HELL'S CANYON JET BOAT EXPEDITION!

I grew up back in the last century, in a very conservative family, where profanity was not tolerated.  The only time I heard the word "hell" was when the preacher at church mentioned it in his sermons, and even then, it caused my mother's eyes to widen---fearful I would start using the word regularly in my conversation.  However, for someone who grew up on the border of Washington and Idaho, along the Snake River, they have probably become desensitized to the word, because they have heard the name "Hell's Canyon" all their lives!  These souvenir glasses that say "Beamers Hells Canyon Tours" would not have been a good choice for my parents!

Likewise, a tee shirt I saw in the Beamer's gift shop, referencing the popularity of their location, would not have been suitable attire in the home where I grew up!

However, my father DID love boats, and enjoyed going fast, then turning the boat quickly to scare his family----so I think he would have also enjoyed a jet boat ride down the Snake River on a VERY fast boat, that made VERY quick turns!  A photo of the jet boat I was on, is shown below:

Some of the guests who ride the jet boat are doing so as a "side excursion" from their inland-waters cruise ship, that docks just steps from the Beamers Dock, in Clarkston, Washington:

The day that I took the jet boat tour, the cruise ship was preparing to depart, so all the guests on the Beamers boat, were tourists like me, who drove their car to the access point:

The body of water we are on is the Snake River, and is part of a federal government designated National Recreation Area, made up of 652,000 acres, so you might say its human population density per square mile is very low!!  I have visited similar "waterfront" property locations around the world, where every square inch of the surrounding hillsides are covered with houses, but that is not the case along this stretch of the Snake River!

I have read that Hell's Canyon has the deepest gorge in North America, but I am glad I am not the one in charge of making the measurements to determine if it is a true statement!

The boat I was on, traveled over 30 miles on the river,  passing through soaring canyon walls, as shown in photo above.

One
of the two stops we made on our jet boat expedition, was at an official Visitors Center of the Hells Canyon Recreation Area.  It had a nice dock to moor our boat, and also a small beach where visitors could swim and wade, if desired:

The Visitor's Center had several exhibits, with artifacts, and accompanying explanations, that told about the history, geology, and culture of this expansive National Recreation Area. 

This river map is helpful because it shows mileage on the far right side; however, it can be a bit confusing because "SOUTH" is at the top of the map, and "NORTH" is at the bottom of the map.  One thing you can see on the map, is that there is a certain point on the river, where the corners of the three states---Idaho, Oregon, and Washington---all come together.

When we were back on the river, our guide told us that this yurt is the "landmark" they use to tell guests, they are currently traveling over that part of the river where the three states have adjoining borders.  Of course,  there were no markers in the middle of the river with such a designation!  (Unlike the "Four Corners" landmark designation, marking the point of land where the 4 Southwestern  states of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah come together.)   Notice there are no roads providing access to this yurt, so I am assuming the access for its owners to visit it, is from the river.

This swim beach we passed by also is self-limiting, because there were no roads leading to it.  

However, we did go through one part of the river that was beside a paved road, and as you can see from the number of cars, visitors without boats were making good use of the opportunity to enjoy some waterside recreation.

Rafting the river is a popular activity, and there are several commercial outfitters who provide such trips.  These folks were all waving at our jet boat as we zoomed past them.
 

When we arrived at the dock that provided access to our lunch location, we were able to get a close-up look at the famous U.S. Mail boat that Beamers operates.  For more than 100 years (they started in 1919), Beamers has operated what they call "The best mail route in the world!", as they deliver mail along the Snake River of Hells Canyon.  Guests can purchase tickets to ride along on the mail boat, as well as the regular tourist boat.  Note the boat also shows their website. 

The photo below, shows what the facility looks like from the river, where we were scheduled to have our lunch, which was included in the price of our ticket.

The photo below shows the upper story of the building, which has windows that look out onto the river.  The bottom floor has a gift shop and clean restrooms, which were a welcome sight, after a long and bumpy ride on the river!

One of the reasons this area receives protection from the federal government is because of its unusual and diverse geological features, and rich geologic history.  The photo below shows an example of columnar basalt: 

 

The climate of the Hells Canyon Recreation Area is sometimes nicknamed "The Banana Belt", because its very low elevation provides mild temperatures, in spite of being north of the 45th parallel.  The abundance of apples growing on this tree along the river indicates there will soon be a plentiful harvest of some delicious fruit.  I am using this image as the visual aid to help me learn my First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) memory verse that says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into this harvest field."  Luke 10:2

Even though it is a paradox of words, this expedition in Hell's Canyon, was "heavenly", in terms of being able to enjoy another beautiful part of the God's Great Outdoors!  The photo below showing me with a "thumbs up", on the back of the Beamer's Jet Boat, shows I was a very happy customer!   It was an expedition that gave me numerous "RIVER MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE EXPEDITION!

