.
We visited the beach and pool later in the afternoon and had a dip in the pool despite it being fairly cool. Ended the day with a similar wander up Lincoln Mall, dinner at another Italian restaurant and the regulatory souvenir shopping.
Malcolm
However all came to nothing with South Beach having power and missing all storms on the way through. We arrived late in the afternoon so after checking in we wandered up to Lincoln Mall to have an early dinner. We had an enjoyable Italian dinner sitting outside in the Mall, watching the passing parade enjoying the warm weather. The South Beach population either is some of the best looking and over proportioned people in the States or cosmetic surgeons are doing quite well here. The feeling wasn't as laid back as Key West and a bit more artificial, making us wish we had planned at least an extra night in Key West.
Kieren also put on a bit of a performance for us after dinner, running through his repertoire: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/TheManyFacesOfKieren.
The main reason for choosing to stop in South Beach was the art deco and related architecture. So on Wednesday 27 February 2008 we rugged up (comparatively to the rest of the trip) and headed out. We started with breakfast at Jerry's Famous Deli (although we didn't realise it was a 2002 import to South Beach, previously being Hoffman's Cafeteria). This is housed in a Henry Hohauser masterpiece from 1940 which has been described as being 'reminiscent of the bow of a tugboat cutting through the waves. The nautical imagery continues with a central smokestack, flagpoles and terrific cutout portholes on the parapet. The wide, curving canopy at the entry smoothly rounds the corner. On the sides, long eyebrows and incised speed bands pick up the motion, stretching the wings out in either direction.'
We then walked down to the Art Deco Welcome Center to hire their iPod self guided audio tour. This took us around the architectural highlights of the Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue area in a bit over an hour. We pushed it a bit as keeping the kids onside was a tough side job. We tried to add a couple of stops at a playground but a crazy occupying a park bench next to the equipment was doing a good job of scaring everyone away. Really enjoyed the tour and learned a lot about art deco.
We visited the beach and pool later in the afternoon and had a dip in the pool despite it being fairly cool. Ended the day with a similar wander up Lincoln Mall, dinner at another Italian restaurant and the regulatory souvenir shopping.
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 7: Dolphin Research Center
On Tuesday 26 February 2006, we left Key West early to meet our appointment for a Dolphin Dip at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key. This was where the dolphins used for Flipper came from, with some of their descendants still at the Center.
Olivia was particularly taken with Molly and Carlusa, her smile threatening to never leave her face. Kieren quickly overcame his initial reluctance to have a great time as well.
Pictures online at: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/DolphinResearchCenter.
Malcolm
Olivia was particularly taken with Molly and Carlusa, her smile threatening to never leave her face. Kieren quickly overcame his initial reluctance to have a great time as well.
Pictures online at: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/DolphinResearchCenter.
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 6: Florida Keys to Key West
We left Florida City on Sunday 24 February for the drive down the Florida Keys via the 127 miles of the Overseas Highway to Key West. Had a few stops on the way down, including Sunday Brunch at the Key Colony Inn which was a great buffet setup, including omelettes made to order. The drive down the keys wasn't as spectacular as I had expected, the road went through more built up areas and other places where you don't get to appreciate the beauty of the place. It probably deserves more time to explore the areas on the way through than what we had available to us. The turquoise waters were a great sight to let you know that you were in the tropics. Seven Mile Bridge was also interesting.
We had booked into the Best Western Hibiscus which turned out to be much nicer than the online photos indicated. A very tropical resort with the cleanest pool we encountered in all our US travels. Added to the tropical 30+ Celsius weather, Key West quickly became our favourite place on our Florida Road Trip. We were pretty much at the southern end of the Key so that evening we wandered up Duval Street that evening, checking out the shops etc down to Mallory Square to watch the sunset.
On Monday 25 February, we started by walking down to Ernest Hemingway's Key West House at 907 Whitehead Street. Hemingway lived and worked here from 1931 to 1939. Was very interesting to see. The house was very open with lots of windows to allow the breeze through, although these days air conditioning would make it more livable! There are also lots of cats around the house / museum which the kids got to pat and feed during our tour. Hemingway was known for his love of polydactyl cats, although there's some debate as to whether he actually had cats on Key West or just on Cuba. The shop there also benefited from our visit!
We then wandered down to the marker marking the 'southernmost point in the continental United States accessible by civilians', dipped our feet in the Gulf of Mexico and found a cafe to have a coffee overlooking the beach. The rest of the day was spent relaxing around the pool, something we haven't found much time to stop and do during this road trip!
