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Tagged With "Canal Locks"

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Re: November 24, 2016: Enger Tower, Duluth, Minnesota

GarryRF ·
Did you count the steps up ? Looks like an Olympian task !
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Re: November 24, 2016: Enger Tower, Duluth, Minnesota

Ottoman ·
Hi Garry I never thought of counting the number of steps to the top of Enger Tower for I was too preoccupied with the beautiful scenery; However, thanks to your question I did some internet investigating and discovered that apparently there are 105 steps you must walk to get to the top of Enger Tower (therefore 210 steps in total to get up and down the tower). You really don't need to be an Olympian to get to the top of Enger Tower. Although the number of steps sounds like a lot, and the...
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Re: November 24, 2016: Enger Tower, Duluth, Minnesota

GarryRF ·
Thanks Ottoman. Thanks for the reassurance. I did have a fear of a thousand tourists behind me - pushing to ascend the stairway - and all at the gallop. The intervals are all well spaced and welcomed. That's why older people carry a camera !
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Re: Sept 10, 2018: Rideau Canal, Ottawa

GarryRF ·
I was lucky enough to "borrow" a beautiful house on Rideau Lakes and explore Ottawa. Beautiful - but underpopulated - part of the world. Perfect for me,
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

Ava ·
Wow!
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Re: July 11, 2018: New Orleans Streetcars

George G. ·
Pittsburgh residents also call them streetcars. They were such an easy way to get around when I was a youngster. Not sure if the city has them any longer, but I took the German Strassenbahn's many times during my 18 years of living in that country. Unlimited weekly tickets made it a breeze to get around the cities.
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Re: July 11, 2018: New Orleans Streetcars

Samantha ·
HI George. I hope they still have them in Pittsburgh. It is on our bucket list and would love to ride them around the city Thanks for sharing.
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Re: Notes and Noticings from the road

Paul Heymont ·
Actually, I think the banks have a fairly minimal (as small as I can make it) impact on my currency transactions, in part because I never deal with exchanges; I use bank ATMs. That way, the exchange takes place not on my account, but as an interbank transaction at the base rate banks use with each other. I used to use my ATM card from Citibank, but eventually they began charging a 3% foreign exchange fee even on withdrawals. At that point, I opened an account with Charles Schwab, a brokerage...
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

Paul Heymont ·
Thanks for letting me as close as I'll probably get to the tramp steamer fantasy so many of us grew up with--and which is now, apparently, more civilized than in the fantasies...but still with an edge of danger.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

Travel Rob ·
Great piece and great photos!That way of travel appeals to me a lot more than a luxury cruise ship. Thanks for taking us along the adventure.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

Theodore Behr ·
That's an amazing story! I love that scene from Lawrence Of Arabia and can see why it'd make you wanna go.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

JohnT ·
Thats a fantastic perspective and life experience. Thanks for sharing that with us.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

PortMoresby ·
A sad addendum, "our" Lawrence, Peter O'Toole, has died in London at the age of 81. One of my very favorites for all time, the movie and the actor. RIP "Orence".
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates

DrFumblefinger ·
CNN highlighted Lawrence of Arabia as one of the most influential travel films of all time. Anyone who's seen it will know why. Here's a link to their brief tribute to Mr. O'Toole.
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Re: Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!

Todd ·
Nice article, but have to point out that the "Capitol" is a building in Washington DC while Ottawa (and Washington DC itself for that matter) are the "capitals" of their countries. One letter, but very different meanings.
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Re: Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!

