| Does not use time wisely | Vacation2024 | [11-Apr-2024]
Got back last night abt 11:30 from the eclipse. Original plan was to go to Texas, only 10 hours away it was cloudy. Ended the first day in Huntsville headed for Southern Missouri but maps suggested it was gong to cloud over too. Made the decision to go where it was clear, the north east. Drove from Huntsville to Bluefield, WV. Next day stopped to see great grandparents and get a new battery for the key fob in Claksburg, WV. Made it to Niagra Falls and spent night in Syracuse. Next morning windshield was cracked. Drove to Newport, VT where it was clear. Got there abt 1pm for the 2pm eclipse start.
As expected traffic was a disaster. Stopped at Petersburg battlefield but drove pretty much straight back. Details to follow.
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| Driving | Photos, Vacation2024 | [09-Apr-2024]
Left the eclipse shortly after totality at 4pm. Made good time down 5 to Orleans before hitting traffic but that was only about 10 miles away. Interstate was a disaster. By 6:30 was only at Lyndonville 35 miles away. Pulled over for gas and food. Hung out till after 8pm, line to get on the interstate did not get less. Took a back dirt road 20 miles south but back to stop and go on the interstate. Only traveled 100 miles by 11pm. Stopped and got about 3 hours sleep in an empty parking lot. Drove some more till 4:30am, finally no traffic. Made it to Cromwell, Ct. only 260 miles from Newport but was able to get a hotel room.
Got up and drove through to Richmond though the construction that was CT, traffic of NYC, Baltimore and DC. |
| Total Eclipse | Astronomy, Vacation2024 | [08-Apr-2024]
Total eclipse photos from Newport, VT. Was just beside the Whipple Point Lighthouse replica in a part on the lake shore. Skies were clear, a few high level clouds came in during totality, but not enough to effect anything. There were thousands of people all over town. The town was having some eclipse event but I didnt make it to wherever the program was. Was able to see both Jupiter and Venus during totality.
The drive from Syracuse over to Newport covered some areas with a lot of snow. Some of the locals said it had snowed 10 inches last Thursday and it was still left on the fields and such. |
| Niagara Falls | Photos, Vacation2024 | [07-Apr-2024]
Passed through Buffalo, had a reservation in Syracuse. Realized I was at Niagara Falls and it was still daylight. Took a detour to see them. They are over touristed and crowded. At least they were free. Finished the day after a few more hours in Syracuse. |
| West Virginia | Vacation2024 | [07-Apr-2024]
Stopped early at the New River Gorge visitor center and overlook just as it opened.
Jeep would not recognize the key fob. Had to press it to the starter to get the car started. Stopped in Claksburg to see Nanny and the old house. Got the battery tested and determined the problem was the battery in the key fob. Continued driving. |
| Huntsville Botanical Garden | Photos, Vacation2024 | [06-Apr-2024]
The Huntsville Botanical Garden is right next to the rocket center. Its a really pretty place but disorganized and needs more maps. Native azaleas were in full bloom so it was a good time to visit.
Left the garden and looked at cloud cover for the eclipse. Missouri is clouding over. Made the decision to drive to the Northeast. No more stops its going to be a long drive. Ended the day in Bluefield WV. |
| U.S. Space and Rocket Center | Photos, Vacation2024 | [06-Apr-2024]
Ended Friday in Huntsville. Got up and went straight to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. The main museum is underwhelming. The outdoors displays are better and the Saturn V center is well worth the visit. I have now see all three existing Saturn Vs, this one, the one at Cape Canaveral and the one at Johnson. As well as the preserved Saturn V inside there is a full size replica outside standing up. |
| National Civil War Naval Museum | Photos, Vacation2024 | [05-Apr-2024]
Next stop was the National Civil War Naval Museum. Missed River Blast by one day they were setting up. Ive been here more than a decade ago and not much seems to have changed.
Only had 4 photos from before so adding the new ones in the Same place |
| Kolomoki Mounds | Photos, Vacation2024 | [05-Apr-2024]
Left about 9am headed north. Texas has already been eliminated but the Southern Missiouri area seems clear. Plan is to get to Atlanta tonight. Diverted to Kolomoki Mounds since it was on the way and I have not been there.
Its a small park with a few small mounds but the general gist I get is they have no idea about anyt5hing other than some of the mounds were burial and others werent.
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