#Blue Ridge Amphitheater

[lilbittymonster]

WIP Wednesday Whenever

Tagged by @whatsthisascianbullshit 💜

Tagging @crackinglamb and whoever else has a wip they want to share, writing not required!

Proof that I am in fact working on the HW fic. Subject to change upon further revisions.

~

Alphinaud approached her right as she was leaving the camp.

“Where are you going?” he asked nervously.

“Gridania,” she said. “I left something there that I need back.”

“Gri- we are wanted by both the Crystal Braves and by the Grand Companies, Kitali! And you mean to stroll right in through the front gate?”

“It won’t be a problem because I'm not going to get caught,” she reassured him. 

“I’m coming with you, then,” he said.

“No, you’re not,” she countered immediately. “I’ll move faster on my own.”

He seemed to deflate a bit at that. “Right, because I’m a useless combatant, aren’t i?”

Kitali sighed and folded her arms. “No, but unless you’ve managed to master a dragoon’s jump, you’ll be moving slower than me the whole way there.”

Alphinaud turned this over, before nodding reluctantly. “...I see your point.”

“It’s best if you stay here in case someone turns up,” Kitali tried to encourage him. “If I’m not back in a few days, then you can worry.”

And with that she turned south once more.

~

The sun finally sank behind the sliver of Dalamud. Stormclouds had been threatening on the horizon, plunging the North Shroud into darkness. Kitali emerged from her hiding place on the ridge and took to the skies, giving the guard tower a wide berth as she leaped across the pond to land on the Ixali tower. The cold wind and rattling of branches below masked any sound she might’ve made as her boots landed on the boulders. Further and further into the forest, the dim lights of Peacgarden passed beneath her, none the wiser, as she sailed overhead towards Old Gridania. 

The dense tangle of trees and narrow stone pathways opened up into the growery. At this hour, it was thankfully empty of botanists. A handful of houses had dim light escaping from behind the thick panes. The path through the center of the city, however, was brightly lit with streetlamps, and she could see the occasional Wailer patrolling the streets. Even more concerningly were the distinctive bright blue fatigues of the Crystal Braves patrolling alongside them. Kitali clenched her teeth on a snarl. So long as none thought to look up along the ridge behind the amphitheater, she would be safe.

The roof of the Adder’s Nest rose up from where it was tucked against the cliff face. Kitali pulled the curtain of shadows around her like a shroud before dropping lightly onto the balcony. Holding her own breath she listened for any movement inside before trying the door. The handle had barely moved under her hand before catching on a locked bolt. She let out a small huff of frustration before trying again at a different balcony, but no such luck. 

Steeling herself once more Kitali dropped down onto the bank of the river, the sound of the rushing water along with the wind masking her steps. Slowly, quietly as she could, she walked up the stairs into the Adder’s Nest. It wasn’t deserted, naturally, but nearly so. The shadows gathered thick by the door to the rest of the barracks. An ideal place for Kitali to lie in wait for the door to be opened.

What felt like an age passed before she heard footsteps approach before an eager Serpent ran out of the door, leaving it swinging wide in his wake. As soon as the runner was past her, Kitali narrowly wove her way through the closing door, heaving a sigh of relief as it latched shut behind her. The hallway was empty, and only the few lines of light from under a door here and there indicated that she was not alone.

The stairwell leading up towards her designated chamber was similarly empty, and none of the rooms on this floor seemed to be lit. Still, she held her breath at her door, listening for any movement within. Five, ten, thirty seconds passed, and not a sound. Taking one last look around, she tried the handle and this time it gave willingly. Kitali opened the door only as much as necessary before shutting it quickly behind her.

The room was empty. It looked just as she had last left it, her subordinates gone with their weapons from their places. Hopefully they would be spared any suspicion of aiding her, having been out on a credible alibi on deployment. Her footsteps echoed softly on the bare wooden floors as she crossed the room to the raised platform in the back, opening the armoire on well-oiled hinges.

Her relief rushed out of her lungs as she found all the pieces of her drachenmail untouched and intact. Quickly she stripped off her boots and outer shirt, stuffing them into the satchel she had brought with her, buckling the boots and greaves on over her pants and stuffing her shirt under the breastplate. Loosely fitting the helmet over her unbound hair, she took one last look around the room. For a brief moment she considered leaving a note, but that would only place herself in more danger. Closing the armoire once more, she gathered her aether, focused on Camp Dragonhead, and then the room was empty once more.

#tagged

[skateboardmarketing]

HEAVY METAL ICONS PANTERA ANNOUNCE 2023 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR LAMB OF GOD TO JOIN RUN AS SPECIAL GUESTS Tickets On Sale Starting Friday, Jan. 27 at 10 AM Local Time on LiveNation.com

WHO: Pantera with special guest Lamb of God

WHAT: 2023 PANTERA TOUR 

Pantera, one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history, have announced their long awaited return to the stage. They will be touring North America this summer with Lamb of God as special guests.One of the most anticipated tours of 2023, this celebration tour includes original members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown joined by Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums). In December 2022, they kicked off the highly anticipated return in Mexico City to incredible reviews.Produced by Live Nation, the 20-city tour kicks off on Tuesday, July 28th in Burgettstown, PA at The Pavilion at Star Lake making stops in Milwaukee, Toronto, Austin, Denver, and more before wrapping up in Bristow, VA on September 15th at Jiffy Lube Live.Fans can also see Pantera at their recently announced support dates during Metallica’s North America Stadium tour dates in 2023 & 2024 and headlining major rock festivals in 2023 including Rockfest, Inkcarceration, and more.TICKETS: Tickets go on sale starting Friday, January 27th starting at 10 AM Local Time on LiveNation.com.PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Pantera tour. 

Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, January 24th at 10 AM local time until Thursday, January 26 at 10 PM local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

TOUR DATES:*Festival Date | #Support Act TBD | ^Pantera Support for Metallica Dates|2023 Dates

Fri May 20 – Daytona, FL – Welcome to Rockville

Thu Jul 13 – Cadott, WI – Rockfest

Sat Jul 15 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration 

Jul 28 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake 

Jul 29 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center 

Jul 31 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater 

Aug 02 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Fri Aug 04 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium

Aug 05 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark StadiumSun 

Aug 06 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain 

Aug 08 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph's Health Amphitheater at Lakeview

 Aug 09 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater

Aug 11 – Montreal, QC – Olympique Stadium 

Aug 12 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage 

Aug 15 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

Aug 17 – Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Aug 18 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium 

Aug 20 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Aug 23 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena 

Aug 25 – Inglewood, CA – SoFi Stadium

Sat Aug 26 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Aug 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre

Aug 31 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Sep 01 – Glendale, AZ – State Farm Stadium

Sep 03 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma

Sep 07 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater

Sep 08 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

Sep 10 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Rock Festival

Sep 12 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Sep 14 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

