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General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: Roxie on April 01, 2005, 08:05:57 PM

Title: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Roxie on April 01, 2005, 08:05:57 PM
For those who thought the Mason Dixon Line was imaginery....here are pictures of the REAL Mason Dixon Line, which is the border between Maryland and Pennsylvania.  One side of the posts reads Pennsylvania the other reads Maryland.  There is a road sign posted as you travel north into Yankee country warning where the line is located.....there is no such warning if you travel south on that highway.   :D 
If ya live Nath of this line, yer a Yankee....if ya live South of it, you're just regular folks. 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11566/masondixontwo.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11566/masondixonthree.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11566/masondixonfour.jpg)

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11566/masondixonone.jpg)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ironwood on April 01, 2005, 09:20:46 PM
I pass by the Mason-Dixon line all the time on the way to Friendsville, Md. from Greensburg, Pa where I live. There is a sign or two there as well.

   In addition it seems like my nieghbors up here in Pa. are PIGS........................because I always notice how little roadside trash is evident south of the Mason-Dixon line. It is such a shame, Pa is blessed with beautiful topography, and great forests, the people just don't give a rat's a-- about the enviroment.

                         REID
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: etat on April 01, 2005, 09:58:23 PM
We got pretty clean roads around here.  Not saying they're perfect, but folks  in jail for lesser crimes spend their days on 'road crews' wearing red coveralls and picking up trash up and down the highways, and county roads followed by a deputy.  I won't say that it helps lower the crime rate but it sure does help keep these county roads cleaner.  Also pretty stiff fines for throwing out trash on the roads.  I even got a ticket myself one time, for throwing out a cigarette butt.

That's been years ago. I didn't think all that much about the ticket, I figured they wouldn't push it for a 50 dollar fine. That is until one day I got in the mail, a WARRANT for my arrest.  I went immediately and paid the fine which had became quite a bit more that 50 dollars by the time they tacked court costs, and contempt of court on to it. 

I kinda straightened my little butt up and marched on down there and paid my fine and got the charges dropped.  I don't want to be in jail for ANY reason, much less for throwing out a cigarette butt!
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Firewood Farm on April 01, 2005, 10:12:23 PM
Quote from: Reid Crosby on April 01, 2005, 09:20:46 PM
...I always notice how little roadside trash is evident south of the Mason-Dixon line. It is such a shame, Pa is blessed with beautiful topography, and great forests, the people just don't give a rat's a-- about the enviroment.

                         REID

Amen brother! It doesn't matter which direction you leave the state. The roads get cleaner (and much better) whether it's MD, OH, NY, DE, or even NJ (no offense intended).
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Fraxinus on April 02, 2005, 12:04:49 AM
The trashiest roads I ever saw were in Arkansas.
Seems like in Pennsylvania, they should at least pick up the dead deer.  I'll guarantee no deer or moose would ever go to waste here in NH.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: ScottAR on April 02, 2005, 12:32:03 AM
It's better now than it used to be...  We have some inmates in orange out and now the "adopt a highway"  where the boy scouts or a community club will adopt a couple miles of a highway and keep it clean. 
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: fstedy on April 02, 2005, 01:30:42 AM
 smiley_fireman_hat smiley_chef_hat smiley_hardhat smiley_army_helmet smiley_bobby We even have some regular folk here in New Jersey. smiley_bobby smiley_army_helmet smiley_hardhat smiley_chef_hat smiley_fireman_hat
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 02, 2005, 02:36:01 AM
How COOL!

I thought the Mason-Dixon line was sorta folklore, as in it was a roughly about line, not a real actual draw it on a map line!

thanks Roxie!

I'm learning lots.

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Camp Run Farm on April 02, 2005, 06:30:16 AM
Trash along the road is my pet gripe.  Can't understand why people just open the window and throw it out, it has to have something to do with their upbringing.  The city of Pittsburgh must have professional trashers, any hillside in the city has washing machines, tires, TV's, you name it, all over the hillside.  I moved out of there thinking I was going to escape some of the litter, here in Armstrong County there is some absolutely beautiful countryside and there are people that try to make it look like a dump.  I pick up trash bags full of cans and bottles along our road.  I have tried to do a profile of the type of person that litters, I know for sure that most of them drink cheap beer and Mountain Dew.  Oh well it gives me something to do.  Pennsylvania doesn't make their jail inmates do anything, our governor and state legislators think that any type of work is cruel and unusual punishment.     