We again spent the evening wandering up Duval Street and the shops before watching the sunset again. After watching the sunset, we wandered the markets along Mallory Square. Olivia and Kieren were keen to watch one of the street performers. They settled on watching two jugglers. Of course they had to be right up the front which in turn led to the performers choosing Olivia to join them. She had a great time, the performers questioned Donna's parenting skills in allowing her to go up there, esp when Olivia handed them a large knife blade first! Olivia also walked away with $6 for her efforts, plus congratulations from several crowd members after the show and as we walked up Duval Street later. This included a balloon hat from one lady! Photos online at: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/OliviaSStreetPerformanceDebut.
Malcolm
We had booked into the Best Western Hibiscus which turned out to be much nicer than the online photos indicated. A very tropical resort with the cleanest pool we encountered in all our US travels. Added to the tropical 30+ Celsius weather, Key West quickly became our favourite place on our Florida Road Trip. We were pretty much at the southern end of the Key so that evening we wandered up Duval Street that evening, checking out the shops etc down to Mallory Square to watch the sunset.
On Monday 25 February, we started by walking down to Ernest Hemingway's Key West House at 907 Whitehead Street. Hemingway lived and worked here from 1931 to 1939. Was very interesting to see. The house was very open with lots of windows to allow the breeze through, although these days air conditioning would make it more livable! There are also lots of cats around the house / museum which the kids got to pat and feed during our tour. Hemingway was known for his love of polydactyl cats, although there's some debate as to whether he actually had cats on Key West or just on Cuba. The shop there also benefited from our visit!
We then wandered down to the marker marking the 'southernmost point in the continental United States accessible by civilians', dipped our feet in the Gulf of Mexico and found a cafe to have a coffee overlooking the beach. The rest of the day was spent relaxing around the pool, something we haven't found much time to stop and do during this road trip!
We again spent the evening wandering up Duval Street and the shops before watching the sunset again. After watching the sunset, we wandered the markets along Mallory Square. Olivia and Kieren were keen to watch one of the street performers. They settled on watching two jugglers. Of course they had to be right up the front which in turn led to the performers choosing Olivia to join them. She had a great time, the performers questioned Donna's parenting skills in allowing her to go up there, esp when Olivia handed them a large knife blade first! Olivia also walked away with $6 for her efforts, plus congratulations from several crowd members after the show and as we walked up Duval Street later. This included a balloon hat from one lady! Photos online at: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/OliviaSStreetPerformanceDebut.
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 5: Everglades National Park
Friday 22 February 2008 started with a final swim in the pool at the Wilderness Lodge and some more Disney shopping before checking out. It was then a blast down the road to Florida City, one of the main gateways to the Everglades National Park. A swim and a spa was enjoyed after the drive and before dinner.
Saturday 23 February was into the Everglades National Park. After a stop at the Ernest F Coe Visitor Centre where we booked a 1pm boat ride, we started the drive through the Park. There are quite a few stops and walks etc on the drive down to Flamingo but we were spoilt by the very first stop at Royal Palm where we walked the Anhinga Trail. It was very hot and humid, which left Kieren very unhappy and keen to just get back to the car. However the range of wildlife we saw up close was amazing. This included crocodiles, turtles, fish and a range of bird life including anhingas.
After lunch at Flamingo, we did our two hour boat ride. We didn't see much wildlife, mainly crocodiles, alligators and bird life. We were on the lookout for snakes and manatees but whether because it was the middle of the day or some other reason, we didn't see much. If we had known this, our time could have been better spent at some of the stops along the roadside. We were probably also spoilt by having seen so much back on the Anhinga Trail. Highlight of the boat trip was Olivia recognising the captain (Bob) from our 1000 Islands boat trip back in August! He splits his time between the two areas, following the seasons.
We stopped at a crocodile farm on the way back as being the only nearby place offering airboat rides, airboats being banned from the National Park due to the damage they do. However the farm didn't appeal to us and as it turned out, my desire to do an air boat ride (stemming from watching Gentle Ben as a kid!) was one of the main things we missed out on doing from our original plans for this road trip.
Malcolm
Saturday 23 February was into the Everglades National Park. After a stop at the Ernest F Coe Visitor Centre where we booked a 1pm boat ride, we started the drive through the Park. There are quite a few stops and walks etc on the drive down to Flamingo but we were spoilt by the very first stop at Royal Palm where we walked the Anhinga Trail. It was very hot and humid, which left Kieren very unhappy and keen to just get back to the car. However the range of wildlife we saw up close was amazing. This included crocodiles, turtles, fish and a range of bird life including anhingas.
