Wednesday, October 30, 2013
A Hint of Autumn
Monday afternoon. The first "bright" color I've seen in the area. There's still hope for a colorful fall after all.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
One Question Answered
After one day at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, I've already found the answer to one question "left over" from my Switzer research!
As noted in the post Not One, Not Two, Not Three, but Four of Them! (about half way through the post) there was a question regarding which Jacob Switzer was the owner of 80 acres in the W ½ of the SW ¼ of R2 T12 S16 in Fairfield Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.
The answer came in a deed record (volume 64 page 397 of FHL film 926962) in which Isaac Switzer and Christiana his wife, Benjamin Switzer and Lidia Ann his wife, Levi Switzer and Hannah his wife, Peter Keck and Delia Ann his wife, James Crooks and Eliza his wife, Anna Switzer and Sophia Switzer of the county of Columbiana sold the parcel “containing 72 acres of land owned and lately occupied by Jacob Switzer deceased” to Christian Kiser for $3420 on April 6, 1860.
So now we know that this land belonged to Switzer Family Number 4 :: Jacob G. and Catharina and not to “my” Jacob. In addition, it confirms the names of his heirs and provides the names of the spouses of the married children, which would be nice for anyone researching this particular family!
As noted in the post Not One, Not Two, Not Three, but Four of Them! (about half way through the post) there was a question regarding which Jacob Switzer was the owner of 80 acres in the W ½ of the SW ¼ of R2 T12 S16 in Fairfield Township, Columbiana County, Ohio.
The answer came in a deed record (volume 64 page 397 of FHL film 926962) in which Isaac Switzer and Christiana his wife, Benjamin Switzer and Lidia Ann his wife, Levi Switzer and Hannah his wife, Peter Keck and Delia Ann his wife, James Crooks and Eliza his wife, Anna Switzer and Sophia Switzer of the county of Columbiana sold the parcel “containing 72 acres of land owned and lately occupied by Jacob Switzer deceased” to Christian Kiser for $3420 on April 6, 1860.
So now we know that this land belonged to Switzer Family Number 4 :: Jacob G. and Catharina and not to “my” Jacob. In addition, it confirms the names of his heirs and provides the names of the spouses of the married children, which would be nice for anyone researching this particular family!
Up and Away :: Evening Version
Depending upon the weather, mass ascensions of the balloons are held in the morning and in the early evening. About five o'clock I made my way back to Rotary Park. I could see a bunch of balloons already in the sky and it was an impressive sight!
Even more impressive was seeing the balloons floating just a few feet above the surface of Lake Havasu. Wouldn't it have been fun to be a passenger in either one of the boats or one of the balloons?
There were reportedly six unusually shaped balloons at the festival. This cute little fish is the only one that came close enough so that I could get a nice shot.
Looking to the west, more balloons were ascending. I counted about 40 all in the air at the same time, though not close enough together that you could get them all in one picture.
Another pilot showing off!
For a few brief moments, the sun came out from behind the clouds and the southeastern sky lightened up considerably. I made my way south, toward that spit of land jutting into the lake.
Several balloons landed there but many others continued on further, landing on the southeastern shore of Lake Havasu.
Meanwhile, there were still quite a few balloons drifting off into the western sky.
Carnival rides and other festival activities carried on into the evening, but I did not! I stayed around a few minutes longer, watching the “glow” of some of the balloons still moored on the island.
I also spent a few minutes simply enjoying the awesome sunset that Mother Nature provided for the ending of another beautiful day!
A note about the two photos of the balloons with the golden sky: Those two shots were taken with the camera at the maximum 35x zoom setting and about 20-30 minutes prior to the sunset photo. I made no changes or color corrections to those shots (or any others, for that matter though several had adjustments to contrast and lightness).
Even more impressive was seeing the balloons floating just a few feet above the surface of Lake Havasu. Wouldn't it have been fun to be a passenger in either one of the boats or one of the balloons?
There were reportedly six unusually shaped balloons at the festival. This cute little fish is the only one that came close enough so that I could get a nice shot.
Looking to the west, more balloons were ascending. I counted about 40 all in the air at the same time, though not close enough together that you could get them all in one picture.
Another pilot showing off!
For a few brief moments, the sun came out from behind the clouds and the southeastern sky lightened up considerably. I made my way south, toward that spit of land jutting into the lake.