Ed
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 02, 2005, 06:38:48 AM
Quote from: Camp Run Farm on April 02, 2005, 06:30:16 AM
Pennsylvania doesn't make their jail inmates do anything, our governor and state legislators think that any type of work is cruel and unusual punishment.     

Ed

That's what my kids say when I make them clean their rooms... :(

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 02, 2005, 07:34:38 AM
We have several problems with trash, just like any other state.  But, we import more trash than any other state.  Thank you NY, MD, and NJ.  We tried banning it, but were shot down in federal court.  Now, they're going to try to tax it to death.

A lot of those trucks don't have tarps over the top.  Guess how much crap blows off.  Then there are all those shards of rubber off of the trucks.  They blow tires and keep on going.  A lot of truck traffic goes through PA.

I clean up along my stretch of road.  A lot of debris is from trucks, and the rest seems to be cans and bottles.  Putting a deposit on those things would probably help.

As for dead deer, I've never seen any lay more than a couple of days at most.  There are guys that go around and pick up roadkill all the time. 

There are mountains of trash in the forests that are being cleaned up.  Volunteers go out and clean tons of trash and tires out of the woods.
http://www.cleanpaforests.org/cleanupsites.html 

People are pigs everywhere. We don't have the market cornered.  The potholes are another story.   >:(
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Norm on April 02, 2005, 07:43:23 AM
Iowa put on a bottle and can deposit several years ago that has helped. We also have the adopt a highway thing too but it seems groups do it and then lose interest pretty quick. We clean up the trash in the ditches next to our property in the spring and I mow the grass in it if it's not too steep to get the tractor in it. You'd be amazed at the number of farmers that mow the ditches next to their fields around here, now that's a proud landowner. :)

Me I never throw any trash out of my pickup window, just look in the back seat and you can see it's all there. By the way us regular folks live in the north too...proud to be a yankee. ;D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 02, 2005, 07:44:47 AM
Quote from: Ron Wenrich on April 02, 2005, 07:34:38 AM
As for dead deer, I've never seen any lay more than a couple of days at most.  There are guys that go around and pick up roadkill all the time.

I'm almost scared to ask, but what do they DO with them?

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Roxie on April 02, 2005, 07:46:30 AM
 :D  Your right on there Ron!   :D  I was honestly thinking about going to several roads in this area where Maryland becomes Pennsylvania and taking a picture of the difference in the road.  You know you've left Maryland without the sign.  There is one road in particular which narrows from a wide two lane (with manicured shoulders) into a one lane dirt road entering PA!  Everytime I travel that road, I smile and tell myself that Pennsylvania must be trying to keep the "rural lane" feeling alive!   :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Roxie on April 02, 2005, 07:51:12 AM
Asy, they incinerate them.  If you hit a deer in this state, and you call the game warden, you can take the deer if you want to do so.  Roadkill is edible if fresh.  The deer that are left laying have not been reported to the police or the game warden, because they are picked up around here quickly. 
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Minnesota_boy on April 02, 2005, 07:53:47 AM
Asy,
When I find a fresh roadkill deer and have the time for it, I take it home and butcher it.  Many of them have little damage to the meat and if it is a real fresh kill. it make fine meat for the table.  I hate to see 40 to 60 pounds of good meat go to waste.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 02, 2005, 07:57:46 AM
hmm...

yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I love venison.

I was worried you were going to say they wasted them...

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 02, 2005, 08:28:44 AM
I always thought the roadkill was taken to jails to be used, as well as some of the "poorhouses". 

Now, if they ever got to cleaning up groundhogs, skunks and coons, that would be called job security.   :D

I've heard some pretty scary stories about hitting a bear.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Roxie on April 02, 2005, 08:36:50 AM
Do you know why the chicken crossed the road? ???











