Packing One Out

Caleb the packer leading out a mule full of elk. Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado.

General Warren's Post

A statue to Brigadier General Gouverneur K. Warren, 5th New York Infantry Regiment, stands post on top of Little Round Top in Gettysburg. General Warren secured and held Little Round Top from a Confederate assault on the 2nd day of fighting in 1863.

Allentown Fire Department, old Liberty No. 5

Allentown Fire Department, old Liberty No. 5, 715 Chew Street, Allentown, Pa. Lehigh County. In 1870 the four original volunteer fire companies in Allentown formed the Allentown Fire Department. There would eventually be 13 volunteer companies. The old Liberty No. 5 sits a half block up from the Central Fire Station. Although I don't know whatever happen to the Engine Company, Liberty Fire Company #5 lives on as a social club around the corner on Hall Street.

Allentown Fire Department, Central Station

Allentown Fire Department, Central Station, 723 Chew Street, Allentown, Pa. Lehigh County. Central Station was formed in December 1958 when the AFD combined the Columbia Engine 4 and Pioneer Engine 9 into a renovated Chrysler Plymouth dealership on Chew Street. Central Station currently houses two engines (4 and 9), an aerial truck, Battalion Chief and the Fire Marshall. Two ambulances also call it home. AFD began in 1870 when the original four volunteer companies united. They currently run out of six stations including Central Station.

More of Haines Alaska's Flowers

Not only did we have a long day in Haines but there really was a lot of colorful flowers. Some of these were along the side of the road, some were in gardens and some were not much more than weeds. All were beautiful.

Canadian Pirates

The Grand Hermine decaying in Jordan Harbour on Lake Ontario between Grimsby and St. Catharines.

Landing on Water

This waterway is actually part of the Ketchikan International Airport. Runway WNW/ESE. Also, incoming cruise ships don't seem to bother there takes offs or landings.

Journey Behind the Falls

Our adventure in Niagara Falls was to take the Journey Behind the Falls. It starts at the Table Rock Centre on the Canadian side right at the Horseshoe Falls. Then its is down the steps to get in line for your rocking yellow rain poncho. From there it is an elevator ride 150 feet down. Then the main tunnel extends 650 parallel to the falls. Off of the main tunnel are two more tunnels that take you right out behind the falls. After that you can walk out to the outside platform to look up at the water coming down.

One of These Days Alice...

"One of these days, Alice, POW! straight to the moon" Sure, it's been 60 years since Ralph Kramden said this to his wife Alice on the Honeymooners, but I saw a recent list of the top 25 sitcom one liners. This was No. 19.

The graffiti was found along a street in Lower Manhattan.

Kill Buck Volunteer Fire Company

Kill Buck Volunteer Fire Company, 3790 Kill Buck Road, Salamanca (Kill Buck), New York, Cattaraugus County. This is the extent of information I can find about KBVFC. Cattaraugus County is a very rural county in the far southwestern corner of the state. If you have more information about this company please leave a comment.

Vigilant Fire Company

Vigilant Fire Company, 666 Main Street, West Seneca, NY, Erie County. The Vigilants' are one of six companies making up the West Seneca Fire District. The VFC was established in 1893 and incorporated in 1896. They sponsor the Vigilant Explorer Post #34, an organization for 14 to 20 year olds to learn the basics of fire prevention and protection, similar to a Junior Member program.

Point Atkinson Lighthouse

Point Atkinson Lighthouse was the last light I saw on my Inside Passage cruise. Sitting just north of Vancouver, the first lighthouse built on Point Atkinson went up in 1874. This new tower was built in 1912. It sits 60 feet tall or 108 feet off the water. During World War II gun emplacements were installed and troops assigned to man the guns. Designated a National Historic Site on 1994, the light went automated in 1996.

Columbine of Haines, Alaska

Believe it or not all of these columbine were in one back yard in the Fort Seward neighborhood of Haines, Alaska. There were other flowers. Like dandelions the size of your palm and a beautiful iris. I guess 20 hours of daylight makes them grow big.