2007-07-19 11:24. Lunch at the restaurant in the park, beautiful grand valley view.
2007-07-19 12:11. Unsure when we left but by 12:11 we finished eating and I took a picture of a bee hive box.
牛耳石雕公園 Niu Er Stone Sculpture ParkPuli , Nantou CountyAlso listed as New Era, Newer.
牛耳 means Cow Ear.
石雕 means stone sculpture, pronounced: shih2 diao
http://www.neweraart.com.tw
Minesview park is usually the next stop after visiting the Mansion and Wright Park. Once you enter the park, you will pass winding stone-covered pathway that slopes downward leading to the observation deck. There are also rock benches that lay along the pathway where you can simply rest and enjoy the view. I recommend that you visit the park in the morning because fog starts to move in during the afternoon, which obstructs the view. Of course, there is a wide assortment of “pasalubong” or gifts that make Minesview Park an enjoyable place.
One of the famous activities you can indulge in is skating. A circular skating rink allows you to rent skates, and it is located at the southern end of the park. There are also basketball and tennis courts for the active sports enthusiast. Other things you can find at Burnham Park are a few restaurants, children's playground, outdoor kiosks, and an orchidarium. The football Field hosts lots of activities such as parades, concerts, carnivals, and display booths. If you plan to visit Burnham Park, do not forget to bring your camera to capture great moments with family and friends. Burnham Park is one simple and enjoyable ways you can spend your time in the city.
The GPS lost the Satellite connection on Washburn in Klamath Falls and we still have not regained connection - not sure what is going on, but we had to call Kevin's mom to figure out how to get to Reno, to learn we had already passed the correct highway/exit 40 Miles previous. Oh well - we headed down to take an alternate route. Sure would be nice if the GPS were working! Ben was having a hard time with his ears popping and being in the car so long today. We will make sure to give him more time out of the car from now on. We looked for campsites and eventually decided to drive all the way to Reno and get a hotel. Getting married tomorrow!
We stopped in Oakland and played in the park with Ben for a couple hours. He needed some time out of the car.Then we made our way to San Fransisco (Ben thankfully took another nap), but Kevin was nervous when we got there because the GPS was still not working. But he turned it on to look at the maps and it surprisingly got a signal! It helped us find our way, though it lost the signal a couple times and then we got lost for a bit.. but we eventually found a hotel, ordered some thai, and got some rest. Looking forward to getting out of this crazy city!
After breakfast we drag Momma to see the playground. Now it's packed and the kids are having fun. Ben gets involved right away climbing and being climbed.
Frustrated for the misinformation we'd received online and from friends and other travelers, we leave the building and wonder why we came to San Francisco at all. I realized that I'd been walking around with my collection of wheat pennies (including a silver dime circa 1920) and felt the urge to hand it over to the homeless man. Did that. Maybe that was why we came. Seems a waste to rush through Yosemite to give a homeless man a dime but there you have it.
Onward South towards Simi Valley. On our way to the 1 we were travelling on HWY 17 when the car in front of us lurches and stops so suddenly I'm looking at their undercarriage. THEN their brake lights come on and they swerve to the right. I'm thinking they hit someone or something and am braking hard but there isn't enough room, I can't go left, there's a mini van there, CRASH.
On to the coast where we played in a park for a while and headed South along the cliffs. We decided it would be best if we got to Grandma Moss' as soon as we could to lighten our load and get some repairs. Drat, I got the cheap insurance, hurray I even had some! [expires 7/12]
We roll into San Luis Obispo and get some sleep. Whew, what a day!
I had been told about King's Park and how I should go and see it. So I headed up there in the morning after the breakfast in the hotel. Rode the bus about 30 minutes and then walked for about 10 and realised that it was just a bigger version of the park near my house. Called Monty who had recommended it and he told me that it was my fault because I wasn't in touch with nature. We agreed to disagree and I headed back in to the city.
Jumped on a couple of free buses toward Northbridge where I had been told there were some places to eat lunch (as Central Perth has approximately nothing). As I was sat on the bus, I spotted Noriko (Damo's wife, the same Damo and Noriko that I had plans to meet later in the evening). I knew Perth was small, but I had no idea just how small.
After lunch, I did a little more walking around and sightseeing. Then I headed up to Leederville. This is where Scotty, Damo and their respective spouses live. Went to the pub and had a beer and something to eat and a good catch up. I also got in trouble for not telling them before I was coming to Perth, that I was coming and I could have stayed at one of their places for nothing. On the way back I have a night in Perth again, so I will be staying at Scotty and Junko's place.
After the pub, we went to a cafe and enjoyed a coffee... The cafe had a number of lanterns... How many you ask? Well, we had a little contest to guess how many there were. I said 250, Damo, 360 and the others weren't even close... As we were leaving Scotty asked the guys at the counter and was told that there were about 300... The boys have been set a task, to find out the exact number, because under 310 makes me the winner, where 311 and up would give it to Damo... I think I have it...