To prove to the possum, it COULD be done!   :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: shopteacher on April 02, 2005, 08:45:20 AM
At one time deer were taken to prisons, group homes and the like, but that was banned due to not being USDA certified.  In this part of Pa (southwest corner) the roadkill are left to rot on or along the road. If you travel I 70 from W. Virgina to the turnpike at New Stanton you will see deer carcase in all stages of decay. From last night's kill to one that is nothing left but some hide and bone.  The turkey buzzards are becoming more prevalent ( no no the one's in state government, there numbers are pretty steady) and the crows are cleaning up a little.  The game commission use to take care of the problem, but guess they have rose above that position. I heard they were trying to get private contractors at 35.00 a carcase, but the cost to pick them up and dispose of properly made it not lucrative enough.  Travel that stretch of I 70 and I'd just about bet you could see 20 to 50 carcases at about anytime of year.  More so at hunting season.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Timber_Framer on April 02, 2005, 08:54:00 AM
On eof the worst things that ever happened to American society was our becoming a "disposable" Nation :-\
I was surprised by the lack of trash along the roads onmy last visit to Mexico, but when I found out that the deposit on a case of beer was only $2 less then the beer I realized why...12pesos for beer, 10pesos for bottles ;D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: thecfarm on April 02, 2005, 11:35:17 AM
The Fish and Game Dept will take the deer and throw it on the ice for the eagles and opreys to eat at times.Love those old back dirt roads.We have to turn off from a dirt road to get on to our deadend dirt road.Like to keep people who don't belong here away.Hunting season is our busiest time.But a 500 foot driveways keeps the road noise away.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: MemphisLogger on April 02, 2005, 11:56:18 AM
Quote from: Camp Run Farm on April 02, 2005, 06:30:16 AM
Trash along the road is my pet gripe.  Can't understand why people just open the window and throw it out, it has to have something to do with their upbringing.     

Ed

Ed,

We have a program here in Tennessee where you can call an 800 number and report litterers' license plate number and they receive a warning letter from the state. I have the number programmed into my cell phone  ;D

Just to see how effective the program is, I turned in one of my 4x4ing buddies who had a bad habit of tossing bottles. When he got the warning, he got freaked-out scared and started keeping a trashb bin in the bed of his truck  ;) :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: WH_Conley on April 02, 2005, 12:27:05 PM
The bed and floorboard of my truck keep trash in em. I can clean the truck a lot easier than a roadside.

I have a couple of places that people can drive and run atv's on, I tell people that I don't care as long as they take their trash with em.

The trash will come closer to gettin you ran off than anything else. If that can would fit in the cooler to get there it will fit to take it back.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 02, 2005, 01:46:05 PM
My father-in-law used to wonder why some fishermen could carry full cans of beer to the fishin' hole, but never have the strength to carry out the empty ones.   :D

Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Sawyerfortyish on April 02, 2005, 07:57:06 PM
Asy around here a local zoo picks up the dead deer to feed there lions and other animals.
    I have noticed when I had to go to south Jersey the cigarette butts lay all over the ground by the thousands at every traffic light. I think to myself  what lazy slobs threw them there. I don't see it so much were I live in north jersey.  I don't smoke and I don't throw litter out my window. If you look in my truck there is a bag for it
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Brad_S. on April 02, 2005, 08:07:34 PM
I bought an old fur farm, but one scavenger had yet to hear the farm was defunct and showed up one day with a 16' trailer full of road kill. Appearantly they used to grind up anything and feed it to the little carnivors.

For you PA'ers, this marker is located in Fishers, NY, about 20 miles from the Lake Ontario shore and 1/2 mile south of I-90 (New York state Thruway).
Certainly would change how the maps look!
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11820/Fishers.jpg)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: crtreedude on April 02, 2005, 08:24:53 PM
Hey Brad,

I used to live in that neck of the woods at one time - saw the picture in the gallery and had to look it up.

Beautiful part of the world, but too cold for me.

I now leave about at the 7th  Parallell. You know, you start heading south you have no idea where you might end up...  :D

Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: etat on April 02, 2005, 08:56:32 PM
I have, and I'm telling the truth a government built watershed lake joining my property with some of the best bass fishing you'll ever find.  It was built in th 60's but the land still belongs to the landholders. Five to eight pounders are common and ocassionally ya hang one of the big ones.  I've turned back way more fish than I've ever kept out of that lake. 

I have one of 'three' ways to get down to that lake.  When I moved on this property my grandfather had always kept the road open to the public.  The other's were already gated off.

For a couple of months I suffered mud riders across my propety and beer parties down the hill from my back door.  Time and again I warned folks not to come in when it was muddy and take their trash with em.

Guess what.  The road is now fenced off with a locked gate.  Crossing my land to go fishing is now by invitation only.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Brad_S. on April 02, 2005, 11:24:07 PM
crtreedude,
If you've been gone longer than 10 years, you wouldn't recognize the place. Eastview Mall, once a podunk outpost that many didn't feel even qualified as a mall is now the largest around. Retail shops are every where and real estate prices are silly stupid.

Progess. ::)

And there's plenty of litter around here too.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 03, 2005, 05:25:31 AM
Quote from: cktate on April 02, 2005, 08:56:32 PM
Guess what.  The road is now fenced off with a locked gate.  Crossing my land to go fishing is now by invitation only.

