Where in the World?

The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams. – Oprah Winfrey

The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure. – Joseph Campbell

Quartz Veins in Ft. Wetherill State Park

I had decided today would be a day of hiking, geocaching and adventure. I left mid morning and headed to Conanicut Island where Jamestown, RI is located. There were many areas in the south central part of the island I hadn’t explored.

Fort Wetherill State Park was my first destination. I explored the many trails in this park. I found some strange geological formations in the form of very long quartz veins running through the rock on the coast. I discovered that this entire area was once part of Africa over 500 million years ago. The fort has history all the way back to the American Revolution. The views across Narragansett Bay were stunning.

After a short break for a snack and water, I drove north a few miles and discovered an historical cemetery. I then proceeded south again to Fort Getty State Park. I discovered huge coastal estuaries harboring many species of birds and animals. I walked the rocky coasts exploring the nooks and crannies.

Finally, I drove around almost aimlessly and found new beaches, new bird sanctuaries, harbors and more interesting history.

The point is that adventure is a close as you want it to be. I experienced all of this in a day and it was only 20 miles from my house. You don’t have to fly or drive long distances. All you have to do is get out of the house and ask yourself, “What’s around the next turn?”

Change your routine. Go have some fun.

Michael

My Guide

I have debated with myself about telling the following story. Part of me won the debate, so here goes.

On day three of my Mexico trip (October 23rd, 2008) I, along with several others in our travel group, decided to take a two hour horseback ride to the valley’s edge outside of Cerocahui. We wanted to see the waterfalls and pools among the rocks. It sounded like fun so I signed up.

I made it a point to tell the head of the tour that I was not an experienced rider, so please give me a gentle horse that obeyed. A few minutes later, a young boy walked up with a grayish horse (see the photo on the left). He was going to be my guide. So, he helped me up into the saddle which turned out to be made of wood with a very thin blanket thrown over. Translation: I had to be careful how I sat (if you catch what I’m saying) so I wouldn’t damage myself.

The next thing I know was that our party of horses started walking down the road to the outskirts of town. Guess what? I was not in control of my horse. My “guide” was leading the horse I was on. He was obviously walking and I was sitting on the horse. He walked me and my horse all the way to the waterfall and all the way back.

As we walked through the small village, everyone saw us and most of the kids laughed and snickered when seeing me being “guided.” It was quite embarrassing. Next time, I should verify that my translation was understood the way I meant it.

The trip was still fun even though I didn’t have control of my horse.

Michael

Fisherman at Beavertail State Park

Dense fog, windy, very high waves and lots of salt water fisherman. This was my first impression of Beavertail State Park located at the southernmost end of Conanicut Island in Rhode Island. It was early morning and cool. The air was literally dripping moisture from the thick fog.

I had never been here before. After parking my car near the lighthouse, I walked over to the eastern shore which looks out into Narragansett Bay and saw some of the most rugged coastline I had seen south of Maine. It was hard to see in the fog, but the rocks sparkled with moisture; blacks, grays and shades of browns.

It seemed to be a popular day for fishing. I saw several dozen fisherman casting into the 6 – 8 foot waves pounding the rock shore.

Lone Fisherman

My goals were many today; to explore this park, do some hiking in the fog, look for geocaches and do some photography. I was rewarded by miles of trails through pristine areas.

The area also has a lot of history; colonial shipping, World War II bunkers that were used to defend against seaside attacks and Indian settlements. In fact, Conanicut Island is named for Chief Canonicus who once resided here.

The park and some areas just north of it in Fort Wetherill has some interesting  geology. Most of the rocks here are igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. You can find large quartz veins when walking along the rocky shore. Fort Wetherill probably has the largest and longest in the area. I was surprised to learn that New England and parts of New York are more closely related to Africa when examining the fossil and geological record. Apparently, many millions of years ago, Africa broke off from North America and left a little piece behind.

If you visiting Rhode Island, take the time to travel south and visit this park, Jamestown and Newport across the bay. You won’t be disappointed.

