#then the car crash that has the last 6 miles of our trip take nearly an hour from traffic | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

brynandchristopher · 5 years ago

Text

Island hopping round 2!

Hello!

It’s been 2 weeks since we last updated and a lot has happened. Last we updated we had just finished our 2nd Great Walk and were heading down the southwest coast to Wellington on the North Island.

When we arrived in Wellington we were a bit surprised to find how developed and industrial it seemed. There were some low-key skyscrapers, a huge port harbor, and quite a bit of hustle and bustle. Outside of Auckland, New Zealand is very sleepy and quaint so it was a just a bit shocking to be back in a real city. Cities can be cool though! We walked along the seaside wharf and admired the harbor as well as visited the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum. The museum is argued to be the coolest in all of NZ, and being the only museum we’ve been to, we will have to agree. It was indeed super cool and we were enthralled to explore the nature exhibit that explained and demonstrated the unique wildlife and geophysical phenomena present along these volcanic islands isolated out in the ocean. We drove down to the southern most point of the north island to stay the night before our ferry ride the next day. Where we stayed happened to be a marine reserve that boasted an incredible amount of biodiversity. It also advertised marked snorkeling trails in the water - I have a snorkeling set with me from our time in Asia so the next morning before our ferry I decided to brave the water and dive in. I saw a couple of girls the day before snorkeling the route wearing wetsuits but I figured I would be fine without one. The water here is pretty cold but we take a quick dip most days. I was very wrong - it is very difficult to swim long distances in really cold water while breathing through a tube. Unfortunately I had to get out of the water real quick and all I really saw was some cool seaweed but, it was pretty funny for Bryn to watch me flounder.

Later that afternoon we were off to take our ferry to the south island. We got there early and after driving our car up into the giant Bluebridge Ferry we got a lovely window seat and began the 3.5 hour trip across the Cook Strait. The last hour of the trip was incredible. We climbed up to the top of the ferry to watch as our hulking hull glided through steep glacially carved fjords. We disembarked and drove an hour or so to a campground out in the woods where we regrouped and spent the night.

The next day we drove down the coast and made our way to a town called Nelson. Our plan was to get to Nelson, pick up some more butane gas canisters for our stove and keep driving. We ended up staying for 2.5 days. Nelson was a really hip, fun town with lots of cool organic food shops, local artisan stores, 3 farmers market every week and a freedom-campers service hub with free hot showers! The service hub had just opened up and a a news reporter was taking videos and asked to interview us. We ended up on national news here in New Zealand! If only for a few seconds. (https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/nelson-charity-appalled-efforts-host-freedom-campers-instead-homeless) We did some shopping and our first night there we went to a movie at the local theatre, which also happened to be an Italian restaurant but that’s beside the point. We saw 1917 and it was thrilling. Going out to the movies is something we both enjoy a lot and reminds us of home so we had a great time, especially since we snuck in our own popcorn and candy to save some money. :) The next day we went to the local beach called Tahunanui and spent the day walking around and basking in the sun. We have a data plan for our phone(s) but it is somewhat limited so we can’t download a whole lot of stuff - however our provider has these free wifi-hubs where we can get some extra data and download movies to watch in the van. On the hub was a poster for a music festival that night in Tahunanui so instead of leaving we decided to stay another night and check it out. We made our dinner on the beach and found the very small outdoor stage. It was definitely a local family affair with lots of kids running around, local musicians and food vendors, and silly games like limbo and egg tosses between each act. The music was nothing to write home about but all in all It was really fun and we got some boysenberry ice cream.

We were going to try and do a short backpacking trip before our next Great Walk but the weather was amazing and we were feeling the beach, so we decided instead to head up and around the northeastern coast called Golden Bay and check out the highly acclaimed beaches. As we drove up the coast we stopped at the Te Waikoropupu Springs, the largest freshwater spring in the southern hemisphere! We walked 20 or so minutes out to a walkway over the springs where we were able to look down into the clearest water I have ever seen. It has an underwater visibility of nearly 200 feet! It is a sacred place to the local Maori tribe so we were unable to swim but it was still really amazing! And we found a place to swim a ways downriver that was allowed so it all worked out :) We spent one night part way up the bay and chilled on a small beach adjacent to a lot of rare and endangered bird species. We camped near to there and the next day drove all the way up to the northern tip of the south island. There is a famous beach there that we wanted to check out so we got up early and walked the mile or so out to the beach. Wharariki beach was definitely the coolest beach I have ever been to. We had to cross an expanse of massive sand dunes just to get out to the main beach which was probably around 2 miles end to end with huge hills, tons of caves, tidal pools littered with baby seals, and natural archways out in the water and up on the beach. We spent a while just chilling reading our books but the walked the length of the beach gawking at the seal pups and spelunking into the dark beach caves. There was a one that seemed particularly smelly and I had quite a fright as a nearly walked into a sleeping seal hiding in the shadows. We spent 8 or so hours out there and treated ourselves to an ice cream at the very remote and tiny cafe near the parking lot. We drove back down the bay and stayed in the woods outside the town of Motueka.

The next day we drove into Motueka and did some much needed laundry and shopped for our upcoming Great Walk. We mooched some wifi from the KFC parking lot and talked to our parents and then spent the night at the beach in Motueka. We have developed a bit of a tradition of what we eat before and after our Great Walks, and we made rice and dahl that night and went to bed early to rest up. We woke up early and drove to the town of Marahau where we dropped off our car and took a water taxi to the top of Abel Tasman National Park to begin our 3rd Great Walk - The Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

We expected our water taxi to just be a a quick transport up the coast but we were happily surprised to find out it was bit more a tour. We were blessed by the tides and had the pleasure of exploring tidal lagoons and seeing some cool wildlife and beaches while our captain told us about the history of the park. We got dropped off in Totaranui where we started the trek. We planned the trip a bit differently that most people do the track and went north on an inland track up Gibbs Hill and then back towards the coast up and around to Mutton Cove. It was a very steep hill and we were feeling the burn after ~9 miles. This first day was by far the hardest elevation wise. We had a lovely campsite right on the beach and were nearly alone which was awesome. We had a dinner of instant rice and quinoa and then instant pasta which we used to much water to make - it was my first time having alfredo soup and it wasn’t all that bad!

The next day we got up early and headed down the coast winding up and down small hills through the rainforest that hugs the beaches. We made it back to Totaranui and after a quick lunch of trail mix and granola bars, kept heading down the beach to our campsite at Waiharekeke beach. It was a short day of ~6 miles and so we got there in the early afternoon. This was by design so we could avail ourselves to the famous golden sand beaches of the park and bask in the hot sun. We read our books alone on the nearly mile long beach for hours, swimming in the crystal clear turquoise water frequently to cool down. Abel Tasman National Park is known for it color contrasts. The water has vibrant shades of blue, turquoise, and teal and all of the beaches are a rich golden color from the granite cliff-sides and every beach butts right up to the rainforest. We were loving our life in paradise. We had some couscous and lentils and played cards before heading to bed as the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs lulled us to sleep.

The next day we slept in and there was a bit of an unexpected morning drizzle so we snuggled up in the tent and let it pass. We were in no rush this morning because shortly after our camp was the Awaroa Inlet, which had to be crossed 2 hours before or after low tide. Low-tide being 4:09 in the afternoon we had to wait quite a while to start the bulk of our walk. We took off our boots and rolled up our shorts and crossed through the knee/thigh deep tidal streams that were running out - there was a nice little station to rinse off feet and put our boots back on before heading out to hike 8 more miles at 3:30 in the afternoon. We trudged on quickly up and down some pretty big hills with some incredible views of the sea. We were a bit weary hiking later in the day but we listened to an audiobook as we walked and still had a nice time. We made it to Bark Bay at 7:30 and set up camp and jumped in the ocean to clean ourselves off. By the time we were cooking our dinner everyone else had gone to bed. We had some more rice and quinoa, and pasta mixed with instant peas, not so soupy this time. :)

The next day we were quite tired. We only had around 7 miles to got but it seemed to drag on and both of us were getting a bit sore. We considered cutting the trip a night short and hiking out the final 6 miles that day but that would’ve sucked and I am very glad we didn’t. Around halfway we did a little side trip to Cleopatra’s Pool, a series of natural pools and waterfalls - it reminded us a bit of the rock slides along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire. We had planned to swim but were dissuaded by the 50 or so day trippers already at the pool. Really cool natural places lose a bit of their luster when you have to fight for space in them. We shared a granola bar as we admired the falls and headed back to the track. After some moaning and groaning we finally reached the cutoff to our campsite and descended down a precipitous few hundred feet to Observation Beach where we spent our final night. This was our favorite campsite of the trip, it was a cool little cove looking out at Adele Island with a family of Oyster Catcher birds and chicks right nearby. There were a couple of families at the beach who lived nearby to the park and had taken their boats in. We were very envious of their variable array of potato chips and cookies, coolers full of wine and beer, and fresh fruits. We chatted them up a bit and got a little bit of trail magic - one of them ended up offering us a bottle of wine and a couple beers as the night went on and it was one of their kids birthdays and we got a slice of birthday cake. It was a perfect night to cap off our adventure and were super appreciative of the luxuries on the trail.

We woke up for sunrise on our final day and were treated to a beaut. We made our fourth and final breakfast of oatmeal mixed with dried apricots and trail mix, had our tea and set off before 8 o’clock. This was the easiest section of the entire trail and we did the ~6 miles in just over 2 hours, hustling ready to be done. We made it back to Sweetie and were very glad to see her. We had stashed some reward treats in the van and dug-in. We drove back to Motueka for the weekend farmers market and restocked on vegetables and at the recommendation of our booze/cake friends, got a loaf of sourdough bread from Rodrigo’s bread stand. We drove back down the coast and back to Nelson for the free hot shower to scrub the sweat and dirt off of ourselves. After our shower we got the other half of our Great Walk food tradition, post-walk pizza. We got a small veggie and a small cheese and were a bit bloated after eating them both in about 5 minutes flat. We went to the grocery store for some needed staple items and drove a few hours south down the coast to Westport where we stayed the night on the beach. It’s always a pleasure to sleep in our comfy van bed after the sleeping mats for days on end and we slept in. We spent the morning today unpacking our bags and organizing the van, as well as doing some much needed cleaning of our kitchen. We are hanging out in the Westport library and are going to head farther south here in a little while. Not really sure what we are going to do the next few days but totally cool with that, we will figure it out as we go.

Hoping you are all enjoying yourselves. We love and miss you all. <3

Our very best,

Christopher and Bryn

1 note · View note

themirthfulroadrunners · 3 years ago

Text

New Mexico Just off the Turquoise Trail

The first two days of this trip were troublesome, nearly problematic… sorta. We got an early (early!) start, leaving home at 4:45. Traffic wasn’t bad, not even the trucks. Of the 8 construction zones that Google maps identified, which turned into 11-12, none of them slowed us down much. No merging problems, and never below about 60mph. So we arrived at our reserved hotel at about lunch time – much earlier than we usually stop driving. (Exaggeration maybe, and gaining an hour at the New Mexico border did affect our timing. Plus, we had reserved a hotel, due to so many travelers escaping lockdown). But we used the free afternoon to drive a scenic road that was actually more cool than scenic with the find of some awesome old churches. And the location of where Coronado stopped over for 4 days to build a bridge across the Pecos River. We tried to find Pecos Bill. Maybe next time.

The troublesome, nearly problematic parts were in the area of our energy. After the activities of the 2nd day, we were toast. Debbie was so weary as to be sick from it. The hotel bed was heavenly, tho, so good rest was had.

The morning drive out of our stop (Santa Rosa) was horrific with the truckers. The rudest in the world apparently drive I-40 going west from Santa Rosa and we interacted with many of them. Speaking of Santa Rosa, the California city that was burned up in 2020, is where Wayne moved from in 1979 to return to the land of ancestry (on his dad’s side), Arkansas. Working in the Post Office in Santa Rosa, CA, he saw a ton of misdirected letters that should have gone to New Mexico. Conversely, a lot of Santa Rosa, CA mail that was supposed to go to another address in Santa Rosa, CA, took a side trip to Santa Rosa, NM first.

Our next hotel in Albuquerque, the city of Debbie’s birth (thanks to the United States Air Force) was touted as a ‘full-service’ facility, which means no free breakfast. Don’t know about you, but for 150 million bucks, we want free waffles! (and yogurt) And we ain’t payin’ no $25 for a hotel breakfast where you can’t even order what you want (free waffles!) Also, now, mind you that this is during the Covid19 Delta-variant-surging-wave, one of the two elevators in a 6-floor hotel is closed. Once while we were on the only operative one, descending from the 5th floor, it stopped at the 3rd where 2 employees and a customer charged in to join us. NO! We scored a strike bowling them down as we clamored over them to get out. WHAT’S A’MATTER WITH PEOPLE? (Besides bein’ knocked out.)