I love fishing, don't do anywhere near enough of it, haven't been for YEARS...

I'd love to go fishing with you if we're ever in your neck of the woods...

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ironwood on April 03, 2005, 06:58:02 AM
Timber Framer,

  I have gone over the road to Mexico City 4 times and flown in once and the trash down there is well focused,.................in neighborhood ravines and well it is sad to see childern looking for food there. Many homeless children there and it is sad to see but at least every usable item is consumed before it is ultimately throw away, wish that occured in this country,.................. we do have some ugly Americans aboout this place, they are usually the nicest dressed and live in the fanciest houses, and usually drive new cars. They could support many families each year off of the "trash" at there curbsides. They are usually to lazy to even donate it to Goodwill or other non-profits. I am still trying to figure out how to convey to my three year old to eat everything on his plate as others around the world are starving.........Just so you folks know I am a Laize-Faire gov. type and survival of the fittest dude but just can't STAND WASTE! :-[   Mexicans sem to also consme any roadkill  with a vengence as the roadside are devoid of any meatly debris, including the canine type which are their most common wild animal from what I have seen. By the way this is not ment to be derogatory in any fashion(almost a shame to have to throw that in).
               OFF MY SOAPBOX NOW. REID
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Roxie on April 03, 2005, 07:07:48 AM
Hey Brad S!  That picture is great!  I never knew that!  Ya know, ya really do learn something new every day on this forum!   :)  I'm glad you posted that!
Title: Speaking of Lines and Roadkill
Post by: MemphisLogger on April 03, 2005, 10:53:43 AM
(https://forestryforum.com/board/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michiganimaging.com%2FBikes%2Froadkill.gif&hash=2a6365243182b248f72f8bfb9f634d3db30e42bd)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Tom on April 03, 2005, 11:11:20 AM
I heard a story, might have been here on the forum, about a State work crew that had installed an underpass below a well traveled road for utilities and wildlife passage.  Stopped one day, several miles up the road, the engineer was confronted by a little old lady resident who was adamant that they move the "Deer Crossing" sign closer to the underpass.  "This is just as dangerous a place for them to cross as it's ever been", she said. :)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: beenthere on April 03, 2005, 01:11:17 PM
UrbanLogger
The words that I saw attached to that picture of the yellow lines crossing over the possum were:

Not my job!
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: MemphisLogger on April 03, 2005, 01:20:56 PM
I was thinking lunch at the Roadkill Cafe  ;) ;D

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_sep2003/RoadKill.gif
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Patty on April 03, 2005, 01:26:24 PM
I walked the ditches on the south side of the property this morning picking up trash. It took only about a mile to fill up a garbage bag.  >:( While walking you have the time to contemplate.....hmmmm the beer cans out number the pop cans 10 to 1.............that is scarey......hmmm at least most the folks who are drinking  beer are drinking Budweiser  8)...ah yes, random thoughts on a Sunday morning.  :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Norm on April 03, 2005, 01:29:38 PM
It tells you one thing for sure......they may be slobs but they know a good beer. ;D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Buzz-sawyer on April 03, 2005, 01:48:23 PM
Patty
I do not drink and drive.......
BUT when , I see all the beer cans in the ditch...It reminds me that otheres DO!!!
As a teen in the 70's in rural area it was a ritual to drink and drive the country roads...every friday and Saturday night.
On the rare ocassion a cop pulled us over they would make us pour out any open containers, and possibly CONFISCATE our brew.....Rare ocassions would be illegal trasportation of alchohol ticket...$35 .....
Sent us on our way crocked as ever........TOTALLY different situation today.
Now even if I have a A single beer I will let someone else drive.... :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: hiya on April 03, 2005, 02:30:01 PM
When I lived in Pa. someone dumped trash along the road close to our place. I found a paper with a name and adress, I called the athorites. The next day the guilty party was out to clean up the mess. 8) 8)
Richard
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 03, 2005, 08:18:22 PM
That's cool Richard!

I don't understand why people do that???

Do they not have bins at home?

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 03, 2005, 08:56:33 PM
The deer use the old railroad underpass below my property.  I've never seen any hit anywhere near the underpass.  I have heard that the state has put in some deer underpasses on some of the major highways.  Could be an urban myth.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: etat on April 03, 2005, 09:15:30 PM
QuoteDo they not have bins at home?

