Archive for the 'Travel' Category

Back from the Cruise

Brian August 6th, 2007

I think I neglected to mention we were going on a cruise, so being back from it is probably not that important. Since I decided to share a few photos, though, mentioning that we were in Mexico last week seems relevant.

Jayne and I joined several of our friends on a whirlwind vacation which included a cruise aboard the Enchantment of the Seas, with visits to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Key West, Florida; and, Cozumel, Mexico. The latter, obviously, being the most interesting. With the exception of my quick trip to Canada in 2005, I have not traveled out of the United States. Going to Mexico, however, was certainly a great experience. We really enjoyed the entire trip.

We took a lot of photographs, but here are a few that I pulled out of our pile.

I survived!

Brian October 9th, 2006

The rafting trip went great and was no where near as death-defying as I had first expected. The main reason for that is we put in at the Dam and took out at the Garden Hole, just above the really big and bad rapids (commonly known as the “Gorge”).

We also stopped for a break at Bartlick Dam and stretched our legs. At Bartlick, the guy with us said its very important to stay to the right, because of a “sticky” hydraulic on the other sides. By “sticky,” he meant if you get in there, it is hard to get out.

The guys rafting with us said the largest rapids on our trip were Class 4. In the Gorge, they said, several are Class 5. The ones we went over were very family-friendly and just big enough to be fun. Anything less would have likely been boring and anything more would have likely been a bit much for a first trip.

It also provided a unique view of the leaves, which are starting to change colors. I would bet the trip would have been even better in a couple of weeks, as the leaves really start changing.

My advice is that if you have not seen all Dickenson County has to offer (i.e., rafting on the Russell Fork River), it is time for a visit.

My photos are in the process of being developed. If I ended up with any good ones, I will post them as an update. Most of the time, though, the camera lens was covered in water, so I am doubtful many will turn out.

Adventures on the Russell Fork

Brian October 6th, 2006

For the last few years, something I have really wanted to do is go whitewater rafting on the Russell Fork River.

Each year, rafters from all around converge on Dickenson County to paddle the Russell Fork.

It was one of those experiences I always “wanted” and “hoped” to enjoy, but never really acted on. Then, a few weeks ago, one of my friends from law school came up with the idea for us and some other folks from school to go one weekend in October. That weekend is tomorrow.

The problem which quickly came to light is that I had never been whitewater rafting and the Russell Fork is not exactly the “bunny slope” of rivers.

When I tossed the idea out of making my first rafting trip on the Russell Fork to a local attorney, who is an avid paddler, he said, “well, it will be one hell of a memory if you all survive.” I talked to him again today and he said, “I really thought you were smarter than this.” Hopefully he was giving me the “worse-case scenario” sense of the trip.

American Whitewater has an excellent resource for those seeking adventure on the Russell Fork here. It includes several photos and first-hand accounts. I think I have read every word on there at least three times now and still feel uninformed about what I am getting myself into.

E-Raft describes the river here:

Difficulty: Class IV-V rafting experience required

Whitewater enthusiasts seeking a rare challenge above and beyond the upper Gauley or upper Yough rafting trips should take note of the Russell Fork of the Levisa along the southwest Virginia—eastern Kentucky border. The Russell Fork, considered unrunnable just a decade ago, is rated by knowledgeable whitewater experts as the most technically difficult commercially rafted river in the eastern United States.

. . .

Rafters must immediately begin their final tune-up for the unbelievable whitewater action of Breaks Interstate Park. Within the Park the River drops about 500 feet in just 2.5 miles (4 km). Eight huge rapids consisting of high drops, powerful hydraulics, and chutes (barely wide enough for rafts) require the utmost in raft maneuvering and course execution. Class IV-V rapids—Twist and Shout, Tower Falls, Triple Drop, El Horrendo and S-Turn—will provoke lifetime memories. El Horrendo, more like a waterfall, is the highest commercially run drop in the eastern United States.

. . .

Because of the extreme difficulty and technical nature of the Russell Fork, professional outfitters screen prospective rafters very carefully.

Here is a video someone posted on YouTube.com of a fellow making a run through the “Towers” section. That looks like fun, right?

Now the good news. We did have the good sense to know we could not just go buy a raft and some paddles. We have arranged to shell out the $45.00 per person to have a guide and go with a group. This company appears to be reputable and to have taken other novice rafters down the Russell Fork before.

I bought a disposable, waterproof camera tonight, so hopefully I will have some photos to share tomorrow. This should be one heck of a trip and I am really looking forward to it. If anyone has any last minute advice, feel free to share it.