If you want to visit the place where this photo of me was taken, you will need to head to St. Mary's, Georgia.  The town is the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The town is located on the banks of St. Marys River, which empties out into the Atlantic Ocean, just a mere six miles away.  For this reason, it serves as a prime location for not only pleasure water craft, but commercial boats as well.  With such a strategic location, one can understand why its settlement goes back to the mid-sixteenth century, when the Spanish first occupied the area. 

The town has a lovely waterfront park, that is good for bicycling, running, walking, or just relaxing, as you watch the people on land and the boats in the water. 

The waterfront is also the home to the Visitor Center for the Cumberland Island National Seashore ( www.nps.gov/cuis ).  This is where you can purchase a ticket to ride the ferry boat to Cumberland Island.  Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island.  It has pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, and wide marshes.  Native Americans, missionaries, enslaved African Americans, and wealthy industrialists all walked here.  The island has over 9,800 acres of Congressionally-designated wilderness. 

The Visitor Center has a nice gift shop, viewing platform for the ferry, and clean restrooms.  In addition to these amenities, there are exhibits that tell about the history of the area, including a significant battle that was fought nearby, during the War of 1812. 

Another point of interest along the riverfront, is the St. Marys Submarine Museum ( www.stmarysubmuseum.com ) It is the largest museum of its size in the South, and has exhibits of interest to young and old alike, including a periscope, simulated control room, and examples of sleeping/dining spaces on a submarine.  The museum displays items from both United States and foreign military submarines.

It is only fitting that St. Marys has a submarine museum, because the town borders the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base.  This sign is a reference to one of the subs that call Kings Bay their home---the USS Maryland (SSBN 738).  This particular vessel is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, with the nickname "Fighting Mary".  Since the military submarines are called "The Silent Service", I am using this image to help me learn one of my First Place 4 Health memory verses ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) that says, "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."  Exodus 14:14.  When I was researching information for this article, I was intrigued when I saw that the submarine base is adjacent to Grover Island, since I have a family member with the name, Grover. I learned on Wikipedia that Grover Island was our country's first National Forest Preserve!  It was so designated by President John Adams, because its live oak forests supplied the necessary building components for America's naval vessels, such as the USS Constitution. 

A good place to start your visit to St. Marys is the Welcome Center.  There one can get the necessary information needed to fully learn abut the community, and get the map/brochures to guide you  through the National Historic District.  Their phone number is 866-868-2152.

There are at least two historic churches located in St. Marys.  The First Presbyterian Church (shown in this photo) is the oldest Presbyterian Church in Georgia, and its building is the oldest continually used church building in the state, having been in use since 1808.  In addition, the Christ Episcopal Church Historic Chapel had a founding congregation that dates back to 1843.  They constructed a church between 1845-46.  It was burned during the Civil War, but reconstructed in 1889. 

Another historic building is Orange Hall.  Its architecture is a good example of the temple form of a Greek Revival dwelling. It was completed in 1838, and has undergone extensive work to restore it to the beautiful appearance one sees today.  The name "Orange Hall" comes from the fact the home was surrounded by orange trees.  Orange Hall is open for tours, and one can phone 912-576-3644 to get current prices and hours of operation.

The St. Marys Railroad offers themed train rides, as well as a train museum.  You can learn more at their website---www.stmarysrailroad.com

Adjacent to the railroad, is the Theater by the Trax.  A group of very dedicated volunteers are currently offering a live production called "River of Life".  Their website says performances will make the history of St. Marys come alive through song, dance, comedy, and drama.  It is both fun and educational. 

At the time of this visit, the tall sailing ship shown in this photo was docked, and available for visitors to board.  It is a barquentine, which means it is a sailing schooner with 3 or more masts. 

The sign tells us that the name of the ship is The Peacemaker, and it was owned by The Twelve Tribes Communities ( www.twelvetribes.org ).  This is a religious community that has around 50 communities in North America, South America, Europe, and Australia.  It is available for festivals and dockside events, which explains why it was currently moored at St. Marys. 

