Watcha Doing? Version 2015.5 Showing 1,201-1,250 of 2,846

[Cherie]

Sarah - are the ponds on the left in the bottom picture where the water comes from to fill the lock after you go in? If, yes, how are they refilled? Can you take your boat into them?

[Cherie]

I had a great weekend off, except for the yard work. went clothes shopping and to the bookstore with Amy and the boys. It has been a crazy week at work, and I haven't had a lot of time to log in and check to see what everyone is doing. waiting for a meeting to start in 4 minutes, then home.

[Lisa]

Came home from Madrid last night. We had a really nice time. It's a lovely city, very pretty and the local people are very helpful and friendly. The weather was kind to us too, around 30C each day and sunny.

Now to catch up on all the posts....

[Tasha]

I'm glad to hear you had a nice time, Lisa! Welcome back. :)

[Sandra, Moderator]

That's great to hear, Lisa!

[Kandice]

Welcome back Lisa. Oh how I would love to say "Just got back from __fill in the blank___"!

[Sarah]

@Cherie - yes those pond like areas are to store the water to replace that in the lock. They are called pounds. You can't moor in them I know that for sure. I guess they are deep enough to take your boat in though and you might nip in ever so slightly to allow other boats to pass on the flight but generally you don't go in them.

I am absolutely knackered right now! Yesterday I single handed the boat for the first time. I travelled 5 miles, went through 6 swing bridges and 7 locks. I'm so chuffed with myself. Now I don't have to worry about moving the boat by myself as I know I can do it.

Today we did the 29 locks in those pictures I posted a few days back. It took us a lot longer than we thought as we were the only boat going up and there was only 2 of us to operate the locks. In total, it took us nearly 7 hours! I am now sat with my feet up on GR for a bit. I'll be in bed by 9 I reckon!

I'm glad you had a great time in Madrid Lisa.

[KimeyDiann]

It sounds like you had an exhausting day Sarah! You should sleep like a baby tonight!
So, how do you open and close the locks?

It has been a quiet day at the office today. I've caught up on some filing I needed to do (although I'm not quite through) and enjoyed a day without any deadlines hanging over my head. It is almost time to go home and I'm ready!

Temps are supposed to be in the mid 70's with relatively low humidity this weekend. There is a little festival in my town tomorrow and it sounds like for once the weather will be perfect for it. Normally it is swelteringly hot and therefor not overly enjoyable. I'm looking forward to going for a little while tomorrow before going back to the hospital to stay with my M-I-L.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

[Sandra, Moderator]

Wow, Saran. No wonder why you are so exhausted.
I was wondering the same thing. Do you open the gates from the boat or from land?

Kimey, how is your mother in law doing?

[Cherie]

@ Sarah - I didn't think you could moor in the pounds, but thought maybe you could go in for passing or a rest. 29 in one day - AWSOME. They must fill pretty quickly. You deserve a beer and a good rest.

@ Lisa - Glad you had a good time in Madrid! So nice when the weather co-operates too.

[Sarah]

We had the beer Cherie! We thought it was well deserved. And the early night. No resting in between locks on this flight - once you've committed and started that first lock you have to keep going until you're at the top. As for opening, you have to push on the end (in the pics they are white) and it opens the gate. some are easier than others to open and close. Each door has an actual weight of 3000kg. I'm guessing the lever effect is in play but they may also be counterweights.I generally get my body weight down low and push with my back against the lock arm as it doesn't strain my arms and back then. Then to allow the water in and out, we have a windlass which we wind the gear on the lock with which opens the sluice.

[Tejas Janet]

Sounds very physically tiring, Sarah, and rewarding to have accomplished. Way to go!!!

I enjoy reading about your long boat advetuntures.

[Sandra, Moderator]

Thanks for explaining, Sarah. It is actually an adventure!

[Tasha]

Sounds like a good workout, Sarah! I'm also impressed you dod it by yourself too! I would be so nervous!

[Canadian Dragon]

That sounds really fun Sarah and tiring. Are you finding a new place to stay?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh wow Sarah! Incredibly impressed.

May I just fan girl out for a second?

Having a conversation on twitter at the moment with Kevin Hearne. Playing it cool (hopefully), but I may be squealing in real life, much to Lexx's amusement.