Belvedere Emporium

Brian August 8th, 2006

A few weeks ago, we took a quick weekend trip to Ada and Lima, Ohio. On the way up, on highway 117, we drove by this place.


belvedere emporium

I thought it was a cool old house and had to have a photo of it. Other than that, though, I really did not know anything about it.

I just ran across the photo again and thought I would share it. The house was built around 1892. Here is some more information about the old place.

Blogging Conference

Brian June 18th, 2006

As you may have guessed from the lack of updates here, I have “stepped away from the blog.”

I spent Friday and Saturday in Charlottesville for the Sorensen Institute’s Blogging Summit. It was a great conference. As always, the best part was putting blog names with faces. I met a lot of great new bloggers and enjoyed talking to those that I met last year.

Since I am still on the road (took a detour through Harrisonburg) and heading home today, you will have to wait on my hard-hitting, in-depth analysis of the conference. Actually, this is probably about it, unless something hits me on the five hour drive home.

Back from Richmond, JJ Dinner, etc.

Brian February 12th, 2006

I just got back from Richmond a few hours ago. The weekend went great with the one exception of the Marriott trying to charge me $10.00 to use their internet, hence the lack of blog posts.

We drove up on Friday night because weather reports were saying Richmond was going to get a ton of snow on Saturday. I thought if we could get up there before that hit would be best. Fortunately, the snow held off and I got to attend some of Saturday morning’s events.

On Saturday morning, I sat in on the Central Committee meeting and then represented Dickenson County at the Virginia Association of Democratic Chairs’ meeting. As everyone knows by now, the Central Committee overwhelmingly voted for a primary instead of a convention to determine who our Senate candidate will be this year. Over the course of this weekend, I have discussed this with several folks and I think if we just have two candidates, a primary is probably best, but when we have more than that (like four), maybe a convention would be better. Plus, a good primary will help both our candidates introduce themselves to Virginia’s voters.

The VADC meeting was also interesting. The new interim Chair, Salome Baugher, ran the meeting and did a fine job, although I am not sure we accomplished much. Nevertheless, it was cool getting to meet all the other counties’ representatives.

The morning meetings were followed by lunch at the Tobacco Company with Jerry and Denise. We started down to Carytown to eat at the New York Deli, a place where they had eaten before, but it was closed.

Next up was the JJ Dinner, where I got to meet several folks for the first time that previously I had only corresponded with via email or candidates I have been following. To name a few, it was nice finally getting to meet future Delegates Eric Ferguson and Bruce Roemmelt, their former campaign managers Joe Stanley and James Walkinshaw, Andrew Hurst, Harris Miller and his family, Sen. Mark Herring, Delegate Dan Bowling and his wife, Corey Hernandez, most of the Draft James Webb people, and way too many others to mention.

Governor Kaine gave one of the best speeches I think I have ever seen him deliver. I guess being in a room full of close friends makes it easier for an elected official to just “tell it like it is.”

Pennsylvania’s Governor Ed Rendell also delivered a good speech. He complimented Warner and Kaine on the great work they have been doing in Virginia and put in a few plugs for the work he is doing in PA. The key theme of his speech, though, was politics should be fun and I agree.

I was disappointed that Senate candidate James Webb was unable to attend the festivities, but I can say now that after seeing Harris Miller in action, if he does end up winning the primary, I think he will be a better candidate than a lot of folks first thought. I still think that Webb will win the primary and be the strongest candidate to take on Allen, but I was pleasantly surprised by Miller.

The best candidate that I got to hear speak this weekend, though, was Judy Feder. She spoke to the Central Committee Saturday morning and was really great. If this one speech was any indication, Republican Frank Wolf had better be getting ready for a fight!

Also, as Lowell alluded to here, I was fortunate enough to win the Grassroots Award for the Ninth District and be recognized at the Dinner. So not only was this my first JJ Dinner, but I got to go on stage at my first JJ Dinner. Now I just have to figure out a way to get back on stage next year. Otherwise, future JJ Dinners may not be as exciting, but that’s ok too. Thanks to Kenton, who snagged this photo of me up on stage with my award.

More JJ Dinner coverage here:
From Lowell
From Kenton
From J.C.
From the RTD
From DocDem
From Bruce

Coalfields Expressway

Brian January 18th, 2006

The recent developments regarding the “Coalfields Expressway” have been dominating the news the last couple of days.

The big change, that I have noticed so far, is that it looks like Halliburton’s subsidiary Kellogg, Brown, and Root will be stepping out of the project and two large coal companies joining the effort. KBR handled the engineering and planning of “Section A” of the project. Section A, according to the Dickenson Star, is about 8.3 miles. I have heard reports that KBR was paid an enormous amount of money to “engineer and plan” that small segment, but I can’t remember how much.

