tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85621277802421286042024-03-13T17:06:04.844-04:00TrailBlogSpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-82857184456677557792015-04-21T10:08:00.001-04:002015-04-21T10:16:25.918-04:00When It's Springtime in Alaska....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AYEAtNT7GRw/VTZZ4FDN7eI/AAAAAAAABD8/HwgB1pQ8W8w/s640/blogger-image-1760064745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AYEAtNT7GRw/VTZZ4FDN7eI/AAAAAAAABD8/HwgB1pQ8W8w/s640/blogger-image-1760064745.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6wtdmPwbcJE/VTZZnAZ1xOI/AAAAAAAABDM/RD663aJF_VU/s640/blogger-image-442596694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6wtdmPwbcJE/VTZZnAZ1xOI/AAAAAAAABDM/RD663aJF_VU/s640/blogger-image-442596694.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bl2WTz1bLds/VTZZxOs4pII/AAAAAAAABDk/6fZJ6194Gg0/s640/blogger-image--1268608778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bl2WTz1bLds/VTZZxOs4pII/AAAAAAAABDk/6fZJ6194Gg0/s640/blogger-image--1268608778.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--UjoHPvIf9A/VTZZtjpMT6I/AAAAAAAABDc/tSpirABeiuc/s640/blogger-image--1128064704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--UjoHPvIf9A/VTZZtjpMT6I/AAAAAAAABDc/tSpirABeiuc/s640/blogger-image--1128064704.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LPOlL3UDxjM/VTZZzp_s9CI/AAAAAAAABDs/sPFolrPzWn0/s640/blogger-image--907552311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LPOlL3UDxjM/VTZZzp_s9CI/AAAAAAAABDs/sPFolrPzWn0/s640/blogger-image--907552311.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCYA2kYgwA4/VTZZ6h1VmqI/AAAAAAAABEE/7fJLoJo4078/s640/blogger-image-1387666857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rCYA2kYgwA4/VTZZ6h1VmqI/AAAAAAAABEE/7fJLoJo4078/s640/blogger-image-1387666857.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DZXi69iRAR4/VTZZpft3ZjI/AAAAAAAABDU/qF1RCIeZDRg/s640/blogger-image--936677634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DZXi69iRAR4/VTZZpft3ZjI/AAAAAAAABDU/qF1RCIeZDRg/s640/blogger-image--936677634.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dh_slgHKT-o/VTZZ1qb6-HI/AAAAAAAABD0/KR8hybG5zFI/s640/blogger-image--16872285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dh_slgHKT-o/VTZZ1qb6-HI/AAAAAAAABD0/KR8hybG5zFI/s640/blogger-image--16872285.jpg" /></a></div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0Anchorage Anchorage61.182408 -149.938769tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-39245992803169906552014-03-08T19:24:00.000-05:002014-03-08T19:26:54.231-05:00TrailBlog has MovedPictures now being updated<a href="http://spacef3tus.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"> here-----></a>.<a href="http://spacef3tus.tumblr.com/"></a>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-50634044668339096162013-04-26T18:37:00.000-04:002013-04-26T19:15:52.766-04:00A Case of Tecate Blues (or "The Ballad of the Champagne Ranger")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80_ikWbCI1Y/UXrtun1UEMI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/Am3Vyib_pf4/s1600/DSCF7386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80_ikWbCI1Y/UXrtun1UEMI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/Am3Vyib_pf4/s640/DSCF7386.JPG" title="Or did they have us all to themselves?" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hank and I made it down to <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Guerrero+Negro,+Mexico&hl=en&ll=27.916767,-113.994141&spn=20.075215,32.958984&sll=38.997934,-105.550567&sspn=4.430432,8.239746&oq=guerrero+ne&hnear=Guerrero+Negro,+Baja+California+Sur,+Mexico&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">Guerrero Negro</a> just in time to catch the last boat of the season. The good news is we had this mommy and baby <em>ballena </em>all to ourselves.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1MW9-A2tdc/UXruYBVAUlI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/LiVaX6hYTWo/s1600/DSCF7403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p1MW9-A2tdc/UXruYBVAUlI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/LiVaX6hYTWo/s400/DSCF7403.JPG" title="worse, I found myself agreeing with those "Whale Wars" guys" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't care how jaded you are (or how much you believe in the principle of non-interaction,) when a baby gray whale swims up to your boat, you must pet it. I've never felt so much like I was communing with an alien intelligence.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1sbpl4Qelw/UXrt8hMWzaI/AAAAAAAAA9o/8Cx3IjzevCA/s1600/DSCF7365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1sbpl4Qelw/UXrt8hMWzaI/AAAAAAAAA9o/8Cx3IjzevCA/s640/DSCF7365.JPG" title="where's Kevin Bacon when you need him?" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The road to the "Black Warrior" goes through the baja desert, filled with weird plants plants found only on the peninsula, like these giant cacti...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-77YFSm1Ds/UXrt464jwYI/AAAAAAAAA9g/XInWips4lGc/s1600/DSCF7356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-77YFSm1Ds/UXrt464jwYI/AAAAAAAAA9g/XInWips4lGc/s640/DSCF7356.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">and this cousin of the <a href="http://spacefoetus.blogspot.com/2012/04/adios-california-big-trees-and-big.html#more" target="_blank">ocotillo</a>, called the "boojum tree" or <em>cirrio. </em>The natives say touching it will bring strong winds. <em>I didn't know</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hau5ng26Vk/UXruAU1LMPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/PDFKNCaSkvM/s1600/DSCF7415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--hau5ng26Vk/UXruAU1LMPI/AAAAAAAAA9w/PDFKNCaSkvM/s640/DSCF7415.JPG" title="Steve McQueen he ain't" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After saying "<em>hola</em>" to the whales, Hank and I decided to cross to the other side of the peninsula and go up the coast of the Sea of Cortez. This involved taking what the guide book calls "one of the worst roads in Baja." On <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Coco's+corner,+Baja+California,+Mexico&hl=en&ll=29.506549,-114.268799&spn=2.480992,4.119873&sll=28.420391,-106.259766&sspn=19.98279,32.958984&oq=Coco's+corner,+baj&hq=Coco's+corner,&hnear=Baja+California,+Mexico&t=m&z=8" target="_blank">Coco's</a> advice, we lowered our tire pressure about five p.s.i. and travelled a lot more smoothly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0IPJIkDhZY/UXruud9f2LI/AAAAAAAAA-g/XFUWv5o4SHs/s1600/DSCF7428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0IPJIkDhZY/UXruud9f2LI/AAAAAAAAA-g/XFUWv5o4SHs/s400/DSCF7428.JPG" title="jk, it was muy delicioso" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the west coast we saw mostly locals and surfers, but the east coast seems to have more American retirees and, during the season, spring breakers. In the beach town of <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=San+Felipe,+Baja+California,+Mexico&hl=en&ll=31.709476,-115.301514&spn=4.849608,8.239746&sll=32.026706,-115.905762&sspn=2.41687,4.119873&oq=san+felipe,+baj&hnear=San+Felipe,+Baja+California,+Mexico&t=m&z=7" target="_blank">San Felipe</a>, Hank takes a break from <em>tacos pescados</em> to try the <em>ceviche especiale</em> (which I believe translates to "pelican vomit.")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUBRVnA_TEs/UXruOufGf-I/AAAAAAAAA-I/dFY-nk63NUg/s1600/DSCF7427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUBRVnA_TEs/UXruOufGf-I/AAAAAAAAA-I/dFY-nk63NUg/s320/DSCF7427.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssto9RunteM/UXruiAauHQI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/6NqLwr32aaw/s1600/DSCF7430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ssto9RunteM/UXruiAauHQI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/6NqLwr32aaw/s640/DSCF7430.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our last stops before heading across the border was the <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=parque+national+de+1857&hl=en&ll=32.026706,-115.905762&spn=2.41687,4.119873&sll=32.012734,-115.977173&sspn=2.417238,4.119873&hq=parque+national+de+1857&t=m&z=8" target="_blank"><em>Parque National Constitution de 1857</em></a>. With its tall ponderosas and piles of granite boulders, you might think you were in the Sierras of Northern California.