tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2112019458890499742024-03-14T10:09:51.988-07:00 2011 USA Tour 2011 USA TOUR
<p>“Yield to temptation. It may not pass your way again.” Robert A. Heinlein</p>
I was “fortunate” enough to have been laid off recently. While immediately looking for work would be the practical thing to do, after discussing our options, Michelle and I decided to yield to temptation, pack our kids up (6 YO Bella & 11 MO Aldous) and hit the road. We hope to update our blog frequently throughout our trip with prose and pics, so check back often. :-)
Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-51918930061286398412011-06-28T17:45:00.000-07:002011-06-28T17:45:36.310-07:00Glaciers, Grizzlies and MORE snow!We arrived in Glacier National Park in mid-afternoon and immediately headed for the famous "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going-to-the-Sun_Road">going to the sun road</a>." Unfortunately only 16 miles of the 53 mile road were open due to all the heavy snows from this past winter/spring. We were told that there were still 40 feet of snow at the top of the pass! We also found out that the road typically opens July 1 and closes September 19th, but this year, the road is not expected to be open until July 15. Even without being able to take the whole road, the views from the portion we could drive on were simply incredible. After driving up the road as far as we could go we returned to the first lodge area of the park to check on lodging prices in the park. We expected them to be out of our price range, but because of the poor weather and plenty of vacancies, I was able to negotiate a rate similar to what we would have paid outside the park. The real bonus though, was the view from the room (see below). I honestly don't believe there could be a hotel room anywhere in the world with a more spectacular view. Another bonus was that it had a full kitchen so after a good night's sleep we were able to cook a full breakfast (eggs and BACON, yum!) instead of our normal cold cereal. We had hoped to do some hiking up to one of the smaller lakes only accessible by foot, but it was raining pretty hard and after I slipped on a wet log crossing a creek and nearly broke my forearm, we called it a day as far as hiking goes. We did get to see another (black) bear, this one fishing in the river. We bid adieu to GNP, and like many of the places we've been, vowed to return when we could see more of the park.<br />
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Our next stop was Yellowstone National Park, but it was more than a days drive away, so we decided to spend the night in Butte, Montana. I really wanted to see Butte anyway, because my grandfather was born and grew up there. Butte started out as a mining town (my grandfather and his father both worked in mining) and still is to this day. It's pretty old relative to other western towns and it's highpoint was the '20-'30s which is reflected in the architecture of the old downtown area. I don't think I'd make Butte a destination, but if you are passing through, it's worth stopping to check out the mining history of the area.<br /><br />After an evening in Butte, we headed south to Yellowstone. On our way we were lucky enough to come across a cattle drive in progress with real cowboys (and cowgirls, as well as herding dogs) all working hard to get all the cattle across an interstate without losing any. It was great fun to watch for about 15 minutes, especially for Bella. We arrived in West Yellowstone (a VERY touristy little town just outside the western entrance of Yellowstone) in late afternoon and proceeded to check accommodations in the area. There were dozens of hotels, but all of the semi-decent ones were either booked or exceedingly expensive, so we decided to head into the park and try our luck with the on-site accommodations. When we arrived at the park entrance there was a sign that said "All Park Accomodations Full." Despite the sign, I asked the park ranger if that was in fact the case. She assured me it was, but said that if we headed down to the Old Faithful area we could check with the lodge there to see if they had any cancellations. Since we wanted to see Old Faithful that was fine by us. It's about an hour drive and on the way we saw our first wild bison, first at a distance, then up close (see pics below). It was kind of funny because there were literally dozens of people pulling over in their cars to get a closer look (and pictures) of the bison, but the bison acted as if absolutely no one was there. They crossed the road at their leisure, or not. Sometimes they would just stand smack dab in the middle of the road and you either had to wait for them to decide to move, or you could carefully work your way around them. We made our way to the Old Faithful Lodge and arrived at about 6 PM. As luck would have it, they did not have any rooms available, but there was one cabin vacant on the north side of the park about a 2 hour drive away and the rate was very reasonable considering it was actually in the park. We booked the room, had a quick bite at their on site grille and went out to have a quick look at Old Faithful. We saw it go off and it was neat, but the area around Old Faithful is VERY built-up and touristy so it kind of takes away from the experience. Fortunately 99.99% of the park is not built-up so our experience just got better from there. Yellowstone basically has one big interior loop road with a few connectors in between so we decided to take the western loop up to the north side where our cabin was and then take the eastern loop down south the next day because we planned on exiting the park to the south. We stopped along the way several times to check out the very interesting geological sites. In between a couple of our geological site stops, we came around a bend and saw several people pulling their cars over, jumping out and looking into the roadside woods...so of course we did the same to see what all the commotion was about. It was nothing but a BIG grizzly bear about 40 yards into the woods! We have seen plenty of black bears, in VA, in GA and earlier on this trip, but this was our first grizzly sighting so it was kinda cool. This grizzly, much like the bison, seemed oblivious to the fact that there were about 40 people watching his every move. Yellowstone advises keeping a 100 yard distance between yourself and any bears you come across, but 40 yards seemed like plenty...as long as the car was less than 20 yards away. Besides, I figured there were 40 other people outside their cars looking at the bear too (Michelle and the kids were in the car watching), I didn't need to be faster than all of them, just faster than at least one of them. :)<br />
<br />After a leisurely 3 hour drive that included several stops to view geological sites, a second grizzly sighting, Aldous having a run-in with a bison (see pic below), some beaver watching, and slowing down through ANOTHER snow storm (in the middle of June!) we made it to our cabin, which was small, but very nice and very clean. This little cabin was great, but it had no fridge or microwave so we decided to treat ourselves to breakfast at the lodge dining room the next day. It was a very nice setting, the prices were reasonable and the food was good (I had eggs benedict with pan fried trout, yum!). I have noticed that the contract concessionaires are not the same at all the federal parks. The reason I noticed this is because two parks stood out as being the most reasonably priced (food and accommodation) and actually had decent food at their sit down restaurants. Those two parks were Mesa Verde and Yellowstone and they were both run by Xterra. For comparison, the price/quality of accomodations/food at Yosemite was pathetic. I don't remember who the concessionaire company was in Yosemite, but it was not Xterra, I remember that. I wish the NPS would give Xterra a national contract to run all of them.<br />
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After breakfast, we made our way up to one of the major geological activity areas on a hill that overlooks the village we stayed in the night previous. The area is called Mammoth Hot Springs and if you are at all interested in geological activity you definitely don't want to miss this this area if you make it to Yellowstone. We spent a good 2 hours walking around and examining this area before Aldous had had enough and was ready for a nap. We then started on the loop headed east, then south toward the parks south exit (right into the Grand Tetons National Park). Along this route we saw the yellow stone that gives Yellowstone it's name, the grand canyon of Yellowstone, the magnificent Lower Falls, Yellowstone lake, and a bunch more geological oddities in between. Of all the parks we have visited, Michelle and I agree that Yellowstone would be the one to visit if you could only see one. It is not quite as visually impressive as say the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or even Glacier National Park, but it has everything those parks have (to a lesser degree) AND it has it's fantastic array of unique geological features.<br />
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We made it to the south entrance by late afternoon and decided to head through Grand Tetons National Park on our way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for the evening. The drive through Grand Tetons was fantastic. We were really glad we didn't decide to just head east from Yellowstone. Just when you think the view can't get better, it does. We also saw another grizzly, lazily making it's way through a field only about 20 yards off the road. We arrived in Jackson, Hole around 8PM and started looking for a room. JH is kinda weird because it's in the middle of nowhere, but there is clearly a lot of money in the area (JH is a big vacation area for the Hollywood jet set, or so I've heard) so the hotels are pricey and there are a lot of pricey boutiques and eateries. We bit the bullet and got a room right in downtown JH. The next morning we got a cup of coffee, drove around a bit to see the rest of JH, and then headed east for our next destination, Mount Rushmore.<br /><br />Wyoming is a curious state, in that the geography in the western part of the state is very interesting, and so is the eastern side, but the part in the middle is pretty damn flat and boring. When we first left JH we went through an area that is very mountainous and still had several feet of snow piled up on the side of the road from snow plows. We stopped for lunch at a little place called "<a href="http://www.lavamountainlodge.com/">Lava Mountain Lodge</a>." By the looks of the place we didn't expect much, but they had the best food we ate on this trip per $ spent. I would love to go back to this area for a few days. We made it to Casper, Wyoming, where we decided to turn in for the night. Casper is bit of an industrial town, and that is about the nicest thing I can say about it (as far as we saw). The next morning we again headed for Mount Rushmore and along the way we literally came across "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell%27s_Half_Acre_%28Wyoming%29">Hells Half Acre</a>." I had no idea it was a real place until I saw the sign as we whizzed by. It's easy to miss because the state park setup for parking to view it is closed, apparently because part of the park itself is starting to fall into Hells Half Acre and I guess there is no money to prevent it at the moment. We stopped anyway and Bella and I jumped the fence to get a closer look. It's hard to describe other than to say it would make a great set for filming a movie that is supposed to take place on another planet. After feeding Aldous we set off for MR again, only to pass a sign for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Tower_National_Monument">Devil's Tower</a> not too far up the road. I have wanted to see Devils Tower ever since I saw "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_Encounters_of_the_Third_Kind">Close Encounters of the Third Kind</a>" as a kid. So we made a 100 mile detour to see Devil's Tower, which was well worth it. If you are in the area, don't miss it. We then made a beeline for MR, but we only got as far as Spearfish, South Dakota before we turned in for the night.<br />
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The next day we got up and went straight to MR. Michelle and I both agreed that of all the things we've seen on this trip, Mount Rushmore was the biggest bust (no pun intended). We just expected it to be much bigger than it was in person. Not only that, but the area is full of very interesting granite rock formations that are beautiful in and of themselves and MR just looks completely out of place in the area. This was the only destination we visited that we have no desire to see again. We did not spend much time at MR at all, we really only did a double drive-by. We hear they do a great laser show at night, but we'll never see it. The area around MR is setup as a vacation haven, so if you head that way with the kids, you will find plenty of vacation activities in the area.<br /><br />We now had only one destination left on our trip and that was Badlands National Park, SD. We made it as far as Murdo, South Dakota before we turned in for the night. Not a minute too soon, because as soon as we got our hotel room the driving rain and 30 mph winds started that continued on through the next day. After a restless night with Aldie, we got up a little late and hit the road. The weather started to break just as we arrived at BNP. We drove down to the south entrance to see the visitors center down there. It's also a visitors center for the local Lakota Indian Reservation. They had some fantastic displays and information regarding the Lakota tribe. I HIGHLY recommend going to see it if you make it to BNP. After spending about an hour there, we worked our way north through the park. Again, the Badlands is one of those places that is exceedingly difficult to describe in words, you really need to see it. It kind of looks like giants were making clay mud castles. How is that for a visual? :) <br /><br />After a couple hours driving through BNP and taking some pictures we started on the journey home. On our way we stopped by chance in Mitchell, Iowa, home of "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_Palace">The Corn Palace</a>." The best way to describe it is Americana at its best. If you are traveling along I90 east or west and you need a break, take an hour and stop at The Corn Palace in Mitchell, Iowa. Be sure to watch their little 15 minute film that tells you all about the history of TCP. I expected it to be very hokey, and it was, but very interesting nonetheless. The Corn Palace was really the last interesting thing we saw on our trip. We did see a bunch of flooding from the Missouri River, but that was very depressing. I hope those folks get some relief soon. Here are a few pics from the last leg of our trip. I'll probably post one more short blog in a few days with my thoughts regarding the whole trip after I've had a bit more time to digest it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLBNqpoonNsW0Tti_YXD7VFixmx2j5y-YrLptswxo1VwDMjmdM8plS_A8qo1t3S8B7ltr5AXBg23IOCLx-8OsU8HK2oTki3EhTm9lrQjVEMTzQ5ul_7Ak0XexfdrVv-1qsBCjbH4pGQKB/s1600/ag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLBNqpoonNsW0Tti_YXD7VFixmx2j5y-YrLptswxo1VwDMjmdM8plS_A8qo1t3S8B7ltr5AXBg23IOCLx-8OsU8HK2oTki3EhTm9lrQjVEMTzQ5ul_7Ak0XexfdrVv-1qsBCjbH4pGQKB/s1600/ag1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from the early part of "Going to the Sun Road" at Glacier National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and Aldous playing directly in front of our room at GNP. I was standing on the porch of our room when I took this pic. The view is even more incredible in person.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another shot from our room.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are the buses they use for tours at GNP...this was no day to take the top off.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the rivers in GNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view leaving GNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We caught this bear fishing for his dinner...when he noticed us he bounded out of the water and up into the woods.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twilight view from our room at GNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from Butte, Montana.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A cowboy and cowgirl going after a loose heifer.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69397dck8gfNZMpjeRKvFbSu1oX0U47c_qnBZiJ3b4pzfzdiVhO51zLZpW4p4jxUNYiEEMqYLWC6srVMEfBTVhyphenhyphenNQxMGSjc48_a8uB1R8ImfZxPjU9BGKlbvOWLLS064gRusBs2xoqSre/s1600/ag82.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cattle drive!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69397dck8gfNZMpjeRKvFbSu1oX0U47c_qnBZiJ3b4pzfzdiVhO51zLZpW4p4jxUNYiEEMqYLWC6srVMEfBTVhyphenhyphenNQxMGSjc48_a8uB1R8ImfZxPjU9BGKlbvOWLLS064gRusBs2xoqSre/s1600/ag82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_HO2oHABiyoqs6bBlzyWX4iAES0CjMpn1pfYiDDvGewRhYfOW7iUvQcoC3GSZEyYprHibiX6yAsk6GP0Dq_9QGGSD8xJWg3X7YnpOn7z-aODZPnPXV3qhL7Epgz1k0DSIxYccmCfrgSK/s1600/ag84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_HO2oHABiyoqs6bBlzyWX4iAES0CjMpn1pfYiDDvGewRhYfOW7iUvQcoC3GSZEyYprHibiX6yAsk6GP0Dq_9QGGSD8xJWg3X7YnpOn7z-aODZPnPXV3qhL7Epgz1k0DSIxYccmCfrgSK/s1600/ag84.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teaching Bella and Aldie how they used to fetch water in the olden days... :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWX949trgypp3SyU_0hRBdeFyO8KAsOohYxpCyH-NQLqGm_aE_6rQYCfPh8KlUgknG3rUF-QBV64UymmMY6YSVYWzPZrcLDfcKUk5GtLm9yD91lJ2tAVU2X4Bz-57cXUyKwp4TM6DnM9x/s1600/BY1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWX949trgypp3SyU_0hRBdeFyO8KAsOohYxpCyH-NQLqGm_aE_6rQYCfPh8KlUgknG3rUF-QBV64UymmMY6YSVYWzPZrcLDfcKUk5GtLm9yD91lJ2tAVU2X4Bz-57cXUyKwp4TM6DnM9x/s1600/BY1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our first site of wild bison in Yellowstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIXrwURpqSH9t6ldFrhxBkHgEe5hVfVsJtLJ7yIbMNVfS7sShOUM3m_0sGNXZJ8q15v-8FqgxizfUpYrcYeMMcC2uO4K18Gk6oJOePZ_oF6Zc6iFLg0PgoyUOu9IKpuflwsBL8lXExssS/s1600/BY3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIXrwURpqSH9t6ldFrhxBkHgEe5hVfVsJtLJ7yIbMNVfS7sShOUM3m_0sGNXZJ8q15v-8FqgxizfUpYrcYeMMcC2uO4K18Gk6oJOePZ_oF6Zc6iFLg0PgoyUOu9IKpuflwsBL8lXExssS/s1600/BY3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proof it snowed on us in Yellowstone...in the middle of June.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa_LtJfQtLM5tkF8AxygbHSc1snEzzShNSDJdZp_Ccv57n97odTuCsG7ixRJQUl8H1KWrcC-ekg6SUG4usZ_JfbPxEcNCOAenL6NC1mC5hAFTUHnM3afd3Z9U3Y1-hwVJHjl7BDQWqPmD/s1600/BY4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa_LtJfQtLM5tkF8AxygbHSc1snEzzShNSDJdZp_Ccv57n97odTuCsG7ixRJQUl8H1KWrcC-ekg6SUG4usZ_JfbPxEcNCOAenL6NC1mC5hAFTUHnM3afd3Z9U3Y1-hwVJHjl7BDQWqPmD/s1600/BY4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our first grizzly sighting...he never would look at me after I pulled the camera out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzXEyyZkeieqgPgOGXMYiVXuYaq-ljtw7y2JIzrXFAIGTpsmmS_Zhsdt7U85MM5CVR6Va_sy1ceDkW9LCkqfreqFjg91h93-L_2I1Tm_sn-GN31X0_p7upKlJu6v46Cvw-_j0yX5Ghkzn/s1600/BY2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzXEyyZkeieqgPgOGXMYiVXuYaq-ljtw7y2JIzrXFAIGTpsmmS_Zhsdt7U85MM5CVR6Va_sy1ceDkW9LCkqfreqFjg91h93-L_2I1Tm_sn-GN31X0_p7upKlJu6v46Cvw-_j0yX5Ghkzn/s1600/BY2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our second wild bison sighting...a little more up close and personal.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzUuPrVIT6CFR6w_SyBlHsMwNtKGaAZvfEZ9W_lQP7yeyfAld6Lpba3qTThg3TkACmpWKgzfnyg_ok8miEFpWlHu_Bvb3aCzLyPyZty3S402gkBr_RWgWgb2tVk9T4ZDQyzazGrBsIFfd/s1600/BY5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzUuPrVIT6CFR6w_SyBlHsMwNtKGaAZvfEZ9W_lQP7yeyfAld6Lpba3qTThg3TkACmpWKgzfnyg_ok8miEFpWlHu_Bvb3aCzLyPyZty3S402gkBr_RWgWgb2tVk9T4ZDQyzazGrBsIFfd/s1600/BY5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Boil boil, toil and trouble!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwkUaitxgXUDKIfqBtHjDZBNrHg0rk8UPcz3bVVjI-tEZihnFOE43z0OqQu9MIU1QV1qJptpSm2UEpx45HaRS2PZLuSwCIDvrZV24yazRqGJxuNS2cgU-3LcAszZXrlZRLk7VzWAkLu1/s1600/BY6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fwkUaitxgXUDKIfqBtHjDZBNrHg0rk8UPcz3bVVjI-tEZihnFOE43z0OqQu9MIU1QV1qJptpSm2UEpx45HaRS2PZLuSwCIDvrZV24yazRqGJxuNS2cgU-3LcAszZXrlZRLk7VzWAkLu1/s1600/BY6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This unfortunate bison happened to cross paths with Aldous during his snack hour. Aldie said, "tastes just like chicken." </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XgDcIfBXn5Orbb3dNeBVBIbHicgR9m3QNKMbu8TLSeUmLlEUIs9KQHZ42N0WuABPozwfPP-f8pdZGQbGCW-nuQEu-zfcBiscHbpEkachcpj3oQHTfI1DOIqtbPQWmmzGDFhwG0U1OrE5/s1600/BY7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XgDcIfBXn5Orbb3dNeBVBIbHicgR9m3QNKMbu8TLSeUmLlEUIs9KQHZ42N0WuABPozwfPP-f8pdZGQbGCW-nuQEu-zfcBiscHbpEkachcpj3oQHTfI1DOIqtbPQWmmzGDFhwG0U1OrE5/s1600/BY7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunset at Yellowstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoGIDzFqedcpixbib7RPQTFMQf_fwd7RAkGkSB7pj6n7V7QOee0rDrRPdOjPPRjFQKU3RqQmxRBIMCwL6ueA3uBUbzU5o8ZKFwLBvFPHiUFUy8PRlMRhehr5XFE3t2DMYvu7KC_ALPA27/s1600/BY8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoGIDzFqedcpixbib7RPQTFMQf_fwd7RAkGkSB7pj6n7V7QOee0rDrRPdOjPPRjFQKU3RqQmxRBIMCwL6ueA3uBUbzU5o8ZKFwLBvFPHiUFUy8PRlMRhehr5XFE3t2DMYvu7KC_ALPA27/s1600/BY8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mineral steps at Mammoth Hot Springs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y7vHWSurg6qFBFlJ3_xBxyZDM1mDUPSOpp7GJdS-gLKhduWtbbOwjVo_Q6vl4v2pHSjuQyFX9bjvDuzDCI4jsS7H9YUuIdgYGCv0d8TfoJGbXh8uDdSeUkFFlwKEycXCmHwqkRbd0q-H/s1600/BY83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y7vHWSurg6qFBFlJ3_xBxyZDM1mDUPSOpp7GJdS-gLKhduWtbbOwjVo_Q6vl4v2pHSjuQyFX9bjvDuzDCI4jsS7H9YUuIdgYGCv0d8TfoJGbXh8uDdSeUkFFlwKEycXCmHwqkRbd0q-H/s1600/BY83.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We actually saw 3 beavers in this lake...yes, that is snow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy9bgPlkC7ul2K57WTejZkioXX7Ry0e3BTLZxU10oE5PfBDPTC80h7I-GQHt1g1CNaZCr7IWnmLA3hZkT-uKPbQAoOjdtYjrb2vlN6YVBjTAT2Ec6MSloyo0ooxy9wv0YB8Cdw1TqgYRD/s1600/BY82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy9bgPlkC7ul2K57WTejZkioXX7Ry0e3BTLZxU10oE5PfBDPTC80h7I-GQHt1g1CNaZCr7IWnmLA3hZkT-uKPbQAoOjdtYjrb2vlN6YVBjTAT2Ec6MSloyo0ooxy9wv0YB8Cdw1TqgYRD/s1600/BY82.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More interesting mineral deposits at Mammoth Hot Springs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6hKAEghmcQ7IfWoNy3hA1lKAUvbDieLd_TXHd6xskjO1_Vc_zPzVlCWpMnWjJyTudqcbHXFrseB0PHrHehFIL2UC1k0mAYWqusCp8wLc9vRUEzQb8ixO_aMT52WPfhw1C92QCFQ1VhsW/s1600/BY81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6hKAEghmcQ7IfWoNy3hA1lKAUvbDieLd_TXHd6xskjO1_Vc_zPzVlCWpMnWjJyTudqcbHXFrseB0PHrHehFIL2UC1k0mAYWqusCp8wLc9vRUEzQb8ixO_aMT52WPfhw1C92QCFQ1VhsW/s1600/BY81.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MHS again, it's kinda hard to tell, but there is water still running down here.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILQyfMO86S_htZwK6Y3WUj6Wo7mjUuNZYRDeLVOjbGqsEPOgrgOwosOOwLBSwZPvlCXSt2LRvpG9-2ceUMkXoXGoWyXydhtHfNqWepMFhHKLrCfKPHK24CgqcpZ78L8czMlPcc1_v6L_v/s1600/BY84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILQyfMO86S_htZwK6Y3WUj6Wo7mjUuNZYRDeLVOjbGqsEPOgrgOwosOOwLBSwZPvlCXSt2LRvpG9-2ceUMkXoXGoWyXydhtHfNqWepMFhHKLrCfKPHK24CgqcpZ78L8czMlPcc1_v6L_v/s1600/BY84.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">See above.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ATvcem22kTclwilh4bZZsVXc6vcQt_mCarJGOkKVDBS95R7AjedqeJ8tvAtLHeeJs5WjPW4XrxZlOOwL5sYn1Cy6gKAOqeZjRdVL-0hwXeSECDbOt6fR9HcfXV0X98QF6ZpNYPkZArOV/s1600/BY85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ATvcem22kTclwilh4bZZsVXc6vcQt_mCarJGOkKVDBS95R7AjedqeJ8tvAtLHeeJs5WjPW4XrxZlOOwL5sYn1Cy6gKAOqeZjRdVL-0hwXeSECDbOt6fR9HcfXV0X98QF6ZpNYPkZArOV/s1600/BY85.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the upper left hand corner of the pic is Mammoth Hot Springs Village, where we stayed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aSG4Q40xlqL9FlkBZjCev7uXOrFx2douMLCUlFJWTs0m70jd3nGrQP-kS3r6RjZetxPvB49GEW2rPN4RdJned6JjmQujAZztFJUJp-SGiiSLuHemjdxSboSyTX9qer08SWOB2kMtrkhc/s1600/BY87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aSG4Q40xlqL9FlkBZjCev7uXOrFx2douMLCUlFJWTs0m70jd3nGrQP-kS3r6RjZetxPvB49GEW2rPN4RdJned6JjmQujAZztFJUJp-SGiiSLuHemjdxSboSyTX9qer08SWOB2kMtrkhc/s1600/BY87.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More cool stuff at MHS.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF43dTCQjeRku67iJaUTnruUFSawRsLjc12VWdOWEk0L3HKfCZDYporESkRQF4K4cyuE6CBrrSMexiU1EC7Gc7p6yUyK1_miX6_D0y64lUalubVhFgntk-Flr1Nw9a-Dm2nvBiipNPIUd/s1600/BY86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAF43dTCQjeRku67iJaUTnruUFSawRsLjc12VWdOWEk0L3HKfCZDYporESkRQF4K4cyuE6CBrrSMexiU1EC7Gc7p6yUyK1_miX6_D0y64lUalubVhFgntk-Flr1Nw9a-Dm2nvBiipNPIUd/s1600/BY86.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The colors in person are just incredible.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PAvkiM5_e-eil57HA1u_NjbJVFlRKSxJw0CRh13A_WZBxX7gkD2YjrZ9VfPEsRRdNVmephOP7HdvmNTFogwaoaDve6yKiBXS2j5oIXfDbQXiejKQMFgVl0Bkk4Um2tqIzHPditljTnff/s1600/BY88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PAvkiM5_e-eil57HA1u_NjbJVFlRKSxJw0CRh13A_WZBxX7gkD2YjrZ9VfPEsRRdNVmephOP7HdvmNTFogwaoaDve6yKiBXS2j5oIXfDbQXiejKQMFgVl0Bkk4Um2tqIzHPditljTnff/s1600/BY88.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These trees were in the wrong place at the wrong time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nk9W3RhzGDR57suB1aNyRxYMsO3ETK-H3ikdFKjq-CV8YSAWqkfU-9zSAC65nWjUV7Uwc3U48KxedrJ3ZIJ-6GO3sjnVmvBf6HCkzYNPEY-Ys6IrkVPG242MbvPhllNz0u8mF5VNEdte/s1600/BY89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nk9W3RhzGDR57suB1aNyRxYMsO3ETK-H3ikdFKjq-CV8YSAWqkfU-9zSAC65nWjUV7Uwc3U48KxedrJ3ZIJ-6GO3sjnVmvBf6HCkzYNPEY-Ys6IrkVPG242MbvPhllNz0u8mF5VNEdte/s1600/BY89.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like a giant colorful hot tub!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhbYPnMc81ehngkelixYfUziyr7n3SgrM0s8z7GjhxejQsV7Y_K-iBSPAhv-xPR1unOP-XuQksv7aG93Ni_2FP-1P1cHAFRq71wZDmC3XqudDRG3A4YRocK9zIsZWXR7Fdbtw2jvVDDqa/s1600/BY893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhbYPnMc81ehngkelixYfUziyr7n3SgrM0s8z7GjhxejQsV7Y_K-iBSPAhv-xPR1unOP-XuQksv7aG93Ni_2FP-1P1cHAFRq71wZDmC3XqudDRG3A4YRocK9zIsZWXR7Fdbtw2jvVDDqa/s1600/BY893.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hot water rolling down the "stairs"....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmkCjn46DixzpHedVP5Zo70PrAoC7h0VkzUhazHgJN3lSQ31XORH2Csvipydg4mchMujb-ynsZh7h27eL9i1dIsXWDoELZd3oSEHYOdZqtoWD1bxcSaJ-bOomWajVEo4vDr55wWqNxsbl/s1600/BY891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmkCjn46DixzpHedVP5Zo70PrAoC7h0VkzUhazHgJN3lSQ31XORH2Csvipydg4mchMujb-ynsZh7h27eL9i1dIsXWDoELZd3oSEHYOdZqtoWD1bxcSaJ-bOomWajVEo4vDr55wWqNxsbl/s1600/BY891.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beeeautiful!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP6TwhrnYf1OJnYYcOxTNsZrcCCK5yhzRTE45QD0HLkIbvIinAR8zwh4qlm8D1b-oOg7pzfY4wFLBr4zTU44Mls-GJjKbPvQx9wzH6uOj1LVq8fU2JkC_tVXPrvD_J_tuq1WDsb-jojfx/s1600/BY892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP6TwhrnYf1OJnYYcOxTNsZrcCCK5yhzRTE45QD0HLkIbvIinAR8zwh4qlm8D1b-oOg7pzfY4wFLBr4zTU44Mls-GJjKbPvQx9wzH6uOj1LVq8fU2JkC_tVXPrvD_J_tuq1WDsb-jojfx/s1600/BY892.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More unfortunate trees.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A6FNtU810EW9i94OgT6ZOn_tWxGW2b_Etl9idrgVCVAmBoPkhRE179TtWIHIgIT-RmvJGhIk2x0aZJRysdbl_TENdgHYhR2NUNer6NRt63UWKK43tZ41_KcjWmlXJSNVMcX2YVNePIVH/s1600/BY894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4A6FNtU810EW9i94OgT6ZOn_tWxGW2b_Etl9idrgVCVAmBoPkhRE179TtWIHIgIT-RmvJGhIk2x0aZJRysdbl_TENdgHYhR2NUNer6NRt63UWKK43tZ41_KcjWmlXJSNVMcX2YVNePIVH/s1600/BY894.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's quite a view from MHS village.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hzncQMSUfonKzPxG6OsRwVeliKAe5c66Eod8mOTwmKPJT3-YqiMhBdF8BeEStCyoFKP5TSWefrHnBop_75j0NsDobOSLZMF6Y5velLQPNfQfIRRc63iQmDSPlqrDsn8yUtMi2pf_UP9s/s1600/BY896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hzncQMSUfonKzPxG6OsRwVeliKAe5c66Eod8mOTwmKPJT3-YqiMhBdF8BeEStCyoFKP5TSWefrHnBop_75j0NsDobOSLZMF6Y5velLQPNfQfIRRc63iQmDSPlqrDsn8yUtMi2pf_UP9s/s1600/BY896.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View at the north end of Yellowstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcqwsfev8PPvVY6CE9QyitIt1DwU6hFhrlIeM2d5sEQqbC8IbyZkZTa-L85DrnvPKbaZ1A42w40WKVifIYVgLaL5LxcJNzlEHp5coXrS3wSH4amrgHJwFVjnFDyafh5CN_mMCZG2u1ExH/s1600/BY895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcqwsfev8PPvVY6CE9QyitIt1DwU6hFhrlIeM2d5sEQqbC8IbyZkZTa-L85DrnvPKbaZ1A42w40WKVifIYVgLaL5LxcJNzlEHp5coXrS3wSH4amrgHJwFVjnFDyafh5CN_mMCZG2u1ExH/s1600/BY895.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The yellow stone of Yellowstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrVzXoJCenPs0rjylENbxYOqfhD3BJXetn5DyubhUJ_omn8HYuUvfjTObWcJAK0Ej_eRLvk5keepC8wjjREYA7XMDllEvdlzats51tkmSdccyTr7RsymHI_Gz0mL11PddxlEepeqFZtrG/s1600/BY897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrVzXoJCenPs0rjylENbxYOqfhD3BJXetn5DyubhUJ_omn8HYuUvfjTObWcJAK0Ej_eRLvk5keepC8wjjREYA7XMDllEvdlzats51tkmSdccyTr7RsymHI_Gz0mL11PddxlEepeqFZtrG/s1600/BY897.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view to the southeast from the north of Yellowstone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-mr8dJMYWN-YlNNAa82qkee_7P08UC9CJMTiHyYms-rmbWa0362_zvXWUftWetzGG5AhbAByI-Hq5zILqLh-RuSAiD67DNdXZjmBbIzWKkHQ9HRJjrux-QBFDyztncPR0yc4no-pxmUM/s1600/BY898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-mr8dJMYWN-YlNNAa82qkee_7P08UC9CJMTiHyYms-rmbWa0362_zvXWUftWetzGG5AhbAByI-Hq5zILqLh-RuSAiD67DNdXZjmBbIzWKkHQ9HRJjrux-QBFDyztncPR0yc4no-pxmUM/s1600/BY898.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella at the Lower Falls viewing area.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQvr-mJBlhsdsSCXrcm2UTl0vXfC84S_zyWpEAjrWsVIG63QYgy75kgfMDzsXLOtaja9jzdu8yHcVHgAUUvI9wGBygtr5tiQxRSJWZ3LgkMO3NXPzmoOXTtMzXBP7xGAFbUjuRU0qRWVM/s1600/BY899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQvr-mJBlhsdsSCXrcm2UTl0vXfC84S_zyWpEAjrWsVIG63QYgy75kgfMDzsXLOtaja9jzdu8yHcVHgAUUvI9wGBygtr5tiQxRSJWZ3LgkMO3NXPzmoOXTtMzXBP7xGAFbUjuRU0qRWVM/s1600/BY899.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lower Falls from a distance.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAadiM7OyIOUx2l_Tpc6TikanhC4ZT7P9vUl78YnTUae0IQKa8TTxBdsXMllWPnBInriWH0JP7R-5dV6DENNgUtJNNIevid4i0vgFo2mtw3GCmq_flWI3VLBOzR0IxVgpR2b4kJWtV3m54/s1600/BY9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAadiM7OyIOUx2l_Tpc6TikanhC4ZT7P9vUl78YnTUae0IQKa8TTxBdsXMllWPnBInriWH0JP7R-5dV6DENNgUtJNNIevid4i0vgFo2mtw3GCmq_flWI3VLBOzR0IxVgpR2b4kJWtV3m54/s1600/BY9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lower Falls zoomed in a bit.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVT_HU2AabiOsX-IqsOZ0BQT9on-CBvYGBAVSK8P_i-CDCwgeAKpDJU6LD_RQ-4SQY4XVUmZwvXkkru_3DEHsp-1W6fiZDKqgy59axwQ7unjVQQNkcvlFgrQDK3VF5OtZncu4jAqZ7b4y/s1600/BY91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVT_HU2AabiOsX-IqsOZ0BQT9on-CBvYGBAVSK8P_i-CDCwgeAKpDJU6LD_RQ-4SQY4XVUmZwvXkkru_3DEHsp-1W6fiZDKqgy59axwQ7unjVQQNkcvlFgrQDK3VF5OtZncu4jAqZ7b4y/s1600/BY91.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was COLD!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Hch5ZiyHxBIMiOqOTtcTdAPEdDCwFY7zOivaSqoUItvugbguSxhdi288oreSXkPfIy1x7Y7NL4lKOK9f5teQHr397HmIVAfRnD8ieOMOMQnMUVhQXb1VoJF99XgC2MfcYX_eOJU2y7V/s1600/BY92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25Hch5ZiyHxBIMiOqOTtcTdAPEdDCwFY7zOivaSqoUItvugbguSxhdi288oreSXkPfIy1x7Y7NL4lKOK9f5teQHr397HmIVAfRnD8ieOMOMQnMUVhQXb1VoJF99XgC2MfcYX_eOJU2y7V/s1600/BY92.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bubbling mud.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmmnAT2nQk0mNgAiyCyMfWVGir94_EHzmxPNs8SBdCGoYN9yGV_QFss18JM_Zi_OAFiwwyVVmb22c1fVR0op_wctaYuwVZikugGL5rrdduomEF2Ze_p92ffs4_GICHT8yodOqbixEG1rz/s1600/BY93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmmnAT2nQk0mNgAiyCyMfWVGir94_EHzmxPNs8SBdCGoYN9yGV_QFss18JM_Zi_OAFiwwyVVmb22c1fVR0op_wctaYuwVZikugGL5rrdduomEF2Ze_p92ffs4_GICHT8yodOqbixEG1rz/s1600/BY93.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view across Yellowstone Lake.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdE5KvGtjlw_Xqxd6A-hpq8xQyIvSblCwbhQfcm-ehAXa9MC7D5vJICiiGvY5YCVjLLhvMvKL1-Iy_V8bU0_TBfd7NO3Lp-4CMa3m-jRXcRecrPxuXsrTESgVs_ctMeymZ2ve23OPY25U/s1600/BY94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdE5KvGtjlw_Xqxd6A-hpq8xQyIvSblCwbhQfcm-ehAXa9MC7D5vJICiiGvY5YCVjLLhvMvKL1-Iy_V8bU0_TBfd7NO3Lp-4CMa3m-jRXcRecrPxuXsrTESgVs_ctMeymZ2ve23OPY25U/s1600/BY94.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lewis lake in Yellowstone, still with a bunch of ice in it...in the middle of June!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDY7ZFJEv-ZduT-uFQNZfMaqhf_5v4QCuPEWTW9RjaSmwSmNEYHKHM_zu_jO9Rvzp1O4M0EEz_ic3WAQmAvO1haip_fMsIyK4fiOB9hQXnAnk1AHRSDeKD2DorGE8LJMFN6qJAZLj5fMh/s1600/CGT1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDY7ZFJEv-ZduT-uFQNZfMaqhf_5v4QCuPEWTW9RjaSmwSmNEYHKHM_zu_jO9Rvzp1O4M0EEz_ic3WAQmAvO1haip_fMsIyK4fiOB9hQXnAnk1AHRSDeKD2DorGE8LJMFN6qJAZLj5fMh/s1600/CGT1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">First view of the Grand Tetons.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM7yONA8jz6kvzj08_R3-0OR5YAvC-oP1gw0gQUoC8GIS_1OH7Wn2B4JioNFy2WcJnTrfWzc5aKmdEK2ZPyT9YdVhqm0phdNtHVPH0FIe1soaCxCvIlJKkxqIVHlgFv9gNSnEIG3g88MQ/s1600/CGT3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM7yONA8jz6kvzj08_R3-0OR5YAvC-oP1gw0gQUoC8GIS_1OH7Wn2B4JioNFy2WcJnTrfWzc5aKmdEK2ZPyT9YdVhqm0phdNtHVPH0FIe1soaCxCvIlJKkxqIVHlgFv9gNSnEIG3g88MQ/s1600/CGT3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adolescent (according to the ranger who was there) grizzly at Grand Tetons National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNnwR0emw7fH5n_cne_b3VzXfVF9gSCABvjWNoVUG1RkVxJs-W8S-wpk6yz9zwYYg59sZSoFDkR2OWLkf5A8gBNgr65QlxO3v7uHGCKFOsKPxnoRrVbB_RUTxYOKoEvPiijcZpqSc3hJZ/s1600/CGT2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNnwR0emw7fH5n_cne_b3VzXfVF9gSCABvjWNoVUG1RkVxJs-W8S-wpk6yz9zwYYg59sZSoFDkR2OWLkf5A8gBNgr65QlxO3v7uHGCKFOsKPxnoRrVbB_RUTxYOKoEvPiijcZpqSc3hJZ/s1600/CGT2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More GTNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpgejiiFKbNpGgP3YrN81iPLGdcAmmMW_bSCgDigtyATa3SDBD_w9p9g41DNNMgLZ_kq-BD7G8-5OjKoO3yDpjLn3hXd7kH29K7d-wSjsR87sZ-8TMXjyzc9SjakxMDJQPPj2XnJrtgo/s1600/CGT4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpgejiiFKbNpGgP3YrN81iPLGdcAmmMW_bSCgDigtyATa3SDBD_w9p9g41DNNMgLZ_kq-BD7G8-5OjKoO3yDpjLn3hXd7kH29K7d-wSjsR87sZ-8TMXjyzc9SjakxMDJQPPj2XnJrtgo/s1600/CGT4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A nice profile, don't ya think?