Sep 15 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

Sep 23 - Louisville, KY - Louder Than Life

Oct 07 - Sacramento, CA - Aftershock

Nov 03 – St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center

Nov 10 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field^2024 Dates

Aug 02 – Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium

Aug 09 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field

Aug 16 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium

Aug 23 – Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium

 Aug 30 – Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

MORE INFO:Pantera got its start in Arlington, TX with its best-known lineup, consisting of founding members drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell, along with bassist Rex Brown and vocalist Philip Anselmo. Pantera is credited with the development and popularization of the groove metal subgenre. To date, the group has sold 20 million records worldwide and has received four Grammy nominations. www.pantera.com

#pantera panteraband livenation metalcontraband skateboardmarketing

[rat-with-coffee]

anyone wanna hear about some of my wings of fire tribes? jk i’m telling you anyway, also if u guys r interested i’ll make free adopts :)

Overview

HeatWings and WindWings live on a very large, egg-shaped island called the Isle of Firebreathers that’s very close to Pyrrhia. WindWings live in the northern mountains and HeatWings live in southern valley. Both tribes enjoy music, trade with the dragons of Pyrrhia, and lack animus dragons. They also have somewhat similar religions, but with key differences. If they’re involved in the War of SandWing Succession, I imagine they live in the same world as other fantribes to even out the number of tribes fighting per queen. HeatWings and WindWings are forever alternating between war, a milder feud, and a fragile alliance because of a long-ago dispute.

WindWings used to be called GripWings and I’m still torn on which name I want for them, let me know if you have a preference.

Dragons of both tribes are open to make but ask me for special/royal dragons :)

HeatWings

Description: Purple or red scales; forked, black tongues

Abilities: Breath fire; venomous claws

Queen: Queen Simmer

Description

HeatWings are usually somewhere between red and purple in color, although some are fiery orange. HeatWings have spines along their backs and forked, black tongues.

Abilities

HeatWings have fire breath, just like many Pyrrhian tribes. But they also have venomous claws that cause temporary, localized paralysis and intense pain. The venom is made mostly of neurotoxins. It takes affect within fifteen minutes and lasts for several hours. A HeatWing can release venom three consecutive times before it runs out, taking a day or two to regenerate.

Though not as adapted to deserts as SandWings, HeatWings thrive in warm, dry environments. They feel more powerful and energized in hot climates and don’t do well in cold.

Rarely, a HeatWing will have a poisonous breath weapon instead of fire breath. These dragons are more dangerous than most, as inhaling enough of the weapon (only a full breath or so) causes complete paralysis within a few hours, including eventual lung paralysis, which leads to death. There’s no known cure for this; treatments only slow the process. Only those with this ability are immune to it. Compared to venomous claws, poison breath takes longer to run out and renews more quickly.

Poisonbreath do not have fire breath or venomous claws, and they are not immune or resistant to these weapons. There are only one or two Poisonbreath a generation. The government often recruits them for work as assassins or executioners.

Kingdom

HeatWings live in a hot, dry valley. A waterfall falls from mountains on the edge of their territory and turns into a river that runs through its heart. The palace is located right on the river.

Social class is somewhat important in HeatWing society. Many working class dragons are traders or blacksmiths, while nobles are much wealthier. But every class of dragon enjoys theater, from small productions on makeshift stages to performances for royals that take place in grand amphitheaters. They also enjoy exercising their fighting skills. To outsiders, HeatWings can seem rude, but they’re generally friendly with fellow tribe members.

Most of the tribe believes in a religion of two, equally powerful gods. Unlike WindWing religion, the gods aren’t divided by sun and moon.

The tribe fought for Blaze during the SandWing Succession because Queen Simmer thought she could be most easily manipulated. Queen Simmer was upset her plan did not succeed, but she begrudgingly sent five students to Jade Mountain.

WindWings

Description: Blue, gray, brown, or orange in color; have long, prehensile tails

Abilities: Powerful bite force; can hit or strangle opponents with strong tail; some breathe fire

Queen: Queen Grapple

Description

WindWings are gray, blue, brown, or orange in color and often mottled to blend in with the mountainside. They have long, strong tails. Along their backs, WindWings have ridges like those of a SkyWing or RainWing.

Abilities

WindWings have a powerful bite force that can clamp down on part of an enemy’s body. Their tails are prehensile and can be used to hold objects or smack and strangle opponents.

Unlike other tribes, WindWings can only breath fire if hatched during the day, and some born on cold, rainy days may also lack the ability. About half the population breathes fire. There’s no special class difference or treatment between the two sects.

Kingdom

WindWings live in hills and mountains with a lesser altitude than the mountains of the Sky Kingdom. Their cliffs overlook an ocean, and dragons will often catch fish to cook, though they eat mountain animals as well.

WindWings don’t live in a complete democracy, as they’re still ruled by a queen, but the queen has to have permission from other government officials for most actions. These officials are voted in by the tribe. The tribe has a (largely true) reputation of being confident, outspoken, and sometimes rowdy. They also enjoy visual art, especially sculptures and paintings.

WindWings worship the sun as a god, as it gives them their fire breathing power. They also acknowledge the moon as a secondary, less powerful deity.

The tribe fought for Burn during the SandWing succession. Both Blister and Burn threatened the WindWings in order to coerce the tribe into joining their force. Queen Grapple reluctantly sided with Burn, wary of Blister and hoping brute force would protect them against Blister. Queen Grapple is very glad the war has ended and five of the tribe's dragonets are attending Jade Mountain.

#wof #wings of fire #fanon tribe #fan tribe #fantribe

[inframantraofficial]

Paranjape Blue Ridge in Pune — New Apartments in Hinjewadi

Paranjape Blue Ridge Hinjewadi, Pune, represents an under-construction, partially ready-to-move-in luxurious project developed by Paranjape Schemes (Construction) Ltd. This exquisite property, set to be completed by June 2024, assures a stress-free living experience with a plethora of modern amenities. The development encompasses a wide array of facilities, including a swimming pool, clubhouse, gymnasium, beach volleyball court, foosball, food court, natural pond, football field, lounge, bar/chill-out lounge, business lounge, medical center, laundry, flower garden, golf course, conference room, school, solar lighting, RO system, ATM, aerobics center, barbeque, restaurant, terrace garden, pergola, piped gas, water softener plant, crèche/daycare, skating rink, squash court, theatre, gazebo, Wi-Fi connectivity, property staff, cafeteria, billiards, banquet hall, fountain, shopping center, library, cricket pitch, sun deck, lawn tennis court, multi-purpose court, amphitheater, party lawn, community hall, yoga/meditation area, and more.

The Paranjape Blue Ridge floor plan is meticulously crafted to offer spacious 1, 2, and 3 BHK residential units in Pune. The 1 BHK units range from 390 to 395 sq. ft, 2 BHK units span from 555 to 795 sq. ft, while the 3 BHK units extend from 890 to 1109 sq. ft. For information on the Paranjape Blue Ridge price range or payment plans, feel free to reach out to us.

Hinjewadi, Pune, boasts numerous location advantages, making it an ideal living destination:

· Connectivity to NH 48, metro, railways, Hinjewadi Road, Mumbai Bangalore Expressway, Pashan Sus Road, and Mumbai Pune Expressway.

· Proximity to educational institutes like Mahindra International School, Mercedes Benz International School, Blue Ridge School, and Global International School.

· Trusted hospitals such as Shatayu Hospital Hinjewadi, Surya Mother and Child Super Specialty Hospital, Lifetree Hospital, and CityCare Medical Center in the vicinity.

