Thanks, FWWM, welcome to the thread!

Got a call last week from a family friend up north. Turns out, they're moving (pending closing on the new house) to North Central Arkansas.

While we were talking, was looking at their area. Turns out it's right under next year's solar eclipse.

Of course, it will be weather-dependent where (or indeed, even if) I go, but I've got people in several places close enough to the path to make it a day trip. Thanks for the heads-up, mark!

yes sir. we came to wyoming for the last one and had a pretty great time. this one is about twice as long, I think, and close to home.

Got a letter today from the MA Toll Road authority. Apparently it costs $1.55 to escape Boston on Route 1 via something called the Tobin bridge. Plus $0.60 in mailing fees. Fortunately, they have a website I can pay on, so won't have to buy a stamp to send them two dollars.

All of you are old enough to remember this.



Pretty sure the bridge from the Newport side of RI to the west was toll too, so should be hearing from them soon.

Today I learned that it costs $2.15 to cross the Hudson near Peekskill, NY.

I'd say both tolls were worth it. One allowed me to GTFO of Boston, and the second was over a nice-looking bridge with a good view of the Hudson River.

The onus isn't on you to read the sign and pay the $2.15, and they fine you $65 if you don't pay within 48 hours, and the only possible way to pay is online via downloading the relevant app?

So that's what they mean by highway robbery.

****ing £5 just for dropping somebody off at Heathrow. It's one big protection racket.

Oh no, nothing like that. Both tolling agencies sent me a letter which showed the date, time and place of the toll. Though printed on the back of the letter, so the first glance I was thinking, "Hmmm, what toll road did I take?" NY also included a picture of the front of the car, but cropped so I couldn't be seen driving.

I imagine there were signs saying each road was a toll road, but I don't remember specifically. At least, out west, where there's more space, they'll warn drivers "last exit before toll", so people that don't want to pay can find another route.

It's not like the old days with booths, attendants, and so on, all auto-magic. Though I did run across that crossing the Delaware river from NJ into PA one morning. Gave the guy $3, and off I went.

I assume all these roads are like the ones we have out here--most residents have a transponder in their car. As you pass a certain point, it's sensed and you're automatically billed/payment deducted from your account.

I have a month to pay, and they have online payment, so no worries. NY did not add a billing fee, so they spent (who knows, but probably something like $0.50?) on paper, envelopes, and postage to send me a bill for $2.15. I guess it's a net positive. I don't mind; I incurred the toll, will pay it when it comes due.

Got a bill from the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority for my toll. $6 to get out of Newport over the bridge to the west. Another nice drive, with nice scenery over Narragansett Bay, so worth it.

I don't like that the URL for paying one's toll is https://www.ezpassritba.com/Violation, and is labeled "Violation" in the header nav bar. Until past due, it's not a violation, just an unpaid toll. Seems presumptive, that people are going to be in violation.

I think that's it for tolls, but I might've forgotten one somewhere in Maine or Canada.

Starting to pay for the trip now. Discover payment should happen overnight (if server A can talk to server B. It usually goes pretty well), then my main CC is due next week. Slowly grinding back to normalcy.

Bally's Black Hawk is running a tournament series, so I decided to go up and play the Seniors event today. A little tired upon waking, but not too bad. Thought maybe I should skip it, but haven't went up the hill since Jan(?).

Ran bad, played even worse. Sigh. Lasted about halfway through level 4, which was also my first pocket pair (and flopped set) of the day. Just couldn't get any traction.

Not the end of the world, though. Really nice day up there. As is common, I'd packed a sandwich and Coke. US 6 runs along Clear Creek with some pullouts here & there, hiking trails, etc--its a a JeffCo park. So I stopped now & again, had lunch, took some short hikes and pictures.











So not a terrible day, despite the pokers.

sometimes it's best not to see a flop
seems poker offered a reminder your day might be better spent balancing perspective on life instead of leveraging a trail full of crumbs
thank you for sharing the points you viewed

Prettier than a poker room.

