About Me

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We are known as PaWingers or just The Wingers by our Geocaching friends. When we found our first cache we had to come up with a name to log the find. We came up with this name simply because of residing in Pa. and because one of our many passions is cruising this beautiful country on our Honda Goldwing. Aside from geocaching we are passionate about most anything outdoors including hiking, kayaking, snowmobiling and biking. We are blessed beyond words with a wonderful son and daughter in law. We're also blessed with some terriffic family and friends. We consider ourselves very fortunate due to the fact that after being married over 40 years we still enjoy these things together.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Where did all the water go?

Whoda' Thunk that a few short months ago we kayaked this same stretch of water.  You can literally walk from rock to rock and cross the creek right now.  Hard to even imagine that in the spring and early summer we were navigating Class 2 whitewater in our kayaks beween Caledonia and Driftwood.  We sure need lots of rainfall to get the water level up but irregardless this is a beautiful spot.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Presque Isle is the home of Frank Furter.

I had asked the question on Facebook if anyone knew where this picture was taken.  He is affectionately known as Frank Furter and he lives at the entrance to Presque Isle right besides Sara's.  We had gone to Presque Isle yesterday to be beach bums for awhile and then we planned on hiking the Gull Point Trail. 

The Gull Point Trail is the place to be in November and April or thereabouts.  You might ask why that is.  It just so happens that at the very extreme end of Gull Point there lies a Natural Area that is a hotspot for migrating land birds and waterfowl.  This area is a popular stopover for birds heading from as far north as the Arctic Circle and Greenland and heading  south as far as South America. You see, this is right along a migration route known as the Atlantic Flyway.  The Atlantic Flyway is a favored route that is flown year after year and is favored because of the absence of high mountains and ridges in the flight path.

So this picture makes it into our Whoda' Thunk Blog because Whoda' Thunk Frank Furter lived so closely to the Atlantic Flyway.  Possibly one day I will make an entry into one of my Blogs about the wild and crazed Joe Root.  Whoda' Thunk I would mention Joe Root and not write anything about him.  Stay tuned because someday I will.

Frank Furter is quite the character.  He stand over 6 feet tall and has this strange habit of squirting ketchup and mustard on himself, a habit I don't really relish.  You can see him hot dogging in front of Sara's at the entrance to Presque Isle.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

How does it feel to soar silently with the eagles?

Imagine the feeling to glide through the air and to be as free as the birds that share this space.  Imagine the feeling as you catch a thermal and gain elevation and now soar a couple thousand feet higher than from where your feet launched you off the mountain.  Imagine for a moment that the only thing between you and a very hard landing is some very thin fabric and a wildly constructed collection of cables and aluminum tubing.  Well, maybe it's best not to think about that, let's return to the more pleasant thoughts.  The feeling has to be exhilarating beyond words.  Few will ever get to experience this feeling.  I have to admit the thought has struck me more often than I have the courage to express to my wife.  I've looked into lessons and casually shopped around online for prices.  I suppose there are a couple reasons why I have yet to pursue this new sport.  The first reason is that even I realize that I can't afford the time nor the money for another interest.  The second reason is that even though my wife will disagree I still have just the slighted touch of common sense that occasionally rears it's ugly head.  This is one of those times!  But who knows, maybe I will be feeling this experience one day.

Several times a year hang gliding enthusiasts gather in number at Hyner Mountain and challenge the thermals as they glide through the sky much to the satisfaction of gobs of onlookers.  I will be adding several pictures of this activity and hope you enjoy them.  The first collage depicts what occurs in the first minute of flight starting from launching.  This was a tandem jump and involves a seasoned glider and victim.  Maybe victim isn't the right word.  I will also attach a large picture of the very first image and maybe you will understand why I say "victim".  This picture is deceiving but the fella in the back seems to be begging the seasoned jumper to not jump off this mountain.

I felt it was justified to make these entries in the Whoda' Thunk Blog because whoda thunk people would actually jump off the side of a mountain and actually live to do it time and time again.  Okay, maybe I can squeeze in one more hobby!



I don't wanna die!!!!!  Let's talk about this!!





 Don't be concerned, he is way high yet!







 And he's off and soaring!






 Fortunately you don't need to be soaring the skies to enjoy the splendor of Hyner Mountain!!