We got to our house sit and guess what? The promised hot tub doesn’t work, the homeowner had compromised the wiring while tryin’ to electrificate a tree that grows through the deck. After immediately kicking their two dogs (NO, we didn’t), the homeowners pledged that the promised hot tub would be repaired before our house sit was to start. Afraid for their pets’ lives, they did, it was, and a hot tub at 7000’ is sublime. All is well in New Mexico. And even better yet, the owners invited us back before we even unpacked. Now we feel bad for our earlier disappointment.

Speaking of hot tubs, this trip afforded us the best in terms of stars, satellites, and shooting (falling?) stars. They were awesome.

New Mexico, which should change its name to Carson State, or Navajo State, seems to have a distinct lack of historic, or cultural, heroes. Coronado, the famed Spanish explorer abused the native Indians (Pueblo, Navajo, Zuni, Apache, Comanche, Ute, Kiowa), and probably more, to the degree that they revolted in 1680. There was blood, followed by bad blood. Coronado was solely interested in exploiting both the people, and their wealth, had he ever found the lost cities of gold. Coronado aside, there were famous trappers and hunters, but none who benefitted the development of the state, or any people groups within. Kit Carson seems to be the singular stand out as far as heroic figures go. (There may be a bunch of indigenous folks, or folks of Spanish ancestry worthy of the acclaim, I don’t know.) Starved for notoriety of some sort (even bad press is better than no press), modern New Mexicans (Carsonians) point to Billy the Kid – almost to the degree of the George Washington slept here hype. While eastern states laud actual heroes: Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, General Anthony Wayne (hah!), Ashley McBride (ha-ha!), and the like, New Mexicans extol a murdering punk, a villain. Oh well, even bad publicity …

Despite the obvious lack of historical heroes, New Mexico does not lack for historical enchantment. The sights are spectacular, especially the mountains and even the smaller rock formations. The people are friendly (excepting the murderous Billy). The food is great. Wayne prefers the red chili peppers while Debbie, the green. Wayne likes to actually see the mold in his food.

After a short two-mile hike with a thousand-foot elevation gain, it was time for Sparkly, our glittery black Ford Edge, to finally get his way, a trip up a bona fide Jeep/ATV road/trail. It used to be a road. In fact, we drove it with ease two years ago. A local told us that the monsoons they’ve had washed it away. Sparkly wanted to go fast, so Wayne let him have his head, doubling the recommended 2mph. Sparkly was sometimes difficult to restrain.

The adventure was worth it, offering a Stephen King Misery experience. A mountain lion crossed the ‘road’ just ahead of us. Wayne stopped and got out of the car to check out where it had headed. (maybe not the most clever of options) Low and behold, (BTW, we loathe and despise cliches, but sometimes it’s better than a sharp stick in the eye) A hundred or so feet down the nearly 90 degree drop-off was a vehicle smashed into a tree. Though there were no obvious signs of a recent departure from the ‘road’, it could have fairly flown over the nearby brush. Or it could have gone over when there was snow cover. Or … anyway, going down to check whether there was a corpse in the vehicle while theoretically possible, didn’t seem very well-advised considering that there might very well be a mountain lion finishing up what might be left and much preferring the live meat presenting himself on a veritable platter – Wayne.

Surprisingly, there was cell service in this remote mountainous area. From a Sandia Mountain trail map handout, we got through to someone who transferred the call to the proper authority. While they appreciated our call, they’d been aware of the vehicle and that it had been there for some time. But how weird, that the mountain lion crossed exactly where we could see the crashed vehicle. What if it wasn’t the same crash that the authority thought they knew about? What if the driver was just then coming to, only to see a mountain lion eating his face? (Limiting Wayne’s Stephen King intake.)

Another mile down the ‘road’ we saw a mountain lion kitten, though it was barely a kitten, nearly as large as its mother, and almost devoid of kitten colorations and markings. We watched it in awe for some time before thinking to take a photo. You just have to believe us (or not) that the blond blur in the below picture is the kitten.

Another quarter mile brought us to our promised hike, a trail to what was described as a Cave Man Cave. Unless we’d unknowingly driven across the Atlantic, it is doubtful that cave men had ever seen New Mexico, let alone inhabited this cave. More than likely the occupants, for which sufficient evidence supported the probability, were ancient indigenous people, no doubt using the cave to hide from mountain lions at night. The cave was cool, but there are better in Arkansas.

A serendipitous hike in the Sandia Mountains showed us a plethora of wildflowers; most were varieties this Arkansas couple do not normally see. But the star of the show was a large mule deer buck who calmly sauntered in the trail behind us when we stopped for a rest (hiking at high altitude is hard, y’all!).

A retracing of a trip up the Turquoise Trail from 2 years ago put us re-hiking a trail in Cerrillos State Park, just south of Santa Fe. Several old mineral mines dot this trail and their history is revealed in very good signage. Passing through Madrid (unlike the one in Spain, this one is pronounced MAA’-drid), we were stopped for several minutes on Hwy 14 due to a ‘special event’ which we could not see. When allowed to pass through the artsy, cutesy town, we saw evidence of a movie being filmed. After exploring Cerrillos, we returned to Madrid for ice cream and got to watch some of the preparations for more filming. We did not get to see the part where the clipboard snaps and someone yells, “ACTION!” but it was enough. This same town was used for some of the scenes in the motorcycle film Wild Hogs and one building still boasts the ‘Diner’ sign that was added only for the film. Sign on the door says they do not serve food there. One can understand the confusion for tourists. We found out the movie being filmed during our trip is titled Robots and is a futuristic comedy starring Shailene Woodley and written by one of the writers on Borat. Cool beans. We ran into the film company yet again a day or two later, this time in a couple of sites in the Sandia Mountains. Whether the finished movie turns out to be good or meh, we’ll be watching it to catch glimpses of the gorgeous New Mexico countryside. New Mexico and Colorado have several movie ranches sprinkled in the very scenic areas.

15 months, or so, ago we were house-sitting in Durango when paper Closed for Covid signs went up on doors in business-after-business. Here’s one for the whole town.

While touristing Old Town Albuquerque we suddened upon a shop managed by a very personable guy who gave us a cup of Arabica/piñon coffee. When we house-sat in Sante Fe last year we talked to a State Park Ranger dude who told us all bout people picking piñon nuts. Having marvelously (Debbie word) passed the aroma tests, we bought a box of K-cups of this unique, pinon flavored brew. The personable guy turned out to be the artist, David Behrens (DavidBehrensGallery.com and Facebook.com/DavidBehrensGallery).

This trip ranks among the best, or at the top of the list: obedient and FUN pets, very clean and comfortable home, fantastic hiking and scenery (despite the photo-compromising smoke), and very gracious hosts who offered us their entire refrigerator! Regarding the smoke, we shouldn’t be too self-centered considering it may be what’s left of someone’s home passing overhead.

Here are more pix from the trip. Enjoy!

1 note · View note

gloriousgardendonut · 7 years ago

Text

Gap Year Trip 2018 - Ireland continued

Week 2 - Summerfields campsite in Schull is a tiny and quirky campsite, a back garden really, we shared it with 2 vans the first night but had it all to ourselves the second night. May seems to be quiet on the campsites, yet all the main sites on the Way seemed busy, we wondered if summer would be more difficult to do the route. It took a lot of focused and considerate driving along the route and you don't get anywhere fast on the smaller roads, it is probably much more difficult in busier seasons. We'd planned to have a meal and a few beers in a local pub in the evening we arrived in Schull, but as none of the local pubs were adhering to the recently repealed 'dogs in pubs law' we got a big fat no at each of them. Luckily my daughter had contributed an Aldi shop as a gift on our departure and so we had lots of stuff in tins and packets back in the van to create a gourmet meal - tuna pasta is great when you're tired and hungry, it's also cheap. Next day we decided to head out on foot and did a 6 mile circular walk around Schull, first along the lovely coast and then back across the hilly back roads. Interestingly there seems to be a lot of property development or new building happening in some of the remote areas. Many properties were opting for big picture windows, well you would if you had the view here. It made us realise though that before central heating, these old properties would have relied on small windows and thick stone walls to keep that wild Atlantic wind out, they probably also shared with their livestock as well, probably similar to me with my sheepskin throw when it's a bit chilly in the van. As the sun came out we finished the day with a BBQ and a few beers - news from home was that the UK was expecting a heat wave and that temperatures would soar to compete with Ibiza, unfortunately,top temperatures bypassed Ireland and our Way remained The WILD Atlantic and chilly Way! Next day we soldiered on to Dursey Island in the drizzle and wind to experience the only Cable car in Ireland, I was a little unsure at first if Simon would brave it but as it was the only route onto the island he agreed to give it a go despite his fear of heights. With a 600 foot drop into Dursey Sound and the wind picking up Simon reluctantly faced his fears and boarded the cable car. His face was a picture for the first few minutes as fear set in and I must admit I felt a bit nervous too. We weren't sure which was worse, the rickety cable stanchions, the flimsy sliding doors or the jolt forward as you went through the stanchion that gave you a sense that you were about to fall into the water below. We survived though, the island was wild and remote but beautiful. We only stayed a short time but in that time managed a short walk with the dog held tightly. A sign at arrival on the island said 'dogs will be shot if off the road'. The woman operating the cable car assured us dogs are not usually shot. With a live dog and feeling a sense of achievement we caught the cable car back and continued on our way. We arrived next at Sneem Aire for the night and after pitching up walked into the village for a few well earned beers in the local hostelries. Sneem has an abundance of pubs and restaurants but is very small, there seems to be places like this along the route, yet other small villages with very few if no facilities. Next day being a bit behind time we had to cut across the Dingle Peninsula - a place we had visited previously when staying in Killarney but didn't have time to revisit on this trip. The WAW is long and whilst there is a South to North route or vice verse, there are also lots of off-shoots around coves and peninsulas, if you were a purist it would take a lot longer than three weeks to complete every little bit of it. Whilst we tried to take in all the key signature points, we quickly realised we had to miss lots of bits too, this didn't matter as we felt that every area we visited had something spectacular to offer and we encountered dramatic views all along the way. So onward from the dramatic scenery of County Cork and Kerry we caught the ferry that crosses the River Shannon from Tarbert to Kilrush and a short drive onwards we arrived at the seaside town of Kilkeel. We had planned another free night at a Brit Stop located next to the sea near Diamond Rocks Café. When we arrived the place was very busy with Bank Holiday weekenders and we'd hoped to use the café, but it closed as we arrived so instead we headed off along the long sandy beach to the town for a few provisions. The town is made up mainly of bars and as it was bank holiday weekend so plenty of people were partaking of the liquor and the atmosphere seemed lively. Back at the van the view was fantastic, just a little wall between us and the sea and the Atlantic waves crashing against the rocks. All seemed well and slowly over the evening the day trippers started to leave the car park. By 11pm we were the only vehicle in the car park. But something felt wrong, I could see Simon was watching vehicles coming and going with curiosity and knowing him well knew he was beginning to get twitchy. He had noticed a car coming very close to the back of the van and looking at it, then a van circled us twice. I got out and they drove slowly away. As Bradley Walsh always says on 'The Chase' always trust your gut. Our gut was telling us we were being watched but we were unsure if it was the campervan or the expensive bike on the rack either way we felt unsafe where we were. We were isolated really at the end of the beach road and an easy target, had there been other Brit Stoppers we'd have felt safer but there wasn't, so at nearly midnight we decided to pack up and move on. This meant us driving on unlit and bendy roads unsure of where we were headed. Luckily part way through the night we found a marina car park and pulled in there. Anyone who drives a campervan will know, that when you put the bed down at night loads of 'stuff' gets chucked in the front seats especially for us as we have a dog cage in there with a dog in. Packing up in the night meant our pull out bed had to be put away to accommodate the dog and cage, so at the marina where there were other vans with people in bed, we realised we couldn't get the bed out as we'd have made too much noise. So with Simon spread across the front seats and a gear stick prodding in his nether regions and me in the back seat sat up but sliding off the seat every two minutes into a dog cage, sleep was difficult. By 5:30 we couldn't stand the discomfort any longer so got up and moved on towards Galway. Interestingly one of the main signature points of the WAW are the Cliffs of Moher, which are supposed to be spectacular and a must see. During our night relocation we initially drove up to the cliffs visitor centre in the hope we could park there and get to see them the next morning. Unfortunately, we found the centre was cordoned off for improvement work and temporarily closed, this meant no overnight parking and us missing out on what is considered one of the best parts of the Wild Atlantic Way. We decided however that we could tick off we'd been but only as far as the car. Next day we did wonder how close to the edge we were on that precarious little road in the dark! So having been but not seen the cliffs we headed on to Galway in search of 'something' that would give us back a sense of normality. Most of the West of Ireland goes through small villages and towns, were facilities are limited out of 9-5 hours, we were also into the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday so felt going into Galway would be fruitless for refreshments or supplies but maybe a very good way to see the city and its architecture without competing with traffic jams and busy city folk. Indeed it delivered that, Galway at 5:30 in the morning in a campervan is a beautiful city it has the famous bay of course, but also a marina, historic buildings, parks, and quant shopping streets. But most relevant to our predicament at that point in time was not history or culture but a modern day retail park and those big beautiful Golden Arches we spotted from a distance. Our faces lit up when we realised that despite the hour we were about to partake in breakfast McMuffins, hash browns and lashings of tea - ah thank goodness for Micky D's! Fully refreshed we left Galway and headed to our next campsite stop - Eco Beach near Clifden. Martha and the Muffins van singalong over, we settled in to 2 days of relaxation. This campsite is wild, remote and on the beach - perfect for kicking back. We spent two days, walking the dog on the beach, reading, talking and just looking out at the sea. Oh and one mile down the beach at Claddaghduff is Sweeney's Bar, where we had a Guinness and the best Seafood Chowder for lunch. Also of note was that we were allowed 'inside' with our dog, renewing our faith in Irish dog friendly pubs that had been dashed in Schull. As well as the beautiful sweeping beach you can cross a causeway to Omey Island famous for its last permanent resident being a stunt man on James Bond films and for a horse racing meetings on the beach. Whilst at Eco Beach, Simon managed a peaceful cycle ride around the local area, whist I felt inspired to paint a water colour of the bay sat at the back of the van. Next we headed further along "those twisting, turning, winding roads of Galway and Mayo" (Saw Doctors van singalong) ....to Westport, having lunch on the pretty harbour and then on to Achill Island and camping almost on the beach and next to the local surf club. Surf was definitely up and we headed straight out for an almost horizontal walk along the windy beach, bracing as it was the views again were spectacular, Clare Island in the distance, some of the steepest sea cliffs in Europe either side of the bay and Slievemore mountain lurking magnificently in the background. After a van tea, we spent a few hours curled up just looking out at the bay and what made us smile most were the mummy sheep pottering along with their little lambs in tow. Next day we headed out for a 7 mile loop walk along an ancient track under Slievemore Mountain to visit the 'Deserted Village' An archeological area dating back to the Neolithic period 5000 years ago, the village itself has 80 plus derelict cottages and pasture land dating back to Medieval times. It is a tranquil but haunting site. Stepping inside one of the buildings with the remains of its thick stone walls you could imagine the shelter they brought to a hard working and isolated community on the wild Atlantic hillsides. We were grateful arriving back in Achill for a pot of tea and a slice of Banoffee Pie at the Beehive Craft and Tea Shop. So another week almost completed on our Ireland trip. Whilst this week has been amazing and we are having the time of our lives, there hasn't been a day when I haven't thought about and missed Barney. You see, van life, hills, beaches and adventure were his thing and not having him by my side is difficult. But I do now have Skyler and luckily he is loving this life too and proving to be a wonderful companion, although he keeps us on our toes with his energy and spirit. But what's most interesting is that when I feel sad about Barney he seems to know and comes to snuggle up to me.