[Janice, Moderator]

I think you're on a great adventure, Sarah! I'm joining in vicariously. :)

I'm going to have to check your twitter conversation out, Rusalka. That's what I like about social media. It makes the authors so approachable. I twitted about 5 starring Euphoria, and Lily King replied. Now, I just need to tweet more than once every 6 months.

[Kandice]

We are going shopping for cars today. My youngest child turns 17 this month and we've bought each of our children a vehicle at that point. The stipulations are that they have at least a 3.5 GPA so they qualify for the insurance discount and have had a clean driving record their first year.

Unfortunately for our pocketbooks they all have! ;)

We don't get new cars, of course, but it's fun and I like the idea that they'll be using it every day for years to come. I'm excited!

[Janice, Moderator]

Have fun car shopping, Kandice.

[Bella]

Kandice wrote: "We are going shopping for cars today. My youngest child turns 17 this month and we've bought each of our children a vehicle at that point. The stipulations are that they have at least a 3.5 GPA so ..."

I have a 17 year old and he absolutely refuses to learn how to drive.

[Kandice]

Bella wrote: "Kandice wrote: "We are going shopping for cars today. My youngest child turns 17 this month and we've bought each of our children a vehicle at that point. The stipulations are that they have at lea..."

I cannot even express how much my life was simplified by my last child learning to drive! At one point I had children in three schools and the drop off and pick up were each about 120 minute ordeals.

I wish you luck. I hope things are within walking or bus distance where you live. Our public transport system kind of sucks and there are no school buses anymore.

[Lisa]

Have fun with the car shopping Kandice!

[Bella]

Luckily, we live right next to a bus stop that goes straight to his school. He's in college, so he just goes two days. But we've warned him that when he starts nursing school, he's going to have to learn how to drive. I think he thinks that we'll just drive him.

[Kandice]

Bella wrote: "Luckily, we live right next to a bus stop that goes straight to his school. He's in college, so he just goes two days. But we've warned him that when he starts nursing school, he's going to have to..."

Oy!Good luck. :}

[Tasha]

My stepson didn't want to drive until his early-mid 20s.

Have fun car shopping, Kandice!

[Bella]

Tasha wrote: "My stepson didn't want to drive until his early-mid 20s.

Have fun car shopping, Kandice!"

What made him decide to start driving?

[Kandice]

My co-workers husband is 48 and still doesn't drive. She has about 4 hours of driving per day because of it. She drives him to work, her son to school and then herself to work and then the opposite in the evening. He is a schoolteacher and his work day is technically over at 2:05, but she can't get back to his school until 5:45 at the earliest so he sits there for over 3 hours waiting. I'd learn to drive!

[Travis]

His legs are too short and has to sit on my lap. But I already have my 4 year old driving the skid steer. I just sit back and rest my eyes. I still operate the loader but if its just driving he druves like a pro.

[Kandice]

Travis of NNY wrote: "His legs are too short and has to sit on my lap. But I already have my 4 year old driving the skid steer. I just sit back and rest my eyes. I still operate the loader but if its just driving he d..."

LOL My brother taught my oldest son to drive on farm equipment. They "graduated" to an old truck in the fields the summer my son turned 7 when he could actually reach the pedals!

[Lynda]

I can't imagine not wanting to drive. I was ready for my license at 14, but had to wait 2 more years! I don't think I was every home again after that.

Got home late last night from journey around the Olympic Peninsula. The weather was incredible: 70's and sunny, with hazy/foggy mornings and evenings at the coast. Day 1 I drove out to Pacific Beach, where the home I was staying at is located, then the three hour drive up to Neah Bay (part of the Makah Indian Reservation) in time for late afternoon hike out to Cape Flattery, which is the most northwestern point of the Continental United States. The trail cuts through mossy, twisted old-growth trees and comes out on the Pacific Ocean/Strait of Juan de Fuca. Then I went down to Toos-Yess beach for a foggy sunset. The beach was deserted, I felt like I was at the end of the world, it was incredible.

Day 2 was down to Astoria, OR (stopping off at the carriage museum in Raymond, WA). Had lunch on the banks of the Columbia River and visited the Maritime Museum and the Flavel Mansion. Drove up to the Astoria Column, which was under construction, but the views were worth it.