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNMSnJXbYC5OgS0_-W8pdRM0XVCoNgD9xzyIKPOEEya4k1NA4yZ_go9sQRXA1u1pQxDkO1K1ZtsxC8y5f6uNa-4u7-JFQyn1IG0TbYAT_Pvt3MAizRDw2xsy_RHoAR2yMvOHwnvBevtSU/s1600/CGT5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNMSnJXbYC5OgS0_-W8pdRM0XVCoNgD9xzyIKPOEEya4k1NA4yZ_go9sQRXA1u1pQxDkO1K1ZtsxC8y5f6uNa-4u7-JFQyn1IG0TbYAT_Pvt3MAizRDw2xsy_RHoAR2yMvOHwnvBevtSU/s1600/CGT5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet more GTNP.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvITGfF0Zk3Dl1jlOkOPlNaBu_smaHes65MKczYzTlyQ6E0MT4BH90Ji6bFXhQeT_0gfGUmYd-twns-vI854zbPDMLg8wxI8nfuxNpwVJ7OveszZmlwplbnEecolUiRv0G32Y5cxFXVBW/s1600/CGT7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvITGfF0Zk3Dl1jlOkOPlNaBu_smaHes65MKczYzTlyQ6E0MT4BH90Ji6bFXhQeT_0gfGUmYd-twns-vI854zbPDMLg8wxI8nfuxNpwVJ7OveszZmlwplbnEecolUiRv0G32Y5cxFXVBW/s1600/CGT7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the visitor center at the south entrance to GTNP. I love clever modern architecture.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0y_TesKceqS_JXKhvntc_L586rcGt4GOCZcM2wWPrfsGpYhsAVZLiNyu4VrKOMAbdcisMOKA8uPV2zk6iMOG4uib16nTzGkurSKWGWlD59Q2BfRFdk9G7rde3kiBwVb7wtq7m4iSiUO1C/s1600/CGT8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0y_TesKceqS_JXKhvntc_L586rcGt4GOCZcM2wWPrfsGpYhsAVZLiNyu4VrKOMAbdcisMOKA8uPV2zk6iMOG4uib16nTzGkurSKWGWlD59Q2BfRFdk9G7rde3kiBwVb7wtq7m4iSiUO1C/s1600/CGT8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right outside Jackson Hole...and it's for sale!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJB76RuGrBk-gvm4ZO4LNcemMVO8pm8ceN-s6VLcE24hwkUMFnXiSYYZDs98zrW3A3EkQ2lSxXjd-XF1Cp9I0E0sTza43VyTAqeiJuz5qAoy-I3K7KsmtPFtnKe_0KYwC3sPGrJ9vtx4u/s1600/DWY2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJB76RuGrBk-gvm4ZO4LNcemMVO8pm8ceN-s6VLcE24hwkUMFnXiSYYZDs98zrW3A3EkQ2lSxXjd-XF1Cp9I0E0sTza43VyTAqeiJuz5qAoy-I3K7KsmtPFtnKe_0KYwC3sPGrJ9vtx4u/s1600/DWY2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hells Half Acre Wyoming.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N9Mxp5oeKhbYxRi8tNi6GYGiyfz5085izhGxXrKQ4rQRpaXDB7dAoTEV6IvmyaOwdE3O-JdTly1ZmqLP2yjlMllaXHjpqKzUrv7v__srnV3EuGeK6ms0jrCZKNuQcW0dYYMSP9Stc5SH/s1600/CGT9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_N9Mxp5oeKhbYxRi8tNi6GYGiyfz5085izhGxXrKQ4rQRpaXDB7dAoTEV6IvmyaOwdE3O-JdTly1ZmqLP2yjlMllaXHjpqKzUrv7v__srnV3EuGeK6ms0jrCZKNuQcW0dYYMSP9Stc5SH/s1600/CGT9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella riding the famous western "Jackalope."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy6ieAukzB-gOJCcZNn8m97Ow72PfoKcrRGTpKvOI0AUCA9dkxh8gx3K1IlK5mNKUpQk9IneBmZfooHsthzKK4GShVXhgFZLwjVJc8x9PXz3iILeNzDom5W158yCOS__d8Rj9e2Fj3Oiu/s1600/CGT6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy6ieAukzB-gOJCcZNn8m97Ow72PfoKcrRGTpKvOI0AUCA9dkxh8gx3K1IlK5mNKUpQk9IneBmZfooHsthzKK4GShVXhgFZLwjVJc8x9PXz3iILeNzDom5W158yCOS__d8Rj9e2Fj3Oiu/s1600/CGT6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mountain in GTNP disappearing into the clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryBD2vbVg47WAY8hspjEH3aqlMOtCm2tcI4UtAaSphNy-X5Wv67Ih5KEksRKrrciJrPbH7UA0zXzhFA6l0XT5yzEHbBVEn4OreYyi9JZg484dUYZMtlC78tv2tVWZTyszP6_pLYS9W0Hg/s1600/DWY3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryBD2vbVg47WAY8hspjEH3aqlMOtCm2tcI4UtAaSphNy-X5Wv67Ih5KEksRKrrciJrPbH7UA0zXzhFA6l0XT5yzEHbBVEn4OreYyi9JZg484dUYZMtlC78tv2tVWZTyszP6_pLYS9W0Hg/s1600/DWY3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Hells Half Acre.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j6m8BzVlW9NbotxZs6DcSKCbPsp0mAbcOUjMy8rROm5DKrSKgCBj8tjz9GgjhXUERuwjcKVc1t6gH7-sTZ78xFoxAHBULMDUFUeFn-deMQ2rdyOHNTSX8Srer2UgfZ7dJXZ0zizQJZDT/s1600/DWY1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j6m8BzVlW9NbotxZs6DcSKCbPsp0mAbcOUjMy8rROm5DKrSKgCBj8tjz9GgjhXUERuwjcKVc1t6gH7-sTZ78xFoxAHBULMDUFUeFn-deMQ2rdyOHNTSX8Srer2UgfZ7dJXZ0zizQJZDT/s1600/DWY1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hells Half Acre is in fact over 300 acres...seriously.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmwSgHi0YXrpkkuXyhj9cmqHyUJGQAk1GmAP341N3KVFEJpDzko2b_vDw1vdWMqw3upuZDgR6dXbo0Wc8IHY5irse3ItV2FLfPM7pBhWio2Vr9xHA8tbWXPlqmHCRq9GOaHpgOxZ1EwD4/s1600/DWY5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmwSgHi0YXrpkkuXyhj9cmqHyUJGQAk1GmAP341N3KVFEJpDzko2b_vDw1vdWMqw3upuZDgR6dXbo0Wc8IHY5irse3ItV2FLfPM7pBhWio2Vr9xHA8tbWXPlqmHCRq9GOaHpgOxZ1EwD4/s1600/DWY5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More HHA.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13B2sa2w2M7LaXGnya9o3UAxIgHUCe5ZyAbTZkoX_Q72YEAKwZdbU9VxScO_rYN9B_3XyboNybt5XHvLehp4GYsPmifGXtJMc7bW5OjnIQbAAGnPM8CTUmpvEq-rDgzinJZw_9xyRd8Yl/s1600/DWY4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13B2sa2w2M7LaXGnya9o3UAxIgHUCe5ZyAbTZkoX_Q72YEAKwZdbU9VxScO_rYN9B_3XyboNybt5XHvLehp4GYsPmifGXtJMc7bW5OjnIQbAAGnPM8CTUmpvEq-rDgzinJZw_9xyRd8Yl/s1600/DWY4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">See caption above.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jtWIidTFjyiLvpG4rsiabglrlGFVuVxFV8JS2mTb4nkHI4QlCJCM3hl2IhMkORlDa9GArocxTTT4YYE0Hg0zIt7CBSjhlaL9OX4q4ZxgM5iatOXOc3HwJbz8-cJkt3oqk1T-QbyEjbB6/s1600/DWY6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jtWIidTFjyiLvpG4rsiabglrlGFVuVxFV8JS2mTb4nkHI4QlCJCM3hl2IhMkORlDa9GArocxTTT4YYE0Hg0zIt7CBSjhlaL9OX4q4ZxgM5iatOXOc3HwJbz8-cJkt3oqk1T-QbyEjbB6/s1600/DWY6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Continuing on with our underworld theme, here is Devil's Tower.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAALenKLHzJv67TlMiHsBdeC_EEQMwT7wVz1hqF2DeeLtFSfWLgpiKFeprh1yMmHyUxMVTG-t8hDV5PD0YqdOpCCfaa2I5riXwumDEV7jnqHgJPzAZ3X9cWKpS81_FQyBCJ01hM2V4EzqP/s1600/DWY7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the other side, closer and with the sun shining on it.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAALenKLHzJv67TlMiHsBdeC_EEQMwT7wVz1hqF2DeeLtFSfWLgpiKFeprh1yMmHyUxMVTG-t8hDV5PD0YqdOpCCfaa2I5riXwumDEV7jnqHgJPzAZ3X9cWKpS81_FQyBCJ01hM2V4EzqP/s1600/DWY7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiReTIUDP_XrRW0cEreZNKf3BG8bxKFsrG1QoD7XBXD5KPVjunjcXP5fa8YC_UjPTrqD0zsjYaMwlIXlEWAqvaYHLzPQ__d6QmI2G46wvgjqvHtSYde_NglieZg41mgzKt0yNaAYCXGvx/s1600/DWY8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiReTIUDP_XrRW0cEreZNKf3BG8bxKFsrG1QoD7XBXD5KPVjunjcXP5fa8YC_UjPTrqD0zsjYaMwlIXlEWAqvaYHLzPQ__d6QmI2G46wvgjqvHtSYde_NglieZg41mgzKt0yNaAYCXGvx/s1600/DWY8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are at the base of a massive boulder field created by granite breaking off Devil's Tower and falling.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbZTeMcjFMrH4HygFN4mH2vGtWcyOSrLkeSH7wSpT-Px-nE9N9_5nOXSarkbywjIVzPZDg0KwVRUI2Buu49OtqkVxCxb-5YagqDKQJiTbUoc-gYPRN2_EbpXLwGPHsBTRABQ-I4GiV0DK/s1600/DWY9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbZTeMcjFMrH4HygFN4mH2vGtWcyOSrLkeSH7wSpT-Px-nE9N9_5nOXSarkbywjIVzPZDg0KwVRUI2Buu49OtqkVxCxb-5YagqDKQJiTbUoc-gYPRN2_EbpXLwGPHsBTRABQ-I4GiV0DK/s1600/DWY9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This boy loves three things...food (just ask that bison), rock climbing, and water (as in to swim in). Give him any of those three and either take it away from him or remove him from the rocks/water and the "hell child" appears in full force.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0odvvyQuGwn7NDK14KmfZGh_6IqsN52R3uA6ZepaXmlfdCZNwVg1Lx_JD4I4BSAt0EgM2bVv8KZBgSxs66moTocSsf2BARz27f0lNNA4doTCpY-9FYovcQcFr5SDzl7wf9cYxyRmuXYtv/s1600/DWY91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0odvvyQuGwn7NDK14KmfZGh_6IqsN52R3uA6ZepaXmlfdCZNwVg1Lx_JD4I4BSAt0EgM2bVv8KZBgSxs66moTocSsf2BARz27f0lNNA4doTCpY-9FYovcQcFr5SDzl7wf9cYxyRmuXYtv/s1600/DWY91.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Devil's Tower has a field opposite of it that is a safe haven for prairie dogs and there are literally hundreds of them in that field.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI30dM9qjtHGnB4jXGgBThf8wpJX1Bwun_BlNKoTlsLZw4Ugrl5Gc05RwCrUVYRDdbJpXFTfjXhigGEwz6vIzjpr1_c1wqeA6W-MAE9j-Mzh6HWDwDGV5y_QCaOAwoz4lBjxRXB5xAtVd/s1600/ESD2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI30dM9qjtHGnB4jXGgBThf8wpJX1Bwun_BlNKoTlsLZw4Ugrl5Gc05RwCrUVYRDdbJpXFTfjXhigGEwz6vIzjpr1_c1wqeA6W-MAE9j-Mzh6HWDwDGV5y_QCaOAwoz4lBjxRXB5xAtVd/s1600/ESD2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Washington's profile on Mount Rushmore. It was raining and that caused the streaking you see on his face.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnhDvWYlfU5YswxvlBTXhY_fZclxZRD1EdyVS8fo_29NQMrp800VGHSWGicMAjD9rtwNUue5gch24YZsLdAcL7AQqvG5ixPpXywAwSDotU3O_3XC4ZRQtFsJulFh3azTWKNz-PFc5PSfu/s1600/ESD1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnhDvWYlfU5YswxvlBTXhY_fZclxZRD1EdyVS8fo_29NQMrp800VGHSWGicMAjD9rtwNUue5gch24YZsLdAcL7AQqvG5ixPpXywAwSDotU3O_3XC4ZRQtFsJulFh3azTWKNz-PFc5PSfu/s1600/ESD1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">MR from the front.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxRPORINpzTrTw9OwCcAMnHje0xjWVHKNs2bspfa0m9WVD93cEWTL2mUjy2V_WnZWx6tGvQ9bfr3QZPM6iRY0xjmTE9txLTelWGWp3v-4r149qEJw9Nu1fOVeaeBwDfJC0FbDY8wzHtmm/s1600/ESD3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxRPORINpzTrTw9OwCcAMnHje0xjWVHKNs2bspfa0m9WVD93cEWTL2mUjy2V_WnZWx6tGvQ9bfr3QZPM6iRY0xjmTE9txLTelWGWp3v-4r149qEJw9Nu1fOVeaeBwDfJC0FbDY8wzHtmm/s1600/ESD3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An apparently never ending road in the Badlands.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT10FGioMtoFcMDT-8AqTo25fF_ULPnmVp6jVD-0M4HEQk9zuakybf3Zl8jTeM7Kkb9AdjFOdykW6-ixzNVgVljhLABwpnQXLgaNdMZAP0Lnhay4ypbwTQDAmvpg_l20MSj9OqO1Qdh7X/s1600/ESD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZT10FGioMtoFcMDT-8AqTo25fF_ULPnmVp6jVD-0M4HEQk9zuakybf3Zl8jTeM7Kkb9AdjFOdykW6-ixzNVgVljhLABwpnQXLgaNdMZAP0Lnhay4ypbwTQDAmvpg_l20MSj9OqO1Qdh7X/s1600/ESD4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Badlands.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOud-BoSA03Hbb014eyNMCt3Kt0GfXwu50105m-oAUUQRhFp7CcBQzowb3PfmYRkXrcmuDLydYIXSmSfAJxg7ql-OgOVTkQ_L1zll714pESK58nl7Mkh1rhnevlu3j-4YrizrQCDKYroR/s1600/ESD5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOud-BoSA03Hbb014eyNMCt3Kt0GfXwu50105m-oAUUQRhFp7CcBQzowb3PfmYRkXrcmuDLydYIXSmSfAJxg7ql-OgOVTkQ_L1zll714pESK58nl7Mkh1rhnevlu3j-4YrizrQCDKYroR/s1600/ESD5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on a cliff overlooking a portion of the Badlands.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsIlkx-N3eJLAMUHvdJtWVHw0GhWlJ1Bro11PO5Jb78PmR4l7GA7Vj6wF0tbB4NKF5b97cEwOx-TE9TkPHm1IqXcAyyi5xg9nHr3J_c6DJZWZk_2hq37lNeYrXDPqYJTebRzbPoDD0l2K/s1600/ESD7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsIlkx-N3eJLAMUHvdJtWVHw0GhWlJ1Bro11PO5Jb78PmR4l7GA7Vj6wF0tbB4NKF5b97cEwOx-TE9TkPHm1IqXcAyyi5xg9nHr3J_c6DJZWZk_2hq37lNeYrXDPqYJTebRzbPoDD0l2K/s1600/ESD7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sun trying to break through on the Badlands.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue5_tTKw_ifaXW2knapWqg1NYgbflVnZELHPCnlEKQf0cMNS6jNAF_7-rEMN1kfqPaeod6fY3eN0mJBF8tSiLRyyeVMo71SWVpmJfqpXxCqlCCcgn0beCMnmcovXLiTlWxwwNDNZ3uNca/s1600/ESD6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue5_tTKw_ifaXW2knapWqg1NYgbflVnZELHPCnlEKQf0cMNS6jNAF_7-rEMN1kfqPaeod6fY3eN0mJBF8tSiLRyyeVMo71SWVpmJfqpXxCqlCCcgn0beCMnmcovXLiTlWxwwNDNZ3uNca/s1600/ESD6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Success!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohA9np1R6V1DCn7FRuRgLkt3RBWwzbiwkp81w-gueKwwzec3nBuxTsfjyS4rADrH5HcZMb2AyHFvy9IzvLW4f1pnrLlOHMWN9TKSJUH_vEq3DkjpxjWPQxg_Dgd4blZKjU6huxxX9Q-pn/s1600/ESD8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think that was the first sun we'd seen in 3 or 4 days.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohA9np1R6V1DCn7FRuRgLkt3RBWwzbiwkp81w-gueKwwzec3nBuxTsfjyS4rADrH5HcZMb2AyHFvy9IzvLW4f1pnrLlOHMWN9TKSJUH_vEq3DkjpxjWPQxg_Dgd4blZKjU6huxxX9Q-pn/s1600/ESD8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FeTIMDFVk1f_pZocV-j9jOOC0YMKLX9sxfkKtJA7syyCxY51gVLzZxSbPHPVSnw6QxcwedWm7ZFBX4mYSTRlWVFvpWACSWWVz70vi0hX_-9oSXFjJGjdKKX0PLUQPL1JoMBCVhk_5En9/s1600/ESD9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FeTIMDFVk1f_pZocV-j9jOOC0YMKLX9sxfkKtJA7syyCxY51gVLzZxSbPHPVSnw6QxcwedWm7ZFBX4mYSTRlWVFvpWACSWWVz70vi0hX_-9oSXFjJGjdKKX0PLUQPL1JoMBCVhk_5En9/s1600/ESD9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Otherworldly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6cHFpJVS8FGmW1oUsGiWDcYOFjHoZZuUPPfOcvAlO_UQIuZXpNR9qwIQHIWAL2L1Pcs1I8h9Q7JYv3WTUavIVEY-mwJSyHmorlj36JzNYqDLFZ05UETY9sbH2vXtSLow-pcLxantM0Zr/s1600/ESD91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6cHFpJVS8FGmW1oUsGiWDcYOFjHoZZuUPPfOcvAlO_UQIuZXpNR9qwIQHIWAL2L1Pcs1I8h9Q7JYv3WTUavIVEY-mwJSyHmorlj36JzNYqDLFZ05UETY9sbH2vXtSLow-pcLxantM0Zr/s1600/ESD91.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The famous Corn Palace just beginning its yearly redecoration.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0ZjauZ4gGLbk0V0lHTh_3dpdeuFZJb91FFWG0H-D8yw63j8qcFbIWBBb0vE4rIKpj-U-lFBYXc2GnE_umosrjQaFu4KEsgSF6Sap_qGtBpoCBnW75GjA_0s59il9vPgq9NX-aW3abOrZ/s1600/ESD92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0ZjauZ4gGLbk0V0lHTh_3dpdeuFZJb91FFWG0H-D8yw63j8qcFbIWBBb0vE4rIKpj-U-lFBYXc2GnE_umosrjQaFu4KEsgSF6Sap_qGtBpoCBnW75GjA_0s59il9vPgq9NX-aW3abOrZ/s1600/ESD92.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yea, it's a corny pic (and caption). :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bcBYDUObbTdbj8eB6DIQ7dLhEltoxBT77Z8sSt-CFzzs5dqruH1KevGJIMkF9e7JE2yU_hF_dfcprXeZ3t5GHBKS55t-V7ozGozKiB4cObCjOJsavulWIvmIzYLyHFNO34SAqIwEVzZ6/s1600/FF3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bcBYDUObbTdbj8eB6DIQ7dLhEltoxBT77Z8sSt-CFzzs5dqruH1KevGJIMkF9e7JE2yU_hF_dfcprXeZ3t5GHBKS55t-V7ozGozKiB4cObCjOJsavulWIvmIzYLyHFNO34SAqIwEVzZ6/s1600/FF3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Missouri River flooding.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZsWr40bCn8aceEenBEsI1DZb-1f8ka99oLUmVFlP-Sgen52ZW8_mAOzSxwTVEmFJefjcYjMERB9pHvtB8okTxWJdHXMivxdLYBmZjbpp7BAZmeq5kgmXNtGAQGoNpt5rNIvPZMhGURSY/s1600/FF2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZsWr40bCn8aceEenBEsI1DZb-1f8ka99oLUmVFlP-Sgen52ZW8_mAOzSxwTVEmFJefjcYjMERB9pHvtB8okTxWJdHXMivxdLYBmZjbpp7BAZmeq5kgmXNtGAQGoNpt5rNIvPZMhGURSY/s1600/FF2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More flooding...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tU93THQb40E_-VVUlXpicJOjTBUh9UTzO4AGUIPXDToLWLvrk8EBnLvxUO1D9YSQ_8fDgAv6C_Xte4CpgzfLPyCHmlzg78o_W3Up9tnVO86j07wsT2h1wcTcaVs4OLC701aQIFLU8Cx3/s1600/FF1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tU93THQb40E_-VVUlXpicJOjTBUh9UTzO4AGUIPXDToLWLvrk8EBnLvxUO1D9YSQ_8fDgAv6C_Xte4CpgzfLPyCHmlzg78o_W3Up9tnVO86j07wsT2h1wcTcaVs4OLC701aQIFLU8Cx3/s1600/FF1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The flooding continues...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6dGeNUzUbztJ93t2AcmWxV_gMXqEXAjShoAwLPlSZW0BtCAh7-kieLHUQIDNOB_WnCszHg02cjH7bcoUAFs1qxmC_a2eTSjzgmlOI2SrGBjqWmIEogs31J_P_snoGo6boYbXyTAjnNz8/s1600/FF4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6dGeNUzUbztJ93t2AcmWxV_gMXqEXAjShoAwLPlSZW0BtCAh7-kieLHUQIDNOB_WnCszHg02cjH7bcoUAFs1qxmC_a2eTSjzgmlOI2SrGBjqWmIEogs31J_P_snoGo6boYbXyTAjnNz8/s1600/FF4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can't even see the river in this pic. This is just cornfields that have been filled by the overflowing river about a 1/4 mile to the right of this pic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSfTk4FM0yeFHlnQ2SKdeB06wa1DkQCNebzb8Zwar5Pm-fwCUc9MqpBqQDdDWPhVCU-KBEIexnzkmO-5okl5YPE40mwt0FLNEkAiyMPIjqqG4-ovzriE9LmD-4gwgb6kC5VICZ8m8gXVb/s1600/FF5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSfTk4FM0yeFHlnQ2SKdeB06wa1DkQCNebzb8Zwar5Pm-fwCUc9MqpBqQDdDWPhVCU-KBEIexnzkmO-5okl5YPE40mwt0FLNEkAiyMPIjqqG4-ovzriE9LmD-4gwgb6kC5VICZ8m8gXVb/s1600/FF5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The last pic we took...the giant arch on the Mississippi in St. Louis.</span></td></tr>
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<br /><br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-84000260469605927342011-06-14T01:44:00.000-07:002011-06-14T09:54:50.164-07:00Oregon Coast, Portlandia, Olympic Peninsula National Park (Washington), Vampires and Werewolves.We woke up late in Crescent City and barely made our 11 AM checkout. This seems to be SOP for us. We continued up highway 101 into Oregon along the coast. As beautiful as the Northern Californian coast is, the Oregon coast holds its own. Every time you think you've seen the most beautiful piece of coastal scenery, another one comes along. One of the unique things to Oregon we came upon are the sand dunes of southern coastal Oregon. I think they last for approximately 50 miles and are really impressive. They seem to go on forever and parts of it look like something you would expect to see in the Sahara desert. If you are ever in southern Oregon take some time to check them out, it's worth it. We stopped to have a look at one of the US Forest Service areas to have lunch and explore the dunes. We decided to go out and play in the sand for awhile before hiking to the beach. It was a longish hike (at least it is when you are dragging two kids along) that starts on top of a huge sand dune, goes through a forest, then back through some more sand dunes before you reach a beautiful totally uninhabited beach. As beautiful as it was, it was useless for swimming. Just putting my toes in the water made my feet hurt! After a long hike back to the car we headed north again to Newport where we turned east to head for Corvalis, Oregon. Through facebook Michelle had gotten back in touch with a friend from middle school in Italy, Jeremy, who now lives in Corvalis. He's been following our blog and offered his house up for a nights rest, so we took him up on it. Michelle hadn't seen him in 28 years but they talked like it had only been 28 days. Jeremy has two great kids, Cassidy and Jack, and Bella was very happy to spend some time with kids other than Aldous finally. :) We all piled into Jeremy's van and he gave us a quick tour of the OSU campus in Corvalis on the way to dinner at Burgerville. It's a chain we don't have back east, but they made one of the better fast food burgers I've ever had. Their shakes weren't too shabby either. :) Thanks for the great hospitality Jeremy!<br />
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After one night at Jeremy's we headed for Portland. I have a friend in Portland whom I met through an online group I've been a member of for almost 15 years, but we've never met in person. We arrived at Jim's house on Thursday evening in Hillsboro, Oregon (about 15 miles west of Portland). It was great to finally meet Jim in person. We all went out to get a bite to eat and then went back to the house to get some shuteye. Jim even gave up his own bedroom for the four of us so we would have more room and our own bathroom. As we say in the south, Jim is good people. :) The next day Jim went to work early so we slept in and after finally getting it together we all hopped in the van and headed towards Portland. I was excited to see Portland as I've heard alot of great things about it. Well, I can confirm that of what we could see in two shortish visits to downtown Portland (we went the following day as well), what I've heard is true. Portland does not feel like a big city, it feels like a cozy town that happens to have all the amenities of a big city. We currently live in a GREAT neighborhood in Atlanta, but the whole of Portland feels like our one neighborhood in Atlanta....dare I say better? I hope they don't pull my ATL card for that! :) Seriously though, I could easily see living in Portland, especially the Hawthorne district. Jim took Friday afternoon off and since he in works in downtown Portland, he met us at the water front where they were having their annual rose festival. It's probably a good 1/4 mile of the water front where they have live bands, amusements, food etc for a few weekends in early June. After walking around for awhile we headed back to Jim's house where his daughter Claire was waiting for us and again, Bella was glad to have some kids to play with. Even though Claire is 12 she was fantastic with Bella and kept her occupied the whole evening. Meanwhile Jim worked his magic on the grill with some steaks and grilled vegetables. We had FANTASTIC weather this whole day, which has been VERY unusual for this trip. Nearly every day of the past month has had some rain involved and almost always alot of gray skies. We said our goodbyes the following morning before Jim went to work and then we headed back downtown to spend a little more time in Portland. We really do love that place. I think we'll be back sooner rather than later. Sorry Jim... ;-)<br />
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Our next destination was Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula on the northern coast of Washington. We left Portland around 2 PM and headed back for the coast where we turned north and headed for ONP. Highway 101 north on continued to give fantastic views, especially the bridge at Astoria that crosses the mouth of the Columbia River. For any fans of the movie "The Goonies," Astoria is the city the film was based and filmed in. We made it as far as South Bend, Washington, and found a decent motel for the night. The next day we set off for ONP which was only about 75 miles away at this point. Our first stop in ONP was at Lake Quinault. It's a big beautiful lake with the mountain range of ONP as its backdrop. We then worked our way around the outskirts of the park and ended up spending the night in Forks, Washington. Any fans of the "Twilight" series of books and/or movies (I'm not actually, but Michelle is) will recognize this as the town were friendly vampires and werewolves come to settle. It was actually kind of cute the way the whole town embraced the Twilight theme as there are whole shops dedicated to it and tours of the areas that are featured in the book. This is a small town who's main source of income is logging so it's nice to see them make some money off their notoriety while they can. We stayed in a nice little motel there then headed for Port Angeles the next morning. On the way to Port Angeles , we stopped at a beach and it was very interesting because the water temperature felt a good 15-20 degrees warmer than the water in Oregon/Northern Calif. Unfortunately the air temperature was 10-15 degrees cooler, so swimming was still out of the question. We continued on to Port Angeles where the entrance to Hurricane Ridge is. Hurricane Ridge is a drive up to a 5800 ft peak inside ONP that has amazing views of the mountain range on the interior of the park. It really is an amazing park that has coastline, temperate rain forests and glaciated mountains all within it's borders. Two days was not nearly enough to explore it and we look forward to returning some day in the not too distant future.<br />
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After viewing Hurricane Ridge, we made a beeline for Seattle. To get from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle you need to take a ferry unless you want to drive about 100 miles out of the way. As it turns out it's well worth the $15 ticket for the view headed across Puget Sound to Seattle. We didn't get to Seattle until almost 9 PM and didn't get checked into a hotel until 10 PM so we didn't see much of Seattle. My friend Jim said Seattle is much more "city like" than Portland, and just driving through it confirms that. We got up early (for us) and got on the road to make some serious headway for our next destination, Glacier National Park in Montana. It was a bitter sweet day today because we have now begun the journey back east. We miss home, but this trip has been fun and we are now on our last leg of it. Here are a few pics from the last week...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBWPCo8UZe8EsmLPDsotwqNjOTrE6LSivpOp2XcMNwHbi4Qgm-39jI8Sio_5GFWQ0bydbGgw8isDzguW25tKMwZMlYehQaemtkqPTiguGcNTnI2LrQYWeA0Z6qkOhBbmMvM4z83HaaFIQ/s1600/acoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBWPCo8UZe8EsmLPDsotwqNjOTrE6LSivpOp2XcMNwHbi4Qgm-39jI8Sio_5GFWQ0bydbGgw8isDzguW25tKMwZMlYehQaemtkqPTiguGcNTnI2LrQYWeA0Z6qkOhBbmMvM4z83HaaFIQ/s1600/acoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Oregon coast.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRphk5gX6ixLq5QnKw3HD9OCjMpjszihc2xgpR6o81bbGC_sJ4GvdvItCeyFlUIPW78gYqN0qcQH9dUbvxdZ4J51cX2aQ8NM8Kf_N9sJgXVH2EAEFokwh8TN_pybmKy5bevhTNxerQ98Ey/s1600/aaoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRphk5gX6ixLq5QnKw3HD9OCjMpjszihc2xgpR6o81bbGC_sJ4GvdvItCeyFlUIPW78gYqN0qcQH9dUbvxdZ4J51cX2aQ8NM8Kf_N9sJgXVH2EAEFokwh8TN_pybmKy5bevhTNxerQ98Ey/s1600/aaoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the numerous beautiful little beaches along Oregon's coast.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcxEzQpDEw8PTEw2MZl55RY2oKB_-en_GzDmRu5Xuthq1QqWKmZ0xBY8LlPc9L_uwYVG8b2tquQt_8dm_vKpueW5ViSp-usXJ9QAD6eMwIqhDPFBWnMRiov7Kf20ILLINMaSjeTZm_54k/s1600/aboregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcxEzQpDEw8PTEw2MZl55RY2oKB_-en_GzDmRu5Xuthq1QqWKmZ0xBY8LlPc9L_uwYVG8b2tquQt_8dm_vKpueW5ViSp-usXJ9QAD6eMwIqhDPFBWnMRiov7Kf20ILLINMaSjeTZm_54k/s1600/aboregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something you don't see back east... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qBYVmbiI2-ot2BaUgDmZRMEchyA49XDD1jEzU-acrwCLCzeBkex3RXM3tB_UNmI9j9jIIbXraVsW6Jm22kAQeAROKVd41qRjYNflIhHhVmJ32OrRv-GDnSuRmotm_CniWxY-ORYkZmBh/s1600/adoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qBYVmbiI2-ot2BaUgDmZRMEchyA49XDD1jEzU-acrwCLCzeBkex3RXM3tB_UNmI9j9jIIbXraVsW6Jm22kAQeAROKVd41qRjYNflIhHhVmJ32OrRv-GDnSuRmotm_CniWxY-ORYkZmBh/s1600/adoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hiking on the Oregon sand dunes with Aldous.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC40_2PnZmAK78uhM6qFtXQrGsB36WbWrkcX6k6C-p9VQY368HxzLweztkKttSvh_htCgCd8xni9SA_Yu-Y2RtYmzYn3jfTq-C6xe8O9l5OsiMxydhyphenhyphenToN6nDZEqMr2xhpdd7AjZ3n2S2_/s1600/aforegon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC40_2PnZmAK78uhM6qFtXQrGsB36WbWrkcX6k6C-p9VQY368HxzLweztkKttSvh_htCgCd8xni9SA_Yu-Y2RtYmzYn3jfTq-C6xe8O9l5OsiMxydhyphenhyphenToN6nDZEqMr2xhpdd7AjZ3n2S2_/s1600/aforegon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella still flying along...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zYxuXr9r3FKIzJTLPpZsw7kyhahDuN_aaBXiJdaxWiFLTRvjkntpay3QHZ4__VJCM6zZFbCB6DisJH7bcnDkRw9WyEm0Raqk1y9Xh_FMbh1j5iTX7cHeefndajp9ZljTxeLnjgQHPXU/s1600/ahoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_zYxuXr9r3FKIzJTLPpZsw7kyhahDuN_aaBXiJdaxWiFLTRvjkntpay3QHZ4__VJCM6zZFbCB6DisJH7bcnDkRw9WyEm0Raqk1y9Xh_FMbh1j5iTX7cHeefndajp9ZljTxeLnjgQHPXU/s1600/ahoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Oregon coast.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIf3lh30fraoW7KiNNeZNrko1MKPJ2T7z4uqF6aM0hlIxDR49wF0v5D1qG504za2L0bz6f9WaGmWvioKqFhzPevhgDMU3RDmiyYilWPY72kptQasHBFkwhUolI0B5bz-zJ4LsAdIJjtTI/s1600/agoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIf3lh30fraoW7KiNNeZNrko1MKPJ2T7z4uqF6aM0hlIxDR49wF0v5D1qG504za2L0bz6f9WaGmWvioKqFhzPevhgDMU3RDmiyYilWPY72kptQasHBFkwhUolI0B5bz-zJ4LsAdIJjtTI/s1600/agoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a long hike out to that beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDvKQF-lmD0gJpiNkaDn_2nHUNhyHfG69qGXbSUwt8jjqFC6VeE8-a8rreXPqS8APelAW3AsIda_zUBs-v7uCH21b-66DYCilyfGJGpxNwLBQq7oSRu4w-yg20xzhO-Zsl39EqTkN51ty/s1600/aeoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDvKQF-lmD0gJpiNkaDn_2nHUNhyHfG69qGXbSUwt8jjqFC6VeE8-a8rreXPqS8APelAW3AsIda_zUBs-v7uCH21b-66DYCilyfGJGpxNwLBQq7oSRu4w-yg20xzhO-Zsl39EqTkN51ty/s1600/aeoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I swear, I think if Aldous was naked you would not have seen him on that sand....he would have been perfectly camouflaged.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKUkmM8gGx-0hU-IIUht-8Sjh_OaV5kuMkIu1PZqgwNjpFAqecciAVrzxQClNS0MLjHC4dpmGnvpcwGkUPHGaJDez0IXFtA9PijdHIVr8SdKfouqf1wojta1dbV4gTnbvxeSlGLdAQ6iF/s1600/ajoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKUkmM8gGx-0hU-IIUht-8Sjh_OaV5kuMkIu1PZqgwNjpFAqecciAVrzxQClNS0MLjHC4dpmGnvpcwGkUPHGaJDez0IXFtA9PijdHIVr8SdKfouqf1wojta1dbV4gTnbvxeSlGLdAQ6iF/s1600/ajoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A closer shot of a lighthouse from a previous pic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdif8gVcIlPHwISN1TsyJphOPImTN2-m0LvKLFrBX24H0_-UMMmx6d8fNzj0PO2p7aMctBNU2z3FTt03wODlGLno2gzNKL30dswR0KdizcUA-FJvfMfTbWuyad1ShjJBuAwnr3afZeB85/s1600/aioregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdif8gVcIlPHwISN1TsyJphOPImTN2-m0LvKLFrBX24H0_-UMMmx6d8fNzj0PO2p7aMctBNU2z3FTt03wODlGLno2gzNKL30dswR0KdizcUA-FJvfMfTbWuyad1ShjJBuAwnr3afZeB85/s1600/aioregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On our way to Portland we stopped at "The Enchanted Forest" theme park. It's a theme park aimed at pre-teens and younger with most of its attractions based on fairy tales. It was neat for me too because I used to go to the Enchanted Forest in Ellicot City, MD when I was a kid and it was very similar, although evidently they are not related.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8vKCx96ae2qskggB7NfG0WVP3VPenGtk3DGbfaM5WXllyV4H7grsVNyFx0TSE91WgOuf6qWcXYQQFlKYuneOYZtNUwSVKYMy12SFb8YJ8SGUKIj9DKbo6EBgfj2UwgXpolFkkLaAe46J/s1600/aloregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8vKCx96ae2qskggB7NfG0WVP3VPenGtk3DGbfaM5WXllyV4H7grsVNyFx0TSE91WgOuf6qWcXYQQFlKYuneOYZtNUwSVKYMy12SFb8YJ8SGUKIj9DKbo6EBgfj2UwgXpolFkkLaAe46J/s1600/aloregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Silver Falls, Oregon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tRp_uE_VjJRENb_K5ADYRjkzW_nX88emJRBXeHmsddo_v-5EOzsJbKeMPHHtgSntHUV5Wzt42_5Dkm3EgMfJ4PgvGf8JWKYS93bV64-AcpHa6ZSN63T_9WweszDPRJ5LiuyyXd9rAawo/s1600/amoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tRp_uE_VjJRENb_K5ADYRjkzW_nX88emJRBXeHmsddo_v-5EOzsJbKeMPHHtgSntHUV5Wzt42_5Dkm3EgMfJ4PgvGf8JWKYS93bV64-AcpHa6ZSN63T_9WweszDPRJ5LiuyyXd9rAawo/s1600/amoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A neat looking modern bulding in Portland with windmills making power on top.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicULQE6wVzeiqMd3dT85X9CGR2mOTFnTvhJxsajbzEULHXDvUJ1ArXeaXTp9uClbrwfmQ-d7h1BPvqrvBVYC8uoV2s7jUBPtQkWfYT0-_23Awe2gJ7WzqKuPePfxn0B5REJ7S5DtzCCdn-/s1600/akoregon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are two neat things in this picture. The first one is the all electric Tesla sports car. The second is the charging station that was provided by the city of Portland, downtown, free to anyone who wants to use it. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicULQE6wVzeiqMd3dT85X9CGR2mOTFnTvhJxsajbzEULHXDvUJ1ArXeaXTp9uClbrwfmQ-d7h1BPvqrvBVYC8uoV2s7jUBPtQkWfYT0-_23Awe2gJ7WzqKuPePfxn0B5REJ7S5DtzCCdn-/s1600/akoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsI64jMzxTT7uje5isq7C5i7FriCLiOqPGHzuMYC_vx35GZEK2MRbKkC4-MGk5e-LF3gkQeD4Q1QacLl2Vr00PEs-OEcLJ4WdyW-cvKDiP2f6J0GK2jpDXYDz3ovRtajkNMzGJHc54ckz/s1600/anaooregon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">While driving from Portland back to the coast, nature called so I pulled over to the first open area and just happened to find this totally unmarked water fall about 50 feet off the road. Oregon must have the most rivers/creeks/streams of anywhere I've ever been in my life. There is water EVERYWHERE.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsI64jMzxTT7uje5isq7C5i7FriCLiOqPGHzuMYC_vx35GZEK2MRbKkC4-MGk5e-LF3gkQeD4Q1QacLl2Vr00PEs-OEcLJ4WdyW-cvKDiP2f6J0GK2jpDXYDz3ovRtajkNMzGJHc54ckz/s1600/anaooregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgLvM4G5RTtK6G8P4qidyq1m94_aXsGOT8oohyphenhyphenrm2ZiVoSRmOYA1I6KVxn2rWDOsQdCv7r0H5Qj1fiio8AUJ6W6yxTvU-bInqWcrOWphKGIE_ciDn8uYgxovIsoiFkn3lGy3U8BELsWNI/s1600/anoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgLvM4G5RTtK6G8P4qidyq1m94_aXsGOT8oohyphenhyphenrm2ZiVoSRmOYA1I6KVxn2rWDOsQdCv7r0H5Qj1fiio8AUJ6W6yxTvU-bInqWcrOWphKGIE_ciDn8uYgxovIsoiFkn3lGy3U8BELsWNI/s1600/anoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Northwesteners LOVE their coffee (especially espresso). These little drive through espresso shops are on seemingly every other corner. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH0t6r4cLl8irKzSEoRd6Zxu4p2mVStZJqXsL7plPJbAAtM2vr2G8MwBhIueMmayfxb1nEjXr8lNQCYEbiQWl6dZbjhagxtC3c_mc-QJYbMr23Gm6az53-HwsphyphenhyphenMuYfMO1g30jS1wito/s1600/aporegon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH0t6r4cLl8irKzSEoRd6Zxu4p2mVStZJqXsL7plPJbAAtM2vr2G8MwBhIueMmayfxb1nEjXr8lNQCYEbiQWl6dZbjhagxtC3c_mc-QJYbMr23Gm6az53-HwsphyphenhyphenMuYfMO1g30jS1wito/s1600/aporegon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The mouth of the Columbia river as seen from the Astoria bridge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p49n7u4qwCVR0LHaRfMCjIdGDPTwB9nhM6Bc835MQV4Eqjnbumkq2PONJzGn9Si0HlLenS6F0XG_wH-Kvm-SvOR_VHo4c0mSbSD1L8frV4mlR1AleMmiSwWmgxEGGv2NSg2IiLDD29L-/s1600/aqoregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8p49n7u4qwCVR0LHaRfMCjIdGDPTwB9nhM6Bc835MQV4Eqjnbumkq2PONJzGn9Si0HlLenS6F0XG_wH-Kvm-SvOR_VHo4c0mSbSD1L8frV4mlR1AleMmiSwWmgxEGGv2NSg2IiLDD29L-/s1600/aqoregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, Michelle and Jeremy on his back deck.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33jB-rAVuH26cYBbQXWG6V4iRwQXK4krPrgt8WZhDAjSM6jSUTaGnqemSIav6coUep6jNTEsCJY0sKf9XhM_an54Gg1X-I02sBePA4mNpfeC5Svi0JKgarfSqFORdfPBk-6Irq-2li6Pa/s1600/aroregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33jB-rAVuH26cYBbQXWG6V4iRwQXK4krPrgt8WZhDAjSM6jSUTaGnqemSIav6coUep6jNTEsCJY0sKf9XhM_an54Gg1X-I02sBePA4mNpfeC5Svi0JKgarfSqFORdfPBk-6Irq-2li6Pa/s1600/aroregon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella playing in the fountain on the waterfront in downtown Portland.