h20skibum

38 minutes ago, Coralc said:

I thought maybe April Fool's joke? 😃

I was wondering how many would rush to check their cruise planners when I posted that. 😂

46 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

The Windsor bridge is a few hours away from me.  I follow a guy on Instagram who frequently posts photos of the work. Below are some of of his latest shots.
 

I left his info on the screen shots if anyone wants to follow his account.  Unlike Baltimore this bridge isn’t being constructed in a “hurried” fashion. 
 

 

 

 

Thanks for those links, Andrew.  They are a little behind their original schedule.  It was to open this year, but not till 2025 now. 

2 hours ago, TPKeller said:

 

Wow, I hadn't heard about that one before.  Wikipedia confirms the span length, but also reports that the clearance is only 138 feet.  So if that lower clearance (Key bridge was 185) is inherent to the design, it may not be the best choice.

 

Theron

Clearance would not be a problem.  It is just a function of setting the clearance you want at the main channel and transitioning to the approach elevations.  
 

If you want to see a cable-stayed bridge with lots of clearance, look up Millau Viaduct in Southern France.  Just over 1100 feet under clear on that one. 

On 3/30/2024 at 2:42 PM, smokeybandit said:

A bridge can be built in that amount of time. It happens in other countries all the time. But in America everything is made more difficult with regulations, red tape and labor disputes.

And all those regulations and red tape only increase the cost.  They do move through them quicker in high profile situations.

On 3/30/2024 at 2:43 PM, not-enough-cruising said:

Not to mention the fact that the federal government is now involved

This will also result in higher costs.

On 3/30/2024 at 12:07 PM, TPKeller said:

 

HAZMAT aside (probably the deal breaker for a tunnel) the Virginia DOT is in the middle of building four more lanes under Hampton Roads right now, doubling the capacity of that tunnel.

 

Price tag: $3.9 Billion!

 

https://hrbtexpansion.org/about/

 

Theron

That figure of $3.9 Billion is probably not far from what a new bridge would cost here.

My guess that the bridge will be completely replaced, including approach spans.  Most likely a cable-stayed design.  They could more than double the clear span between pylons for the main channel.  If I recall, the Gordie Howe bridge that is under construction, has a 2800 foot clear span.

Is this a good price?  Asking for a friend.

@Sunshine3601 Happy birthday to Eric. 🎂🎂🎉

Ah, to be young again. 

18 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

I forgot to get a photo of the meal plate, but I did take pics of dessert. 

Same thing happened with me.  We took the family to Shakespeare’s Castle for Easter meal. 
 

All I took was pictures of the desert tables.  
 

The first thing my grandson did was grab a couple pieces of cheesecake, and bring back to the table for himself, before he went for food. 

Granddaughter probably won the desert competition.   She had blueberry pie, cherry pie, Oreo cookie pudding, brownie, chocolate chip cookies, and cheesecake.  That was in addition to a couple plates of food.  Don’t know where that little girl puts it all. 
 

51 minutes ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

Yikes that makes $1999 seem like such a bargain.  🤔 

And the $3,999 it is for ours. 

Happy Easter

Work, work, work

22 minutes ago, Luckynana said:

Last night I got the phone call that I unfortunately was expecting.  My dear friend Lois had fallen about a month ago and fractured her pelvis, and had been in the hospital since then.  I called her son when I returned from our cruise last week to see how she was doing, and he told me she was now in Hospice, and didn't have much longer to live.

 

Lois has been mine and Jim's friend since 2002, when she and her husband bought their Condo two months after we had bought ours.  Lois turned 92 this past November, and had the sharpest mind and memory of anyone I have ever known.  I will miss her phone calls, and our yearly visits down the New Jersey Shore.  

Sorry to read that.  

So, with our taking the grandkids on a cruise this summer, Susan wants to encourage duck hiding.  She thinks the kids will have fun with that.  Not saying I approve, but after getting this email today, I volunteered to pick up some ducks.