Several balloons landed there but many others continued on further, landing on the southeastern shore of Lake Havasu.
Meanwhile, there were still quite a few balloons drifting off into the western sky.
Carnival rides and other festival activities carried on into the evening, but I did not! I stayed around a few minutes longer, watching the “glow” of some of the balloons still moored on the island.
I also spent a few minutes simply enjoying the awesome sunset that Mother Nature provided for the ending of another beautiful day!
A note about the two photos of the balloons with the golden sky: Those two shots were taken with the camera at the maximum 35x zoom setting and about 20-30 minutes prior to the sunset photo. I made no changes or color corrections to those shots (or any others, for that matter though several had adjustments to contrast and lightness).
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Chelveston, Stanwick - circular
Led by Barry, with Gordon and Eddie and me. Weather dry but grey - some muddy fields. Almost 8 miles in all.
We started from the Red Lion in Chelveston, and walked for a short distance towards Higham Ferrers. The footpath was on the right hand side of the road and took us through a field, and down to Water Lane.
We crossed this road a little way uphill of a ford, and followed the path west through a ploughed field, and then turned left after crossing the stream via a footbridge, alongside some trees, to follow the edges of a couple of fields with horses. The path followed the course of the stream as far as Stanwick Road, which we crossed. Still close to this stream we carried on to the A45. The stream goes underneath the road through a culvert. No such luck for people though. Luckily it's dual carriageway, and with a little patience we crossed over.
We continued north west at the edge of woodland around the gravel pits until we emerged on to the old main road (A6). From here the viaduct carrying the current trunk road is visible. We turned right and followed the road round , over the old railway track and almost to the roundabout near the present Kettering Town football ground. Just before Diamond Road, we turned right on to the marked Nene Way, and followed the path along Marsh Lane as far as the lock on the Nene Navigation. Around here is the Irthlingborough activity centre - and today it was full of activites - mountain biking, climbing and canoeing. We continued to follow the Nene Way, past a footbridge, with 'No Entry' signs and on to the next footbridge.
Here we left the Nene Way, and turned right over the bridge towards another play area with a zip wire, and a bench where we sat for our break.
We turned right after the footbridge, and followed the path towards the visitor centre, though one small diversion was irresistible.
When we met the disused railway track, we turned right to Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre, and out via the road to the roundabout on the A45 and the road to Stanwick.
We decided to walk through the village, rather than take a path right next to the main road.
At the church we went straight on, past the school then turned left when we reached the Chelveston Road. After a couple of hundred yards, just before a small cemetery, we took a footpath to the right, leading south along a farm road. When the road swung right we went straight on, then turned left when we met another signed footpath. This hugged the edge of the field. At the corner there were two huge pipes, and we turned right and went as far as the next field corner, where we turned left into the next field
A small deviation from the mapped route here - not helped by the waymarker, which indicated slightly across the field. We'd have done better following the field edge for a short distance before heading diagonally and slightly uphill to a gap in the hedge, and the footpath sign.
From here it wasn't far to the pub, where we went wild with 3 J2Os, a lemonade and a game of pool, before returning home.
We started from the Red Lion in Chelveston, and walked for a short distance towards Higham Ferrers. The footpath was on the right hand side of the road and took us through a field, and down to Water Lane.
We crossed this road a little way uphill of a ford, and followed the path west through a ploughed field, and then turned left after crossing the stream via a footbridge, alongside some trees, to follow the edges of a couple of fields with horses. The path followed the course of the stream as far as Stanwick Road, which we crossed. Still close to this stream we carried on to the A45. The stream goes underneath the road through a culvert. No such luck for people though. Luckily it's dual carriageway, and with a little patience we crossed over.
We continued north west at the edge of woodland around the gravel pits until we emerged on to the old main road (A6). From here the viaduct carrying the current trunk road is visible. We turned right and followed the road round , over the old railway track and almost to the roundabout near the present Kettering Town football ground. Just before Diamond Road, we turned right on to the marked Nene Way, and followed the path along Marsh Lane as far as the lock on the Nene Navigation. Around here is the Irthlingborough activity centre - and today it was full of activites - mountain biking, climbing and canoeing. We continued to follow the Nene Way, past a footbridge, with 'No Entry' signs and on to the next footbridge.
 |
| From the footbridge the Nene looked uninviting today |
Here we left the Nene Way, and turned right over the bridge towards another play area with a zip wire, and a bench where we sat for our break.
 |
| Time for a break? |
We turned right after the footbridge, and followed the path towards the visitor centre, though one small diversion was irresistible.