· Hotels like Hyatt Place Hotel, Lemon Tree, Hotel Le Royale Residency, and St Laurn Business Hotel nearby.

· Commercial hubs like Blue Ridge Qubix SEZ, Suratwala Mark Plazzo, Indialand Global Tech Park, and Nisarg Plaza in close proximity.

· Shopping centers like D Mart Hinjewadi, Grand High Street Mall, Sukhwani Boulevard Commerz, and Phoenix Market City Wakad dotting the area.

Unique salient features further enhance the appeal of Paranjape Blue Ridge Pune, including access to lush natural surroundings, the Golf Club, Boat Club, a well-maintained riverfront, and sports activities like Kayaking and Tennis. The property also offers on-premises shopping facilities.

For comprehensive details on amenities, RERA compliance, developer information, specifications, and possession, download the Paranjape Blue Ridge brochure PDF. Alternatively, fill in your contact details, and our team will be happy to assist you with any inquiries regarding this magnificent property.

#Paranjape Blue Ridge #Blue Ridge Hinjewadi #Blue Ridge Brochure #Blue Ridge Floor Plan #Blue Ridge Price #Blue Ridge Rera #Blue Ridge Possession #Blue Ridge Pune #Blue Ridge Developer #Blue Ridge Location #property #real estate #apartments #apartment #luxury apartments #flats #home #inframantra #house

[realtorjamier]

Best Places Around the Area to See Fall Foliage!

Autumn’s natural glory will soon be ablaze with color, making it a great time to plan your leaf-peeping. Mid-October is generally the best time to start seeking out fall foliage, and the colors can continue well into November. For an animated map showing the progression of color across the U.S., check out this online illustration from The Farmer’s Almanac.

So where should you go locally to experience autumn at its finest? Here we offer some of the best spots in the DMV for photographing fall scenery – whether it’s for dynamic social media posts, placing your pictures in a frame, or just taking snapshots with your mind.

Tidal Basin

Washington, D.C.

Spanning 107 acres, but just 10 feet deep, the Tidal Basin is well known for its lovely cherry blossoms in the spring, but in the fall these same trees turn a beautiful orange and gold! Enjoy a stroll around an easy two-mile loop.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

George Washington Memorial Parkway Arlington, VA

A two-mile path follows the island’s shore, moving into the swamp and tidal inlet where nature frames views of Washington, D.C. Buy the book “Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island” by Melanie Choukas-Bradley for an even more meaningful meander.

State Arboretum of Virginia

Blandy Experimental Farm Boyce, VA

Virginia’s State Arboretum spans 172 acres of tree and shrub collections dating back to the early 1930s. You can also experience the glorious golden 300 tree Ginkgo grove every fall.

Georgetown’s Cobblestone neighborhoods

Georgetown, D.C.

Georgetown is renowned for federalist architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic brick and frame row houses, some of which date to the mid-1700s. It’s also an origination point for the historic C & O Canal, a National Park which runs 184.5 miles into Cumberland, Md. Enjoy a fall stroll and consider taking a guided tour.

Rock Creek Park

Washington, D.C.

Created in 1890, Rock Creek Park is the oldest urban park in the National Park Service. Its 1,754 acres generally follows the Potomac River tributary of Rock Creek and includes a golf course, equestrian trails, an amphitheater, and picnic and playground facilities. It also includes Peirce Mill, a water-powered grist mill built in the 1820s.

Seneca Creek State Park

Gaithersburg, MD

More than 50 miles of trails wind through a variety of habitat, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake. A restored 19th-century cabin adds charm to your fall photographs.

Great Falls Park

McLean, VA

Three overlooks within a short walk front the Great Falls Park Virginia Visitor Center allow for spectacular scenery. Two of the overlooks are handicap and stroller accessible.

Great Falls Park

Potomac, MD

Visit the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center on the Maryland side of Great Falls Park, located at mile 14.3 along the C&O Canal towpath in Montgomery County, Md.  

Shenandoah National Park

Luray, VA

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Va., the park stretches 105 miles from the northern entrance in Front Royal to the southern entrance near Waynesboro. Skyline Drive is the main road running the span of the park – a scenic byway that can get especially busy during peak leaf-peeping times. 

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry, WV

Almost Heaven, but just a hop, skip, and a jump from the D.C. Metro area, Harpers Ferry is a time capsule nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers come together and continue eastward to the Chesapeake Bay as the Potomac river. Unfortunately, this fall’s rockslide stabilization project will make the travel to Harpers Ferry a bit tricky, so check your options online or through your favorite phone app.

South Mountain State Park

Boonsboro, MD

This 40-mile park weaves along South Mountain Ridge. Visitors can walk the same paths as the Civil War soldiers who fought at the 1862 Battle of South Mountain, climbing to enjoy breathtaking views. 

Rappahannock River Heritage Trail

Fredericksburg, VA

This paved pathway makes for an easy walk, but don’t let the pavement fool you – beautiful views of the Rappahannock River, Old Mill Park, and several historic mills are seen throughout the trail.

#jamierichards #realtorjamier #realestatetips #realestate #realestateagent #realtor #fall #fall foliage #dmv #dmv fall #dmv fall foliage

[anchalworldtravel]

Discover the Wonders of the World: Unveiling the Most Popular Destinations on the Globe.

In a world brimming with diverse landscapes, cultures, and histories, certain destinations emerge as timeless favorites, drawing travelers from every corner of the globe. From the romantic streets of Paris to the ancient wonders of Machu Picchu, let's embark on a virtual journey to explore the most popular and enchanting destinations that capture the imagination of wanderers worldwide.

1. Paris, France: The City of Love and Lights

Paris, often referred to as the "City of Love," needs no introduction. Nestled along the banks of the Seine River, the French capital exudes an unparalleled charm that has captivated poets, artists, and lovers for centuries. The iconic Eiffel Tower stands tall, a symbol of romance and architectural splendor. Stroll along the Champs-Élysées, explore the Louvre Museum's artistic treasures, and savor a croissant in a quaint Montmartre café. Paris is not just a destination; it's an immersive experience that indulges the senses and leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of all who visit.

2. Rome, Italy: The Eternal City of History and Grandeur

Step into the heart of Italy, where the Eternal City, Rome, beckons with a tapestry of history, art, and grandeur. The Colosseum, a colossal amphitheater, echoes the roars of ancient gladiators, while the Roman Forum reveals the remnants of a once-mighty empire. Vatican City, an independent city-state within Rome, houses the awe-inspiring St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, adorned with Michelangelo's masterpieces. As you wander through cobblestone streets, indulging in authentic pasta and gelato, Rome offers a timeless journey through the ages.

3. Kyoto, Japan: Serenity Amidst Tradition

In the heart of Japan, Kyoto stands as a serene testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. Known for its well-preserved temples, traditional tea houses, and vibrant cherry blossoms, Kyoto offers a glimpse into Japan's soul. The historic Gion district, with its wooden machiya houses and cobbled streets, transports visitors to a bygone era. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony, witness the mesmerizing geishas, and find tranquility in moss-covered Zen gardens. Kyoto is a city that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, creating a harmonious and unforgettable experience.