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH5vjkqOUwJ3RZjsEHMGXpH7J96YLWNTj042a3sv4a52PlJU9UF5EVVXcjo1L4d04bvV5EO7vjzyYCGN9MYq9ewOtSPFdVuVZ7Chuz6QNkKLTQHwvs8JmVP5Kohrm5Pdl0uN8aNMgSC4a/s1600/bawash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH5vjkqOUwJ3RZjsEHMGXpH7J96YLWNTj042a3sv4a52PlJU9UF5EVVXcjo1L4d04bvV5EO7vjzyYCGN9MYq9ewOtSPFdVuVZ7Chuz6QNkKLTQHwvs8JmVP5Kohrm5Pdl0uN8aNMgSC4a/s1600/bawash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quinault Lake in Olympic National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cus2LmtlVz_A0CPV9dffC4TS1aUDgvg_elrIHgBJybRuPh63qIkHyR34fDCYr5BguoqFIPtmZkTouPnCBr6TerqWG2TGHjPCzLaI6KsGHerVViGOvKwhTszF-cRGxGzLQGYnooYw83vo/s1600/bbwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cus2LmtlVz_A0CPV9dffC4TS1aUDgvg_elrIHgBJybRuPh63qIkHyR34fDCYr5BguoqFIPtmZkTouPnCBr6TerqWG2TGHjPCzLaI6KsGHerVViGOvKwhTszF-cRGxGzLQGYnooYw83vo/s1600/bbwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella looking cute in front of Lake Quinault.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9x1Xtj3iQGG73L539xmOCzM1M9dYKgFA3EX5mGhEI6hBQHplbnStx3bhHwj582v63vDoI1pM6keslqRv2rIdjUHwMWE5-XSUOj45zr8WyWR7RHoUP2-s6mf243YMxoRTz7m5XCLWlLGO/s1600/bcwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9x1Xtj3iQGG73L539xmOCzM1M9dYKgFA3EX5mGhEI6hBQHplbnStx3bhHwj582v63vDoI1pM6keslqRv2rIdjUHwMWE5-XSUOj45zr8WyWR7RHoUP2-s6mf243YMxoRTz7m5XCLWlLGO/s1600/bcwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of bald eagles in ONP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbjE6gmGS3QtUJA3tThRUiaWhkFZU0jA3aEA7-CLzYJS0X1WiRxd2eCL25DZAIaKNG7n1_-vVjPwRWqWgsetTkCM-UhvDkg7mB9ooxs_NztVUFh5ZNmE0X6XJcP4v3sqsEn-96Vl_8fOi/s1600/bewash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbjE6gmGS3QtUJA3tThRUiaWhkFZU0jA3aEA7-CLzYJS0X1WiRxd2eCL25DZAIaKNG7n1_-vVjPwRWqWgsetTkCM-UhvDkg7mB9ooxs_NztVUFh5ZNmE0X6XJcP4v3sqsEn-96Vl_8fOi/s1600/bewash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the beaches in ONP. These logs are line the cost in ONP. These are logs that get washed into the rivers and then swept out to sea only to be returned to land here by the ocean waves.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj4Pkn2WePyevsD-piNURj1-91SiH2Q9p8BpwIYblda58aL-sfFn6Y_AMBfGck1xSjcFjW-0kiIQMZ4Cl5idwRfA_r-Q5OJdqLYuj-bMaeQ5FSqZLYkHcrFcVE0lv5if36z9scIruMmVx/s1600/bdwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj4Pkn2WePyevsD-piNURj1-91SiH2Q9p8BpwIYblda58aL-sfFn6Y_AMBfGck1xSjcFjW-0kiIQMZ4Cl5idwRfA_r-Q5OJdqLYuj-bMaeQ5FSqZLYkHcrFcVE0lv5if36z9scIruMmVx/s1600/bdwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The water is beautiful here...unexpectedly warm too.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDIa9V0yH6xdJDAT0pWwSIGy40Iiot-VjeCRihVXhvm7qgKbZhRLfeA4eKVNFZqCwc8_UIAd_ku_qznvoKWPdto7_eWN4vY7-m_OJNZ3mOI9QOkACSH4_RRflrqrcduw1M_OBRRHObQAs/s1600/bfwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDIa9V0yH6xdJDAT0pWwSIGy40Iiot-VjeCRihVXhvm7qgKbZhRLfeA4eKVNFZqCwc8_UIAd_ku_qznvoKWPdto7_eWN4vY7-m_OJNZ3mOI9QOkACSH4_RRflrqrcduw1M_OBRRHObQAs/s1600/bfwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from Hurricane Ridge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91TV9SBUIlDzVBV5dyuwzaffLBtzRbDaFWgbUw2k9sREux1EKCWGFWTS47XdUTlaI3155tlD73o_teV3ld-acWkx42iQ_H_xzWdwOEmHtf_l23Pe6_CjaTXoJh4yhQ1ZLp8phPMCLHqhyphenhyphen/s1600/bgwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91TV9SBUIlDzVBV5dyuwzaffLBtzRbDaFWgbUw2k9sREux1EKCWGFWTS47XdUTlaI3155tlD73o_teV3ld-acWkx42iQ_H_xzWdwOEmHtf_l23Pe6_CjaTXoJh4yhQ1ZLp8phPMCLHqhyphenhyphen/s1600/bgwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And another.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEycRLT3yjeQ8dnWoa1SM73pZ24MoZKHXmh4AYONevKPACm8-eN-CQOAhYdMp3pqn3yDbPCBFOECfaOdjwGsgcqJtODwXPPSCpXshz1UnhVqKkbWdC5VXTVRtBQVBtX1sKPwjc6T8ueoN/s1600/bhwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEycRLT3yjeQ8dnWoa1SM73pZ24MoZKHXmh4AYONevKPACm8-eN-CQOAhYdMp3pqn3yDbPCBFOECfaOdjwGsgcqJtODwXPPSCpXshz1UnhVqKkbWdC5VXTVRtBQVBtX1sKPwjc6T8ueoN/s1600/bhwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seattle as viewed from the Ferry about 8:20 at night.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqHwWgP8rO5OdJphvljjjW3L7X8eMyitiGEhabVInrSVil77BaNggAGZtHaFkCxfSFqL8DLjUjaWsE3QRXj7WFHbwdfBS_qL7vxXZxKRw1i-X9LnaY7-YHbepXNr7wl7veL16Uu9Mj7a-/s1600/biwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqHwWgP8rO5OdJphvljjjW3L7X8eMyitiGEhabVInrSVil77BaNggAGZtHaFkCxfSFqL8DLjUjaWsE3QRXj7WFHbwdfBS_qL7vxXZxKRw1i-X9LnaY7-YHbepXNr7wl7veL16Uu9Mj7a-/s1600/biwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the ferry...yes, as you can see by Bella and Michelle's hair, it was a bit windy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiX0MwNABjg3lIcBq7foDqESdjUOHU-UiVOMRp45_gC0Uid0gRL5rxdaxIvg1DKb_Z2mS0mdhpychBYcC2kSBkmGUva72_2gfhmRlSgOMJUQT4n0GIPcmHPQkIkQqiUKOB2gkv7uuEFY/s1600/bkwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iiX0MwNABjg3lIcBq7foDqESdjUOHU-UiVOMRp45_gC0Uid0gRL5rxdaxIvg1DKb_Z2mS0mdhpychBYcC2kSBkmGUva72_2gfhmRlSgOMJUQT4n0GIPcmHPQkIkQqiUKOB2gkv7uuEFY/s1600/bkwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">As weird as it sounds, Washington west of Portland on the other side of the cascades is a desert. It was really weird to be in a temperate rain forest one day and then the very next to be in a desert. This was a set of iron sculptures on a ridge in western Washington honoring wild horses. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDzqKui2LscGnk39sAp2nc5WLn9sV-k-UVlzaE_JFfCym6nXCgthoikVqbDxyGz3IBUVzLMGWaQVDWtNR8BYgER9meQCNaj7zh3lzGjAawaw7Y3898O6haemMjnY5OkPQlx0g3QO1z7I/s1600/blwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKDzqKui2LscGnk39sAp2nc5WLn9sV-k-UVlzaE_JFfCym6nXCgthoikVqbDxyGz3IBUVzLMGWaQVDWtNR8BYgER9meQCNaj7zh3lzGjAawaw7Y3898O6haemMjnY5OkPQlx0g3QO1z7I/s1600/blwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from our motel this evening in </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I6ATYrCAPcXoEcMrgR8jtDv3ywbJRoViY1hko-1ktCgH6aJkcfCzumGEmW5NcJmsz2LphA1jhwW0fbJn0Ibup1tcmZ30hjeDrESK9pyVAEn1DyI2scU77ETbdb79ah_I3VYVvdNlffim/s1600/bjwash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I6ATYrCAPcXoEcMrgR8jtDv3ywbJRoViY1hko-1ktCgH6aJkcfCzumGEmW5NcJmsz2LphA1jhwW0fbJn0Ibup1tcmZ30hjeDrESK9pyVAEn1DyI2scU77ETbdb79ah_I3VYVvdNlffim/s1600/bjwash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Forgot the name of this reservoir, but it's in the western Washington desert. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-28730087334755628772011-06-06T03:35:00.000-07:002011-06-06T03:35:05.349-07:00California Dreamin (for sunshine that is), the "Avenue of the Giants," and Coastal Northern California magic...We settled into my Aunt Heidi and Uncle Vince's house for three days hoping to get some decent weather so we could possibly go back down to San Francisco to see more of it....but it never came. The rain just continued on and on so we saw no point in going back to SF (about 40 miles away) in the rain. On the flipside, it gave us more time to visit with family. In addition to Heidi and Vince, my grandmother also lives in the area only a few blocks away. I had not seen her for quite a few years and she had never met Bella or Aldous, so it was great to get to see her again and show the kids off to her. I don't know who enjoyed it more, her or the kids, especially Bella. My grandma and Bella had become art pen pals, sending artwork back and forth to each other for the last 6-8 months, so Bella was really excited to meet her. Getting to see her 3 times during our short visit was a real treat for Bella (and me). While visiting with Heidi and Vince we also had the chance to check out Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. It's a short drive from Cotati and is very near the town of Guerneville and the Russian River (both destinations in themselves). This was the first really high concentration of coastal redwoods we had seen. It was very impressive, not just for the size of the trees, but the sheer number of them as well. The big Sequoias, in SNP, for example, were just as big (some bigger), but there were far fewer of them in the same given area. This reminded me of a densely packed forest from back east, only with MUCH larger trees. :) <br />
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As nice as it was to see family (they were great hosts!) we realized we needed to get a move on so we set out for the coast on Friday. We hit the coast at a town called Bodega Bay (the town where Hitchcock's "The Birds" was filmed), took a right on Highway 1 and headed north. We had already taken Highway 1 earlier in our trip in our attempt to get from Morro Bay to Monterey. That trip was cut short by a large landslide covering the road, but we had already seen some amazing coastal views. That stretch of Highway 1 was no doubt beautiful, but I think we preferred this more northern stretch. Most of it is much nearer the ocean and there are so many areas where you can actually access the beach in unbelievably beautiful settings. There is one thing CA really knows how to do, and that is create a state parks system. The number of state parks just along this stretch of road is unbelievable. There were so many places to camp it was ridiculous, except of course the weather would not allow it. It rained down nearly our entire trip that day up the coast, but we were taking it slow so we only made it as far aa Gualala, a town my Aunt recommended. It was a cute little resort town with a beautiful river flowing out to the sea. We got a ocean front motel room, but the weather was so poor they gave us winter rates! It was a very nice room (the biggest we've had so far with a full kitchen) and we were able to get a good nights sleep. The next morning while packing the van to leave we met Esther and Warren, a couple from Scotland who are touring the states by bicycle. They were taking a break for a day trying to wait out the weather, but were basically headed the same way we were to Portland, OR. They have a blog <a href="http://estherwarren.wordpress.com/">here</a>. They were very nice people and we wish them the best of luck.<br />
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We headed out of Gualala in the pouring rain, but the scenery just continued to get better and better. We had a short break in the rain/clouds, so we decided to stop at a beach in Caspar for a bit. We promptly locked our keys in the car (nobody would take blame for locking the door), so we called AAA and hit the beach for a bit. AAA showed up in about 40 minutes, which was just about perfect, because the rain started again 5 minutes after they left! We got back in the car and headed back north on Highway 1 for a few more miles and then it started to turn inland for about 17 miles where it ends and hooks up with Highway 101. Now, for any motorcyclists reading this, forget about "The Dragon" in TN, this is the stretch of road you want to do. I've never been through so many curves in my life in such a short distance. It was motorcycling nirvana. Almost as soon as you turn inland on Highway 1 you also start to climb from sea level to about 1200 feet or so....but that is not the amazing part. The amazing part is your are climbing into a temperate rain forest that is packed full of redwoods. It's hard to believe that just a few minutes earlier you were at the seaside. If like me, your frame of reference for beaches, coastline, and the inland areas leading to the beaches is the east coast (and particularly the Mid-Atlantic and south), this is VERY different than what you are used to. <br />
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We hit 101 and took a left. At this point you are headed northwest, about 20-30 miles inside the coast line. If you look on a map you see that 101 runs to Eureka where it hooks back up with the coastline, which is what we were looking for, but you will also notice that it runs through something called "Humboldt Redwoods State Park." Here is where serendipity comes in. We took this path because we wanted to go to Redwoods National Park on 101 just south of Crescent City, CA near the top of the state. We had never heard of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. As it turns out, HRSP is the single largest concentration of Redwoods anywhere, and it has a scenic route that parallels 101 called the "Avenue of The Giants." This is where things get difficult for me to describe, because that 30 mile stretch of road is simply unbelievable. The road just zigs and zags through these MASSIVE redwoods continually for 30 miles making you feel like a lilliputian. There are many areas to pull over and get out to view some particularly interesting areas (including the beautiful eel river that runs throughout the area). The only downside for us is that it was still overcast and raining and we didn't get to this area until about 6:30. We drove through it faster than we wanted to and even though we stopped a few times it was not enough. Upon exiting HRSP and getting back on 101, instead of going all the way to Eureka to get a motel as we had planned, we stopped in Rio Dell about 5 miles down the road and got a room.<br />
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It was an uneventful night in Rio Dell, so after a quick breakfast, we decided to take advantage of the good weather (it was very sunny and warm!) and head back to the Avenue of the Giants to spend some more time exploring it. We went back, spent some time on the cool rocky banks of the eel river and went to check out the "Founders Grove" of redwoods, when out of nowhere, the sun disappeared and the rain came again. We decided to then just head north again to Redwoods National Park and try to make it to Crescent City for the night. On the way we came across a beach with beautiful sand dunes so we stopped there for lunch and to let Bella run in the water a bit. After an hour or so of freezing our toes off we climbed back in the van and headed for Redwoods National Park. We made it to the RNP area shortly thereafter and after a few more miles Aldous needed to eat so I just turned into the next area that looked decent to park for a few minutes while he ate. Serendipity strikes again. I just by chance happened to turn into "Elk Meadows Park." This is a park that true to it's name has a resident herd of wild elk that can be seen here, but it also has some beautiful hiking trails that run through a redwood grove. After feeding Aldous, the four of us went of a hike on the trail through the redwoods to Trillium falls. This hike, though it was only about an hour, was to this point, the highlight of this whole trip. The trail led you up and down this little valley that was full of redwoods until you came to this beautiful little waterfall that was surrounded by ferns and a tree that had been completely covered by thick green moss. I've said it before about areas we've seen on this trip, but this setting honestly felt very mystical. It seriously seemed like something out of Lord of the Rings. As beautiful as it was, we needed to get settled for the night so we hiked back to the car and drove the last 20 miles or so to Crescent City, CA, where are settled for the night. Here are a few pics....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBysNzEx0av3Ua0WVfBlc1mOAhRyUeDdRgpEVImtCOciUEVvN86T8ppie_ovt7ZXrWGiBYe6-6JofHnbGEVz9Wi8kPJDLpUn_OBthIY_2ag5IVpWMdwA17NwsslHOGEz-g7PCKfSofiF1/s1600/armstronggrovefamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBysNzEx0av3Ua0WVfBlc1mOAhRyUeDdRgpEVImtCOciUEVvN86T8ppie_ovt7ZXrWGiBYe6-6JofHnbGEVz9Wi8kPJDLpUn_OBthIY_2ag5IVpWMdwA17NwsslHOGEz-g7PCKfSofiF1/s1600/armstronggrovefamily.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella, Heidi, Vince, Michelle and Aldie in Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd_LjBMawVgCTT3F8-yPyHMJeSd4kd2xuY-FpWtjFJlQ4ischHID7DWLtU5INqoXNfKqdzRewJybQbHQwDAMhK-R3uiqV1GblHFBg-gxuOf0RJc4Q1lbfKwCg6bU9I-84fxmzrr64XOWq/s1600/armstronggrovealdiebella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd_LjBMawVgCTT3F8-yPyHMJeSd4kd2xuY-FpWtjFJlQ4ischHID7DWLtU5INqoXNfKqdzRewJybQbHQwDAMhK-R3uiqV1GblHFBg-gxuOf0RJc4Q1lbfKwCg6bU9I-84fxmzrr64XOWq/s1600/armstronggrovealdiebella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and Aldie sitting on top of a redwood plaque.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy4pc_5qC039-pU62xntm-VlK_hbc0wOGr6SuioId6nwSMMSUMs3KItLdj6288JrmaWLn6xuBqU4Aq2VmIb-VE065tZVPgOtXj5n40yAWHX2h_ti0sv6DNRA_U92HgbILMtKVfRIG9MV7/s1600/cartree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy4pc_5qC039-pU62xntm-VlK_hbc0wOGr6SuioId6nwSMMSUMs3KItLdj6288JrmaWLn6xuBqU4Aq2VmIb-VE065tZVPgOtXj5n40yAWHX2h_ti0sv6DNRA_U92HgbILMtKVfRIG9MV7/s1600/cartree1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, the flower power van can drive through a tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXJaFp9rz1MItEzENuae33IJhxRCuiQJbHkAQubepOuSF5ZzwdnC_7bK6ETnr1n7sFluEkJMlwLJULh6OuWXr2n95lA-TuZo7DuAv4yzDIG13HPhQ72G36avnmUPWp2pxE6o_J980eLR-/s1600/cartree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXJaFp9rz1MItEzENuae33IJhxRCuiQJbHkAQubepOuSF5ZzwdnC_7bK6ETnr1n7sFluEkJMlwLJULh6OuWXr2n95lA-TuZo7DuAv4yzDIG13HPhQ72G36avnmUPWp2pxE6o_J980eLR-/s1600/cartree2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A closeup with details on the tree.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfPW01yoVvAqtmx3DhDNWouZ_866Z7mst2TDFf5lYp-L6zFOJKUpAtgEIJHQWHfUIvXImIVVGbAcMGD_QBBu-f4fTmUifQkJT0jEVYsX2VYDPq7j46z9KnjynEqT5g2rzdAQAZqwLtu3x/s1600/casperbeachdogseal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfPW01yoVvAqtmx3DhDNWouZ_866Z7mst2TDFf5lYp-L6zFOJKUpAtgEIJHQWHfUIvXImIVVGbAcMGD_QBBu-f4fTmUifQkJT0jEVYsX2VYDPq7j46z9KnjynEqT5g2rzdAQAZqwLtu3x/s1600/casperbeachdogseal.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was at Caspar beach. The first black spot you see is a black lab swimming back to shore with it's ball. The other black spot is a seal who was playing with it just a few seconds earlier. Unfortunately he was not that close by the time I got the camera out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1YeZI_1Wu6Cw_mTPwWh5M7VAyQZEPgCbtZtd9yD14Y8vBlftUMTQf9di_8ztgJA-Rw3PkFMRN9EOCw6wr8gYiwg2K54J3iykT9U7rnzFt9BDSquAbybUsmMjxizfzE1MFW8laeT3GdEp/s1600/casperbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1YeZI_1Wu6Cw_mTPwWh5M7VAyQZEPgCbtZtd9yD14Y8vBlftUMTQf9di_8ztgJA-Rw3PkFMRN9EOCw6wr8gYiwg2K54J3iykT9U7rnzFt9BDSquAbybUsmMjxizfzE1MFW8laeT3GdEp/s1600/casperbeach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on Caspar beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-JUsw9fcoE4VYMRjJxVF_rIBivZ2vTlcVPXHKKpPW_Y-rEh42ZQG0P-LQB7u9SJbj7VJxN2bRKzWDmepbjdULWiyBH4j9PZN8tFnilck9q_SpHMrs3hsTXRBK-a6brqRg0lYHyu_GaC7/s1600/chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-JUsw9fcoE4VYMRjJxVF_rIBivZ2vTlcVPXHKKpPW_Y-rEh42ZQG0P-LQB7u9SJbj7VJxN2bRKzWDmepbjdULWiyBH4j9PZN8tFnilck9q_SpHMrs3hsTXRBK-a6brqRg0lYHyu_GaC7/s1600/chapel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An interesting "non-denominational" chapel along Highway 1 around Sea Ranch, CA.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrqFssAiSlf5-lHeOR9g7BOABtFyxm48x4foV4cpxAuFQwYBJeaUKbVhtkstbHHFCSJhpCGs_1s-_KKxQS3SXL61Ai8Hv542Zb6tUe1usaSNtDfNKi9aari1EvgK_8kgiSXefjWiYZJKa/s1600/cowcrossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrqFssAiSlf5-lHeOR9g7BOABtFyxm48x4foV4cpxAuFQwYBJeaUKbVhtkstbHHFCSJhpCGs_1s-_KKxQS3SXL61Ai8Hv542Zb6tUe1usaSNtDfNKi9aari1EvgK_8kgiSXefjWiYZJKa/s1600/cowcrossing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something you would not expect to see along Highway 1, but in fact there are cows all over on both sides of the road. The ocean is only about 50 yards to the left in this pic.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihZxL4fiyIRnOgeFeH2xMbkzCZcd8aPu-7HiHZn63ijmuSJFJqrBXW56QBiJw-1457S8acoboPmgSHcxPKxV-5G1ymcDxa3Rs2w6ER3Jkc8S1jisYoz5Xj05lT-tn_z9zDcI_V6AomkNw/s1600/cypresssculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihZxL4fiyIRnOgeFeH2xMbkzCZcd8aPu-7HiHZn63ijmuSJFJqrBXW56QBiJw-1457S8acoboPmgSHcxPKxV-5G1ymcDxa3Rs2w6ER3Jkc8S1jisYoz5Xj05lT-tn_z9zDcI_V6AomkNw/s1600/cypresssculpture.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cool cypress tree sculpture.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoXL9MBWEQAjY-c1-zXaVwiJHhWVwuiBGxxF2HHbkhkQsn3rPEvP92OJsXDERBgjwVq0BwZgWOzFXSf_T5Q2kL8TnDNQSihkPvn2LjK7gpaTmvW1FH0qBA8bnPvHRYshBgNYXGv3F4FFY/s1600/cypresssculpture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXoXL9MBWEQAjY-c1-zXaVwiJHhWVwuiBGxxF2HHbkhkQsn3rPEvP92OJsXDERBgjwVq0BwZgWOzFXSf_T5Q2kL8TnDNQSihkPvn2LjK7gpaTmvW1FH0qBA8bnPvHRYshBgNYXGv3F4FFY/s1600/cypresssculpture2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other side of the same yard as above.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjyU3ufPzW4bd_sfEtFECujyCa7ehcRjbieGdZ0Xoau6HmsuBDBCMNQrORRaDXwRqdVc0QGQ4TnXl7kgTPPnoe09Y1_b1nVql9_2Y67zWQ3BT6kpHro4m9mCR1CyGf64HFHk_yKorOQt4/s1600/geelriverbella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCjyU3ufPzW4bd_sfEtFECujyCa7ehcRjbieGdZ0Xoau6HmsuBDBCMNQrORRaDXwRqdVc0QGQ4TnXl7kgTPPnoe09Y1_b1nVql9_2Y67zWQ3BT6kpHro4m9mCR1CyGf64HFHk_yKorOQt4/s1600/geelriverbella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella about to take a dip in Eel River (no, not really). All the rivers out here are this beautiful green color that doesn't really show up that well in pics.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAjLPhfrw9Z4hSGYCq358GndIaUbpJyfKpJfuBQJml5t0nhJRnqSiPduL2Iyh3-9j0vsf2GhQxjenO0OwusZxa1AUwnBZmIQbsCJYC5ql-NW19W9e8uIamnGsuM3QAdMEwl7JFViotiZs/s1600/gbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAjLPhfrw9Z4hSGYCq358GndIaUbpJyfKpJfuBQJml5t0nhJRnqSiPduL2Iyh3-9j0vsf2GhQxjenO0OwusZxa1AUwnBZmIQbsCJYC5ql-NW19W9e8uIamnGsuM3QAdMEwl7JFViotiZs/s1600/gbeach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie, right before he decided to start taste testing the sand.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZBzUNeuKfzR6OVAFZSYk4dNwdthOHDGmF1qIrgyQmS3xvcVVde__QHZ_C23WjwUBRi5ksThxU9vFVuJNmGvPIx2dOTSV9_8FYA_K79C8NfnBouHatXnOLrD3p_PJViquhOwqzuaLq_LO/s1600/Gualala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZBzUNeuKfzR6OVAFZSYk4dNwdthOHDGmF1qIrgyQmS3xvcVVde__QHZ_C23WjwUBRi5ksThxU9vFVuJNmGvPIx2dOTSV9_8FYA_K79C8NfnBouHatXnOLrD3p_PJViquhOwqzuaLq_LO/s1600/Gualala.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tis a gorgeous view...the ocean looks nice too! :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAjuYSnzHezxoIXMezc1No-RS4AWgXLdCOepRWA0Kdrhx_-BqnhoOOzPs8FMPr_18VYsBEb4kX5yt_GdFzqmQ9_p1Jj8hpPve_2ux3ZxCltTiGh4i0DpCw_pVnaGTGBcXH18la9ZWXjiz/s1600/GualalaEstherWarren.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our new friends Esther and Warren trying to stay dry for a day. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAjuYSnzHezxoIXMezc1No-RS4AWgXLdCOepRWA0Kdrhx_-BqnhoOOzPs8FMPr_18VYsBEb4kX5yt_GdFzqmQ9_p1Jj8hpPve_2ux3ZxCltTiGh4i0DpCw_pVnaGTGBcXH18la9ZWXjiz/s1600/GualalaEstherWarren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxre7OmwR_CnYbPIeOoJXHlrRnTXH3WrsPzZyEjCPCMH254YKo6EZCjrGCWkoc5Pf62Vs7FPvTKj2BCDSo6vcz1eAo_mRP7kQhCcWJCxZBkKPbVyZjVOuvseFMjX3jht_G2Xtwx9fROnva/s1600/Havebigfoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxre7OmwR_CnYbPIeOoJXHlrRnTXH3WrsPzZyEjCPCMH254YKo6EZCjrGCWkoc5Pf62Vs7FPvTKj2BCDSo6vcz1eAo_mRP7kQhCcWJCxZBkKPbVyZjVOuvseFMjX3jht_G2Xtwx9fROnva/s1600/Havebigfoot.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really want one of these Bigfoot chainsaw carvings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf1dfRV_5ukrjbATj4JC7WmTHv_jYBmZ-u8K_2Quv3Mo7-nyVH70NDMvHwF_KCcQA8Qrq7UJnmie4m4hyphenhyphencCc6MTQJX-dc2eYIZ2hdc0ATxWiIqGd7k9SgoLs8QxfbNCgQVDFbodIDyclP/s1600/havedusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf1dfRV_5ukrjbATj4JC7WmTHv_jYBmZ-u8K_2Quv3Mo7-nyVH70NDMvHwF_KCcQA8Qrq7UJnmie4m4hyphenhyphencCc6MTQJX-dc2eYIZ2hdc0ATxWiIqGd7k9SgoLs8QxfbNCgQVDFbodIDyclP/s1600/havedusk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking up at the redwoods.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DmD7KeMnp5jQKHx8KU9y3qIl-dGPpNDMXLLHL0hNnhvwO5szboEwCrA2joHfRttnui49WcdvJToqFIZJoucfYDed-0JHdvOyyolCXqEXmke8GyKXed1TLLOYEt_nJ3oSGwxnYXTXFSdi/s1600/havefounders1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DmD7KeMnp5jQKHx8KU9y3qIl-dGPpNDMXLLHL0hNnhvwO5szboEwCrA2joHfRttnui49WcdvJToqFIZJoucfYDed-0JHdvOyyolCXqEXmke8GyKXed1TLLOYEt_nJ3oSGwxnYXTXFSdi/s1600/havefounders1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is he underside of the root structure of a fallen redwood.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0eIDSuwYu02tw8UqetipipQLWqNITuAvdvF6ItEAi0a1GISHJJJ0bEPZ-Pwar6_8zcMAH_7xd1WTfpY2BFZmFkY77p_SmpU-lfB97IfPZwQF5B7ZpAndFV-X5Op3DGEIN8f7gO6hMHoc/s1600/Havetreehuggers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0eIDSuwYu02tw8UqetipipQLWqNITuAvdvF6ItEAi0a1GISHJJJ0bEPZ-Pwar6_8zcMAH_7xd1WTfpY2BFZmFkY77p_SmpU-lfB97IfPZwQF5B7ZpAndFV-X5Op3DGEIN8f7gO6hMHoc/s1600/Havetreehuggers.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of little tree huggers.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRGl_VxKZmZbh-MVH37NKFnxjTvqetTWsxIiZ41vQ1nQB5vGtXi6EwP_fs7rLWBjmQs3y6T2nc-VneCum1in0ZEFM_HpG84SD3VYLS1u6S34L5_-CBx82gifrqHeiKxQSyt_nZ5pX3cCF/s1600/havefounders2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRGl_VxKZmZbh-MVH37NKFnxjTvqetTWsxIiZ41vQ1nQB5vGtXi6EwP_fs7rLWBjmQs3y6T2nc-VneCum1in0ZEFM_HpG84SD3VYLS1u6S34L5_-CBx82gifrqHeiKxQSyt_nZ5pX3cCF/s1600/havefounders2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This tree fell in 1991....370 feet tall, 17 ft diameter, 52 foot circumference and about 1,000,000 lbs. in weight.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf93a_0QVPvQLbOQSwq-cYF9vk4f1TUMr2fhy_02yABB2ZAIa77QkbdFMDDagTCGUlTUTpT-25Mkl-MRBTwn2MNsAwA4bS2kGWcgIC-pJGx1Pk6DTB8UuadSm-VfXG9wxu2BGDVNAogXIe/s1600/havefounders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf93a_0QVPvQLbOQSwq-cYF9vk4f1TUMr2fhy_02yABB2ZAIa77QkbdFMDDagTCGUlTUTpT-25Mkl-MRBTwn2MNsAwA4bS2kGWcgIC-pJGx1Pk6DTB8UuadSm-VfXG9wxu2BGDVNAogXIe/s1600/havefounders.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm kneeling for the camera but I could easily standup inside this tree.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoblguwmyiF1a8MrvfFyAJzQBIpfxTMubVVlSBo3leUDEcyMUx1r6Pu5zoB-dzRn7rV3iVmJ9jP3FuK21CrqXo9avHqd4RnB-vFdHZviz82_FzP74awEOSV-YHL0B-dWv4GYKAfu1sVkj/s1600/ibeach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoblguwmyiF1a8MrvfFyAJzQBIpfxTMubVVlSBo3leUDEcyMUx1r6Pu5zoB-dzRn7rV3iVmJ9jP3FuK21CrqXo9avHqd4RnB-vFdHZviz82_FzP74awEOSV-YHL0B-dWv4GYKAfu1sVkj/s1600/ibeach3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie right after deciding to taste test the sand.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLP3H9qU2Pq4T6ArP6XOf-CIym-aOHOPj1lqy19qqfffJ_QZyaUQ9Y3lcjpe3J1r7mLd_ynxdl9TZXp_dpRJ3t_QRUZqDf80gTNxpB4__lgxjyFam6dyuhK_vCE0of3bsEDWDvx5uzVXu/s1600/ibeach4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was an awesome beach. Cool sand dunes, wide flat beach area, waves breaking 100 yards from shore and a mist that continually rolled in off the ocean that was about 3 feet or so off the ground.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLP3H9qU2Pq4T6ArP6XOf-CIym-aOHOPj1lqy19qqfffJ_QZyaUQ9Y3lcjpe3J1r7mLd_ynxdl9TZXp_dpRJ3t_QRUZqDf80gTNxpB4__lgxjyFam6dyuhK_vCE0of3bsEDWDvx5uzVXu/s1600/ibeach4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<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;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqnJBHXgzwh90Wnp7WGD82FdP3yRGuvsdG2GPMHJhDJQcXAxIA_f6CLYw-qB8LJaMO6_AX7RYXogQFHyvdrSMilmElgt4Swn2rM5uuCNucE_27MIlFl9oFqKnzLmwgRQtMTs1uDeNzjp2/s1600/ibeach5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqnJBHXgzwh90Wnp7WGD82FdP3yRGuvsdG2GPMHJhDJQcXAxIA_f6CLYw-qB8LJaMO6_AX7RYXogQFHyvdrSMilmElgt4Swn2rM5uuCNucE_27MIlFl9oFqKnzLmwgRQtMTs1uDeNzjp2/s1600/ibeach5.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love this pic with the horses in the sea mist. That blue area right above them is not blue sky, it was angry looking dark blue storm clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0hRJ6k7ds6807DF39wZDlJJ5jkvvz_h9I8CpfEJsTX2RS6NDwN3NRupWfEIsYnX9Obqx24e76Ss8awQYiTe-4j7bo_ySluDMlDYb5Hl5sOITNw0SP7SGIPxoChpbVtLPvOpHFJiAhraG/s1600/jestuaryelk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0hRJ6k7ds6807DF39wZDlJJ5jkvvz_h9I8CpfEJsTX2RS6NDwN3NRupWfEIsYnX9Obqx24e76Ss8awQYiTe-4j7bo_ySluDMlDYb5Hl5sOITNw0SP7SGIPxoChpbVtLPvOpHFJiAhraG/s1600/jestuaryelk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tough to see, but those are elk out in these marsh lands eating something.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTAwszEFohNuyQrpWVD0Fr6Yy-l0myg9VuUlRE8_g8m_T7jy1Jjzt8IZXD0BHqWTxLF02j8CO2_LQn_OXNasjKeckByoNw1FtgtPYcJPPDvyJF0nCx-BvDMqdkF3MK5Qir0vY56EuDGpi/s1600/ibeach6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTAwszEFohNuyQrpWVD0Fr6Yy-l0myg9VuUlRE8_g8m_T7jy1Jjzt8IZXD0BHqWTxLF02j8CO2_LQn_OXNasjKeckByoNw1FtgtPYcJPPDvyJF0nCx-BvDMqdkF3MK5Qir0vY56EuDGpi/s1600/ibeach6.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I thought this was a cool shot with the sky reflecting off the water from the receding wave.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO36geKBf0iRi2UZ9ngI_qRPiAITSe3c1EE4F2KjXe9WnxPVxyT8KKLgVNW9uXJDVx-Oj56jYFNYAF2qeOwmzJct_ZhEY4C3j3b5fXTbLfzLRt8-sIz94stDJugfl1AEsQWWCPptK6tS30/s1600/jesttsunami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO36geKBf0iRi2UZ9ngI_qRPiAITSe3c1EE4F2KjXe9WnxPVxyT8KKLgVNW9uXJDVx-Oj56jYFNYAF2qeOwmzJct_ZhEY4C3j3b5fXTbLfzLRt8-sIz94stDJugfl1AEsQWWCPptK6tS30/s1600/jesttsunami.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These signs were all over the place. Several harbors in NoCal had ships destroyed by the Tsunami that hit earlier this year.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdySMYkdmRzqwVu_en8Ji8abgNui8c2AibQx8OsoYLRQ1ZgIxTBXv6XQ3gQV_cudyYuu7tB9ChMQAUFOJYPj4hJycGM9CyqvWbBYStAGYUzgHq6oWswOo7fKTIUFcYh0DYQ5rudqmTd3fI/s1600/jtrilian3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This tree was completely covered in thick green moss.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdySMYkdmRzqwVu_en8Ji8abgNui8c2AibQx8OsoYLRQ1ZgIxTBXv6XQ3gQV_cudyYuu7tB9ChMQAUFOJYPj4hJycGM9CyqvWbBYStAGYUzgHq6oWswOo7fKTIUFcYh0DYQ5rudqmTd3fI/s1600/jtrilian3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCLO6S17FFVXi_W9E48xDHkkRpadP6jysIkXtsekEFnIwYQYVh-yXWHvUJ1oaBpyRKFDMqOMy-CVWrAY7tLd8MK6fRyohOgvRu3Y8eiE4uBrBLizE8w2aJpEryvMtyVkBF4AjhaJlCn3z/s1600/jtrilian2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It kinda looked like a giant green tarantula.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCLO6S17FFVXi_W9E48xDHkkRpadP6jysIkXtsekEFnIwYQYVh-yXWHvUJ1oaBpyRKFDMqOMy-CVWrAY7tLd8MK6fRyohOgvRu3Y8eiE4uBrBLizE8w2aJpEryvMtyVkBF4AjhaJlCn3z/s1600/jtrilian2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjQYUhqXnQwMJhC0S-_zCMpPRMv6FAz51a2zvWmUtTYY3NDQ5naER-tHW9GT0wyIq3HYOxQG3zEbOmQWhX-WgMYOKroo-JABoRDCr5oC1OTNY0IkvNVERpCoySkTrtWd704KkZULxXEJK/s1600/jtrilian4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjQYUhqXnQwMJhC0S-_zCMpPRMv6FAz51a2zvWmUtTYY3NDQ5naER-tHW9GT0wyIq3HYOxQG3zEbOmQWhX-WgMYOKroo-JABoRDCr5oC1OTNY0IkvNVERpCoySkTrtWd704KkZULxXEJK/s1600/jtrilian4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This water was COLD!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOaLbvd0QvVRHohh4Wiomo5LDg-xcizvIbaQnjR6MhQH6lm7V0IhKFvcb3yNHBOCsiRBK3CMYHU9V4aYRTnV8624COrA2vCQ0IzfqylDGAJ3FMx7eUQawsGC5kdyw4cdccRkXN_042KA/s1600/jtrilian5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More of the moss tree.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gOaLbvd0QvVRHohh4Wiomo5LDg-xcizvIbaQnjR6MhQH6lm7V0IhKFvcb3yNHBOCsiRBK3CMYHU9V4aYRTnV8624COrA2vCQ0IzfqylDGAJ3FMx7eUQawsGC5kdyw4cdccRkXN_042KA/s1600/jtrilian5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9qLeI9JabiQK_LswFceLplSu7IRZthxxBBQmBS2lcQJcuGJz-gAhzAwQlgExxFCy81YF1LhMxFJ43F4izRxd998F4OSoZlWNecaovIp-DxekuRw5hS7GQHJXUMAiwBBZZ0sGqyZPSfiE/s1600/jtrilian6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Banana Slug!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9qLeI9JabiQK_LswFceLplSu7IRZthxxBBQmBS2lcQJcuGJz-gAhzAwQlgExxFCy81YF1LhMxFJ43F4izRxd998F4OSoZlWNecaovIp-DxekuRw5hS7GQHJXUMAiwBBZZ0sGqyZPSfiE/s1600/jtrilian6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7dYDJdTSrSDXPINta_XBKiLu3gHLmpdphT8VlCnSDX21Uw6C8YI-lmSovCFFyqIxH5Yi_7Z7DAxwNc8bEKAy7a5AnMOZ1lXQ7xhBTj0VXGd5c8-hrv26JOSfD6ICRIhrwkMd-3VUkU_6/s1600/jtrilian7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7dYDJdTSrSDXPINta_XBKiLu3gHLmpdphT8VlCnSDX21Uw6C8YI-lmSovCFFyqIxH5Yi_7Z7DAxwNc8bEKAy7a5AnMOZ1lXQ7xhBTj0VXGd5c8-hrv26JOSfD6ICRIhrwkMd-3VUkU_6/s1600/jtrilian7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's hard to capture there massiveness in a picture, but this is a decent shot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEpRWvUwvpgyxeVBAC_DXHtKBT6iV-2sMKQ7uzRikfu1JGceWiL4DI4-fcP54dTRgY-erktRvrFwFFqUxEQVCuMdj6cq4YK4qMZE8an-D-VrHFUaTvgP99H_ef5wfYlzRigfl_3C1FXBh/s1600/jtrilian8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wild elk on someone's lawn.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEpRWvUwvpgyxeVBAC_DXHtKBT6iV-2sMKQ7uzRikfu1JGceWiL4DI4-fcP54dTRgY-erktRvrFwFFqUxEQVCuMdj6cq4YK4qMZE8an-D-VrHFUaTvgP99H_ef5wfYlzRigfl_3C1FXBh/s1600/jtrilian8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRN7rp_4LiouQnTOUiXJsv63h-6IL8GexFe9CuiKN8X_vZXMT981UaZMNxycXXX-GpVHVBTY1ewUeutOchaaB-ZwRK8DEjpRehk4-eXtbzaMqMYzXnWqN-BqJ-IVeipKyHvHBv7ZYOP9s/s1600/jtrilian9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRN7rp_4LiouQnTOUiXJsv63h-6IL8GexFe9CuiKN8X_vZXMT981UaZMNxycXXX-GpVHVBTY1ewUeutOchaaB-ZwRK8DEjpRehk4-eXtbzaMqMYzXnWqN-BqJ-IVeipKyHvHBv7ZYOP9s/s1600/jtrilian9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe hanging out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7AElsptgBwnEkIPL2XnsnsH_0ZM-wpsJCbkK1tM_ET2jsuxC9NbI0Cw54fepAAqHSp34dw4e2VGWnOGpaaof_YJPA8LrpsdI57wSoYapQvdLTgkyZw52krfWV_MoSSeh_Em4vQpkrfZQ/s1600/ksea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7AElsptgBwnEkIPL2XnsnsH_0ZM-wpsJCbkK1tM_ET2jsuxC9NbI0Cw54fepAAqHSp34dw4e2VGWnOGpaaof_YJPA8LrpsdI57wSoYapQvdLTgkyZw52krfWV_MoSSeh_Em4vQpkrfZQ/s1600/ksea.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just some pretty coastal scenery.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EOBjwcsel8oPA_m9FqWs4dAUJVFQyJ8jrcZ1V4tGp1SL4riqi_Csiz8siiyGFjpGm4aed0yYiZympNBTBWB1zHIvJIYYQmA-n7vij_LKi6gSYVA30O8Rt532Nu8u34nSIgVXue_8X1BW/s1600/ibeach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EOBjwcsel8oPA_m9FqWs4dAUJVFQyJ8jrcZ1V4tGp1SL4riqi_Csiz8siiyGFjpGm4aed0yYiZympNBTBWB1zHIvJIYYQmA-n7vij_LKi6gSYVA30O8Rt532Nu8u34nSIgVXue_8X1BW/s1600/ibeach2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daddy can fly if he has too... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiechFeC4feOkzTwZtHwj0eiC-eL-Wug0qgYMbF6YUeKin-w1FeyU01Oh5HX8fKPE1CJZImyf7ZpV-0NFHYXLkq35PV-AKNP7BKwxQ0ARE7EskqEfM18jMXplzHKs0jZ9uhJRkQs7hjDGgx/s1600/ksea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiechFeC4feOkzTwZtHwj0eiC-eL-Wug0qgYMbF6YUeKin-w1FeyU01Oh5HX8fKPE1CJZImyf7ZpV-0NFHYXLkq35PV-AKNP7BKwxQ0ARE7EskqEfM18jMXplzHKs0jZ9uhJRkQs7hjDGgx/s1600/ksea1.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately it was late and the light was no good, but what you are looking at is two different levels of clouds over the water. It was really cool in person.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-43834006085197420992011-06-02T13:01:00.000-07:002011-06-02T13:01:38.129-07:00Yosemite, then on to San Francisco....and where is that famous Cali warm weather?!?After a decent nights sleep in wonderful Fresno we set out for Yosemite. We were only a couple of hours from Yosemite, so our plan was to get there, get a camp site and spend the next 3-4 days enjoying Yosemite. We had originally planned to do Yosemite a week or two earlier, but since much of the park was still closed due to bad weather (they had a lot of snow this winter) we put it off hoping things would open up. We didn't wait long enough, evidently. We arrived at the southwest entrance of Yosemite and began the 35 mile trip down to Yosemite valley, as that is where the greatest concentration of lodgings and sightseeing landmarks are located. We spent nearly an hour taking a leisurely pace enjoying the beautiful scenery. As beautiful as it was, it was nothing out of the ordinary for this trip, until we came through the tunnel that opens up to a view of Yosemite valley. The first thing you notice is there is a very busy scenic pullout on your right, so before we could even see the valley properly, we pulled over and parked. We then got out of the car and went over to look at the viewing area. My mom, who has been to 49 of our 50 states (Mom, you need to get to AK and finish it off! :) ) has always said, if there is one place to see in the USA, it's Yosemite. Once you get a view of Yosemite Valley from this vantage point you start to understand why. The view of the valley from this point is just simply awe inspiring. It is right up there with the Grand Canyon. The GC may be more surreal in its unbelievable massiveness, but this view of Yosemite Valley is more beautiful in my opinion. I think the difference is the GC is not inviting. It doesn't seem to call out to you to come and interact with it. Yosemite Valley yells at you to get your tail down to the valley and start exploring it up close. Which we did in short order.<br />