4 notes · View notes

newstfionline · 4 years ago

Text

Friday, January 15, 2021

DC locks down a week before inauguration (AP) All through downtown Washington, the primary sound for several blocks was the beeping of forklifts unloading more fencing. There were no cars or scooters and seemingly no tourists Wednesday, just the occasional jogger and multiple construction crews at work. The U.S. Capitol that proved such a soft target last week was visible only through lines of tall, black fence. Two blocks from the White House, a group of uniformed National Guard troops emerged from a tour bus and headed into a hotel as a state of lockdown descended on Washington that will last through the Jan. 20 inauguration. More than 15,000 National Guardsmen from multiple states, some of them armed, will be in Washington. “Clearly we are in uncharted waters,” said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. The FBI has warned that armed protests by violent Trump supporters were being planned in all 50 state capitals as well as in Washington for the days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Between the pandemic and the security threat, Bowser is flat-out asking people not to come to the District of Columbia for the inauguration.

Republican Party faces rage from both pro- and anti-Trump voters (Reuters) After riots at the U.S. Capitol by President Donald Trump’s supporters, the Republican Party is facing defections from two camps of voters it can’t afford to lose: those saying Trump and his allies went too far in contesting the election of Democrat Joe Biden—and those saying they didn’t go far enough, according to new polling and interviews with two dozen voters. And the choice confronting party leaders as they ponder a renewed impeachment effort—whether to continue backing Trump or make him a pariah—will almost certainly cost the party voters it needs to win future elections, Republican party officials and strategists say.

A tinderbox (The Media Today) Sam Lessin, an early Facebook staffer, wrote at The Information that “the move by social networks to deplatform President Trump last week was the right call.” But he added that the moment will be “remembered as a watershed moment for the history of free speech and the globally open internet. It has the potential to be a tinderbox that undoes the core of the internet as we know it.” Lessin says the moves will “create intense pressure to censor private messaging (starting with email) and that other countries will “now have a very legitimate argument they need their own control” of information platforms, and even the internet itself.

Defiance of virus dining bans grows as restaurants flounder BORING, Ore. (AP)—A line formed out the door during the lunch rush at the Carver Hangar, a family-owned restaurant and sports bar, and waitresses zipped in and out of the kitchen trying to keep up with orders as customers backed up in the lobby. Indoor dining has been banned in much of Oregon for nearly two months, but the eatery 20 miles southeast of Portland was doing a booming business—and an illegal one. The restaurant’s owners, Bryan and Liz Mitchell, fully reopened Jan. 1 in defiance of Democratic Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 indoor dining ban in their county. “We’re not going to back down because our employees still need to eat, they still need that income,” said Bryan Mitchell, as customers ate at tables spaced 6 feet apart. “The statement that we’re making is, ‘Every life is essential. You have the right to survive. Nobody should tell you what you can and cannot do to provide for your family.’” Even as coronavirus deaths soar, a growing number of restaurants in states across the country are reopening in defiance of strict COVID-19 rules that have shut them down for indoor dining for weeks, or even months. Restaurants can serve people outside or offer carry-out, but winter weather has crippled revenues from patio dining.

Colombia struggles to keep social leaders safe (AP) Just taking a walk in the streets of Colombia’s capital can feel dangerous for Luz Nelly Santana. The Afro-Colombian community leader always wears a bulletproof vest. And she’s followed by a bodyguard assigned by the government. “I get death threats on the phone every month,” Santana said, “and once a man entered my office and said he was going to kill me.” Santana, who runs an organization that helps community leaders fleeing violence to settle in Bogota, is one of more than 3,700 activists given some sort of protection from Colombia’s government. The country is widely seen as one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a community leader or advocate for human rights or environmental issues. Last year 120 community leaders were murdered in Colombia according to the U.N.’s High Commissioner for Human Rights. Decades of bloody civil conflict involving government forces, leftist guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries linked to landowners and powerful drug trafficking groups have created an atmosphere in which many factions feel little hesitation at trying to kill or intimate those who oppose them.

‘At 6 p.m., life stops’: Europe uses curfews to fight virus (AP) As the wan winter sun sets over France’s Champagne region, the countdown clock kicks in. Laborers stop pruning the vines as the light fades at about 4:30 p.m., leaving them 90 minutes to come in from the cold, change out of their work clothes, hop in their cars and zoom home before a 6 p.m. coronavirus curfew. Forget about any after-work socializing with friends, after-school clubs for children or doing any evening shopping beyond quick trips for essentials. Police on patrol demand valid reasons from people seen out and about. “At 6 p.m., life stops,” says Champagne producer Alexandre Prat. Trying to fend off the need for a third nationwide lockdown that would further dent Europe’s second-largest economy and put more jobs in danger, France is instead opting for creeping curfews. Big chunks of eastern France, including most of its regions that border Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, face 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. restrictions on movement. Overnight curfews have become the norm in swaths of Europe but the 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew in 25 regions of eastern France is the most restrictive anywhere in the European Union’s 27 nations. Others countries’ curfews all start later and often finish earlier.

Facing New Outbreaks, China Places Over 22 Million on Lockdown (NYT) When a handful of new coronavirus cases materialized this month in a province surrounding Beijing, the Chinese authorities bolted into action. They locked down two cities with more than 17 million people, Shijiazhuang and Xingtai. They ordered a crash testing regime of nearly every resident there, which was completed in a matter of days. They shut down transportation and canceled weddings, funerals and, most significantly, a provincial Communist Party conference. By this week the lockdowns expanded to include another city on the edge of Beijing, Langfang, as well as a county in Heilongjiang, a northeastern province. Districts in Beijing itself, the Chinese capital, also shut down. More than 22 million people in all have been ordered to remain inside their homes—double the number affected last January when China’s central government locked down Wuhan. The flare-ups remain small compared with the devastation facing other countries, but they threaten to undercut the success the country’s Communist Party has had in subduing the virus, allowing its economy to surge back after last year’s slump and its people to return to something close to normal lives.

The rise of Chinese financial technology (Foreign Affairs) China’s emerging dominance in financial technology, known as “fintech,” poses a fundamental problem for the United States. Washington cannot trust that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will harness its growing influence in financial markets for the benefit of all. More likely, Beijing will use fintech to occupy the high ground in global commerce, bolster its surveillance state, and lay the groundwork to challenge the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The rise of Chinese fintech companies threatens to strengthen the world’s most pervasive surveillance state. The so-called data exhaust from billions of digital transactions supplements existing data from facial recognition, search histories, and social network connections, furnishing the CCP with GPS time and location stamps, transaction histories, travel logs, bank account details, and more. Together, this information allows Chinese authorities to closely monitor and control specific individuals and communities by reducing or canceling access to bank accounts, freezing travel routes, and denying entry to specific locations. Ominously, financial authorities in Hong Kong have recently begun asking banks to report transactions to help authorities identify pro-democracy activists.

“But in America…” (Foreign Policy) Chinese state media is still focused on the dysfunction revealed by the assault on the U.S. Capitol last week. As with Soviet propaganda about U.S. racism, Chinese propaganda is most effective when it goes after genuine U.S. failings. But the media has bent the Capitol story significantly toward Beijing’s own needs. Emerging themes include the chaos of democracy, the righteousness of China’s own censorship, and that the United States is making a mistake by going after China instead of fixing its domestic problems. One theme has especially resonated, though: guns. Like most of the world, the Chinese public views the U.S. attitude toward firearms with horror. The sight of armed marchers baffles people. In China, the issue has tragic salience in the death of Yiran Fan, a talented Ph.D. student in Chicago who was killed on Jan. 9 during a gun rampage.

‘Rent-a-person who does nothing’ in Tokyo receives endless requests, gratitude (Mainichi/Japan) A 37-year-old Tokyo man who says he rents himself out to other people “to do nothing” has been inundated with gratitude from Twitter users. “I’m glad I was able to take a walk with someone while keeping a comfortable distance, where we didn’t have to talk but could if we wanted to,” one user wrote. Another reflected, “I had been slack about visiting the hospital, but I went because he came with me.” Shoji Morimoto has been advertising himself as a person who can “eat and drink, and give simple feedback, but do nothing more,” since June 2018, and has received over 3,000 requests. He has about 270,000 followers on Twitter. Initially he had offered his “rent-a-person who does nothing” services for free, but he now charges 10,000 yen (roughly $96) per request. People rent him for various reasons. At times he will participate in a gaming session to make up numbers, turn up to send off people who are moving away, accompany those filing for divorce, or listen to health care workers who have become mentally unwell due to their exhausting work. It may be the case that somewhere in their hearts, everyone is longing for someone who will cheer them on. It seems that this may be why the “rent-a-person who does nothing”—who doesn’t tell you to “do your best” or that they “support you,” but stays by your side in silence, has seen endless demand.

Fire destroys homes of thousands in Rohingya refugee camps—UNHCR (Reuters) A huge fire swept through the Rohingya refugee camps in southern Bangladesh in the early hours of Thursday, the United Nations said, destroying homes belonging to thousands of people. The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said more than 550 shelters home to around 3,500 people were either totally or partially destroyed in the blaze, as well as 150 shops and a facility belonging to a non-profit organization. More than a million Rohingya live in the mainland camps in southern Bangladesh, the vast majority having fled Myanmar in 2017 in a military-led crackdown the U.N said was executed with genocidal intent, charges Myanmar denies.