The Twelve Tribes use the boat to travel between their communities, while providing apprenticeship for their youth in sailing, seamanship, navigation, and boat maintenance.  As a seaman, one needs to know how to spell with Maritime Signal Flags, as well as the computer.  There is no "spell check" for communicating with these flags, so it is important to learn the language correctly!

I took this photo of my friend, Diane, coming out of the ship's large deckhouse, finished in mahogany.  We also visited the galley, and seemed to be un-noticed by a family with small children, who were having their lunch.  They told us they were part of the live-aboard crew. 

Unlike the Peacemaker gangplank, there were no welcoming signs to come visit the boat at the end of this dock.  We decided it must be some type of government or law enforcement boat, since it had the familiar blue strip across the front.  At one time, this was an official "Port of Entry" for the U.S., as the St. Marys River forms the winding border between the states of Florida and Georgia, before it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. 

We had hoped to do some kayaking in the Cumberland National Seashore area, but alas, the rain ( and running short on time) made us decide against it, in spite of this cheery looking kayaker below,  inviting us to join the fun!

There are kayak outfitters that can set you up with guided trips on St. Marys River, that can last from a couple of hours to all day.  Likewise, experienced paddlers can arrange to paddle all the way to the tip of Cumberland Island.  However, this presents some challenges due to the extreme tidal variations and strong currents in the ocean waters surrounding Cumberland Island.  Those notes of caution were enough to make me think I will take the ferry!

I am very thankful for this visit to the gateway of Cumberland Island National Seashore, and the town of St. Marys, Georgia.  It gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!!   Tricia

FRENCH LICK/WEST BADEN EXPEDITION!

This group of 4 colored wrist bands, represent four days of "COVID19 screening test victories" that I am very thankful I was able to wear, while a guest at the magnificent French Lick Springs Resort.  At a time when the tourism industry was in a free fall, due to the COVID19 Pandemic, French Lick Springs Resort, hosted a tourism convention, that was the first of its kind in the U.S., since the pandemic was recognized in March, 2020.  The resort management, and the organizers of the convention ( grouptravelfamily.com ), wanted to take every necessary precaution to ensure a safe gathering:  this included a virus health screening and temperature check, each day a guest was on the property.  Getting approved each day for a new colored bracelet, was as valuable to me at the time, as a solid gold bracelet would be!

This photo shows the magnificent wrap-around porch that adorns the front of the French Lick Springs Hotel, located in the town of French Lick, Indiana.  This hotel is part of a 3,000 acre complex that includes two hotels, 3 golf courses, riding stables, 30 miles of hiking trails, a rail trolley, health spas, a bowling alley, volleyball/badminton courts, casino, and numerous restaurants.  

This photo shows the entrance to the second hotel on the property---the West Baden Springs Hotel.  As an explanation of the phrase "Carlsbad of America", at the time the archway was built, Carlsbad was a famous European spa.  The purpose of the advertisement was to show that Americans did not need to travel to Europe for their health spa experience, it could be found in southern Indiana.  The name "West Baden" was chosen because it sounds like the name of the German town of Weisbaden.  Notice the black metal gates preventing driving onto the resort.  They have been erected since the start of the pandemic, when the resort was forced to completely shut down during spring, 2020.  It only reopened to guests in June, and the conference I was attending was the first one they had hosted since pandemic precautions were enacted .

Everyone entering any of the buildings first had to be screened with a health questionnaire, and a temperature check of their forehead, by a "no contact" battery-operated digital thermometer.  If you passed this screening, you were given a colored wrist band, that was good only for that day.  Also, the numerous entrances onto the property were locked, so that everyone was required to go through the entrance where the health screener was located.  

The slight inconvenience of these entrance requirements were MORE than worth it, when one was inside the atrium of the West Baden Springs Hotel!  This 200 foot dome had the title of world's largest free-spanning dome, when it was built in 1902.  It remained the largest dome in U.S. until completion of the coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1955.  Besides being on the list of National Registry of Historic Places, and National Historic Landmark, it is also designated as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.  As you can see from the spaciousness of the seating arrangements, it was very easy to do the "six foot social distancing" the CDC guidelines were recommending.  It is not surprising that this dome space was once named the "Eighth Wonder of the World."  The entire resort complex has undergone an amazing transformation, following a $560 million restoration project.  It was the largest historic restoration project in Indiana history, and one of the largest privately funded preservation projects in the United States!

All the French Lick employees were wearing masks when they were inside, and this employee is holding the digital thermometer she used to check the temperature of those entering the building.  Only those who were overnight guests of the property could come inside.  This is another precaution implemented during the pandemic, as normally, visitors are welcome to walk through the historic hotel lobbies to observe their priceless decor.  