4. New York City, USA: The Concrete Jungle That Never Sleeps

On the other side of the spectrum, the vibrant and diverse metropolis of New York City welcomes travelers with open arms. The iconic skyline, dominated by skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center, sets the stage for an exhilarating urban adventure. Times Square pulsates with energy, Central Park offers a green oasis in the midst of the concrete jungle, and the Statue of Liberty stands as a symbol of freedom and opportunity. From the trendy neighborhoods of Brooklyn to the cultural melting pot of Queens, New York City is a dynamic mosaic that never fails to leave an impression.

5. Machu Picchu, Peru: Ancient Marvel in the Andean Heights

High in the Andes, the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu unveils itself like a hidden gem. This archaeological wonder, perched on a mountain ridge, showcases the engineering brilliance of the Inca civilization. The Inca Trail, a trek through breathtaking landscapes, leads adventurers to this UNESCO World Heritage site. As the mist clears, revealing the terraced fields and stone structures, the profound beauty of Machu Picchu leaves visitors in awe of its historical and natural magnificence.

6. Santorini, Greece: Aegean Paradise

In the sun-drenched embrace of the Aegean Sea, the Greek island of Santorini emerges as a postcard-perfect paradise. Whitewashed buildings with blue-domed roofs cling to the cliffs, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the azure waters below. The sunset in Oia is legendary, casting a warm glow over the romantic island. Explore charming villages, indulge in delectable Mediterranean cuisine, and relax on sun-kissed beaches. Santorini is not just a destination; it's a visual symphony that captures the essence of Greek beauty and hospitality.

These destinations represent just a glimpse of the world's wonders, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're drawn to the romantic allure of European cities, the tranquility of Asian landscapes, or the vibrant energy of urban hubs, the global tapestry of destinations awaits your exploration. As you plan your next adventure, consider these popular destinations, where the beauty of the world unfolds in myriad ways, inviting you to be a part of its story. So, pack your bags, embrace the unknown, and let the journey of a lifetime begin.

#travel #international #internationaldestinations #worldtravel

[travelingturtles]

June 22, 2023

I have truly been remiss, but no time like the present. Here are some snapshots of the past month:

I may have mentioned Harvest Host? A yearly fee of approximately $80 and you have the opportunity to stay in a plethora of ranches, farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, dairies… In exchange, one is expected to spend $20 and purchase their merchandise, or make a donation. We’ve had our share of Harvest Host experiences. Coastal Brewing Company in Savannah where we played bingo and won a crawler of beer, Grayce Wild Horse Preserve with exceptionally well cared for rescues, Stable View in South Carolina boasted hunter courses and pristine stables for the uppermost crust of equestrian riders, Animal Sanctuary where Debbie homed over 100 animals from pigs to parrots, ponies, dogs and cats and even a couple of rescue toads. She was on first name basis with all 100+ of them!

With every intention of getting back to California by August 15, we had a difficult time heading west. This was due to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains just north of Asheville, NC. We’d been wanting to visit Asheville for years having heard about the amazing music scene. Either we visited the wrong time of year or it isn’t what it once was, but Eddie and I were underwhelmed when it came to finding good music. On the other hand, the old Amtrak warehouses converted into art studios, workshops and galleries made up for it in spades. We watched glass blowers blowing, silk screener screening, jewelers jeweling, potters potting. They offer workshops and the galleries are impressive and endless. We had to return for another day to get our fill. We stayed in 1899 Wright Inn B and B and were spoiled rotten. We were served exquisite two course breakfasts, wine and cheese in the afternoons and the house was a heritage site and gorgeous. Clifford was a bit jealous, but every once in a while we like to treat ourselves to the other side of life and Clifford will just have to get over it. Besides there was a tune up in his future, and that made up for the betrayal.

Tuned, oil changed, new windshield wiper mechanism, AC compression oil changed and we were ready to roll.

North from Asheville, onto the Blue Ridge Parkway to Pisgah. I never tire of a shibui landscape. Mum often used this word to describe a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle and unobtrusive beauty, usually in reference to a vista with mountains overlapping to the horizon. Green to black to grey to blue to white. The Blue Ridge Mountains truly do appear as blue. I could sit and contemplate that view for a very long time. We camped at Pisgah, Julian Price Lake, Linville Falls and Stone Mountain. At Linville Falls we watched a young man climb a 60+ foot waterfall and do triple flip loop-di-loops into the swimming hole below! We hiked 5 to 7 miles a day, saved a tortoise along the parkway from being run over. I’ve saved three so far. It is my calling, being the traveling turtles that we are… we’ve got to stick together. Blue Ridge Parkway runs north south and we are trying to head west, but we had to go as far north as the Blue Ridge Music Center, visit their museum and listen to locals playing their old time folk music. As tradition has it, songs get passed around the circle. When it came to the bass players turn, no one knew the song Across the Great Divide, by Kate Wolf. I raised my hand, pointed to Eddie and said “My husband knows it!” They invited him up to play with them. So Eddie got to sit in with the band. As serendipity has it, we discover that Watch Tower, formerly Mandolin Orange, were performing in the outdoor amphitheater that very night and they still had tickets. The only bad thing about that evening is that sitting around on festival chairs with friendly people and the grass beneath our toes gave us pangs of missing the Kate Wolf Music Festival.

Our journey West finally in earnest has begun. From the Blue Ridge to Virginia to Tennessee. One of our on the road less traveled stays was in Damascus, Virginia. The only reason we found this town of 800 was because I took a wrong turn, ended up on a dirt road and voila, we were in Damascus. We stopped to fill up Clifford’s belly and discovered that this town is the convergence of four trails, the Appalachian, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, The Iron Mountain Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail. It is also on the route of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail and the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail. We hiked the Crooked Trail. The only music we found was a guy with his beat up guitar who’d been kicked out of his girlfriend’s house and was living out of his van. He played us a few toothless songs that he’d written about love lost. He only knew a few chords but had a pretty voice. We stayed in an old mill where the proprietors offered to do all of our laundry, even our sheets. What a treat! Once we got to Tennessee, we stayed at another Harvest Host on a dairy farm. The only proprietor we met there was an 11 year old boy who came zooming up on an ATV from somewhere down the road where his Grammy lived. He couldn’t visit with us long because his step-dad expected him to mow the fields before nightfall. Andrew was well mannered and curious about everything in Clifford. He asked questions about the engine that we couldn’t answer and asked to take a spin on our electric bikes, which of course we obliged. He was homeschooled because there was too much work on the farm. Children grow up fast in these part and he couldn’t have been a nicer young gentleman. With the sun beginning to set, he rushed off jumped on a massive John Deere tractor which engulfed him and adeptly road off into the mowing sunset.

A few more nights, with day visits to the Country Music Museum in Bristol, where the first ever recordings of country music were made, a zip through Knoxville and another Harvest Host night at Short Mountain Distillery. The land and high mineral content of the spring water is home to this distillery which has been making moonshine, whiskey and bourbon for centuries. Al Capone was a frequent visitor to this land. Al Capone!