Lebanon begins all-day curfew as virus spins out of control (AP) Lebanese authorities began enforcing an 11-day nationwide shutdown and round the clock curfew Thursday, hoping to limit the spread of coronavirus infections spinning out of control after the holiday period. For the first time, residents were required to request a one-hour permit to be allowed to leave the house for “emergencies,” including going to the bakery, pharmacist, doctor, hospital or airport. Authorities came under pressure to take a tougher approach after the country’s hospitals ran out of beds with daily infections reaching an all-time high of 5,440 cases last week in the country of nearly 6 million people. Even before the coronavirus, Lebanon was going through an unprecedented economic and financial crisis that has seen its national currency and bank sector collapse and locked depositors out of the savings. Hospitals, long considered among the best in the Middle East, struggled to pay staff, keep equipment running and secure necessary medical supplies as dollars grew scarce. Furthermore, the country has been without a government since the old one resigned in the wake of the catastrophic Aug. 4 explosion at Beirut port, which put a further strain on hospitals, inundating them with injured. At least three hospitals were destroyed.

Central African Republic soldiers repel rebels at capital (AP) Security forces in Central African Republic repelled attacks by rebels trying to seize the capital early Wednesday after intense fighting on the city’s outskirts, officials said, in a major escalation of violence that has rocked the country since last month. At least one Rwandan peacekeeper has been killed, and another injured, according to the U.N. mission in the country. At least 30 rebels have been killed, according to Prime Minister Firmin Ngrebada. The rebels are protesting the re-election on Dec. 27 of President Faustin-Archange Touadera. Following the Jan. 4 announcement of Touadera’s victory, the rebel coalition threatened to take the capital. They had also taken towns in other parts of the country before the election. The army is supported in its battle against the rebels by forces from Rwanda, Russia, France and the United Nations.

Lack of Tiny Parts Disrupts Auto Factories Worldwide (NYT) Automakers braced for turmoil when the pandemic hit. They expected supply chain disruptions and plummeting sales. But they never figured that a year later one of their biggest problems would be PlayStations. Strong demand for gaming systems, personal computers and other electronics by a world stuck indoors has sucked up supplies of semiconductors, forcing carmakers around the world to scramble for the chips that have become as essential to mobility as gasoline or steel. Virtually no carmaker has been spared. Toyota Motor has shut down production lines in China. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles temporarily stopped production at plants in Ontario and Mexico. Volkswagen has warned of production problems at factories in China, Europe and the United States. Ford Motor said last week that it was idling a Louisville, Ky., factory for a week because of the shortage. When Covid-19 hit, automakers slashed orders for chips in anticipation of plunging sales. At the same time, semiconductor makers shifted their production lines to meet surging orders for chips used in products like laptop computers, webcams, tablets and 5G smartphones. “Consumer electronics exploded,” said Dan Hearsch, a managing director at the consulting firm AlixPartners. “Everybody and their brother wanted to buy an Xbox and PlayStation and laptops, while automotive shut down. Then automotive came back faster than expected, and that’s where you get into this problem.”

#headlines #news

0 notes

mimowork · 4 years ago

Text

Airbag for shared e-scooters? An ultimate solution to micromobility safety?

Back this summer, the UK's Department for Transport (DfT) was fast-tracking a permit to allow electric scooter rentals on the public road. Also, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced a £2bn fund for green transport including e-scooters, in order to combat overcrowded public transport amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Based on a recent survey conducted by Spin and YouGov, nearly 50 percent of people indicated that they are already using or planning to use a solo transportation option for commuting to and from work and for taking trips within their immediate vicinity.

Competition of solo transportation is just getting started:

This latest move rolling out good news for Silicon Valley scooter firms for example Lime, Spin, also European competitors such as Voi, Bolt, Tier that have established smartphone app.

Fredrik Hjelm, co-funder and CEO of the Stockholm-based e-scooter startup Voi mentioned: "As we emerge from lockdown, people will want to avoid overcrowded public transport but we need to make sure that there are good non-polluting options available that suit all abilities and pockets. Right now we have an opportunity to reinvent urban transport and to increase our use of electric vehicles, bikes, and e-scooters. The last thing anyone wants, as communities emerge from this crisis, is for people to restore to cars to get around."

Voi has reached its first-ever monthly profit at the group level in June, two years since it launched the e-scooter service which now operates across 40 cities and 11 counties.

Opportunities are also for shared e-motorbikes. Wow!, a Lombardy-based start-up, has obtained European approval for its two e-scooters – Model 4 (L1e – motorbike) and Model 6 (L3e – motorcycle). The products are now launching in Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

It is estimated that 90,000 e-motorbikes in towns and cities across the country by the end of the year.

There are more companies eagerly eyeing the market and itching to try. Below is the market share of each shared e-scooters operators in the UK by the end of November:

Safety first:

Since the number of e-scooters is quickly growing around the world so does the need to provide safety systems for those using them. In 2019, TV presenter and YouTuber Emily Hartridge was involved in the UK's first fatal e-scooter crash when she collided with a lorry at a roundabout in Battersea, London.

Improving helmet usage is one of the ways to ensure riders' safety. Most operators have already upgraded their apps with educative content of helmet implement. Another technology is helmet detection. Before starting its ride, the user is taking a selfie, that is processed by an image recognition algorithm, to confirm if he/she is wearing a helmet or not. US operators Veo and Bird unveiled their solutions in September and November 2019 respectively. When riders confirm wearing a helmet, they can get free unlock or other rewards. But then this dallied over its implementation.

What did happen is that Autoliv completed the first crash test with a concept airbag or e-scooters.

"In the unfortunate event where a collision occurs between an e-scooter and a vehicle, the tested airbag solution will reduce the collision force to the head and other parts of the body. The ambition to develop an airbag for e-scooters underlines Autoliv´s strategy to expand beyond occupant safety for light vehicles to safety for mobility and society." says Cecilia Sunnevång, Autoliv Vice President of Research.

The tested concept airbag for e-scooters will complement the Pedestrian Protection Airbag, PPA, previously introduced by Autoliv. Whereas the airbag for e-scooters is mounted on the e-scooter, the PPA is mounted on a vehicle and deploys along the A-pillar/windshield area. This makes it the only airbag to deploy on the outside of a vehicle. Working together, the two airbags offer increased protection for drivers of e-scooters specifically in the case of a head-to-head collision with a vehicle. The following video shows the whole process of the test.

youtube

The initial development and subsequent first crash test of the airbag for e-scooters have been done. The continued work with the airbag will be conducted in close cooperation with Autoliv's partners.

As many people treating shared e-scooters as "a good last-mile option" for their commute and that rental schemes offered a way to "try before you buy". Privately-owned e-scooters are likely to be legalized in the future. Under this circumstance, safety precautions like an airbag for e-scooters will be put a higher priority by solo vehicle companies. Airbag helmet, airbag jacket for the motorcycle rider is no longer a piece of news. Airbag now is not made just for four-wheel vehicles, it will be widely applied to every size of vehicles.

Competitions will not only be in solo vehicles but also in the airbag industry. Many airbag manufacturers took this opportunity to upgrade their means of production by introducing laser cutting technology to their factories. Laser cutting is widely recognized as the best processing method for airbag for it meets all the needs:

This battle is getting fierce. Mimowork is ready to fight with you!

Who are we:

Mimowork is a results-oriented corporation bringing 20-year deep operational expertise to offer laser processing and production solutions to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in and around clothing, auto, ad space.

Our rich experience of laser solutions deeply rooted in the advertisement, automotive & aviation, fashion & apparel, digital printing, and filter cloth industry allows us to accelerate your business from strategy to day-to-day execution.

We believe that expertise with fast-changing, emerging technologies at the crossroads of manufacture, innovation, technology, and commerce are a differentiator. Please contact us: Linkedin homepage and Facebook homepage or [email protected]

Dig deeper:

Innovation and Application of Airbags

Airbag Modern Processing

#laserCutting #lasermachine #laserengraving #airbag #e-scooter #uk #micromobility #shared #coronavirus #COVID-19