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tribunadelabahia.com.mx/noticiasdepuertovallarta/images/pic/222%20MENTE-123122010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.tribunadelabahia.com.mx/noticiasdepuertovallarta/images/pic/222%20MENTE-123122010.jpg" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mexico's more chipper version of Smokey Bear, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Savi la Ardilla Brigadista</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYyNhgaiv7w/UXsAzqjPPvI/AAAAAAAAA_A/-QEdH39ET84/s1600/DSCF7387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DYyNhgaiv7w/UXsAzqjPPvI/AAAAAAAAA_A/-QEdH39ET84/s640/DSCF7387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>hasta la vista, Mexico</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41SEPJPpF28/UXruEtqoUrI/AAAAAAAAA94/hIKWqh_4ZTU/s1600/DSCF7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-50707721257695916242013-01-29T19:32:00.000-05:002013-01-29T19:32:51.179-05:00Twenty-third Psalm Major Domo, Reserve me a Table for Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoxyQBL6LtU/UQhhxuX1GdI/AAAAAAAAA74/rQthmGrXHvw/s1600/DSCF6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VoxyQBL6LtU/UQhhxuX1GdI/AAAAAAAAA74/rQthmGrXHvw/s640/DSCF6838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I must say, it feels really good to be back in the desert after spending the summer out East... </div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7oURDadnw/UQho-YhXYNI/AAAAAAAAA88/_aNU3jLolj8/s1600/DSCF6828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu7oURDadnw/UQho-YhXYNI/AAAAAAAAA88/_aNU3jLolj8/s640/DSCF6828.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought it would be fitting to follow Jeanette out to California along the Gee Ay Ar.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e76C8qJKCs/UQhiXW64aJI/AAAAAAAAA8A/buf-BUyyPx4/s1600/DSCF6785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1e76C8qJKCs/UQhiXW64aJI/AAAAAAAAA8A/buf-BUyyPx4/s400/DSCF6785.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
But I did have to make a slight detour to <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=lebanon,+kansas&hl=en&ll=39.774769,-98.525391&spn=38.03841,56.513672&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=Lebanon,+Smith,+Kansas&t=m&z=4" target="_blank">Lebanon, Kansas</a>, to see the exact center of the continental United States. Worth it? Worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E30glhJyats/UQhi6X4M0uI/AAAAAAAAA8U/PoeMeAgtg7A/s1600/DSCF6800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E30glhJyats/UQhi6X4M0uI/AAAAAAAAA8U/PoeMeAgtg7A/s640/DSCF6800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, from Denver, Katherine and I made a trip to <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=rocky+mountain+national+park&hl=en&ll=40.313043,-105.644531&spn=9.495617,14.128418&sll=39.774769,-98.525391&sspn=38.03841,56.513672&hq=rocky+mountain+national+park&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">ROMO</a>, where we almost got waylaid by a herd of elk.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTPT8JeWRrU/UQhijERinlI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3K39paNk3Hc/s1600/DSCF6843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTPT8JeWRrU/UQhijERinlI/AAAAAAAAA8M/3K39paNk3Hc/s640/DSCF6843.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From the mile-high city to two-hundred eighty feet below sea level: <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Badwater+Basin,+Badwater+Road,+Inyo,+CA&hl=en&ll=36.580247,-116.894531&spn=9.99759,14.128418&sll=40.313043,-105.644531&sspn=9.495617,14.128418&oq=badwater+basin&hq=Badwater+Basin,+Badwater+Road,&hnear=Inyo,+California&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">Badwater Basin</a>, Death Valley, California. Summer temperatures routinely reach one-twenty here, but it's still chilly in January.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcdtTbAQ_eU/UQhjEQww4vI/AAAAAAAAA8c/WF4449PEWqU/s1600/DSCF6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HcdtTbAQ_eU/UQhjEQww4vI/AAAAAAAAA8c/WF4449PEWqU/s320/DSCF6881.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When Jeanette's not adventuring, she travels back to 1939 for her job at Scotty's Castle.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7XdacbvKTdU/UQhjISV9VfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/pXi6672Nvfg/s1600/DSCF6924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7XdacbvKTdU/UQhjISV9VfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/pXi6672Nvfg/s640/DSCF6924.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah, the mysteries of the desert. </div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-86505291256671828752012-10-31T13:00:00.000-04:002012-10-31T13:00:02.104-04:00Spiders, Why Did it Have to be Spiders (and Also, Snakes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOce_t8WTbk/UJBIXc9kExI/AAAAAAAAA6s/4xKmCaWKNcY/s1600/DSCF6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vOce_t8WTbk/UJBIXc9kExI/AAAAAAAAA6s/4xKmCaWKNcY/s640/DSCF6365.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I've lived amongst the grizzlies in the frozen Northland, I've slept with scorpions in the desert, and I've seen the dragons of the malarial isles, but nowhere else have I found such inhospitable wildlife as in the hospitality state. Name a kingdom, phylum, and order and I'll name something from southern Mississippi that will try to kill you.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5PNw_ETRjk/UJBI-2q1jPI/AAAAAAAAA60/8pKOjCjo3fA/s1600/DSCF6626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5PNw_ETRjk/UJBI-2q1jPI/AAAAAAAAA60/8pKOjCjo3fA/s640/DSCF6626.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you see the rattler? Then you've got better eyes than I do. You can bet I was a lot more careful where I stepped after that.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MannsQd0pN8/UJBKbG3wqOI/AAAAAAAAA7I/YeJ2SjPXpIg/s1600/DSCF6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MannsQd0pN8/UJBKbG3wqOI/AAAAAAAAA7I/YeJ2SjPXpIg/s640/DSCF6557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After months of frustrated longing, I finally got to cross the old 80 bridge into Louisiana, first on my bike...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsEDbMiPr2s/UJBKkOH7u1I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/EdAT2Xx83Zc/s1600/DSCF6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zsEDbMiPr2s/UJBKkOH7u1I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/EdAT2Xx83Zc/s640/DSCF6576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then with the Belle of the Bends herself.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHod8fGupW4/UJBKfmnIbrI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/egE0B-6Zzyw/s1600/DSCF6596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nHod8fGupW4/UJBKfmnIbrI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/egE0B-6Zzyw/s640/DSCF6596.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everybody else seemed to be in a hurry. I'm not sure we ever figured out what that was about.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0Vicksburg, MS, USA32.3526456 -90.87788232.245335100000005 -91.0358105 32.4599561 -90.7199535tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-89562082322859008672012-07-13T13:00:00.000-04:002012-07-13T13:00:02.395-04:00I've Gone South (Since my Baby's Gone North)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6owNRXw2Gk/T_8XmOoaMnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/zHzdDJWFAJ8/s1600/DSCF6269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6owNRXw2Gk/T_8XmOoaMnI/AAAAAAAAA4w/zHzdDJWFAJ8/s640/DSCF6269.JPG" title="Commerce!" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite spots to hang out in town is the Mississippi Welcome Center right off the I-20 bridge. From here you can watch the trucks on the interstate, barges going up the river, and trains coming over the old US 80 bridge. (Also, they've got free coffee and wifi.)</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDOazYecrYI/T_8Xuen0j4I/AAAAAAAAA44/oBBaA23kIaE/s1600/DSCF6254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDOazYecrYI/T_8Xuen0j4I/AAAAAAAAA44/oBBaA23kIaE/s640/DSCF6254.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The USS Cairo (KAY-ro) was steampunk before it was cool. It was the terror of the Confederate fleet until it took a torpedo up the Yazoo.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAC7ThdS9vA/T_8ZkD0Mc0I/AAAAAAAAA5A/vvDUikchEWI/s1600/DSCF6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAC7ThdS9vA/T_8ZkD0Mc0I/AAAAAAAAA5A/vvDUikchEWI/s640/DSCF6189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Cedar Grove mansion behind my apartment escaped destruction during the Yankee siege (rumor was the lady of the house was a cousin of General Sherman's.) Nevertheless, you can still see a cannonball lodged in the parlor wall by the piano.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1YOWLyGWRk/T_8aM8v_W3I/AAAAAAAAA5I/0Mw1Vt0xnZg/s1600/DSCF6257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x1YOWLyGWRk/T_8aM8v_W3I/AAAAAAAAA5I/0Mw1Vt0xnZg/s640/DSCF6257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The young men who do our living history demonstrations usually dress in rebel grey, but they all turned coats for the Fourth of July.