h a l f b a k e r yMy hatstand runneth over
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The Central Park Reservoir, being a reservoir, is divided into two sections; when the water is high, the central divider is below the surface, but when it is lower, the divider emerges as a walkway connecting the two pumping stations.
Anyway, this inspires my idea for a waterside restaurant, situated
in the middle of a lake or reservoir. It is accessed by a walkway that is just under the water surface (say 1/2"), so that patrons appear to be walking on water as they approach. (A weir keeps the water level just so.)
At night, a row of lights illuminate the sides of the walkway, so that patrons can find their way in the dark, and the whole restaurant is lit up like a fairy castle to reflect nicely in the gently rippling waters of the lake.
As with a regular restaurant, the wait staff pay close attention to customers too inebriated to drive or stick to the pathway, and a gondola is on hand to whisk them back to shore, where a taxi will be waiting.
The novel part of this invention is baked.
http://news.bbc.co....dle_east/270074.stm Though DrC's vision is, to my taste, far less kitschy. [beauxeault, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
Water Cafe?
http://pic6.picture...456726/45102960.jpg Not exactly walking... [csea, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]
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Very Chauncy Gardener, I like it. |
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Lovely. *waves two fingers* "Ah, Jesus, could I get the check over here and a croissant for the road?" |
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Saw that in Iceland. The restaurant didn't have a walkway but a series of flat rock in easy stepping distance. I don't think it was intended. A river had shifted in a spring flood and the area around the restaurant was under water. They put out the stones to stay in business. Then heavy rain had flooded the stones a little. |
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Excellent. Take this bread... |
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The walkway could be transparent acrylic, just below the surface of the water for a little extra bit of challenge? |
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Just remember to keep the fountain off during business hours. |
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<DrCurry> Sheesh, what's wrong with a concrete sidewalk? </DrCurry> + |
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// They would have been being there, [waugs]? // |
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Yes, UB. Just like television, only you can see much further. |
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Nope, they'll have to sign waivers before making the crossing. We have that boat, manned by hunky gondoliers, ready for those who won't sign. |
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In much the same way as serving alcohol in a pub disattracts the abstemious. |
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You could make it safer by having the walkway cross a big swimming pool. Hotel guests would frolic in the water on either side. If they fell in, well - an unintended swim. It is only 4 feet deep. Plus you could cut channels underwater so kids could swim underneath. |
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It occurs to me that the clear lexan walkway could have a light flush up against it, and the light would be emitted anywhere the surface was not polished. |
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Could the walkway be the top of a large rectangular tube of transparent acrylic/lexan/aluminum/whatever inhabited by sharks? |
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Create the walkway with sections that can be raised and
lowered, so the management can continually re-configure
the path. So many benefits:
~Those with reservations and private parties are given
directions, to keep out the crowds on busy nights.
~Bad tippers can be tipped into the drink on their way out
with the touch of a button.
~Slow nights, the whole lake can be made walkable.
~The intoxicated can be "steered" back to land. |
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//~Bad tippers can be tipped into the drink on their way out with the touch of a button.// |
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Of course if it's an Evil Walk on Water Cafe run by a megalomaniac scientist bent on world domination, then the lake would be stocked with sharks. Or sea bass. With lasers. |
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glass, or any similar smooth surface is like ice when wet...therefore textured cement (while unpleasant to fall on) may be the best option... alternatively, one could have a 'dry' walkway with overspilling fog that carries on the water to complete an illusion of walking on water while not actually doing so? Otherwise, not a bad idea... |
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What about when mossy stuff starts to grow on it, making it very slippery? |
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What about people who don't want to get their feet wet? |
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What about midgets? WHAT ABOUT MIDGETS?!?! |
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[rux] How will the midgets see over the fog?! |
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The water's only a couple inches deep! That's what about
midgets. |
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>>Or sea bass. With lasers.<< |
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Are they ill-tempered sea bass? |
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No point having any other kind. |
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How will midgets escape the wrath of ill-tempered sea bass?!? |
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could actually be a good idea, except for the fact that anyone who slips and falls into the water can sue the restaurant. And I hope you don't plan to have a happy hour, one staff can handle only so many drunken idiots. |
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White sea bass. Or giant black sea bass. |
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