Day 3 was sunrise on Pacific Beach, packing up, and heading north again around Lake Quinalt, through the National Forest, up to Crescent Lake, and then into Port Angeles and Sequim, for sunset at Sequim Bay.

I'm tired with a touch of Vertigo (which I've never experienced before). I will share some photos, once I have a chance to process the images.

[Kandice]

Lynda wrote: "I can't imagine not wanting to drive. I was ready for my license at 14, but had to wait 2 more years! I don't think I was every home again after that.

Got home late last night from journey aroun..."

Sounds like you had a lovely time! Have you ever been to Ashland, OR? I've been twice on drives up the coast and it was a lovely, "hippy" feeling kind of place.

[Travis]

Yup when I was 7 my dad let me drive the old ford escort in the fields to learn how to drive stick. When you aee raised on or aroubd a farm its hard to ubderstand how people don't know how to drive as its just something you get raised doing. My dad was driving the farm truck up and down the road to differebt fields when he was 10 years old

[Janice, Moderator]

Travis of NNY wrote: "His legs are too short and has to sit on my lap. But I already have my 4 year old driving the skid steer. I just sit back and rest my eyes. I still operate the loader but if its just driving he d..."

My grandson loved the skidsteer from the time he could talk. Everytime they'd come over, he'd ask my ex, "Kitty ride! Move dirt!" We had a Caterpillar skidsteer and we always referred to is as "cat" (as in, "I'll drive the cat to the upper pasture") He's almost 17 and doesn't have his driver's license. He hasn't been all that interested until lately. He's taking driving lessons at the school. From what I understand, it's a course through school and not just through AMA.

[Bella]

I guess my son gets it from me- I hate driving. I rarely drive and I don't really ever go far. But I can drive. I think he's hoping we move back home soon so he doesn't ever have to get his driver's license.

[Lynda]

Kandice, I've never been to Ashford. My plan next May is to spend 9 days from Astoria to Crescent City. Will have to plan a long weekend to Ashford someday. It's a out 8 hrs to Medford from home.

[Tejas Janet]

I'm a good driver, but dislike driving. I don't like being a passenger much either, especially on any roadway where speed limit is above 50 mph (80 kmh).

Hubby, and best friend ever, taught me to drive manual stick shift when I was 32. Now he's just turned 75, and I'm 53 and 6 months.

Love Oregon - except traffic getting so snarly on hiways and back roads also. I expect that's what will happen to "my" Texas as well. (Hey, I was actually born in this state and lived here all my life.)

[Cherie]

Lynda, sounds like a lovely, lovely trip. I have been to all of the places you mentioned in Astoria. The Maritime Museum and the Astoria Column are awesome. Wasn't the bridge scary?

My ex-roommate and my cockatiel, Peeper did the Washington coast drive from Astoria, OR to Vancouver, BC many, many years ago. We tent camped in RV parks and took our mountain bikes to go on brief exploring trips (we couldn't leave Peeper in the car for long times). We took a week going up and a day to drive back down I5 to Portland. Peeper was a good camper and shared the tent with us - in his little cage.

My two of my daughters and I have driven the coast highway south from Northern California to Oakland and across the Golden Gate Bridge. We took two cars, four kids (2 boys age 6 and Danyell, age 3 and Destiny, age 14) and picked up my sister in Grants Pass. We had a set of walkie-talkies (no cell phones then - wow, was that only 10 years ago?) and they worked great for communicating between cars until the night before San Francisco, when I didn't get one of them on the charger right. No problem, Becky and Amy could manage enough sign language, one handed to get a direction across to each other as long as we kept each other in sight. Our road trip was prompted by my 3rd daughter's wedding. We had such a great time!!!!

I have always wanted to do the Oregon coast highway drive south from Lincoln City to Gold Beach. I guess it is on my bucket list.

[Peggy]

I have a license but don't drive. Boyfriend loves it though, and the more challenging the roads (steep, high, curves) the more he likes it. We did a US roadtrip two years ago, we drove from Seattle to San Francisco in 2.5 weeks. When we picked up our rental car (something boring) we got the offer that for $5 a day more, we could also rent a almost new ford mustang convertible which had to go south anyway. Best part of the whole trip for bf was the car and driving, especially the coastal area in California.