After lunch at Flamingo, we did our two hour boat ride. We didn't see much wildlife, mainly crocodiles, alligators and bird life. We were on the lookout for snakes and manatees but whether because it was the middle of the day or some other reason, we didn't see much. If we had known this, our time could have been better spent at some of the stops along the roadside. We were probably also spoilt by having seen so much back on the Anhinga Trail. Highlight of the boat trip was Olivia recognising the captain (Bob) from our 1000 Islands boat trip back in August! He splits his time between the two areas, following the seasons.
We stopped at a crocodile farm on the way back as being the only nearby place offering airboat rides, airboats being banned from the National Park due to the damage they do. However the farm didn't appeal to us and as it turned out, my desire to do an air boat ride (stemming from watching Gentle Ben as a kid!) was one of the main things we missed out on doing from our original plans for this road trip.
Malcolm
Monday, February 25, 2008
Florida Road Trip 4: WDW Day 3 The Magic Kingdom
Our last full day at WDW on Thursday 21 February 2008 started with the boat ride over to the Magic Kingdom from the Wilderness Lodge. WDW opened an hour earlier today so we modified the touring plan of day 2 of the Unofficial Guide's touring plan. This was partly because not all the rides opened early, something we didn't find out until we arrived and which caused us some quick replanning. So the first part of the day went like this:
- Watched Monsters Inc Comedy Club (which was very funny and interactive with audience members; we also missed a rain shower while in this show)
- Watched Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (which shows 'progress' in decade intervals, albeit with a big jump at the end to 'tomorrow')
- Rode Splash Mountain (Kieren and I were in the back seats and he couldn't see where we were going when we went over the big fall which scared him a bit)
- Rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which both kids loved)
- Rode Pirates of the Caribbean
- Took the Jungle Cruise
- The kids had photos / autographs with Captain Hook and Mr Smee
- Lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant (which had shots from Lady and the Tramp around the walls, including Tony's Restaurant where the dogs had dinner in the movie)
- Kids had photos / autographs with Jiminy Cricket who was outside the restaurant
We then boated back to the Wilderness Lodge for an afternoon sleep. This coincided with a heavy rain storm, continuing our run of good weather on this trip. After this well needed break, we boated back over to the Magic Kingdom where the fun continued until late into the night:
- Took the train around the outside of WDW to Mickey's Toontown Fair
- Lined up for Olivia to have photos / autographs with Ariel (we lined up before lunch but ran out of time)
- Had dinner
- Watched the evening parade (which was a fantastic light show)
- Went over to Tomorrowland so Kieren could buy a Stitch (which he later left in his bed in our Florida City hotel and which had to be posted back to him!)
- Watched the evening fireworks (which were done in the best Disney traditions, very well integrated with the soundtrack / music and a highlight of Tinkerbell flying over the park)
- Did some retail therapy to get some more souvenirs / reminders of our wonderful time at Disney.
It was very late and we were very tired by the time we caught the boat back to the Wilderness Lodge. In some ways WDW reminded me of The Truman Show, or maybe it was the other way around. There's a lot of 50s and 60s nostalgia and reminders of the good old American days. However the gloss and attention to detail of Disney pulls it off. The parks were always spotless. It must be one of the few places in the western world where staff haven't been cut in search of profit margin gains. In addition to the cleaning / rubbish picking up staff around the parks, we noticed the other staff would quickly pick up any litter etc. A high proportion of the staff were also in what would be their 'retirement years' elsewhere. They all seemed to be there because they enjoyed their jobs, which may relate back to Disney's selection processes aimed at ensuring their employees embody the Disney philosophies. It seems to be working!
There's a quick selection of photos from our Disney adventures (sans captions at this stage) online here: http://picasaweb.google.com/malcolmdonna/WaltDisneyWorld.
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 3: WDW Day 2 Animal Kingdom
Up even earlier today for the bus over to the Animal Kingdom which was opening an hour earlier at 8am. We were booked in for a character breakfast at 8am at Tusker House Restaurant. Excellent choices of quality food in a range of market stalls (buffet style) and highlighted by visits from Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy. Each character visited each table to sign autographs (our kids were with the autograph program by now!) and have the obligatory photos taken. The kids loved it and this breakfast was also one of the highlights of our Disney experience.