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After taking several pictures of the valley from what is called "tunnel view," we jumped in the flower power van and headed on down. The first attraction you come to is Bridal Veil Falls. We got out and started walking towards the base about 1/2 mile from the parking lot.When we got within about 200 yards of the base it became apparent we were going to get soaked if we went any farther, and since it was rather chilly we decided to stay dry; we still had to find a camp site and get set up. We jumped back in the car and started looking for our camping options. Unfortunately, that was much easier said than done. The park was absolutely packed with people. There were crowds everywhere. I guess this was part of the down side of waiting a little longer till coming to Yosemite. And once again, just like at every other major national park we've been too, at least 33% of the park goers were non-American (maybe more). Not that there was anything wrong with that, it just seemed kind of odd for there to be so many Germans, Italians, French and Japanese relative to the number of Americans there. I expect that will change when we get into summer and more kids are out of school. Anyway, in our search for a campsite, we found out that of the hundreds of campsites in the valley, there was only one site available and it was only available for one night. For our first time actually camping on this trip, we broke our rule of only camping when we were at least camping for 2+ nights. Normally there would be thousands more camp sites available around the park, but all of the non-valley campsites were closed due to snow, so we were forced to take this campsite for one night if we wanted to camp. As it turned out, our 2+ night camping rule would have been broken, even if we'd been able to stay. It was just too damn cold for the kids. Or rather I should say, it was just too damn cold for the parents, because Michelle and I were awake nearly all night freezing and worrying about the kids being too cold even though they slept fine. I got up early the next morning, still very cold and looking forward to building a big fire to get warm and cook breakfast on. As I'm building the fire, but before it was lit, one of our camp neighbors comes over and tells me that we aren't supposed to have camp fires in the morning because they are trying to control the smoke in the valley. I look around the campground and sure enough, there is not a single fire lit. Let me tell you, I was bummed. My favorite part of camping is building the fires! Although this would be reason enough not to camp in the valley, the very commercial nature of the campground is a put off, too. The view from the campground itself is very nice, but there are too many people in too small of a space and it hardly feels like camping (except for the work setting up and taking down camp, that felt the same! ;-)). Oh, and you are not allowed to gather wood in the valley for campfires. Your options are to go outside the valley and gather wood (about a hour round trip, from the valley campgrounds), bring your wood with you, or, you can buy a box of wood from their camp store for $9.24 (the same size you can get at a convenience store for $5). If you come to Yosemite and plan on camping, come later in the season and camp at one of the more scenic campsites outside the valley. That's what we'll do next time.<br />
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Since we couldn't stay in the campground the next night, and it was too cold to camp for us anyway, we had to find other accommodations. We first checked the the onsite hotel, The Awahnee, and with rates from $449 for a standard room to almost $1200 for a deluxe room (no, those aren't typos) it was not an option. The regular lodge was $249 and was booked, though we wouldn't have paid that anyway. The last option was a heated tent cabin. It was a 12x10 canvas tent that comes with a double bed, two single beds, linens for the beds, an electric light, wood floor, and most importantly...a heater. You can have this luxury for the meager sum of $117. In my opinion this was about $50 too expensive, even considering the setting, but we were stuck between a rock and a hard place because we were not ready to leave the park (leaving the park and getting a regular hotel room anywhere near the park is even more expensive) so we decided to get the tent cabin for one night. We did that fairly early on and spent the rest of the day enjoying the valley. Unfortunately, Tioga and Glacier Point roads were closed, so we didn't get to see the views from those areas, but that just gives us a reason to come back. Since we only had 2 nights (and had planned on spending 3 or 4), we had plenty to see and do in the valley before we left.<br />
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One of the positive aspects of the large amount of snow they received this year is the waterfalls are absolutely gushing all over the valley. I think I counted at least 10 different waterfalls and the two most prominent ones, Bridal Veil Falls and Yosemite Falls, were crashing down with tremendous force. We hiked to the base of both waterfalls before we left and paid the very wet price for it both times. Even umbrellas were no match for the spray coming off Bridal Veil Falls near the base. The Merced river, which runs through the valley, was quite high and ran very fast in some areas. It's very clear water with the most beautiful green hue I've ever seen in a river. There is not a hint of muddiness to it whatsoever. You can clearly see the bottom whether its 6 inches or 6 feet deep. It really made you want to jump in it, till you touched it and nearly got hypothermia in your fingers. We spent the night in our heated tent cabin much more comfortable, and then spent the next afternoon hitting the highlights in the valley before we left the park and headed toward the San Francisco area.<br />
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We got a latish start leaving the park, so we ended up spending the night in Merced, Ca. I'm going to be as nice as I can about Merced and just say that is a typical central CA valley city and leave it at that. After an uneventful night there we headed for my friend Chris' house in Menlo Park, CA, just outside San Francisco. Chris graciously offered to put us up for a few nights so we would have some time to see the sights in the area. As it turns out, we had such a great time hanging out with Chris, his wife Britta, and his Mom Marjorie, we stayed for four nights and mostly visited with them. We did get to downtown SF one day to check out Golden Gate Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, but it has been COLD so we didn't do a lot of walking around. Chris took me to work with him (he works for a firm that manufactures and sells high quality motorcycle components and tools) and showed me around his work and the fantastic motorcycle collection the owner of his company has. For those of you who don't like motorcycles you may not understand this, but that little tour Chris gave me was one of the highlights of this trip so far for me. Britta took us to Santa Cruz one day to see the boardwalk area (which is actually concrete) at the beach with all kinds of games and rides (think Ocean City). They cooked us fantastic meals, entertained Bella for hours and put up with <b><i>The Beast</i></b> (AKA Aldous) trying to get into all their stuff for four days. I'm recommending them all for sainthood when this trip is over!<br />
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We left their house yesterday to head up to Cotati, CA, about 45 miles north of SF, to spend some time with my aunt Heidi, uncle Vince, and grandma Mimi who all live there. We hoped to spend some more time in downtown SF on our way there, but again it was rainy and cold so we didn't get to see much. The trip across the Golden Gate Bridge was too short and the view from the vista in Marin County was mostly blocked by low clouds. I think we will try to get back down to SF one more time if the weather clears up before we leave the area. In the meantime, here are a few pics from the last week...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ww9Sjm-lcQzOboXXZo655nrrz0DpaDs8-lxF-tVf79hAtBO_hCD-KeIR3ZhmDWOIZGtinknnkQubaqzGcuicLEka4iwIItPR_f7G-kbpkAMrcHQTfuwXeNLPXJrXPHt_Qqa7IYnsHjBx/s1600/AAYosemitevalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ww9Sjm-lcQzOboXXZo655nrrz0DpaDs8-lxF-tVf79hAtBO_hCD-KeIR3ZhmDWOIZGtinknnkQubaqzGcuicLEka4iwIItPR_f7G-kbpkAMrcHQTfuwXeNLPXJrXPHt_Qqa7IYnsHjBx/s1600/AAYosemitevalley.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is your first real view of Yosemite Valley approaching from the south entrance. You can clearly see three of Yosemite's most famous features, Bridal Veil Falls on the right, Half-Dome in the center, and El Capitan to the left.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5BKl8WNnYyqwRhR1fRvZ1YlKsAz_q64UbEBesVSduI2N3j_5fxWY6b2Ixtq9AIvciMuoJXpzJncEPpRiUaeqmnXAka-LKuJhQWK-bWAKrCyJDb85rgDhGbWBDZ0Dhu0NzPhT6MDdcmBm/s1600/abyosemitevalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5BKl8WNnYyqwRhR1fRvZ1YlKsAz_q64UbEBesVSduI2N3j_5fxWY6b2Ixtq9AIvciMuoJXpzJncEPpRiUaeqmnXAka-LKuJhQWK-bWAKrCyJDb85rgDhGbWBDZ0Dhu0NzPhT6MDdcmBm/s1600/abyosemitevalley.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bridal Veil Falls is a few miles away from here, El Capitan another mile or two past that, and Half-Dome is about 10 miles away at this point. From this vantage point it's very easy to envisage the glacier that came through here and carved out this valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b78I-0f_65w8GYLdyEInNgKc7pZBVsAuYrDOGkU6rOvQlKcjqvGtEbP_uX7OHUXhRv7hZ6tkaisEXHVFn2jQHDGJdJ8XkJsVzVWo3cMQAGH9WYlJp_FnZg3wdJvi2UVu1e1A1Rhbj5_d/s1600/Bridalveil+falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5b78I-0f_65w8GYLdyEInNgKc7pZBVsAuYrDOGkU6rOvQlKcjqvGtEbP_uX7OHUXhRv7hZ6tkaisEXHVFn2jQHDGJdJ8XkJsVzVWo3cMQAGH9WYlJp_FnZg3wdJvi2UVu1e1A1Rhbj5_d/s1600/Bridalveil+falls.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bridal Veil Falls in all its glory from Tunnel View.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What can I say, I was thirsty...I'm still looking for Beer Falls. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vby5DyVlz3kMQa6MwuGET4nm0sigqV4NczHi7nL6ktk9G_IXCCAIaTVnjFXTniRdE6jbAipoB9jGvc9SiSe3K0kZb65qUsd25tfJpwxofwhD-8DMwqcrUf-4k14_0KtpXJp_R0OskzlH/s1600/abcyosemitevalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vby5DyVlz3kMQa6MwuGET4nm0sigqV4NczHi7nL6ktk9G_IXCCAIaTVnjFXTniRdE6jbAipoB9jGvc9SiSe3K0kZb65qUsd25tfJpwxofwhD-8DMwqcrUf-4k14_0KtpXJp_R0OskzlH/s1600/abcyosemitevalley.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looking across the Merced River in the valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh3CIA2rWGOnBZj2L41pgQreu83DcrgsgmyZqFqfmwkb1u8JYHwQC21gyDxuhYMbqzC7CP7SVOosNm1YRhh2AWki_j5l9BR3JaS6pvx7lxuGYhHysWoT-A0sMmaJaiHtuIMSgwZxHNLU5/s1600/abyosemitevalleywaterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh3CIA2rWGOnBZj2L41pgQreu83DcrgsgmyZqFqfmwkb1u8JYHwQC21gyDxuhYMbqzC7CP7SVOosNm1YRhh2AWki_j5l9BR3JaS6pvx7lxuGYhHysWoT-A0sMmaJaiHtuIMSgwZxHNLU5/s1600/abyosemitevalleywaterfall.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just one of the numerous "smaller" waterfalls which lined the valley walls. It was not really small at all (for scale, those trees at the top of the falls are 50+ feet tall), but compared to Yosemite and Bridal Veil Falls, the rest are "small."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5IR62yU33IDh5nPnlJbmlwzsXMPKmaIH72iOq_rcFfGCiMg4Ln6jn8JZPIdVbl7r58kAN7ZKDCUmHPQOPjEYI4e0NBrqLxidvXMX1BApcR6M4wvvPLJQaHX8cvvpOB_jB7Ia9hZQdc71/s1600/aldiebella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5IR62yU33IDh5nPnlJbmlwzsXMPKmaIH72iOq_rcFfGCiMg4Ln6jn8JZPIdVbl7r58kAN7ZKDCUmHPQOPjEYI4e0NBrqLxidvXMX1BApcR6M4wvvPLJQaHX8cvvpOB_jB7Ia9hZQdc71/s1600/aldiebella.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie is one lucky little boy because I don't think in the history of the universe any boy has had a big sister that loves him more than Bella loves Aldie. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKqX5Kw_osYUNkp7FfvIiWjXquMaKWx7PceoJrBru0-iVsNH_hBQLv_W0oimkqcTdQivdtvKoq5GD7UnP_JPD6Gz5lmyfyX4Q7glIvB5CHTTetzi-NSc-UadO7g88Bf3rIFxB8yHtYQvP/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKqX5Kw_osYUNkp7FfvIiWjXquMaKWx7PceoJrBru0-iVsNH_hBQLv_W0oimkqcTdQivdtvKoq5GD7UnP_JPD6Gz5lmyfyX4Q7glIvB5CHTTetzi-NSc-UadO7g88Bf3rIFxB8yHtYQvP/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsb.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is BVF from the parking lot where you can hike up and view it at its base.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV3ri6sqTrXWJY5pn0mF8rQdHBkcwwxYIc14862VDZ3VNtkjsyhyphenhyphen_A5cPkIkX4EBAkRsOIsPte4NPgUBPlAf9hBP6958RCIOvqsIL50jJTgj16uLfp0M4q9kxMElZyTHwbTDUzuuqN5iu/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV3ri6sqTrXWJY5pn0mF8rQdHBkcwwxYIc14862VDZ3VNtkjsyhyphenhyphen_A5cPkIkX4EBAkRsOIsPte4NPgUBPlAf9hBP6958RCIOvqsIL50jJTgj16uLfp0M4q9kxMElZyTHwbTDUzuuqN5iu/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsc.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is 100-200 yards away from the base of BVF. No, it wasn't raining, all this wetness is from the fallout of the water hitting the base of the falls.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpMR6MQ6cfuIwjRiJqBuaPrCeXoBbaVBTEuchmyaTGV4QHStAUx8-Tr1w2DHr2uy6OYYqM-8k42IkY14xsgq1sAmJvFOW-yazm6RfCkU_08_qLnzSInbO_8MiRe5oV8EddU8ML_KKSfWB/s1600/Bridalveil+fallse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpMR6MQ6cfuIwjRiJqBuaPrCeXoBbaVBTEuchmyaTGV4QHStAUx8-Tr1w2DHr2uy6OYYqM-8k42IkY14xsgq1sAmJvFOW-yazm6RfCkU_08_qLnzSInbO_8MiRe5oV8EddU8ML_KKSfWB/s1600/Bridalveil+fallse.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is as close as Bella and I could get to BVF and we got soaked even with our umbrellas!</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDnI8wsa0H1UTCmTfYXaS2xRmJqhrCGMygFOXVxDHGKeZlGnibybiY-1dHF3a79dk-tgjfgVXI04x3hwAyPdoCYL9cM4LUGmZvsGs_SIrWJ-SjUVCJGvGwibjQW6dCv2k_NB08WbQ9N-V/s1600/campfiregirlsaldie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDnI8wsa0H1UTCmTfYXaS2xRmJqhrCGMygFOXVxDHGKeZlGnibybiY-1dHF3a79dk-tgjfgVXI04x3hwAyPdoCYL9cM4LUGmZvsGs_SIrWJ-SjUVCJGvGwibjQW6dCv2k_NB08WbQ9N-V/s1600/campfiregirlsaldie.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sitting around the camp fire was nice. It wasn't that cold at this point, but I swear it dropped 20 degrees in the middle of the night.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx2nBhZde1SazIArMZ4OsawoiawAzIx1NR_1ifIHxESh52SCKQacsg0DEJnEYQ19I7e8CjXBqf0LtJR-C_d-GTYX_gsLptoj7kl7ahvzzk8FXamMQbKQbNj-qxvo5Wo5RPhNDWEhMXMO-/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx2nBhZde1SazIArMZ4OsawoiawAzIx1NR_1ifIHxESh52SCKQacsg0DEJnEYQ19I7e8CjXBqf0LtJR-C_d-GTYX_gsLptoj7kl7ahvzzk8FXamMQbKQbNj-qxvo5Wo5RPhNDWEhMXMO-/s1600/Bridalveil+fallsd.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella, Aldie and me on the trail walking to BVF.</span></td></tr>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6GGaLXRfaiWaay3eFf2BlYZb1lQXJAORLbkZlFYyxUJr8AJ-k-yVkO66ZvzMREaxv0bGcz5hwJRLiAHHsn_MU6iytagUK030DB2PvrUTied-lwbLaNrAQYy9xVQZiUM6X-riarlvLz22/s1600/campsite.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" t8="true" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was not the best campsite we've ever had, and it was COLD, but we still had fun.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6GGaLXRfaiWaay3eFf2BlYZb1lQXJAORLbkZlFYyxUJr8AJ-k-yVkO66ZvzMREaxv0bGcz5hwJRLiAHHsn_MU6iytagUK030DB2PvrUTied-lwbLaNrAQYy9xVQZiUM6X-riarlvLz22/s1600/campsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4GvYipiOvhvf7XlRnNbI_jYuPSVWjcabNSusOuH7JTHVIFTGto9pjSkYC4TlgdGYbp4o23qqmns8lvv6ANcMPh2cbODTKT6fcwZ9yZS0m9a3ZMmD9UikvI3T5HfCf0-hN_DOyLZIgdXQ/s1600/campsiteview.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" t8="true" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the view from our campsite.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4GvYipiOvhvf7XlRnNbI_jYuPSVWjcabNSusOuH7JTHVIFTGto9pjSkYC4TlgdGYbp4o23qqmns8lvv6ANcMPh2cbODTKT6fcwZ9yZS0m9a3ZMmD9UikvI3T5HfCf0-hN_DOyLZIgdXQ/s1600/campsiteview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5qn7QI9ueQXThh3IYiuOYedEvj0O0L-IT7rvz0hUw9UQpSjFVe-OOOqReDOviAYjNP7UsHX-0gYfAf0D5ts9QjK2HQD04_7r0cApFzIx62z0UHO0qBPnqn8mifBGxNJW6u1riJO9zpXr/s1600/cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5qn7QI9ueQXThh3IYiuOYedEvj0O0L-IT7rvz0hUw9UQpSjFVe-OOOqReDOviAYjNP7UsHX-0gYfAf0D5ts9QjK2HQD04_7r0cApFzIx62z0UHO0qBPnqn8mifBGxNJW6u1riJO9zpXr/s1600/cathedral.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I believe these are the Cathedral Rocks. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hn-P8CPrC5O8gSOMOPtWeZSamze4AI-G8SBoeiWvCA1B8GevMT0-bSIV31_C1JkPRnO2OAOpoiEjqb6T2Qgcgo2v3RB4FMAmBE77qQqUSQvuc6cV5PAycQ8oAVg8c0yFfNQEcvDENQSV/s1600/fernspring.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" t8="true" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fern Spring pops right out of the ground and gushes...tastes great too.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hn-P8CPrC5O8gSOMOPtWeZSamze4AI-G8SBoeiWvCA1B8GevMT0-bSIV31_C1JkPRnO2OAOpoiEjqb6T2Qgcgo2v3RB4FMAmBE77qQqUSQvuc6cV5PAycQ8oAVg8c0yFfNQEcvDENQSV/s1600/fernspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ACPCXG-LvEPJylAzjRnjg3FSk63-9aF7k3eqLIt-p2nugmCFVQe34QA66hUo3ldz9VtLuhbQK00Ot-TxBaB2y6Nta3brPEAQADI6-zCpRgScNCCHh1BL5kmXpKxKQgv3tmVd5ZeIGFwV/s1600/halfdome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ACPCXG-LvEPJylAzjRnjg3FSk63-9aF7k3eqLIt-p2nugmCFVQe34QA66hUo3ldz9VtLuhbQK00Ot-TxBaB2y6Nta3brPEAQADI6-zCpRgScNCCHh1BL5kmXpKxKQgv3tmVd5ZeIGFwV/s1600/halfdome.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Half-Dome sits at the rear of the valley.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDdqkhRMSTB3eguYoWMgHc95W9Isj-sIr40fsPbrsutPssyL0VC2hCqgXUtP6t5rU1-Z2rPDTpxbRVgIsFGBBgkwcBX9YLjoTv9dR9f3U9mRZN04JXV1WLj7ALtIuGFtxRcR3R9hxLD1f/s1600/mercedriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDdqkhRMSTB3eguYoWMgHc95W9Isj-sIr40fsPbrsutPssyL0VC2hCqgXUtP6t5rU1-Z2rPDTpxbRVgIsFGBBgkwcBX9YLjoTv9dR9f3U9mRZN04JXV1WLj7ALtIuGFtxRcR3R9hxLD1f/s1600/mercedriver.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's the Merced River, and Yosemite Falls in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GphxSQepft4SpFZpaFGgIuD9KXwnUq6QWanaG6WZxHfrnpbTeDxLoFNbhjuf9xNq3Nyga9qmmDXfgM2149TWpB877ftC1EQe4iu_X_E8oAJq3pDjDG-EjCkvSF_mfGHcM2tIW0hz1hWY/s1600/mercedriver2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GphxSQepft4SpFZpaFGgIuD9KXwnUq6QWanaG6WZxHfrnpbTeDxLoFNbhjuf9xNq3Nyga9qmmDXfgM2149TWpB877ftC1EQe4iu_X_E8oAJq3pDjDG-EjCkvSF_mfGHcM2tIW0hz1hWY/s1600/mercedriver2.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Merced River, and Half-Dome in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtgxoEZp-OJUUZ6iz-ufBkIwmkTLbmm_2G510HjFxL-D-YMqikfqP_j4IULOsRZX_lrwxKO03PZuMLJK7ebYk5Vsr_K7-Cr_MbNSVwoE8HXbiVrVwYSVzEDEJzdoKXXZy0FlsQbdBtJcl/s1600/mercedriver3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtgxoEZp-OJUUZ6iz-ufBkIwmkTLbmm_2G510HjFxL-D-YMqikfqP_j4IULOsRZX_lrwxKO03PZuMLJK7ebYk5Vsr_K7-Cr_MbNSVwoE8HXbiVrVwYSVzEDEJzdoKXXZy0FlsQbdBtJcl/s1600/mercedriver3.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On a foot bridge crossing the Merced River with Yosemite Falls in the background.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_VMne_K6MoBE_gUwJpKsGddqzxslV0-bYAH6QnATx37zSy-OFFCACHdsJwgg0Lm8B5F7Dnbatojwl3dwZkDLlCQDyvsnLJQHLpVcmBaHxwRUrhk7ql4nxT83S2Bmk2Oxc7kVmtTvfDTY/s1600/mercedriver4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_VMne_K6MoBE_gUwJpKsGddqzxslV0-bYAH6QnATx37zSy-OFFCACHdsJwgg0Lm8B5F7Dnbatojwl3dwZkDLlCQDyvsnLJQHLpVcmBaHxwRUrhk7ql4nxT83S2Bmk2Oxc7kVmtTvfDTY/s1600/mercedriver4.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Merced River...</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit5AhIYPMS1UnHFI0Tu4wDFje13NUdB_aP-rylkyx8eVhDNTkLuZkoiW7dkhwiGCT1AERo-iRvq07c4UPv1BIDwQJLnztbtmlB5mgeo6e_QuLBur90Ilx_SszAGvTuPpNhWjXTfbXvquk/s1600/mercedriverrocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit5AhIYPMS1UnHFI0Tu4wDFje13NUdB_aP-rylkyx8eVhDNTkLuZkoiW7dkhwiGCT1AERo-iRvq07c4UPv1BIDwQJLnztbtmlB5mgeo6e_QuLBur90Ilx_SszAGvTuPpNhWjXTfbXvquk/s1600/mercedriverrocks.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a neat picture Michelle took of some rocks in a shallow area of the Merced River.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3u7Rp7qJR9Dc8bg7rL1Td1RDw5Hnsxuw-KJb4PI9NnEOl79DDGBQN7Uu590vNE8flTELVY0er7528F-xegnqmeY6KDbPR9_baT_VpyvY90jZfFMeiGylIwzcmkzVKMzLw7hNbNUAgQoe/s1600/yosemitefalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3u7Rp7qJR9Dc8bg7rL1Td1RDw5Hnsxuw-KJb4PI9NnEOl79DDGBQN7Uu590vNE8flTELVY0er7528F-xegnqmeY6KDbPR9_baT_VpyvY90jZfFMeiGylIwzcmkzVKMzLw7hNbNUAgQoe/s1600/yosemitefalls.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella, Aldie and me walking toward Yosemite Falls.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuGhkNxgRLXKIBUXjougG4vWqHAoYa5a4EedvRtP-lItofB2xoG8V3Rx6GPXygn9pe78iqw34vqkg9-z3bH3r-kv5JIThX-CPCnlheZA0swuR-69m-bxkVPi17XLpnaC9AeGfPLwBEd0M/s1600/yosemitefalls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuGhkNxgRLXKIBUXjougG4vWqHAoYa5a4EedvRtP-lItofB2xoG8V3Rx6GPXygn9pe78iqw34vqkg9-z3bH3r-kv5JIThX-CPCnlheZA0swuR-69m-bxkVPi17XLpnaC9AeGfPLwBEd0M/s1600/yosemitefalls2.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to give Yosemite Falls some perspective, we are somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile from the base at this point.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j2rvgQU8Q0isguX52HPwLWm1vQtvzQW4WCzkwB3XjRQbQq4PSi9P9sB4kOlbzSvbNZyKSOtnep-mvvemoI1j2du4lgp0hV2zbnc80VkufhW5LLiH5UxcpHg7O4-vBA3W3ftSZCAFI0dK/s1600/yosemitefalls3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j2rvgQU8Q0isguX52HPwLWm1vQtvzQW4WCzkwB3XjRQbQq4PSi9P9sB4kOlbzSvbNZyKSOtnep-mvvemoI1j2du4lgp0hV2zbnc80VkufhW5LLiH5UxcpHg7O4-vBA3W3ftSZCAFI0dK/s1600/yosemitefalls3.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yosemite Falls has three drops, which you can see here. It's strictly a snow melt waterfall. By fall it will have run dry until the following spring when the snow starts melting again.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAVWfWUMnkEhtRVaHXlS9mwWtyhsPpBtTDnyVhK1-blY_1_2Q4eWhJ5v63AZc3LmRWtNSNeQfqkDGTLRS__ZM5fVuoZvQJAG0XFTDlpk5qCG2DGEYpbRGAPbwBGoBIt21jWzN300fzBJj/s1600/yosemitez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAVWfWUMnkEhtRVaHXlS9mwWtyhsPpBtTDnyVhK1-blY_1_2Q4eWhJ5v63AZc3LmRWtNSNeQfqkDGTLRS__ZM5fVuoZvQJAG0XFTDlpk5qCG2DGEYpbRGAPbwBGoBIt21jWzN300fzBJj/s1600/yosemitez.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a landslide that covered portions of 140 headed into Yosemite from the west. It's hard to tell how big it is but I think you could have buried at least one and maybe two tractor trailers in there and not be able to see them.</span></td></tr>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPbx_fFtqWwJufCo2rrLZPdnUuZIPcoqGUwp_OeignEFEbek5PfR1pfHNvJS3p7koeoVAxx-43Uql8fpDqmM6W5FLR81eP7vC9D5cG7rDuWLTh8BE2Rq_IgAjyhrnptN0iPotwMLEloF1/s1600/yosemitefalls4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" t8="true" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the base of Yosemite Falls. I am standing just outside the area where the air pressure from the massive amount of water falling makes it feel like you are in a big storm.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPbx_fFtqWwJufCo2rrLZPdnUuZIPcoqGUwp_OeignEFEbek5PfR1pfHNvJS3p7koeoVAxx-43Uql8fpDqmM6W5FLR81eP7vC9D5cG7rDuWLTh8BE2Rq_IgAjyhrnptN0iPotwMLEloF1/s1600/yosemitefalls4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNADr17Khcu3i8RefsbxFl7ZMRG_rFW1lFVsfl1N07xJJ0W228KVktHCjn7N-fM7pxwZtNkRyg21B3ho5yo05N99_mryioampLfVcH8WcCxGCzdTsUASe0SZle095aQnNDz1Bw8v_tFNOT/s1600/ysantacruz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNADr17Khcu3i8RefsbxFl7ZMRG_rFW1lFVsfl1N07xJJ0W228KVktHCjn7N-fM7pxwZtNkRyg21B3ho5yo05N99_mryioampLfVcH8WcCxGCzdTsUASe0SZle095aQnNDz1Bw8v_tFNOT/s1600/ysantacruz.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on the "speedboats" on the Santa Cruz boardwalk.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArUaC8KKSJk_8mAEUGDq3Sx9Nrd1VnD0joUf2GTprYfp956sqSPrxjZWgweJz3DcVj5zvql6H2gWWVIFbxIGWbnEEBfOIZCu3qM0-ChSIgewK8OwwDP3MRe6pCcSTVZU49A7LNG_oc24R/s1600/ysantacruz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArUaC8KKSJk_8mAEUGDq3Sx9Nrd1VnD0joUf2GTprYfp956sqSPrxjZWgweJz3DcVj5zvql6H2gWWVIFbxIGWbnEEBfOIZCu3qM0-ChSIgewK8OwwDP3MRe6pCcSTVZU49A7LNG_oc24R/s1600/ysantacruz2.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on Santa Cruz beach....it's about 58 degrees. Amazingly, she was not the only one running through the water...believe it or not. I was not one of the other ones. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe4Cubmh4O9BLJBowK1Qj2zXumXnKDHlqjcW6xeE5cCu4U47kM7CjNbBfkXCm-85G87H_dQXfKORbrMHXWQPPWYBuOWD-wreXuoDLiCBHLJ2DzbhSHKDxlr3cOHlLY4U7DKyZyNIm75zF/s1600/ysantacruz3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe4Cubmh4O9BLJBowK1Qj2zXumXnKDHlqjcW6xeE5cCu4U47kM7CjNbBfkXCm-85G87H_dQXfKORbrMHXWQPPWYBuOWD-wreXuoDLiCBHLJ2DzbhSHKDxlr3cOHlLY4U7DKyZyNIm75zF/s1600/ysantacruz3.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Britta treated Bella to her first "tattoo." Here she is getting ready for it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4glkth5wbO9caWGn1Y3WLx1TOm3Q7Z7OgL3v1fh0wPh9TKU0qcCGQFU2WRpzm8VNl5tPq3VXPmxCa_oTRnGUCKE09JfLD7aFjUMQNC_DLvVD6nqXor_bFyVr_8HDw_ThwLAwaoK8nxKd/s1600/ysantacruz4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4glkth5wbO9caWGn1Y3WLx1TOm3Q7Z7OgL3v1fh0wPh9TKU0qcCGQFU2WRpzm8VNl5tPq3VXPmxCa_oTRnGUCKE09JfLD7aFjUMQNC_DLvVD6nqXor_bFyVr_8HDw_ThwLAwaoK8nxKd/s1600/ysantacruz4.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here is the final product. Nothing says "BADASS!" like a pink and blue kitty. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooUT3s1AOXnBJnjaQvbOL-2nCf9lNUpb6Y_cCM6R6T4OZwjq0n3Zz7c-jNG_THikifjzkDwgTIbvquGAVx4oygLgQLw-8m5N01l4d2LprEHQY4-jOP63KUEsCMFyyE5s0rEbKuTVwT5aq/s1600/zgoldengatebridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooUT3s1AOXnBJnjaQvbOL-2nCf9lNUpb6Y_cCM6R6T4OZwjq0n3Zz7c-jNG_THikifjzkDwgTIbvquGAVx4oygLgQLw-8m5N01l4d2LprEHQY4-jOP63KUEsCMFyyE5s0rEbKuTVwT5aq/s1600/zgoldengatebridge.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was our view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin side. That is a cloud bank, hovering right over the bridge. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-13349731539406409922011-05-24T01:25:00.000-07:002011-05-24T01:25:07.948-07:00Monterey, Big Sir, Point Lobos, Pebble Beach, etc. etc. We've been busy. :)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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We left Moro Bay a few days ago and headed for Monterey. Normally, you
would just take Highway 1 all the way up to Monterey, but because of the
landslide shutting it down, we had to head inland to pick up 101. We got
to Paso Robles and realized that there had to be a better way to get to
Monterey than going up 101, so we took out a map and started looking for an
alternate route. We ended up taking G16 which is a long and winding road
through some hill country that dumps you out at Carmel, just below Monterey.
It was a bit slower, but definitely more scenic and worth the time
penalty.<br />
<br />
We had planned on hooking up with my Aunt Paula who lives in Marina, CA,
just above Monterey, but since I did not know when we would be arriving in the
area until the day before, we just ended up getting a motel room in Monterey
for the evening. When I checked my e-mail that evening Paula had e-mailed
me about getting together as soon as we arrived in town. After a decent
nights sleep, we woke up ready to go and I spoke with Paula who had taken the
day (Thursday) off work. She met us at our hotel that morning and we all
piled into her car and headed for the Monterey Aquarium. It's right down
on Cannery Row, and in fact is in some buildings that used to be a cannery.
It's a fantastic aquarium with a ton of things to see and plenty of stuff for
kids to do, not to mention the beautiful views of Monterey Bay on their
observation decks. If you are in Monterey and are looking for something
to do, this is well worth an afternoon of your time.<br />
<br />
After spending the early part of the afternoon at the aquarium we headed
toward Big Sur down highway 1. We stopped off at Pfeiffer Beach, which
has some beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, it was absolutely freezing and
the wind was blowing about 40 MPH so we didn't spend a whole lot of time
there. The walk from the parking lot to the beach is really neat because
it's through tunnel of very large cypress trees that are twisted and tangled in
every shape and manner. The beach itself is very cool looking with a few
huge rocks right at the shore line that have some naturally occurring holes in
them big enough to drive small vehicles through. I would definitely like
to return to this beach when the weather is better.<br />
<br />
From there, Paula took us to what turned out to be the coolest restaurant
I've ever been to in my life, <a href="http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/">Nepenthe</a>.
The main restaurant was designed by a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright and it's
perched on a lookout that gives absolutely amazing views of the coastline a
couple hundred feet above the sea. The story behind the founding of the
restaurant is just as cool as the restaurant itself, so if you have a few
minutes go to their website and check it out. We arrived there late
afternoon, so we did not eat, and instead wandered the grounds and gift
shop. When it was time to leave we headed back to our hotel to pick up
our car. My aunt Paula had arranged for us to spend the evening in a fantastic
beach front resort, <a href="http://www.thesanctuarybeachresort.com/">The
Sanctuary</a>, in Marina, CA. It's a resort built into the sand dunes
with beach views and direct access out to ocean from all the rooms. It
was BY FAR the nicest accommodations we have stayed at on this trip (Thanks
aunt Pea!!!) We woke up the following morning and because of their later
than normal checkout time, we were able to spend a little time on the beautiful
beach. We could get used to living like this. :)<br />
<br />
Michelle had arranged to meet a friend of hers, Tera, whom she went to
middle school with in Italy and had not seen for almost 20 years. Tera,
as it would happen lives in Pacific Grove, which is right next to
Monterey. Paula took another day off work to hang out with us, so Paula
met us at our hotel and we followed her to Paris Bakery (a must visit if you
are in the area!) in downtown Monterey for a little breakfast, we then went
over to Pacific Grove to pick up Tera and we all headed back down to Big
Sur. I was regretting not taking the time to actually eat at Nepenthe the
day before, so we decided to head that way for lunch. We spent a few
hours at Nepenthe enjoying our meal (the burger I had was fantastic) and the
setting and then decided to head to one of the interior parks that focus on the
Santa Lucia mountains as opposed to the shoreline. We hiked among a large
redwood grove up to a nice little waterfall. It was just what the doctor
ordered to walk off the meal we had at Nepenthe. :) We then dropped
Tera off and headed back to Paula's to settle in for a few days.<br />
<br />
We spent the next three nights at Paula's and since it was the weekend she
was able to take us around and show us some of the local scenery. We made
two trips in two days to Point Lobos Reserve, and we could have spent another
two or three days there (it's slow moving hiking with a baby). The
scenery there is just stunning. There is so much to see, from the coast
line, to the rock formations, to the cypress groves and all the marine mammals
in the area. Don't miss Point Lobos if you are in Monterey.