And then there’s Nashville where just by serendipity, our middle name, we discovered that Bruce Cockburn was playing Saturday Night at the CMA (Country Music Association) and Jackson Browne was playing Sunday night at the Opry House. We procured tickets for Bruce and emailed Jackson’s manager… Lucky us, Eddie and I both got to teach/counsel Jackson’s nephew for four years at Happy Valley School in Ojai. Jackson was Jay’s guardian so we had the opportunity to get to know him. We are very grateful and tickled pink to have gotten to sit 5 rows back and center and hear him perform for three hours in such an iconic venue. He was awesome. And Bruce of course was fabulous too!! Broadway in Nashville is Bourbon St in New Orleans on crack. The cacophony of colliding country bands mixed with drunken bachelorettes and dazzled tourists in cowgirl boots and 10 gallon hats is enough stimulation to last a lifetime. We watched in wonder and went home to our Airbnb. Monday night we went to The Station Inn to hear a country bluegrass band with a very dignified audience. It’s just a little hole in the wall with pizza, popcorn and pop, but the musicianship is phenomenal. On Tuesday night we went to The Grand Ole’ Opry because when in Rome…. The land of Dolly Parton and Roy Acuff. Riders in the Sky started off the show. Four really old dudes who looked like character out of the Coen Brother’s movie, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. We witnessed one girl have her debut Opry experience. She performed with her two brothers on guitar on either side of her. And a slew of other music vignettes ripe with songs about booze, trucks, Jesus, boots and betrayal. Whew, we survived Nashville! From there we happily climbed aboard out trusty Cliffy and ventured back into the woods and streams and trails.

Alrighty friends, until next time, Love and hugs,

Karen

[literarysys]

The Wave of Wye

Stretching back along black beach,

growing tall and wide.

Waves touching turbulent sky.

The wave of Wye

sucking back along the sand.

Calm,

Ebbing back and back,

showing shipwrecks.

Shattered shells, 

ribbed ridges of sand packed stoney. 

Black and speckled. 

Prawney fish bones that heckle,

grinning boneyard grins in the wake of wave named Wye. 

Spectators in the amphitheater as you push the wave back high,

the shadowed footprints of your movements mapping under sky. 

The wave of Wye now towering high.

Like a crash of thunder,

Loud in sound, breaking buoyed blue, 

the wave comes tumbling down.

All around the damp dead 

from ocean's sea bed

watch you 

as you drown.

#dark poetry #free form poetry #poetry #ocean #sea poetry #writing #writers on tumblr #depression #tell me what you think

[best-canton-ga]

How to Achieve an Energy Efficient Home?

With the popularity of attic encapsulation in Canton, GA, energy efficiency is just a few steps away. Pair up your smart appliances with additional high efficiency home elements like spray foam insulation in Canton, GA. Since most heat and cool air escapes through the attic, it is crucial that you pay attention to this area in your house. Hire a professional insulation contractor in Canton, GA to help you cut back on energy consumption. You can have a variety of options but the most recommended is the blown in fiberglass in Canton, GA. The right attic encapsulation in Canton, GA will keep your home’s temperature evenly distributed and it will prevent costly damages due precipitation.

Epic Spray Foam

If you are looking for an insulation contractor in Canton, GA, you should have a checklist to ensure that you are dealing with the best. Always ask for the credentials of the company such as licenses and insurance. It is also best to go for contractors with years of experience in crawlspace encapsulation in Canton, GA. If possible, ask your friends or relatives for their recommended blown in fiberglass in Canton, GA. Epic Spray Foam will surely be one of the most trusted names that you will have on your list. With highly skilled technicians and state-of-the-art technology, you have the assurance that you can have high quality spray foam insulation in Canton, GA. Since they also offer free estimated, you can always count on them for your attic encapsulation in Canton, GA.

Canton, GA

As the seat of Cherokee County, Canton is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Georgia. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and this gives it a very scenic background. It has high rated schools and good transportation system. Unemployment rate is only 2.7% with household median income of $50,000. The cost of living is 15% higher compared with other cities in the US. Majority of its residents are White Americans but there are a large number of other ethnicities in the area. In terms of the weather, May, September and October are the most comfortable months for outdoor activities.

Etowah River Park

Etowah River Park is the favorite destination of residents for a quick hiking and nature relaxation. It features a 1.6-mile trail fit for all skill levels. For most hikers, they can complete the route within 28 minutes. But it is best to spend 1-2 hours in the park to enjoy all its amenities.  Apart from the hiking loop, the 58 acres park also features two community pavilions, an amphitheater, playgrounds, and bathroom. There are also several picnic tables that are available on a first-come-first-served basis. The park is located in Brown Industrial Parkway. You can easily spot it because of the many cars parked around the entrance area.

Two Boys Killed in Canton Crash

Kayden Compton, 13 and his brother Braydon Kauffman, 10 were declared dead at the vehicle crash scene last Saturday. The driver, their father, 31, was seriously injured and rushed to the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. Initial investigation shows that the driver lost control of his vehicle, went off the road, rolled, and hit a tree. The mother of the victims is seeking for financial assistance for the funeral of the two boys. Canton City Schools, where the two boys are students, have already sent their words of sympathy and expressed their intention to provide some help to the family. If you have extra funds and willing to donate, please do so to help the grieving mother.

Link to maps

Etowah River Park 600 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114, United States Take Brown Industrial Pkwy to GA-20 E/E Main St 3 min (1.0 mi) Continue straight onto GA-20 E/E Main St Continue to follow GA-20 E 1 min (0.3 mi) Take Northside Cherokee Blvd to GA-140 E 3 min (1.5 mi) Turn left onto GA-140 E Pass by McDonald's (on the right in 4.1 mi) 8 min (4.7 mi) Drive to Vaughn Rd 2 min (0.8 mi)

Epic Spray Foam 7181 Vaughn Rd Canton, GA 30115, USA

[omens-badomens]

badomensofficial

FOR THE BROKEN YOUTH. 7/31/22 - Quebec City , QUE The Agora⁣ ⁣ 8/2/22 - East Providence RI - Bold Point Park⁣ ⁣ 8/3/22 - Bangor, ME - Maine Savings Amphitheater⁣ ⁣ 8/5/22 - Bridgeport, CT - Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater⁣ ⁣ 8/6/22 - Reading, PA - Santander Arena⁣ ⁣ 8/7/22 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony Summer Stage⁣ ⁣ 8/9/22 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE⁣ ⁣ 8/11/22 - Chattanooga, TN - Memorial Auditorium⁣ ⁣ 8/12/22 - Maryland Heights, MO - St. Louis Music Park⁣ ⁣ 8/14/22 - Council Bluffs, IA - Harrah's Council Bluffs - Stir Cove⁣ ⁣ 8/16/22 - Cedar Rapids, IA - McGrath Amphitheater⁣ ⁣ 8/17/22 - Oshkosh, WI - Oshkosh Arena⁣ ⁣ 8/20/22 - Wichita, KS - WAVE⁣ ⁣ 8/21/22 - Bonner Springs, KS - Azura Amphitheater⁣ ⁣ 8/23/22 - Indianapolis, IN - TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park⁣ ⁣ 8/24/22 - Pikeville, KY - Appalachian Wireless Arena⁣ ⁣ 8/26/22 - Simpsonville, SC - CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park⁣ ⁣ 8/27/22 - Portsmouth, VA - Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion 8/29/22 - Flint, MI⁣⁣ - The Machine Shop 8/30/22 - Angola, IN⁣⁣ - The Eclectic Room 8/31/22- Bloomington, IL⁣⁣ - Castle Theatre 9/2/22 - Rocklahoma⁣⁣ 9/4/22 - Columbus, OH⁣⁣ - The King of Clubs 9/9/22 - Blue Ridge Rock Fest BADOMENSOFFICIAL.COM