I don't know about everywhere else asy but out here in rural Mississippi trash bins were eliminated about 10 or 12 years ago.  Now the county picks up trash at the roadside a each individual residence once a week.  We do have to keep it bagged.  I like many ohers have my own, homemade, bin to put the trash bags in. We do have to pay for the service.  If we don't when it comes time to renew our car or truck tags they will be withheld until the garbage collection fee is paid up to date.  And there ARE rules about what can and can't be put in the bags:)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: ScottAR on April 03, 2005, 09:28:55 PM
In town, city workers pick up nearly everything at the street.  If it's in a can, the can goes too.   :D   Out in the county,  one is issued a rolling can.  Once a week, a truck comes out and the arm on the side grabs the can and dumps it it the truck.    Pretty neat to see.....   but I'm easily entertained some days.   :D :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Minnesota_boy on April 03, 2005, 09:52:19 PM
Quote from: Ron Wenrich on April 03, 2005, 08:56:33 PM
The deer use the old railroad underpass below my property.  I've never seen any hit anywhere near the underpass.  I have heard that the state has put in some deer underpasses on some of the major highways.  Could be an urban myth.

Near Banff, Alberta, the highway goes under an elevated walkway that's planted with grass and bushes for a place for the elk and grizzly bears to cross.  I'd suspect it wouldn't be pretty to hit either with your car or truck.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: asy on April 04, 2005, 12:33:18 AM
Ok, y'all can put this in the 'stupid questions' bin, but...

How do they know to cross there? Are there fences along the rest of the highway???

And don't anyone say there are signs..  lol

or has it just become habit?

asy :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 04, 2005, 07:14:40 PM
For my underpass, it seems that they know that is the way.  I guess its kinda been passed down from generation to generation.  The bears would have a larger range then the deer.  Maybe they just follow the elk berries.    :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Minnesota_boy on April 04, 2005, 08:07:40 PM
The overpass in Alberta was the only opening in an 8 foot tall fence for miles.  The fence keeps the critters off the highway, the overpass lets the critters get to the other side for feeding and breeding.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Bro. Noble on April 04, 2005, 10:02:08 PM
Well,

finally we know why those critters crossed the road :D :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: sawguy21 on April 04, 2005, 10:35:11 PM
Problem is, the animals don't like to use the crossings because the predators such as wolves and coyotes have learned to hang out here. Minnesota boy is right, you really do not want to hit a bear. :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: firtol88 on April 07, 2005, 09:55:25 PM
Quote from: Fraxinus on April 02, 2005, 12:04:49 AM
The trashiest roads I ever saw were in Arkansas.
Seems like in Pennsylvania, they should at least pick up the dead deer.  I'll guarantee no deer or moose would ever go to waste here in NH.

Just figured I'd weigh in on the Arkansas roads. Brought the family to Tanyard Springs http://www.tanyardsprings.com for a week around new years (the place can't be beat). To be fair you can't drive more than 2 miles without seeing a '$1000 fine for littering' sign and the roadsides are exceptionally clean. Guess they were making up for something, but it seems to have worked.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Stump Jumper on April 07, 2005, 10:22:20 PM
How far west does the imaginary Mason Dixon line go and what states does it go through? ???  In other words am I a yankee sometimes I feel I have a little rebel in me. :D :D :D
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Bro. Noble on April 08, 2005, 05:57:18 AM
firtol88.

The Petit Jean Mountain is one of our favorite get aways too.  We stay at the Lodge or cabins in the state park.  There are very nice hiking trails,  views, and really good food at the lodge.  And it is very reasonably priced :)
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: Ron Wenrich on April 08, 2005, 06:00:36 AM
The Mason-Dixon only runs between PA and MD, so you're safe.
Title: Re: The Mason Dixon Line
Post by: firtol88 on April 08, 2005, 11:11:21 AM
Quote from: Bro. Noble on April 08, 2005, 05:57:18 AM
...The Petit Jean Mountain is one of our favorite get aways too.  We stay at the Lodge or cabins in the state park.  There are very nice hiking trails,  views, and really good food at the lodge.  And it is very reasonably priced :)

That was our second trip there and I must agree it is a beautiful place, on our first trip we stayed in the park cabins. If you can swing it (almost twice the price) the ones at Tanyard are much farther apart (not hard to accomplish when considering the park ones) which affords some privacy and allows younger children or adults to be a bit rambunctious without bothering others. Not to mention how nice the interiors are, those places are beautiful and well cared for... guess I could go on and on but I'm sure you get the point I would spend the extra money again without hesitation.