DrFumblefinger ·
So noted, Todd!
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 5) Venezia (Venice)

Paul Heymont ·
Great pictures...makes me want to go back! Interesting to note: the Mayor of Venice has been very active lately in trying to get the large cruise ships re-routed to keep them out of the fragile space between San Marco and Guidecca...and last month hundreds of people swam out to try to block the ships!
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Re: La Dolce Vita (Part 5) Venezia (Venice)

DrFumblefinger ·
Thanks for your comments, PHeymont. The cruise ships are BIG business in Venice, and certainly allow a lot of people to enjoy the destination if only for a day. But there are easily places the ships could park that wouldn't hurt the delicate lagoon, then shuttle people into the city.
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Re: Renting an apartment in Europe

JohnT ·
Hi Dreamer I can only tell you about my experiences... 1) How long? It depends. Apartment rental have been around in Europe for a long time. It used to be mostly for a week from Saturday to Saturday, but mostly anything goes now. 2) Buyer beware - It will be up to you to research the neighbourhood. You can do that many ways. Perhaps the easiest is using google streetmaps 3) There is no one way to check in. Sometimes you meet the owner or manager and they will give you the key. Sometimes...
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Re: Canal Saint-Martin: Where Gumbo Was

PortMoresby ·
Well, now, am I disqualified from future participation in "Where in the World..."? I'd hate to have to cash out after an easy one like that. Tell me I can still play please.
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Re: Canal Saint-Martin: Where Gumbo Was

DrFumblefinger ·
I say Port Moresby can only play if he/she doesn't know where where in the world is. LOL.
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Re: Canal Saint-Martin: Where Gumbo Was

PortMoresby ·
I imagine this is a tough one to formulate - to make it possible to be guessed/known by someone but difficult enough to be fun. Maybe the balance for those who have gotten one right is to wait until the last day to post and then, as you say DrF, only if we don't know.
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Re: Canal Saint-Martin: Where Gumbo Was

DrFumblefinger ·
My inclination is that if some one knows, they shouldn't hold back, but post. Some will be easy, some will be tougher. But making the brain work is the fun part. PHeymont is sort of running these, as much as anyone runs anything here. We'll see what his take is.
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Re: Canal Saint-Martin: Where Gumbo Was

Paul Heymont ·
My answer would be that of course, PM can play...but if he's right too often, he'll have to start selecting and posting the new ones!
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Re: Touring Telemark County in Norway

Mac ·
A most interesting report and photos. I love the story of the building of the church.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset

Paul Heymont ·
If this were a painting, it would be by Edward Hopper. Wonderful image...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset

Marilyn Jones ·
What a fantastic photo and description; a moment in time captured forever.
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Re: Your TSA Approved Locks Won't Keep Thieves Out

Paul Heymont ·
Which seems like a lot of trouble for thieves to go through, when simple snips will cut the lock...if you don't feel like cutting into the suitcase with a box-cutter. I'very always viewed suitcase locks as a device to keep the zipper from opening accidentally during handling, and once I discovered that European security people didn't have or use the keys (they clipped the locks), I went back to using twist ties or cable ties. Much cheaper, work well.
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Re: England gets a coast-to-coast canoe route

GarryRF ·
The Leeds - Liverpool canal as it passes by me in Liverpool:
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Re: England gets a coast-to-coast canoe route

Paul Heymont ·
Can we count on you to make a coast-to-coast transit your next project! Looks like fun, even for we of a certain age...
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Re: England gets a coast-to-coast canoe route

GarryRF ·
As you can see from this photo - the tow path makes an excellent route for cycling too. And walkers. No traffic or roads to cross. Friends often take their canoes for a paddle. Others just go fishing. Maybe just a walk in silence - except for the occasional canalside pub where they have a kids playground. And the ducks quacking. (No shooting allowed)
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

Paul Heymont ·
That's just incredible! Thanks for a fascinating look...it would have made a good Where in the World puzzle, or What in the World... I found this animated GIF by Famine on Wikipedia that helped me visualize how it looks in operation. It's put together from a time-laps series.
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

DrFumblefinger ·
Technology and art! Fascinating yet functional.
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Re: The Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

PortMoresby ·
My darling father-in-law grew up in Falkirk and I've never gone there. But just mention a canal and I want to know about the towpath. A walk through Falkirk may be in my future: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk...de-union-canal.shtml Thanks, Ian.
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Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal

Paul Heymont ·
Every time you write about one of these walks, I find myself drawn closer to it. And this one is such an enticing story I'm almost ready to toss over my plans for this summer. I can't, of course, but I will find time in future...
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Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal

PortMoresby ·
I think this is a particularly nice part of the world to walk and I've been thinking about starting again in Pouilly-en-Auxois to go the other direction. I already have a guide for it, a gift in exchange for a review on a very good site, appropriately, 'I Love Walking in France'. Guides (and my review) here .
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Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal

PortMoresby ·
I received Melinda's newsletter this afternoon (she of ILoveWalkinginFrance.com ), and she confirms what I mentioned above about the down side of trying to follow French paths. "... I backtracked and turned right, thinking that walking around an island would be fairly straightforward. That path ended soon after, at the end of the port, so I backtracked again and followed another path which would join the coastal path at the eastern side of the island. It did, but was so badly marked that I...
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Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal

DrFumblefinger ·
I am curious how you pace your day on these walks. When do you begin hiking? At what time do you tend to look for a place to ovenight? How many miles do you aim to do in a day on average?
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Re: Walking the Burgundy Canal

PortMoresby ·
Every walk is different, of course, so planning, for someone like me who isn't a distance walker, is essential. I can walk comfortably up to about 10 miles with my little pack, more if I must but try to avoid it, so there's no rush in the morning to be out early. I enjoy a leisurely breakfast and head out mid-morning. I'm never in the position of looking for a place to overnight because I've reserved in advance, either well in advance or at least a day or 2, knowing where I'll be. In France...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 12, 2013: Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota

Ottoman ·
Hello again Theodore Sorry for the late response to your question. Personally, I do not think it is worth the time and effort it would take for you to drive to Duluth from Minneapolis for only one day in the winter time. The ride from Minneapolis to Duluth one way on Interstate 35 will take you 2.5 hours, and that's under good driving conditions. In the winter, chances are you will encounter bad weather, and that will definitely add to your driving time. Duluth doesn't shut down in the...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 12, 2013: Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota

DrFumblefinger ·
It`s impressive to see those big freighters making their way through that narrow canal, just clearing that interesting bridge!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 12, 2013: Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth, Minnesota

Theodore Behr ·
Love the bridge. I like cool designs like this. Hey -- I'm going to Minneapolis in 2 months. Is it worth going to Duluth for a day in the winter time? Or does the place shut down then?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 1, 2014: Canal Illusion

DrFumblefinger ·
Fascinating how our mind plays tricks with our perceptions. You know the canal is flat, but your brain, based on the visual input it gets, tells you it's "falling".
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 1, 2014: Canal Illusion

Paul Heymont ·
The amazing thing is that it's not just in the picture that the illusion happens...it really looks that way in "life!" I knew it could not be, but I couldn't shake the illusion until I had taken the second picture and realized I had to visualize the wall and not the water.
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal

Travel Rob ·
Wow, such a cool walking trip! I have to take one of these canal walks now!
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal

Mac ·
A lovely blog PM delightful to read your 'take' on the canals. We have a very active canal restoration group working in our area - the Stroudwater Canal. They have a virtual lifetime's work ahead of them to complete the ambitious projects that they have underway - but they are making progress!
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal

Paul Heymont ·
I've enjoyed canoeing and walking on some of our eastern canals (Chesapeake and Potomac, Delaware and a couple of others) but unfortunately we don't seem to have kept serious stretches in shape for either shipping or recreation as has happened in England and France...too bad for us! Looks like a lovely walk...
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Re: Walking in England: The Kennet & Avon Canal

Dgems ·
WOW that brings back memories......makes me want to go back to England ! Thanks for the pleasant journey!
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 9, 2014: Enjoying the Sunset

DrFumblefinger ·
  One evening as we were returning to our hotel near St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, slowly cruising down the Grand Canal on a  vaporetto (water bus) , the sun began to set.  In the last moments of daylight, that magical time of day...
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!

DrFumblefinger ·
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians.  Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
 
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