#bad omens #nick folio #nicholas ruffilo #joakim karlsson #noah sebastian

[thephotopitmagazine]

FROM THE PIT TO THE CROWD: BLUE RIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL - DAY 4 REVIEW - DANVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

FROM THE PIT TO THE CROWD: BLUE RIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL - DAY 4 REVIEW - DANVILLE, VA - SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 #blueridgerockfestival #shinedown #fallinginreverse

View On WordPress

#BlackWater #Blue Ridge Amphitheater #Blue Ridge Rock Festival #Danville #Drowning Pool #Falling In Reverse #Fame on Fire #Fit For A King #From The Pit To The Crowd #Papa Roach #Pop Evil #Shinedown #Talon Kane Photography #The Hu #VA #We Came As Romans

[thegreeneroommagazine]

Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021 Full Line-Up Announced

Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2021 Full Line-Up Announced

BLUE RIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL 2021 FULL LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR SEPTEMBER 9–12 FESTIVAL AT THEIR RECENTLY PURCHASED BLUE RIDGE AMPHITHEATER TO FEATURE HEADLINERS FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ROB ZOMBIE, SHINEDOWN, BREAKING BENJAMIN, LIMP BIZKIT AND MORE THAN 180 ACTS   WEEKEND-LONG FESTIVAL, PRODUCED BY VIRGINIA-BASED PURPOSE-DRIVEN EVENTS, TO BE HOSTED BY STEVE-O: DELIVERING STUNTS, COMEDY, AND EMCEE DUTIES…

View On WordPress

#Blue Ridge #Blue Ridge Amphitheater #Blue Ridge Rock Festival #Breaking Benjamin #Chatham-Danville #Club Experience #Danville #Danville Toyota #Five Finger Death Punch #Good Life Alternatives #Greensboro #Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue #L.L.C. #Lil Jon #Limp Bizkit #LitBar #Lou Brutus #Ludacris #Lynchburg #MAKO Medical #Monster Energy Drink #Monster Energy Drink; LitBar; Good Life Alternatives #Mortus Viventi #Mr. Bryce "The Govna" Graves #Press Release #Purpose Driven Events #Roanoke #Rob Zombie #Shinedown #Southwest Virginia

[normal-horoscopes]

The Abandoned Signs III:

Aries: A cruise liner, half-capsized in a bay of mangroves.

Taurus: A theater with a broken roof. Sunlight shines on rows of empty seats.

Gemini: An empty paper mill. Collapsed floor collecting dust and lichens.

Cancer: A housing block. Creepers, blooming early autumn red, reach slow fingers into empty rooms.

Leo: A greenhouse, ceiling open. Curtains of plant life hang to overgrown seedbeds.

Virgo: A manor in birch wood. Pale walls and cracked frescoes. Dry leaves cover the floor.

Libra: A steam locomotive, rust-red and motionless on a mountain ridge. Brush presses flush against ancient wheels.

Scorpio: A white sedan parked on a brick sidewalk. A collapsed arch resting upon the hood. Kudzu covers the windshield.

Ophiuchus: A small and empty church, grey as the fog. Stone facade heavy with standing water.

Sagittarius: An empty factory floor. Snow covers rusting metal scrap, heavy and soft.

Capricorn: A blue car, parked hubcap-deep in a still lake. The sky reflected like a mirror in the surface.

Aquarius: A steel mill. Smokestack towers above mingled brick and wild oak. A clear blue sky.

Pisces: A power plant. Empty concrete shapes, little amphitheaters, where the dynamo’s used to be. An audience of honeysuckle and broken glass.

#aries #taurus #gemini #cancer #leo #virgo #libra #scorpio #sagittarius #ophiuchus #capricorn #aquarius #pisces #astrology #zodiac #horoscope #the signs #the signs as #normal horoscope #normal-horoscopes

[ghostcultmagazine]

FESTIVAL RECAP: Blue Ridge Rock Fest - Blue Ridge Amphitheater - Danville, Virginia

FESTIVAL RECAP: Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Blue Ridge Amphitheater – Danville, Virginia

Massive music festivals are commonplace now, but they were far and few between fifty years ago. They are hard to produce well, but can be great moments in time for fans and musical artists. For every Lollapalooza, Wacken, and Ozzfest, we have Altamont, Woodstock 1999, and Fyre Fest as well.  No festival sets out to fail or do harm and hurt the trust of fans, but sometimes that happens. Blue Ridge…

View On WordPress

#10 Years #A Day To Remember #Adelitas Way #All Good Things #All That Remains #Another Day Dawns #Anthrax 40th Anniversary #Asking Alexandria #Atreyu #August Burns Red #Avatar #Ayron Jones #Bad Omens #Badflower #Beartooth #Black Label Society #Body Count feat. Ice-T #Brand Of Sacrifice #Breaking Benjamin (only festival performance of 2021) #Burden of the Sky #Chelsea Grin #Chevelle #Clutch #Corrosion Of Conformity #Crown The Empire #Currents #Cypress Hill (30th Anniversary) #D.R.U.G.S. (first show in nearly a decade) #Drowning Pool #Escape The Fate

[suitcasetales]

Hallo! Hilsen fra Norge!

(Hello! Greetings from Norway!)

According to our 2021 calendar, we flew to Norway Wednesday night. Yesterday’s itinerary included a mini-cruise, a tour of a stave church and a visit to a waterfall. Today, more fjords, quaint villages and a visit to a Viking museum. How I wish I could tell you all about it. How I wish I had beautiful photos to share with you. How I wish I had interesting factoids to pass along to you. But alas, this is 2021....or is it the 16th month of 2020?

What really happened? We went took a trip 65 miles away — versus 3,872 miles — and for all of 27-hours! And believe it or not, we did things we have never done before and I am so desperate to get back to writing, I thought I would tell you about it.

Ironically, it was a pandemic driven trip. Janet is a member of a gym here in Richmond, technically Midlothian, called ACAC (Atlantic Coast Athletic Club). It began in Charlottesville during the fitness craze in the 70’s and has a few locations now in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Founder Phil Wendel “set out to operate a health club where everyone would feel comfortable coming to exercise.” Janet first started going via a 60-days- for-$60 P.R.E.P. (physician referred exercise program) incentive and has been there ever since. She has trained with personal trainers and taken various styles of water exercise classes but her favorite is Zumba where she can dance and shake her booty.