When we met the disused railway track, we turned right to Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre, and out via the road to the roundabout on the A45 and the road to Stanwick.
We decided to walk through the village, rather than take a path right next to the main road.
At the church we went straight on, past the school then turned left when we reached the Chelveston Road. After a couple of hundred yards, just before a small cemetery, we took a footpath to the right, leading south along a farm road. When the road swung right we went straight on, then turned left when we met another signed footpath. This hugged the edge of the field. At the corner there were two huge pipes, and we turned right and went as far as the next field corner, where we turned left into the next field
A small deviation from the mapped route here - not helped by the waymarker, which indicated slightly across the field. We'd have done better following the field edge for a short distance before heading diagonally and slightly uphill to a gap in the hedge, and the footpath sign.
From here it wasn't far to the pub, where we went wild with 3 J2Os, a lemonade and a game of pool, before returning home.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Cats in a Box
Last week we bought a new vacuum cleaner and the cats have had fun with the box. First Cassie crawled in the box and peaked out to see if anyone was watching her.
Then Murphy came and peaked in at her to see what she was doing.
Then Twinky came to see if Cassie was all right in that big box.
Twinky tried to get Cassie out like Murphy had done.(Murphy is solid black, and Twinky is black with white feet. Cassie is gray with white feet.)
Twinky got Cassie to come out so Cassie told Twinky to get in.
Twinky crawled in and peaked out to see if the other cats were watching her.
Cassie was watching and she thought Oh, good, I got Twinky now. and she stood on top of the box so Twinky couldn't get out.
And Wiley just laid near by and watched all the younger cats and the oldest one, (Murphy) playing with the box. Wiley decided he was to good to be playing with a box.
Red Vase
I think that this red vase may be depression glass or carnival glass. Other than that I know nothing about it.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Chamonix skiing?
I was first drawn to mountaineering by skiing. Some of the most fun I had early on in the mountains was skiing in the late spring or summer. Or better yet out of bounds in the local ski areas. Grand adventures as akid.
Chamonix has a long history of off piste skiing. For us amerikans that is out of bounds or off trail (here there are no "out of bounds"). But you had better take your own safety seriously skiing here.
A very experienced guide skied into a crevasse and died here the second day I was in Chamonix.That while guiding clients. I nearly lost two friends in front of my eys our first day here after they took a 1500 foot tumble in a slab avalanche. Literally a 10 minute walk from the lift. Skiing is serious sheet here....even on the "normal runs". If you want something more fun, buckle up, 'cuz it is available here and people do it every day. And people die.
10 minute walk off the lift. And the small ice slope my two buddies were wondering up during a bit of wind.
Same place 3 weeks later taken from farther down slope.
Our chasened heros looking for loss gear above their run out point. The 4' crown and slab above them on the left.The 1500' run out and where they were buried.Cost? 3 new Nomics, a sprained thumb and a crampon point in the calf.Lesson? Priceless.
And the signs we ducked under for our little hike that day.Mind you these are posted where you put your skis on after walking down the stairs from the lift station ;)
I admit to having become bored and jaded skiing in the NW. I finally stopped skiing altogether almost 10 years ago. 3consecutive unused season passes told me it was time. That after years working in ski areas and guiding all sorts of ski trips in the winter. I never thought I'd ever stop skiiing. For this trip I knew I'd be skiing again and just thought..."well I'll get by". Might even be fun. Either way I knew it was mandatory if I wanted to get around here in winter and climb.
And I have gotten byfor the most part. The"big" or at least well known ski runs that I wanted to do while I was hereare generally all on beginner terrain. Beginner skier terrain at home as far as the skiing goes. But you had better beware of the actual terrain objective dangers or you might well be swallowed up...whole....and never seen again. No shit.
I have a buddy who snow boards these big routes (same one buried on day one) with almost no technical knowledge of glacier travel, snow conditions or avalanche danger even after years of boarding. His idea of avoiding the objective dangers here? "NEVER STOP" and that on thethe 6 to 12 mile runs here!He is still under a dozen runs on the Mer de Glace...so I am sending him a a basic avalance-glacier travel book :) Be nice if he could at least stop for lunch at the hut.