Today was intended as a bit easier day, breaking the two days in the Magic Kingdom, so we didn't totally follow the guidebook's plan today:
Today was intended as a bit easier day, breaking the two days in the Magic Kingdom, so we didn't totally follow the guidebook's plan today:
- Rode Kilimanjaro Safaris (vehicle safari around African animals)
- Walked Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (where Olivia learned all about naked mole-rats and was given a certification for her scientific interest)
- Watched Flights of Wonder bird show
- Rode TriceraTop Spin
- Watched Festival of the Lion King (a big stage production)
- Watched Pocahontas and her Forest Friends (a smaller stage production but with real animals coming on and off the stage as part of the show)
- Watched It's Tough to Be a Bug! (where Kieren again decided we couldn't see that show again as it was too scary, especially when the bugs came out in the 3D / 4D parts of the show including when the humans were sprayed with insect spray in the dark!)
- The kids had a play in The Boneyard, including digging out a woolly mammoth skeleton.
We had a late dinner at the Roaring Fork restaurant back at the Wilderness Lodge after the kids had a swim in the pool. Food was very disappointed, quantity substituting for quality and a fairly limited choice. Kids got a kick when every kid in the place brought crayons over to them when Olivia asked the waitress for some more colours!
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 2: WDW Day 1 The Magic Kingdom
Up early to catch the boat over to The Magic Kingdom to be there by opening time at 9am. The boat access was one of the reasons why we chose to stay at The Wilderness Lodge. It was only around 10 minutes down the Lake, with boats going every 20 minutes or so.
Disney does the 'experience' better than anyone. We were impressed with the opening of the Kingdom. A whole show with the Disney characters took place on the railway station above where we were waiting as part of building the excitement and anticipation of opening the gates.
Having decided that the authors of the Unofficial Guide to WDW knew better than us how to maximise the use of our time, we followed their touring plans for the three days of our entry into the parks. So following Day One of the Magic Kingdom Two-day Touring Plan, adjusted for the fact that Kieren didn't make the 44 inch height limit for some rides, we were on our way:
Disney does the 'experience' better than anyone. We were impressed with the opening of the Kingdom. A whole show with the Disney characters took place on the railway station above where we were waiting as part of building the excitement and anticipation of opening the gates.
Having decided that the authors of the Unofficial Guide to WDW knew better than us how to maximise the use of our time, we followed their touring plans for the three days of our entry into the parks. So following Day One of the Magic Kingdom Two-day Touring Plan, adjusted for the fact that Kieren didn't make the 44 inch height limit for some rides, we were on our way:
- Rode Buzz Lightyear (which ended up being Kieren's favourite ride, shooting targets from our vehicle)
- Rode Winnie the Pooh
- Rode Peter Pan's Flight
- Watched Mickey's PhilharMagic
- Rode It's a Small World (where the Australian Aboriginal depiction left a bit to be desired)
- Went through The Haunted Mansion (where Kieren was scared by the ghosts, not being able to tell what was real and what was Disney)
- Rode the Liberty Belle riverboat (haven't we been here before in Dreamworld??!!)
- Watched The Hall of Presidents (boring but the kids confused as to how dead presidents were moving and talking to them. George Bush was also confusing to them but they probably aren't alone there.)
- Watched the Country Bear Jamboree
- Explored Tom Sawyer Island (including a number of tunnel type caves)
- Watched Stitch's Great Escape (where Kieren was very scared, declared we weren't allowed to do that ride again and subsequently decided there was a 'good Stitch' and a 'bad Stitch)
- Rode the Tomorrowland Transit Authority
During the day, Olivia also met Snow White's Fairy Godmother and Kieren met Buzz Lightyear. Somewhere in there we also watched the afternoon Disney Dreams Come True Parade, which was one of the highlights of the day. Olivia and I also rode Space Mountain, a good roller coaster ride limited only by the 55 minute queue for the 5 minute ride. (But also backing up the guidebook's advice of when and how to maximise time usage in the parks.) We also went back to ride Buzz Lightyear again before leaving The Magic Kingdom for the day.
Malcolm
Florida Road Trip 1: Down to Walt Disney World
The trip didn't start until 10.30am on Sunday 17 February 2008 thanks mainly to Donna being hit with a gastro virus, something that was to slow both of us down throughout the Disney part of our trip.
The drive down ended up being split into approximately 800 km on Sunday before I tired of driving and we stopped for the night in a Best Western in Walterboro, South Carolina. Monday saw us complete the last 600 km into Walt Disney World (WDW).
Our Disney experience started with our accommodation at The Wilderness Lodge. In the second tier of Disney's resorts, the massive 4 storey entry foyer includes multi-storey totem poles and everything else that makes it special in the Disney way.
