White Water Rafting Gauley River West Virginia

White water rafting in West Virginia on the Gauley River is a trip I will not forget. These photos were taken as the water was being released from the bottom of the lake through three huge pipes many feet in diameter. It was such a deafening roar that we could hardly hold a conversation. I am a very good swimmer but I was nervous about this trip. I had good reason to be since we learned that a young man kayaking was killed the weekend we were there. It is believed he became wedged under hidden rocks and logs in the river and was unable to free himself from the swift current. It is likely we rafted right over him without knowing it. So sad.

There are some interesting stories about the Gorge. There was an old man called "Five Dollar Frank" who would fly you over the gorge for 5 bucks.  This was a trip since his plane was literally held together with duck tape.  In addition, the highest expansion bridge on the east coast is located here. Once a year the bridge is closed for what is called "bridge day" you can bungee and base jump off the bridge without any consequences from the local authorities. Me ? I'm up in the front of the raft with my paddle pushing off the rock. Shortly after our raft flipped.

Inside Watkins Glen Gorge, Watkins Glen New York

Entering through the tunnel of Watkins Glens Gorge, we stepped into a cool, tranquil different world.

Geologically this is a fascinating place with examples of nature's beauty all around you. Once inside we hiked a  two mile twisting, turning walkway along the walls of the gorge with 200 ft cliffs. Along the way we went under and behind numerous water falls and over several narrow foot bridges. The views inside the gorge are breathtaking. The gorge is located on the southern end of Lake Seneca just outside the village of Watkins Glen.

 

No Shoes No Asphalt No Problem

Somewhere between Custer State Park and Badlands National Park we found ourselves in this very isolated area. These roads were dirt with loose gravel, slow and steady is the way you have to ride if you don't want a spill. None the less we found this place very peaceful  and calm. It was also abundant with black tail prairie dogs, wild burros, bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, big horn sheep and coyotes. We stopped the bike along the road and shut it down then we snapped these photos. As we stood there we just listened to nothing. Best thing I have ever heard.

 

The Beatles ... John Lennon lived at the Dakota

While visiting New York City we took a walk to the historic Dakota apartment building

where John Lennon of the Beatles lived and was shot and killed. John was shot in front of his apartment while arriving home with his wife Yoko one evening after attending a recording session. The second and third photo's are of the Imagine Circle and Strawberry Fields sign, that are memorials to John Lennon's memory. They are located in New York Cities Central Park just adjacent to the Dakota building.

According to Wikipedia

The building was the home of former Beatle John Lennon from 1973 on, and was the location of Lennon's murder by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. As of 2010, Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, still has several apartments in the building. The Strawberry Fields memorial was laid out in memory of Lennon in Central Park directly across Central Park West. Every year, Ono marks the anniversary of Lennon's death with a now-public pilgrimage to the memorial, and by placing a single lit candle in the window of one of her apartments.

Deadwood, South Dakota

 There is a new Sheriff in town...

While visiting Deadwood during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally there was a gunfight and one didn't make it.

Unfortunately it was me!

This is a great town to kick back, relax and envision life in the old West.