I wonder how many she needs?  My work may be cut out for me.  

Yesterday was a beautiful day for a hike.  It has been a while since we have been on a nature trail. Somehow, when I change up the type of terrain, I find muscles that haven’t been getting a workout. 

The turtles were out sunning.  

After the heavy, all day rain we had the other day, I expected the trail to be muddy. 

The trail was pretty dry

This is the easy walking part

Stream was a little muddy.  

The falls were flowing full. 

So, I guess I may need to do a few more of these if I want to do a 20km hike with @aussielozzie18  We did 10km on an afternoon walk, only stopping briefly for a couple photos, and it took us 2 hours and 40 minutes.  Pace is low when you need to watch for roots and rocks on the trail. 

Meanwhile, my daughter and her family went hiking about 25 miles from where we were.  

I think I know where our next hike will be.   It looks beautiful there. 

24 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

The kid did it again! This was a school project.

Beautifully written.  Thanks for sharing. 

14 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

I'm down with a nasty flu (vaccinated to boot) for more than a week.

Sorry to hear you are battling the flu, Dani.  Susan had something on and off for almost a month.  Thankfully, I didn’t get whatever she had.  Hope you get rid of it soon.  

2 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

Glad you liked it. Sandford is a very good writer. I've finished all the "Prey" series, and started with his "side-kick" -- Virgin Flowers. Enjoying it very much.

I think you mean Virgil.  Yes, he is a character I enjoy.  

@FromSea2ShiningSea Beautiful photos.  We have done a few of those types of hikes here.

I am enjoying your photos. 

3 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

DS1 asked his dad for a hanger.

 

He got two.... (I prefer the first one 😉)

 

 

 

 

The "kid" is happy 😎

Those are cool.  I agree with you. I like the first one.

We have been watching The Blacklist, on Netflix.  I can’t believe they had 10 seasons, and we never watched one episode till now.  We are now up to the middle of season five. 

Got an email from United, saying they had $99 fares from Pittsburgh to EWR.  I started looking at cruises from Cape Liberty, but none around the cheap dates.

I did find a couple nice cruises I am trying to talk Susan in to.

We are in the path, and our schools are not cancelled.  They do get out early to watch it.

According to one of the forecasts, we have a 68% chance of cloud cover, so we may not see it.  Will have to watch the forecast as we get closer.

1 hour ago, aussielozzie18 said:

DH wants to do a brand new 20km bushwalk that has just opened up in the Blue Mountains.  I read the link he sent me,  where it is suggested you do the walk in two stages with an overnight in beautiful Leura which sounds ideal.  Nope, DH wants to do the full 20km walk in one day.  Me “but I need to go slow for photos!” plus I love Leura…I’ll have to convince him.

That is pretty ambitious for a day hike, especially over uneven terrain.  I would spend a couple days, enjoying the scenery along the way, rather than rushing to finish in a day.  
 

1 hour ago, mo&fran said:

 

I don’t recall what your engineering background is, but you may find this interesting.  I know I mentioned earlier that the collapse reminded me of the ship impact related collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse in 1980.  I remember several papers being presented at the International Bridge Conference in the early, mid 80’s about that incident.

This link is to the NTSB investigation and report on that collapse.

https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAR8103.pdf

NTSB will be doing the same thing for this investigation.  It took them about 10 months to complete that report.  Unfortunately, the construction of the Key Bridge predates some of the recommendations to address ship impact possibilities.  
 

17 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Prayers to all families impacted by the collapse of Key Bridge in MD.

I cannot believe how quick it went down after a container ship hit a pillar.

+1

We have been watching coverage all morning.  Reminds me of the collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1980.  The Key Bridge was built about 3 years prior to the Sunshine collapse.  Several recommendations came out after that ship impact collapse, related to pier protection and warning systems.  
 

No doubt that they will be working to clear the main channel as soon as rescue and recovery operations are complete.    
 

@Ozark_Kid John, happy birthday from me too.