Our room 6031 overlooked the pool and had a good view of Lake Buena Vista and the nighttime water light show. We used the Unofficial Guide to WDW guide book to plan our whole Disney trip. Still not sure what to make of the fact that it is as big a book as the Lonely Planet Guide to USA! Idea was to have a room on the sixth floor looking the other way up to The Magic Kingdom where we could see the nightly fireworks show. However I didn't read the earlier sentence which was that we needed an even numbered room! Was ok but a bit of a bummer.
After carting everything up to our room, we drove over to Downtown Disney for the evening. Had dinner at Planet Hollywood and wandered the shops.
Malcolm
The drive down ended up being split into approximately 800 km on Sunday before I tired of driving and we stopped for the night in a Best Western in Walterboro, South Carolina. Monday saw us complete the last 600 km into Walt Disney World (WDW).
Our Disney experience started with our accommodation at The Wilderness Lodge. In the second tier of Disney's resorts, the massive 4 storey entry foyer includes multi-storey totem poles and everything else that makes it special in the Disney way.
Our room 6031 overlooked the pool and had a good view of Lake Buena Vista and the nighttime water light show. We used the Unofficial Guide to WDW guide book to plan our whole Disney trip. Still not sure what to make of the fact that it is as big a book as the Lonely Planet Guide to USA! Idea was to have a room on the sixth floor looking the other way up to The Magic Kingdom where we could see the nightly fireworks show. However I didn't read the earlier sentence which was that we needed an even numbered room! Was ok but a bit of a bummer.
After carting everything up to our room, we drove over to Downtown Disney for the evening. Had dinner at Planet Hollywood and wandered the shops.
Malcolm
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Freezing Rain
We had our first experience of freezing rain on the afternoon of Tuesday 12 February 2008. Basically it starts as snow up high, melts completely as it goes through a layer of warmer air on its way down, then hits a layer a air below freezing which supercools it. This water then freezes on whatever it lands on.
The freezing rain started mid afternoon. It wasn’t too bad early in Maryland. Seemed to hit the Virginia roads worse. One of the guys I work with left work at 3.30pm and got home at 7pm. Roads were just so slow.
I left work early to get home by 5pm to catch the PM's apology live. Connecticut Avenue virtually stopped moving so I got off my bus 3 or 4 stops early and slid down the sidewalks, with the bus back out of sight when I reached my street! Most of the ice settled after I got home. We already had ice on our deck, 3 – 4 inch icicles on the car and off the trees, deck railings etc. Donna was out with the kids at swimming but got home ok.
Looked fantastic on Wednesday morning with the sun coming through the icicle filled trees. Big storms overnight which were a bit warmer and just normal rain so the roads and sidewalks weren’t too bad. Did slide and fall down some outside steps at home where black ice was hiding. Schools and govt were on a 2 hour late start. I had to take the Subaru over to Rockville for a service which was a drive I could have done without. The ice had taken out the traffic lights through much of this area but didn't seem to be much ice on the road so traffic was moving ok. Much easier to hop on the bus to get to the station. Then one of the news crews filmed me trying to walk up the sidewalk to the station which I wasn’t real impressed with …
Donna took some photos on Wednesday morning which are here.
Malcolm
The freezing rain started mid afternoon. It wasn’t too bad early in Maryland. Seemed to hit the Virginia roads worse. One of the guys I work with left work at 3.30pm and got home at 7pm. Roads were just so slow.
I left work early to get home by 5pm to catch the PM's apology live. Connecticut Avenue virtually stopped moving so I got off my bus 3 or 4 stops early and slid down the sidewalks, with the bus back out of sight when I reached my street! Most of the ice settled after I got home. We already had ice on our deck, 3 – 4 inch icicles on the car and off the trees, deck railings etc. Donna was out with the kids at swimming but got home ok.
Looked fantastic on Wednesday morning with the sun coming through the icicle filled trees. Big storms overnight which were a bit warmer and just normal rain so the roads and sidewalks weren’t too bad. Did slide and fall down some outside steps at home where black ice was hiding. Schools and govt were on a 2 hour late start. I had to take the Subaru over to Rockville for a service which was a drive I could have done without. The ice had taken out the traffic lights through much of this area but didn't seem to be much ice on the road so traffic was moving ok. Much easier to hop on the bus to get to the station. Then one of the news crews filmed me trying to walk up the sidewalk to the station which I wasn’t real impressed with …
Donna took some photos on Wednesday morning which are here.
Malcolm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)