We also took a quick tour of Carmel (the little downtown area was very cute),
Pebble Beach (17 mile drive is nice, but not worth the $10 when you can see
other coastline just as spectacular in the area for free) and spent a little
more time in Monterey and Pacific Grove. We had a fantastic time in the
Monterey Bay area with a great hostess, but the time has come for us to move on
and we are headed for Yosemite to hopefully do some camping. We had hoped
to make it there today, but Aldous was not up to traveling any great distance,
so we are in “beautiful” Fresno for the night, but plan on being in Yosemite by
noon tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Here are a few pics from the last few days...<br />
<br /><span class="address"><br /></span><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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3N_RN_L8mclKeY4t1jM2iz7WcQxtKXxr0FxSPEaTfIIemqVCX-fj7U-FaN5tVULZOGWOUPNL30iMHR6qPKUlS_HJINJSFh3-ZYeeRip85oJiRzsDaE0MxrgFcUDpVAxsc-ghEh7nQpeU/s1600/amorrorock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3N_RN_L8mclKeY4t1jM2iz7WcQxtKXxr0FxSPEaTfIIemqVCX-fj7U-FaN5tVULZOGWOUPNL30iMHR6qPKUlS_HJINJSFh3-ZYeeRip85oJiRzsDaE0MxrgFcUDpVAxsc-ghEh7nQpeU/s1600/amorrorock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A view of Moro Rock in Moro Bay. This pic was taken about 10 miles north of town.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi422VnWtHstjh2njIJfiScHOob6-b48JoX1v6qb5ctN75pPwYTW9c2ZHZkYO9VWbwyXsS9BZtiqCg6-sxJ00hwN7K-y_BsXNji3ZX7G_Wu78p8Jnmn6VyZvqE9ntMiUZWf8vJRuTOr9ear/s1600/aquariumpenguin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi422VnWtHstjh2njIJfiScHOob6-b48JoX1v6qb5ctN75pPwYTW9c2ZHZkYO9VWbwyXsS9BZtiqCg6-sxJ00hwN7K-y_BsXNji3ZX7G_Wu78p8Jnmn6VyZvqE9ntMiUZWf8vJRuTOr9ear/s1600/aquariumpenguin.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isabella and Aldous making friendly withe the </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8IE2Cs024xhQhnhDIh_ICkA5JLz5jT_78nk4bshBZBlAUSAZfq_GCKb_brdLCvzlgqjiLJzQn8UvfjMtrQUFQE1yfnkfKGhrMS9cNxxYmT7cYZhO9-SZh_IMdPCJ6ZYZU4N5Gj-n9DH5/s1600/bigsurbellaredwood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8IE2Cs024xhQhnhDIh_ICkA5JLz5jT_78nk4bshBZBlAUSAZfq_GCKb_brdLCvzlgqjiLJzQn8UvfjMtrQUFQE1yfnkfKGhrMS9cNxxYmT7cYZhO9-SZh_IMdPCJ6ZYZU4N5Gj-n9DH5/s1600/bigsurbellaredwood.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella inside a huge redwood that shows signs of fire damage, but is still going strong.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjEpaw9lN1IAjyO4P4M7wkZQUmisDHCk1tHVHxK2FyY1SmynpQWBRpnyMJFnvqudxXn1zcZ21FKUvBiKDdvCVmmse0mKpbucttpUgG2Hm6-DmQrwOzTfuqZkLwGyVS3wuKQZ17Lov_UVU/s1600/BigSurRedwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjEpaw9lN1IAjyO4P4M7wkZQUmisDHCk1tHVHxK2FyY1SmynpQWBRpnyMJFnvqudxXn1zcZ21FKUvBiKDdvCVmmse0mKpbucttpUgG2Hm6-DmQrwOzTfuqZkLwGyVS3wuKQZ17Lov_UVU/s1600/BigSurRedwoods.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view looking up from inside a ring of redwoods.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeQ5Qxe8mcO6Nz_Tw7R43cdZ2b79l8_HNytrLM_Tjrtp_47FV7jrgXOnMgJqnbtN0nWD7Thdkthx4RGfVGsXG-sVIZGX7Gj6C1yUsQ4ZuY99isiQFTCQE9_4alk8lS5oQq5RrX9vnu_40/s1600/bigsurwaterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeQ5Qxe8mcO6Nz_Tw7R43cdZ2b79l8_HNytrLM_Tjrtp_47FV7jrgXOnMgJqnbtN0nWD7Thdkthx4RGfVGsXG-sVIZGX7Gj6C1yUsQ4ZuY99isiQFTCQE9_4alk8lS5oQq5RrX9vnu_40/s1600/bigsurwaterfall.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella in front of the waterfall we hiked to.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGi0EnpGzW_NeEwct-3jIf3gu8vTYCBabNiqhQy0XeoA9gtxsVcglsPTGqL0gQxCjTCja6Fwhb33mGBy5PkKcL3bZHh_N6Qj2aPWW3lHWkGp_oH5LNp5npuEWlNHEIs2agzh3OWNKzoJQ/s1600/coastlineriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGi0EnpGzW_NeEwct-3jIf3gu8vTYCBabNiqhQy0XeoA9gtxsVcglsPTGqL0gQxCjTCja6Fwhb33mGBy5PkKcL3bZHh_N6Qj2aPWW3lHWkGp_oH5LNp5npuEWlNHEIs2agzh3OWNKzoJQ/s1600/coastlineriver.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a shot from highway 1 looking down over the coast. That water you see is from a stream running out of the mountains and into the ocean.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uyDTqSxaVhhHrxAJoSVrTR8N2E1oje0M4JsNrR_rfLIkxbRv8cUbNuLbOBIV1Aj24AMKpKlUbF6XVVRbIUkJmeeP2415eDz2ps0vkppHvadW9ozxYevHmPB762fi7enHSlTan2xcZD0T/s1600/nepenthebench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uyDTqSxaVhhHrxAJoSVrTR8N2E1oje0M4JsNrR_rfLIkxbRv8cUbNuLbOBIV1Aj24AMKpKlUbF6XVVRbIUkJmeeP2415eDz2ps0vkppHvadW9ozxYevHmPB762fi7enHSlTan2xcZD0T/s1600/nepenthebench.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's Michelle's friend Tera on the right and my aunt Paula in front. This was taken on one of the benches surrounding Nepenthe.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyemEr5oATNSioWSLBr9oVDg6hU6QMJhBsEFBiXFzG1RGZJMV57p0r8DQfomp93mnZ79ouxnPhiFzz5TQ0A3j8T3QY7wvnHF_Fum-NFMZQYeARj0ikMOjbWsXWuUD00WKe2ZJFnySSguy_/s1600/mosslandingotters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyemEr5oATNSioWSLBr9oVDg6hU6QMJhBsEFBiXFzG1RGZJMV57p0r8DQfomp93mnZ79ouxnPhiFzz5TQ0A3j8T3QY7wvnHF_Fum-NFMZQYeARj0ikMOjbWsXWuUD00WKe2ZJFnySSguy_/s1600/mosslandingotters.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is about 50 otters just hanging out at Moss Landing just north of Monterey.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKqvoHlYwcfttgjGD5vqJVQmnlkTCZsXGciw6XXF2-1pZPToVOM0NydSLW1eUlVL9Y01AxEf6-MujpRghRJqPaBUzrMMYJDbfkQNoO2bx0gCqwY5I-TyN6V1SI095jcmOLP6uKnH5e4og/s1600/nepentheview.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are dining at Nepenthe this is one of your views. I can't stress how pretty it is enough.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKqvoHlYwcfttgjGD5vqJVQmnlkTCZsXGciw6XXF2-1pZPToVOM0NydSLW1eUlVL9Y01AxEf6-MujpRghRJqPaBUzrMMYJDbfkQNoO2bx0gCqwY5I-TyN6V1SI095jcmOLP6uKnH5e4og/s1600/nepentheview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxIl9IsIKtBMWZx14_UTuOxjqtZ8AgSP6qG5i3LlNhVbpaIeamluoyxmQ0xDBaVAeM7iDscd80rYAhqDxu4fSBOqaxPY2N0egTyVt6sSUiHZO14tF6gUI-E24in5jZyMvPO7V2P_IwADP/s1600/nepentheview1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxIl9IsIKtBMWZx14_UTuOxjqtZ8AgSP6qG5i3LlNhVbpaIeamluoyxmQ0xDBaVAeM7iDscd80rYAhqDxu4fSBOqaxPY2N0egTyVt6sSUiHZO14tF6gUI-E24in5jZyMvPO7V2P_IwADP/s1600/nepentheview1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet another view from Nepenthe.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmdc4VuBQ3NcSaKQxGoVyDHngDDJ5HDBywjsY69JKc2v7duA6i0AQAxCMkbyaSpMD6I_nQMCC-NROBrXP624iN3oTrcFphEsTkwo-inSiW3GwKgJY_NzpnoOTvvU81qa_TPbEL1bDgqg4/s1600/nepentheview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmdc4VuBQ3NcSaKQxGoVyDHngDDJ5HDBywjsY69JKc2v7duA6i0AQAxCMkbyaSpMD6I_nQMCC-NROBrXP624iN3oTrcFphEsTkwo-inSiW3GwKgJY_NzpnoOTvvU81qa_TPbEL1bDgqg4/s1600/nepentheview2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You don't have to eat here. You can just enjoy a drink if you like while you enjoy the views.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuhybBHXt-788RFlK2zQrQlDv4AdJvCbGPiI6hhh-GSIhZeHzCgWlRINaIsrKro-dPzVrkUcI7TzHpDUBKpMwvD8x_aXbwLnR0cS-9QbhyphenhyphentRnWqTp0bby3fnQ_FzUO6RWJ35bv0nb_Bp/s1600/nepentheview3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEuhybBHXt-788RFlK2zQrQlDv4AdJvCbGPiI6hhh-GSIhZeHzCgWlRINaIsrKro-dPzVrkUcI7TzHpDUBKpMwvD8x_aXbwLnR0cS-9QbhyphenhyphentRnWqTp0bby3fnQ_FzUO6RWJ35bv0nb_Bp/s1600/nepentheview3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here Bella plays with Paula on their oversized chessboard. Right behind them is a big fire pit you can sit around to warm up as the sun goes down. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdKEJnXnjZ9K1tl9RZy3bv3wFPuMB53esX3UiRK-cmetuYPQsMrub25f_eIMSvzZx7gLQ2W70_JOraTSz4RNmzpFqQZxCmDa4dsKsI6G9fPvYsLpWYB7gh-3Tgh0Noq7cA5oHXd45P34X/s1600/pacificgrovecedum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdKEJnXnjZ9K1tl9RZy3bv3wFPuMB53esX3UiRK-cmetuYPQsMrub25f_eIMSvzZx7gLQ2W70_JOraTSz4RNmzpFqQZxCmDa4dsKsI6G9fPvYsLpWYB7gh-3Tgh0Noq7cA5oHXd45P34X/s1600/pacificgrovecedum.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is just one of many houses in Pacific Grove who's whole front lawns were covered in these beautiful sedum flowers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7AA8kAc2KdEOEziJ2Am4Mbtyd7IS4epDbQykSYWQnpRXtSXMCWyK2mYHEE5uJ8vduqfG7CO_LOP_Rq8QM11MsKxDfbzKE89L2dBH20riYFmDd2PZYQkytWNWACyndAkz0ZSTIMrHLhl2/s1600/Pfeiferbeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7AA8kAc2KdEOEziJ2Am4Mbtyd7IS4epDbQykSYWQnpRXtSXMCWyK2mYHEE5uJ8vduqfG7CO_LOP_Rq8QM11MsKxDfbzKE89L2dBH20riYFmDd2PZYQkytWNWACyndAkz0ZSTIMrHLhl2/s1600/Pfeiferbeach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pfeiffer Beach...it was sooooo cold.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwNc2uazStt19IYGu29cZFURfi1xuqJBOvLOGzX_JvvqXp4F_FcpKLIaemqA7leiL0OJhFuGeh6uz_bZjHrrjnrZst_JlXbeSozpCqE8L9czUS6ENsqF22I3lrGSzy_M-teaoITz3Q4cN/s1600/pebblebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwNc2uazStt19IYGu29cZFURfi1xuqJBOvLOGzX_JvvqXp4F_FcpKLIaemqA7leiL0OJhFuGeh6uz_bZjHrrjnrZst_JlXbeSozpCqE8L9czUS6ENsqF22I3lrGSzy_M-teaoITz3Q4cN/s1600/pebblebeach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A section of Pebble Beach on 17 mile drive. It's pretty, but save your money and pick up highway 1 just south of here for equally pretty views.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvDWBsuvTPQKvdxYItro4R6r8L_TmdSdbGEEIQD6JzwKXEwnqqG0xtDHQUHAoKW2X6TdoQ4a6K-opglYWsKwak7GLvLzzU5gQRMtdh0oPaQbM0nrJ_sAAOhWqGeOM8EEhZ9d8euMpRZx-/s1600/Pfeiferbeach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTvDWBsuvTPQKvdxYItro4R6r8L_TmdSdbGEEIQD6JzwKXEwnqqG0xtDHQUHAoKW2X6TdoQ4a6K-opglYWsKwak7GLvLzzU5gQRMtdh0oPaQbM0nrJ_sAAOhWqGeOM8EEhZ9d8euMpRZx-/s1600/Pfeiferbeach1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the entrance to Pfieffer beach as it looks from the beach. On the right is a crystal clear stream that runs out f the hills into the ocean.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJsvrWqClZaWWtJLCc-70DwM2Wp-0rUQ7E9FWMT9rFP9IRpZTQLnEmdL8JCD2OLlhGqZWm2whJpLyyvDilHWYRRt2ZzNKvWUkHrbuaTD7kfTxeIVsb-bFTIms_hMGOiTmji8Azx3cVIOh/s1600/Pfeiferbeachcypress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJsvrWqClZaWWtJLCc-70DwM2Wp-0rUQ7E9FWMT9rFP9IRpZTQLnEmdL8JCD2OLlhGqZWm2whJpLyyvDilHWYRRt2ZzNKvWUkHrbuaTD7kfTxeIVsb-bFTIms_hMGOiTmji8Azx3cVIOh/s1600/Pfeiferbeachcypress.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a great example of the stunning cypress trees that are found all over this area.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpKPD4jazEhfijC0r3a61n7ZlUNhrZhqO_clYB-kaP-j-Vxtfyb9y0J1e8VEpjUk-wh5kmBM80oLpSYTXhNpJnI9DrrBs8swYpQjDdEMgJzPxWLVhbesrvL4XXBQjGhA48pzodjJbjGS9/s1600/pointlobosreserve2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpKPD4jazEhfijC0r3a61n7ZlUNhrZhqO_clYB-kaP-j-Vxtfyb9y0J1e8VEpjUk-wh5kmBM80oLpSYTXhNpJnI9DrrBs8swYpQjDdEMgJzPxWLVhbesrvL4XXBQjGhA48pzodjJbjGS9/s1600/pointlobosreserve2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Point Lobos Reserve.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJrqFObcl3MJAs1reYnaPdaRDxDbPGn8jgBcbe2FeyAg21txz5ce1lUlgwj_aUVIooV0MASInZVo5s0s84DwjIsNFtY5fNAGZiDr7HdNYqlxLI6zMR211HGwSxA8CWXmwWKYPEc1UASrZ/s1600/pointlobosreserve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJrqFObcl3MJAs1reYnaPdaRDxDbPGn8jgBcbe2FeyAg21txz5ce1lUlgwj_aUVIooV0MASInZVo5s0s84DwjIsNFtY5fNAGZiDr7HdNYqlxLI6zMR211HGwSxA8CWXmwWKYPEc1UASrZ/s1600/pointlobosreserve.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More Point Lobos Reserve.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4cvvf0hSVqBBx5SsmN9kdnR0zcBLdseGq7t4T1tZm6x_-rzIthHUin7uzVjWcZIjFj1Qt4dah8mr6LembmgqLwnH_PNzsSkXJ5XJCzKpL0KCod3QdfECTKZ9_DiHhfY7bvqtBEgsA9Lf/s1600/pointlobosreserve1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4cvvf0hSVqBBx5SsmN9kdnR0zcBLdseGq7t4T1tZm6x_-rzIthHUin7uzVjWcZIjFj1Qt4dah8mr6LembmgqLwnH_PNzsSkXJ5XJCzKpL0KCod3QdfECTKZ9_DiHhfY7bvqtBEgsA9Lf/s1600/pointlobosreserve1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Great shot from Michelle at PLR getting the wave crashing at just the right moment.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGM-HZQoWHtDHaoORApJClJVheo5bN4p-CqPS5eJfqkZMMOfnVu4cR84e0ksL0oil3fh82_548ORz1hPXnGEWmlceUwfWL73h1Jauss8F6BN41X3EATAfKWbF2Sr0s0y9A2EUqotenwMw/s1600/pointlobosreserve3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGM-HZQoWHtDHaoORApJClJVheo5bN4p-CqPS5eJfqkZMMOfnVu4cR84e0ksL0oil3fh82_548ORz1hPXnGEWmlceUwfWL73h1Jauss8F6BN41X3EATAfKWbF2Sr0s0y9A2EUqotenwMw/s1600/pointlobosreserve3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and Paula playing on one of the interesting rock formations at PLR. They are actually holding hands through a hole in the top of the formation.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t-shMMlo3qpM-ONmhF3e-zCS6CCb5jVzCqdNlk-viuWQ2m7VLsDvFdsMIMXFKN8G61_aDeoq3d4ADBjelDt369vrzrJVbhgVNrjTstzEtO_sWVXpNAtSuos3DyvU4mB1z8vMNEdyvSkN/s1600/pointlobosreserve5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5t-shMMlo3qpM-ONmhF3e-zCS6CCb5jVzCqdNlk-viuWQ2m7VLsDvFdsMIMXFKN8G61_aDeoq3d4ADBjelDt369vrzrJVbhgVNrjTstzEtO_sWVXpNAtSuos3DyvU4mB1z8vMNEdyvSkN/s1600/pointlobosreserve5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella in another rock formation at PLR.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNkrTtAZVKfIx79X8VKV-U6EWFy_NFEhzMC0xcrSoVCZB_QX3rZlOQxW1x6gu5yAkOOYmhKLNaJFoYlB5uzVAYD331G0uHzMxYAR1zXp2YFp44mBDYF2MVzoJtXCbbhPm5maPBy2b6lFR/s1600/pointlobosreserve6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNkrTtAZVKfIx79X8VKV-U6EWFy_NFEhzMC0xcrSoVCZB_QX3rZlOQxW1x6gu5yAkOOYmhKLNaJFoYlB5uzVAYD331G0uHzMxYAR1zXp2YFp44mBDYF2MVzoJtXCbbhPm5maPBy2b6lFR/s1600/pointlobosreserve6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems I'm running out of superlatives, but the color of the water at PLR was magnificent.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7PUOz4xEcLzkH-8zg4ocPIPm3xBNXcudr503TCBVktehGs9Hs9D3YNoDUyI_c_CwoS_hPjFLDXkO6u30YHfIBOhsyttSeC41-P4i6ZCRpa0dC1WOuKDMQKS7x_J3d9yj8hWYs5WN6IT0/s1600/pointlobosreserve4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7PUOz4xEcLzkH-8zg4ocPIPm3xBNXcudr503TCBVktehGs9Hs9D3YNoDUyI_c_CwoS_hPjFLDXkO6u30YHfIBOhsyttSeC41-P4i6ZCRpa0dC1WOuKDMQKS7x_J3d9yj8hWYs5WN6IT0/s1600/pointlobosreserve4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie doing some more rock climbing, this time at a pebble covered beach at PLR.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dCsTUGHuEiMgKQboaegrQOuApNaoLqu4iXMv1X1-c54pAXPvWq0q1SSV9tvB6n03eUP1K0owU7DLAhCX0NT22QVCVLfVssx9BEvmNxASKCtpvBiSs6Y1fQn7BrCXXVkeDgXeOdYoWk4u/s1600/pointlobosreserve7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is another great pic Michelle took of an ocean view at PLR framed by some cool cypress trees.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dCsTUGHuEiMgKQboaegrQOuApNaoLqu4iXMv1X1-c54pAXPvWq0q1SSV9tvB6n03eUP1K0owU7DLAhCX0NT22QVCVLfVssx9BEvmNxASKCtpvBiSs6Y1fQn7BrCXXVkeDgXeOdYoWk4u/s1600/pointlobosreserve7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGaxWQwb1iYf5p2ZVEsniAXQSevJ59NtfS9QV_SuqjcLQ3-NBBYR3YxcvNq5vlM3mx-vAx93_a745jHATlyGVbsFQnsrpKUv2ZfEK6xuo2CIc3Bjhq25D4Cow9mODUnshgFE9M7oEG2F_/s1600/pointlobosreserve8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGaxWQwb1iYf5p2ZVEsniAXQSevJ59NtfS9QV_SuqjcLQ3-NBBYR3YxcvNq5vlM3mx-vAx93_a745jHATlyGVbsFQnsrpKUv2ZfEK6xuo2CIc3Bjhq25D4Cow9mODUnshgFE9M7oEG2F_/s1600/pointlobosreserve8.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite views from PLR.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zpyq2N-k_7sE7ldhyphenhyphenoL-CbCaQ73wMe8BbMuPvbsobfWxd5HIljXTe4gGH4BywvyuGn9ftjkiC28pWjgl3Z96tErqUxrf5mMrL86K2x52LpNbfkNt6Ed6uJ3StNl-BmFW1gzuRQSS3clz/s1600/pointlobosreserve91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zpyq2N-k_7sE7ldhyphenhyphenoL-CbCaQ73wMe8BbMuPvbsobfWxd5HIljXTe4gGH4BywvyuGn9ftjkiC28pWjgl3Z96tErqUxrf5mMrL86K2x52LpNbfkNt6Ed6uJ3StNl-BmFW1gzuRQSS3clz/s1600/pointlobosreserve91.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie busting down a trail at PLR with a little helping hand. He took his first<i> unassisted</i> step tonight in a Motel 6 in Fresno. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyAZWits6hgClJV6iUQQtBoFGizrdbLzhKGJd7p8yBTA8_PMTwn0tSdcPwnl5BqGBUnDV2yXCj9d7FDf3X_hp0PvTUvI5v7PQr-g5RSzSscYFPLC0sPPt-sIpU2lN4xTmPX2f_fCmHYyn/s1600/pointlobosreserve9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyAZWits6hgClJV6iUQQtBoFGizrdbLzhKGJd7p8yBTA8_PMTwn0tSdcPwnl5BqGBUnDV2yXCj9d7FDf3X_hp0PvTUvI5v7PQr-g5RSzSscYFPLC0sPPt-sIpU2lN4xTmPX2f_fCmHYyn/s1600/pointlobosreserve9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cool pic of the cypress trees covered in Spanish moss and some sort of red lichen.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VclqS2lPytFYskq96BLsFXd0yLesvyE4KXGS3-7pIfgqnE-1gEYOE3iNh7jkWPsTfplV8nxSbYqO0RgiNNvLDuc_Lpxim4MxMWNpHkNryU4NNBkp1MIayxOQORoV6Z2rXGuJZse0x1Ri/s1600/pointlobosreserve92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VclqS2lPytFYskq96BLsFXd0yLesvyE4KXGS3-7pIfgqnE-1gEYOE3iNh7jkWPsTfplV8nxSbYqO0RgiNNvLDuc_Lpxim4MxMWNpHkNryU4NNBkp1MIayxOQORoV6Z2rXGuJZse0x1Ri/s1600/pointlobosreserve92.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This tree was hanging off a cliff looking like it could tumble into the ocean at any minute. My aunt Paula says it's looked like that ever since the first time she saw it 30 years ago.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMb7v55oyJMnUdeuaaqtu17kemUMFKAaZIdGcK1zI6cmTNSmprW1I9_pJwi9ftYs9mdu2pvLYft5tbcEcMDxtbkQjhwVGNzMFjKKyQnyT64NPdv74JS4PQuB07g1XFDU90Tl8YZL4eTs7/s1600/sanctuary2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMb7v55oyJMnUdeuaaqtu17kemUMFKAaZIdGcK1zI6cmTNSmprW1I9_pJwi9ftYs9mdu2pvLYft5tbcEcMDxtbkQjhwVGNzMFjKKyQnyT64NPdv74JS4PQuB07g1XFDU90Tl8YZL4eTs7/s1600/sanctuary2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella running at the beach in front of the Sanctuary Resort.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoiKSgUalUwbzfbaRriiYSI-kQZmPPMSY3vFJ-hrZtCz7NoWEIlyjqNJf8ugVYYGrTGie_gE9pz68MM_YzFKnZvv5gNUuvR4AtIp5JySjaVgJXRqrWUxFOwTpP4O_tT8ODjbG6Pr-KJZ/s1600/sanctuary1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDoiKSgUalUwbzfbaRriiYSI-kQZmPPMSY3vFJ-hrZtCz7NoWEIlyjqNJf8ugVYYGrTGie_gE9pz68MM_YzFKnZvv5gNUuvR4AtIp5JySjaVgJXRqrWUxFOwTpP4O_tT8ODjbG6Pr-KJZ/s1600/sanctuary1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was <i>barely</i> warm enough to run around barefoot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtixtB2O-K4k2e1mb7oEz5AZJ4xM1lBF7KCz0SLLBmQk81uDCKSN4jTB406i_ZCMvvvHQS3rf29NMUt-eMxaxQ-zdafU6NDrtORWl15oG3f7ZZSGfJlpTgstRf8XDXxyH3eRThsZGiY0H/s1600/sanctuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtixtB2O-K4k2e1mb7oEz5AZJ4xM1lBF7KCz0SLLBmQk81uDCKSN4jTB406i_ZCMvvvHQS3rf29NMUt-eMxaxQ-zdafU6NDrtORWl15oG3f7ZZSGfJlpTgstRf8XDXxyH3eRThsZGiY0H/s1600/sanctuary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from the porch on our suite.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc4ASYiKBwEERz8zirUtywrabg9lP7akiYoKgKEW55hpTrTHKTaiLngLgcYaymxzFUrOOmPccUBgFfii22ecIhu7Fz5r7-6mxxUsK3bhIeY8ySBD_W8yYvFl8pdbuEKuXQnleZPbdMmZ5/s1600/sanctuary5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc4ASYiKBwEERz8zirUtywrabg9lP7akiYoKgKEW55hpTrTHKTaiLngLgcYaymxzFUrOOmPccUBgFfii22ecIhu7Fz5r7-6mxxUsK3bhIeY8ySBD_W8yYvFl8pdbuEKuXQnleZPbdMmZ5/s1600/sanctuary5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle and Bella think <i>The Beard</i> has gotten out of control, but Aldie and I like him, he's got swagger. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld0SxyDmH6uUiuCVxZpSVQ0nxqKzHosg2VaFIg79g-XhC8S6apYWj4Vfsa2DuxXQOu13YQUUovQSIDP-g7Gi5XXRoObgKJl6dV3SP22JHwfWXDitTSFLhVs2pG_EfL_0HtGsh6HwDDbZ7/s1600/sanctuary3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld0SxyDmH6uUiuCVxZpSVQ0nxqKzHosg2VaFIg79g-XhC8S6apYWj4Vfsa2DuxXQOu13YQUUovQSIDP-g7Gi5XXRoObgKJl6dV3SP22JHwfWXDitTSFLhVs2pG_EfL_0HtGsh6HwDDbZ7/s1600/sanctuary3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, it's true, Bella can <i>fly</i> (well, for brief moments anyway)!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctff1NQksxr0U9zfaxOexWZHbG32grMg4DG_6dpWJdHTnUjVCqdj0Xz1WszvXUL6m7IXG_cxgLDckM6gy2hvqEyR4yW62LZLPLEAyomnBP8_HyljauWkAu3CdY_6czdLJQcKbYp-ji6Fw/s1600/sanctuary4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctff1NQksxr0U9zfaxOexWZHbG32grMg4DG_6dpWJdHTnUjVCqdj0Xz1WszvXUL6m7IXG_cxgLDckM6gy2hvqEyR4yW62LZLPLEAyomnBP8_HyljauWkAu3CdY_6czdLJQcKbYp-ji6Fw/s1600/sanctuary4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie was a bit annoyed we would not let him go in the water. The kid is a <b>BEAST</b> if he sees water and doesn't get to play in it. </span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-13833614271068127992011-05-18T02:11:00.000-07:002011-05-18T23:41:39.587-07:00"If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” -Woody AllenWell, our streak of planning one thing and ending up doing something very different continues in full force. We woke up in Visalia, CA and were planning on heading for San Luis Obispo, spending the night there, checking it out (apparently it's the <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Happiest-City-in-America-San-Luis-Obispo-Video">"Happiest City in America!"</a>) and then heading up the famous Pacific Coast Highway on the way to Big Sur. As luck would have it, that isn't exactly how things turned out. When we left Visalia for SLO, I set the GPS to avoid interstates which added about 45 minutes to a 2 1/2 hour trip, but we preferred to see some of the out of the way places than drone on the interstate. We passed through quite a bit more farmland with everything from wheat, dairy (cow and goat), vineyards and a bunch of other types of farming in between. Our GPS just happened to dump us out on the coast at a little town called "Morro Bay," and that is where our plans began to change.<br />
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Since we were so excited to see the Pacific ocean, instead of making a left turn and going the final 12 miles to SLO, we decided to go through Morro Bay to the water and check it out. As it turns out, Morro Bay is a <i>very </i>neat little beach town. It's not that big and it has a fantastic little harbor/beach front that is full of little restaurants, cafes, ocean view motels, touristy nic-nac shops, charter boats for whale watching, fishing and all other sorts of activities. The best way I can describe it is that it's like a cross between Rehobeth Beach, DE and Amity Island from Jaws. It's funny, but I've been to little beach towns all up and down the east coast from NY to FL, in Cornwall in the UK and now on the west coast and they all have a similar (if not exactly the same) feel to them. Michelle agreed and said you can add Italy to that list. Whilst making our way down through the town to the water we noticed something you cannot miss as it dominates the ocean front area of Morro Bay, and that's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morro_Rock">Morro Rock</a>. It is this <i>huge</i> (as in 581 feet tall) vulcanic plug that gives Morro Bay it's name. It dominates your view from the harbor or the beach and the area surrounding it is a big park (the pictures below with Bella feeding the ground squirrel and the seagull trying to get our cheese were taken in that park). We were getting hungry for lunch at this point and decided to stop at the park at Morro Rock and have our lunch. We were summarily "attacked" by seagulls and a pack of ground squirrels for our food. The ground squirrels lived in burrows under the rocks all along the shore and they were not afraid of humans in the least. I've never seen so many squirrels in one place in my entire life. It was almost like a squirrel version of the movie, "The Birds." We retreated to our van to eat (it was also cold outside) and finished our lunch in peace.<br />
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We then decided to head to SLO to do a little sight-seeing. It's only a short drive down highway 1, so we were there in no time. When we first arrived I couldn't quite understand what all the fuss was about. It's a nice enough little city, but nothing jumped out at me as anything really special about it. Then we found the downtown area, which made a big difference. It's a walker's paradise. There are dozens and dozens of neat little shops, restaurants, coffee shops and all other sorts of small businesses as well as numerous parks. It sort of reminded me of Georgetown (in Washington, D.C.) from the 70's when I used to go their with my parents. I have heard that they close a large portion of the downtown area to motorized traffic and hold a "market night" that features farmers and other vendors. I bet that is alot of fun and I can see how well suited the area is to that sort of thing. I also noticed in driving through SLO it gives off a feeling of being comfortable with it's modesty. There is nothing seemingly flashy about SLO. It's almost as if the city is saying "what you see is what you get." and smiling while it says it. I can totally see the where the whole "happiest city in America" thing comes from. Having said that we decided not to stay the night in SLO.<br />
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As neat as SLO was, the things that would make SLO attractive to tourists (i.e. shopping and restaurants) just weren't high on our list of things to see and do (actually, they are close to the bottom, especially shopping). Also, I don't understand why you would establish a city so close to the ocean, but not actually on the ocean. It's about 7 miles from the ocean but you can't see the ocean anywhere from town at least not that I could see. Also, the hotels that were in the downtown district were rather expensive. When we compared them on Hotwire with beach view hotels in Morro Bay, the hotels in Morro Bay were 40-50% cheaper. Taking that into consideration and the fact that we actually preferred Morro Bay for it's beach town feel, we decided to stay in Morro Bay. We found a decent room, nothing special, but it did have an ocean view and was <i>very</i> reasonably priced. We checked in, walked to a local restaurant on the waterfront, had dinner and went back to the room and turned in for the night. <br />
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We woke up the next AM, checked out of our hotel and walked down to the harbor front and had a small breakfast overlooking the harbor again. The seals out in the harbor where playing and bellowing back and forth. Bella got a kick out of that. We then jumped in the van and started up the Pacific Coast Highway toward Big Sur. About 20 miles up the road we saw a big sign that said "Road closed 46 miles ahead." We had heard that the PCH had been closed due to a landslide a few days earlier but we were hoping it would have been cleared by now. Really wanting to see the famed PCH and hoping that maybe it would be open by the time we got there, we went on ahead anyway. We stopped at a designated "Elephant Seal Viewing Area" and were able to see literally 100s of seals lying on the beach. 99% of them were not moving, if you didn't know better you might have thought they were dead, but every now and then, one would annoy another and they would start flapping around yelling at each other. Unfortunately we did not see any of the really big bulls, all we saw were the smaller females and adolescents.<br />
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We continued on up the coast and the weather, which had been overcast all day, began to get worse. It started to rain, not hard, but just enough so that you had to leave the windshield wipers on low. Even with the poor visibility, the PCH lived up to it's billing as a phenomenally beautiful drive. Unfortunately, the weather made it near impossible to get any decent pictures of the highways views (even when the rain subsided, the clouds remained). On the one side you have these towering hills and on the other side a great drop-off down to the ocean and ever few miles it seemed you would have a stream rushing out of a lush green canyon into the ocean. It was just simply gorgeous. And we only saw 1/2 of it. About 60 miles into our trip we came upon the road closed sign. We were able to get a picture of the landslide, and as you can see from below, it will not be passable for sometime. At this point we were just going to go back to route 46 and take 101 up the coast to the Monterey area and see if we wanted to drive back down PCH to see the other 1/2 of it maybe the next day. As luck would have it, I <i>really</i> had to answer the call of nature, and with no bathroom in sight, I was forced to pull over in large pullout and run up in the woods to take care of business. As it turned out this pull out was for a trail that led to the "Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove," although you could hardly make that out from the road. You could just see a small stream flowing out from the wood covered canyon. I followed the trail into a dark hole in the vegetation and about 50 yards in, it opened up to reveal two different streams with two gradual waterfalls, one about 200 feet and the other maybe 50, that came together to form the larger stream running out of the forest and into the ocean. There were redwoods all around the streams and some fairly large ones that had fallen and acted like bridges above the boulders strewn about the streams. It was really neat. I went back to the car and convinced Michelle to come check it out with the kids and as she walked out into the opening I heard "Wow!" pop out of her mouth. :-) We snapped a few pics, none of which really convey the feelings this little forest setting gave off. Fairytalish is the best way to describe it. You half expected to see a dwarf walk out from behind a redwood with a pale in his hand coming to get some water.<br />
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We hopped back in the van and headed back down the highway. Only a few miles down the road we came across a canyon with a waterfall way up high back in the forest. This could not be seen coming north on the PCH unless you looked back over your shoulder as you passed it. There was a pull-off here as well, so I decided to go and check it out quickly by myself to see if it was worth getting everyone out of the car for. This hike was about 5 times as long as the previous one (which was very short), but it was worth it. A couple hundred yards in to the trail, there is a sign saying "Trail" and pointing to the right, but, there is clearly a well worn path to the left. I can tell that the path to the right is going to go near the top of the waterfall and it's obvious that is going to be much too hard and long to take Michelle and the kids on (in the rain no less), so I take the left unmarked trail to see if I can make it to the base of the waterfall. I head about 50 yards up that trail, cross a few little streams and head into another dark hole in the vegetation and on the other side it opens up into this bizarre (yet beautiful) setting of ginormous rocks and wavy branched trees that are all seemingly tangled together. It's really odd, because from the road there is no indication that there is anything like this back here. It's very dark (it's overcast and even if it was sunny, the tree canopy is very thick) and almost spooky because the size of the rocks and trees and there odd shapes make for all kinds of hiding places. Still, the setting was so fantastic, I literally let out a little "woohoo" when I saw it...then was quickly embarrassed when I realized someone else could be around and might have heard my exuberance. Lucky for me, nobody was there, or at least I never saw them. :-) I could see the waterfall, which was <i>much </i>bigger than it appeared from the road behind the largest of these rocks (the biggest were literally the size of small houses, most were car sized). I could not easily get to the very base of the waterfall, so I made my way, through and over the large rocks down to the little river about 50 yards from the base of the waterfall and took a few pics in case Michelle did not want to come back with me (Again, the pics just do not convey what it's like in person). From this viewpoint, there were several sizable pools of water that would have been great for swimming had it not been for the cool temperatures. This setting was almost mystical. If the other setting had you envisioning dwarfs, this one might have had you envisioning a unicorn stepping out of the woods to drink from the pools created by the waterfall. It was just very very cool. I ran back to the car to tell Michelle about it. She was not sure if she wanted to make the hike, but after hearing my description, Bella begged to go and Michelle came along (I got to carry Aldous.). Upon walking through the path that lead to the opening showing the massive rocks and trees with the waterfall behind it I could here Michelle gasp...she later said she almost teared at the sight of it. I think it was the surprise as much as the beauty that elicited the emotional response. There is just nothing to indicate from the road that something this differently beautiful is only a couple hundred yards away. I took a look at getting around those massive boulders to the base of the waterfall, but there was no way I could do it with Aldie on my back and Michelle and Bella in tow, so we headed out after looking around for a few more minutes. I love the ocean, and the PCH is beautiful in and of itself, but for me, it was these waterfalls and their settings, practically unseen from the road, that made this day so cool. And without that landslide, we never would have turned back and never would have seen them.<br />
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These two little sojourns took up a couple of hours so we realized that we were not going to make it back up the coast this evening. Instead we decided to come back to Morro Bay (I told ya we liked this place) and get another room for the night. While we were walking to dinner last night I saw a hotel with a pool and hot tub (ours had neither) and Bellas<i> loves</i> pools and/or hot tubs. Given that, I went to the hotel and was met by the owner Alex and asked him his rate. It was a very reasonable rate, but not quite as good as the one we had th previous night (which was a Priceline deal btw). I told him what I paid the night before and he agreed to match it based on the fact that he wanted to keep a customer (his words) and the weather was terrible. He's a smart guy and very nice to talk too. It's called Breakers Motel in downtown Morro Bay and it has a great view of the ocean and Morro Rock. I told him I'd mention him in the blog I was doing as a thanks for the great rate. As it turns out, the room was nicer and cleaner than the one we had the night before. Thanks Alex!<br />
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Not sure exactly what our plans are for tomorrow, but I'm not sure it much matters. We always manage to find something fun to do/see no matter what. :)<br />