[Lisa]

I'm like you Peggy, I have a license but I don't drive.

I have always wanted to go on a roadtrip down the Pacific coast of the US. My parents did a mini one when they went to California a few years ago. They started in San Francisco and ended up in San Diego. They said the smell of the ocean and the pine forests was incredible.

[Travis]

My wife does all the driving. I only drive when I have to. Cars are so boring.

[Travis]

I usws to put about 35000 miles a year on my car. Now I put about 1000 miles on my truck and 1500 miles on my suv a year...or less. I think one year I did like 750 total

[Sandra, Moderator]

I drive because it's necessary, but I don't really love to do it. I only learned how to drive when I was 24 and we (my husband and I) have our first car. Never drove my parents car. I only drove manual transmission cars until I was 32 and we had our first automatic car. We still have one manual and one automatic, so we still drive both systems in a regular basis.
My oldest daughter, 16 now, will start to drive soon. She is kind of worried about driving in the manual system, but no way, she has to learn both. As I said to her, driving only automatic is like only be able to read the time in a digital clock. You have to know how a clock with hands is read, and be able to do it.

[Tasha]

Bella wrote: "Tasha wrote: "My stepson didn't want to drive until his early-mid 20s.

Have fun car shopping, Kandice!"

What made him decide to start driving?"

I think he got tired of depending on others and using public transportation. I don't think he drives much right now but bc he started late he seems to be a good, cautious driver. He didn't seem to go through that stage where boys like to drive fast. So, it's not a bad thing that he started later. ;)

[Tasha]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Yup when I was 7 my dad let me drive the old ford escort in the fields to learn how to drive stick. When you aee raised on or aroubd a farm its hard to ubderstand how people don't know how to driv..."

My husband learned to drive on construction equipment but also the town he lived in was a a farm town (at the time, now it's a huge town) and he drove atvs all over too. And since he worked on a local farm as a kid I'm thinking he probably drove some equipment too.

[Tasha]

Lynda wrote: "I can't imagine not wanting to drive. I was ready for my license at 14, but had to wait 2 more years! I don't think I was every home again after that.

Got home late last night from journey aroun..."

Sounds like a great time! and some beautiful/fun things to see.

[Tasha]

I can only drive automatic and while I definitely agree it's good to know both, I've never had a need to use manual. I tried to learn it a couple of times and I just couldn't get the cooridination right. My husband will teach my kids to drive both I'm sure. I would like both of them to know how.

[Dawn]

I love driving (I drive a manual, it's all I've ever owned) and all this talk of trips down the west coast make me want to go again.

The Olympic Peninsula must have been fantastic with this weather, it is so beautiful.
I love the Astoria Column, we always buy one of the little wood airplanes and fly them off the top. We like to see who's plane goes farther.

The number one (instead of the 101), right on the California coast is awesome fun to drive. I did it with a girlfriend of mine who freaked out because it's so narrow and twisted but it was beautiful. We still argue about whether I was driving to fast or she's just a scaredy cat!

[Lynda]

Yes, the weather was incredible. I lucked out with both my trips to the coast this year. Sunny and 70 90% of the time.

About 12 years ago, a friend and I drove up 101 from San Fran to Twin Rocks, but I wasn't really into photography back then, so eventually I will redo the entirety of 101 in California.

After conquering 101 the plan is to do I90 from Seattle to Boston. I learned a lot on this trip, mainly giving myself time and leaving time to journal my thoughts. Using Instagram to connect with everyone back home. That sort of thing.

I had to buy a new SD card reader for the computer and spent the day finishing the photos from our town's labor day event. After that's done I'll start working on the 101 photos. I'm playing with panoramas for the first time.

[Lynda]

Oh, yes, Cherie, that bridge is scary. Especially when your stuck in construction traffic near the pinnacle. Coming home I took the Hood Canal Bridge and the Tacoma Narrows (you know the one that collapsed). Both bother me, not a fan of bridges, but I'm way better than I used to be!

[Dawn]

You could just spend a week in San Fran taking photos, panoramas off of Alcatraz are a good was to get the whole city by the way.

The I90 looks like quite the trip. I've always wanted to do the old Route 66 myself.