Reviews – Page 5 – TORsAdventures

Ruby Falls – Tennessee

January 11, 2016January 11, 2016

I found a delightful pit stop off the I-24 highway when I was headed south. You see quite a few signs for Ruby Falls when you’re on the highway and might think that its a tourist trap but it was actually pretty cool. In 1928, Leo Lambert and a team of excavators found a breathtaking waterfall located over 1,120 feet below the surface of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, TN. Lambert named the falls after his wife, Ruby, and opened the area as a public attraction in 1930. Today, Ruby Falls welcomes thousands of visitors each year. Come tour the falls for yourself and see why it has been one of the best Chattanooga attractions for over 85 years. – Via www.rubyfalls.com

The cave when you walk in is so low that I could touch the ceiling without being on my toes. I am 5’6 but it was very easy. I know that my Dad who is 6’4 would have had some issues walking around and even getting to the waterfall.

Ruby Falls Cave, unlike Lookout Mountain Cave, had no natural openings and could not be entered until the 20th Century; it therefore does not have the various artifacts which are often associated with caves in the southeastern United States. In 1905 the natural entrance to Lookout Mountain Cave was closed during the construction of a railway tunnel. In the 1920s a chemist and cave enthusiast named Leo Lambert thought that he could re-open the cave as a tourist attraction, and formed a company to do so. He planned to make an opening further up the mountain than the original opening and transport tourists to the cave via an elevator. For this purpose, his company purchased land on the side of Lookout Mountain above Lookout Mountain Cave and in 1928 began to drill through the limestone. In doing so, they discovered a small passageway about 18 inches high and four feet wide. Exploring this opening, Lambert discovered the formerly hidden Ruby Falls Cave and its waterfall. On his next trip to visit the cave, Lambert took his wife Ruby, and told her that he would name the falls after her.

In 1954, the pathway around the basin was cut in order to allow tourists a better view of the falls. This began the tour-related quip regarding not drinking the falls’ water. Though pure and thus safe to drink, it has large concentrations of magnesium from the strata of the mountain, which makes it a natural laxative. Via en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby_Falls

Endless Summer Charters – Key West

October 6, 2015

I had the pleasure of going out with Captain Grif a few days ago from Endless Summer Charters. It was so much FUN I can’t wait to do it again. First we went to a fairly shallow spot to try and catch some sharks … Yes! I said SHARKS! Rebecca reeled one in and I was happy to be the official tour photographer. The 3 or 4 of them that were under the boat made me a little nervous.

Grif is a pro at getting the hook out of the sharks mouth. We then headed over to a spot called Boca Grande that had an old shipwreck sticking out of the water. Grif said he thinks it was a ship from WWII.

We changed up our bait a little bit and started fishing for some Jew fish aka Goliath Grouper … sadly all I caught were some tiny little guys that we couldn’t even eat for dinner. I think it was Rebecca’s fishing day since she also caught a Mutton Snapper that was at least 5 pounds. He came back with us for dinner and man was it fresh and yummy. I don’t think I have ever caught a fish, filleted it and then had it cooked within the same afternoon.

I can’t say that I am the most fond of fish. We have a few good stories but I prefer them on my plate already cut up and sometimes cooked. Something about the slime and them being alive. But none the less I love to eat them!

Key West First Legal Rum Distillery

June 26, 2015March 21, 2016

Key West First Legal Rum Distillery was started by Paul Menta, a Key West local and avid kite boarder. They feature 8 different types of rum: Legal, Local, Vanilla Brulee Dark, Duval Street Spiced, Devil’s Rum, Key Lime, Raw & Unfiltered and 105 Simonton. All of the rums are distilled 6 times and are made with pure Florida sugar cane. All of the ingredients are all natural and they do not use any added coloring or dyes.

They are open 10am to Sunset daily and we host free tours Monday-Saturday at 3:00 and 3:30pm. The distillery location has a lot of history dating back to the 1900’s when it was Jack’s Saloon. It was also a Coca Cola bottling plant at one time. You don’t see Coke bottles that say “Made in Key West” anymore.

Legal Rum “Mother Rum” – Has notes of butterscotch and pear as well as a smooth finish.

Local Rum – This rum was developed for the “Local” bars in town so they can have a premium rum that was made on the island to serve in well drinks. It is also distilled at a higher tempature.

Vanilla Brulee Dark Rum – We take whole vanilla beans, slice them down the middle then roll them in pure Florida sugar cane. We then infuse them for about 10 to 12 hours.

Duval Street Spiced Rum – We infuse cardamon, clove, vanilla beans, allspice, 3 citrus spices and its finished with basil.

Devil’s Rum – We infuse cinniamon leaf oil and finish with orange zest. Spicy yet refreshing.

Chef’s Real Key Lime Rum – We take whole Florida key limes over to Kermitts Key Lime and have them juced. We then infuse the juice and rinds for about 10 to 12 hours.

RAW and Unfiltered Rum – We barrel age the Legal rum for about 5 months. The unique thing that we do is when we swell our barrels we use sea water vs regular water to add a layer of salt to the charring on the inside of the barrel.

105 Simonton Rum – We barrel age the RAW and Unfiltered for an additional 105 days and also sell it at 105 proof.

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