Then off to rafting!

I didn't need to write much of anything about my return from Sweden (which was pretty much uneventful). Of course, homecoming was a bit drawn out, as Dawn was on her way to work as my plane landed in Pellston. So we didn't actually see each other until the next morning.

However, two days after returning, I headed out for a bit of fun with a couple of school buddies (Tom & Jim) for a bit of White Water Rafting in West Virginia. We had signed up for a two day trip with Class VI River Runners (a top-notch outfit!). The big draw there is the Gauley River, where the Army Corps of Engineers maintains the level of a man-made lake behind the Summersville Dam by dropping the lake level over the 6 weeks starting in September. This causes the river to rise during the day, creating awesome White Water as well as lowering the level behind the dam to be prepared for next spring's winter melt.

I've gone two times before with my brother, and was disappointed when Gerald couldn't join us this time out.

Only had a few digital camera pictures from the trip, though a disposable camera was used on the river itself.

Day One:
We figured out the world is pretty small. We drove from Northern Michigan to raft with a group of 42 other people. Two of them were put in the same boat as us (Sarah & Jeff). Turns out Sarah was from da U.P. (Brimley), though they now live in Ann Arbor.

Our guide (Reid) was certainly able to put us where he wanted to during the entire voyage! We were thankful to have such a nice guy at the helm.

Couple shots off the river that day at two of the Class V's:


Thought about purchasing the first picture, as it is a pretty good shot of what looks like a bunch of guys getting dumped out of the boat. Jeff was worried that his slamming into me was a problem, but the best part of the story is that we all stayed in!

After lunch, we found "the jumping rock". The way the raft approaches, you can decide to get out, walk a bit over 100 feet following the river, then you have to jump. It is about 18' from where you stand to the top of the water, and is pretty freaky to stand there, looking down. If anyone knows Tom and his issue with heights, you'll know it was pretty difficult to get him to jump! This picture does not do the height justice, as it simply looks like Jim is stepping into the water.


At camp:


The view on the other side of the river from camp (at the "Canyon Doors"):


Day two:
First thing, Reid took us to a 'surf hole', where the eddies and current cause the upstream water to fold under and actually draws some of the downstream water upstream with it. Reid placed our raft into the center of that, and we rode it longer than any other raft in our group. It had to be over 3 minutes! In fact, I think Reid was getting worried he'd be able to pull us out of there. It was really something to see the water roiling over the front of the raft (as well as Tom & Sarah!). It was awesome!


Once we got off the river after the second day, we visited the famous span over the New River. It was getting late in the day, so the sun was directly behind the subject. I was surprised how some of the images came out on my digital camera, and have to share them:



On our way home Tom was saying how things could be different "next time", which is encouraging to me that the weekend was enjoyed by all, certainly worth repeating!

Saturday: a day of shopping

I took way too many pictures to be able to post them all here. To start getting towards the city center, I got to pass through their University grounds:




Then, I arrive at the Paddan boat tour. Look! I see the boat hasn't left yet, so this must be a good sign, right?


Wrong! The sign on the window:


I guess it's been raining too much these days, so the boats cannot get under the bridges! What's up with that?

Well, gotta see something, so I keep walking along the canal, knowing I'll end up at the shopping center eventually.



Then, inside the mall there was an interesting character. He'd freeze from time to time, then as people walk by end up startling them as he came to life.


As you know, it wouldn't take much for me to say "Enough shopping"!
Time to head back, taking more pictures along the way.



It took me over 4 hours to make the circuit through town, pretty much didn't stop walking the whole time. I didn't dare try to figure out the bus system, as I'd probably get myself taken someplace out of town!
I drew my route on the map below. Appears it was at least a 5 mile jaunt.

and a couple days later...

Took a picture from the conference room, looking out to the sea. And down to the parking lot.


One of the guys told me "oh, yeah, the hotel with the huge mural". Well I didn't see it (which is possible from the highway) because I'm too busy trying to get the right exit! Anyway, quite the size when standing across the street!


While I was in stop-and-go rush hour traffic, I saw this:


When I returned to the hotel Friday, I saw fair skies (after it rained most of the day) so I made a panoramic from the top of the parking structure:

I also switched rooms, just so I could get a different view. Now what you see above is what I can see from my room.

I ended up taking this photo at a McDonald's, as you can see: Shrek is here too! (sorry about the blur, otherwise you'd be able to make out the small print under each character)


Oh, yeah, I learned the smallest cars on the street here are made by Mercedes and are the "Smart" model. Learn more by clicking into this Wikipedia link. It seems these cars might find their way the the States early next year!


Well, I was given some ideas on what to do for the weekend, so I have the Liseberg Amusement Park (right outside my window!) and Paddan boat tours to chose from so far. Oh, yeah, I was told to check out Nordstan for shopping. What I got out of the Nordstan link is they have 8 city blocks as the shopping center, with 2700 parking spaces in the parking structures. The first couple pages of the link include some pictures of the mall area.

Tour of the town

One of the guys here took me out dinner and to show me the layout of the town. Some of the many photos I took can be found here, starting with awesome architecture:


A statue who's name roughly translated is "copper mare". Then Michael had to laugh and point out that it is a stallion!


One of the older buildings (1750), now converted to a museum:


A really cool church building:


A replica of "East Indiaman Götheborg", a ship sunk in 1745. This one was built over the course of 8 years, starting in 1995. It then sailed to China, retracing the path of the original ship. Read more about it (like I did).

Going to work

The drive to work is away from the city center, so most of the traffic is in the opposite direction -- best place for it!

If you ignore the "km/h", this would be an impressive photo!


The place I'm visiting sits on top of a huge hill. Quite the hike, actually.
It is rather pretty area, makes me think of Harbor springs, with the expensive summer homes and green trees. Nearby dinning is about 1/2 mile walk to a golf course restaurant.

Monday night - Pizza!

Got to try the Swedish version of Pizza (with Ham, Onion & Beef)

Pictures from my walk

The hotel I'm staying at:


There is a rather large festival park within a half mile walk:



And some of the cars on the streets:

Travel to Sweden

I’ve made it to Gothenburg, and found my hotel!
That was a trick.  Of course I got lost – took the
wrong exit!  Got all scrambled around, kinda
backtracked by getting off then back on the highway.
Went back an exit, got off and (hope you are sitting
down!) asked for directions!  Can you believe it?  I
went into a Shell gas station and actually asked where
I was.  I had a map from National, and I had figured
out where the hotel was on there, so I just needed to
know where I was to finish getting there. 
Funny thing was, after I asked for help from the
attendant, a girl asked for me to help her father hook
a trailer onto his car.  They couldn't figure out how
to lift up the jack.  Of course the questions were spewing
in Swedish, but as soon as I said "English please" she
switched gears without skipping a beat.  Luckily jacks
work in Europe the same as they do in the states so I
could actually help.

Then (instead of crashing, because I’m running on less
than an an hour or sleep) I went for a walk.  Quite a
long walk, because I went back out to the highway and
see the actual exit number I was supposed to take.
According to the Google map, I went over 3 km round
trip.  And found a huge festival/park.  They have
roller coasters, a demon drop and I could hear some
kind of live music.

Now that I have my bearings, I might be able to leave
here and get back here.  I just need to find the
office on the other end in the morning.

So, I think now I'm going to go downstairs and find
something to eat for dinner in the restaurant.  I
don't want to drive again today!