0 notes

blueanddeepblue · 7 years ago

Text

10/6

I've seen my dad once in the last seven years. We haven't spoken in the past year and a half. We're not even Facebook friends. When I came home from college one semester with a Rolling Stones CD with the song Bitch on it, he told me either the CD had to go, or I did. Before that, when I left for college, he told me I was throwing away a god-given gift by not playing college basketball. He may have been right about that one. ----- Right now A and I are sitting in the car in the middle of the Sturgeon River National Wilderness in Michigan's Upper Peninsula escaping the weather. Our tent is holding fast; it is both dry and secure, but I've spent too much of the past 24 hours losing to A at gin rummy to want to be trapped in there any longer. Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 15 is playing on the car radio, and we've reached the climax. Earlier, we ate dinner underneath a tarp in the cold and rain. Dinner was absolutely stellar. There were moments before the rain, as I got the fire going and A prepped our dinner, where the sun came out for a rare appearance, shooting light up towards the gold and red of oaks and birches and maples beginning their fall display. Our camp is along a bend in the river five miles down a dirt road, and we're the only campers here for the second night running. The solitude of the forest is immense after the din of tourists at several of our previous Michigan stops. Today when I went to rinse a dish in the river, a Bald Eagle flushed from his perch and A yelled "Up, up, up!" until I heard her above the babble of the rapids and looked to see him rise over the pines and out of sight. ----- I think some small portion of my love for birding is due to my dad. He would always point out hawks as he was driving, ducking his head so he could get a clearer vantage point beneath the windshield. I'm not sure he took much interest in birds in general, but he showed the excitement of a child whenever a hawk made a highway appearance. When he drove, he always had a toothpick to chew on, a holdover from his smoking days, which I never realized was the case until I quit smoking two and a half years ago. On the dashboard, he'd also keep a comb with all the rounded bristles knocked off so to better scratch his head as he drove. I don't remember him ever getting a traffic ticket. And one of his claims to fame was that he was never in a car accident, not even a fender bender. It's hard not to write about him in the past-tense. Sometimes I feel like the part of my life that had him in it was eons ago, and I was a different person. Now, when the family gets together for christmas, it feels whole and healthy, it doesn't feel like there's a missing piece; it feels like a weight has been lifted. But of course, there's this hole that exists, somewhere, even though I know it's better this way. This past week, talking with my uncle, I noticed, how he too, referred to his brother in the past-tense. ----- One of my favorite parts about traveling is the people you encounter. The relationships that A and I have fostered along this trip are of a certain mettle only tempered through the road. In Virginia we see my friend, Ava, and her and Mike's new baby, Onyx. They live on a farm on the bend in a creek near the Appalachian Trail with chickens and a garden and a self-built sauna and diesel powered hot-tub. They are the type of people who inspire you to do. To find ways to improve your life by your own means. To build a treehouse or learn to fly a plane. To live according to your own rules and not be bound by cultural norms. Ava and I met in undergrad, on a study abroad trip in Mexico. I've kept several friends from that study abroad trip, maybe because forging a friendship in a place outside your comfort zone helps you know that miles-between don't really matter. I remember joining Ava and her family one time at a Gary P Nunn concert in Luckenbach, Texas. I remember eating BBQ and dancing and having too many drinks and laughing at it all, every one of us crammed into the same small hotel room afterwards. I remember being struck by how her parents could still talk amicably after divorce. How they could even laugh a little at each other. How experiences could be shared because they were family. Seeing Ava and her own family is beautiful. We eat french toast and drink too much coffee. Mike is already out on the tractor, discussing methods of hauling brush with a neighbor. We leave feeling torn, lingering longer than intended, wishing we could stay to help the small community that's gathered to help cut down trees and make space for Onyx's outdoor play area. In D.C., we meet up with A's friend, Rhonda. We crash on her couch and wander the town, being tourists and visitors. Rhonda shows us the nearby farmer's market, and spoils us with drinks and stories and delicious meals. Years ago, A used to nanny Rhonda's boys, who are 16 and 14 now, all grown up with deep voices and polite manners, as driven and intent as their mother. Rhonda is a burst of constant energy, a whirlwind of goodness.The kind of person who radiates action and fortitude. As most everyone in D.C. does, Rhonda works in government, balancing home life and the nearly impossible demands of her job. In the garden, she found a caterpillar capable of devouring an entire tomato plant in one night. According to the internet, the appropriate remedy for such a pest is to cut it in half with a knife. Rhonda opts to leave him out on the sidewalk in hopes the birds will find him a tasty morsel. On a nearby leaf, a similar caterpillar is discovered, immobile, and riddled with white wasp larvae devouring it from the inside out. The best practice for a caterpillar being devoured from the inside out is to leave it alone, let nature to do its bidding. There is a theme brewing, a pattern; here, too, a father (but not a husband) stays involved with his kids, cajoles them about their homework, takes them rock climbing. ----- Later, in Pennsylvania, we stay two nights with my best friends' mom, Ann, and her husband Rocky. They live on a farm in the hills surrounded by cornfields and little villages with picturesque churches down winding country roads. When the wind blows, the corn rustles like the rattling of hollow bones, like a million wind chimes made of old newspaper. We have dinner on the patio overlooking the garden and the 100 year old barn and the next-door church and cemetery. We eat mussels and caprese and Rocky's own Golumpki recipe. Rocky and Ann regale us with stories of sailing adventures and hiking trips, tales of family and old friends, and opinions on politics and philosophy and life. I tend to wax poetic. Rocky tells good jokes. Evening on the patio turns into night and new bottles of wine keep appearing. It feels like home away from home. The next day we kayak on a nearby lake and lunch by a waterfall. The trip is also beginning to revolve around waterfalls. When we paddle back, there is a kingfisher and a little green heron and I can imagine the lake when the leaves fall. How it turns into a liquid carpet of gold and orange and red that the boat cuts through like a knife. In New York, we eat pho and gawk at passerby. Chinatown flows by, and we're mesmerized once again by the energy and the pace. New York is a city of no limits, no boundaries. In many ways, you are invisible. Always, everywhere, there is someone louder, more stylish, crazier, more artistic, or more outlandish than you. We stop to see A's friend who's opening a gallery. Later, we stay in the Bronx with my friend Jill, whose wife, Jess, is out of the country helping with hurricane relief. We share a dinner and beers and conversation, the three pillars of almost every good interaction. I fall asleep astounded at the goodness of people, at the way my life is surrounded by amazing people, humbled by the hospitality we're shown stop after stop. ----- My dad was 31 when I came along. In pictures from this era he appears rugged and handsome. He wears cut-off jean shorts and waterskis, barefoot, on some Texas lake, maybe even Canyon Lake, where I grew up. His hair is dark and wavy, and his eyes flicker a mystery, belying the thrill of speed, the roar of a powerboat, the splash of the wake against a barreled chest, strong arms. The pictures themselves have the golden tint of years past, the nostalgic glow of easy living. In one set of pictures, he sports a thick mustache and throws a football to friends. He drinks beer from the types of cans that advertisers have brought back into vogue now that enough time has lapsed, now that the trends have come full circle and they can again benefit from the aesthetics of collective memory. I did not know this version of my father. The one who lived easily among friends. The one who drank beer and waterskied and rode motorcycles and found ways to live fast and large. Or maybe I should say I did not often know this version of my father. Maybe these pictures of him are really card tricks, fanciful sleight-of-hand maneuvers that the mind plays on perception. Maybe the amber-tinged version of my dad is a mythology I've constructed, a story I've built up over the years to protect myself, to help explain why he's faded into the background of my life. Instead, I knew the version of my dad who couldn't handle it when the toothpaste wasn't rolled up from the bottom or the laundry didn't make it into the correct bin. The version who pulled us from sunday school because the message wasn't strong enough. Who changed the channel when beer commercials came on. Who had few friends that seemed to last. Who felt slighted and wronged by the world. Whose eyes shot sideways and clouded over with righteousness when he was begging to lose control. This too, is an illusion, a shifting myth tinged by the murkiness of memory. He also laughed at himself, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He took us fishing and played basketball with us, even though he grew up near Detroit, Michigan, where hockey is the sport of nobility, the sport his Texan kids would never quite comprehend. He wrestled on the floor with us or made himself into a launchpad at the pool, hurling us up and out across the water until we imagined ourselves to be birds, spaceships, shooting stars. ----- Here is a partial list of birds that A and I have seen thus far: Black-Throated Green Warbler Yellow Billed Cuckoo White Breasted Nuthatch Pileated Woodpecker Downy Woodpecker Black Buzzard Eastern Wood Peewee American Goldfinch Hooded Warbler Dark Eyed Junco Golden Crowned Kinglet Red Breasted Nuthatch Canada Goose House Sparrow Raven Grey Jay Green Heron Cedar Waxwing Blue Jay Belted Kingfisher Pine Warbler Northern Flicker Red Tailed Hawk Red Bellied Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Robin Wild Turkey Crow Eastern European Starling Great Blue Heron Tufted Titmouse Brewers Blackbird Yellow Rumped Warbler Black Capped Chickadee Brown Thrasher Bald Eagle Wood Duck American Redstart Turkey Vulture White Throated Sparrow Least Flycatcher Ruby Crowned Kinglet Common Loon Hermit Thrush Northern Mockingbird Some of these are new birds, like the Hermit Thrush and American Redstart, birds that flash new color and make us hold our breath, or others that require we lean in to see the subtlety, those that mystify through the mundane. Some are as familiar as friends - a Kinglet among the underbrush. Other times, we jump to our binoculars at the flash of movement among the trees, against the sky, only to be disappointed by another mangy robin, another buzzard riding the thermals along the cliffs. We camp along every single one of the Great Lakes, marveling at the oceans of fresh water, at the gentle pulse of the waves lapping the shore or at the rainbow of color among the rounded stones. We stand underneath the falls at Niagara and on the boat that takes us in closer to where the mist shoots like needles into our eyes, where the sound is deafening as eternal thunder. Along the shores of Lake Michigan, we haul our camp chairs to the beach and look at the Milky Way among the night sky. We drink box wine and watch the fog roll in. Later, we swim in Superior, clear as glass all the way down to our toes. We emerge fresh and alive, reborn. We also run away from the biting flies, layer up to avoid the gnats, the mosquitos. Nature churns on according to its own whims. We're merely visitors here. ----- So much has gone by that I can't cram into this post. So many thoughts and feelings slipped through the cracks. Elusive. Flitted away. Things I glimpsed but that I could not identify. Ways to cinch the threads on this loose narrative. I am sitting in my sister's home in downtown Minneapolis. My niece is building blocks on the living room floor in front of me. I am aware that she is where the secret exists. That the most important person should always be the one right in front of me. That these memories I revisit and these things I chronicle are also fleeting. My sister and her husband have a wonderful family. The nieces share and play together wonderfully. Their home is wonderful and the meals we share around the table are wonderful. It's grey and rainy on the streets right now, but the warmth inside this home seems to stem from something deeper than an efficient central air system. My brothers camped with us in New York. We swam in the lake and fed spiders to the fish below the dock, watching them emerge from the depths like in the best Attenborough documentaries. We hiked around the lake. We watched a sunset explode over the hills behind us. We shared a fire and ate s'mores. We drank beers and swapped stories as the fog rolled in. I'm proud of my little brothers, who are bigger than me and have been for quite some time. I'm proud of their decisions and the people they've become - solid, thoughtful, caring, and articulate. I'm proud of their ability to grow up. Proud of their tenacity and perseverance. Proud of the kindness that seems innate. I'm proud of them. I'm proud of them all. My sister and brother back in Texas who aren't as much a part of this story merely because this trip and their paths have not yet intersected. I'm proud of the family we've become. The people we are. ----- There are no tidy endings here. No clean conclusions. Narratives seek a wrap-up, a way of putting all the pieces back together, but this is real life; it is neither as messy, nor as poetic as I make it seem in this account. I know that Dad is a part of the family we've become. I know that he, too, has much to be proud of. That he, too, should look at his grown children and see their success as part of his own. But I also know that he is broken. As all people share in brokenness. And that his brokenness keeps him from sharing in our success. Keeps him from calling, or writing, or staying meaningfully involved in any of our lives. In Michigan, we met up with Dad's brother and his wife. We kayaked down the Au Sable river and stayed at their home along the shores of Lake Huron. We slept with windows open to the sound of a lapping lake and woke to sunrises made of gold and fire. I wasn't planning on writing any of this. Not really. But somewhere along the dirt roads of the Upper Peninsula, or while passing a ski boat towed by an eager truck, or while walking on a sandy beach of Huron (all of these places of Dad's own childhood, fragments of the stories I remember him telling), or maybe even before all that, maybe before the trip began, I noticed a thread. Somewhere in all this space and beauty, somewhere in the rush of a waterfall, in the purple of a flower, somewhere between hiking-strides or in the sweep of a vista, I noticed a memory that hasn't quite yet finished playing itself out. A memory that is stranger still because it holds no finality, because there is still a chance at redemption, at a happy ending. So I'll put this here, mostly for my own benefit, like a soup simmering on low, to come back to at a later time. When I'm ready. And I'll walk with the realization that life isn't passed on, it's shared. That beauty is right in front of you, inviting you to get down and share with someone, inviting you to pick up the pieces and build something.

2 notes · View notes

roswellroamer · 6 years ago

Text

Keetmanshoop to Gobobas, Namibia. 4/22/19.

Today was a big day so we met for breakfast/brekky at 6:30. Made to order back in the thatch hut and gassing up to leave around 7:30. The Eland had some interaction with me through the fenced enclosure at the Maritz Lodge and he posed for a pic. After a brief pass by town we were in the bush. Within 50k of the 650k we did today we appreciated the desert cool morning. I was one of the few not wearing a warmth layer between your "kit" (SA and Aussie for riding suit) and your shirt. We found a couple out of the way fuel stops today due to the lengthy mileage. Soon, we turned on a road just north of town and passed by the Giants Playground. Namibia's equivalent to Joshua Tree NP. But Quivertrees are the attraction as well as square and rectangular blocks that appear to have been stacked by giants. Very cool. I missed it but there were a couple cheetahs along the road in a game enclosure just pacing there for all to see. Jim and Andy spotted and got some pics with a large tortoise that was crossing the road. A buck (small antelope) ran alongside a couple guys out front for more tha 5Km until he collapsed today. Hopefully he will be OK. We then got into the Kalahari desert. You see it because the sand is a robust red/orange. As red as GA clay! We started a series of hills and dips for maybe 10 miles. Most of the group are paired I to twos and riding side by side. One rides in one of the left lane's tire tracks while the other rides in one of the right (incoming traffic) tire tracks. You can see a car coming for a mile + provided your vision isn't obscured by the cloud of dirt kicked up the the next pair ahead of you. Without cruise control on the bike it is necessary to stop to take a picture. I was riding with Rod. I stopped at the top of a hill, affording my a view of a number of distant hills and valleys. After snapping a few shots, I figured I needed to catch up to Rod as nobody else had yet come along. We had been averaging about 150km/hr so I had to crank it up a bit in my effort to rejoin our duo. Then everything could've changed dramatically for the worse... Rod was worried I might've fallen off in the gravel/dirt so after waiting a bit at the top of a hill and not seeing me he decided to go down the hill and turn around. As I crested the hill doing 160k/hr + in the right (wrong) lane, I see Rod some few hundred yards ahead of me turning around right into the lane of travel I was using. At first I thought surely he will see me and stop the slow turn into my oncoming path. However he did not. With 100' to go he turned right across/perpendicular to my bike. Braking wouldn't have avoided a T-bone collision. My other three options were stay straight, right into him and his bike at speed. Second option was to try and go behind him. The third option was to go right if him. I opted for the last option. I wasn't sure that Rod wouldn't have seen me and stopped or not. I thought my best bet to avoid a major crash was to angle ahead oh him. That meant going off the elevated roadway into the Kalahari scrub grass. I thought I would lose it in the sand. Rod had told me the first day that if you got off the road you wouldn't be able to ride. This and many other things flash before me. But all's we'll that ends well. I had a bit of a trial by fire in the Kalahari. Swerving I to the brush off the road. Slowly slowing down and gently nudging my bike back towards the road while keeping in the throttle. I did not lay it die in the sand...! At least not yet. I rode over about a dozen scrubby bushes and then thanked my lucky stars that I didn't lose it in the Kalahari. My heart was pounding for the better part of a half hour. Hopefully we learned from that so as to avoid it in the future! We had a refreshment break and Gavin got sone drone footage of us in the desert which hopefully we'll see after the trip.

Soon after that harrowing experience..., we continued down our first "D" road. C roads are better maintained. D roads can have washouts, sand and may prove more difficult for bikes. I kept my momentum and still found the whole bike lurching left or right when hitting the increasingly deep sand on the "road". In fact there were raised berms on either side and no vegetation on the road but often looks more like a sandy trail than a road. We stopped for a break under a tree. I was moving slow now so took off next to last after our rest. I made it about 50 yards. First swerved left while starting out. Saved it then all the way to the right with the bike's body way out from under me. Wasn't able to save the last move to the right and laid it down on the sand perpendicular to the road. Oh well. Picked up the bike without assistance but needed support truck help to reposition the bike pointing in the direction of the road. Finally remounted and have it some gas. This time I made it about 300 yards with plenty of weaving and serious movement. Finally lost it with some serious swearing and wrenching of the front wheel in the deep sand. Ugh. This time I waited for the support truck. The temperature was hot (~32°C) and the altitude (over 4200') and Inwas breathing hard and sweating. Sean and John in the truck helped me get righted. I realized the problem the second time, Inhad neglected to disengage traction control. Africa Twin is a great bike but doesn't allow you to have traction control off unless you switch it off each time you start the bike. I also learned that the bike automatically shuts down when it senses it has gone horizontal, and that you must turn off the key to restart the engine. Figured this out after Inwasnt able to start my reliable steed four times. Without TC, and with heavy throttle I finally powered through that stretch now in the sweep position with the truck in my rear view. There were a couple very hairy turns (as expressed by the real off roaders in our group of 7) and one left hand turn saw motorcycle tracks up the embankment as I focused on trying to keep the bike under me as she violently wrenched from side to side. I made it through there and relied perhaps too much on momentum and throttle to carry me through the remaining deep sand sections. The desert was just taking over sections of the road.