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-76541050647921429922012-06-29T15:00:00.000-04:002012-06-29T21:53:50.423-04:00Gibraltar of the South<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpDw-r3LUCU/T-x3hhv56XI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/u69EdKcx_pQ/s1600/DSCF6201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jpDw-r3LUCU/T-x3hhv56XI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/u69EdKcx_pQ/s640/DSCF6201.JPG" title="Dulce et Decorum Breast?" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">VNMP is regarded as a world-class art park, with over 1300 plaques, markers and monuments. I've chosen to show Alabama's state monument because it hits the war-memorial trifecta: guns, flags, and tits. Presumably it was considered cost-prohibitive to have the thing play Skynyrd continuously.</span></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYJLnFoAFKU/T-x3oOnwhTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/pjNCO1Ar_2g/s1600/DSCF6217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYJLnFoAFKU/T-x3oOnwhTI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/pjNCO1Ar_2g/s640/DSCF6217.JPG" title="Taking time out from hunting vampires." vca="true" width="640" /></a> <br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Contrast that to my early favorite. Kentucky soldiers fought on both sides of the war, so you actually have to get out of the car and walk between the two opposing lines to see their state's monument. There you'll see two tired old men, Abe and Jeff, urging reconciliation at the close of the war.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3UKdBLMzUo/T-x3ugjin2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/uSm7LSR7nwo/s1600/DSCF6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3UKdBLMzUo/T-x3ugjin2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/uSm7LSR7nwo/s640/DSCF6237.JPG" title="Because all four feet are on the ground you can tell...nothing, actually. It means nothing." vca="true" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alexander had Bucephalus, Charlemagne had Whatever-His-Horse's-Name-Was, and Grant had Kangaroo. This is the statue I told you was also done by the sculptor of "The South in Defeat." Grant was an Ohio boy, of course, but Illinois paid for his statue.</span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-33674222827701447192012-06-21T12:49:00.000-04:002012-06-21T13:07:43.197-04:00Yes, I Think it can be Very Easily Done...<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx1hNhX5VR4/T-NJq1eRtII/AAAAAAAAA2o/B8nIUabDX6c/s1600/DSCF6167_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" rca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lx1hNhX5VR4/T-NJq1eRtII/AAAAAAAAA2o/B8nIUabDX6c/s640/DSCF6167_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's my first view of the port of <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Vicksburg,+MS&hl=en&ll=32.361403,-90.834961&spn=28.288508,38.979492&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=52.815565,77.958984&oq=vicksburg&hnear=Vicksburg,+Warren,+Mississippi&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">Vicksburg</a>, Mississippi. During last year's flood, about half of that sign on the left was underwater. Take a look at the <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Vicksburg,+MS&hl=en&ll=32.348787,-90.888348&spn=0.111231,0.152264&sll=35.137879,-88.308105&sspn=13.763531,19.489746&oq=vicks&hnear=Vicksburg,+Warren,+Mississippi&t=m&z=13" target="_blank">map</a>, and you can see that nature accomplished what Grant failed to do. Shortly after the war, the river changed it's course, largely bypassing the city.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTZdNxxdQag/T-NJuYP-ZDI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Y9DvdI_Zqi0/s1600/DSCF6144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rTZdNxxdQag/T-NJuYP-ZDI/AAAAAAAAA2w/Y9DvdI_Zqi0/s640/DSCF6144.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Confederate battery at <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=dover,+tennessee&hl=en&ll=36.491973,-87.824707&spn=13.532904,19.489746&sll=32.361403,-90.834961&sspn=28.288508,38.979492&hnear=Dover,+Stewart,+Tennessee&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">Fort Donnelson</a> failed to defend it from Union gunboats on the Tennessee River. It was here that Grant demanded "unconditional surrender" from his old West Point friend, Simon Bolivar Buckner. I learned that it's neighbor, Fort Henry, is now underwater.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yigAlgFba8U/T-NMKtGy93I/AAAAAAAAA3I/pOOWoPpC8Jc/s1600/DSCF6150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" rca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yigAlgFba8U/T-NMKtGy93I/AAAAAAAAA3I/pOOWoPpC8Jc/s640/DSCF6150.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This statue at <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=shiloh,+tennessee&hl=en&ll=35.137879,-88.308105&spn=13.763531,19.489746&sll=36.491973,-87.824707&sspn=13.532904,19.489746&hnear=Shiloh,+Hardin,+Tennessee&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">Shiloh</a> depicts "The South" surrendering the laurel of victory to Night and Death. It is <em>probably </em>the saddest thing I've ever seen. The sculptor was impartial, though: he also did our statue of Grant on his horse.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5gbU5XFv-c/T-NOSOSjsOI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/j1K8YdBJGsU/s1600/DSCF6156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" rca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F5gbU5XFv-c/T-NOSOSjsOI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/j1K8YdBJGsU/s400/DSCF6156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As enemy combatants, Confederate soldiers were denied burial in the National Cemetary. A few lonely tombstones sit on the opposite side of the street.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNdSMGdheOw/T-NOyXt0c9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/4uCP2il9sXA/s1600/DSCF6165_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PNdSMGdheOw/T-NOyXt0c9I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/4uCP2il9sXA/s640/DSCF6165_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Everybody knows the story of Teddy Roosevelt refusing to shoot the little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear" target="_blank">bear</a>. But did you know it was most likely clubbed to death and fed to the dogs? This little store in <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=onward,+ms&hl=en&ll=32.713355,-90.944824&spn=7.086915,9.744873&sll=32.348787,-90.888348&sspn=0.111231,0.152264&hnear=Onward,+Sharkey,+Mississippi&t=m&z=7" target="_blank">Onward</a> appears to have been abandoned for some time.</span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-86369189822931842802012-04-06T18:02:00.002-04:002012-04-06T18:13:15.519-04:00Adios California: Big Trees and Big Foots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peU2mTDFoTY/T39UHtBHaJI/AAAAAAAAAxU/IB2v7Hwk6KY/s1600/DSCF5802edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peU2mTDFoTY/T39UHtBHaJI/AAAAAAAAAxU/IB2v7Hwk6KY/s1600/DSCF5802edit.jpg" title="This tree is also guilty of war crimes against the Confederacy." /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Colby (an old friend from Washington) stands in front of General Sherman, in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sequoia+National+Park,+CA&hl=en&ll=36.421282,-118.652344&spn=16.804266,35.639648&sll=36.580247,-118.729248&sspn=4.19898,8.909912&oq=sequ&hnear=Sequoia+National+Park,+Tulare,+California&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">Sequoia National Park</a>. The General is over two thousand years old and the largest living thing on Earth (if we're not counting clonal organisms, and we're not.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnQfq88iiM4/T39VOHHu_gI/AAAAAAAAAyE/6UV3YXX9kac/s1600/DSCF5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnQfq88iiM4/T39VOHHu_gI/AAAAAAAAAyE/6UV3YXX9kac/s1600/DSCF5831.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upper <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Yosemite+Village,+CA&hl=en&ll=37.71859,-119.575195&spn=16.523212,35.639648&sll=36.421282,-118.652344&sspn=16.804266,35.639648&oq=yosemite+village&hnear=Yosemite+Valley,+Mariposa,+California&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">Yosemite Falls</a>, showing the kind of picture I'm sure Ansel Adams would have taken if<em> he</em> had had a hundred dollar digital Fuji.