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Here are a few pics...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOSkwoyIjoemihVC-i9W4HZECaZVs-2YyKMZDR_6QoZFt_daxW8RtIuShSbtzBhLedeWqAYktWKoteTz6FDooYwVZZ-k9bOcLfK1D-apv1XBFzV5irZsMuGLfGchm4rKuzWoYXQGC-Zlj/s1600/amorrobeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOSkwoyIjoemihVC-i9W4HZECaZVs-2YyKMZDR_6QoZFt_daxW8RtIuShSbtzBhLedeWqAYktWKoteTz6FDooYwVZZ-k9bOcLfK1D-apv1XBFzV5irZsMuGLfGchm4rKuzWoYXQGC-Zlj/s1600/amorrobeach.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morro Bay beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8Ib-MMbrDeFX6CQWkFWDI_iXeu_ZNH0sxsccR_j6nTCN-zZU1sUnLhyZLRfYoug8p0vZbxq-VQ3jeMBrUgVIJroEUnyM2v2b-FFCCFmgisvfKVAbNCp0X4gsQASFNIYnv_F3OGs7iYGt/s1600/amorrorock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8Ib-MMbrDeFX6CQWkFWDI_iXeu_ZNH0sxsccR_j6nTCN-zZU1sUnLhyZLRfYoug8p0vZbxq-VQ3jeMBrUgVIJroEUnyM2v2b-FFCCFmgisvfKVAbNCp0X4gsQASFNIYnv_F3OGs7iYGt/s1600/amorrorock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morro Rock. This picture makes it seem smaller than it is because the boats in the picture are so much closer to the camera than the rock is. I'd say Morro rock is anywhere from .5-1 mile behind those boats.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh821ZvYlC2w5kbA0hMZkc4rghq-WoHA4PQGX2-VYbLNEuXTatzrPhJRwGpueqYi9CqVFvh8xeEHwm6t2VKrYL7EoUidxR5AjmkTTVLgOpEC_WkIxhKjooFe7jdd6eQAOXu1TbMNptZXbJk/s1600/amorromermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh821ZvYlC2w5kbA0hMZkc4rghq-WoHA4PQGX2-VYbLNEuXTatzrPhJRwGpueqYi9CqVFvh8xeEHwm6t2VKrYL7EoUidxR5AjmkTTVLgOpEC_WkIxhKjooFe7jdd6eQAOXu1TbMNptZXbJk/s1600/amorromermaid.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella with a mermaid friend in the harbor area of Morro Bay.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9Evle7lR_Lf44WDzwEdjGCkqO1Z6Pv9Cl_1TXBX5QKQrJBKZSCl6rFKfr7klIzTdcnrRlrwTIAmPRbs7jMhPkNB2DJrc29z8WO17J2rEucQ9ZG8R7-hV1B_WiV1nq__VHhlNVsz1TqB8/s1600/amorroseals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9Evle7lR_Lf44WDzwEdjGCkqO1Z6Pv9Cl_1TXBX5QKQrJBKZSCl6rFKfr7klIzTdcnrRlrwTIAmPRbs7jMhPkNB2DJrc29z8WO17J2rEucQ9ZG8R7-hV1B_WiV1nq__VHhlNVsz1TqB8/s1600/amorroseals.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a big platform out in the middle of Morro Bay harbor the seals gather on. I can hear them bellowing every so often even as I type this.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sz25SiLdlnwfUEeBQy7mxViBwRzoAmIUKNbZDEnHtVaEfc__SKaPrj6IaPLBxzCNJfEW8eVBpbb13tREZHluQeBAKA2fiv9RinxdDnNpIHTMO7YNo5JB8Bck2hbITqAJAzbPWuVBf4LS/s1600/amorrohorses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Sz25SiLdlnwfUEeBQy7mxViBwRzoAmIUKNbZDEnHtVaEfc__SKaPrj6IaPLBxzCNJfEW8eVBpbb13tREZHluQeBAKA2fiv9RinxdDnNpIHTMO7YNo5JB8Bck2hbITqAJAzbPWuVBf4LS/s1600/amorrohorses.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and Aldie on a couple of "horses" down on the waterfront.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MTDwrJC5KokxNp6SvaK2SxfRa_cNSvpvBbJ1HUa73c6J9VZIB5JuSbsKcg9UgUDLXvsZzqAQ-55mkftw95DgCR2KEz397DbtQ1XSM0iEy33R9b4B0YlUGd95EV9eUe_4bKwO1_CP_JVZ/s1600/aseagull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MTDwrJC5KokxNp6SvaK2SxfRa_cNSvpvBbJ1HUa73c6J9VZIB5JuSbsKcg9UgUDLXvsZzqAQ-55mkftw95DgCR2KEz397DbtQ1XSM0iEy33R9b4B0YlUGd95EV9eUe_4bKwO1_CP_JVZ/s1600/aseagull.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can't tell, but that cheese is on the dashboard of our van and that seagull is on the hood trying to get to it. It was pecking our windshield like crazy...till I turned on the windshield wipers.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hyphenhyphenipZVq3JxTYWclJ2eYczWaaBDcJOVUwxwwYjrPmWFe0q0ItUarLcTmVWw-Cb9UZ548ztW_nx2R0V0eJGD_n87w4LFubwmvkiTIb0M8AHaVJWrf_XpunXSzO3nZxaR5_7Pa2YzrvIxqT/s1600/Bbtrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hyphenhyphenipZVq3JxTYWclJ2eYczWaaBDcJOVUwxwwYjrPmWFe0q0ItUarLcTmVWw-Cb9UZ548ztW_nx2R0V0eJGD_n87w4LFubwmvkiTIb0M8AHaVJWrf_XpunXSzO3nZxaR5_7Pa2YzrvIxqT/s1600/Bbtrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the larger of the two waterfalls in the Forest at the Nathaniel Owings Memorial Redwood Grove.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxI8fec7Indjwss-chnazPb0IdEqyu4ttl2TnYNQOsXQnMPAjC56Se29hxutiFTzJV8vNN-sS113N9RiksqWgFK-gjCYaxUfS6nNjgSRIlSH7kVhjTSDiKSIrsM4zSizuaI7Lo_AV2f8G/s1600/Batrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxI8fec7Indjwss-chnazPb0IdEqyu4ttl2TnYNQOsXQnMPAjC56Se29hxutiFTzJV8vNN-sS113N9RiksqWgFK-gjCYaxUfS6nNjgSRIlSH7kVhjTSDiKSIrsM4zSizuaI7Lo_AV2f8G/s1600/Batrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the lower right of this pic is the entrance to the grove...it's hard to see even in person.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZdXQAgWRK7NtjBfI30sP_UIbnxUu0TEZGm86jE2KAa1WMdOTgZepZMJiUl8hqXOiGKY9kQ2ciXR_3V9WgeRV3nqreEnJtQXr3Mo8p7f1Dutx7fdpZyI6lVMR9AAnr06Oaqt5bWExcJDC/s1600/Baseals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZdXQAgWRK7NtjBfI30sP_UIbnxUu0TEZGm86jE2KAa1WMdOTgZepZMJiUl8hqXOiGKY9kQ2ciXR_3V9WgeRV3nqreEnJtQXr3Mo8p7f1Dutx7fdpZyI6lVMR9AAnr06Oaqt5bWExcJDC/s1600/Baseals.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seals as far as the eye can see.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2koJxZxZxHPGm-mvr9VPQ3O1W5M7mR1LV-myXkDfZz4SR1BIEBTtpvjawrF79T4xFsPSufqJvTv9ifESJNZ2dcAbPDPhGjcQEIGu5YCcELJpLKRZ8nXhpty40HwD4CMpL1NlBHZg3oRZ0/s1600/asquirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2koJxZxZxHPGm-mvr9VPQ3O1W5M7mR1LV-myXkDfZz4SR1BIEBTtpvjawrF79T4xFsPSufqJvTv9ifESJNZ2dcAbPDPhGjcQEIGu5YCcELJpLKRZ8nXhpty40HwD4CMpL1NlBHZg3oRZ0/s1600/asquirrel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of Bella's little squirrely friends... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMY2bh3LwAxbZFhg-uZP7OttPDEqMAY_LJWJOAt7Hpi77y7OBFJI1F7sI53FY8906UoN7HnvpALY9ih7E_JP9SRjR-E2LMf7QhwruvhYPVa0kx40iV4EimxBiu5Oeccw9kY1PirXUWrJF/s1600/bctrailout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMY2bh3LwAxbZFhg-uZP7OttPDEqMAY_LJWJOAt7Hpi77y7OBFJI1F7sI53FY8906UoN7HnvpALY9ih7E_JP9SRjR-E2LMf7QhwruvhYPVa0kx40iV4EimxBiu5Oeccw9kY1PirXUWrJF/s1600/bctrailout.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is looking out from the grove...the PCH is about 100 yards straight ahead.</span></td></tr>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF6Px_vDdVwkiFwgMm7ZddfZJ6tYKb3xcITjtZs449aESZWrker-342oO7uzz0xnaqnJGgu0xOYs_Wr9002Fmvg0W1XJNkjh5vslPqq2obi06JKS8GT1PHuEfUvneqgFutSrA1526y0ND/s1600/bdtrailcanyon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the view from the ocean side of the PCH right where the grove was.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEF6Px_vDdVwkiFwgMm7ZddfZJ6tYKb3xcITjtZs449aESZWrker-342oO7uzz0xnaqnJGgu0xOYs_Wr9002Fmvg0W1XJNkjh5vslPqq2obi06JKS8GT1PHuEfUvneqgFutSrA1526y0ND/s1600/bdtrailcanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_-pcq53s7mQJFu-GpMAPv5JI7rRJIRQfEag-Pjf5crkRxSpSXzuqmTmna_vozstu6lJBhRuZTCD2hnQTHb8ohL9LGmrnvzGhmzHCj8I7XjJbEOcGeZmr1iJ6_uVF6SMj-eTgMD0BkkA/s1600/bsealfight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of female seals arguing over something.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K_-pcq53s7mQJFu-GpMAPv5JI7rRJIRQfEag-Pjf5crkRxSpSXzuqmTmna_vozstu6lJBhRuZTCD2hnQTHb8ohL9LGmrnvzGhmzHCj8I7XjJbEOcGeZmr1iJ6_uVF6SMj-eTgMD0BkkA/s1600/bsealfight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15tRQMlxTl-liqLd9CZst57ZM-TZ-Zxw4D48S6ty6VpZ-pMd9N7639T1dGhLjdmtZlIeb3aBtKcqW6Es0JDVvzSq7jHTTsIpUoUtu9u_0t6vHFkRqocKwKcByxM2XULKsmkD_QtOVZvGI/s1600/Bgclovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15tRQMlxTl-liqLd9CZst57ZM-TZ-Zxw4D48S6ty6VpZ-pMd9N7639T1dGhLjdmtZlIeb3aBtKcqW6Es0JDVvzSq7jHTTsIpUoUtu9u_0t6vHFkRqocKwKcByxM2XULKsmkD_QtOVZvGI/s1600/Bgclovers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Random good luck pic....there has to be a 4 leafer in there somewhere!</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxDNvnU80b38fSkr-2oupI6JZQhccBVcWz6CcPFZxG4kBICw_mdp42DeWcoum5FGt15mSDvl1n8G-lg9ceVx3d4eYc5AN7V14R8Meo4zakYqcG2LbmAmYOsXtvO3BvUOGc242Cahyphenhyphenjn4i/s1600/Bslidemud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxDNvnU80b38fSkr-2oupI6JZQhccBVcWz6CcPFZxG4kBICw_mdp42DeWcoum5FGt15mSDvl1n8G-lg9ceVx3d4eYc5AN7V14R8Meo4zakYqcG2LbmAmYOsXtvO3BvUOGc242Cahyphenhyphenjn4i/s1600/Bslidemud.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is as close as we could get to the landslide that covered the road. I'm not sure how far away that was...but the next pic will give you some scale of how large it was.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBT9eYSVntotr-4Vo5kF1DUKJvMdD_ZxWosEkZupix-0xkBabf0JMlEqaLCY6wz7cV-YMuY5wdbpudTow0J8NTxo8cs3Ap3lNzGXxdz7I9eY-bljkd1L1fiFN5pWIQaNcbw0qgSuJ99db/s1600/Bslidemuda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBT9eYSVntotr-4Vo5kF1DUKJvMdD_ZxWosEkZupix-0xkBabf0JMlEqaLCY6wz7cV-YMuY5wdbpudTow0J8NTxo8cs3Ap3lNzGXxdz7I9eY-bljkd1L1fiFN5pWIQaNcbw0qgSuJ99db/s1600/Bslidemuda.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is he same pic as above, only it's been cropped to try and show the landslide in detail. Notice how small the bulldozer and the pickup truck are in front of the landslide...and I think they were another couple hundred yards closer to the camera than the landslide was too.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzycjs_QoImzVI-bW2ukxtTDBmnGhn1R2c54cLXMQkZmrtm0C248L-OV7pH09aLcY_V8-PJMXozxVzIh13b9X_OPZbGAAdpFsyvwnva0JAZACgNa6XxX5racL9c-bUMunCnpDgKgaKypQh/s1600/cbtrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzycjs_QoImzVI-bW2ukxtTDBmnGhn1R2c54cLXMQkZmrtm0C248L-OV7pH09aLcY_V8-PJMXozxVzIh13b9X_OPZbGAAdpFsyvwnva0JAZACgNa6XxX5racL9c-bUMunCnpDgKgaKypQh/s1600/cbtrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the waterfall from the second hike...it does not do the waterfall justice. That water was not rolling down, it was forcefully shooting down to the main pool which you can't see in this pic.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBRE_Ak-brGzT39vaSzJ5B_H3nRRksu8fnTrjBn6nroxV_gaHLaB7ahhhYAQteZrO3WH05roSMtGRsaczmDAsFG3EPo3plMyAscjQipM0xAgXrUIK0Szrl-TFvX1ZVw5I7LG2nXXo211x/s1600/cctrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBRE_Ak-brGzT39vaSzJ5B_H3nRRksu8fnTrjBn6nroxV_gaHLaB7ahhhYAQteZrO3WH05roSMtGRsaczmDAsFG3EPo3plMyAscjQipM0xAgXrUIK0Szrl-TFvX1ZVw5I7LG2nXXo211x/s1600/cctrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A view of the waterfall between two of the boulders.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMwXGEDJp4WSqVljL8Pp8vyjZbcrLStfhyphenhyphenoRRJaB4fRM4F_e-6CHudXkMtgGHbRJ5GwENDGYr2n15SOaFjAhd4kjVWBgMo8KMazQ5DEcw8R9Sj3VSFgsqPjRCnqcJ0wV8cWL6s59sVUCU/s1600/ctrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMwXGEDJp4WSqVljL8Pp8vyjZbcrLStfhyphenhyphenoRRJaB4fRM4F_e-6CHudXkMtgGHbRJ5GwENDGYr2n15SOaFjAhd4kjVWBgMo8KMazQ5DEcw8R9Sj3VSFgsqPjRCnqcJ0wV8cWL6s59sVUCU/s1600/ctrail.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the view from the road...nothing particularly special. It was very deceiving.</span></td></tr>
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<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" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea-S2AlAZ0PFr77CTBTToFSCvZfxXYO-DZUpIzQMkGCLYYOWN19qRvNb7t4FAS2MDBLb-zqXVP8psRfY4OEY7HcT8esWcdMkF7obT4K0yavXywgRk7frwJ8zF3pFRI-RxziJD9ltggdgl/s1600/cdtrail.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella, Aldie and I mulling a way around the rocks to get to the base of the waterfall. These were the smaller rocks. :)</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea-S2AlAZ0PFr77CTBTToFSCvZfxXYO-DZUpIzQMkGCLYYOWN19qRvNb7t4FAS2MDBLb-zqXVP8psRfY4OEY7HcT8esWcdMkF7obT4K0yavXywgRk7frwJ8zF3pFRI-RxziJD9ltggdgl/s1600/cdtrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvkt7Kaayc2QAJiHz4tOfoXJuNMNk0M0MldtlwhdtF1ICYDZiYsGYQ0jxo1n8LSrF32HFfC8RDWhRZaMImw8EhjBKZntJLZtAOOr5QIs64RHy614Hd8j3QgQnepFX9ZDeEDxMY20qdCMW/s1600/zcoast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvkt7Kaayc2QAJiHz4tOfoXJuNMNk0M0MldtlwhdtF1ICYDZiYsGYQ0jxo1n8LSrF32HFfC8RDWhRZaMImw8EhjBKZntJLZtAOOr5QIs64RHy614Hd8j3QgQnepFX9ZDeEDxMY20qdCMW/s1600/zcoast.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our single picture of the famed PCH coastline. The overcast day just did not lend itself to taking decent pics of the coastline, so we just enjoyed it in person and let the camera rest for the most part.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-63905218530285248702011-05-16T01:56:00.000-07:002011-05-16T01:56:26.536-07:00Sequoia National Park, oh how we love thee, let us count the ways...We have been having trouble getting Aldie to go to bed before midnight (it's midnight now and he's not quite asleep) and I've been doing these blogs into the wee hours, so we've been sleeping in kinda late and barely making our 11 AM checkouts (it takes us 2 hours to get ready to do anything with the rugrats it seems), but this little motel at the foot of SNP threw a wrench in our normal routine. They only serve their free breakfast until 9:00! I know, I know, it's ridiculous, but this forced our hand and we had to get up at 8:30 (I was blogging until 3:15). The bright side was that it forced us to get a little earlier start today, which is a good thing, even though we still didn't actually leave the hotel until 11:15. :-)<br />
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We headed back to SNP and at the park gate we were met by the same super chipper park ranger we had yesterday. That is one happy lady. Considering her work surroundings, it's not that hard to understand why though. Nearly all the National Park Service folks we run into are happy people....but she is particularly so. Anyway, she informed us that 1/2 the park roads were closed because they were snowed in overnight. It never occured to me that the hard rain I heard all night in our hotel at 1500 feet would be snow up in the park at 7000+ feet. We were a bit bummed because we had planned on driving all the way through the park to Kings Canyon National Park just to the north. We decided to go ahead anyway because we wanted to do some more exploring in the areas we had seen yesterday. <br />
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We headed for the Lodgepole visitor center because yesterday we noticed they had a nice laundromat onsite and a little grill. We needed to get some clothes washed and we were a bit tired of eating the same cold cuts/cheese/fruit lunch out of our cooler day after day that our budget usually dictates, so we thought we'd treat ourselves to lunch while our clothes were washing/drying (don't fret about those poor neglected cold cuts/cheeses/fruits, we had them for dinner in our hotel room tonight! :) ). Those of you who know us well, know we are a pretty healthy eating family, but we must say, the chili cheese fries at the Lodgepoll Grill were absolutely divine. :-) After lunch, Bella and I had another snowball fight while we waited for the cloths to dry. The snow up there was the softest lightest snow I've ever felt and it was made up of the same small popcorn like balls of snow we saw at the Grand Canyon. I assume that has something to do with the elevation and dryness of the air compared to the snow back east. In a head to head battle of snow types, it's a knockout win for the west at this point. They just have cooler snow (no pun intended), I don't know what else to say.<br />
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After the laundry was done we decided to head up road that had a sign indicating it led to a "Snow Play Area," just because I was curious what a such a place was like. As luck would have it, it started to snow as we drove the mile or so up (and I do mean up, as the higher we went, the deeper the surrounding snowfall was) it started to snow. We arrived at the "Snow Play Area" and it was just turned out to be an area conducive to sledding and cross-country skiing. Had we been dressed for it and had a sled, it would have been alot of fun. Instead we headed back down to lower areas where the sequoias were to go and check out the onsite SNP sequoia museum. I had actually seen it yesterday so I sent Michelle and Bella in to see it while I drove a napping Aldie around. I just happened to see a sign to "Moro Rock" and followed it up a road deeper into the "Giant Forest." I didn't realize it at the time, but this actually turned out to be the best road to view the greatest number of mammoth sequoias (that's what they call the really big ones) and it's also the road that takes you to the <a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recreation/drive_through_tree.pdf">"Tunnel Log"</a> (see #5) but it was closed for the winter. I finally worked my way around to Moro Rock and just as soon as I pulled up I noticed a bunch of people looking up the stairs that ascend the rock. On a ledge about 50 feet up were three bears, a mama and two cubs. I quickly took a few pics then got in the car to go get Michelle and Bella hopefully to show them. I hurried back to the museum and they walked out as soon as I pulled up. They jumped in and we drove back to Moro Rock, but the bears had left the ledge. Bella and I then climbed the staircase of Moro Rock nearly all the way to the top. Normally I'm the type of person who would climb as high as I'm physically able to on things like this, but it had snowed earlier, the very narrow rock staircase was covered in ice and it was rather windy up there. Even though there was a small guard rail, it would have been quite easy to slip in such a way that you cold fall through or over the guardrail and fall a couple thousand feet to your death. Personally, I would have risked it if it was just me, It's no great if I have a little slip... :-) but I had Bella with me and so I was happy to let the last 10% of the steps remain unconquered by us. If you are ever in SNP make sure you do the climb up Moro Rock though....even if you go up only 25% of the steps, it's an easy, very safe climb to that point and the 180 degree view you have to the west and east of the Sierra Nevada mountains rivals anything we've seen on this trip. It's even up there with some of the Grand Canyon views. Ok, maybe it's not quite Grand Canyon good as far as the view, but the viewing point itself, on top of this HUGE granite rock poking off the top of this mountain was actually more impressive than any of the viewing points for the Grand Canyon we came across.<br />
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Bella and I made our way back down the Moro Rock staircase to the car and when we got there people said the bears had returned, only this time they were over near the staircase on the side of the mountain. I ran up there with the camera and got few more pics from about 20 feet away. Mama and her two cubs were munching away on vegetation and couldn't care less about the 10 or so people watching them. I then ran down and brought Bella back up to where she could see them. We made our way back to the car and I convinced Michelle to hike up 25% of the Moro Rock staircase to see the view I told her about and I think she's glad she did. After that we called it a day, headed back down the mountain and found a hotel in Tulare, CA for the evening. I think we are planning on heading over to the coast tomorrow, probably around San Luis Obispo and slowly work our way up to Big Sur, then the bay area. We'll see....our plans never quite seem to materialize the way we envision them. :-) <br />
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Here are a few more pics...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7OSr9eHHSlVEnDAT72uZn_aUJDXnEXALKnkT8Rb7XaIkUIMSHmP81cc2Y6yaS3ou0KO10vIFc9LJHhKTIpjjDKlb6WprUZ6meZjRF482OAksVVQNqmboVOA66BWnWpsRuFvldZUsW2Zi/s1600/awinterwonderland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7OSr9eHHSlVEnDAT72uZn_aUJDXnEXALKnkT8Rb7XaIkUIMSHmP81cc2Y6yaS3ou0KO10vIFc9LJHhKTIpjjDKlb6WprUZ6meZjRF482OAksVVQNqmboVOA66BWnWpsRuFvldZUsW2Zi/s1600/awinterwonderland.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Winter (er, late Spring?) Wonderland.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyR-cXGKTsVV1eAR80INikEbykOe7x7pGe1RjsJdMMGNnP7VzkX-chdEfQrT1RQKTw7DVyFon7BhKWxGmu0SLFioT31TJ7_7Olv7iv-RKIHH9ba5DD-9vmwvsfDlBS3W9uPfTASUH4InE/s1600/azlonelysnowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyR-cXGKTsVV1eAR80INikEbykOe7x7pGe1RjsJdMMGNnP7VzkX-chdEfQrT1RQKTw7DVyFon7BhKWxGmu0SLFioT31TJ7_7Olv7iv-RKIHH9ba5DD-9vmwvsfDlBS3W9uPfTASUH4InE/s1600/azlonelysnowman.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can you spot the lonely snowman?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-TSza5v33sM_dmufUjTYrM095NfK_5gLgrFZWZfKBNZL6bqaQKabDuEgnEkBlj4ihcfNV82nfo7MqdJlVE8bJq6TEfO5VyBZu8eyQCG5ZByFbEyy8BdySUd2nNo9MzR226CuVCj8PZHY/s1600/bear1rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-TSza5v33sM_dmufUjTYrM095NfK_5gLgrFZWZfKBNZL6bqaQKabDuEgnEkBlj4ihcfNV82nfo7MqdJlVE8bJq6TEfO5VyBZu8eyQCG5ZByFbEyy8BdySUd2nNo9MzR226CuVCj8PZHY/s1600/bear1rock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's hard to make out, but it's three bears, mama and two cubs up there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgF7lEn4ZbhzIjljL-_VG7l98bB6uQnU9LDfz3xVrEGjugKLxA2Rvl5dJID1PICSjlvfCWoKUc3E5mRo3zfcn0fkzFwXZLpRc1QQ1cSBgXbsmuO1vwl8Zug2cpMotCojKyhNPJmJm_W7Ji/s1600/bearmama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgF7lEn4ZbhzIjljL-_VG7l98bB6uQnU9LDfz3xVrEGjugKLxA2Rvl5dJID1PICSjlvfCWoKUc3E5mRo3zfcn0fkzFwXZLpRc1QQ1cSBgXbsmuO1vwl8Zug2cpMotCojKyhNPJmJm_W7Ji/s1600/bearmama.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mama all by herself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8GRKCs6mQxNrasAaIXBjlCEVm-hK2ST6qDQbxgHldFsUAn5tdwCSGwb9TLTjGo8RGJJ19FSltGpJJFn6Qwu0fUy3bDQ8tPqTelXqGuJR2aEJ-jbP4puLUUw5zJiTHAmwhOK9OvpSN6hn/s1600/bearstogether.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8GRKCs6mQxNrasAaIXBjlCEVm-hK2ST6qDQbxgHldFsUAn5tdwCSGwb9TLTjGo8RGJJ19FSltGpJJFn6Qwu0fUy3bDQ8tPqTelXqGuJR2aEJ-jbP4puLUUw5zJiTHAmwhOK9OvpSN6hn/s1600/bearstogether.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I never could get them all to look at the camera at the same time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI5PCXj8wodhb5VW2ktPx22EV9r7ULdwqHxN2GrX6BQzlhwux8os450ul17I0ItQz_DVH2wm0z7Ih058H9wp-QF0Cb6mgVEYrwN2j-GFAA_N55PMI5_MDYczg5xfhkZkj-BxJWCgxvpDq/s1600/frozentreesmororock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Moro Rock as seen from the road climbing up into Sequoia National Park. To get an idea of just how big that rock is, do you see all those tiny snow covered trees along the left side of the picture...they are NOT tiny up close. They are very large trees, 50-60+ feet.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI5PCXj8wodhb5VW2ktPx22EV9r7ULdwqHxN2GrX6BQzlhwux8os450ul17I0ItQz_DVH2wm0z7Ih058H9wp-QF0Cb6mgVEYrwN2j-GFAA_N55PMI5_MDYczg5xfhkZkj-BxJWCgxvpDq/s1600/frozentreesmororock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzWUd0Ghx0BfAelodu8YIhdKob0L71TAHi9A6xZjgPV_4pRAnqbaOKPFPNhScgUNlesYjWxoUJvPuR2Es5-cstaOYZbxybUGDJOAqUKkbxrtMXy7hstdbvtlGzPQQA9v3QYPUxfI6a268/s1600/brenwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzWUd0Ghx0BfAelodu8YIhdKob0L71TAHi9A6xZjgPV_4pRAnqbaOKPFPNhScgUNlesYjWxoUJvPuR2Es5-cstaOYZbxybUGDJOAqUKkbxrtMXy7hstdbvtlGzPQQA9v3QYPUxfI6a268/s1600/brenwater.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was thirsty and there was a delicious looking little waterfall on the side of the road. It was the best water I ever tasted, no joking.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Cz4tF8fFfz_sVS8bRsJvavgkyR-bmyJ08YHp1OjjNmWSaRzI8M1ihGwENaorSGOeg3-16U_mbDMcE016oWq0Ynv3yiMfF7MdCnoOwtjs9rS_l5mGBRCwqQlaDA5I8kR_TN_U3pbHXqZ7/s1600/bearcubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Cz4tF8fFfz_sVS8bRsJvavgkyR-bmyJ08YHp1OjjNmWSaRzI8M1ihGwENaorSGOeg3-16U_mbDMcE016oWq0Ynv3yiMfF7MdCnoOwtjs9rS_l5mGBRCwqQlaDA5I8kR_TN_U3pbHXqZ7/s1600/bearcubs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cubbies rooting for food.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQulTv351jdgqoakNBTa7kG1g-sw8lCHadtAuK9Fb_k6o1V9sfP5iKf_2Y50OHXRJHATR6Y3ZuxzJ0HxlL1y_VuqK-kUoawrzr1_xdQFWcGrQC7SbuSW6M4JZNmwhiywZfHtIuKkjw2SQ/s1600/mororockbella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQulTv351jdgqoakNBTa7kG1g-sw8lCHadtAuK9Fb_k6o1V9sfP5iKf_2Y50OHXRJHATR6Y3ZuxzJ0HxlL1y_VuqK-kUoawrzr1_xdQFWcGrQC7SbuSW6M4JZNmwhiywZfHtIuKkjw2SQ/s1600/mororockbella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on Moro Rock.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgB0G6S-zFvV6f87eQ3McJanvblXg2yHHHS3olr553G6wLPpxbfranoKcVuoXBgY-BXYKbxJNL3cZdvQbDVmpVE5uppbJmRX6OJ6SBA-GVWKpxIO-AdxNhTd-zpriWh4MX3d1W6CKE2Tj/s1600/icetree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgB0G6S-zFvV6f87eQ3McJanvblXg2yHHHS3olr553G6wLPpxbfranoKcVuoXBgY-BXYKbxJNL3cZdvQbDVmpVE5uppbJmRX6OJ6SBA-GVWKpxIO-AdxNhTd-zpriWh4MX3d1W6CKE2Tj/s1600/icetree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frozen tree growing near the base of Moro Rock.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIxC1VVPyVe3CGf_v5yHyzqa9KpCFqBcmjjioWIYN8g4So7mCGmBcjlIwKAp9GeYvEoCekfx5SP2ajRQoxyCKAqCAal4an48S3ksbY6RhkmKYXsnpCKjKtZBGl6GL6eC4xxBgUQirquvR/s1600/mororockeast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIxC1VVPyVe3CGf_v5yHyzqa9KpCFqBcmjjioWIYN8g4So7mCGmBcjlIwKAp9GeYvEoCekfx5SP2ajRQoxyCKAqCAal4an48S3ksbY6RhkmKYXsnpCKjKtZBGl6GL6eC4xxBgUQirquvR/s1600/mororockeast.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Taken from about 25% up Moro Rock.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKlfSqhRsklyBpTYk0o3keppdCLwZfiKhNuMfECbrvLwJqzxOxv9dg9Ceob5opMVlVGXUgU5UoRaeiXS5T_YbJkPkAm9xBA16_2sfs_-Gxf3FwKsRQIbNVowUcZHYhER1nZt2knneHIFt/s1600/mororocksnowypine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKlfSqhRsklyBpTYk0o3keppdCLwZfiKhNuMfECbrvLwJqzxOxv9dg9Ceob5opMVlVGXUgU5UoRaeiXS5T_YbJkPkAm9xBA16_2sfs_-Gxf3FwKsRQIbNVowUcZHYhER1nZt2knneHIFt/s1600/mororocksnowypine.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The drop off from this point is enough to get your heart racing when you are standing there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHeocoJilSqmLi1Ytj8lcq9yfgdMkJeF59FYmrKiUPKNDoJC1_uchQbCrabjH5bJ5hclfFpz5l6R9KH9-L0Vvq3x-SzpLkd2vyDOqq94fddKHBIWVBFLyB5sTd1VdlfDs9pjwHfe3gmfG/s1600/morowrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHeocoJilSqmLi1Ytj8lcq9yfgdMkJeF59FYmrKiUPKNDoJC1_uchQbCrabjH5bJ5hclfFpz5l6R9KH9-L0Vvq3x-SzpLkd2vyDOqq94fddKHBIWVBFLyB5sTd1VdlfDs9pjwHfe3gmfG/s1600/morowrock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just stunning views to the west.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrxUmolBVzPJUoNFwM88Ox_vVE9xi_LDS8Cqp3AFrxDlGNevG7MQmioFyw4wcENkIwKJGnst3gFeZO5rrLB9LzeCC9sfdxP4FQx-DNWGzWwRPfGSMBT3w-uuBYxXUMzQ_8M3_C6JrlrRA/s1600/mororockwest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrxUmolBVzPJUoNFwM88Ox_vVE9xi_LDS8Cqp3AFrxDlGNevG7MQmioFyw4wcENkIwKJGnst3gFeZO5rrLB9LzeCC9sfdxP4FQx-DNWGzWwRPfGSMBT3w-uuBYxXUMzQ_8M3_C6JrlrRA/s1600/mororockwest.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And equally stunning views to the east. Even though the whole point of this park is to come see the Sequoias, even if they were not here it's an awesomely beautiful place. It's the sort of place that makes your feel excited and serene at the same time. That's hard to find.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IwNnWjAlKMmHiCwNNTBrRQ1hRJKBMqsIyP7sL9KfIRWGWzzrGKKS68_QXWU-jIVhi65b15YfGnTKDUADxbvuMI-hd6B9a5ID-YvSlFHhMTI8brnRjcHP62Mm5rNGKjg4ePVthR3ESdur/s1600/redsalamander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IwNnWjAlKMmHiCwNNTBrRQ1hRJKBMqsIyP7sL9KfIRWGWzzrGKKS68_QXWU-jIVhi65b15YfGnTKDUADxbvuMI-hd6B9a5ID-YvSlFHhMTI8brnRjcHP62Mm5rNGKjg4ePVthR3ESdur/s1600/redsalamander.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We found this poor little red Salamander in the middle of the road on our way out of the park. I think he came out to sun himself but was caught out by the cloudy cool weather and his body temperature dropped so low he could not even muster the energy to get out of the way of our van or try to escape. After this pic I put him along side the road and buried him in a bit of dirt and leaves so he could live to see another sunny day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBUoXEXDOMXYKZR0CqE1RWR-aB1h82hRahGRGwiqnXSGDeiIGJTGHJBRRzbQqyBuPzf1U-cVRFlFilQNiVe9jTtY1BcpO2orpJBNRguCaQ1-vPrNwcIY-l9AcsAhd5Vf_omaO_phgJArA/s1600/sequoia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBUoXEXDOMXYKZR0CqE1RWR-aB1h82hRahGRGwiqnXSGDeiIGJTGHJBRRzbQqyBuPzf1U-cVRFlFilQNiVe9jTtY1BcpO2orpJBNRguCaQ1-vPrNwcIY-l9AcsAhd5Vf_omaO_phgJArA/s1600/sequoia.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frost tipped Sequoias.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6XdDxvtCExmH53DkrfqyEiOYF0VzkWzDtcwiFRl0rkYeOWTmSfl6pQZEGdJLSdC83nahXSw5XGp9LTbpjxNngaPSKtIlsY0SH3Gm-TitGGGvW75sMnjAPhDHCbuOxVBDoZsFwDCyqYpc/s1600/zdownmountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6XdDxvtCExmH53DkrfqyEiOYF0VzkWzDtcwiFRl0rkYeOWTmSfl6pQZEGdJLSdC83nahXSw5XGp9LTbpjxNngaPSKtIlsY0SH3Gm-TitGGGvW75sMnjAPhDHCbuOxVBDoZsFwDCyqYpc/s1600/zdownmountain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On our way down the mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-53398403729305238832011-05-15T03:11:00.000-07:002011-05-15T23:59:43.499-07:00Leaving Las Vegas, rolling through Death Valley, checking out some HUGE trees and hooking up with Smokey the Bear.We woke up in Vegas with plans of going to the onsite amusement park in Circus Circus (it's called "The "Adventuredome") and then walking the strip. Well, as usual our plans were a little to0 optimistic. We did get up earlier than usual, but we promised to take Bella to the pool, so Michelle did that and I watched Aldous in the room. We were on the 12th floor, but the pool was right below our window so I could see Bella and Michelle at the pool which was pretty cool. We got checked out of our room by 11, had breakfast at one of the hotel restaurants and headed to the "Adventuredome." The adventure dome is a full-size indoor amusement park attached to the back of the main hotel building. Considering it's fully enclosed it's HUGE. To give you an idea how big it is, it has a full-size roller coaster and log flume ride along with many others. When you check in, they give you a sheet with several freebie coupons for amenities in the hotel (including some free drinks at the casino bars!). This sheet came with 2 free premium rides and 2 free carnival games. Bella decided to ride the carousel and the big Ferris wheel. She also played a couple of carnival games and won <i>another</i> stuffed animal. We then went over to the acrobat show because Bella wanted to see the high-wire act again. Instead they had a 5 man acrobatic troupe who were very good. After that we went out the front of the hotel intending to walk the strip, but Aldous was not happy in his carrier and we had no stroller. Combine that with the heat and walking the strip will have to wait for another visit. I enjoyed our time in Vegas and would like to comeback at some point but there was something about it that I didn't like and I couldn't put my finger on it till we were about to leave and then it hit me. Everywhere you go in the strip area there is the grand illusion of "EVERYTHING IS GREAT!!!"...but, when you look closely, underneath all that there is a quiet sense of desperation. It's kind of hard to explain in a few sentences on a blog, but it's a very palpable feeling, or at least it was to me. It's not enough to ruin a good time (unless you dwell on it), but it is in stark contrast to the "EVERYTHING IS GREAT!!!" aurora that Vegas tries to bombard you with incessantly.<br />
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We left Vegas and headed for Death Valley (talk about taking a 180!) but Aldous was not up for traveling so we didn't quite make it to Death Valley. We did stay at the "Death Valley Inn" in Beatty, NV though. We were all able to get a good nights sleep and head off for Death Valley late the next morning. They had a projected high of 105 degrees in Death Valley the day we were there, which also happened to be Friday the 13th. Three mornings earlier we were in a snow storm at the Grand Canyon. We are still trying to get used to the extreme weather changes out here in the west. The descent into Death Valley was uneventful except for the 18 inch stark white lizard that crossed the road in front of us. We headed for a little oasis in Death Valley National Park called "The Furnace Creek Inn." It's a full on resort (even has a golf course!) right in the middle of Death Valley. It's a pretty neat little setup with a bunch of history related to Death Valley and why any humans went there in the first place (borax was discovered there). We got there about 1:30, right around the hottest part of the day, and decided to have a picnic. Now, I don't know if it was 105 degrees or not, but it was HOT as Hades in the sun. In the shade it was not so bad or should I say it was bearable for a 20 min picnic. :) This being Friday the 13th of May, it was Aldous's 1st birthday, so we went to the general store at the Furnace Creek Inn and had a celebratory mocha almond soft serve ice cream. Aldous approved immensely. :) We then proceeded to head north then west on our way out of Death Valley. The landscape is just plane harsh in the Valley. As you can imagine not much grows in the valley as they don't get much rain (they had NO recorded rainfall in 1929 and 0.64 in from 1931-1934). It's an almost lunar like landscape at times....but then all of a sudden out in the middle of the valley you come across this mass of sand dunes like something out of Arabian nights. They were really cool and we even went out on them to take a few pictures, but by this time I'm convinced it definitely was 105 degrees out because the heat was unbearable and walking in that sand with flip flops on was rather painful when that ultra-heated sand rolled over your feet. We saw a few other neat things in Death Valley, but there were a few side excursions down some dirt roads I would like to have taken but with my luck with cars recently I just didn't feel comfortable getting too far off the beaten path with Michelle and the kids on a 105 degree day.<br />
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We rolled out of Death Valley and found ourselves just west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the late afternoon. After looking at the map we decided to head for a place called Lake Isabella that is in the south end of the Sequoia National Forest. I figured a lake this big in that area would probably have a charming little town to go with it. I was wrong. After driving for about 90 minutes we came into Isabella and well let's just say that charming is not a term I would use to describe it. We found one motel in town that was not nearly as inviting as Bates Motel so we decided just to make a run for Bakersfield for a decent cheap hotel and decide then what we wanted to do the next day. We made it to Bakersfield in about an hour, got checked into our hotel and caught some Zs. We woke up this morning, I took Bella swimming in the pool, we hit Target for some replenishing of supplies, got a few coffees at Starbucks and headed for the Sequoia National Park to see the worlds largest trees.<br />
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If you have never been to Bakersfield you are not missing much, at least not of the actual city itself. I wouldn't call it ugly, but ummm, well, OK, it's ugly. Having said that, this area is home to some of the most fertile farms in this country. On the outskirts of Bakersfield, on the way to see the Sequoias, we saw thousands and thousands of acres of citrus groves, almond groves, olive groves, grapes, persimmons, etc. etc. etc. We stopped at a roadside stand to buy some local fruit and got some of the best tasting strawberries and cherries I've ever had in my life.<br />
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The drive up to see the Sequoias is beautiful. It's up a twisty canyon road that follows a river that flows out of the mountains where the Sequoias are. After the drive to see them, it's hard to imagine how anyone ever found them. They are almost tucked away in a relatively small area. They only naturally grow in about 65 groves on the west side of the Sierra Nevada mountains between 5000-7000 feet. It seems like it takes forever to get to them (once you enter the park you have to drive about 15 miles on VERY curvy 15-25 mph roads to get to them), but once you do, oh my are they ever impressive. Like many things on this trip, I've seen pictures of them before, but seeing them in person is something else entirely. It's just plain hard to believe that these things are real. I thought we had some big oak trees in Atlanta that are a couple hundred years old, but these things just plain dwarf them...both in age and size (some are 3000+ years old). Not only are the trees massively impressive ( or impressively massive, take your pick), but the setting in these mountains is just breathtaking. There are rivers, streams and creeks criss-crossing the whole area and up this high there is still some snow as well. Did I mention it was cold and we were all dressed for the 80 degree Bakersfield weather (there are palm trees all over Bakersfield) we left that morning? One other nice thing about today is we continued our streak of having good luck with seeing wildlife and we ran into what appeared to be an adolescent bear in the Sequoia National Park. He looked to be about 150 lbs and we came within about 20 feet of him. He was obviously just out looking for some food...and when he saw us just moseyed off.<br />
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We ended up getting a room just outside the Sequoia National Park and we may go back tomorrow, or we may head for the coast...we aren't sure yet.<br />