The two lucky coal companies that will be jumping into the project are Alpha Natural Resources and Pioneer Group.

Here is the key quote from the Star’s coverage:

The two companies will help prepare the road corridor for highway construction in the course of surface mining and reclaiming the land.

I am all for coal mining and building the expressway, but this “interesting” relationship that has been struck between VDOT and two mega coal companies will require all of us to be a little extra vigilant.

A good friend of mine recently described the project as “a series of mountaintop removals connected by bridges.” From the recent news, that description is starting to make a lot of sense.

In case anyone doubts the need for this project, please keep in mind that Dickenson County does not have a single four-lane highway and only a few three-lane highways.

Update:
Kilo thinks this is a great deal for everyone: VDOT, coal companies, and tax payers. He may be right, I am just bad to worry when it comes to these kind of deals.

G.A. Blogger

Brian January 14th, 2006

Waldo has been “hired” to blog the happenings of the General Assembly once per week. He is apparently going to skip work one day per week, travel to Richmond, and blog about the various things going on in the General Assembly.

I am anxious to see how it goes for him and what he can provide to the rest of us.

Waldo also said, “I certainly hope that other bloggers will consider doing the same thing, particularly those of you who don’t have a three-hour round trip to Richmond.”

After a few weeks of that drive, I imagine Waldo might be inclined to complain a little. When he does, I am going to point out its a 12-hour round trip to Richmond for me. :)

Chuck Robb

Brian December 22nd, 2005

After going months, maybe years, and not hearing a word about former Senator Chuck Robb, suddenly his name is popping up all over the place.

Last weekend, during some Christmas shopping with my mom, I ended up in Tivis O’Quinn’s store in Vansant, Virginia. His son, Ryan O’Quinn, was home from California visiting for the holidays. The interesting poing about the younger O’Quinn was that he mentioned he had worked for Sen. Robb.

All of us were curious about what Robb was up to these days and now we get our answer.

The RTD had this:

Former Sen. Charles S. Robb of Virginia, a Democrat, will advise President Bush on the quality and adequacy of U.S. intelligence efforts as a new member of a presidential board.

The White House said Bush was appointing Robb to a two-year term on the President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Its reports are typically classified, and its members have the highest security clearance.

I really hated to see Robb get beat by George Allen in 2000, but now I am hoping Creigh Deeds can take that seat from Allen.

Virginia’s New Welcome Sign

Brian December 15th, 2005

Virginia has selected its new Welcome sign. The winner, with 31.5% of the vote, is the Cardinal (pictured). Click here to see the losers.

We had a stirring discussion about the signs here, in case anyone missed it.

(Link via Adam)

Lunch Blogging

Brian December 11th, 2005

As was reported here (by Chad) and here (by Ben), I did have a nice lunch with them yesterday. They went over various 2009 scenarios while I enjoyed the great meal.

Contrary to widespread rumors, Lowell and I are still on speaking terms and I have not been asked to turn in my Raising Kaine membership card.

Upper Tennessee River Roundtable

Brian November 16th, 2005

I just got home from the Fall meeting of the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable in Lebanon. While I was at Emory & Henry College, I did an internship with the Department of Conservation of Recreation. A key component of that internship was working with the Roundtable.

Tonight was the first meeting I have been able to attend since putting in that work a few years ago and I was happy to see how much stronger it has become. The Roundtable’s Mission is:

[T]o achieve clean water throughout the watershed with the involvement of citizens in planning, education, coordination, attracting funding, and serving as an advocate for our water resources.

The UTRR, like other Roundtables across Virginia, have been successful bringing all stakeholders to the table and assisting smaller watershed groups.

Sulphur Springs School

Brian November 12th, 2005

One of the cool things I got to do this past election day was visit 11 of the 13 polling places in Dickenson County. The award for best building has to go to Precinct Number 202, in Frying Pan.


Sulphur Springs School

This building is the old Sulphur Springs School.

They have pictures hanging on the wall of past teachers, dating back to the 1800s.

Back from Richmond

Brian November 1st, 2005

We just got back from Richmond. It was a long trip, but we had a great time.

My family and a friend’s family enjoyed a great dinner at the Tobacco Company on Sunday night. This was the first time I had ever ate there, but the food, service, and atmosphere were really great.

Then today, I got to raise my right hand and swear to be a great attorney, which took less than a minute. However, about an hour and a half was spent listening to the over 900 names be called out.

