Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Reviewing Uses, Benefits And Disadvantages Of Insulated Water Bottles

Two insulated water bottles, one blue, one silver

Before a recent trip to a major city we went on we decided to buy a couple of insulated water bottles. We knew it would be warm and we had a lot of walking to do. We did not want to keep buying plastic water bottles, partly for environmental reasons and partly due to the expense.

Although the water bottles we purchased were far more expensive than a single plastic water bottle, we knew the cost of single plastic bottles would mount up and we would use these insulated water bottles for many reasons not just this one trip.

In addition we were fed up with plastic water bottles becoming a not very nice rather warm tepid drink within a short period of time and often leaking.

It is so important to keep hydrated in the summer heat we felt it was a worthwhile investment. Now I have experienced travel with one of these insulated water bottles I would never be without one and feel they are an everyday essential for just about everyone.

For us they were a real game changer and helped us to feel much more comfortable and hydrated. We bought two of the 750 ml ones in different colours and it was one of our best purchases.

The reason these insulated water bottles are so good is that they use double walled vacuum insulation to keep the drinks at the right temperature for many hours. Some models including the one we bought keep cold drinks cold and fresh for up to 24 hours, and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. Different models will have different times for hot and cold liquids so do be careful to check that out.

They come in a range of sizes from small ones that can be carried easily to big one litre ones for a long trip and other in between options. We found the 75 litre size perfect for our days out. There was no strange taste or smell and it all was just fresh cold water and thirst quenching.

A tip is to fill with water then put in the fridge for a while to have really cold water for your trip or day out. However it is not advised to have freezing cold water as it can upset your stomach, just cold water is best.

Two water bottles, blue one standing, silver on on its side.

Ideas How To Use Insulated Water Bottles.

These insulated water bottles are incredibly versatile and since we have owned them have far more uses than I initially thought.

For City sightseeing trips like ours they are invaluable. Walking for miles and needing regular drinks, these water bottles were fantastic! We added rehydration sachets as well to maximise the benefits of the cool fresh water and sometimes lemon. We saved a small fortune on city centre cafe visits and found many places to fill them up.

For more serious hiking, biking or camping trips and long nature reserve walks where hydration is important. The size to choose will depend on the length of time you are out, the weather, and how comfortable you are carrying the size and weight of the bottle.

Fill it with cool water for exercise in the gym, running, yoga, Pilates or spin class to rehydrate. It is useful to add rehydration sachets to the water to help you as well.

On family trips out each family member can have their own individual drink in smaller sizes, maybe each person has a different colour. Alternatively, the family or couple can share a larger size bottle.

Keeping one with you when gardening to keep hydrated or have a lovely coffee, tea or hot chocolate just when you feel like it without having to go inside. This is great for me as an avid gardener I can now stay outside all the time and I do not need to go inside to make a drink! Also as it is sealed, unlike a glass or mug of water you wont get any stray insects in it!

Take hot tea, coffee or fresh cold water with you on your journey to work and for use while at work. For people who work outdoors, it would be a very handy way to hydrate and have good hot drinks available just when you need them.

Very good for keeping fresh cold water or hot lemon drink by your bed when feeling poorly or post operation, as it is important to keep hydrated and also for taking medication. No need to keep getting up to make drinks when you don't feel like it, or bothering someone else.

Keep one bottle by your bed at night, filled with water, in case you wake up thirsty, which I often do, when the weather is very hot or humid. The water is much fresher than when it is just in an open glass.

Older people often do not drink enough water to keep hydrated. If they have one of these it is easier for them or carers to monitor how much they are drinking. It is easier to drink more when a bottle is by your side than having to keep getting up to get water or make a drink.

Take one for long train, bus or car journeys and have your hot or cold drink just as fresh as you made it. I once ran out of water on a long train journey in the summer heat and I do not recommend it, I felt quite poorly as I was dehydrated and so since then always make sure I have more than enough water with me.

POWCAN 40 oz Insulated Water Bottle with 2-in-1 Straw and Spout Lid, Keep Cold 24H, Leak-Proof, BPA-Free, Double Wall StainlessCheck Price

Benefits Of Insulated Water Bottles

They keep drinks cold or hot for hours which is a major benefit and one of the main reasons I wanted buy one. I love this feature as I dislike lukewarm water or a just about cold coffee. It is a lovely thing to have a refreshing cold drink several hours after you have made it or a nice hot coffee or tea halfway through the day. So great for both warmer and colder months.