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3YM-WJEwCA/T39VeFbjXoI/AAAAAAAAAyU/XkLa25I_pgo/s1600/DSCF5965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3YM-WJEwCA/T39VeFbjXoI/AAAAAAAAAyU/XkLa25I_pgo/s320/DSCF5965.JPG" title="More likey from a male of the bovine genus, if you ask me." width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plaster casts of Sasquatch tracks are a dime a dozen, but have you ever seen Bigfoot <em>scat</em>? The curator of this museum outside <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=felton,+ca&hl=en&ll=36.4036,-120.673828&spn=8.414518,17.819824&sll=37.71859,-119.575195&sspn=16.523212,35.639648&hnear=Felton,+Santa+Cruz,+California&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">Santa Cruz</a> was obviously a true believer, but informed me that this exhibit was probably "too dry" to yield a viable DNA sample.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3d3NuLwoAE/T39VoYkzf-I/AAAAAAAAAyk/Twxusb3ChD0/s1600/DSCF5991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3d3NuLwoAE/T39VoYkzf-I/AAAAAAAAAyk/Twxusb3ChD0/s640/DSCF5991.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know you're wondering what an ocotillo (oh-ko-TEE-yo) looks like, so <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Borrego+Springs,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.247876,-116.367187&spn=17.454888,35.639648&sll=36.4036,-120.673828&sspn=8.414518,17.819824&oq=borrego&hnear=Borrego+Springs,+San+Diego,+California&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">here you go</a>. They ordinarily look pretty lifeless, but after a rain, they sprout leaves and little tufts of red flowers.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6htMK-Vsa4/T39V2FlpKvI/AAAAAAAAAys/qHly5rifyVY/s1600/DSCF5782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6htMK-Vsa4/T39V2FlpKvI/AAAAAAAAAys/qHly5rifyVY/s640/DSCF5782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm almost ready to leave California, but I've got one last thing I need to do: here I am at the most <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Border+Field+State+Park,+Imperial+Beach,+CA&hl=en&ll=32.546813,-117.114258&spn=8.811263,17.819824&sll=33.247876,-116.367187&sspn=17.454888,35.639648&oq=border+field+&hq=Border+Field+State+Park,+Imperial+Beach,+CA&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">south-west point</a> in the continental US. I got close enough to the fence to wave at the little <em>niños </em>on the other side before the border patrol shooed me off. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-58439915432464097732012-03-26T19:32:00.000-04:002012-04-06T18:04:08.298-04:00Here There be Dragons, Part III: Escape from Komodo Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLxatEfS6A0/T25W3IBwitI/AAAAAAAAAwE/_utjN_Gm7qc/s1600/DSCF5751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sLxatEfS6A0/T25W3IBwitI/AAAAAAAAAwE/_utjN_Gm7qc/s640/DSCF5751.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You'll never take me alive, you damn, dirty lizards!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHH4jhqouTA/T25XWaTu2WI/AAAAAAAAAwM/zftYi1x8lTc/s1600/DSCF5666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hHH4jhqouTA/T25XWaTu2WI/AAAAAAAAAwM/zftYi1x8lTc/s640/DSCF5666.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> The two-day trip to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Komodo+Island,+Indonesia&hl=en&ll=-8.189742,115.64209&spn=9.710476,14.39209&sll=32.636908,-117.047728&sspn=0.258466,0.449753&oq=Komodo+Island,+&hnear=Komodo&t=m&z=6" target="_blank">Komodo</a> and Rinca aboard our chartered boat had kind of a <i>Heart of Darkness</i> vibe to it. Relations with the teenage crew became tense after we forced them to reveal they only had two life jackets for the six of us. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW6CeR8S2ek/T25YYlP_sKI/AAAAAAAAAwc/WhXQ64P9kWE/s1600/DSCF5687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SW6CeR8S2ek/T25YYlP_sKI/AAAAAAAAAwc/WhXQ64P9kWE/s640/DSCF5687.jpg" title="Also, they mate once a year, but it's for six hours." width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our guide was kind enough to put his life in danger to take our picture with the dragons. One of the interesting factoids we learned: Komodo dragons? Two penises.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQBcbQQbVNrILxEgerIh55JpgIHPJzGqBV-49UUzmLvgDpqqpoN6NCbqM-KY0qYYjPhCUp6SMnZiV_Exiq7Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The dragons aren't fed, but they hang out outside the mess hall 'cause they smell food. The rangers carry forked sticks in case of dragon attacks. Advice for fighting a dragon is the same for fighting zombies: aim for the head.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hey! Listen! See more pictures by clicking the gallery at the top of the page. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-56943504377957137122012-03-25T19:17:00.000-04:002012-04-06T18:05:01.985-04:00Here There be Dragons, Part II: "Hooray for Bali-Wood"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdkkt5dUtNE/T25S6LgrrHI/AAAAAAAAAvU/QouvaXM1U0o/s1600/DSCF5628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdkkt5dUtNE/T25S6LgrrHI/AAAAAAAAAvU/QouvaXM1U0o/s640/DSCF5628.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our next stop was <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Bali,+Indonesia&hl=en&ll=-8.407168,115.224609&spn=19.343037,28.78418&sll=-7.710992,162.773438&sspn=122.627689,230.273438&oq=bali,+ind&hnear=Bali,+Indonesia&t=m&z=5" target="_blank">Bali</a>. Bali was much more touristy, until we took to the road to find this mountain hot spring. A local woman stopped us in the middle of the road and insisted on performing a Hindu ritual for good luck. I guess it worked.</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZlJDCyPjFs/T25StKyy4eI/AAAAAAAAAvM/X_XyjfH0-g0/s1600/DSCF5547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZlJDCyPjFs/T25StKyy4eI/AAAAAAAAAvM/X_XyjfH0-g0/s320/DSCF5547.jpg" title="To be fair, only one of them shit on my backpack." width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Here you'll see one of the filthy, un-evolved proto-hominids that beg for food at the Sacred Monkey Forest Temple in Ubud. Also, a monkey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UfieStMHQqY/T25Uea56hgI/AAAAAAAAAvs/rksYpvboWpI/s1600/DSCF5619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UfieStMHQqY/T25Uea56hgI/AAAAAAAAAvs/rksYpvboWpI/s640/DSCF5619.jpg" title="Boleh!" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Indonesia produces such a wide variety of delicious fruits that we can't get in the US. I could never remember their names, but my favorites were "that one that looks like a testicle" and "that one that comes in snakeskin." Here's Bryan haggling like a pro.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-38674922643988105772012-03-24T19:01:00.000-04:002012-03-24T19:01:03.158-04:00Here There be Dragons, Part I: "Wonderfully UnWholesome Climes"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag424MbVJlo/T25OXq0pzoI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-KkdUEwlDLA/s1600/DSCF5496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ag424MbVJlo/T25OXq0pzoI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-KkdUEwlDLA/s640/DSCF5496.jpg" title="" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just got back from a trip to the East Indies with my buddy Hank. In <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=solo,+java&hl=en&ll=-7.710992,162.773438&spn=122.627689,230.273438&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.150864,31.728516&hnear=Surakarta,+Central+Java,+Indonesia&t=m&z=2" target="_blank">Java</a>, we met up with Hank's friend, Bryan, an ex-pat who teaches English when he's not playing <i>gamelan</i> music. Everywhere we went, people wanted to take our picture. I'm not sure if it's just cause we were <i>bule</i> (foreigner, also: albino) or because I was travelling with "Mr. Harry Potter."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2U5i7Jh6KE/T25P3aRRVjI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ojPSBCSokY0/s1600/DSCF5478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2U5i7Jh6KE/T25P3aRRVjI/AAAAAAAAAuk/ojPSBCSokY0/s400/DSCF5478.jpg" title="Mr. Handsome and Mr. Potter" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Our first order of business was to trade our tweed jackets in for something more fitting our latitude. Here's Hank and Bryan showing off the local textile, a patterned cotton cloth called <i>batik</i>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t3SqnaFYMs/T25QWVJmRjI/AAAAAAAAAus/j-MwUmdr57Q/s1600/DSCF5519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8t3SqnaFYMs/T25QWVJmRjI/AAAAAAAAAus/j-MwUmdr57Q/s640/DSCF5519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hike all night up a volcano: check.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQS3jpRyCos/T25Qy4WBK-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/Acw_YGbE0uk/s1600/DSCF5539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BQS3jpRyCos/T25Qy4WBK-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/Acw_YGbE0uk/s400/DSCF5539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our intrepid explorers the next morning, feeling a little less intrepid.