I was “fortunate” enough to be in the “out of state” section, which means we got to sit in the back, be the last ones called, and had no school-provided reception. But, hey, I am not complaining. This also meant I was sitting with the same folks who graduated from Harvard, Yale, etc. (not exactly a bad crowd) :)

Thanks again to everyone who left a comment offering their congratulations.

Heading to Richmond…

Brian October 30th, 2005

We are heading northeast today for the swearing in ceremony in Richmond. I will be here for the ceremony which will take place tomorrow.

For some reason, I always thought the ceremony would be in the Supreme Court building. Oh well, after three years of law school and countless hours of studying for the bar exam, if they wanted to swear me in on the sidewalk of Broad Street, I would not complain.

However, it is a little strange that I will finally be an attorney on Halloween, of all days.

Wise Vineyard Being Profiled

Brian September 22nd, 2005

To be honest, I had no idea that just a few miles away in Wise County there was a Vineyard named Mountain Rose Vineyards.

The Coalfield Progress reports here that this vineyard will be profiled in a 60-minute documentary called “These Kids Mean Busines$.”

Two things jumped out at me about this article:

1) The author of the article, Don Hall, spells it “vinyard” throughout the article. I always thought it was”vineyard.” So which is it?

2) The article says the vineyard/vinyard is owned by David Lawson. I knew a David Lawson from Wise, but he always seemed more like a techie and less like a winemaker. I wonder if it is the same guy?

I looked around for a website for Mountain Rose Vineyards, but only found this profile on the Heart of Appalachia site.

10439 N. Reservoir R.
Wise, VA 24293
Phone: (276) 328-2013
Email: rrlawson@adelphia.net
Admission Fee: 0
Children Welcome
Welcome to Wise County’s first vineyard and vinery tour. The vineyard is located on reclaimed land that was previously mined for coal; hence the name “Mines To Wines” Walking Tour was born. The vineyard grows several varieties of grapes in three locations. We have five varieties of white grapes and two red grapes used for wine making. There are over 100 shrub roses growing at the ends of each vineyard row, including the historic “Mountain Rose” for which the vineyard is named. Be sure to go by and enjoy the wine tasting.

“Mines to Wines” — Interesting.

That may be cooler than “Rails to Trails.”

Acres of Democrats (photo)

Brian September 12th, 2005

At the risk of turning this into a Photoblog, I promise to limit my picture posting for the next few weeks - after this one.

Here is a cool photo of me and three great guys at last weekend’s Acres of Democrats event.


Some great guys and me

Left to Right: Gerald Gray, Me, Rex McCarty, and Phillip Puckett.

Back from Richmond

Brian September 11th, 2005

I just got home from a great trip. It was almost a perfect trip, but then Harvick had to fool around and finish 10th. Oh well, that has been his season all year. He runs well, then will either get crashed, have mechanical troubles, or fall back near the end. Either way, I got to enjoy him out front for most of the first half of the race.

Another great aspect of this year’s Richmond race was getting to hang out Tim Kaine and some of his other supporters before and during the race. I had been to some great NASCAR races and I have been to some great political events. However, I think it will be rare that anything can measure up to a day that combines the best of both.

If anyone needs any reassurances of what a great guy Tim is, they should check out an event like this one. As I was talking to him I noticed how easy it is to forget he is the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, not to mention the future Governor of Virginia.

Here is a good shot of Tim and I before the race. (Thanks John).


Tim Kaine and Brian

This is Tim and I chatting about racing, Southwest Virginia, and some other random topics.


Tim Kaine and Brian

Heck, I even bumped into Jerry Kilgore coming out of the restroom. For some reason, though, he was not very friendly to me. I suppose it had something to do with the big Kaine for Governor sticker stuck to my chest. :)

Back from Charlottesville

Brian August 27th, 2005

I just made it back to Clintwood from the Virginia blog summit. The event went about as I expected and I enjoyed the chance to meet the people behind a lot of the blogs I read. More importantly, it was good to finally put faces with names even if I did not get the opportunity to speak with them.

If you were expecting there would be punches thrown, I hate to disappoint, but everyone was very professional.

One of the highlights for me was Ken Stroupe’s talk on “the Virginia Way.” Stroupe, a former George Allen staffer and currently at the Center for Politics, offered some very informative remarks and interesting perspective.

A big thank you is owed to the Sorensen Institute for its work organizing the event. I am sure it was a heck of an undertaking to bring such a diverse group of people together.

Heading North

Brian August 19th, 2005

The weekend is here and I am heading north. I will be back in Ohio for the weekend.

If you are looking around here for some posts, maybe try over at RaisingKaine.com. There is a rumor floating around they might have a big announcement this weekend. :)

- Next »