108 Roadhouse

Peace Dale, RI

Sharing a similar stone wall construction seen with woolen mills in Peace Dale, this restaurant/saloon obviously has seen better days.  From the looks of things, it appears only recently to have closed.  Only the grass and weeds have gotten a little out of control.  The building itself looks in fine shape.  I bet it was fun place to go for a dinner out.

Water Power

Peace Dale, RI

The buildings and hydropower system here were once a part of the Peace Dale Manufacturing Co, a company that manufactured wool from the early 1800's up until 1948.

Old Mill

Peace Dale, RI

On recent trip to Rhode Island I happened to drive through the small village of Peace Dale, part of the town of South Kingston.  I was immediately struck by the stonework that went into a number of the buildings in the center of the village.  It was good to see that this old mill has been repurposed and has been well maintained.  

Figure Heads II

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Figure Heads

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

New Whale Boats

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

Here are just two of the 10 new whale boats commissioned by Mystic Seaport as part of the Charles W Morgan restoration.  They certainly seemed very seaworthy to me and made for a nice reflection.  If you like reflections, please drop by Weekend Reflections.  Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.

The Launch

Mystic Seaport, Mystic CT

A still photograph doesn't do this justice.  After the ceremonial christening with water from the oceans in which the Morgan sailed, the ship was slowly lowered into the water by the lift dock until she was once again afloat.  She'll be moved from the lift dock to a nearby dock where she'll be open to the public as she undergoes her final restoration during the next year.  The boat in the foreground is a replica of a whale boat that the Morgan would have carried onboard during her voyages searching for whales.  As part of the restoration, Mystic Seaport commissioned that 10 of these whale boats be built by 9 different shipbuilding organizations in seven states to exact specifications.  A number of them were on display throughout the day, rowed by museum staff members.

Aphrodite

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

This is one of my favorite boats of all time.  I've seen her many times at Mystic Seaport, usually at the Antique Boat Show held each summer.  She was just one of many "small" craft that came to witness the launch of the Morgan.  I can't think of a more appropriate name for this boat.

Launch Day II

Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

This shot was taken early on the launch day of the Charles W Morgan.  As the time of the launch approached,  Mystic River was filled with a flotilla of boats of all shapes in sizes

Launch Day

Charles W Morgan, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT

The last surviving wooden whale boat sits awaiting its launch after 4 years of renovations on the 172 anniversary of its first launch in New Bedford, MA back in 1841.  There was quite a celebration at Mystic Seaport celebrating the launch, with a whole host of dignitaries present.

Morning Row

Town Cove, Orleans, MA

It's quite an achievement to row one of these single-man skulls.  I watched this gentleman for quite some time as he launched this skull and tried to get it off shore.  To his credit, he didn't capsize, although for sure I thought he would.  Once he got on the open water, he seemed to be alright.

Charles W Morgan

Mystic, CT

The Charles W Morgan is pictured here sitting on the lift dock at Mystic Seaport.  Built in 1841 in New Bedford, MA, the Morgan is the last surviving wooden whaling vessel.  Over the last four years, she has been completely restored and although there is much work left to be done, by this time next year, she'll be ready take her 38th voyage to historic whaling ports throughout New England.  Tomorrow, on the 172 anniversary of her launch in New Bedford, the restored vessel will be launched once again.

More Toronto Reflections

Toronto, CA

There were reflections everywhere you looked in Toronto.   For more reflections please visit Weekend Reflections hosted by  James.  Have a nice weekend. 

Sidewalk Signs

Toronto, CA

Palm

Toronto, CA

The View from Above

Toronto, CA

Just a couple of the fabulous views one can see during lunch atop the CN Tower at the 360 Restaurant. The day we were there was kind of hazy, and not the best for photographs.  

CN Tower

Toronto, CA

The CN Tower dominates the skyline of Toronto towering over the city by 1815 ft and was the tallest free standing structure in the world when it opened in 1976.  It held that title for 34 years, until being surpassed by the Canton Tower in China.  It still remains the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere.  It was built primarily as a communications tower to serve the Toronto area and contains an observation deck as well as a restaurant, which rotates a full 360 degrees in little over an hour, affording great views of the city and Lake Ontario.

Under Construction

Toronto, CA

I mentioned in a previous post that there was a lot of construction going on in Toronto.  Signs like this one were everywhere.  Much of the construction are new high rise condominiums.  I'm not sure what is fueling the economy in Toronto, but there must be huge demand for housing to support all the new condos being built.    

Sculpture III

Toronto, CA

Toronto Reflections

Toronto, CA

There  is no shortage of high rise building with plenty of glass windows in Toronto offering many different unique reflections.  This is just one that caught my eye last week during my stay in Toronto.  If you like pictures of reflections, please visit Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for looking. 

Sculpture II

Toronto, CA

Sculpture

Toronto, CA

There were many interesting sculptures adorning the city streets of Toronto.  This one was located just across the street from the hotel at which we stayed.  I'm not sure what it is supposed to depict, and there was no sign identifying the artist, only a sign saying not to climb on the sculpture. 

Toronto

Toronto, CA

I spent the the better part of last week visiting Toronto, CA, the site of the 75th Annual Convention of the Barbershop Harmony Society.  The convention featured 48 of the best barbershop quartets in the world competing for the gold medal.  In addition, 29 choruses competed.  Between contest sessions I had some time to take in the sites around Toronto.  The city appears to be booming with major construction projects all over the city.  The cityscape is dominated by the CN Tower, which stands next to the Rogers Center, home of the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Murals III

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY 

T-Bird

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Flower and Stencils

Red Hook Doughboy

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Happy Fourth of July!!

Murals II

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Stoop

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

Only in Brooklyn are these steps called a stoop.  

Red Hook Murals

Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY

I'll be on vacation this week, won't be near my computer, so I won't be able to respond to comments to this blog or comment on the blogs I follow.  For your viewing pleasure this week, I've scheduled some of the remaining pictures from my photo walk around the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY to be posted.