When I got checked into the hotel, and made it to my room, I was delighted to see there was a Gideon Bible in the bedside table!  There is an old country music song that says, I only want to stay in a hotel where that man---Gideon---has left his book, and I feel the same way!

The towns of French Lick and West Baden have a small population of about 2,400 residents, and the resort employs about 1,700 of those residents! (pre-COVID19)  One of the most famous of the area's former residents is NBA legend, Larry Bird.  There is a bust of his likeness at his high school Alma mater:

The resort employees were very visible, frequently disinfecting surfaces that were high-touch areas---doorknobs, faucet handles, toilets, light switches, etc.,  Plus, there were dispenser bottles of hand sanitizer on just about every counter or table throughout the hotel!  The employees seemed happy to be back on the job, because many had been furloughed during the initial shutdown of the hotel.  

There are many ways to explore the French Lick Resort campus.  This photo shows the resort manager, Joe Vezzoso, (Director of Operations) taking a phone call outside, beside the four-person pedal "Surrey Bikes" that are available to guests.  Mr. Vezzoso is to be commended for agreeing to his property being the site of the conference, because it was a "last minute" choice, when two previous cities in other states where the conference was scheduled to be held, were forced to withdraw their invitation, due to state-mandated restrictions on travel and tourism.  So a big THANK YOU to Joe Vezzoso!  He and his staff did a MAGNIFICENT job of facilitating a smooth-running conference location!

Another way to get around the resort property ( as well as trips into the nearby downtown ) is the motorized trolley.  Of course, one needed to have their mask on to ride the trolley.

Yet another way to get around the resort is the railroad car trolley that makes the one mile trip between the French Lick Springs Hotel and the West Baden Springs Hotel.  This is the type trolley where the conductor simply changes locations between front and back, depending on which direction the trolley is going.  As you can see from the photo below, I was the only one riding the trolley on this day!  (It had only recently resumed operation, being completely shut down during the Phase 1 of pandemic precautions)

The rail trolley dates from around 1924, and underwent a complete restoration to make it suitable for resort guests.  Another way to get around the resort is via bicycle.  The gazebo logo on all the bikes represents the gazebo over Pluto Springs, that is located in the gardens behind the French Lick Springs Hotel.  

This lovely brick-covered street, lined with carefully tended flowers,  provides an impressive entrance to the West Baden Hotel.  A pedestrian does not need to be concerned about dodging motorized vehicles on this section, because it is currently closed off to that type of transportation.

Throughout the resort complex, there are placards that give historical tidbits about the resort's history. For example, this placard claims the hotel restaurant is the "Birthplace of Tomato Juice".  That is because tomato juice is said to have been served for the first time at the hotel in 1917, when chef Louis Perrin ran out of orange juice and needed an alternative. 

The photo below shows the Pluto Spring House gazebo, that serves as the graphic design for the resorts logo.  Water from this spring was bottled, and called "Pluto Water".  It was a best-selling laxative of the first half of the 1900's. However, production of Pluto Water ceased in 1971 after lithium, a naturally occuring mineral in the water, became classified as a controlled substance to treat bipolar disorder.  Other active ingredients of Pluto Water were sodium and magnesium sulfate---the same ingredients in the infamous bowel-clearing prep, given to patients before a colonoscopy.

The expansive banquet room at the French Lick Springs Hotel was just what was needed so that attendees could spread out, and maintain social distancing.  Another change from previous conferences I have attended is that there were only four people per round table, instead of the usual eight per table.

Another section of the conference center served as the location for appointments between buyers and sellers of tourism-related services.  Plexiglass shields, hand sanitizer wipes, and six foot spacing , made appointments comply with COVID19 precautions.  Because this facility did such an outstanding job of handling our conference, I would recommend you visit their website, ( frenchlick.com ), to plan a trip to their outstanding location!

I am using the photo of the cross atop this church in downtown French Lick, as the visual aid to help me learn one of my First Place 4 Health ( firstplace4health.com ) memory verses that says, "From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus."  Galatians 6:17   As we go forward in light of the COVID19 Pandemic, we can be sure it will cause some (economic) bruises that will make a "mark".  But if we can look at those marks as "battle scars" against obstacles that we have fought and overcome, we can claim the hope that Jesus' death on the cross assures us.  He took the penalty for our sins, and through belief in Him, we can get through whatever the future holds.  Having this promise from God, gives me "MILES OF SMILES"!