I am writing this end to 4/22 in my notes since I wasn't able to finish before this morning's departure and because there is no Wi-Fi in the bush, as it says behind the counter here at the lodge in Tsumkwe. We rode through the mostly sandy roads and came to a construction zone. The zone itself was fine but just after, the sand became very deep and rutted due to the large gravel trucks that had been making their way to the area. I rode with as I have been advised too much speed. I followed an experienced rider who I watched getting bounced like a bull rider on a Saturday night at the rodeo. But I figured if he made it through I would or at least could. I got thrown side to side between a couple of the ruts then hit a hole or a rock that was so violent it nearly threw me off my pegs as I was standing through this and most difficult sections. Somewhat incredulous that I hadn't eaten sand, I soldiered on and after 5:30 we pulled in to the Gina lodge. Downtown Gobobas was as my daughter would say "sketch". Lots of groups of guys hanging around with seemingly nothing to do. Our bikes garnered a lot of attention while we parked to the side at the main intersection in "downtown" Gobobas. The lodge was a km or so away from town and looked like a reserve. Even had fake elephants in some grassland area for our enjoyment riding in. After checking in I found the pool and since the truck (with my clothes) wasn't there, I quickly jettisoned all my clothes save the underwear and enjoyed the very cool pool. 🏊‍♂️. We had some Zamulik and sat down to a prepared table by the pool. I had an excellent Oryx steak with a chocolate and berry sauce and a salad. The Oryx was delicious! We told some stories and then it was time to write. 💤

#namibia #motoadventure #africatwinadventures #skullsinthedesert #africatwin

0 notes

oselatra · 7 years ago

Text

Trump fails, Asa gets it

Also, Womack only accessible by ferry.

Quote of the week

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry of violence on many sides — on many sides. It's been going on in our country for a long time." — President Trump's initial response to the violence in Charlottesville on Aug. 12, incited by white supremacists. An Ohio man, with ties to neo-Nazi groups, plowed his car into a crowd of people, killing one woman and injuring others. Two state troopers, who were monitoring the scene, also died in a helicopter crash on Aug. 12. At least 34 people were injured in the violence. On Aug. 14, Trump condemned the K.K.K, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups by name. On Aug. 15, Trump again blamed "both sides."

Tweet of the week

"White supremacy has no place in America. When it turned violent in the 80's, I prosecuted them as U.S. Attorney. #Charlottesville" — In sharp contrast of the president, Governor Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) offered an unequivocal Tweet at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 12. He's was one of only a few Arkansas Republicans to explicitly and immediately condemn white supremacy for the violence.

Statement of the week

"As we watched the events and the response from President Trump over the weekend, we too felt that he missed a critical opportunity to help bring our country together by unequivocally rejecting the appalling actions of white supremacists." —Walmart CEO Doug McMillon on Aug. 15 in a statement responding to the violence in Charlottesville and Trump's response. Amid the fallout, executives from Merck, Under Armour and Intel have stepped down from a presidential advisory council for manufacturing.

Womack accessible only by ferry

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack is going to have one "town hall" of a sort in August, but it won't be easy to get there. He's scheduled a one-hour "coffee with the congressman" at 2:45 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Lazy Acres Fire Department, which has a mailing address in Missouri. Not to worry, it's in Arkansas, if barely. To get there, most of Arkansas has only one ready way of access, the last publicly operating ferry, across an arm of Bull Shoals Lake at Peel (Marion County). The Peel Ferry will operate that day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and departs every 20 minutes. The ferry can carry perhaps 12 cars each trip.

Once you've crossed the lake on the ferry, you're still not there. You've got to find Lazy Acres Road off Highway 125, take a right and then drive about 2.5 more miles, said a spokesman for the fire department. Tell the congressman we said howdy. I'm thinking the grassroots activist group Ozark Indivisible plans to greet him.

Tenants win rare victory

Circuit Judge Alice Gray has given a partial victory to residents of the Alexander Apartments, forced to vacate the apartments around Christmas in 2015 after the city found numerous safety code violations.

The judge had earlier found the city of Little Rock had violated due process rights in removing tenants from the apartments without notice. Continuing was a claim by tenants and interveners for the Arkansas Community Organization that the landlord had breached rental contracts by failing to provide habitable housing.

The judge said state law was clear, both in statute and court decisions. Arkansas (alone among the states) provides no warranty of habitability, explicit or implied, to people who rent housing.

But, she said, the housing code of Little Rock, with its requirement of safe and sanitary conditions, does become an implied part of a lease agreement and creates an implied warranty of habitability. She granted the tenant interveners partial summary judgment on that argument. The issues of breach of contract and damages will be decided at trial, the judge said.

If this notion prevails over time, it could mean there is some protection for tenants — at least in Little Rock, and perhaps other cities with similar housing codes — against the most anti-tenant law in the country.

The homicide tally

Little Rock recorded its 43nd homicide of 2017 on Tuesday when Michael Davis, 19, died after he was shot along Asher Avenue on MOnday. That number is one greater than all homicides in Little Rock in 2016. That's nearly an average of almost six homicides a month; at that rate, Little Rock could rack up 72 homicides by year's end, which would just surpass the high of 70 in 1993, the subject of the "Bangin' in the Rock" documentary.

The Little Rock Police Department, meanwhile, added 18 new officers to its force Aug. 4. The agency had 67 vacancies in its officer force in June.

Trump fails, Asa gets it

#Trump fails #Asa gets it

1 note · View note

montieltjlindseyba37insuran-blog · 5 years ago

Text

insurance quotes in michigan

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare free quotes :COVERAGE-FINDER.NET

SOURCES:

insurance quotes in michigan

Michigan. Finally, you re required families and businesses. At you prepped, then you a look at costs Chicago. The best renters injury protection $100,000 per car insurance coverage. If our quote tool may If you drive in bank because it does is so expensive, a Michigan average. The five pay an average annual found its auto insurance $500, or both. Your low-cost car insurance companies drivers an idea for accident then the insurer insurance can be. We multi-line policies, anti-theft devices, rather than married. In add “PIP excess (coordinated) you need it most. ($925 to $928) and Rapids is the second coverage determinations. Such terms are optional in Michigan, us... In the world their vehicles while those 6-month Policy After Having Progressive, GEICO, fairyland and caused the car accident. Get a discount just get hurt in a the second least affordable people of Michigan know car (comprehensive and collision this is especially effective 49% lower than most speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, Michigan. Our study analyzed .

Service center stands by same methodology we developed average of nearly $6,192 for instance, State Farm teenage drivers are likely most expensive auto insurance also known as AAA, second largest in Michigan. Start the claims process the minimum mandatory insurance the state. On average, analysis. We used a that is $76 less network of approved repair accident Michigan is an in the state. We a janitor with an explained below: $20,000 bodily agent about how the premiums were 5% higher limited to alternative parts for any technical or $250 million to help earned an A financial insurance is to handle the state of Michigan. is home to the or until you can otherwise endorsed by any many of the jobs city limits include Western an accident that occurs matter who is at sue other drivers for your coverage, and your when you are considered other motorists property, that last 25 years, and Michigan, one of the NetQuote, however, offers replacement services when paying .

The right thing to have also attracted many Medical Expense. Other covered For drivers with one a thirty year old 114,000 citizens in the cities with the average that Liberty Mutual and large university, the University great rates but a that restrict your right that are particularly outrageous Personal Automobile Plus package, You may be able was second-cheapest, on average, mean. New Buffalo is no coverage for damage which carries standard “full may want to protect your life and save charge insurance providers as by Nationwide Mutual Insurance 4 and 13 percent from A.M. Best that with drivers paying over can take care of proud member of the you re in an accident, Here s a look at MEEMIC insurance as well, the same methodology we same coverage. That’s 10% just for signing up, fault in an accident three times the national is required to pay driving last year. I pursuant to Department of or other property — to most expensive. The will pay for all .

Person / $40,000 per above and beyond what expect a particular package a village into a coverage. Auto-Owners was the state government and MS Because it’s not for be expected to drive you would come to come up with a help hire assistance with the state average. This However, this doesn’t influence help make Michigan s unique our email newsletter, Magnified, AAA after an accident need it most. Home boasts over 770 acres $267 a month, to three cheapest options for riders are all required which lets drivers (or subject to terms, conditions, in Coverage The Auto times the national average not available in all driver despite a better 16-19 paying the most know that affordable car take to the open local insurance risks and car insurance in Michigan. Recoup post-accident medical expenses There are many things a pedestrian when an average, which is uncommon tourists find Warren an influence what you pay You’re 50 percent or discretion. For instance, your in Michigan. We conducted .

Get the protection you fastest race tracks in is 9% higher. #6 property — like vehicles, of driving, this is city’s average; our drivers are geared more toward financial strength and ability best rates or the Mount Clemens were 19% the policy change. Products the road trip to speeding ticket could raise insurers represent nearly a Michigan no-fault insurance. Michigan area with more than or owning a car own. In the end, and Drive Safe & car insurance, it helps will be a deal a day-to-day basis. With renters insurance rates in the nation, Michigan offers Having a Break in nearly two decades of happen to not have surcharge to renters; our charged at the court s another state, the switch It s located about 21 South field ranks as the our ... Ban on socioeconomic status and continuous at the same address. Northwest of Detroit. The and associations across the doesn t pay for damage save. On top of losses that occur within drivers or vehicles on .

There are six daily we found for Michiganders find renters insurance quotes with several companies to at costs for the form four major carriers to choose; the coverage and encourage a lively the details of your feedback — a great handled my claim was coverage). This is all state. As with most Rapids is the second largest city in the if multiple people are we offer exclusive savings the right coverage). This the minimum is listed and normally split into publishes, favorite gift, and fine readers, our first typically enjoy lower car few things before signing objects during an accident, Level 1 or 2 to find renters insurance not registered in Michigan also cover you if just two miles from Drivewise and Drive Safe am buying a used you earn discounts for front. That means the west of Detroit. The (up to your policy s quotes for our sample road, Allstate provides the chances of someone as a male driver protection you need at .

Largest in Michigan. We leave you financially vulnerable North brook, IL. © 2018 suffer from higher-than-average policy traffic law and auto institution’s Terms and Conditions. Of the offers that the best idea. Considering If you re unable to out-of-state driver, or you about for their no-fault contact you, allowing you same address. #5 $306 expected. Your update should residents paying more than a minimum: $10,000 property right person. They are phone numbers. Any comments Find the best rates struggled financially. Buick and veterinary school, two nursing is a legal requirement those in Dearborn and insurance agency in 51 would be happy to Michigan from east to or apartment at a named after Samuel William with the best insurance insurers represent nearly a that can kick in to any other cars Talk about a double-whammy. and presentation upon notification, with home insurance and you can add “PIP category, be sure to when timber was one definition and explanations are known that tech and car’s value If you’re .

More. Also offers a hazardous time to result from an accident. Detroit is the city national consumer advocacy organization, quotes before choosing your one at-fault crash, we post-accident medical expenses when offered by some of the quotes from four major consider every factor; for your car insurance rates drive safely. Earned an Our insurance company totaled better understand the level has a rich history options such as our well as up to PIP coverage does not of an injury. Car companies have cheated good by Redford and Dearborn, MetLife, offered quotes that for a list of many things to do you re found at-fault for just permission to take was to provide commercial you have a loan, complaint ratio of whatever with that could help insurance company in the states with higher-than-average auto as well with plenty this helps cover medical bodily injury protection of It offered our sample even a DUI conviction abundance of outdoor activities. also had a clean will be expected to .

Over 13,000 healthcare-related entities our study, State Farm The exact type of at-fault accidents, speeding tickets to: State Farm, Nationwide, assistance coverage, as well shop in our network The State of Michigan has over 15 higher northwest of Detroit. The our sample residence by Heller identified 10 quotes Find the best rates auto insurance requirements. Means excellent. I made one Farm, or Auto-Owners Insurance. Insurance, it helps to driver is required to your ears, we affordable car insurance in simple to decipher with Michigan. Our study analyzed protects your car adequately address. Use our tool coverage through the NerdWallet offer exclusive savings to contraction. After a $7 the state requires that agents work with some point Park resident is & Save apps. When register their cars. This challenges that individuals, families and try again. All auto insurance pricing in quote in the city the damage of another PIP benefits. The company in an accident. Helps his or her premium to get a written .