ACAC-Charlottesville was holding a fundraiser for an affordable housing charity in C’ville whose services and assistance, as you would be well aware of in this long pandemic, continue to be in high demand. The Sprint Pavilion, normally an outdoor, covered pavilion popular for concerts, was the venue for a morning of exercise classes, Zumba, Yoga and Afterburn. Participants paid money for each class. One of ACAC-Midlothian’s instructors, Marcela was invited to lead the 8:30 Zumba class. Janet thought it sounded fun so we decided to go up Friday night and do something wild and crazy and actually stay in a hotel.

Janet found us a suite hotel above the Barracks Road shopping center which accepted dogs (for only an additional $25) and did not have a two-night weekend requirement. With Cokie being the nervous dog that she is, we knew a take-out dinner would be our best option for Friday night, too. Again, Janet did the research and suggested C’ville’s number one rated restaurant, The Ivy Inn Restaurant. We have always known of it but had never eaten there and frankly, didn’t even know where it was located. Their website encouraged us to pre-order, even for take-out, as they often sell out. Thursday night, we ordered up a feast.

I left the hospital early Friday and we drove to Charlottesville and on to the hotel. Our suite was perfect and once settled in, I went and picked up our dinner, a six minute drive away. Our dinner was delicious. We treated ourselves to three courses. Janet had a nice salad with goat cheese and dates, pork chop with sweet potato mash and collards and strawberry rhubarb crisp with ice-cream. I had sweet potato empanadas , local mountain trout with rice and green beans and sticky toffee pudding with ice-cream. And although that sounds like a lot of food, the portions were actually reasonable and we were not miserably stuffed.

Nevertheless, I had not had my exercise for the day. The clouds had cleared, the sun was out, the sky was blue and so we went for a walk. Just behind the hotel, there was a short path that led to “The Park,” on the University of Virginia campus. We circumvented the several intramural athletic fields and a softball stadium (that looked more like a former softball stadium), found a wooded area with some trails where Cokie was more at home and then walked around some of the law school buildings. It was the perfect evening walk and we managed almost two miles.

At check-in, we were given this magnet to place on our room door. The magnet must remain on the door the entire stay. (And FYI if you travel with a dog, they can be left in your suite if in a crate.)

Saturday morning, we took advantage of the hotel’s grab-n-go breakfast, grabbing it and bringing it back to our room. Cokie and I delivered Janet to the amphitheater and went off to find a place to hike while she danced. We shortly found an entrance to the 20-mile Rivanna Trail which is a “rustic urban wilderness trail” and did a quiet and protected hike alongside a creek for about 20 minutes before returning to the truck and then back downtown to say high to Marcela and to pick up Janet.

Photos from my hike short hike with Cokie. The May Apples were in full bloom!

Marcela introduced Janet to the ACAC founder and was able to thank him and tell him she would not be the person she is today without ACAC.

We returned to our hotel (where we had a very generous noon checkout), showered, did some research for the rest of the day, and checked out around 11:15. It was so worth having stayed overnight!

Like Richmond, and perhaps even more so with the Blue Ridge mountains all around, Charlottesville has many opportunities for hiking. We didn’t want to drive further west in to Shenandoah or go along the Parkway as the forecast was not good. Instead, we went to the Ivy Creek Natural Area which offered about 7 miles of hiking trails. Unfortunately, as soon as we turned in to the parking areas, everywhere, there were “no dogs” signs. What?! No dogs? Well, darn.

But, knowing Cokie as we do, we hiked anyway and left Cokie snoozing in the truck. We knew she wouldn’t care — we always have to really coax her out of the truck anyway and convince her she will like what we are doing. It was cloudy and cool and we knew she would be alright. We ended up hiking less than 3 miles. We enjoyed the hike and it was a good workout, up and down a lot with beautiful wildflowers and some nice water views of a creek. Returning to the vehicle, Cokie could have cared less that we had been gone.....or even that we were back!

We debated for a bit, trying to decide if we wanted to go to one of the many breweries, cideries or wineries in the area, but again, it just was not going to be a pretty afternoon. For those of you who live in central Virginia, you will probably be shocked to read that we have never been to Carter Mountain Orchard so off we went! Or, if you have been there, up we went! Up the mountain road arriving to the huge parking lot and beautiful views from the summit. Bold Rock Cider has a satellite location there but again, no dogs were allowed.

So again, Cokie was left in the truck while we went on a short visit. We can’t imagine how crazy it is to visit in the Fall — we know many of you do it; we have seen your photos on Facebook. But having no children and not being huge fans of apples, we have now checked it off our list, and feeling fortunate to have visited it in on dull Spring day. On the other hand, Janet did enjoy a cider and as there were no savory food choices available (and outside food was not allowed, another pet peeve of ours), we had to have apple spice doughnuts for lunch. Yes, we HAD to have them.

Along the Carter Mountain road, a hiking trail had crossed over near the beginning so next we went in pursuit of its trailhead and parking area. We drove just around the corner to the Michie Tavern complex on the Thomas Jefferson Parkway (that leads to Monticello) and parked. We managed to get Cokie out of the truck and headed in the direction we thought the trail could be accessed, only it wasn’t. We turned back and walked along the Michie Tavern historic buildings to the other end of the parking lot, which was a dead end.

Janet sought the advice of the restaurant hostess and back down the highway we went, turning in to a small parking lot at Kemper Park and nabbing one of the last two parking spots. We packed our raincoats and hats and convinced Cokie that she would be okay — Come on, Cokie, you will like it — and finally managed to get going along the Saunders-Monticello Trail.

This “trail” is really a cinder road, so wide and very easy to walk, slightly but steadily climbing. Eventually, we took a side trail to an overlook and then saw a trail jutting off from it and decided to diverge. A great decision, too, as it was a very vigorous ascent, followed by a hike along the contours before descending to a nice footbridge that returned to us to the main hiking road. And, we had that trail it all to ourselves. At the end, we read a sign where it had built in memoriam of a Monticello trail manager. It was the perfect workout after a doughnut lunch. Hike number four, in the books. And just as we made it back to the parking lot, it started raining.

We drove home in steady rain and ended our mini-vacation (and I do mean mini!) with a dine-in dinner at Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro in Manakin-Sabot. We thought we might have to just do take-out but called enroute to see if we could make a reservation. As expected, they were fully booked but ended up accommodating us when we said it was just the two of us and we could be there by 5:00. The hostess said it wouldn’t hurt if we could get there even earlier, and we did....and had the restaurant to ourselves. We both had large, tasty salads and even scored a free takeaway dessert as an apology when, due to the kitchen not being busy yet, our entrees of lobster ravioli and chicken Marsala arrived before we had even put a dent in our salads!

No, it wasn’t Norway. And it wasn’t even a multi-night getaway but a getaway, no matter where, is better than nothing these days. But finally doing some writing feels good!! And if we ever make it to Norway, we will eat hjortebakkels (Norwegian cake donuts) for lunch and I will tell you all about it.

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are NOT Space Orcs “First Contact”

So, I wanted to do something from the human’s perspective for once. This will have a part 2 from the aliens perspective to add a bit more humor to the whole thing. The idea was to show just how humans are scary and they totally don’t see it.

Don’t forget to send me your ideas, and as always I love comments questions critiques, and anything else you can think of :)

So, I may, or may not have been snooping through Krill’s reports while he’s returned home for, “mating season” sort of hope he meets a nice hot….. Whatever he is…. What makes you guys attracted to each other anyway…? Is it the size of the inflatable sack or something?