This is a little photo essay for some of the best (if not the best) lift served skiing in the world. Certainly nothing like it in NA.
The first lift we used was the Grand Montet up at the east end of the valley. Lift tops out at 3275m.
Point of vue and the run down the Tram lineare spectacular.
Yes that is the North face of Le Droites in th back ground.
Out of the Midi maze of tunnels and the entryway to the Vallee Blanche.
The run off the Aiguille Du Midi cable car and down the Vallee Blanche is even better.
Skiing and vistas incredible.
Signs to take seriously and understand what they are asking.
For some the trail down from the Midi to where most put on their skis is a whole new experience.First time I did it in fall of '78 I wanted crampons where 10 years olds were in sneakers. And I still prefer doing it in crampons.
Easy dust off of a tired skier mid way down the 12 mile long run. Which starts at 3843m btw.
The Requin Hut.....and lunch. For me at a casual pace an hr in. And about half way.
A 9 Eurolunch and likely the best deal I have found in Chamonix.
The short bit just before lunch.You need to dbl click the photos to appreciate the scale here.
Chamonix has a long history of off piste skiing. For us amerikans that is out of bounds or off trail (here there are no "out of bounds"). But you had better take your own safety seriously skiing here.
A very experienced guide skied into a crevasse and died here the second day I was in Chamonix.That while guiding clients. I nearly lost two friends in front of my eys our first day here after they took a 1500 foot tumble in a slab avalanche. Literally a 10 minute walk from the lift. Skiing is serious sheet here....even on the "normal runs". If you want something more fun, buckle up, 'cuz it is available here and people do it every day. And people die.
10 minute walk off the lift. And the small ice slope my two buddies were wondering up during a bit of wind.
Same place 3 weeks later taken from farther down slope.
Our chasened heros looking for loss gear above their run out point. The 4' crown and slab above them on the left.The 1500' run out and where they were buried.Cost? 3 new Nomics, a sprained thumb and a crampon point in the calf.Lesson? Priceless.
And the signs we ducked under for our little hike that day.Mind you these are posted where you put your skis on after walking down the stairs from the lift station ;)
I admit to having become bored and jaded skiing in the NW. I finally stopped skiing altogether almost 10 years ago. 3consecutive unused season passes told me it was time. That after years working in ski areas and guiding all sorts of ski trips in the winter. I never thought I'd ever stop skiiing. For this trip I knew I'd be skiing again and just thought..."well I'll get by". Might even be fun. Either way I knew it was mandatory if I wanted to get around here in winter and climb.
And I have gotten byfor the most part. The"big" or at least well known ski runs that I wanted to do while I was hereare generally all on beginner terrain. Beginner skier terrain at home as far as the skiing goes. But you had better beware of the actual terrain objective dangers or you might well be swallowed up...whole....and never seen again. No shit.
I have a buddy who snow boards these big routes (same one buried on day one) with almost no technical knowledge of glacier travel, snow conditions or avalanche danger even after years of boarding. His idea of avoiding the objective dangers here? "NEVER STOP" and that on thethe 6 to 12 mile runs here!He is still under a dozen runs on the Mer de Glace...so I am sending him a a basic avalance-glacier travel book :) Be nice if he could at least stop for lunch at the hut.
This is a little photo essay for some of the best (if not the best) lift served skiing in the world. Certainly nothing like it in NA.
The first lift we used was the Grand Montet up at the east end of the valley. Lift tops out at 3275m.
Point of vue and the run down the Tram lineare spectacular.
Yes that is the North face of Le Droites in th back ground.
Out of the Midi maze of tunnels and the entryway to the Vallee Blanche.
The run off the Aiguille Du Midi cable car and down the Vallee Blanche is even better.
Skiing and vistas incredible.
Signs to take seriously and understand what they are asking.
For some the trail down from the Midi to where most put on their skis is a whole new experience.First time I did it in fall of '78 I wanted crampons where 10 years olds were in sneakers. And I still prefer doing it in crampons.
Easy dust off of a tired skier mid way down the 12 mile long run. Which starts at 3843m btw.
The Requin Hut.....and lunch. For me at a casual pace an hr in. And about half way.
A 9 Eurolunch and likely the best deal I have found in Chamonix.
The short bit just before lunch.You need to dbl click the photos to appreciate the scale here.
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