A huge advantage is that many of them and the ones we bought are leakproof. This was my second reason for buying one. Ours have a guarantee against leaks which is a big plus for me. I once had a plastic water bottle that leaked all over on a bus which was embarrassing and then meant I had no water for my rather hot journey. I would certainly choose one that is leakproof.

You can also make your drink exactly how you like it. For example I like water with a hint of lemon. I like my coffee milky. Most coffee shops make it too strong for me. My husband likes coffee strong but not sweet. So we can now customise our drinks the way we want them and have a bottle each.

They are perfect for rehydration for travel and days out, exercise and illness.

Insulated water bottles are better than constantly buying plastic water bottles then discarding them. Or filling a plastic bottle repeatedly and risking leaks as the plastic weakens or the top seal fails. Instead we can just refill these insulated water bottles helping to reduce plastic use overall and is in time cost effective.

In addition most insulated water bottles are made from stainless steel, which makes them strong, though do check individual models and makes for exact construction.

There are a variety of useful sizes to choose from. From small bottles perhaps for exercise use, medium sized for carrying around sightseeing all day, to large flasks for long hot days or sickness, we can choose the best for us and our needs.

While certainly more expensive than a plastic bottle or take away coffee initially, over a short period of time you will more than recoup that cost by making your own drinks and using this flask.

These insulated water bottles are available in a good choice of colours and designs to suit most needs and styles. We found it useful to have one colour for water and one colour for coffee. Or one colour for each of our different coffee preferences. Ours came available in silver, blue, green, black or white and there are a wide range of colours to choose from in most brands.

They are easy to clean. We just clean ours manually in the sink.

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle with Straw, BPA-Free Sports Water Bottle, Great for Travel, 24 Oz, Camo CoolCheck Price

Disadvantages Of Insulated Water Bottles

Insulated water bottles are significantly more expensive than plastic bottles. However we find the cost recouped really quite quickly once we no longer needed to buy plastic water bottles or so many cafe visits. On our one week trip with them we already saved most if not all of the cost than if we had bought the same volume of water in plastic bottles.

They can be heavier and take up a bit more space in a bag or rucksack than a plastic bottle. However on our city break trip and nature walks we have not found this an issue.

The bottles are generally opaque so you cannot see from the outside how much of the drink you have left before opening them. We found that you can get an idea by the weight though quite quickly once you are used to them.

If you are going to want to refill them often when out and about be careful which size you choose. With our 750ml bottles we found that we could refill them at most water filling points. However, there were some we could not fit the bottle underneath. So if that is a concern perhaps take one smaller bottle to use alongside a larger one in those circumstances or just the smaller bottles.

It is important to clean thoroughly after containing tea or coffee.

However for us these insulated water bottles have been wonderful and made life so much easier! A few minor issues are not important compared to the major advantages and now I would absolutely never be without one or two.

TOURIT 32 oz Insulated Water Bottle, Stainless Steel Bottle With Straw, Double Wall Vacuum Insulation for Cold and Hot DrinksCheck Price

So in summary, we think these insulated water bottles are a great find for us and for many people. They look nice and stylish and have a good range of colours to choose from. The size choice is good from small to very large. Many carry a good guarantee against leaks as well which was important to us. Once bought you will never need to buy plastic throw away water bottles anymore or take away coffees, so you will easily recoup the money spent. As always read the details about each brand carefully and choose based on your own needs and activities.

BJPKPK Insulated Water Bottles, 18 oz Stainless Steel Metal Water Bottle with Strap, BPA Free Leak Proof ThermosCheck Price

Finally these would make a lovely thoughtful gift for just about anyone. Especially for a birthday or Christmas present and would also be a thoughtful gift for someone starting work who has a commute, exercising regularly, someone going travelling, a gardener or an older person, to name a few.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Reviewing Veterans Tribute Park

Last week I visited a park that was new to me. It opened in October 2018. It is located on Kisker Drive in Weldon Springs Missouri. It is an 120 acre park with lots of wonderful features.

Park Features

The park is loaded with features for every age group. They include:

Two Lakes where you can enjoy a nice stroll or go fishing.
A Dog Park
Playground
A Great Trail System for those who like to hike.
Storybook Walk This trail is designed for parents and kids who love to read. Book pages are posted at various stations along the trail, so you can read a book while you take a walk.
Picnic Shelters

In addition, it has two of my favorite features- the Veterans Memorial Plaza and flowers which I will tell you about in more detail in the sections below.

Veterans Memorial Plaza

Veterans Memorial Plaza is a beautiful area that honors Veterans from the St. Charles County area that have given the ultimate sacrifice. It includes a beautiful walk lined with flowers that lead to the Tribute Wall. The tribute wall is a curved stoned wall engraved with names and has waterfalling over the wall. After you see the wall, the walk continues up a slight incline and has stops from each of the conflicts from 1812 to the present day. Each stop features a board that describes the conflict and, on the walk, in front of the board is a star on the sidewalk with the names of those residents of the county that died in that conflict. It is a very moving feature of the park.

Lots of Beautiful Spring Flowers

I visited the park in early May and there were lots of beautiful flowers that lined the walkway to the Veterans Tribute.

Zazzle Products From my Photos

Two-toned Iris Beauties Two-Tone Coffee Mug
by mbgphoto

https://www.zazzle.com/inspirational_greeting_card-256580751976839042

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Saturday, May 10, 2025

Black Bear Diner Review

My favorite style of restaurant can best be described as ‘simple and plentiful’. In other words, just home-style comfort foods. I do not care for spicy or fancy or exotic. Just give me simple plain food in a family friendly atmosphere. My family calls me ‘Plain Jane’ due to my boring food preferences. 🙂

Because of my food likes and dislikes, finding restaurants I enjoy is not always easy. But last week I found the perfect one and after two visits in less than a week, it has now become my ‘go-to’ favorite.

In case you are thinking you would not be able to enjoy my new favorite restaurant, you will be pleased to know that it is part of a franchise which includes 161 diners in 13 states…. And growing. It’s called the Black Bear Diner.

The Black Bear Diner Celebrates Thirty Years

The first Black Bear Diner opened in September 1995 in Mt. Shasta, California. The owners, Bruce Dean and Bob Manley, believed in a welcoming place where friends and families could gather for abundant portions of quality food at a fair price.

Each Black Bear Diner has a bear-themed, cabin-like cozy environment. They believe in serving large portions of favorite homestyle meals of good old-fashioned comfort food such as homemade meatloaf, chicken fried steak, chicken pot pie, pot roast and fish & chips. Naturally, there are also hamburgers and chicken fingers and specialty sandwiches, soups and salads on the menu. Plus, they also serve fantastic breakfast meals and breakfast is available all day!

A favorite line from the Black Bear Diner advertising says:

If your big bear-sized dinner just didn’t quite fill you up, don’t forget to check out their amazing display of desserts for just $5-6

Check out a sample menu at Black Bear Diner - Menus.

Personal Opinion

My first visit with my family was for brunch on Easter Sunday where I had a platter of delicious french toast made with sourdough bread. Yum!

Later that week, we returned to our local Black Bear Diner for dinner. I had the Fish & Chips served with French fries, homemade coleslaw and homemade tartar sauce. The tarter sauce was fantastic and the lightly battered and fried Cod fillets were the best I’ve ever had.

Each of the meal choices of the rest of my family (son, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons) were just as well received and definitely thoroughly enjoyed, even though their food preferences include a much wider range of foods than mine do. :) And, because of the very generous portions served, we each brought home leftover takeaways!

Summary

The 160+ chain of Black Bear Diners are currently serving the Western side of the United States. Since the chain began in California, the largest number (over 60) can be found there, particularly in the northern part of the state. Quite a few Black Bear Diners are found in Arizona, Colorado, Washington State, Utah and Oregon.

Another large grouping of these diners are now found in Texas, with a smaller number in Nevada, Idaho and Oklahoma. At last count, we discovered there are two Black Bear Diners each in Kansas and Missouri.

*It is interesting to me to note that the two Kansas diners are in the two Kansas towns I have lived in (Garden City where the hubs was from and where two of our children were born, and Olathe ~ a suburb of Kansas City ~ where I currently live).

The Black Bear Diner concept states that they are always growing and continuing to expand east with a goal of being coast-to-coast. Meanwhile, if you live in or are traveling to one of the western states which have Black Bear Diners, I highly recommend them.

Click here for a list of Black Bear Diner locations.

For more Restaurant Reviews click on: Restaurant Reviews: US

Black Bear Merchandise

Black Bear Diner Black Bear Family Giclee Art Print Poster from Original Travel Artwork by Artist Paul A. Lanquist 12" x 18"

Tree-Free Greetings lm43117 Vintage Black Bear Diner Nostalgia by Paul A. Lanquist Ceramic Mug with Full-Sized Handle, 15-Ounce, Multicolored

Black Bear Wildlife Animal Wilderness Graphic T-Shirt

Wild Republic Black Bear Plush, Stuffed Animal, Plush Toy, Gifts for Kids, Cuddlekins 8

*Black Bear Diner Restaurant Review was written by Wednesday Elf

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Monday, January 20, 2025

Book Review: In Search of the Old Ones (A Brief History of the Anasazi)

In Search of the Old Ones (A Brief History of the Anasazi) written by David Roberts is part personal outdoor travel memoir, part history lesson, and part examination of the controversies surrounding archeology methods over the decades. The author's descriptions of the areas he hiked made me feel as though I were along on the adventure in the beautiful, warm Southwest rather than snuggled up inside on the sofa during a Mid-Atlantic snow storm in January. I have always wanted to return to the Southwest but with the new appreciation and understanding I've gained from the book, I am seriously considering how to make the trip happen.

The Book and the Author

David Roberts is a climber, mountaineer, author, and was a professor of literature in the 1970s. While reading In Search of the Old Ones (A Brief History of the Anasazi) I would have thought his degree was in archeology rather than mathematics and english. It must be his love for adventure and the outdoors that shines from the pages of this story.

The Anasazi, Roberts explains why he chooses to use the name Anasazi as opposed to some that others use, were an ancient people who somehow disappeared from the US Southwest in the 1200s. They left behind stone homes, bits of pottery (at times a whole piece can be found, but that is increasingly rare), pictographs, spear/arrow heads and piles of shavings left from the process of chipping those from stone.

Roberts hiked (both alone and with others) the areas where the Anasazi ruins can be found. These areas included Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon, Grand Gulch, Whiskers Draw, Moqui Canyon, and more. Many of the places are off the beaten path and can be difficult to find. People like me will never see these sites. Other sites are tourist attractions and open to the public. And as a result, are impacted by wear, tear, graffiti, theft, trash, and other issues that are not conducive to preserving ancient history. Other sites have been completely erased due to modernization.

Roberts describes those who have had a passion for finding these dwellings. Richard Wetherill, Quakers and Rancher, was not the first Anglo to find cliff dwellings but it became his lifelong hunt (until he was forced to stop). A Ute Chief, Acowitz, told Richard Wetherill of the sacred place, a house in the cliffs bigger than all of the others. But the Utes never go there. Acowitz warned of disturbing the spirits of the dead. The Wetherills found this place, and many other sights.

Through this book, we read descriptions of those who believe that all of these items (pottery, bodies found at burial sites, and etc) should be kept in museums. We read other's descriptions of how many of these artifacts are lost, or stored out of sight in these museums. These conflicting ideas of how these ancient items should be preserved and displayed was very throught-provoking. Was Richard Wetherill a thief? Or was his beginning exploration and attempts at preservation a good thing? Perhaps we will never be able to decide.

Just as the various opinions about the disappearance of the Anasazi are at odds, did they leave due to drought and food source issues, were they killed by others, or did they kill themselves, I suppose we may never be able to decide.

Personal Thoughts

In retrospect, what I thought I knew about the Anasazi and their dwellings was it size of a bit of dust. I had been aware that there had been a group of people known as the Anasazi. I learned this on one of my drives out west. This group of people left behind stone buildings built into cliffs. During one of my drives out west, I stopped at the Aztec Ruins and then at Mesa Verde. I marveled at how a group of ancient people built these stone dwellings around a thousand years ago. The stone dwelling high in the side of a cliff at Mesa Verde was unimaginable and yet there it was. I walked through it. But I hadn't wondered much beyond that about how these people lived.

I have always wanted to return and to take a more leisurely look around. Now that I have read this book by David Roberts, I have more understanding the difficult of learning why the Anasazi were suddenly no more. I understand why there are debates about how to store and display these artifacts and I especially understand how special it was to see the two sites I did see -- while they still remain and are open to the public.

I highly recommend this book for hikers and adventurers as well as folks who are strictly interested in the historical aspects of the Anasazi.

For more information:

Author David Roberts

Travel - Mesa Verde

Travel - Aztec Ruins

Photo Attribution: licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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Monday, November 4, 2024

Travel: Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland

Cunningham Falls State Park located in Maryland is a wonderful place to visit during all times of the year, but especially during the peak colors of fall. On a recent adventure I passed through the Catoctin Mountains and was reminded of how wonderful this area is to visit. Cunningham Falls is an especially interesting area for any outdoor enthusiast.

text and photo of Cunningham Falls State Park

By Jarek Tuszyński - Own work, CC BY 4.0, Commons Wikimedia

While driving through the park at sunrise, I saw scattered groups of hikers crossing the road or leaving the parking areas for the trailheads. I thought it would be a shame if this area isn't known to others who might enjoy that natural setting. That's why I decided to give a very brief overview and spread the word.

Cunningham Falls State Park

Are you looking for a way to unwind, relax, and unplug? This area might the perfect spot. The website confirms this by stating that cell communication may be spotty or non-existent as many carriers do not provide service in this area.

This Maryland state park is over 6,000 acres that includes a 43 acre man-made lake and the largest cascading water fall in Maryland.

The park is divided into two sections.

The William Houck area of the state park is located three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland on winding, tree-lined route 77. Camping, the falls, and the lake are located in this area. I have spent the most time in this section of the park. I have enjoyed hiking near the 78-foot waterfall on several occasions. I was always glad to spend time in the serene setting; surrounded by rocks, boulders, and flowing water in the wooded area.

The Manor area is located three miles south of Thurmont, off Route 15. The Scales, Tales Aviary, camping and the historic Catoctin Iron Furnace.

I am not as interested in history as I am in hiking and crossing creeks on foot, using rocks as stepping stones. But I found the Catoctin Iron Furnace a very interesting site to visit. It is hard for me to imagine this furnace being built of stone in the 1770's and began operating in 1776 to manufacture iron for household and industrial goods.

Over the years, I've known people who use the camping areas in Cunningham Falls as their preferred, local getaway. I personally have not camped there so I am not familiar with the amenities. But I am aware that it is a recommended spot to spent a weekend or vacation.

Whether you are looking for a place to stayover, for a day hike, or for a more meaningful historic experience, Cunningham Falls State Park may be the spot for you.

Cunningham Falls State Park website

Nearby sites and attractions:

Catoctin Furnace Historical Society information

Driving tour information for the three covered bridges in the area: Loy's Station Covered Bridge, Roddy Road Covered Bridge and Utica Covered Bridge.

I have enjoyed the annual Catoctin Color Fest in Thurmont, Maryland. It is held in October and features a large collection of art, jewelry, crafts and food vendors. It is a super enjoyable festival in a small town setting during a beautiful time of year.

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Thursday, August 8, 2024

Reviewing Fun Facts about the Great Lakes

Lake Michigan Lighthouse- Point Betsie

The Great Lakes are a series of 5 freshwater lakes found in the north central United States. In this post I will share some fun facts about each of the lakes and I will also share some photos of lighthouses that I have taken while visiting the Great Lakes. Did you know that there are over 200 lighthouses that are currently active along the over 11,000 miles of coastline? Each lighthouse is unique, and my husband and I spent several years exploring these lighthouses and photographing all that we could reach by car.

Lake Michigan

The lighthouse above is Two Harbors lighthouse and is found on the shores of Lake Michigan in Minnesota. This lighthouse is currently an active lighthouse that is also serves as a bed and breakfast inn. We were fortunate to be able to stay there two nights and I was able to get up and take this photo at sunrise.

Here are a few fun facts about Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes.
Along the shores of Lake Michigan you will find the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world.
In the 19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem and the booty they were seeking was timber.
The first recorded "Big Great Lakes disaster" happened on Lake Michigan when a steamer carrying 600peole collided with a schooner delivering timber. 450 people died.

Lake Ontario

Fort Niagra lighthouse is found along the shores of Lake Ontario in New York. It is close to Niagra Falls.

Here are some fun facts about Lake Ontario.

Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area.
The province Ontario was named after the lake.
Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run in Toronto, and it landed in Lake Ontario where it is still believed to be today.
A lake on Saturn's moon is named after Lake Ontario.

Lake Superior

The above is Big Bay lighthouse which sits on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Michigan. This lighthouse houses a bed and breakfast that my husband and I stayed in for two days. I enjoyed having plenty of time to photograph the lighthouse from various settings. This photo is one that I had printed on canvas, and it sits on our mantle.

Here are some fun facts on Lake Superior.

It is the largest of the lakes and in fact all of the other Great Lakes could fit inside of it with room to spare.
It is estimated that there are 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior.
Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water.
Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, rather it is an inland sea.

Lake Erie

Marblehead lighthouse is found on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio. We stayed near there on night and I was able to get up early and photograph it in the early morning light.

Here are some fun facts about Lake Erie.

There is said to be a monster in this lake. It is 30-40 feet long and was first seen in 1793. It is named Bessie.
During the war of 1812 a naval battle called the Battle of Lake Erie was won by the US over the British, forcing the British to abandon Detroit.
Lake Erie is the fourth largest in surface area.
Lake Erie is surrounded by more industry than any of the other Great Lakes.

Lake Huron

Tawas Point lighthouse is found on the shores of Lake Huron in eastern Michigan. I found it to be a very picturesque setting.

Here are some fun facts about Lake Huron.

If it were not for the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan might be considered to be one lake.
Goederich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world and part of it runs under Lake Erie.
Lake Huron is second largest of the Great Lakes and is the fifth largest lake in the world.

Lighthouse Reviews

The links below are reviews of lighthouses that I visited on the Great Lakes.

Footnote

Facts for this article were gathered online at targetwalleye.com/things-you-probably-never-knew-about-the-great-lakes

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Thursday, July 11, 2024

Review of The Riverlands

Just north of St. Louis, Missouri the Mississippi and Missouri rivers combine. This confluence is fun to see and on a warm summer day, I took a trip there with my granddaughters who were visiting from New Hampshire. The photo above shows a barge waiting on the Mississippi to get through the lock and dams.

The Riverlands

The Riverlands is a 3700 acre migratory bird sanctuary that is located in West Alton. This area is home to prairie land, wetland and forest habitats where both resident and migratory birds find refuge.

More than 300 different species of birds have been seen in this area. Many species make their homes there and other stop for feed and rest as the migrate down the "Mississippi River Flyway" spring and fall. It is said that over 60% of all North American migratory birds use this flyway.

The Riverlands is open to the public from sunrise to sunset each day. It is a fantastic place to observe and/or photograph birds. The area offers 8 miles of walking and hiking trails and also offers bicycle trails.

Audubon Center at the Riverlands

Our first stop when we entered the Riverlands was the Audubon Center. Here you can find lots of information and displays about both the birds and the Missouri and Mississippi confluence and how it affects the ecosystem. This center offers educational opportunities, as well as information on conservation. It has several platforms for public viewing and scopes that take you into the middle of the Mississippi flyway to observe migratory birds. The wall facing the Mississippi is made of glass and gives you a wonderful way to view birds all year round in all types of weather.

When we visited it was mid June, so of course there was not much to see in the way of migratory birds, but a very helpful volunteer took the girls out to the side of the center to tell them all about the "Purple Martins" that lived there. Here are a couple of photos.

The volunteer pointed out how the birds were feeding their babies. It was very interesting.

Confluence

The volunteers at the center suggested we drive up the road a bit and stop at the path that takes you to the confluence of the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers. We decided to do that and took the path which was about 1/3 of a mile long.

The Mississippi River is called the "Father of Waters". On it's path north from the Gulf of Mexico, it drains 32 US states and two Canadian Provinces.

The Missouri River is the longest river in the US. It starts in southwestern Montana where the Rocky Mountains are and then flows east and south for 241 miles before it enters the Mississippi just north of St. Louis.

Here is a photo I took of the confluence.

Story from our Visit

While we were there, we took photos on a platform that faced the two rivers. It was my brother and his wife, my two granddaughters and myself. After the photo my 15-year-old granddaughter, Kate, decided to take a closer look at the Mississippi and found herself stuck in mud almost to her knees. A nearby fisherman ended up pulling her out, but her shoes did not come with her. My brother took some big sticks and was able to get the shoes out, so we had Kate sit on a platform by the confluence and wash out her shoes.

It would be good if that was the end of the story, but you can see by this photo how muddy it was and when Kate finished washing her shoes, she put them back on and in two steps they had sunk in the mud again. This time my brother could not get them out, so Kate lost her shoes to the "Muddy Mississippi". She walked back to the car barefoot and we took bottles of water to try to get some of the mud off her feet. So now we have a story to tell from our adventure.

Here is a link to an Amazon Book if you'd like to learn more about the Mississippi. https://amzn.to/3RNqkyd

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Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Reviewing Our Experience Of The Treetop Walkway Kew Gardens London

View of green leafy tree canopy at Treetop Walkway Kew gardens

The Treetop Walkway is an exciting part of Kew Gardens London. Stepping up to the walkway in the tree canopy and looking out over the vista of the gorgeous Kew gardens was one of the highlights of our trip.

The many steps to reach the top was absolutely worth it and we took our time and enjoyed the views on the walk up to the top.

View across the trees at Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens

I have wanted to visit and experience Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway for years and when I got the chance I was so happy. I was especially excited to find out what it felt like walking high up amongst and above the tree canopy and it was amazing!

The walkway itself is essentially a walk at height on a wide safe pathway through the treetops of Kew Gardens. It is an amazing piece of architecture built with more than four hundred tonnes of weathered steel, which although quite industrial looking, has its own beauty and surprisingly does become absorbed and integrated by the trees all around.

View across to the walkway at Kew Gardens

The structure needs to be strong though as there are 118 steps up to the main walkway in the sky, then you walk up onto the pathway which is 18 metres or 59 feet above the ground!

The walkway itself is 200 metres or 656 feet long and that means you really do get a great experience literally walking in amongst the amazing trees and seeing them with a totally new rarely experienced perspective.

Trees and branches with leaves at Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway

As a child I was always climbing trees and loved being high up in the midst of a tree among the leaves and berries and closer to the birds. However there is no way I could have safely climbed this high and now I would not even attempt it! So enjoying the amazing tree canopy in a safe way like this is just perfect.

I love looking up at trees from the ground level and being in awe of their beauty and majesty. It was amazing to be walking amongst the uppermost branches of the trees really close to the birds taking a rest in the branches, the fruits of trees, seeing the insects that live there and noticing he fungi and lichen at that level. It felt a real privilege and joy to be there.

View between trees to the Glasshouses At Kew gardens

It is however important to note a few safety aspects of the walkway. By its very nature being so high up you need to be Ok with walking around at that height.

The walkway is quite wide and has semi circular places where you can stop and look out over the views and let others pass as necessary. In some areas there are benches to sit.

To me it all felt very safe and secure. The walkway is designed to flex a bit and we certainly did feel that from time to time which initially was a bit strange, but we got used to it. We found it not bouncy and not at all like the swinging of a ropewalk, but rather feeling sturdy with some movement. The flex in the walkway is an important design feature so that it can cope with the winds without breaking.

The weathered steel walkway at Kew gardens Treetop walk

You do have to leave buggies and pushchairs on the ground and young children must be closely supervised. The rails are high but I would not like to take chances with very young children, so best to keep hold of them.

As there are 118 steps up and many steps down, you do need to be fit enough to walk them. You can certainly take your time, which we did and look out over the wonderful views on the way up, but if you have any issues with climbing steps it would be better to use the lift provided. It may be best to check ahead of your visit if you need the lift or assistance to ensure it is available and suitable for you.

View looking down on the lift at Kew Gardens Treetop walk

Also personally we did avoid the large school parties which were there. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and excited, but we wanted to go at a calmer time so that we could go at a steady pace on the way up without feeling rushed or obligated to go faster, and could drink in the atmosphere in a more peaceful way.

It is best to check before visiting when the walkway is open both in dates and times. Clearly safety is always considered first so weather conditions need to be taken into account. Have to say although I am good with heights I was glad it was a still and warm day. I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much had it been windy and cold.

Spring, Summer and early Autumn are all wonderful times to visit and will give very different experiences of the tree canopy. It does often close or partially close during the Autumn and winter months.

I thoroughly enjoyed the treetops experience and am glad that we took the time out to experience it. We spent probably about two hours exploring and absorbing the treetops. We saw some people wizz around in less than an hour and we could have probably stayed longer but had so much more of Kew Gardens to explore! It is both an educational and enjoyable experience.