That’s beside the point though, I thought you all deserved something from a human perspective. Krill has this tendency to make us sound super freaky. I mean calling babies parasites is a bit much. He makes them sound like monsters who feed of a woman’s organs or something like that. I actually think babies are cute, and sure, we eat weird food, but none of us ever get actually HURT by it. The amount of poison in those foods aren’t enough to do anything to us, so it’s not a big deal.

As for me, it’s a little known fact that I was part of the human crew and team that made first contact with E.Ts (Extra-terrestrials). It was the maiden voyage of the USS Enterprise (yeah I know kind of nerdy, but we had to do it. Who makes their first interstellar ship and doesn’t name it the Enterprise, it would be sacrilegious). Personally I fancy myself a bit of a Kirk, and Krill could be Spock (Him being the voice of reason and all) you know if Spock had eight legs…. And emotions. Off topic, anyway, I was straight out of the academy had all my limbs and both eyes, and I was chosen as part of the bridge crew for our first voyage.

I was honestly surprised when the thing didn’t explode as soon as we went into warp, but we held together, and all of a sudden we are in an entirely different galaxy. It was more intense that I could have imagined. One of our infrared specialists detected hits of a heat signatures on a nearby asteroid, so of course we were going to check it out. I volunteered for the mission first, if anyone was going to see an alien, it was going to be me. So we suited up with a team, and sent a landing craft. Imagine our surprise when we sensed signs of life.

***

“Look at this, Captain, these structures, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.” Captain Kelly moved over to examine the pillar with the rest of the crew speaking quickly an excitedly.

First Lieutenant Vir ignored them wandering over to the other side of the room to kneel down on the polished stone floor. Through the armored space suit, and full-face glass visor, he examined the walls around him. He already knew what this was, aliens, he was sure.

He glanced down at his equipment glowing softly at him through the visor of the helmet …. Wait, that hadn’t been there before.

Atmospheric readings.

But they were in the middle of space….. There shouldn’t be atmosphere, and it was a pretty complex one to, sulfur, hydrogen oxygen, and carbon. Still not breathable in those percentages, but… damn.

He turned to get his captain’s attention, but just then, a small sound caught him through the microphone of his suit. A soft click, like a rock falling, he snapped his head in that direction, just in time to see a flicker of movement and a dash of metallic blue.

He threw his rifle over his back and bolted after the movement.

“LIEUTENANT.”

He ignored the voice and raced after the fleeing figure clambering off the small incline and onto a pathway. He scrambled from his hands and toes onto his feet and followed the creature at a dead sprint. The thing skidded around a corner. He followed slamming into the wall before shaking himself off and giving pursuit.

A moment of pure exhilaration added adrenaline to his run, and he spend closer letting off a gleeful laugh, there were aliens, he knew it, he knew it.

The creature took another hard fast turn, and he raced after it, catching only glimpses as the creature raced forward. It was about waist height, but ran on all fours. It had a tail and maybe…. Six limbs.

So cool.

He had to catch it.

A moment later the thing had bolted into a shaft. He followed looking up watching as the creature was carried up by a thick-fiber rope. Alright, he could do that.

Crawling into the shaft, Lieutenant Vir pressed either leg against the wall and began scuttling up after the thing. He was growing closer.

Through the visor of his helmet, he swore he could hear a high pitched keening note. Was that coming from the creature?

He was close now.

He could see it better, about five feet long all together, with six limbs and a tail. Reaching out, he snatched at the tail. The keening continued as the creature hurried it’s frantic pace upwards. Its body was covered in a thin hide like snake skin metallic blues and purples leading up to an almost raptor-like head.

He must be dreaming, there was no way this was happening. He scrambled from the shaft racing after the creature and quickly catching up, at the last moment, the thing took a sharp turn leading him into another wide room. It was made almost like an amphitheater starting with a small bowl and widening upwards towards the top. Thousands of dark black eyes blinked at him from those heights. Glowing substances cast the room into bright green luminance.

And then a circle of trailing water burst down from the ceiling crashing around him to the floor trailing away at the edges of the room. He stopped where he was in confusion and shock.

What the hell.

The creature he had been chasing collapsed near the far end of the chamber body rising and falling heavily.

He looked around at the water again, realizing awkwardly how this must look. He didn’t mean to scare the creature, and now that the thing had stopped running, it probably meant it thought it was safe…. How would water stop him though? Vir decided to stay where he was for the moment, maybe let them ease up.

He waved a hand at them through the trails of water.

“Hey, it’s alright, I’m not going to hurt anyone. I just want to talk.”

The room around him shifted. He could see it through the visor of his helmet.

Hm…. Well it wasn’t really likely they could understand him, was it?

He paused shrugged, and stepped through the wall of water, shaking himself as he came out wiping droplets from his visor.

The room broke into pandemonium as the creatures freaked out. Water cannons went of splashing him from left to right with the substance. It wasn’t even enough to knock him off his feet, and he just stood there hands raised in front of his visor.

He had a feeling that if he had brought a super soaker to the party, than he would absolutely dominate.

Eventually the water ran out and he was still standing looking up at them with his arms crossed.

“Are you done?”

The room was very still.

Wiping his gloves on some of the glowing moss, he approached the first creature, curious. It pulled back against the wall still breathing heavily.

He glanced at his hands to make sure there were no water droplets left. It was probably allergic or something, maybe?

He reached out.

The creature pulled back

He tried to be gentle, running a gloved hand along its ridged back as it pulled away from him. He patted it a few more times. Wow, it felt weird.

That’s when Captain Kelly and the others burst into the room, “ADAM!” They held their weapons up brandishing them at the creatures high above.

“STOP.” Vir yelled, “STOP.”

They did, weapons still aimed.

“Damn Lieutenant, are you ok/”

He walked over, “I’m alright, I think I freaked them out a bit though.” He wasn’t expecting the open hand slap that clubbed him on the side of the helmet. And the other one as the captain backhanded and then forehanded him repeatedly, “You… absolute….. F******…. idiot….. You could have gotten yourself killed.”

It hit him only then what he had done.

Whoops

“Sorry, Captain, I guess I just got…. A little overenthusiastic “

She glared at him through the glass in her visor, “Deal with you, later. Idiot boy.”

He wilted and moved to the back of the group.

But secretly, inside he was thrilling with their discovery.

It must have been a dream, who would have thought he, and average kid from earth would have been the first to whiteness E.T life

****

I like to think I’ve grown up a bit since then. Not so dumb as to chase unknown lifeforms by myself in an unknown alien ship. For that I was NEARLY demoted, and suspended from active missions for over a year. The crew also made up an entire reward ceremony for the, and I quote “THE UNIVERSE’S BIGGEST IDIOT.” As far as I know, I think it’s still instituted in some areas of the glazy.

So you see, first contact story, no big deal, pretty innocuous if you ask me. Nothing to show that humans are scary or anything.

I honestly don’t know where all these weird rumors came from.

Humans aren’t scary.

#humans are space orcs #humans are weird #humans are space australians #humans are space oddities #earth is space australia #first contact