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Until next time, here are a few pics... :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8a3ScF6Xeqrn1SRaV59AhjlQG4r-tgVrCyOGgrfSyWy_N0RdCJl8Mr8lMmbZrTMW5-nDgKgDvSmh0ijd65tIlnG746H9g0qkXz-qPRsFqF-X5BD5-pcCcYIuo8DQ03UGjFYKISBdIdCG/s1600/luxor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8a3ScF6Xeqrn1SRaV59AhjlQG4r-tgVrCyOGgrfSyWy_N0RdCJl8Mr8lMmbZrTMW5-nDgKgDvSmh0ijd65tIlnG746H9g0qkXz-qPRsFqF-X5BD5-pcCcYIuo8DQ03UGjFYKISBdIdCG/s1600/luxor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nobody does excess like Vegas!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKIeooyk26c8HUlbXYTyGLFdwJcmkdxGwGXYeG4IzrhQda2Vrde8cQMuUTmBbSalnr_kGj2wPmRFfdgQxEtQ74KIwBkmF_hh6IM0-lASEI9-56YVU2aMFfC8hau-LKjNnRG9HEIPOMzNb/s1600/trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKIeooyk26c8HUlbXYTyGLFdwJcmkdxGwGXYeG4IzrhQda2Vrde8cQMuUTmBbSalnr_kGj2wPmRFfdgQxEtQ74KIwBkmF_hh6IM0-lASEI9-56YVU2aMFfC8hau-LKjNnRG9HEIPOMzNb/s1600/trump.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture is here not because it's a great building, but just the opposite. Vegas is full of cool looking adventurous architecture, either in its attempt to create something new or recreate something that has already been done. Given that environment, what does Donald Trump build? A big tall, rectangular building with gold windows. What a complete utter lack of imagination. Relative to all the neat buildings in Vegas, I would be embarrassed to have my name on this...seriously. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the Adventuredome...the pic is rose tinted because the rose colored dome tints everything that way.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz6AgvRGcIS7VdaDI_lHzK_SdDHvhFk4Z24Fmxo8CAYKDAxk9vJvElW6P0A9A6xNiVeAyEpmIxRPQH730f_QeXklHlRF3wJUBc-JYJhM4dgGPXTo2WP9JdpNb_jIWMCplHd24dUR1UTBM/s1600/adventuredome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You probably can't see her, but Bella is in the middle car...it gives you an idea of how big the dome is though.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Circus Circus from the front. I couldn't even fit it all in my lense when I took this picture from the street.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbu2Aorm4GcRWDK9b6dK5Iv7-S-yCIcWh67Fwmy13k91zSVSaHlIQThdIYdeJpmUWDeZ71R0T87635roUDsNuW9FG0GCZnNE8qNBphVz9JrshoM9UKY4mSgjoWJj9cY53lk0T497JpwtI/s1600/circusrear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbu2Aorm4GcRWDK9b6dK5Iv7-S-yCIcWh67Fwmy13k91zSVSaHlIQThdIYdeJpmUWDeZ71R0T87635roUDsNuW9FG0GCZnNE8qNBphVz9JrshoM9UKY4mSgjoWJj9cY53lk0T497JpwtI/s1600/circusrear.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the rear of Circus Circus and you can clearly see how big the Adventuredome is.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd1vOdzZIYrjTo1Cs3-IOA_ULvh7E3ulgg-D9xe-B8XvfFREj-cAMq4VIc6pjO_5GrRr5xpssI0cL2iE1C_kNdTv-VNa63qfWDJdNgYGHjIuNB7y7Rb-8Im0YG6AZzD4m6Xjsz7u0Llhq/s1600/creepyclown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitd1vOdzZIYrjTo1Cs3-IOA_ULvh7E3ulgg-D9xe-B8XvfFREj-cAMq4VIc6pjO_5GrRr5xpssI0cL2iE1C_kNdTv-VNa63qfWDJdNgYGHjIuNB7y7Rb-8Im0YG6AZzD4m6Xjsz7u0Llhq/s1600/creepyclown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think this clown is a little creepy. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Headed toward Death Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbexMHcPnxSY8kDEfmP-wsyXS6rzj0wk34c3R0nFPwQAib0R5blBJV6_4mmZvXmBsxDO1VSZ1otLhl79OBCQ-BnbupEpfkQQAEOdEMtN6czw7m8V-I6pbgPHwjT_ByAw__1YqV76QfDp9/s1600/dvdrylakebed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbexMHcPnxSY8kDEfmP-wsyXS6rzj0wk34c3R0nFPwQAib0R5blBJV6_4mmZvXmBsxDO1VSZ1otLhl79OBCQ-BnbupEpfkQQAEOdEMtN6czw7m8V-I6pbgPHwjT_ByAw__1YqV76QfDp9/s1600/dvdrylakebed2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Great pic Michelle took of a dry lake bed in Death Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dpWc5fzLryi4ORmq3-Mg4ycwxh_s3Ok88DBl1T5yz_4q-HlnnHrAo1ltmkbF2B_of2cwyUgdVmapkYEtPt06eYSWt6-O1Ca9QxQ0Ll3TCMgQOn2raTBttLQWjY-EuFDzfmOpuIqC-luZ/s1600/dvfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dpWc5fzLryi4ORmq3-Mg4ycwxh_s3Ok88DBl1T5yz_4q-HlnnHrAo1ltmkbF2B_of2cwyUgdVmapkYEtPt06eYSWt6-O1Ca9QxQ0Ll3TCMgQOn2raTBttLQWjY-EuFDzfmOpuIqC-luZ/s1600/dvfloor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The floor of Death Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qsWsdY9YgTwPseh2BzcjcRgd_VM1KG9lXpgR-se2k_3vSJE__MxjfRNUI-Pmt5YjDtcAokjcF550Q-rxrLQtT9BY0rQzPd6f35UQSeSbedl-TCoTHpNwF0YxOdzXk6knr9k3TrKkEP80/s1600/deathvalleypics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qsWsdY9YgTwPseh2BzcjcRgd_VM1KG9lXpgR-se2k_3vSJE__MxjfRNUI-Pmt5YjDtcAokjcF550Q-rxrLQtT9BY0rQzPd6f35UQSeSbedl-TCoTHpNwF0YxOdzXk6knr9k3TrKkEP80/s1600/deathvalleypics.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is what a picnic looks like in 105 degrees. </span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu7VstiBzDaGvc-NzDUCmK8Jaz4vPwb7QyxLpXgXzFXVbsIdEaNkSCUMeOBGo0cNlhJQyMFq2DfWouubQ9G_C614-tOXfsp-UGTV3GXNIOguADk0bNdv_ah1KTvifAI7sB1cqQ3BXh1Ry/s1600/DVroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibu7VstiBzDaGvc-NzDUCmK8Jaz4vPwb7QyxLpXgXzFXVbsIdEaNkSCUMeOBGo0cNlhJQyMFq2DfWouubQ9G_C614-tOXfsp-UGTV3GXNIOguADk0bNdv_ah1KTvifAI7sB1cqQ3BXh1Ry/s1600/DVroad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That little line you see is a road that crossed one of the dry lake beds in Death Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7paeWEKMEHi53NoyHFh6dJr1OIPwfK-ct5wqGBiuHcLJWJKHJrUt84bWOjvyX0IW9DOs7T6U_FKhsP9dzuE-3eMqgEyn2mE_3in_KaT9FnLqrTCtNCkeMXFjkZ63eVM3siE0mAU_jBYu/s1600/dvgas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7paeWEKMEHi53NoyHFh6dJr1OIPwfK-ct5wqGBiuHcLJWJKHJrUt84bWOjvyX0IW9DOs7T6U_FKhsP9dzuE-3eMqgEyn2mE_3in_KaT9FnLqrTCtNCkeMXFjkZ63eVM3siE0mAU_jBYu/s1600/dvgas.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Death Valley gas prices...coming to a pump near you soon...?</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMTk7ZdpPtOXrSDgawVx3DotCi1A-_JmfrYJu-EWaaQQp5dmF-cc1MP3dvHcES4tug4oajUzMYRzLDEtDHrguicSD9Q8ZNIDDriddKiqAlmONCXNHwDpf5242Z0-IHdQbCzIcD7C9E7Lj/s1600/DVsanddunes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMTk7ZdpPtOXrSDgawVx3DotCi1A-_JmfrYJu-EWaaQQp5dmF-cc1MP3dvHcES4tug4oajUzMYRzLDEtDHrguicSD9Q8ZNIDDriddKiqAlmONCXNHwDpf5242Z0-IHdQbCzIcD7C9E7Lj/s1600/DVsanddunes2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a beautiful beach...with no ocean to cool off in.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJebp7vrDF1ERQwGnAFj-CiTcwkpCxgoW5B6OEi-eiFkMygPxbDINfLsZGnI8P9p-xPrWTXpQkqBneFyIvQO2aNj4-OA5GOjiXWH0Y_ZIbXX_B4IvOQLgIYWZXwSE1MHsS-vgu4g0V46MZ/s1600/DVsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJebp7vrDF1ERQwGnAFj-CiTcwkpCxgoW5B6OEi-eiFkMygPxbDINfLsZGnI8P9p-xPrWTXpQkqBneFyIvQO2aNj4-OA5GOjiXWH0Y_ZIbXX_B4IvOQLgIYWZXwSE1MHsS-vgu4g0V46MZ/s1600/DVsnow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Your eyes do not deceive you, those are snow capped peaks in the background. Ironically enough, the lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States are very close to each other....that would be Death Valley and Mount Whitney.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwyEtYrupvJn5MIX_HSN7iYDvmHEmpnAKDBduRlw-9u3cqpPRtOdM8u-UDSm7PbEHfRp0Wo7v9fUzxxpe7M8mVOM5R_Qh1ZGKcYmfYuAPYk7Fn-SMq3CYThPBsbmkfejeC4ENa4EZehyl/s1600/DVsanddunesbeard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwyEtYrupvJn5MIX_HSN7iYDvmHEmpnAKDBduRlw-9u3cqpPRtOdM8u-UDSm7PbEHfRp0Wo7v9fUzxxpe7M8mVOM5R_Qh1ZGKcYmfYuAPYk7Fn-SMq3CYThPBsbmkfejeC4ENa4EZehyl/s1600/DVsanddunesbeard.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two cute kids and some beautiful scenery but the clear star of this particular pictures is my shaggy beard. ;-) </span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HeiHIurLobZUjmddzN_UDRXzWroTuDfCxUcjWml4NGCbtHAzfCnYa4n0tlAquLwDy1v8n-VBoet65R6bg58fjdrI2_GCFzpZtvZlYlGHnTrIj-PLRjivLh8wTPkTtGUKUK5vVWfLqj2b/s1600/DVsanddunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HeiHIurLobZUjmddzN_UDRXzWroTuDfCxUcjWml4NGCbtHAzfCnYa4n0tlAquLwDy1v8n-VBoet65R6bg58fjdrI2_GCFzpZtvZlYlGHnTrIj-PLRjivLh8wTPkTtGUKUK5vVWfLqj2b/s1600/DVsanddunes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some Death Valley foliage...</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXs5Qb4keJW1dj9LGIFFf_fSSWJAzyNqRttWGzdW2obhWnmfSG-dTY4FctT5FYig1U2v4frxruXFRKe68TiWHzMWHplX3XjQPY8JGRIGkoSzib-5oOUw6QRWoyS71BUPYTJADXeAcWVkX/s1600/DVsanddunesfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXs5Qb4keJW1dj9LGIFFf_fSSWJAzyNqRttWGzdW2obhWnmfSG-dTY4FctT5FYig1U2v4frxruXFRKe68TiWHzMWHplX3XjQPY8JGRIGkoSzib-5oOUw6QRWoyS71BUPYTJADXeAcWVkX/s1600/DVsanddunesfeet.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sand was too hot on Bella's feet...it was too hot on mine too. We flipped for it to see who would carry who out, but I lost. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<table 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;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9wBPb0iW8ECoj55gSlTa4wYLOxV25D0dbBqFajidBKMle0poNriHxmhEw6n7O3jmT9R9nymZSXEYLVAnBElBIcCigKOkOUXUauph_mlVzkPLxpKX2Evxcr6JT4Qa5u0m9LR4NvtWEiBp/s1600/furnacecreek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9wBPb0iW8ECoj55gSlTa4wYLOxV25D0dbBqFajidBKMle0poNriHxmhEw6n7O3jmT9R9nymZSXEYLVAnBElBIcCigKOkOUXUauph_mlVzkPLxpKX2Evxcr6JT4Qa5u0m9LR4NvtWEiBp/s1600/furnacecreek.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Furnace Creek Inn. I would have happily stayed there, but Michelle had no interest in it.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jd1n0rBQEcoDQ-rCCJvWHL5N5Zd0vRq287pAwAG4Qr9mXCKx5jYXtF5r_YjHbB6FOQs90a93hjXxS1CBaDtxOG1JuDEOY2jq8FAInhMVtkM0SQzV_5rj3aBIglxXOHbZOAx9A6kvJQkJ/s1600/floor+of+deathvalley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Jd1n0rBQEcoDQ-rCCJvWHL5N5Zd0vRq287pAwAG4Qr9mXCKx5jYXtF5r_YjHbB6FOQs90a93hjXxS1CBaDtxOG1JuDEOY2jq8FAInhMVtkM0SQzV_5rj3aBIglxXOHbZOAx9A6kvJQkJ/s1600/floor+of+deathvalley.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was our first view of Death Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qdh9yTeObd_KSy0fWCQ1cSj8XWE0ZQck8d0jNkj62Qxf2ZzAChk7arGwx4zKLynOxkzeq9HVkQkPrJziw3g8QfZGeY0fsUmdXaDNwjvibTGCbsEaNUU9n5AaT-vw2dAZDVDC8U30jBGI/s1600/SNPbear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Qdh9yTeObd_KSy0fWCQ1cSj8XWE0ZQck8d0jNkj62Qxf2ZzAChk7arGwx4zKLynOxkzeq9HVkQkPrJziw3g8QfZGeY0fsUmdXaDNwjvibTGCbsEaNUU9n5AaT-vw2dAZDVDC8U30jBGI/s1600/SNPbear.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We ran into Smokey the Bear in the Sequoia National Forest.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebRZqKvQQtedAoKTELmQQIkybWD3eig_tEGfIZeLggnM3UKP4oKLdyRTAd_qsAdR4SmqRsX8zh3Zs63ZCWRb3AeHKVTSNg9l19j0mSZFmUnaPNMeaP3gdwqzkEgJmyfpGu60yRZfS6Vi6/s1600/SNPBella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebRZqKvQQtedAoKTELmQQIkybWD3eig_tEGfIZeLggnM3UKP4oKLdyRTAd_qsAdR4SmqRsX8zh3Zs63ZCWRb3AeHKVTSNg9l19j0mSZFmUnaPNMeaP3gdwqzkEgJmyfpGu60yRZfS6Vi6/s1600/SNPBella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on top of a rock formation in SNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGyjh5i67mynd4RUenUw8Zqq_mPzF-4K1ztNa_vCYSfj74aa-ElL9S0WfUiqj5dG_qvOUtvNjlHkR8a6Rvi_t4n6dnF1x7qxGqy8irughp39P6sbxl-KXg9BvU5zhOTrQUxVR80mblaZV/s1600/gps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGyjh5i67mynd4RUenUw8Zqq_mPzF-4K1ztNa_vCYSfj74aa-ElL9S0WfUiqj5dG_qvOUtvNjlHkR8a6Rvi_t4n6dnF1x7qxGqy8irughp39P6sbxl-KXg9BvU5zhOTrQUxVR80mblaZV/s1600/gps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">THe lowest point in DV is 282 feet below sea level, but the best we saw was 262 and this was the lowest point at which I remembered to take a pic of the GPS. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs94OeBE8fRR_vtQJf3hl2Dm8oSSMrf5F8XYf13svRcy9A0TVwm91Ot4HljM_DgrlYuNQNZZqxtEOrzIUNqdlxLjLog8FgieMW42-y90-6zwSFddGL_0KAjHX-KRjA3mAHDlhRXeE0cta/s1600/SNPdusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs94OeBE8fRR_vtQJf3hl2Dm8oSSMrf5F8XYf13svRcy9A0TVwm91Ot4HljM_DgrlYuNQNZZqxtEOrzIUNqdlxLjLog8FgieMW42-y90-6zwSFddGL_0KAjHX-KRjA3mAHDlhRXeE0cta/s1600/SNPdusk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dusk at SNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJyw_zGJqoGWdVXbhGvLShPYPnsDk58ddapc95rNyN-BTXS4EPexV_AXTee9EDQR9hoQX6vlS1COdDF9QVvEuXgDcZlZexQBRtVVakQ53itf_ZXXm458woHC6SwU15dWGAfYwzJFxJ3-E/s1600/SNPbellaGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJyw_zGJqoGWdVXbhGvLShPYPnsDk58ddapc95rNyN-BTXS4EPexV_AXTee9EDQR9hoQX6vlS1COdDF9QVvEuXgDcZlZexQBRtVVakQ53itf_ZXXm458woHC6SwU15dWGAfYwzJFxJ3-E/s1600/SNPbellaGS.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella in front of General Sherman, the largest tree by volume in the world.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9arbrsuKTXviULKHpzF5ho0giXU09By_X_7ooiQbAkJwqynuy5SPf_q9z1fzE5GR8hRNkj-XXXyqXmJ69oKCi7EJmOBQxcwKRW6jNPBgFtq5x7kjMv4k4JA7TWEmE-MXyoxWkR4hOfP9/s1600/SNPMoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9arbrsuKTXviULKHpzF5ho0giXU09By_X_7ooiQbAkJwqynuy5SPf_q9z1fzE5GR8hRNkj-XXXyqXmJ69oKCi7EJmOBQxcwKRW6jNPBgFtq5x7kjMv4k4JA7TWEmE-MXyoxWkR4hOfP9/s1600/SNPMoon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dusk at SNP, notice the moon in the top middle of the pic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PHdR1mgUTM03ELcXkT2_wJSz0igtWZ2PgtQtsvAvOhHvBiMjyOjN3W05XdQB2N2gm0TsLa0zRB70IdUgfEG-Kpy0o9cCrjv8d4mOgK_gQuPoxduLPceIh8VqQpMzb8loetXKbBjigpRV/s1600/SNPtree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PHdR1mgUTM03ELcXkT2_wJSz0igtWZ2PgtQtsvAvOhHvBiMjyOjN3W05XdQB2N2gm0TsLa0zRB70IdUgfEG-Kpy0o9cCrjv8d4mOgK_gQuPoxduLPceIh8VqQpMzb8loetXKbBjigpRV/s1600/SNPtree.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That is one BIG tree...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkolOt-bjOOMX5rkBz1lCbtR1GPwo7HbO13c82VtxGskgAgxPdM9EW4fSxnImhPN5ucSFvLlbkQl5U4IouEvEcKigfLNKxFXv8Uc5vGmwPkrJz3-qlCqiJuixPEkJdpvhJb_iows40wPN/s1600/SNPriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkolOt-bjOOMX5rkBz1lCbtR1GPwo7HbO13c82VtxGskgAgxPdM9EW4fSxnImhPN5ucSFvLlbkQl5U4IouEvEcKigfLNKxFXv8Uc5vGmwPkrJz3-qlCqiJuixPEkJdpvhJb_iows40wPN/s1600/SNPriver.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">River in SNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxTzvk85QS2WW_LxJlxnzOILAX-5DUt40Q1WQRQyARbhegbkTcaVZDvJgfX5OBn-1Zqo4WFRaA2yUsMdWY4RaHKJg5S3B1KhIdsT0jvTG205O645beY0DbXlJbXbT9pvHnqzrdTimZFWE/s1600/SNPGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxTzvk85QS2WW_LxJlxnzOILAX-5DUt40Q1WQRQyARbhegbkTcaVZDvJgfX5OBn-1Zqo4WFRaA2yUsMdWY4RaHKJg5S3B1KhIdsT0jvTG205O645beY0DbXlJbXbT9pvHnqzrdTimZFWE/s1600/SNPGS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">General Sherman again, Michelle, Aldie and Bella at the base...if you can make them out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopSMSCDDf2S8PPVYNIkzUn21mxQFHzxDmd_UGzYjuTNVkHC3GYliYolurQ_S8EhC-VMRBChbPNwxnX-EbLg4K1OWsyHctTlqhl_2xhSYar8FbC8jOgx4LlbnA8U5u-cA2i8XESOj5JiJ3/s1600/SNPstream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopSMSCDDf2S8PPVYNIkzUn21mxQFHzxDmd_UGzYjuTNVkHC3GYliYolurQ_S8EhC-VMRBChbPNwxnX-EbLg4K1OWsyHctTlqhl_2xhSYar8FbC8jOgx4LlbnA8U5u-cA2i8XESOj5JiJ3/s1600/SNPstream.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Creek in SNP.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8mm5MAck4iBkKDzWTuOKDD2vIxp_AvUgSkkAav63GBvYgD6mqxq5g36NJGBcj3w8LxIucj3YFd0wbUTOR688cwYZJXa0FRZMJg8PaYf94i3aoDkS3ydQRw-2m6w_0cz1MVXQlhhm9pCD/s1600/SNPtreehole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8mm5MAck4iBkKDzWTuOKDD2vIxp_AvUgSkkAav63GBvYgD6mqxq5g36NJGBcj3w8LxIucj3YFd0wbUTOR688cwYZJXa0FRZMJg8PaYf94i3aoDkS3ydQRw-2m6w_0cz1MVXQlhhm9pCD/s1600/SNPtreehole.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls and Aldie in a cut out in a felled sequoia.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My little tree huggers... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mfhDVgxAv0QngUkCGT8eMQeTvvHarIm7-bHRl3dNTm8vS2EOZJNZBjBvhUlW4lo4X1pES_Y0o31OJmKLFt5lmJ7v-dv0EUVqyXOVRqeawHUqfnleYyMaN2f8BKhuaowhcZ6TJ9gyaUFV/s1600/windmillblade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mfhDVgxAv0QngUkCGT8eMQeTvvHarIm7-bHRl3dNTm8vS2EOZJNZBjBvhUlW4lo4X1pES_Y0o31OJmKLFt5lmJ7v-dv0EUVqyXOVRqeawHUqfnleYyMaN2f8BKhuaowhcZ6TJ9gyaUFV/s1600/windmillblade.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Random pic we took of one blade of a wind turbine being transported through Beatty, NV. Each wind turbine has three of these so it shows you how big they are.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-58483485775549537562011-05-11T23:53:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:37:23.645-07:00What happens in Vegas...., no really, WHAT happens in Vegas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, we had kind of a weird day today, but it ended up working out great. We had another rough night with Aldous not sleeping that well, but Michelle won somewhere between $5-15 (we still aren't sure on the exact amount but we are convinced she did not lose any money :-) ) last night at the casino in the "Hacienda" so we woke up in good spirits, ready to take on the world...or at least pilot a minivan a couple hundred miles. As it turned out, we did neither. We had planned on visiting Hoover Dam, driving to Vegas, cruise down the strip just to see it (we've never been here before), and then head for Death Valley. It seems as our travel plans never work out the way we planned, but always end up working out for the best (at least that's what we tell ourselves, because we always end up having fun! :) ). <br />
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We headed over to Hoover Dam today and walked out on the new bridge to take a few pics. We then drove over the dam to the other side to get a few pics from the backside of the dam. It's funny, but being on top of the dam, it's underwhelming, but when you view it from afar, it's very impressive. We also took a few shots of Lake Mead, which is just gorgeous. The color of that water just seems to beg you to jump in....even from very far away or very high up. :-) We then jumped back in the car to head to Vegas, but a recurring problem made me decide we needed to do a little auto repair first.<br />
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Ever since I gave that guy a jump start back in Durango, CO, our minivan has these little episodes where it loses all electrical power and won't start. I figured out that when we gave him a jump, somehow the connector to the positive terminal post had a piece of metal broken off that prevents it from being tightened enough to ensure a good solid connection that you need to start the van. Since Durango, about every 10th time the car would not start, I would have to get out and jiggle it to get it to work. Yesterday it started getting worse to the point it was happening every time we had to start it and I had to hold it on while Michelle started the van. I had enough of this so we went to an auto parts store in Boulder, NV this morning and got some parts to fix it right there. While we were doing that we realized we needed to do some laundry. We found a nice clean laundromat literally right around the corner from the auto parts store and took care of that. I also realized that we needed an oil change (just turned 5K+ hard miles since the last one), but there were no quick oil change shops in Boulder, so we headed for Vegas.<br />
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We arrived in Vegas and as we approached the strip Michelle started to get excited. She said she could feel the energy coming off the strip as we approached. Let me let you in on a little secret...Michelle likes to gamble. :-) I'm not really the gambling type, so I didn't really feel the energy Michelle felt, but I was curious nonetheless. We hit the strip and it was actually kinda cool, but I have never really had a desire to come to Vegas before (like I said, gambling has no appeal to me) and the cruise down the strip kinda confirmed that feeling for me. I was glad we did it, but it almost seemed to be a bit of a let down. Michelle commented that it all seemed "excessive," which is hard to argue with, but even though it did seem excessive, I think I expected it to be even more "larger than life" than it was. I'm sure that was partially due to the fact that this was a midweek afternoon. I bet it's more impressive at night with all the lights glaring.<br />
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We finished cruising the strip about 3:30 and then I found a Jiffy Lube to get a quick oil change and I had them throw on some new wipers when Michelle pointed out they did not do such a great job in the snow storm at the Grand Canyon yesterday. Just about the time they were finished Aldous needed a bottle. By the time he was done with that, it was 4:30 and there was no point in hitting the road. So, after a grueling 30 miles of travel, we got another $29 a night room at a HUGE hotel complex called "Circus Circus" right on the strip. It was by far the cheapest one on the strip (actually, the cheapest anywhere in Vegas), so it was another easy decision. We checked in and walked the 1/4 mile to our room. I'm not joking, it felt that far. This place is CRAZY. Imagine if you took a big top circus, amusement park, an east coast touristy beach town boardwalk and a Casino, mushed them all together then put it on a 20-30 acre complex on the strip in Vegas and you would have "Circus Circus." The inside of the Hotel/Casino/Entertaiment complex gave me the "larger than life" feeling I was expecting from Las Vegas in general...it really is "over the top." It's older and certainly not "posh" but the rooms are clean and in decent shape and the atmosphere is exactly what I expected from Vegas. And any place that features in a James Bond film AND an Austin Powers flick is alright with me. :-) If you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Vegas and are looking for the Vegas experience I don't see how you could beat this place. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Circus_Las_Vegas<br /><br />After getting settled in the room, we all went and got a quick bite to eat, then headed for the acrobats show that was in the carnival/boardwalk like area of the hotel. It was a short but entertaining show. Definitely worth the price of admission (i.e. it was free). We then decided to play some of the boardwalk games. Both Isabella and Michelle won little stuffed toys (Bella actually won two), while I left the games area without a toy and a little less dignity as the only confirmed loser (Aldous technically did not participate in any of the games, though I did hold him while tossing a few rings :) ). This hour of fun was a whopping $7 or so. The look on Bella's face when she won those prizes was awesome. After that it was back to the room to catch some ZZZZs, which I will be doing momentarily. After initially being underwhelmed, I'm starting to enjoy the Vegas thing for what it is thanks to this place. We are planning on getting up early to walk the strip before we leave...we'll see how that works out. :)<br />
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Random funny moment of the day. We were sitting at a stop light in the middle of the strip of Las Vegas with a giant pirate ship on one side of the street and a copy of Venice on the other side of the street and yet there were people on the sidewalk commenting and taking pics of our flower and bumble-bee covered mini-van like it was an attraction. <br />
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<br />We are light on pics today, but here are a few...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqBzkYp3PaiomUHMrQsAwWWVnRndOQdqIrJtSW3IBG4kHlJLyKUcsQU_n_9x2szA5Dp_W-bdESTF6lI1Ln8AM_4fF0gW60nmfdRY_R10eP-YrGxHco00CqLeSbPebmxfOxhnyTqBMJBt6/s1600/50s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqBzkYp3PaiomUHMrQsAwWWVnRndOQdqIrJtSW3IBG4kHlJLyKUcsQU_n_9x2szA5Dp_W-bdESTF6lI1Ln8AM_4fF0gW60nmfdRY_R10eP-YrGxHco00CqLeSbPebmxfOxhnyTqBMJBt6/s1600/50s.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love this old-style sign from the 50s...it just screams "VEGAS!"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX6wmfWI1nAbLn-IN5EhKF0ihA_Zl_Zo8a6IU_t0lqVnjm51lSyU2vC7q1PxBz1Ank40X77li6EnUX2a2jEIZUtjwJ5cDVg2NkUwIO_p31SgYZuLeLVIUJUpeTWqmoxNITUIouWhA52tH/s1600/Bellagame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX6wmfWI1nAbLn-IN5EhKF0ihA_Zl_Zo8a6IU_t0lqVnjm51lSyU2vC7q1PxBz1Ank40X77li6EnUX2a2jEIZUtjwJ5cDVg2NkUwIO_p31SgYZuLeLVIUJUpeTWqmoxNITUIouWhA52tH/s1600/Bellagame.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Bella after winning her first stuffed toy prize. No, you are not hallucinating, she is wearing a totally green outfit with a big shiny sequined four-leaf clover on it. If I ever take up gambling, I think I will get an adult sized version of this myself. It seemed to work for her and I would not look out of place in Vegas judging by some of the folks we saw today. :) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Go_Xs6q4OcvaNsQGLef2fMtauhSQrcpcTnxcI7KOezQM4vj06w-gTpqyhA1KwaLiAGbP6xiKQJuBtkb4pYB3dxQTVlrTwUCrban0cX7oftijPiNzULmz91nVwja99ESj25cqsGEIa5IJ/s1600/Boulder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Go_Xs6q4OcvaNsQGLef2fMtauhSQrcpcTnxcI7KOezQM4vj06w-gTpqyhA1KwaLiAGbP6xiKQJuBtkb4pYB3dxQTVlrTwUCrban0cX7oftijPiNzULmz91nVwja99ESj25cqsGEIa5IJ/s1600/Boulder.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On top of the new bridge they built that overlooks Hoover Dam.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg3RRjI6HgFzhs523lBXQkgIo25EucTJLcO0mHnpyOWA0cA1MbYFGnjYbQymVaKiM1gQl0UR4lx3LhCwhHg4UdGfdApz0h7TWR5rhZq3PplzPRaxx7_ieGlUjIgHOXLeKgBvtK9mc15Ca/s1600/boulderbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg3RRjI6HgFzhs523lBXQkgIo25EucTJLcO0mHnpyOWA0cA1MbYFGnjYbQymVaKiM1gQl0UR4lx3LhCwhHg4UdGfdApz0h7TWR5rhZq3PplzPRaxx7_ieGlUjIgHOXLeKgBvtK9mc15Ca/s1600/boulderbridge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pic of the bridge the previous pic was taken on.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMe1YgS25ZrtEJ2i8zwuO92v_HFDY8phl8ao6uMt_VCazyeR_IppM2VvmfrXaU7LCvA2vmIT3k5xpcjA_4ntrgY4J0SsBvoCVEdQ6MBztk1B7AtqVKCmUF6N-tm9ifvXIgNodgFIdfOa6/s1600/Boulder2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMe1YgS25ZrtEJ2i8zwuO92v_HFDY8phl8ao6uMt_VCazyeR_IppM2VvmfrXaU7LCvA2vmIT3k5xpcjA_4ntrgY4J0SsBvoCVEdQ6MBztk1B7AtqVKCmUF6N-tm9ifvXIgNodgFIdfOa6/s1600/Boulder2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The back side of Hoover Dam. I really wanted to jump in that water. Bella said she wanted to swim in it, "as long as there are no sharks or fish that will eat my toes."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2X_ExZBkbJALvfDh7gkqNUAH6o9ig_M5vagq88OqpWROfYeXBTUt9xWkDZD2LW2tsG1kYteV6wFbY-tcGA_lfYqy18iRz5nEmzYZZptCEZo5YgdPS0jf9-AewpKSHJm5sQcR9d87e3V-/s1600/boulderdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2X_ExZBkbJALvfDh7gkqNUAH6o9ig_M5vagq88OqpWROfYeXBTUt9xWkDZD2LW2tsG1kYteV6wFbY-tcGA_lfYqy18iRz5nEmzYZZptCEZo5YgdPS0jf9-AewpKSHJm5sQcR9d87e3V-/s1600/boulderdam.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The front side of Hoover Dam.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSBdmeUqANsoU4Bc70GAxP5iFauaadqb4B2NhJxw61sn_LRkgyy8VgY6Hv7CFIX30ZEbY-hmBMsRLSKPlGt-QYyNeJMaJUxZwpX0G52uAxA0dRNpldRiitmTiU2wxqaa-SyByFoZCqYj/s1600/lakemead2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuSBdmeUqANsoU4Bc70GAxP5iFauaadqb4B2NhJxw61sn_LRkgyy8VgY6Hv7CFIX30ZEbY-hmBMsRLSKPlGt-QYyNeJMaJUxZwpX0G52uAxA0dRNpldRiitmTiU2wxqaa-SyByFoZCqYj/s1600/lakemead2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lake Mead.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lake Mead on the backside of Hoover Dam.<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vegas from our Hotel Room.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-78392045617309568362011-05-11T03:18:00.000-07:002011-05-11T03:18:38.110-07:00So thats why they call it the GRAND Canyon...The night of my last posting we had a fairly rough go of it with Aldous. The little guy woke up with some sort of night terror and was inconsolable for what seemed like hours...but it was probably a good 45 minutes...at 3 AM. The following morning we woke up very late and had to rush to make check out by 11AM. Of course when I went to turn our key in at 11:05 I realized that since AZ doesn't recognize daylight savings time it was really 10:05, and to top it all off, this mom and pop motel was working on the honor system and only had a drop box for the key. Oh well, the rushing around and the fact that the temperature had dropped 20 degrees from the day before helped wake us up. :)<br />
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As I noted before we were staying in Kanab, UT and while it may not be the most modern town we've stayed in, it was the first place we were able to find a decent cup of coffee since we left Albuquerque. Yes, we're coffee snobs, sue us. :-) Our plan was to head for the north rim of the Grand Canyon, get a good look at it from there, then head over to the south rim, check it out from that side and then find a hotel somewhere between the GC and Las Vegas for the evening. The night before we left I found info online indicating that the north rim was not open until 5/15...but I also found a campsite reservation site online for the north rim federal campground that said they were accepting reservations for the campground the first week in May. Since our path to the south rim would take us by the north rim, there wasn't really much of a decision to make. We would head for the north rim and hope for the best. As we approached the turn off for the north rim (about 10 miles away) it started to snow furiously. I have to admit, this I did not expect. This whole elevation/weather thing really causes you to throw out everything you think you know about normal weather patterns if you are from back east. The snow just continued to get heavier and heavier until we hit the turn off for the north rim.....and it was closed....till 5/15. We did stop at a really neat little inn right there called Jacob Lake Inn. Walking in there feels like your just stepped back 30-50 years...in a good way. It has a HUGE wood burning fireplace with a raging fire and a big square lunch counter that has those red stools on all 4 sides, along with a sit down restaurant and the obligatory touristy gift shop. If you head that way, stop in if you are looking for a little nostalgia, you won't be disappointed.<br />
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After our brief pitstop at Jacob Lake Inn, we headed for the south rim, about 3 1/2 hours away. It was an easy drive with some beautiful scenery. On the way, we stopped at the Navajo Bridge at Marble Canyon. We walked all the way across the bridge and back and took a few pictures of the Colorado River as it meandered past in the canyon. It is the most beautiful green I've ever seen in a river. Even when viewed from MUCH higher at the Grand Canyon, you can still make out it's gorgeous emerald green color. At one end of the canyon there were three old Navajo women selling handmade jewelry and Bella, after earlier deciding not to spend any of her money on cheap knick-knacks at a tourist trap in NM, decided to purchase one of the bracelets for sale from what looked to be the oldest of the three Navajo women by a good margin. She looked to be 100+ years-old, but she had a sparkle in her eye to match that of 6 year-old Bella when she was showing her the bracelets. Bella picked out a really pretty silver and jade bracelet for the bargain price of $5. Even if it was made in China (and I don't believe it was), it was a deal. :)<br />
<br />It was another couple hours and then we arrived at the Grand Canyon. To be honest, we were not all that excited as we pulled up to the entrance gates of the National Park. We had been seeing canyons of all sorts, even some very spectacular ones in Mesa Verde and Bryce, for a couple of weeks now and while they were all very cool in their own way, we were a bit "canyoned out." The park ranger who checked out our pass (we bought the national parks pass for $80 for a year and it's already paid for itself) told us the first viewing area was just up ahead. We approached the parking lot and were trying to decide whether we should go see the GC or eat first. We decided to eat first (you cannot see the GC at all from the parking lot). After we ate, we bundled up (it was COLD...more on that in a minute) and headed for the viewing point. When we first caught sight of it, about 200 yards from the actual viewing area it didn't look real. Seriously. It was hard to wrap your mind around the multitudes of colors, combined with the elevation changes and most of all the depth of what you were seeing. I am not exaggerating when I say that my brain required some time to recalibrate after the input it received from what my eyes were viewing. You know that what your are seeing is real, but it is so unrelatable to anything you've seen before that for the first few moments you are viewing it, surreal is really the best way to describe it. After a few minutes of viewing it right from the edge (there are no guardrails along most of the viewing area, you literally can walk right up to the edge of the canyon), the surrealness fades, but the state of awe remains. You would think this would be interesting enough for our first viewing of the Grand Canyon...but you'd be wrong. :)<br />
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As I mentioned before, it was VERY cold and we had run into snow on our way to the north rim. When we arrived at the south rim, the sky was somewhat cloudy, but it didn't seem like it was going to snow. After about 20 minutes, the clouds got thicker, darker and moved lower and lo and behold it began to snow. And these weren't just flurries, it was full flegded snow...and it was snow unlike anything I've ever seen before. It wasn't snowflakes, it was small snow balls, much like miniature balls of popcorn. It was really weird and neat at the same time. This only lasted for about 10 minutes, then we headed to the viewing tower because Bella saw people climbing up it, and really wanted to climb it as well, so we obliged her. Michelle got a really neat picture from inside the viewing tower, with a very interesting perspective (see pic below). After 30 minutes or so we headed back to the car and proceeded down Grand Canyon Dr. to different viewing points, which were no less spectacular, but the clouds were really coming in now and it was getting dark. We decided our original plan of seeing the GC and heading out on the same day was not going to work because we arrived there too late and the clouds were stealing what daylight we had to see it. We decided to check the rates of the onsite lodges and to our surprise they were fairly reasonable (they said they were running specials...probably because the weather was discouraging people from staying). We got a room on one of the rim lodges with a view out our window of the GC about 30 yards away. We quickly got settled in our room and then went and ate a quick meal at the lodge restaurant, went back to the room and turned in. We had a GREAT nights sleep and woke up to a snowstorm. You could not even see the GC from our room (pic below.)! We checked out right at 11 am and loaded the car the in the snow storm and headed for the GC viewing areas. Thankfully the snow storm was furious, but brief and we were able to get some more GC viewing in before we left to head for Hoover Dam. If you have never seen the GC, do yourself a favor and go see it. I guarantee it will be one of (if not the) most amazing things you've ever seen in your life.<br />
<br />The drive to Hoover Dam was about 4 hours and we arrived right at dusk, so we weren't able to take any pictures. I'm not a gambler, but I love gamblers, because they enabled us to get a great hotel room at a casino about a mile past the Hoover Dam for $29 (and it's NOT a dive)! So we are turning in for the night and going to visit Hoover Dam and will pass through Las Vegas tomorrow on the way to our next destination, Death Valley.<br />
