I started trying to remember how I decided on this post subject. But you know what, who cares? Maybe if I did the twitter thing I could send out my stream of thoughts as the day dragged on.
I would like to know if you did something or been somewhere that doesn't exist anymore. I'm not talking about time travel (well maybe a mind trip if that counts). What I mean is the experience of knowing something/somewhere in your past doesn't exist anymore.
We can't recreate the past. But sometimes we try really hard to drag it into the future.
To be more specific, here's my example:
Our family had the opportunity to travel across the English channel (last I checked it's still there) years ago. While planning our trip, I quickly decided the best way to go was book a hovercraft ferry. We traveled between Dover England and Calais France. This was before the Chunnel.
The above picture is the craft coming to France to take us back.
The hovercraft is not an option anymore. It stopped operation. Today I would certainly try the Chunnel experience given the chance.
The hovercraft was fast and a blast. I'm sure it depends on the weather but I recall getting off feeling like I took a ride at an amusement park. Just enough bounce to enjoy the movement. It had aircraft type seats that were comfortable and it could carry our car. It had more room to move around than a plane.
Airlines can be quick but they will never carry your car for you. Today, you are lucky to get them to include a second bag with the fare.
Here's a picture of the Cliffs of Dover taken from the hovercraft.
So there's my example, I can't go back with anyone and do another English Channel crossing on a hovercraft. I'm not sure why the service was discontinued. I assume it was not cost effective.
So I have mixed feeling about this memory. On one hand, I feel part of an elite group that tried a unusual mode of transport. Then, I'm sad that I can't take another trip on it with someone.
So do you have any examples of this to share.
=== update ===
I found a way to share this memory with even more readers. I submitted it to the spin cycle. CHECK the others at that link.
11 comments:
I was part of the 'elite'who travelled on a hovercraft across the English Channel, and I enjoyed it too.
I have also been one of the many who have trodden gently on Moreton Island, a glorious almost pristine environment off the Queensland coast in Australia.
We hope that this experience too does not become a thing of the past.
Today at least half of the island's beaches have been covered in a thick sludge of oil which leaked from a cargo ship in cyclonic seas this week.
I can't ignore that.
June in Oz
@ June
thanks for stopping by and sharing. Of course the discontinued hovercraft does not compare to disaster events that remove things or places from our past.
If you are checking these comments - I was wondering if Australia has hovercraft in commercial operation. I don't think the US ever has.
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Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog and pointing me to your interesting post. One place I can't go back to is Monument Valley when it was nothing but desert...no visitor center, no hotel. Just sun, sand, sky and rocks. It's still special of course, but I loved it even more before. And when I was a kid, we could climb the ladders into the ruins at Mesa Verde. Too many tourists (and too much liability) to allow that now.
@Frankie thanks for sharing.
Most people try to avoid the tourist crowds but yet we are drawn to see what others are seeing.
Our family visited Mesa Verde in the 90's. We enjoyed it and did get to climb at least one ladder.
Tough balance on sharing beautiful places without ruining the place.
In the early 70ths I went from Calais to Dover also by hovercraft. Lovely to see the picture. It brings back memories I have almost forgotten.
Greetings froms the Netherlands
Carla
@ Carla,
Thanks, I'm happy to share memories.
I recall some business trips I had to Amsterdam. Great city for walking. Once I got use to the various streams of traffic, bikes, trams, and cars, I was able to survive crossing the street.
Chicago is a great city to visit too.
That is a great memory and not one that many people share. I can picture myself agreeing to go on a hovercraft, but then chicken out at the last minute since I am afraid of my own traveling shadow apparently. Still, I know I would be better for the experience. You're linked!
@sprite's keeper - It was exciting but not scary but I know that view depends on the person.
That sounds so exciting! I would love an experience like that!
Great Spin!
I played too!
@gigidiaz thanks for the comment - I'll be stopping by to read yours too.
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