Waiting out the Rain, Winchester Virginia (May 23, 2024)

Winchester, Virginia May 23, 2024

Waiting out the Rain...

Here is a conglomerate of fotos and videos from the time since Charlene joined me on May 11 in Miami.





Our 2nd day in Key West, May 12.  We're on the Freedom Ferry heading towards the Dry Tortugas National Park.

Dry Tortugas National Park


Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park felt like diving into history and nature all at once. The islands were first charted by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513, who named them "Tortugas" because of the abundance of sea turtles. One interesting fact is that "Dry" was later added to the name to indicate the lack of fresh water. Fort Jefferson, which we got to explore, is a massive 19th-century fort built to protect the shipping lanes between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. It was never actually finished, but it still stands as one of the largest brick structures in the Americas. The park became a national treasure in 1992, and snorkeling around its vibrant coral reefs and wandering through the historic fort was an unforgettable experience.









When Fort Jefferson was fully battle ready, it was equipped with 420 heavy guns, strategically positioned to cover all approaches by sea. These included massive 15-inch Rodman guns and 10-inch Parrott rifles, capable of firing explosive shells over several miles to defend the critical shipping channels through the Florida Straits.













Southern most point in the continental United States


Visiting the Southernmost Point marker in Key West was a cool experience, knowing we were just 90 miles from Cuba. The vibrant buoy made for a great photo spot and highlighted how far south we had traveled in the U.S.

Key West Butterfly Conservatory

Walking through the Key West Butterfly Conservancy was like stepping into a tropical paradise, surrounded by fluttering wings and lush greenery. Seeing so many colorful butterflies up close was a magical experience, and the tranquil atmosphere made it a perfect escape from the bustling streets of Key West.




































































Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Countdown to March 29 Launch

Image
I am embarking on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International.  Please consider supporting me – learn more here  Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ It was suggested that starting this blog and recording my retirement ride might incentivize people to contribute, and so here I am.  (Conny, you know who you are!)  It is 4 weeks today till I embark on my retirement ride that I am hoping serves dual purposes; to usher in the next chapter of my life, and to raise funds for children in need by supporting the charity Children International.  I have been a supporter of Children International since 1991 and have sponsored several children since then.   I have been very fortunate in my life, by the luck of being born into my fa
Read more

Videos Part II

Image
I have embarked on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International.  Please consider supporting me – learn more here  Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 3, 2024 Just a view of the effects of the rain here.  Most of the towns along the Transpeninsular don't have paved roads nor do the businesses facing the highway.  This makes for careful conservation as to where I can pull over in these towns. Just a little more mud... Just a little of what I am seeing on the Carratera Transpeninsular Apparently riding in the US for 2 years with the tourpack has not prepared it for use on the Transpeninsular highway.
Read more

Hidalgo del Parral, Guachochi, Batopilas, Creel

Image
I  have embarked on what I hope will be a 4 month, 17,000 mile motorcycle ride through the US and parts of Mexico and Canada to visit family and friends and to benefit Children International.  Please consider supporting me – learn more here  Will's Charity Ride for Children International - PledgeIt _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ April 14, 2024 This blog post covers this itinerary from my arrival in Hidalgo del Parral late on April 7 after 415 butt numbing miles from Matzatlan through the adventures riding in the wind to Guachochi, down the canyon to Batopilas and back up including what happens when an 850lbs motorcycle stops moving forward going up a rocky steep incline, to the adventures in the Copper Canyon Adventure Park, meeting 3 cool young Chihuahuahenses on April 12.
Read more