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-80994469509140667102011-10-06T15:38:00.000-04:002011-10-06T15:50:04.369-04:00The Crown Jewel (or "Farewell, King Solomon")<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbXMmTUMRsM/To36GcXpLLI/AAAAAAAAAlg/p97m5dB6A34/s1600/DSCF5064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mbXMmTUMRsM/To36GcXpLLI/AAAAAAAAAlg/p97m5dB6A34/s640/DSCF5064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the road again, this time with a travelling companion. Say hello to <a href="http://rangerjeanette.blogspot.com/2011/06/hello-readers.html">Jeanette</a></span>. Jeanette's from the New Orleans area, but got her start at Mt. Rushmore.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tA9X2FweMNM/To36olAwohI/AAAAAAAAAlk/EKZjHXDh5mQ/s1600/DSCF5017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tA9X2FweMNM/To36olAwohI/AAAAAAAAAlk/EKZjHXDh5mQ/s320/DSCF5017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our way to Denali, we stopped by <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Wasilla,+AK&hl=en&ll=61.575035,-149.436035&spn=2.709528,7.064209&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.042042,56.513672&vpsrc=6&hnear=Wasilla,+Matanuska-Susitna,+Alaska&t=m&z=7">Sarah Palin's house</a>, but this is as close as we could get.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c7mGgTNU3w/To382OBEtUI/AAAAAAAAAl4/peCtx4chiR8/s1600/DSCF5020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c7mGgTNU3w/To382OBEtUI/AAAAAAAAAl4/peCtx4chiR8/s320/DSCF5020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whoops! That's one of the spirit houses of the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Eklutna+Village+Road,+AK&hl=en&ll=61.457146,-149.361877&spn=0.679812,1.766052&sll=61.575035,-149.436035&sspn=2.709528,7.064209&vpsrc=6&hnear=Eklutna+Village+Rd,+Anchorage,+Alaska+99567&t=m&z=9">Eklutna</a> native village. Sorry 'bout that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmqmFVjUZC4/To38T0_GvmI/AAAAAAAAAl0/qnQY20y7h2k/s1600/DSCF5128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmqmFVjUZC4/To38T0_GvmI/AAAAAAAAAl0/qnQY20y7h2k/s400/DSCF5128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then we stayed at a cute little B&B in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Talkeetna,+AK&hl=en&ll=62.308794,-150.073242&spn=5.29414,14.128418&sll=62.308794,-150.073242&sspn=5.29414,14.128418&vpsrc=6&hnear=Talkeetna,+Matanuska-Susitna,+Alaska&t=m&z=6">Talkeetna</a>. Though they stopped serving breakfast for the season, it was still possible to get hot meat pasties (introduced, of course, by immigrants from Michigan.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbK4q20cA7w/To379LAZEUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/2Fx1FNDqElY/s1600/DSCF5078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HbK4q20cA7w/To379LAZEUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/2Fx1FNDqElY/s400/DSCF5078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sadly, the "IGLOO" was no longer taking reservations from anyone but hoboes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YQ8H8hG9rI/To37axYmJ5I/AAAAAAAAAls/Yu5WVz5Frm4/s1600/DSCF5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YQ8H8hG9rI/To37axYmJ5I/AAAAAAAAAls/Yu5WVz5Frm4/s640/DSCF5134.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A mountain with an identity crisis: is it Denali or <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Mt.+McKinley,+AK&hl=en&ll=63.174194,-151.193848&spn=4.902745,14.128418&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=36.042042,56.513672&vpsrc=6&hq=Mt.+McKinley,+AK&t=h&z=6">Mt. McKinley</a>? About 1200 people attempted the summit (20,320 ft.) this season, with a success rate of fifty-three percent.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg3N-XYv2ik/To36_pivuqI/AAAAAAAAAlo/kQ5asFYBgL4/s1600/DSCF5092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg3N-XYv2ik/To36_pivuqI/AAAAAAAAAlo/kQ5asFYBgL4/s400/DSCF5092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jeanette makes friends with some future Iditarod champions. Actually, they will be used by the park for dog-sled patrol in the winter. How cool would that be?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89a6ETbvl0c/To39VQG9xFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KF1BH7INuT8/s1600/DSCF5154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89a6ETbvl0c/To39VQG9xFI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KF1BH7INuT8/s320/DSCF5154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Last item on our Alaskan adventure checklist: ride a hand tram across a <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=girdwood,+alaska&hl=en&ll=60.941106,-149.161377&spn=2.764726,7.064209&sll=60.9425,-149.166389&sspn=0.021594,0.055189&vpsrc=6&hnear=Girdwood,+Anchorage,+Alaska&t=m&z=7">roaring gorge</a>. "No, it's not *hrghnn* that heavy..."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-89613695942696534732011-09-25T21:32:00.000-04:002011-09-25T21:33:40.541-04:00"An Abomination of Desolation"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgKFsHmld7E/Tn_R2YXEmlI/AAAAAAAAAlI/XUnY0FpnG6I/s1600/IMG_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgKFsHmld7E/Tn_R2YXEmlI/AAAAAAAAAlI/XUnY0FpnG6I/s640/IMG_0765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is how Father Hubbard described the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes when he first explored the area. I finally made it out there on a trip with our dispatcher Ryan (aka "Radio".)</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY8Llp3vp4I/Tn_SBSeCATI/AAAAAAAAAlM/QJXUD4LSvcI/s1600/303238_10150312723036686_500031685_8166618_211583370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY8Llp3vp4I/Tn_SBSeCATI/AAAAAAAAAlM/QJXUD4LSvcI/s640/303238_10150312723036686_500031685_8166618_211583370_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to concur with the padre's assesment. Today it's an ash-covered, god-forsaken wilderness almost entirely devoid of life. Here I am finding religion moments before jumping over the River Lethe.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIKMR74nrY0/Tn_SE49n_YI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/OC0p2utIfuM/s1600/305100_10150312731606686_500031685_8166643_2065458772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dIKMR74nrY0/Tn_SE49n_YI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/OC0p2utIfuM/s640/305100_10150312731606686_500031685_8166643_2065458772_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's Ryan rejoicing at reaching the old USGS hut situated at the corner of Baked Mountain and Broken Mountain (Broke'-Baked Mountain for short.) Image unretouched.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfWRCNgQ5LI/Tn_U0d1sDlI/AAAAAAAAAlY/rsZP5LkvAns/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yfWRCNgQ5LI/Tn_U0d1sDlI/AAAAAAAAAlY/rsZP5LkvAns/s640/IMG_0782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Novarupta, site of the largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century. Eh, I thought it'd be bigger. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">some images courtesy RJ Thomas</span></div>
SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0Lake and Peninsula, Alaska, USA58.3938889 -155.385277858.1275779 -156.0169918 58.6601999 -154.75356380000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-15776363521632153242011-08-03T03:25:00.000-04:002011-08-03T03:25:15.132-04:00July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cw-kIDweurA/TjjxA-h4G-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/r32X30rDDvY/s1600/IMG_0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cw-kIDweurA/TjjxA-h4G-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/r32X30rDDvY/s640/IMG_0552.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right on schedule, the sockeye begin their upstream journey. Right behind them come the bears and the tourists. This is the shot people travel thousands of miles for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDUsdcEMtv8/TjjzYJcDyrI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Ri2I-TWTwxg/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fDUsdcEMtv8/TjjzYJcDyrI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Ri2I-TWTwxg/s640/IMG_0517.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fairly typical evening at the falls. It's interesting to watch the social interactions between the bears; they're almost like primates. Sorry you guys won't get to see them in person. Tomorrow I leave for the preserve, weather permitting as always. Look for pictures of my trophy trout in about two weeks.</div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-72728563090693944112011-07-16T15:23:00.000-04:002011-07-16T15:23:45.548-04:00Welcome to the Middle of the Food Chain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud16rKqP4nY/TiHg0guUoeI/AAAAAAAAAkA/9ceqSboPhGs/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud16rKqP4nY/TiHg0guUoeI/AAAAAAAAAkA/9ceqSboPhGs/s640/IMG_0428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana;">Back at the coast where, in addition to the myriad bears, a pair of wolves was hanging around. The epic interspecies battle I had hoped for here never materialized.