Yep, Red's right. Shoulda just skipped the tournament, head wasn't in the right place. Kinda forced it, as I don't go up but a few times/year.

Anyone ITT have experience with Brazil?

Talked to my travel agent yesterday about a possible winter trip. This trip to the Amazon & Igassu Falls (with a probable add-on of Rio) looks interesting.

1) Any other providers I should look into?
2) Don't know Portuguese. Will by touristy Spanish get me by?

Any other tips appreciated, if someone has some.

Friday night, one of my bar-league dealer colleagues stopped by on his way out. Said he was thinking about going up for the early (10 am) tournament today in Black Hawk. Sure, give me a text, we'll see if I'm up for it.

Never heard from him, but got a decent sleep, so drove on up there. I think I played OK. Probably didn't get enough value when I hit some hands. Made it to 18/48, just kind of grinding along.

There's a trailhead just north of Black Hawk. Got up there just after noon after being knocked out, so had my sandwich/pretzels/Coke, and went on a short walk down the trail.

Super nice day, quite a few folks out biking or hiking, many with dogs to say hi to and give a scrtach.

The leaves are just starting to turn near the trailhead. BH's elevation is listed as 8160 feet. Slightly above that, as we're a bit upstream.



A little way up the trail, I noticed this little cave. Tried turning on my phone's light and peeking in, but too muck glare to make anything out.



Then there's BH down there.



Mostly just a nice hike with early fall mountain scenes.









Didn't go too far, nor did I get off the main trail, as I'm not familiar with that area. I think I was gone ~ 1 hour, so maybe a mile or a little more in(?).

Once again, despite being disappointed with the pokers, a pretty nice day.

what a beautiful way to make your day

Thanks, Red.

In other news, looks like Brazil is probably off the table.

First, getting to Manaus from Denver is a hassle. Not a deal-breaker, but difficult.

Was up at the travel agent's Monday to discuss the tour I was looking at, which happened to be from Dec 22-Jan 1, according to Alexander + Roberts' website.

She called them up to check into availability. After several minutes on hold, she was informed that nobody else had signed up for that trip, and it would have to be priced as a private tour. To get pricing, she'd have to email their custom tour department. Also, there might be a surcharge for a tour during the holidays.

I asked her, in said email, to impress upon them that the fact nobody else signed up is a them problem, not a me problem. They advertised certain dates at a specific price. Further, A+R is known for guaranteeing their tours, regardless of attendance.

I expect them to come back with some ridiculous price compared to what was posted, and I tell them to **** off with the bait-and-switch.

It's OK, it wasn't something I had my heart set on, just something that sounded interesting.

Let me know what they come back with, maybe I'll split it with you.

You do know Brazil is a Christian country, right? Maybe not ideal dates, many things will be closed and stuff...

Brazilians believing (without evidence) in a magical man in the sky is not my problem. If the tour operator advertises specific dates and amounts, they should stand by them.

If there are considerations such as FWWM mentions, those should considered before the dates and prices are advertised. It's not as if December 25th could possibly have snuck up on them.

Yeah, I wasn't defending the tour operator, was just trying to convey that even if the tour went off it might not be that exciting. Muricans work like 400 days of the year but IME most other places have some major shutdown when their main holiday period arrives.

I'm disappointed more than anything. I think my sense of "your word is your bond" is stronger than it should be.

i'm sure you read all about it in the terms and conditions before you clicked agree

You're right, of course, Red. My travel agent did say that they reserve the right to do whatever they want in T&C.

Fortunately, I hadn't agreed to anything, we were just looking for availability. Haven't heard back on the private tour. Since they updated their website to take those dates off for that tour, I assume they're just saying "not interested" without coming out and saying it.

Looked around for something else interesting a little bit yesterday, nothing jumped out at me. At this point, I'd guess I'm going to just stay close until trying to find a spot for eclipse viewing in April.