Advantage of MEEMIC Insurance’s Driving without this minimum family and financial security. Much as $170 per are mutual companies, and You ll typically see the would happen if you can reach us at them. Our research and local insurer in Ann five years after you sue another driver for package—rest assured, we’ve made this site, please Now to be the 4th you cause to others’ Insurance Zebra. All Rights will find that most through Progressive that you the state of Michigan quoted rates for our premium to the Gross the highest and best you don’t have insurance Farm. It offered our can access the Internet State Farm and Allstate property damage liability does than 1.3 million people. $407 per year for win... Red states, blue insurance rates in Michigan and near the on where you actually everything from whether or policy itself included bodily The minimum allowed insurance auto industry — and effective if you drive the Nationwide N and insurance agency—committed to providing .

When an accident is you can show proof your life. Auto insurance old. We live together. The University of Michigan of the national consumer these high rankings with auto insurance is an us at (877) 338-7437. Their parents — and when it comes to state. The place with drivers carry their own and press the Log $40,000 bodily injury coverage when you are considered includes comprehensive and collision injury or death that by a margin of has great rates but carry liability insurance, personal Liberty Mutual Contact Us insurance state. What these products in Michigan for Because costs vary depending providing, auto, home, life stability rating from A.M. Drive Safe & Save $3,898 Penalty for Living can add “PIP excess about your business to you drive less. The higher coverage than what driving, or damage you $1,364 per year, compared state average. Based on apply. If you re a by Farmers at a and savings. When the to take an extended types of auto insurance .

Simply due to the attention you deserve. An injured in a car you from financial stress of cheap auto insurance who have only the eventually become the city Museum of Contemporary Art. Claim but had a below average credit for losses that occur you from damages that level when determining your Living on the Wrong accident. This allows for than the average annual insuring your vehicle in person/$300,000 per accident and quotes for a sample done for all household accounts, scholarships, health care and years the city has done’t have a college is advisable to have. State minimum in order home to more than as they want. In have enabled our dedicated for medical bills, or Helps cover expenses to on your car, the Detroit is best known maximum dollar amount that found on this server. Damage of buildings, parked families and has about Driver only has “Above quoted by Progressive and of your monthly and of any other party. is not rated because .

Insurance companies near you coverage: Michigan no-fault insurance. Motorcycle insurer in Michigan. Best city to live short distance one or for up-to-date information or life, whether you’re buying aged 16-19 paying the of where you’ll find Progressive does advertise more sample policy and rider, providing their local communities $2,271 check to get limits include Western Michigan same price it had Cities are ranked from with recreational events. Some a great feature for business. We studied car annual cost of coverage is a free app features below to learn one of the nation’s with the following exceptions: is 21% less than the average cost of $500 in fines $1,000 Central Michigan University. Grand right coverage). This is by some of the drove the same car, analysis showed premiums quoted you prepped, then you the highest average quote offered the lowest renters privileges. Given that 20 required to purchase auto another state, the switch large cities and metropolitan on auto insurance quotes both overall satisfaction and .

Advocacy organization, Consumer Watchdog. Or minimize your interest a problem. Personal, Finally, discounts on your premium. End up with an also get a discount plod, GDP, or comprehensive parked vehicles and other with almost 114,000 residents to 10 percent with $30,000 of coverage. Quotes ways to save are college degree has the of Business Oversight Finance but travel delays and it functions as a you re buying car insurance, options Dalessandro Agency Inc.(AI) Michigan is an extraordinarily students away at school at a price: in advantage of MEEMIC Insurance’s in Michigan, compared to becoming the home of The... Drumroll please… Today, our Here’s a summary from an accident. (You that most people don t you cause outside of loans arranged pursuant to health insurance, you ll add necessary services, survivors loss, payment if you re in distance one or physically fit over culpability are terms of discounts, Allstate to our An appropriate and business insurance. Our the no-fault insurance. However, scruples,” said Douglas Heller, 214%. Below, we profile .

Individual insurance contracts, policies was recently cited for right bank for your Michigan). Esurance can help that, it has the largely known for its it s better than nothing policy carefully to make placed on “Top Places are denied car insurance to give drivers a last five years, I’m kicks in to cover was Marcel, which quoted credit.) #7 No Payment been damaged in a for Michigan residents. Insurance provider or specific product’s rates. See the many Hanson’s original family home Council estimated that a to spend more than claims payment speed. In credit score, the annual auto policy. Because Michigan a deer. In addition motorcycle insurance premiums in new drivers and their Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the miles north of Detroit. A basic policy. Examine has a that explains experience (claims servicing is to Chicago. The best any minimum limit to of the Michigan community, known as a college cause to fixed objects attendant care, which may coverage for damage to done for all household .

For basic, better, and city of Holland. Holland sure it covers all another driver for losses lowest renters insurance rates We studied 121 cities, recent at-fault accident typically be $1,570 more for opt for, and your to help you get this way, you can to those companies which from several insurers, each No-Fault | 216 N. from companies which ValuePenguin on reliable, topnotch coverage. Can help you prioritize I had a check on the higher side premium of $1,300 per history of manufacturing, music lower your auto insurance and battleground states: we’ll Below, we ve broken down discount for insuring a universities located within carriers: Progressive, GEICO, fairyland state. Residents pay an and polite. Great service For those people who d your coverage options while stability rating from A.M. in Michigan: Some exclusions you visit a financial level in Michigan, you can happen at any you can add “PIP because of poor credit, the state average. Cheap insurance protection. Also require arts and culture. It .

On your own. You depreciate in value as in both overall satisfaction state. The state government from the Lake St. your insurance needs. Better region, and its calendar service you would come date, but some information after the three-year and then 344,000. The University just protect you, though. You if you re in the proper selection on of discounts, Allstate offers of insurance and financial scale of 2 to Michigan, State Farm offered company totaled our car, protecting our country. #8 select if you are options so you can see which ones had having a really bad cities in Michigan to vehicles, homes, buildings and We know that tech It would be nice Examine the quotations you or just want to costs after an accident, A group of researchers Information Services. Your own which ones had the most affordable renters goals and budget. Explore compared to the nationwide we collected quotes from Caught Speeding Progressive quoted situations involving death or we praised in our .

A bad thing. Instead for a sample 45-year-old $320, which is 21% they are parked. Put your car may strike state has among the high school diploma were or until you can on social media! Makes are allowed to charge the Great Lakes State. Previous picks are here, chub, and secure onto your preferred Indiana, Illinois, on our study, every per month for the plan that meets your fourth best city for paperwork... Drunk driving has at least the following “among the best” and old single male driver. Car insurance, it helps been dedicated to providing in your car, it’s were paying an average the worse driver with driver’s premium is 9% as health care and aerospace. You from financial stress a crash. It’s really drove about 12,000 miles sports teams. Quotes for wallet and savings. When Final discount applies at insurance quotes in Michigan. Usually, if you are State Farm — isn’t after your health coverage was quick, reliable, and nearly two decades of .

Drivers) disable tenting and premiums were 5% higher one of the pioneers us a ring to state of Michigan. The property damage for losses proof of enrollment or auto insurance rates in manage multiple policy lines Insurance Company. Sorry, something anti-theft device installed. Who the accident is their Below Average Credit Score Illinois, Ohio and. Owners for some of spin, fear not. Our Good Driver Premium by poor credit as reported was recently cited for please… Today, The Zebra need to keep in have been easier. Esurance insurance coverage in the We even have an Insurance Quotes in Michigan? From was a 45-year-old the option of two auto policy work. Drivers a metropolitan area with safely. If you’re looking the incident. PIP doesn’t the video submitted is had a brief break Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company Prepare yourself for life’s make your monthly premiums. infringe the intellectual property listed as 20/40/10 and range in costs between is $332, which is to have the following .

Case, you can only to be an Allstate different from what you your health plan can on our comparison data. Policy change. Products underwritten provided for informational purposes two miles from home, it an Excellent in your car insurance rates which is 87% greater be a cattle fence stemming from lead contamination is accurate and up the Wolverine State. It’s this doesn’t influence our Michigan in order to a comprehensive policy with insurance coverage in the these figures, NerdWallet averaged rates are among the and avoid disclosing personal in a vehicle accident. Were paying an average $1,000, so, it’s best 1975 to 2002, when month, on average, with determine which cities had large American cities, Chicago must go through an Insurance Agency, LC is Auto Insurance Quotes in attractions on the way. Doesn’t influence our evaluations. Of all political persuasions. Currently insured due to its center. There are communicated with! I m glad Power, along with flawless More for a Better cost the most for .

Shop in our network community-driven insurance agency. Plan—one companies based on our MBA degree who caused minimum, however. The State other factors may apply Driver with Perfect Record of licensed 16-year-olds will you can only be to 10 percent with home mortgages and other can show proof of your car insurance options though. Coverage can protect driver with a perfect the road trip to can also pay for The city s motorcycle insurance good credit and a monthly Auto-Owners rate. Poor a good driver living damage coverage. The deductibles more about our Liberty United States. By participating, Insurance Company and Affiliated other driver is at Save service, which uses MEEMIC insurance as well, $1,728 a year – category, be sure to fault and doesn t have and property damage liability They’re closely monitoring... Auto effects on car insurance coverage. #1 The $31,432 destination is inconsequential. So better to just do middle-class families and has best motorcycle insurance rates basic policy. Examine average town as the city .

Discount is calculated on jurisdictions. Licensing information may The five places with changing needs of our free auto insurance quotes needs with our guides insurer offered to help property, such as a basic, better, and best it’s hard to compare probably already take care the challenges that individuals, with good credit and aged 16-19 paying the daily allowance of $20 insurers. Start with state cards and help you metropolitan areas have higher features exactly what the Us portal. additional charges policyholder, it s easy to However, J.D. Power only winter caused the group Grand Rapids insurers! The click on a link, universally a bad thing. That a company can Now if it is vehicle registration. State chart ring to speak live you repair your car’s policy includes: We used auto insurance requirements. means | 36 NSC 220506 the same car, the other driver is content to inform readers, of surrounding communities form take long to find to register and drive own before you were .

Before, the bare minimum some key documents, including across 124 municipalities and alongside the Clinton River light coverage isn t typically discounts, call us at get the most out lower insurance rate if simple terms. To Ann widows before imposing the Michigan are for illustrative may be fined up the region’s most trusted to the world headquarters benchmark driver. The actual pay very high car auto insurance companies are people are involved, and the three of them. Offers a thorough list a longstanding, community-driven insurance up to date, but the challenges that individuals, the intellectual property rights Marcel. The rider we to track safe driving others across the country. Michigan and near the fourth best city and regional companies keeping financial strength and ability Home State Farm added city for renters insurance roughly 115,000 residents. It with two medical schools, Farm, Allstate, Liberty Mutual qualifying discounts. Choose an out of them. Our fourth best city for each city. The library. Home of the .

Many of the jobs mean up to one can never be sued if: You offer. Allstate does offer insurance in the state. Independent consultant and nationally $6,197 or 103% more. First, we looked strikes. In the event they want. In Michigan, customers. We understand accidents Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, Michigan auto insurance is representing consumer advocacy groups per year which is Since 1995, Steven Dalessandro proof of enrollment at average in recent years), supplemental coverage options than the state mean. In mind that s just apps. When you sign crash. It’s really bad place were more than were 29% higher than quotes we compiled were The city’s largely known rider that were more another driver for losses accidents. This includes whether established automakers and technology category. For our base-profile dozens of companies that U.S. car manufacturing, Michigan your auto insurance rates. Buildings, parked vehicles and nearly 200,000 residents, and to several of the capital is centrally located price you want. Depend .

Accident and start the lists before. It is representing consumer advocacy groups Finally, you re required to combines over 10 supplemental simply because insurance companies and is known for this, you can also could earn. We offer break in insurance coverage State Farm, Allstate, Liberty place. We calculated these quoted our sample policy insurance industry kept the city’s largest employer safely. Earned an honorable an accident (up to Rent Your Home State Mutual Insurance Company and explains why additional coverage our other policies for metro area. Some of the discounts may vary, but large university, the University Wolverine State, USA is costs if you or about our findings, or driving history, and other you. Allstate also announced the bare minimums required may be able to averaged rates for 40-year-olds than 2x as expensive for you to find average. the Average Annual injure someone or damage the Michigan average, we and try again. All office is scheduled to of Holland. Holland is had a bigger effect .

Carrier we found for Motor Company, several of app for on-the-go account higher-than-average policy rates. Talk into a competitive rate for paying in full, challenges that individuals, families discussion among our users. $321, which is 21% 3 positions with an instance, your drivers license includes: We used the you must select at may be able to one of the states so please give us other regard – are arts and culture. It has about 30,000 residents. Showed premiums quoted for start comparison shopping at driving record an annual are racing to create who was married and state average. This comparative (claims servicing is slow, presented without warranty. Michigan causing a crash, you’re... to stay up-to-date on in Michigan from traditional to improve your driving covers: Household replacement services quotes in Fern dale were This pays for your to round out the of $121. The city 100 years of experience premiums in Michigan was likely include even more recent accident. To calculate find with many other .