</span></div><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ0mxP2vtkg/TiHg7RQnz7I/AAAAAAAAAkE/5Z0H2JxFyFs/s1600/IMG_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="545" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ0mxP2vtkg/TiHg7RQnz7I/AAAAAAAAAkE/5Z0H2JxFyFs/s640/IMG_0401.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mamma bear and her cubs</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKPtNcwWSo4/TiHhHQjSovI/AAAAAAAAAkI/9Cg1c0fGiLE/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKPtNcwWSo4/TiHhHQjSovI/AAAAAAAAAkI/9Cg1c0fGiLE/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everybody in the neighborhood had to come out and investigate our camp</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6m3EtH-DNQ/TiHiLokMx9I/AAAAAAAAAkU/fCD_ceFHWeY/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6m3EtH-DNQ/TiHiLokMx9I/AAAAAAAAAkU/fCD_ceFHWeY/s320/IMG_0329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just hangin' out, bein' a bear..."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scEdE0kU1ig/TiHhRfad-bI/AAAAAAAAAkM/85HDsdNf57o/s1600/IMG_0501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scEdE0kU1ig/TiHhRfad-bI/AAAAAAAAAkM/85HDsdNf57o/s320/IMG_0501.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A typical night back at the King Salmon dorms: Justin finally caught his 'King'</span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-89381269444071826442011-06-19T17:56:00.000-04:002011-06-19T18:00:26.901-04:00CSI: King Salmon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCgl3uu8xQw/Tf5rcGJYaOI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jG_dDRkcM1c/s1600/DSC_8375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YCgl3uu8xQw/Tf5rcGJYaOI/AAAAAAAAAjw/jG_dDRkcM1c/s400/DSC_8375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally wrapped up training in King Salmon with our wildlife forensics class. Here's me showing off my perfect cast of the 'perpetrator's' ATV tire.</span></div><a name='more'></a><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82t9sOZmzD0/Tf5rpC7shHI/AAAAAAAAAj0/lkomhTmHZKA/s1600/DSC_8388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82t9sOZmzD0/Tf5rpC7shHI/AAAAAAAAAj0/lkomhTmHZKA/s400/DSC_8388.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might say this wolf has been ... out-foxed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z_vMo91LOF0/Tf5ru_9tm2I/AAAAAAAAAj4/p-H9GN3VXKg/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z_vMo91LOF0/Tf5ru_9tm2I/AAAAAAAAAj4/p-H9GN3VXKg/s400/IMG_0606.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aaand here's the whole crew. Yes, the beard is part of the uniform.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">photo credit: J. Patino</span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-31685086357973381172011-06-05T19:54:00.000-04:002011-06-05T19:54:53.817-04:00The Daily Grind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mfZ-0TLrCU/TewT00grvsI/AAAAAAAAAjo/B3a8NV3gVwU/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mfZ-0TLrCU/TewT00grvsI/AAAAAAAAAjo/B3a8NV3gVwU/s640/IMG_0132.JPG" width="640" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let me tell you a little about my job...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJsut1SO9pw/TewQGj5o3QI/AAAAAAAAAjU/ZW1So4pgUuw/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJsut1SO9pw/TewQGj5o3QI/AAAAAAAAAjU/ZW1So4pgUuw/s640/IMG_0234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This is my commute...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ_kBk4E8bo/TewRVXpEJaI/AAAAAAAAAjc/-H4R1BARN8U/s1600/IMG_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQ_kBk4E8bo/TewRVXpEJaI/AAAAAAAAAjc/-H4R1BARN8U/s640/IMG_0103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my office...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJjkEnHADg/TewSH9L-SaI/AAAAAAAAAjg/SfBAYlohk_M/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUJjkEnHADg/TewSH9L-SaI/AAAAAAAAAjg/SfBAYlohk_M/s640/IMG_0230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And these are my co-workers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-49385889080598885912011-05-28T16:25:00.000-04:002011-05-28T16:27:25.348-04:00Bear-ly Legal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXkzeQkWCFU/TeFREUc6qsI/AAAAAAAAAjA/7Tzl-bGf18k/s1600/P1000607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXkzeQkWCFU/TeFREUc6qsI/AAAAAAAAAjA/7Tzl-bGf18k/s640/P1000607.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;">I'm eliding King Salmon for the moment in favor of the much more interesting <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=9662441760236589420&q=brooks+camp,+alaska&hl=en&sll=61.071797,-152.673998&sspn=6.040694,9.569738&ie=UTF8&ll=66.089364,-166.816406&spn=0,0&z=5">Brooks Camp</a>. Although the bears don't show up in force until July, every so often you'll see some, like this courting pair near the mouth of the Brooks River. Some of the returning crew can recognize them by name, but I'm not quite there yet. </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2WNYoSB_C4/TeFTa13ye4I/AAAAAAAAAjM/jPc3JPhpbO4/s1600/P1000614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;"> <a name='more'></a> </span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2WNYoSB_C4/TeFTa13ye4I/AAAAAAAAAjM/jPc3JPhpbO4/s1600/P1000614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f2WNYoSB_C4/TeFTa13ye4I/AAAAAAAAAjM/jPc3JPhpbO4/s400/P1000614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>awwww yeah....</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;"> Actually, bear courtship is a drawn-out process, with the male making numerous such advances before he is accepted. This can be frustrating if you're a human stuck on the wrong side of the river during this extended ursine foreplay.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_OMffoyGXw/TeFQA_wtkiI/AAAAAAAAAi4/XdGA5cpV_Vg/s1600/P1000553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_OMffoyGXw/TeFQA_wtkiI/AAAAAAAAAi4/XdGA5cpV_Vg/s640/P1000553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;">From Dumpling Mountain, you can get a good view of the Brooks River below. On the left end is Naknek </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;">Lake, where the camp is situated. Glacial melt gives it a luminous blue color.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgRH3bw2hlU/TeFSn1pMxhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/VnFbNuQezH8/s1600/P1000579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgRH3bw2hlU/TeFSn1pMxhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/VnFbNuQezH8/s640/P1000579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;">Jeff points toward camp from the top of Dumpling. He was actually at Natural Bridges while I was at Capitol Reef.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bWhS1S0Tk0/TeFOCL_T8FI/AAAAAAAAAiw/kPZJIkQ0UGo/s1600/P1000627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bWhS1S0Tk0/TeFOCL_T8FI/AAAAAAAAAiw/kPZJIkQ0UGo/s640/P1000627.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;">There are two ways into or out of camp. You can take a boat down the Naknek River, or come in on a floatplane, like the Beaver here.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", sans-serif;"> Next week: the coast! </span></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-83566838424466295992011-05-15T18:43:00.000-04:002011-05-15T18:50:32.422-04:00TrailBlog Season Three: Alaska Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxC8sLPvXDw/TcQb5k0N_WI/AAAAAAAAAiU/tL0exJLrGrQ/s1600/P1000349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxC8sLPvXDw/TcQb5k0N_WI/AAAAAAAAAiU/tL0exJLrGrQ/s640/P1000349.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I suppose an update is in order. I'm writing now from Eddie's Fireplace Inn in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=king+salmon,+alaska&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=King+Salmon,+Bristol+Bay,+Alaska&ll=58.309489,-157.104492&spn=11.155467,28.256836&z=5">King Salmon</a>, Alaska. All people and supplies have to be brought in by plane, which is why the turkey sandwich I'm eating costs fifteen dollars and a case of Rainier runs thirty. It's pretty quiet here right now, but once the salmon start running, the town will swell with fisherman and cannery workers. I'm here, however, to work in nearby <a href="http://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm">Katmai National Park</a>, another plane ride away. Although officially set aside to preserve the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, the site of a colossal volcanic explosion, the park's main draws are the fish and the bears that come to catch them. If you're not a fisherman and you've heard of the park, it might be because it's where Timothy "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427312/">Grizzly Man</a>" Treadwell and his girlfriend were killed and eaten in the fall of '03. For my mother's sake, I'd like to stress that bear-related injuries in the park are exceedingly rare and, in fact, the Treadwell incident was the first fatality in over twenty years. Moreover, we'll be carrying a portable electric fence to set up around camp when we're in the backcountry. I still have yet to see the park, as we've been in training here in King Salmon all week, but I will be flying out on Friday for boating class. More about the town and the park later, but in the meantime, enjoy these images from my stayover in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=anchorage,+alaska&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Anchorage,+Alaska&ll=54.673831,-123.046875&spn=50.118177,113.027344&z=3">Anchorage</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a name='more'></a></span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iENyd3vPyMc/TcQcaJ7yEeI/AAAAAAAAAiY/EBn892npgs4/s1600/P1000322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iENyd3vPyMc/TcQcaJ7yEeI/AAAAAAAAAiY/EBn892npgs4/s320/P1000322.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure this flower has my best interests in mind.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vrOlHvlLgI/TcQchQ_27lI/AAAAAAAAAic/lQm5ej1YpkY/s1600/P1000339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4vrOlHvlLgI/TcQchQ_27lI/AAAAAAAAAic/lQm5ej1YpkY/s400/P1000339.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you want to get around "down South," you drive; in Alaska, you fly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IA-HJ7eF1No/TcQcpmMFeHI/AAAAAAAAAig/xaaENhBrbO0/s1600/P1000354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IA-HJ7eF1No/TcQcpmMFeHI/AAAAAAAAAig/xaaENhBrbO0/s400/P1000354.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here in Anchorage, the bears are kept safely within glass boxes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
.SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com2Alaska, USA61.2180556 -149.9002778000000351.0850721 -178.73659930000002 71.3510391 -121.06395630000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-16882208292400103662011-02-11T01:08:00.000-05:002011-04-02T22:20:13.972-04:00There and Back Again, Part Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jqr1AB4ZsY/TVIsVSIzJGI/AAAAAAAAAew/H7kz3zIw9Vc/s1600/IMG_3720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Jqr1AB4ZsY/TVIsVSIzJGI/AAAAAAAAAew/H7kz3zIw9Vc/s640/IMG_3720.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the advantages of being on Eastern Standard Time was I was up early enough to see this mountain sunrise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3QN1reI5G0c/TVTGDFiMQ7I/AAAAAAAAAfc/XOCXd_ZFm18/s1600/0201011322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NyqUGB-jrI/TVIw6gtVbAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/VYc3pNgaTWs/s640/IMG_3734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> They say the winds on this ridge can blow a man right off the mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6cjpeTxpzo/TVTFi64oL2I/AAAAAAAAAfM/qG32XlJn5Ro/s1600/IMG_3793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6cjpeTxpzo/TVTFi64oL2I/AAAAAAAAAfM/qG32XlJn5Ro/s640/IMG_3793.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back down in the bush, all the rain made for some amazing waterfalls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0p_OZP9E0g/TVTFs41fo4I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/iOv1d1XdfGM/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h0p_OZP9E0g/TVTFs41fo4I/AAAAAAAAAfQ/iOv1d1XdfGM/s640/IMG_3801.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Our reward for suffering through the wind and the rain was this sunny beach on a remote mountain lake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I-GhENO7oM/TVH_edha7XI/AAAAAAAAAdo/3DgXiiyCh8U/s1600/0203010931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I-GhENO7oM/TVH_edha7XI/AAAAAAAAAdo/3DgXiiyCh8U/s640/0203010931.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet our trials were not yet over. Such pointy claws and beaks... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnyplOP2IsM/TVTF4UItebI/AAAAAAAAAfU/cg7PTozpnUw/s1600/IMG_3806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnyplOP2IsM/TVTF4UItebI/AAAAAAAAAfU/cg7PTozpnUw/s640/IMG_3806.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Quickly, across the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anduin">Waiau</a> to safety...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvGuRmtTJ4s/TVTGBXFurvI/AAAAAAAAAfY/byUk_2F7wuE/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvGuRmtTJ4s/TVTGBXFurvI/AAAAAAAAAfY/byUk_2F7wuE/s640/IMG_3825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, which way back to Auckland?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7NyqUGB-jrI/TVIw6gtVbAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/VYc3pNgaTWs/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
</div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-47866647982330707482011-02-10T01:03:00.000-05:002011-04-02T22:22:18.478-04:00There and Back Again, Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsBL4Gg4I/AAAAAAAAAek/nBlNSR_Wgmk/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsBL4Gg4I/AAAAAAAAAek/nBlNSR_Wgmk/s640/IMG_3623.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Queenstown,+Otago,+New+Zealand&aq=0&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.038806,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Queenstown,+Otago,+New+Zealand&ll=-45.042478,168.684082&spn=7.592994,14.128418&z=6">Queenstown</a>, at last. Look, Scott, it's the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Fiordland+National+Park,+New+Zealand&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.038806,56.513672&ie=UTF8&split=0&hq=&hnear=Fiordland+National+Park,+9679,+Southland,+New+Zealand&ll=-43.707594,169.936523&spn=7.369493,14.128418&z=6">Southern Alps</a>.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsKfoZPoI/AAAAAAAAAeo/aWWXSFybAdQ/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsKfoZPoI/AAAAAAAAAeo/aWWXSFybAdQ/s640/IMG_3641.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you hear a blood-curdling shriek in the night, it's either someone being brutally murdered or one of the few remaining wild kiwi birds. Once prevalent, they've been hunted to near extinction for their sweet, green flesh. FACT.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsP_NWd0I/AAAAAAAAAes/CxxrcjqDKSE/s1600/IMG_3695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsP_NWd0I/AAAAAAAAAes/CxxrcjqDKSE/s640/IMG_3695.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once we got above the bushline, we could see our home for the night. This "hut" at the top of the mountain actually came complete with water, gas, and beds for fifty people. The TV only got <i>basic </i>cable, though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsZVAG2fI/AAAAAAAAAe0/nDbR0nhyGIQ/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIsZVAG2fI/AAAAAAAAAe0/nDbR0nhyGIQ/s640/IMG_3692.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This cave just kept going deeper and deeper. We finally decided to turn around the same time as the only guy with a decent flashlight. As far as we know, there're two Canadian girls still down there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suDo2JOP_hg/TVIwwbVXinI/AAAAAAAAAfA/YYB0yopoEZc/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-suDo2JOP_hg/TVIwwbVXinI/AAAAAAAAAfA/YYB0yopoEZc/s640/IMG_3738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Braving hundred km/h winds, we finally made the summit of Mt. Luxmore. If you look closely, you can see I'm about six pixels higher than Hank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5T6O8hcE90/TVOFfZ358QI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kvuQKGfCYJc/s1600/IMG_3746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5T6O8hcE90/TVOFfZ358QI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kvuQKGfCYJc/s640/IMG_3746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Next</i>: "Through the Woods and Over the River" <i>or</i> "Just Tui, no Moa"</div></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-35139529389618892692011-02-09T01:26:00.000-05:002011-04-02T22:24:35.921-04:00There and Back Again, Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIVKLdfhiI/AAAAAAAAAec/WH5gmBGKGJA/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIVKLdfhiI/AAAAAAAAAec/WH5gmBGKGJA/s640/IMG_3836.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Here I am on the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Auckland,+New+Zealand&aq=0&sll=-2.460181,-166.289062&sspn=129.662812,226.054687&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Auckland,+New+Zealand&ll=-13.923404,-154.6875&spn=128.403651,226.054688&z=2">far side of the world</a> making friends with the locals.