Additional Links:

Beavertail State Park on Rhode Island State Parks

Visit Rhode Island.com for Beavertail State Park

Beavertail Lighthouse

Fort Wetherill

View Larger Map of Beavertail State Park

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. – Seneca

Continued from yesterday.

My trip to the Copper Canyon in Mexico was one of my top 5 trips ever. The countryside was extraordinary. The people were wonderful. The food was great. And our tour guide, David Rico Olalde, was fantastic. Most of the tour group was a group of Americans living in Miguel de Allende and the rest came from various parts of the United States.

Day 5 – We really started to explore the amazing landscape that is the Copper Canyon. We left Cerocahui to take the second half of our train ride through the Canyon to the city of Creel. Most travel journals state that this particular ride is the most spectacular in North America. I have to wholeheartedly agree. I stayed on the observation deck almost the entire time. There were just too many sights to see. I didn’t want to miss a thing.

Read my original post for Day 5.

View my photos. (21 photos)

Day 6 – A whirlwind tour, nonstop until dark; Mirador del Rio Oteros, The Balancing Rock, the Divisadero Barrancas, Elephant Rock, Turtle Rock, Arareco Lake, Cusarare Falls, Cusarare Mission, Valley of the Frogs, Valley of the Mushrooms and a Tarahumara Cave Home. Phew! Needed a good night sleep after this day.

Read my original post for Day 6.

View my photos. (26 photos)

Day 7 – The road to Batopilas was a hair raising adventure along 43.5 miles (70 km) of curvy paved road, 40.4 miles (65 km) of mostly one lane bumpy dirt road and a drop of over 6000 feet (1829 m) of elevation. Once we made it to Batopilas, a small group of us toured the ruins of Hacienda San Miguel. Very cool.

Read my original post for Day 7.

View my photos. (18 photos)

Day 8 – We started our day by making a very bumpy 3.1 miles (5 km) ride to the Lost Cathedral of Satevo. Wow! It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere but here is this cathedral. We made the long trip back up to Creel with a little stop while they re-built part of the dirt road that was being widened. It was exciting for a while there.

Read my original post for Day 8.

View my photos. (12 photos)

Day 9 – It was with a mixture of emotions as we boarded the bus that would take us to Chihuahua for our fly to Toluca and then home. This trip was well beyond my expectations and I had some very high ones. David Olalde was a wonderful host, guide, organizer, problem solver and therapist . I hope to travel on another of his tours in the future.

Read my original post for Day 9.

This adventure is over, but the memories will last forever.

Michael

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. – Lao Tzu

My trip to the Copper Canyon in Mexico was one of my top 5 trips ever. The countryside was extraordinary. The people were wonderful. The food was great. And our tour guide, David Rico Olalde, was fantastic. Most of the tour group was a group of Americans living in Miguel de Allende and the rest came from various parts of the United States.

Day 1 and 2 – Erica and I made the journey to Guadalajara from Houston on Oct. 20th. We met up with the rest of the group and early the next morning we boarded a plane to Culiacan. From there the remainder of the journey was on a bus with our final destination for the day being El Fuerte.

Read my original post for Day 1 and 2.

View my photos. (7 photos)

Day 3 – On the morning of Oct. 22nd everyone piled onto the Chihuahua Pacific Railway. Our ultimate destination was Cerocahui but we had to stop in Bahuichivo to board two buses. During the later half of the train ride, the scenery became increasingly spectacular as the train slowly made its way through the many canyons. I stayed on the observation deck (the small space between cars) for most of the trip taking photos.

Read my original post for Day 3.

View my photos. (28 photos)

Day 4 – Today we viewed the deeply inspiring Barranca de Urique about 18 miles (30 km) south of Cerocahui. The trip was bouncy on the dirt road, but it would prove to be one of the better roads on our trip. This was our first true introduction to the Copper Canyon, a few of the indigenous people and a taste of the adventures to come. Later in the day several of us by foot and horseback went to some waterfalls outside of Cerocahui.

Read my original post for Day 4.

View my photos. (21 photos)

I will post the remaining days tomorrow.

Michael