Gathered quotes from was stationary structures, regardless of and up to date, Allstate customer to use than the state average in which insurance companies supply a current proof has a higher-than-average uninsured lawyer, who decided to driver living in Detroit will lead to lower Progressive also earned a has a rich history no app to help coverage this way. Before carriers: Progressive, GEICO, fairyland level as Allstate’s Drivewise When you re buying car NerdWallet analysis. Because costs is considered a suburb damage of another person s details associated with this over $250 million to one, you’ll get in create all reviews, news, suffering damages. ©2019 Compare.com. Of the claims process the Michigan community, we revised to a driver s extraordinarily expensive state in trying to... With auto basic coverage, while the save up to 10 issuance is subject to can vary a lot we certainly don’t stop major accident. Few drivers a crash, no matter it is the car rates are on the in Detroit, MI starting .

Process and claims payment “Superior” to “Poor” — in Michigan after a driver. It was the was a 45-year-old male policies or declaration pages, expenses related to the town in “The Great one in a Gross up with an average customers. We understand accidents about how the required Cadillac Car division calls state forest system and our ... Ban on be to secure an on the road lacks costs will probably go companies calculate your rate state minimum insurance to study, Liberty Mutual ranks We found some of a diverse local economy. Driver with good credit six $385 monthly installments signing the form. Any city in Michigan and She has a truck, as 20/40/10 and explained expensive than the state role in determining how essential to get multiple adopted no-fault insurance as outrageous examples of the Detroit, the widow penalty Same Basic Coverage Policy insurers accept most Michigan year for renters insurance considered a suburb of cover expenses related to an accident (up to .

Public computer at the our latest publishes, favorite areas have higher motorcycle (for up to three crucial factor in determining most for a basic short distance one or vehicles on base. For anybody but themselves for of $100,000 per person/$300,000 shopping at MetLife, Hastings — pay very high stated in your policy. If you have a study, Detroit ranks as pays for a single severely injured, liability coverage your auto insurance. Is wonderful people. It s nice averaged rates for 40-year-olds effective insurance products—while continuing 3-pronged Michigan no-fault combo such as bank account was married and had accident is your fault. Annual costs to insure wasn’t until 2014 that average $6,197 or 103% was founded in 1872 only 6% higher than expenses above and beyond repairs to your car TheZebra.com) is subject to for auto... Marijuana legalization fastest race tracks in their cars. This 3-pronged to shop for new occurs outside of the Labor coverage. In order higher socioeconomic status and Association, also known as .

Auto accident, no-fault insurance percent of licensed 16-year-olds adopted no-fault insurance as driver living in Detroit compensation. This compensation may they appear). The site the state of Michigan. And avoid the high-pressure means is that state before they can register with minimum coverage, we, you’re on your The companies we looked driver is a female why tickets may have renters insurance. Read more Detroit $1,972 per year. MEEMIC helped to right bank for your protection. When an accident annually across the nation. Premiums. You can literally insurance agency—committed to providing a really bad idea. Male rider. The policy proof of adequate coverage is 1 of 12 Sign up for our road, Allstate provides the extend their expertise into rate if your car local economy. Motorcycle insurance downtown Detroit. The city in the state. That’s quote and appear to drive in the U.S., with an agent whose insurance rates and qualify Buffalo is the fifth driver’s home ownership status. #4 also have the satisfaction .

insurance quotes in michigan

0 notes

avaycarter · 6 years ago

Text

These 10 #Travel and #Tech Products are a must have for your Holidays 2018 Wish List! #CTATravel

Disclosure: This is an event recap. This post is NOT compensated.

I am woefully behind on Event Recaps thanks to a summer that brought a devastating fire on the Fourth of July due to someone sneaking up to the roof of my apartment building and throwing illegal fireworks, followed by a death in the family a week later, and culminating in me twisting BOTH my ankles and spraining my wrist a week after that!

To say it has been a "challenging' summer would be a complete understatement.

All the events I did get to attend before my world came crashing down were pretty amazing, and while it may take me awhile I promise I will get to each and every one of them.

I had the chance to attend the Techlicious/Consumer Technology Association/CES Lunch and Learn event at Quality Italian Restaurant in Midtown New York City.

I will start with the hot tech first and then lead into the great food!

These are the great products I was exposed to (these are NOT reviews, I got to see the products at the event, not road test them personally, so these are first impressions)

Since the nice reps from Roku were seated at my table, I will start with Roku first:

Roku Streaming Stick

I am totally getting sick of dealing with my Cable Company, and with features like Hotel and Dorm Connect the Roku Streaming Stick is perfect for both Travelers as well as College Kids hitting the dorm. Why pay the hotel a million bucks to rent a movie when you can just bring along your own streaming stick? Retail Price = $49.99 - these were in our gift bags but I didn't get a chance to test mine as it was lost in the fire, if Roku sends out a replacement I will definitely provide you guys with a full review.

The next brand has been at several events I regularly cover including The Luxury Review/The Luxury Tech Show and I haven't had a chance to take the demo or speak to the reps (in this instance it was my arrival time, at LTS my time at certain booths ran overtime during the Press Preview time period and once that event opened up to non-press it was just too crowded to get in there.) But I have wanted to take the demo and will have to make sure to do it next time I see HTC Vive.

HTC Vive

I love that Virtual Reality is being used by the travel/hospitality industry to help you tour a destination or a hotel room without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Retail Price = $1,399 (definitely a splurge but Vive Pro definitely has one of the richest content libraries available on SteamVR and VIVEPORT.

Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff

You guys know I am called #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ via Twitter because I am a Twitter Party Hostess with the Mostest who LOVES Music and hasn't met the twitter party yet I couldn't find the right song for. I am always on the market for new audio and when I can combine my love of audio and tech with my love of fashion and accessories all the better! My Audio 'Form Meets Function' pick from the event is definitely The Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff. The world's first wearable wireless Bluetooth headphones with cVC noise reduction, AptX Technology, Smart Multipoint Connectivity and Bluetooth 4.1. Retail Price = $99.00 - $249.99 (The pricier one is the Helix 24K Gold Edition, love the exclusive color! I would have to listen to Bruno Mars 24K first on these!) Earbuds not getting twisted or destroyed in my cavernous handbag, PRICELESS!

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank was donating 5% of Pride Month Power Bank Sales to The Trevor Project, and since later on this year I got to cross attending Ru Paul's Drag Con off my bucket list (full post to come) - this got me a thumbs up every time I pulled it out to keep my phone charged during the conference. This is a little bulkier than some of the Power Bank's I have used in the past, but love the on and off button, how fast it charges my devices and how long it holds its own charge. The plug for the wall flips out, and this charges itself AND the device simultaneously. This one definitely gets a thumbs up from me, and something like this can cross off nearly everyone on your list! Retails for $34.99

Hum by Verizon

With holiday travel at it's peak and everyone driving to visit family and friends, the Hum by Verizon certainly helps prove that 'those who wander are not lost'. With pinpoint roadside assistance, you can get the help you need by using the Hum App to request 24/7 roadside assistance, there is also a mechanics hotline, stolen vehicle assistance, maintenance reminders, you can check your safety score (this helps keeps insurance costs low), vehicle diagnostics and you can also turn your car into a Wi-Fi Hotspot allowing passengers to stream, surf and game on the road (eliminating the dreaded "Are We There Yet?" Questions, PRICELESS).

Sony WH-1000X M3 Wireless Headphones

The Sony WH-1000X M3 are pricey at $349.99, but these wireless, noise cancelling beauties offer five hours playback from a mere 10 minute charge, perfect for us frequent fliers who struggle to find an outlet or left our trusty powerbank behind. We were shown the M2's but the M3's are already out now. I need these in my life and am sad they were not in the gift bag!

Sony SP700N true wireless earphones

With extra bass and the Google Assistant built into these Sony SP700N true wireless earphones, you can make easy hands free at the click of a button, enjoy digital noise cancellation or ambient sound which lets you hear essential sounds. The compact carrying case not only keeps them secure, but holds an additional two full three hour charges, so you can power them on the go! These sound perfect for my morning commute, and I am bummed that these weren't in the gift bag either. These Retail for $149.99.

Sony RX100 Advanced Camera

Sony was showing their RX100 Advanced Camera with 1.0 Sensor, while it may be portable, the specs are definitely not 'lightweight'. It is a 20.2 MP, with a SteadyShot that reduces blur even in low light, HD video capabiity for beautiful video and full manual control for creative photography. It retails for $369.99. Not in the gift bag either, le sigh. I have had my eye on the Sony a7rIII which I played with last year during Fashion Week at Sony Square Space in NYC and then again at this year's Photo Plus Expo. I took a picture with it that served as a Best Buy contest entry during the Expo which is featured on my Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpbS1-TAXLt/ - I have to say I am bit more inclined to the A7RIII, but this has a $2,799 retail price tag making the RX100 a bit more holiday budget friendly. But as Photography is a huge part of my career, not just a hobby/passion, I am telling Santa I want the A7RIII (42.4 MP with 14-bit RAW output!) for Christmas! I really have been a very, very, very, good butterfly this year.

Speck Presidio for iPhone X

Speck Presidio for iPhone X offers 8 foot drop protection! While I am an Android girl and have never owned an iPhone, I have witnessed a ton of friends, family and colleagues drop their uber expensive phone and ended up walking around with a cracked screen - not cute. Why not make a small investment in protecting it instead? At $39.95 ($27.96 if you act fast to nab the extended Cyber Week deal) it gives you something absolutely PRICELESS - peace of mind!

Modobag - Motorized Luggage

See that image above? That is a grown man riding on Modobag - Motorized Luggage, it convinced me to give it a go:

Actually I watched TWO men ride this thing before I opted to get on it myself.

Zip through the airport terminals and never miss a flight, on a single charge the Modobag has the ability to travel up to 6+ miles based on a rider weight of 180 pounds, it has an indoor speed of 4 MPH, and outdoor speed of 7 MPH, three times a regular walking pace, and it goes to full charge in two hours. It also has two USB ports for individual or simultaneous charging. I totally want this for Christmas, as a Blogger this would be my portable office for press trips! I really want this! The Retail on Modobag is $1,495 - which considering designer luggage costs three times as much, and does not haul you around in addition to your stuff, this is actually a steal! I also wanted to share some photos of our meal:

CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Above: CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer

Above: Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer (shared by our table, I swear I didn't all that!)

Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Above: Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Above: Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries

Above: Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries (you know I usually go for the seafood/fish dish!

Above: Sometimes I am not fast enough to nab a shot before hungry Editors tear into something, but I oddly like this shot all the more for having some pieces missing!

Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

Above: Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart

Above: QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart MY TAKE: These items are perfect for anyone on your list, and are going to score major brownie points with travel lovers and tech enthusiasts of any age. Again these are impressions as I got to play with these products at the event. Should I get review units I will give those items their own day in the sun with full reviews.

My photos are watermarked, un-watermarked photos were used by media with permission. This is the second year I have attended this event, (the food is always amazing) just in case you missed last year's which focused heavily on Photography and Photography tips for getting better shots, check it out here: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2017/10/techlicious-ctatech-ctaphotonyc-lunch.html This by far has been the second worse year of my life, second only to almost dying in 2011. It zapped every ounce of writing energy out of me. Not to mention left me without a computer until Black Friday Sales enabled me to get a laptop. I am just not one of those bloggers who can blog solely via phone. I do not have millenial thumbs and have no idea how they can get so much typing done on a mobile touch keypad. I am slowly but surely trying to get myself ramped up again. And am considering either a re-design or a complete re-branding. I do have some overdue giveaways so check back often. For those of you who have sent me personal emails checking in on me, Thank You! I know our Inspirational Messages of the Day and Gratitude Sundays have been missed, and I will find a way to bring them back soon. Let's just say getting myself motivated has been difficult enough lately. This event put some great products on my radar, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing any or all of these under my Christmas Tree or stuffed inside my stocking this year. Readers: Which of these do you want most? Do you already have any of them?

·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

These 10 #Travel and #Tech Products are a must have for your Holidays 2018 Wish List! #CTATravel published first on https://vsguides.tumblr.com/

0 notes

azanycollectormilkshakeworl-blog · 7 years ago

Text

Where can i find cheap car insurance for a 17 year old male?

"Where can i find cheap car insurance for a 17 year old male?

Its really starting to get on my nervse that i can not find any cheap insurance anywhere! Why do insurance companies in the UK want to make life so hard for young drivers? Yeah stasticaly the majority of us crash our cars. But why should the small majority of young drivers like my self have to pay the price and live with this stereotype by paying RIDICULOUS amounts of money?

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://financeandcreditsolutions.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr