Indian Summer – Fort Amanda
This is Fort Amanda, somewhere north of Wapakoneta, Ohio. Originally a settlement for American troops in the early 1800’s, now a cemetery, memorial and country park.
A brisk walk around the park there yesterday, enjoying a barmy 75F and the autumn colours. The river is calm apart from the odd ripple, allowing for a picture of complete symmetry.
Today is dull and windy (but still surprisingly mild). A contrast.
Posted via email from Nick B.
Oktoberfest – Minster, OH.
We visited the Americanized version of Oktoberfest in Minster on Saturday. It seemed to comprise a large market selling food (but not an extensive selection) and crafts – very expensive and amazing how enterprising some people can be with old rubbish!
Beer was also on offer, mainly the usual American selection of Budweiser variations and some imports. You had to queue up and purchase beer tickets at $2 each and imported beer cost two tickets. Rather than drink the usual Bud I concentrated on the imports – Bass Pale Ale from UK was good but I gave the Stella Artois a miss. There was also a selection brewed locally in Mister with some subtle flavourings and the lager was particularly good.
Posted via email from Nick B.
On the climb-out from O’Hare
Heading east-bound over the shore of Lake Michigan en route to Columbus. A wet day.
Posted via email from Nick B.
Manchester T3 then Oktoberfest
On the move again, this time to Chicago and onto Columbus with American Airlines. Not flown with them before but if the quality of the boarding card is anything to go by, and the fact they code share with British Airways, then I’m hoping it should be a good trip.
Terminal 3 at Manchester is quieter and a lot more civilized than the bustle of T2. I’ve flown into O’Hare a couple of times and that always impresses me, particularly the neon lighting effects they have in the underground walkways. Almost three hours stopover at O’Hare then onto Columbus, OH.
This weekend is Oktoberfest (=beer) so planning to visit one at Minster, OH http://www.minsteroktoberfest.com/ . Also a home game of the Wapakoneta Redskins (American Football) against Saint Mary’s so that should be interesting as I’m still working out the finer points of that game. Well I guess the US doesn’t quite understand cricket either!
Posted via email from Nick B.
Checked Baggage Lottery
After having to limit myself to one checked back with Delta Airlines on my last trip, I find I can now take two checked bags on the next trip with American Airlines as my ticket was booked prior to their cut-off date.
Result.
Posted via email from Nick B.
Storm Watch
I was checking out the forecast and weather radar on Weather Underground yesterday, hoping that I might get to see a good electrical storm to match the one I saw in Michigan City last year. Despite some heavy rainfall close by and a very optimistic forecast, it never made it here.
The clouds were interesting at sunset though.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
Posted via email from Nick B.
Rainy Atlanta
Arrived in Atlanta after 9 hours. Slight delays due to weather on the ground and when we landed it certainly looked wet. Fortunately my Verizon Wireless pre-pay phone bursts into life and I can call Bean and tell her I’m down. Two voicemails followed by a TXT.
A long wait in the immigration hall, then on to baggage reclaim. Declared my coffee to a customs man who waved me straight through. Drop my bag off at baggage re-check again then back into the security screening – all pretty quick. Jump on a train to concourse C and find the gate for Columbus. Just enough time here to grab a drink and a packet of trail mix from a vending machine, then a chat to Bean on the phone before they announce the Columbus flight is boarding.
See and download the full gallery on posterous
Posted via email from Nick B.
Next stop Atlanta, GA.
Here I am sat in Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport (again). A big thumbs-down to Delta Airlines for changing their baggage policy at the last moment which means I now have to pay an extra $50 each way if I want to take a second checked bag – I’ve managed with one, weighing in at 16 kilos.. It’s cheaper to buy essential items while I’m over in the US, the new iPod Touch 32GB is cheaper in the US with the present exchange rate.
I’ll give them a thumbs-up however for the aircraft being a Boeing 767 rather than an Airbus. I’m doing the trans-Atlantic across to Atlanta, Georgia, reputedly the busiest airport in the US. From there on to Columbus, Ohio.
The road trip arrangements have yet to be finalized, planning to head south to Tennessee, maybe a bit further if time permits.
Must dash, almost boarding time!
New Bike
Back in June I bought another bike (some self-assembly required).
This one is more suited to road riding as it has smooth, Kevlar-lined tyres (bullet-proof?). The one thing it lacks that I miss from the other bike is the front suspension – when I do the Rushcliffe Park run there are some rough parts on the tracks that are made up of old building rubble, bricks & stones and the vibrations get transmitted through the front of the bike, along the handlebars and up my arms before finally being felt at the top of the spine. I still have my daughter’s bike in roadworthy condition so I’m tempted to do the rougher runs on this, or maybe I should get another mountain bike type?
Whatever I do, I need to motivate myself to ride it more.
On the plus side it is excellent on the roads. Disk brakes seem to be very effective and the frame is lightweight aluminium alloy which means I can carry it over 50 Steps Bridge quite comfortably. Did I mention it’s also quite fast with the smooth tyres? I probably ought to invest in a speedo to ensure I don’t get any speeding tickets.
A Blogger’s Dilemma
I have to admit neglect of this blog for month or so… Been lurking in other dark corners of the internet (did somebody say FarceBook?). So my dilemma is this – do I play catch-up and try and remember everything that happened since May, or do I just draw a line under it and start afresh?
The highlight of the past few months has to be Corina’s visit for the whole month of July. In between leaving her to explore the locality whilst I was working, we had an amazing week travelling around Scotland – Skye and the Highlands. We also had a few scary moments courtesy of a dodgy hotel in North Berwick. We took almost a thousand photos between us and I’m still doing my best to sort them out and upload them to Flickr. Watch out for An American in NG11.
The Granddaughters are growing up fast. Olivia now smiles and laughs at me (but still bursts out crying a lot!) and Kady starts proper school next week!