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOcbIqwGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/XqqqSMs6UrM/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOcbIqwGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/XqqqSMs6UrM/s640/IMG_3514.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> In Auckland, I met up with my buddy <a href="http://wheredhenrygo.blogspot.com/">Hank</a> and met a few of his flat-mates. From left to right: American, French, Kiwi, Oregonian.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIhNHGapBI/AAAAAAAAAeg/s-AGcY6HOek/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIhNHGapBI/AAAAAAAAAeg/s-AGcY6HOek/s640/IMG_3533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The first leg of our journey took us past majestic mountains, lush green valleys, and lots and lots of sheep.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOkBEjF1I/AAAAAAAAAeI/tA8SY9nVbW8/s1600/IMG_3544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOkBEjF1I/AAAAAAAAAeI/tA8SY9nVbW8/s640/IMG_3544.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One cannot simply walk into Mordor, but the train still stops there. That's Mount Doom in the background (aka <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=national+park,+new+zealand&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.038806,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=National+Park,+Manawatu-Wanganui,+New+Zealand&ll=-38.393339,175.517578&spn=4.210533,7.064209&z=7">Mt. Ngauruhoe</a>.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOqacqXqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Q0RQ54d_N2w/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOqacqXqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Q0RQ54d_N2w/s640/IMG_3546.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hank never did get that sandwich, but the food on the train was pretty good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIO3UmVJVI/AAAAAAAAAeU/KsYJMqRsBjU/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIO3UmVJVI/AAAAAAAAAeU/KsYJMqRsBjU/s640/IMG_3607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On down the coast, I kept my eyes peeled for whales.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOxaN7CuI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uvILM5NUZQw/s1600/IMG_3594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIOxaN7CuI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/uvILM5NUZQw/s640/IMG_3594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIO3UmVJVI/AAAAAAAAAeU/KsYJMqRsBjU/s1600/IMG_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Kiwis do a few things right, like pre-mixed Gordon's and tonic.</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIO_4pMNpI/AAAAAAAAAeY/2FRGNmDP6oA/s1600/IMG_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TVIO_4pMNpI/AAAAAAAAAeY/2FRGNmDP6oA/s640/IMG_3609.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here's Trout taking us to stock up on <a href="http://www.cookietime.co.nz/bac.html">Bumper Bars</a> in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=christchurch,+new+zealand&aq=&sll=-38.393339,175.517578&sspn=4.210533,7.064209&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Christchurch,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand&ll=-41.029643,173.759766&spn=8.104789,14.128418&z=6">Christchurch</a>. Better than lembas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><i>Next: </i>"Mountains and Mole-men" <i>or</i> "Penetrating the Bush"</div></div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-28399591402575346302010-11-18T22:57:00.000-05:002010-11-18T22:57:43.485-05:00To the Last, I Grapple with Thee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOXCq4RhyGI/AAAAAAAAAdM/5R5N6HhQ7m8/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOXCq4RhyGI/AAAAAAAAAdM/5R5N6HhQ7m8/s320/IMG_3413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Pollard's collection in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=salem,+il&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=34.038806,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Salem,+Marion,+Illinois&ll=38.61687,-88.945312&spn=16.764257,39.506836&z=5">Salem</a>, Illinois isn't quite as pun-heavy as <a href="http://spacefoetus.blogspot.com/2010/04/welcometo-junkrassic-park.html#more">Junkrassic Park</a>, but I did find this friendlier cousin of the Carson City <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TMhsRpWrDMI/AAAAAAAAAag/d9biPt5TKnE/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG">monster</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOX1KzND4CI/AAAAAAAAAdY/zKUmCoQe0p4/s1600/olney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOX1KzND4CI/AAAAAAAAAdY/zKUmCoQe0p4/s320/olney.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was about to write off <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=olney,+il&sll=38.61687,-88.945312&sspn=16.764257,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Olney,+Richland,+Illinois&ll=38.719805,-88.066406&spn=16.740506,39.506836&z=5">Olney</a>'s white squirrels as a folk myth, like the chupacabra or Mokele-mbembe,...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOXC_iwkzrI/AAAAAAAAAdU/jqlJbCCGOgg/s1600/skwrl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOXC_iwkzrI/AAAAAAAAAdU/jqlJbCCGOgg/s320/skwrl.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...when I found this little fella' in the city park. It was one of the top five most thrilling experiences of my life.</div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8562127780242128604.post-16532706366922072932010-11-17T15:00:00.000-05:002011-04-02T23:34:36.726-04:00So Long, It's been Good to Know Ya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM6Q1l4gcI/AAAAAAAAAcg/PjHVOZM3fd0/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM6Q1l4gcI/AAAAAAAAAcg/PjHVOZM3fd0/s640/IMG_3292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This friendly leviathan lives in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=catoosa,+oklahoma&sll=38.274494,-91.105698&sspn=0.03295,0.077162&g=stanton+mo&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Catoosa,+Rogers,+Oklahoma&ll=36.173357,-95.712891&spn=17.311861,39.506836&z=5">Catoosa</a>, Oklahoma, the country's most inland sea port (really.) Can you find me?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM7H8o5r0I/AAAAAAAAAck/CL701BclEe8/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM7H8o5r0I/AAAAAAAAAck/CL701BclEe8/s320/IMG_3299.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A rare find in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=galena,+kansas&sll=36.173357,-95.712891&sspn=17.311861,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Galena,+Cherokee,+Kansas&ll=37.09024,-94.614258&spn=17.110057,39.506836&z=5">Galena</a>, Kansas--this lone, inexplicable US 66 sign (which actually leads to a closed bridge.) Well, I thought it was cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TONBZr5194I/AAAAAAAAAcw/ZGr7SS8NqI0/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TONBZr5194I/AAAAAAAAAcw/ZGr7SS8NqI0/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> That's the analemma I'm leaning up against in this half-scale replica of stonehenge in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=rolla,+mo&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Rolla,+Phelps,+Missouri&ll=37.926868,-91.757812&spn=16.922056,39.506836&z=5">Rolla</a>, Missouri. The sun is supposed to shine through and show the date but due to cloud cover, I was unable to verify this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM7_qFvfII/AAAAAAAAAco/79zsEX-jQ-o/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM7_qFvfII/AAAAAAAAAco/79zsEX-jQ-o/s320/IMG_3320.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The vacuum cleaner museum in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=st.+james,+mo%5C&sll=37.09024,-94.614258&sspn=17.110057,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=St+James,+Phelps,+Missouri&ll=37.996163,-91.582031&spn=16.90632,39.506836&z=5">St. James</a>, Missouri, which sounds like it would be boring, is actually really well put together. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM8bzKzfPI/AAAAAAAAAcs/fyJ7SbmyuLk/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mHE0ml48ImQ/TOM8bzKzfPI/AAAAAAAAAcs/fyJ7SbmyuLk/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the reptile house and wild animal park in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=stanton,+mo&sll=37.996163,-91.582031&sspn=16.90632,39.506836&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Stanton,+Meramec,+Franklin,+Missouri&ll=38.272689,-91.098633&spn=16.843278,39.506836&z=5">Stanton</a>, which sounds like it would be awesome, is actually pretty depressing.</div>SpaceFetushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049704420446956479noreply@blogger.com0