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Here are some pics from the last two days...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhoNxD6YRre-bxoKEQeMV9Ecq0P3Yx4yNT_bc-QTwAo151KGLmfH3mdxdc2zJjmQqqYhMl_iauGDwJ-e8EaRd1iCdVmKiLncqpcLUPVXbDVCuoc8UQ7bIy8szCLsCvcAMEE8zZvoRNsdx/s1600/Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYhoNxD6YRre-bxoKEQeMV9Ecq0P3Yx4yNT_bc-QTwAo151KGLmfH3mdxdc2zJjmQqqYhMl_iauGDwJ-e8EaRd1iCdVmKiLncqpcLUPVXbDVCuoc8UQ7bIy8szCLsCvcAMEE8zZvoRNsdx/s1600/Bella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella on the Navajo Bridge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The clouds made for some interesting pictures.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQhlBGFaQUlGXspDIq2tslACyi5ll_A73ir7LwKi6hLmuMD5cJAjsoovSDib5Og9KK22eC5CkaIAB9L4GrwHNwXk8h0PAs0INFptIqmGSk2PtYDkrG8KaIpo6322bgA6KPk8agOT_yFeT/s1600/BLOOMINGCACTUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQhlBGFaQUlGXspDIq2tslACyi5ll_A73ir7LwKi6hLmuMD5cJAjsoovSDib5Og9KK22eC5CkaIAB9L4GrwHNwXk8h0PAs0INFptIqmGSk2PtYDkrG8KaIpo6322bgA6KPk8agOT_yFeT/s1600/BLOOMINGCACTUS.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle is the horticulturist of the family, but even I have to admit these cacti in bloom all over Arizona were ver pretty.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zrQyDbNB99TJoGj55QCuRMToQM592F1UM-0ULat3vyTmA-3gz-a4nn1VgQ2p3oaupzPzkcooRixtmpEsbRtmhyphenhyphenzIgcCfePc699Z1a1tb7rqI8KIE4YV7Ucv1hxsgi7V88XVdW3KR_VJW/s1600/GC2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The pictures just can't capture the enormity of the GC or the feeling it elicits. You really need to see it for yourself. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zrQyDbNB99TJoGj55QCuRMToQM592F1UM-0ULat3vyTmA-3gz-a4nn1VgQ2p3oaupzPzkcooRixtmpEsbRtmhyphenhyphenzIgcCfePc699Z1a1tb7rqI8KIE4YV7Ucv1hxsgi7V88XVdW3KR_VJW/s1600/GC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another unreal view...</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a6-08Zbxg8oKOG-PMk8NmZqAJ4jsm1C5vUzIwQ4u_0UOXfyFsBj0QFjXKiUYwg_qCPW9rcL7bQzyPednmXDlSgQS5Ta1nrYCFXw60pyuacBr_GwMJ72XqN0I-8SrmAz1_AwyjtGXuj1h/s1600/GC3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the few shots we were able to take without significant cloud cover.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6ZcLCme9rRbpZo40mWiIwAm3SxQNm1nefj4-qR5qRtX8ZRt9h6eIy7DvKtaQPKUk8AZMlbQeCoglhPoHMoMwxbmZM1l_0uenU7-B6FcvmGoylGx04Jd06aFg0YTffcGTWffZz_fRX8Sg/s1600/GC7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6ZcLCme9rRbpZo40mWiIwAm3SxQNm1nefj4-qR5qRtX8ZRt9h6eIy7DvKtaQPKUk8AZMlbQeCoglhPoHMoMwxbmZM1l_0uenU7-B6FcvmGoylGx04Jd06aFg0YTffcGTWffZz_fRX8Sg/s1600/GC7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love the interaction of all the different elements in this pic of the canyon, blue sky, and the clouds.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEpfKqW3us3CGF4LNtg5tTZTIG8oKRjZvV4P6k7gE-V49-_JLDk-kiO5y7pjwn9pQ7xQAQgWJewTF0WvGlq8Zcka6hOMW44JS2MVQJF9Cz4BCKhwuqncueOuKT5g683wDT4OUohOuQczq/s1600/GC6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEpfKqW3us3CGF4LNtg5tTZTIG8oKRjZvV4P6k7gE-V49-_JLDk-kiO5y7pjwn9pQ7xQAQgWJewTF0WvGlq8Zcka6hOMW44JS2MVQJF9Cz4BCKhwuqncueOuKT5g683wDT4OUohOuQczq/s1600/GC6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Similar pic to above, but with a couple of people in the lower right to give it scale.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4X9BBdml8zL1XvlQc_QsN6xdImU0HVQmOjVajPS7hcUUIT4U_iphor1Bwtz6CnWLwzgqC7X5tPglGy-IqjhrQHajz6fr-zZBzZWt3-5MsRlmSTDoVI6gC2FyoBuulX3yYmrLRfqMKcRP/s1600/GC5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4X9BBdml8zL1XvlQc_QsN6xdImU0HVQmOjVajPS7hcUUIT4U_iphor1Bwtz6CnWLwzgqC7X5tPglGy-IqjhrQHajz6fr-zZBzZWt3-5MsRlmSTDoVI6gC2FyoBuulX3yYmrLRfqMKcRP/s1600/GC5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite shots.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgmZs76Zm1CLCQvacKsoGveFUaFkPPIFm8KA4qr-BpzRtq6CEqNYO4e-2yQ0DncVrNqmqNE8zrkCtdFrlsI_E6kcYIv4OOvNZQxNNECznoozzQYgHqUaoGLrSFJuFpTbqK7YqmnE5_pB/s1600/GCA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgmZs76Zm1CLCQvacKsoGveFUaFkPPIFm8KA4qr-BpzRtq6CEqNYO4e-2yQ0DncVrNqmqNE8zrkCtdFrlsI_E6kcYIv4OOvNZQxNNECznoozzQYgHqUaoGLrSFJuFpTbqK7YqmnE5_pB/s1600/GCA.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's hard to see from the pic, but the Colorado river is a fantastic green even from this far away on a cloudy day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNgBBu_b5Z_8lGa8b5ZrXNqkRzrTehDlevcH_1D9Viu7l82Fa6UP0B4XiZ28qSnGtceLyaQy7_VUFPVW7kci-z6wpHwEpocUUsJakDcHFb3GWkB4QDaDs_vQLhrz2CFDvNp9lN2rR-Dhh/s1600/GC10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNgBBu_b5Z_8lGa8b5ZrXNqkRzrTehDlevcH_1D9Viu7l82Fa6UP0B4XiZ28qSnGtceLyaQy7_VUFPVW7kci-z6wpHwEpocUUsJakDcHFb3GWkB4QDaDs_vQLhrz2CFDvNp9lN2rR-Dhh/s1600/GC10.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pic speaks for itself...I'm running out of superlatives. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHlUwMYVY6tGIwKaRy08rbO0Yl3Otv4NqSwXAxZ_Tv9DSu-j6wBa_Fn6_QaXHv3DxPUTRamebkUmeUcikfxrbHEnFgJiur1kFGHxGRE7OHwR7Q_tW5qMYxPned8VeABeaAgZ2lC05Ii9M/s1600/GC9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHlUwMYVY6tGIwKaRy08rbO0Yl3Otv4NqSwXAxZ_Tv9DSu-j6wBa_Fn6_QaXHv3DxPUTRamebkUmeUcikfxrbHEnFgJiur1kFGHxGRE7OHwR7Q_tW5qMYxPned8VeABeaAgZ2lC05Ii9M/s1600/GC9.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are no words... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TOL8kAsKteyli-xGfv4TfYfp0ZjOeUM1jDySeusBzUTN6jHsEcwHlvTlvaZkCXroVC31Ci_tLKmzTgOYvKDNo_3W3HkwO69mKanpAhpj0TeXvaABuRt_sx_w4Aw0MgqTJdRfG5xnAGOH/s1600/GC8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wanted to walk out to this ledge, but Michelle said she wouldn't take a pic, so I figured, no point in risking my life if I'm not even going to get a pic out of it! ;-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt9YLWY4GU6o0r-EKBaqG2PvO4ZNGFb2eRN775ljI7XDE3oX6t_djZFjGI2fxR5g7Y1CmHOkGKoEYJkfJd7gsHtR2ZjpdFK3Ig-rrtS_uu4dBVEHojIcoHYS15wkm9TNvzmH_TeAVVw5K/s1600/GCBAB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt9YLWY4GU6o0r-EKBaqG2PvO4ZNGFb2eRN775ljI7XDE3oX6t_djZFjGI2fxR5g7Y1CmHOkGKoEYJkfJd7gsHtR2ZjpdFK3Ig-rrtS_uu4dBVEHojIcoHYS15wkm9TNvzmH_TeAVVw5K/s1600/GCBAB.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me, a couple of rug rats and big hole in the ground.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9huwEFCWWce2nSPI07wE_tW-EfebaXNVFvnrhgbzSSR7jvVOe1oRaj1Al_keKp7sIvR_aZ8bqC1wVyKClJlbkBOTQp4VMFlTGMV5-cN25qSe51qQLIRvCaMBTlGt5_74_ynXUWmhuPovU/s1600/GCFOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9huwEFCWWce2nSPI07wE_tW-EfebaXNVFvnrhgbzSSR7jvVOe1oRaj1Al_keKp7sIvR_aZ8bqC1wVyKClJlbkBOTQp4VMFlTGMV5-cN25qSe51qQLIRvCaMBTlGt5_74_ynXUWmhuPovU/s640/GCFOG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love the different colors that run throughout the canyon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas87LkF2pdejfC6WXl5yaZMRxlnJRLG1kb5rCngTQv7eCVvJlIaQdT_v7PGDDW04URFYztGgi1B_58Qk1mkOG8XMyKFnREp7sP7hKaNwJTLyzpym3PhzTlTj1blEbXNTEgENqN_z0bZVj/s1600/GCSNOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgas87LkF2pdejfC6WXl5yaZMRxlnJRLG1kb5rCngTQv7eCVvJlIaQdT_v7PGDDW04URFYztGgi1B_58Qk1mkOG8XMyKFnREp7sP7hKaNwJTLyzpym3PhzTlTj1blEbXNTEgENqN_z0bZVj/s1600/GCSNOW.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yep, that's snow.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAhbPjpfWAwdXFU9AwFsb1lFUHxYMaYhjlh0KtriZvUqyrAEmjw1HsM8-x9ZyfU6YumA0lIkG8RgKd0yovct-S6Vk9-mWWII9MRV2dRpOaVEREMu3i8hrr5HPFm4Bw5qku9MIkYmXmoZ5/s1600/IB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAhbPjpfWAwdXFU9AwFsb1lFUHxYMaYhjlh0KtriZvUqyrAEmjw1HsM8-x9ZyfU6YumA0lIkG8RgKd0yovct-S6Vk9-mWWII9MRV2dRpOaVEREMu3i8hrr5HPFm4Bw5qku9MIkYmXmoZ5/s1600/IB.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella proudly displaying her Navajo bracelet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGBY2i1lCG6RG75iVZmc4FwCnx-oTX1zlx6jczH1Qqz9hsuaUKZWLVYNkWhKjyBnWYsIEX8hA6Os7D8AcIBY3_zTEqY93LL0j94r6kz_QoEKpetRFQrxcRrrpUGTcIT_JOGRt3W6zVlab/s1600/hotelsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGBY2i1lCG6RG75iVZmc4FwCnx-oTX1zlx6jczH1Qqz9hsuaUKZWLVYNkWhKjyBnWYsIEX8hA6Os7D8AcIBY3_zTEqY93LL0j94r6kz_QoEKpetRFQrxcRrrpUGTcIT_JOGRt3W6zVlab/s1600/hotelsnow.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from our hotel room this morning. Right past that wall is the Grand Canyon...not that you could see it. It started snowing twice as hard as this 5 minutes after I took this pic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQk3rZCkvC-Sqpyj5ikrLKoK7yeuHMyQpaloAfZsDnQUJkt04CG9ZEPme8OUECvclr0xydfzhXkF8rusab_9JoJJFD9uy7aWxWrT5ZhuwiA6njsaHl0N-iitOv6cnf29IxsThH3PyJ45M/s1600/gctongues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQk3rZCkvC-Sqpyj5ikrLKoK7yeuHMyQpaloAfZsDnQUJkt04CG9ZEPme8OUECvclr0xydfzhXkF8rusab_9JoJJFD9uy7aWxWrT5ZhuwiA6njsaHl0N-iitOv6cnf29IxsThH3PyJ45M/s1600/gctongues.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm pretty sure I caught more snow than Bella or Aldous, but my tongue is bigger too.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZGvzb09ZkdhCmKKbKBtyw7blph48rT41CKsbSsYJX1S_24VigDY0XDnZn5ytYngrC7AAwY-dpIfiQgG7IyySwn1AE-GpjnC0oPGwOLDL8IsrKQ9DE_MR1KvpYA3qiZrEAilj_b1qrSVl/s1600/LMsunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZGvzb09ZkdhCmKKbKBtyw7blph48rT41CKsbSsYJX1S_24VigDY0XDnZn5ytYngrC7AAwY-dpIfiQgG7IyySwn1AE-GpjnC0oPGwOLDL8IsrKQ9DE_MR1KvpYA3qiZrEAilj_b1qrSVl/s1600/LMsunset.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of Lake Mead from our hotel tonight.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6prfE_lJT9xfvo7P8_-RlisCVmC0SvLw_TcngMeo4Ni4LHjYbA_P7wZ8QNXzkAiCYesRY80R5cJ5MMjBi4G863w_g8s_dnox9X2V3leHsPn4_vSf8Vh-MsFufksC_tNr_Lm6mFVBj25x/s1600/marble+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6prfE_lJT9xfvo7P8_-RlisCVmC0SvLw_TcngMeo4Ni4LHjYbA_P7wZ8QNXzkAiCYesRY80R5cJ5MMjBi4G863w_g8s_dnox9X2V3leHsPn4_vSf8Vh-MsFufksC_tNr_Lm6mFVBj25x/s1600/marble+canyon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Colorado river running through Marble canyon as seen from Navajo bridge.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WVu3jbOQOdZQjHGRUgM4LTceHeWcTyHnLYIKgAgl1Pe4Gnx-GdB14gjiOYwQWz8XjtRP59XdtW0-lR-EsIjpMxQJ91vhIPwKhKog1IDdoEdV2exDHo83tLCIqVUGUwocdIKN0OWmzi5g/s1600/michellebella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WVu3jbOQOdZQjHGRUgM4LTceHeWcTyHnLYIKgAgl1Pe4Gnx-GdB14gjiOYwQWz8XjtRP59XdtW0-lR-EsIjpMxQJ91vhIPwKhKog1IDdoEdV2exDHo83tLCIqVUGUwocdIKN0OWmzi5g/s1600/michellebella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2ysyUudN3v-dgHdRpgrmR5TiMfXibAyIf-cLLV2a0gaQB8KZQAmj8Bp7fM0vgpqrhOfoJIeyKXDtT33mjCjdBCuw9ZJBjUoLvwdO3R2YzinSh-3FpjUfPixy-CbZikBpNO8V87SCda9N/s1600/painting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a really cool pic. It was taken by Michelle from inside the viewing tower shop. It looks like a big painting on the wall, but that is just a really big window looking out over the Grand Canyon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something you don't see back east...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtZkORGYa5MFvekkoEvrHN34guSY5PNAHZGNjk_P-5WgeGDHd5ectq0CZharYaZC1g1jgED2G9lBh2IBk1ALeJuio91VDgFhyphenhyphen3C0Ktlf4i_cKdWb0ms6J0JiZo0UITEFjVdbw-QImhGyO/s1600/MichelleGC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtZkORGYa5MFvekkoEvrHN34guSY5PNAHZGNjk_P-5WgeGDHd5ectq0CZharYaZC1g1jgED2G9lBh2IBk1ALeJuio91VDgFhyphenhyphen3C0Ktlf4i_cKdWb0ms6J0JiZo0UITEFjVdbw-QImhGyO/s1600/MichelleGC.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Absolutely stunningly gorgeous...and the Grand Canyon ain't too shabby either.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYoD3qRxjRLKeRBBxW0KQjCWhYs4n8oGZQrqlmIjVXlaZih78oA1IeRlHZfUUFEo4YWbBnJ-W-uowfEHEbQj5rnhVnq6OfMbB1MOU2XUGwyK24NXf3qISEb7pW9qk1Pum4Has1a0cLqWk/s1600/z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYoD3qRxjRLKeRBBxW0KQjCWhYs4n8oGZQrqlmIjVXlaZih78oA1IeRlHZfUUFEo4YWbBnJ-W-uowfEHEbQj5rnhVnq6OfMbB1MOU2XUGwyK24NXf3qISEb7pW9qk1Pum4Has1a0cLqWk/s1600/z.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And if it weren't for the damn kids we would have gotten that $24.95 rate too!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aze_5ZU0S7CYib10StoJ4GoHBbWB3IuCGXka4FbnkH4-cwNIKDPl3Lc0VsJozGdbDf1z6QW3UD7PUFQf9PIkBKeAm61DyRXiG_dCLN5BBgmOidHZxmg52pGuiOZuyOsAnJksWhiG9rAU/s1600/prairie3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was just outside of Kanab UT on the way to the Grand Canyon, great contrasts in this pic.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Different pic, but the same description applies.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-63326940614343961852011-05-09T01:53:00.000-07:002011-05-09T01:53:13.429-07:00You have now entered the Twilight Zone....oh, nevermind, it's just Utah.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've had a busy last couple of days which has delayed this update a bit, but we took a short travel day today to get some relaxation time in on Mother's Day. When I last posted we were spending the night in Ouray, CO. We were smitten with this town as soon as we saw it, and spending the following day there did nothing to change that. This town bills itself as "Switzerland in the USA," not for the feel of the town (at least I don't think so) but rather for the scenery that dominates your view from anywhere in town. After you see some of the pics below, it will be obvious as to why they chose that moniker. It feels very much like a modern version of a town you would see in any number of old western movies. Since it's been around since 1875, that is pretty much what it is. As is the case with many of the towns in this area of CO it was established based on the mining of silver and gold in the surrounding mountains. I guess they just happened to be lucky enough to be sitting on top of the hot springs that are now a huge draw for the town. Of all the places we've been so far, Ouray is the one I'd most like to visit again.<br />
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After spending a few hours exploring Ouray, it was back on the road headed for Arches National Park in Moab, UT. The first town we passed through on our way there was a place called Ridgway, CO. It's only about 10 miles outside Ouray, and is a neat little town itself. Ridgway is probably most famous for being one of the main filming locations for the original True Grit with John Wayne. It's also considered the gateway to the San Juan Mountains which are quite impressive themselves. We took a road that ran for about 20 miles through the San Miguel canyon alongside the San Miguel river. At one point on the SMR, there must have been twenty beaver huts in the space of two or three miles. The canyon itself was beautiful and it was almost disappointing when the road started to rise high above and out of the canyon. This lead to some "neverending roads" in CO you'll see below as we headed toward Utah.<br />
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We made it to Moab, UT in just over 3 hours. Moab is evidently the off-roading center of the universe (it's Jeep, dirtbike and 4-wheeler nirvana) and the VERY busy touristy nature (off-roaders and Arches national park visitors) tends to lead to no vacancy signs and very expensive rooms where there is a vacancy. We had also planned on meeting two of my friends who were going to Moab to do some dirtbike riding. They were staying in Green River, UT about 40 miles north of Moab. Since we wanted to hang out with them, we decided to just drive on to GR and stay at the same hotel as one of my friends. I did not bother to make a reservation as I assumed there would be no need. Lucky for us, Blake, my friend staying there, arrived before we did, asked if we had a reservation and when he was told no we didn't, he told them to hold a room for us. It was the last room! So, thanks to Blake, we got a nice clean comfortable room in GR for about 1/3 of what a comparable room would have cost us in Moab....SCORE! :) After we were settled in our room, my friend Arno came over to our hotel and we all walked down to the local steakhouse and enjoyed a nice meal and some even better conversation. I don't see these guys nearly enough so it was really great to get a chance to talk with them late into the evening. While we were talking I was looking over their dirtbikes and I promised them I'd come back to ride Moab with them and I intend to keep that promise, hopefully sooner rather than later. Both of them made a significant effort to head to the Moab area at the last minute because they knew we would be there and to top it all off, Blake even bought dinner that night. I know you two are reading this blog, so a big thanks to both of you for making the effort, it was MUCH appreciated!<br />
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The next morning we got packed up and headed for Arches National Park in Moab. We had a little taste of what to expect in Moab coming up highway 191, but were not quite prepared for the uniqueness that is Arches (and for that matter much of Utah). You can see from the pics below what I mean, but the landscape in Arches (and some of the surrounding area) doesn't look like it belongs on Earth. Michelle said it best when she commented that she felt like we were on Mars. It's strangely beautiful, inviting and and at the same time gives of a foreboding vibe, almost as if it's daring you to venture in. Now, traveling through the park to see it today in an air conditioned minivan is no big deal, but I can imagine 120 years ago, coming upon this place on horseback that would not be the case. I didn't see any sign of water other than that brought in by humans. It was 92 degrees today, VERY windy, and with sand blowing in our faces. We only managed one of the many hikes there were to see the amazing arches because of the conditions. With this dry heat you don't realize how much your are perspiring because it evaporates almost immediately. Consequently, the water we took with us was nearly gone 1/2 through our hike. In fact we didn't even complete the whole hike as Aldous was just plain DONE. The dry heat may not feel as hot as the humid heat back east, but the sun out here in the higher elevations (everywhere is higher elevations compared to back home) is INTENSE. All in all, even with the heat and wind we had a great hike and were able to see some really beautifully unique landscape both on the hike and in the car. We are glad we put Arches National Park on our must see list. :)<br />
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After a 1/2 day at Arches (you could easily spend a few days here...if you weren't towing a baby around :) ), we then headed for Bryce Canyon in southern UT. Fortunately for us, both Arno and Blake have traveled extensively all over the west. Blake laid out a route for us from Moab to Bryce that he said would have the best scenery. Arno looked at it and concurred. These guys know their stuff. The route they laid out was absolutely fantastic. The landscape throughout southern UT is amazing in how significantly it changes. We passed through desert areas that looked like you were on the moon, went over mountains that looked like they would have fit right in at home back east (only they were 3 times taller!) and, back again to scenery that looked like it belonged on another planet. The most amazing piece of road had to be just after we crossed Boulder Mountain. Boulder Mountain is in the Dixie national forest. It climbs to over 9K feet, is covered in beautiful aspens and there are full flowing streams from the snow-melt everywhere (still had some snow cover as well). After we descended Boulder Mountain the road flattened out for a few minutes and the speed limited went up from 40 to 55 mph, after about 5 miles I saw the speed limit abruptly drop to 35 then 20 mph and judging from what I could see ahead I could not figure out why...until I rounded the slight curve up ahead. Just around that curve the topography completely changed from flat grass fields that you often find at the base of mountains to HUGE canyons. The road we were on turned into a ridge between two of these canyons. I am not exaggerating when I say this was a two lane road had no more than 3 feet of shoulder on each side of the road with no guardrails. On the other side of that 3 feet were canyons several hundred feet deep. This road was VERY curvy (S all the way) and to top it all off we were coming into dusk. That road made the narrow one on the "million dollar highway" seem like a piece of cake. We made it through there and about 15 miles later found a room in Escalante, UT for the night.<br />
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The next morning (today) we woke up, got packed and had a wonderful Mother's Day breakfast of Cheerios and bananas. Apparently, in Utah damn near everywhere is closed on Sunday, We made it to Bryce Canyon National Park in about an hour or so. Bryce Canyon was beautiful, but the conditions were not. It was EXTREMELY windy and not very warm, so hiking was not really in the cards. Still, we saw some beautiful sites and after a few hours we left and headed for the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We stopped for the night in Kanab UT (famous for having more westerns filmed here than anywhere else...something to do with being right smack dab in the middle of Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks....it's known as Utah's little Hollywood). We have plans to hit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon tomorrow, as it's supposed to be a better view and less busy than the south rim, BUT, we just found out it may not be open yet. Oh well, if it's not, we'll just take the 3 hour detour and check out the south rim. :)<br />
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Here are some pics from the last few days...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMD5PBXcEIY_4ZWc056flskCycDMm1E4KdPeJ-kwoL0eDiysGkBJ4MoCaRrcWnMT530UrWc5fnqIarS_hJ6OdAodEZE6enF1WvIgS2m48cFh9sf0pzq-AjK0kKpX4SZWY4NgMGBtAKAvD/s1600/almost+there.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMD5PBXcEIY_4ZWc056flskCycDMm1E4KdPeJ-kwoL0eDiysGkBJ4MoCaRrcWnMT530UrWc5fnqIarS_hJ6OdAodEZE6enF1WvIgS2m48cFh9sf0pzq-AjK0kKpX4SZWY4NgMGBtAKAvD/s1600/almost+there.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I in the middle of our rock climbing.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4xJhsFNyBuc7p3yiz01_p8zK88bM_aECCSXSxD-I8W5HtDbLQO9wjj3TS7IZSua8UBmQh3Vqsw_3Lb7S3CAODTM2bfM8wKZ0mCyMuExwKhOeRR90vM8eVdTDg5dclzUbqwh_uuFdRRTT/s1600/arches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4xJhsFNyBuc7p3yiz01_p8zK88bM_aECCSXSxD-I8W5HtDbLQO9wjj3TS7IZSua8UBmQh3Vqsw_3Lb7S3CAODTM2bfM8wKZ0mCyMuExwKhOeRR90vM8eVdTDg5dclzUbqwh_uuFdRRTT/s1600/arches.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the cool arches at Arches National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fading sun atop Boulder Mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCJcMaII_2D0iEpv1QPEUMmGUutc19vX5SjyuJUSkOevmDLr_bzMmPFgO9xX7yl5dPjatE9_BFgUmG6RSLmj1FEeXBEpToPpC77ia2w61iYblFaFgAH7IIu36R_DAwiN66SlBhEvYrdM7/s1600/bouldermountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH5h7UpfS-ZTz20BN9dY4lU2plo-Uot15SVAo-_pelHsubNIOWVyMjk08c2uG2MUXV2OwoP7GSSaRFgps3OlZQMAJTHGfz6XImjaMf-60kvKYF6yMixjpAxzWiwLzXhKBI8bESTigsxK_/s1600/archesmarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLH5h7UpfS-ZTz20BN9dY4lU2plo-Uot15SVAo-_pelHsubNIOWVyMjk08c2uG2MUXV2OwoP7GSSaRFgps3OlZQMAJTHGfz6XImjaMf-60kvKYF6yMixjpAxzWiwLzXhKBI8bESTigsxK_/s1600/archesmarch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arches is spectacular, but not very hospitable... :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioonDr41wRVpUOJnMyBIudHlqCa3oTxfmYq1AT1XYYB4g87U6Q1zldysRtBfjQtkggP4XltzPWmDaM04L_571bI2EO4S4cQCR7BZO2kXNK6Z3YyOUQVKmuv3pM3ERodfe5MSYPNQiZD0EO/s1600/bryce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioonDr41wRVpUOJnMyBIudHlqCa3oTxfmYq1AT1XYYB4g87U6Q1zldysRtBfjQtkggP4XltzPWmDaM04L_571bI2EO4S4cQCR7BZO2kXNK6Z3YyOUQVKmuv3pM3ERodfe5MSYPNQiZD0EO/s1600/bryce.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shot from Bryce Canyon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uG3UZWvITl-ULqSvvvaGCwEiO_N-b4L_h9goCt25tORUYv4v3cF7ZnYGVdTqW2o3JhcksbN4-6JpUuUZaAzWemw5VMg0dwkmgOE3admrR8N7WjBHhZMmw5O_zmM8LHCBUQr0nuNX8LPZ/s1600/canyonsdusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uG3UZWvITl-ULqSvvvaGCwEiO_N-b4L_h9goCt25tORUYv4v3cF7ZnYGVdTqW2o3JhcksbN4-6JpUuUZaAzWemw5VMg0dwkmgOE3admrR8N7WjBHhZMmw5O_zmM8LHCBUQr0nuNX8LPZ/s1600/canyonsdusk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sun fading on canyons after Boulder Mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkcgKrgyeNcqESBwzPl2fXWPuX8l5FLbcYimfqJnldDVT-Bf3baJJrq0Hbb_vMXNv8GGpEiWj0A07E4QPVxI3U6uR6ONFYcbwL8i7fZFT3s4aeqDoN4ny45_MBKkPwWNDG5xN2sb55gmm/s1600/foreverroad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkcgKrgyeNcqESBwzPl2fXWPuX8l5FLbcYimfqJnldDVT-Bf3baJJrq0Hbb_vMXNv8GGpEiWj0A07E4QPVxI3U6uR6ONFYcbwL8i7fZFT3s4aeqDoN4ny45_MBKkPwWNDG5xN2sb55gmm/s1600/foreverroad.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A never-ending road in CO.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEzWrsxXihXEZJ7QCv6acj5EFRGIqBc9ofdwysYVTkchjTHgmthdfqyFQ0xBCLOrQp8XC6eZ6FIjCkUrs2CJ3yd1Uu1_2XuKyPwyz1oLpeom3zX_tcySUNJ-xHlVY9_DHBoGbs0VKe7Lu/s1600/DirtyDevil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEzWrsxXihXEZJ7QCv6acj5EFRGIqBc9ofdwysYVTkchjTHgmthdfqyFQ0xBCLOrQp8XC6eZ6FIjCkUrs2CJ3yd1Uu1_2XuKyPwyz1oLpeom3zX_tcySUNJ-xHlVY9_DHBoGbs0VKe7Lu/s1600/DirtyDevil.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have yet to meet the "Dirty Devil," but we have crossed his river in Utah!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nA_13EvkU9Mm1c6nMM_I0BK7TSlaKKu8tMZcQVw7CpxpFs4RN3Oy1u73wEzJggFskMzFbru4jAmnFmxVaS18g7_-DJmSdUQzWXE0YCcEe8p_Q_-hz9X25q-NRiGeT3Dr6ktja1eK2mIf/s1600/Cowboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nA_13EvkU9Mm1c6nMM_I0BK7TSlaKKu8tMZcQVw7CpxpFs4RN3Oy1u73wEzJggFskMzFbru4jAmnFmxVaS18g7_-DJmSdUQzWXE0YCcEe8p_Q_-hz9X25q-NRiGeT3Dr6ktja1eK2mIf/s1600/Cowboys.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, some real cowboys for Bella.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8cL6LPjxdoI381qPpkzlwBti0fFkLswCBldk3fWc8rNKw9y2DW8arrVCrrKleXyLCKUVyl63E4ZmKVpJdYKPhGOAoaKmGhQI0uqT9WOB96csA2xJy-qQOa3GEErCCyWipBiHjEskIHzn/s1600/geologist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8cL6LPjxdoI381qPpkzlwBti0fFkLswCBldk3fWc8rNKw9y2DW8arrVCrrKleXyLCKUVyl63E4ZmKVpJdYKPhGOAoaKmGhQI0uqT9WOB96csA2xJy-qQOa3GEErCCyWipBiHjEskIHzn/s1600/geologist.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our budding geologist trying to determine every rocks makeup by tasting them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSrwnaq7jGBNGsveLmuZeUT_ZBJd-4hCB6Wx1ViNLQ3XofV5EWnkXdth0dgcbfV_ZDDJohXGFOwTlzp0oaRbv9cQ2BiIr8GriHvWrOsjU6_vOphpY9VJhk90vpMuTVxbjyVKcgc9HwbU8/s1600/grandstaircase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSrwnaq7jGBNGsveLmuZeUT_ZBJd-4hCB6Wx1ViNLQ3XofV5EWnkXdth0dgcbfV_ZDDJohXGFOwTlzp0oaRbv9cQ2BiIr8GriHvWrOsjU6_vOphpY9VJhk90vpMuTVxbjyVKcgc9HwbU8/s1600/grandstaircase.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the "Grand Staircase" in Escalanter UT. It's hard to tell from the photo, but in person it looks like a humongous staircase up this canyon.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsR1a7MaD5EE2WAGksLoWjb0BAql8SQiOATc2Mm-nTG17NTRIagi48Zrgn6j-nLcFTJOldT5ba_uidzsijgl5x1t1JmzWZt_u44ai6_wpZA-UXaOVGjNJ6sDbRY3h0yWnbScYjZB5sDuO/s1600/Ho+made.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsR1a7MaD5EE2WAGksLoWjb0BAql8SQiOATc2Mm-nTG17NTRIagi48Zrgn6j-nLcFTJOldT5ba_uidzsijgl5x1t1JmzWZt_u44ai6_wpZA-UXaOVGjNJ6sDbRY3h0yWnbScYjZB5sDuO/s1600/Ho+made.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This restaurant was attached to a Best Western. I wonder if corporate approved this </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy9FYI75_fGZOQD9MMRY3x8gAV88W5IkEyrdlsj3uuyXKSlw67UBnrRNqfEusAEQu4cAZRJ70tsaIT3vamvoW3rxg0GUKXXTt9pTw0M8C0tI3mJDXGZx-cKnqh3Ysbt_befN6P545ILX2/s1600/HotelViewOUray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy9FYI75_fGZOQD9MMRY3x8gAV88W5IkEyrdlsj3uuyXKSlw67UBnrRNqfEusAEQu4cAZRJ70tsaIT3vamvoW3rxg0GUKXXTt9pTw0M8C0tI3mJDXGZx-cKnqh3Ysbt_befN6P545ILX2/s1600/HotelViewOUray.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from our motel in Ouray.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSnRhpqHNTDMZjSOrl6Axy6PRM7C2LjnCIPAiU7h5HiL-g_LPaHWSFUxOhIugUNooKEseUX79JkNlVPdm1hwJu-mZBX6ZrxXkW7yeYMvm52bLtU5rhTx929u4MHO9lu6mMSfbsVfQOq99/s1600/hotsprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSnRhpqHNTDMZjSOrl6Axy6PRM7C2LjnCIPAiU7h5HiL-g_LPaHWSFUxOhIugUNooKEseUX79JkNlVPdm1hwJu-mZBX6ZrxXkW7yeYMvm52bLtU5rhTx929u4MHO9lu6mMSfbsVfQOq99/s1600/hotsprings.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The hot springs pools in downtown Ouray.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MStITDjeDnZK_4_mcMXOz9zR5nA_lIdD58sT4Z0RgXVJx7_z31xaY_8Ll5hX7csXCQDAwWlP4LHuvoW3qfQpLIILLkvhLhh-Xukdz1kXfhY7aearHFJyTBvaVBDHaOdZkNcEXlgdKIbu/s1600/hotspringsview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MStITDjeDnZK_4_mcMXOz9zR5nA_lIdD58sT4Z0RgXVJx7_z31xaY_8Ll5hX7csXCQDAwWlP4LHuvoW3qfQpLIILLkvhLhh-Xukdz1kXfhY7aearHFJyTBvaVBDHaOdZkNcEXlgdKIbu/s1600/hotspringsview.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is your view from the hot springs pools.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4unVeSjW_w_hWP8VaTHexB0KcTH8qeEZQUEQ7QSqiC6unp7KtT9nNViGyQrGUNTejo4hStlls5LX_3juaMY6eoX4CIr3O8EQtS8hqf7qJqwuPuEBWvP1o73YdOaHU0WoBpv29qp8qtkbt/s1600/Mesas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4unVeSjW_w_hWP8VaTHexB0KcTH8qeEZQUEQ7QSqiC6unp7KtT9nNViGyQrGUNTejo4hStlls5LX_3juaMY6eoX4CIr3O8EQtS8hqf7qJqwuPuEBWvP1o73YdOaHU0WoBpv29qp8qtkbt/s1600/Mesas.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A great pic of some mesas in southern CO.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBfQwl-FS60LlfgjCcLkzqEN2OW0kSH_MAgQbZkPTqQPS2YLz0vfuwOqCAhEXgV7dLZkM91IGLYlVREQibhHS7iz8-Rhk7JcJXDhwWa4bNF5E1JLwVRAF6Iel4SL4lSYJ7C3XB9_j76Ml/s1600/interestinghouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBfQwl-FS60LlfgjCcLkzqEN2OW0kSH_MAgQbZkPTqQPS2YLz0vfuwOqCAhEXgV7dLZkM91IGLYlVREQibhHS7iz8-Rhk7JcJXDhwWa4bNF5E1JLwVRAF6Iel4SL4lSYJ7C3XB9_j76Ml/s1600/interestinghouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An interesting house we saw in a valley in Utah.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlH_ozrCl_oZs40mqt6MZOkOzF1Cfva_QAxGOn_HoMh94-50ZtiPHSzemU1ofEC4Bs8rtpqVCeGMPjuBQBAyyDOcg7gUFZMDKpuFO2vZFShJfvdi_-HRDtQ9AtpDrFAyGVJN17aBI-n-e/s1600/hugearch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlH_ozrCl_oZs40mqt6MZOkOzF1Cfva_QAxGOn_HoMh94-50ZtiPHSzemU1ofEC4Bs8rtpqVCeGMPjuBQBAyyDOcg7gUFZMDKpuFO2vZFShJfvdi_-HRDtQ9AtpDrFAyGVJN17aBI-n-e/s1600/hugearch.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To give you an idea of the size of this arch, those little white specs are people standing in it.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTos6Ul4b5pXjKrho0AYJ_ScrkmllJrwPf4eWBgcYGLwAweLJL7FwYgWyyPaXY_56ddrajZih4eSG6_Ec2qUpqt74jt76tfS5MLfo5-EZo_sqmxUzNpORPEpi8aHZ4Yz1WJlhHbiuuXL99/s1600/MesasClouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTos6Ul4b5pXjKrho0AYJ_ScrkmllJrwPf4eWBgcYGLwAweLJL7FwYgWyyPaXY_56ddrajZih4eSG6_Ec2qUpqt74jt76tfS5MLfo5-EZo_sqmxUzNpORPEpi8aHZ4Yz1WJlhHbiuuXL99/s1600/MesasClouds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another great pic of the mesas Michelle took. I love the shadow of the cloud on the left mesa.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAgMwaXG5I-zEMcGMODVY-sLkPyderpZs7paQhj4q5tt2kEr-HVYgHEdDPUeG5bkxS6xD6WucFXwyTd1LIKX8Q7gYCZqu4wPLU3K-bNCww6UunF8ySmEwTlRI6LPmgbGkDHecv6Y1w5m8/s1600/Michelle+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAgMwaXG5I-zEMcGMODVY-sLkPyderpZs7paQhj4q5tt2kEr-HVYgHEdDPUeG5bkxS6xD6WucFXwyTd1LIKX8Q7gYCZqu4wPLU3K-bNCww6UunF8ySmEwTlRI6LPmgbGkDHecv6Y1w5m8/s1600/Michelle+pic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Interesting" formations at Arches national park.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeV8orm9lMlmy13w2CZSyIQ3a21l-NoX8rVDCBo1ZUUicVG4zptqYZUcAQHCqUm1DPdEklQfKPaI9sIngAbbmhADmd3yY7JX_fdyJzkwoM5ukVlzjdwOSPH1yKOs-y9g1GFH4YITwxSb3/s1600/monster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeV8orm9lMlmy13w2CZSyIQ3a21l-NoX8rVDCBo1ZUUicVG4zptqYZUcAQHCqUm1DPdEklQfKPaI9sIngAbbmhADmd3yY7JX_fdyJzkwoM5ukVlzjdwOSPH1yKOs-y9g1GFH4YITwxSb3/s1600/monster.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella said this one looked like a monster.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8qCzKolnbLFWwoAi2r35PrihxGNh90bPuP4C37J3-4pcT175BPhuJDIVrJpQXCfjC23r8hKbKDj1ZD-MLH5T8zl6dzzftil1Le46oAnH0AgGYE9Tc8RzqShmlUZMWkxpW1oAJL0MuWMs/s1600/OUraystreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8qCzKolnbLFWwoAi2r35PrihxGNh90bPuP4C37J3-4pcT175BPhuJDIVrJpQXCfjC23r8hKbKDj1ZD-MLH5T8zl6dzzftil1Le46oAnH0AgGYE9Tc8RzqShmlUZMWkxpW1oAJL0MuWMs/s1600/OUraystreet.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's easy to see why Ouray is known as "Switzerland in America."</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9IQWHXykOMOvD4PG67WX7Kcj6cM0OJZwVWRMFFsm4Wjd94li5ZMhP3RQCEPE-zzxAMRC4U6qRBQog39MpmVw83M9-QnRsraPHUGzxO2iic2cLr0U2GbCpSgubPRgv_yfrB7xAkI-yYQG/s1600/OUrayBAr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9IQWHXykOMOvD4PG67WX7Kcj6cM0OJZwVWRMFFsm4Wjd94li5ZMhP3RQCEPE-zzxAMRC4U6qRBQog39MpmVw83M9-QnRsraPHUGzxO2iic2cLr0U2GbCpSgubPRgv_yfrB7xAkI-yYQG/s1600/OUrayBAr.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One day we are going to return to Ouray and have a beer at that roof top bar.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXicHHAMYKk-y-IZLB1_h7ILdxRhNDhIGgCLdoc1YfnJm7p0fvhhm6Xt0H_nNIQjEng5Hywx1fAn2ji_qm52WfVEzJbrQfSBLKItCfu_wdJb1xLjS5Lwd_45akM8lqUw4G1uzj4YZY0zM/s1600/natural+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXicHHAMYKk-y-IZLB1_h7ILdxRhNDhIGgCLdoc1YfnJm7p0fvhhm6Xt0H_nNIQjEng5Hywx1fAn2ji_qm52WfVEzJbrQfSBLKItCfu_wdJb1xLjS5Lwd_45akM8lqUw4G1uzj4YZY0zM/s1600/natural+bridge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Natural bridge at Bryce Canyon.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtxiIEwwOqHJuZJ6grCnL8n6Cs1iOWYKhaHawZI-pidRsiGPh29R_OrthpjqhUl4KF94wp6GGbqQl7T-9IrqLLCt1iLw6BawOT_YrX1eJRBLDzUS_PYLvz__LKCju0BVKksmf2xw5g9CU/s1600/rockshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtxiIEwwOqHJuZJ6grCnL8n6Cs1iOWYKhaHawZI-pidRsiGPh29R_OrthpjqhUl4KF94wp6GGbqQl7T-9IrqLLCt1iLw6BawOT_YrX1eJRBLDzUS_PYLvz__LKCju0BVKksmf2xw5g9CU/s1600/rockshop.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They sell rocks, fossils, espresso and coffer apparently.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C6WbX0BNgnWG85Hjk_hZsbzoNWpyIv_s6g_43jHc9lO43bAnKldahwTr1dfy-6rSzAHxwLkxJyZUR15ipklDPIgQ5ORrUha6OTqhMrAqN4frkB8rfysUIyudu6Bnk33KoxSwTbz9dyCj/s1600/San+Miguel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9C6WbX0BNgnWG85Hjk_hZsbzoNWpyIv_s6g_43jHc9lO43bAnKldahwTr1dfy-6rSzAHxwLkxJyZUR15ipklDPIgQ5ORrUha6OTqhMrAqN4frkB8rfysUIyudu6Bnk33KoxSwTbz9dyCj/s1600/San+Miguel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the San Miguel river in the San Miguel canyon...very pretty. I could live along that river.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie43cKZmoJTSzjA9-2fqNRPKLGn5x0XOozDcnOxT_uVa6pgbZLn5my_AO-SI6SEQVuOHn2_t2DzY6-sKO2uX7DKpEFugDZMtjUSJH5jG5lZ72KSdRNBoAkrm-4NPIQ1GhF-Gasdwys4hR/s1600/thisplacerocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie43cKZmoJTSzjA9-2fqNRPKLGn5x0XOozDcnOxT_uVa6pgbZLn5my_AO-SI6SEQVuOHn2_t2DzY6-sKO2uX7DKpEFugDZMtjUSJH5jG5lZ72KSdRNBoAkrm-4NPIQ1GhF-Gasdwys4hR/s1600/thisplacerocks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This place ROCKS!......rocks, get it? Oh, never-mind.... :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE13x3cGURKy-OkC0JFf4gpltQ0Bpvdpv81SdCD9rHJl-6KTNZ21njbniNNtTLaHIW_hE-Ndjk4sGc7DTNxfGMe6zn5hxR1AjzbbE5IVkdE37lKLj5arhML-7mzBNHAtwLnZImCVr85zGY/s1600/Utah2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE13x3cGURKy-OkC0JFf4gpltQ0Bpvdpv81SdCD9rHJl-6KTNZ21njbniNNtTLaHIW_hE-Ndjk4sGc7DTNxfGMe6zn5hxR1AjzbbE5IVkdE37lKLj5arhML-7mzBNHAtwLnZImCVr85zGY/s1600/Utah2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the surrealistic landscape of southern Utah.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj749RLCuJICg80LFoVdvFvtUmCW2ca5SfAbG5azQ210-qBeIbYQw9BUpnjdEcmM-HMuQcZOgZRIsM0llvDfJmNDvWooD2Uc1a2Sb5SFSvSEsdD4crHdVoQDLvknFX82wI2XNwa9tUaz9KL/s1600/Utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj749RLCuJICg80LFoVdvFvtUmCW2ca5SfAbG5azQ210-qBeIbYQw9BUpnjdEcmM-HMuQcZOgZRIsM0llvDfJmNDvWooD2Uc1a2Sb5SFSvSEsdD4crHdVoQDLvknFX82wI2XNwa9tUaz9KL/s1600/Utah.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kinda looks like a fortress rising out of the Utah desert.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KlqUycGg3-p5Ezf65P6aECA3w05KcnjibxWdnq-wwJUmm6LdELSVE53Er-WjT7DGnY2bf4_RMcOPc-WP873HdPkKapTD3loZI6i4iEw3eBqxVc71rm0QFssSVYG_FVO981XrweKXjHgS/s1600/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KlqUycGg3-p5Ezf65P6aECA3w05KcnjibxWdnq-wwJUmm6LdELSVE53Er-WjT7DGnY2bf4_RMcOPc-WP873HdPkKapTD3loZI6i4iEw3eBqxVc71rm0QFssSVYG_FVO981XrweKXjHgS/s1600/top.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right in the middle of this pic is Bella and I reaching the high point of our climb.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMzsvhpvTkyHrQhWUgMy-pXdNk1qvyrZw31AfjJGQDl0LUh3PQXdL7P0iO7J4t6ViPzfhy7Y6YcDSl3G3QAKL2MrFkTV6VE7nQ1cHciOT4mGUzzxW2-6WMhGNMkm06r2gi-e0SvoiEyi_/s1600/Utah3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMzsvhpvTkyHrQhWUgMy-pXdNk1qvyrZw31AfjJGQDl0LUh3PQXdL7P0iO7J4t6ViPzfhy7Y6YcDSl3G3QAKL2MrFkTV6VE7nQ1cHciOT4mGUzzxW2-6WMhGNMkm06r2gi-e0SvoiEyi_/s1600/Utah3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More surreal landscape of southern Utah.</span></td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3No_O6-n14vCjwtTdpuGy8B-2QIS7tFNW20TpaXlA6ICDW2lfRXNd4ZAuN-LM_kliU9B7NOrVksl1yClxhGqLH4N8MTvPTE0ultCJ6BPXOVIX-kSSLrMLqTbujiUxpdlJlP2x5Vpmhu5L/s1600/volcanicrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3No_O6-n14vCjwtTdpuGy8B-2QIS7tFNW20TpaXlA6ICDW2lfRXNd4ZAuN-LM_kliU9B7NOrVksl1yClxhGqLH4N8MTvPTE0ultCJ6BPXOVIX-kSSLrMLqTbujiUxpdlJlP2x5Vpmhu5L/s1600/volcanicrock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I got out to take a look at all the weird black volcanic rock (your can see them, they are the round black ones) by the side of the road then decided to climb up about 100 feet or so to this odd rock shelf formation.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67GMT8hf8kNY7SpYBNSHV5bpqtkbpRg8T4OvxhL2NmT-ZL0FiD8OpBvcKf2NUzosjzAFjau_tnOZPsETBg96dfwt1_ln9V79Bhl_eWYsE72dRuHscu4yhTTldIkOnL1iJFWGlo2QabiSF/s1600/vriver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67GMT8hf8kNY7SpYBNSHV5bpqtkbpRg8T4OvxhL2NmT-ZL0FiD8OpBvcKf2NUzosjzAFjau_tnOZPsETBg96dfwt1_ln9V79Bhl_eWYsE72dRuHscu4yhTTldIkOnL1iJFWGlo2QabiSF/s1600/vriver.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, it's a slighly odd name for a river, but what made it really funny was that this sign was posted no more than 100 yards past the "Ho-made Pies" sign posted earlier. Utah is an odd place.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkm5Oa9Pi0wDUS5nJ95GN-0m5NlQLVKbRMjN7hjdx5UZGbgY3DtxHb2Z8O5EVPnwuym2ZNBl-5S9YjarhEToMKpeEGkleOmQ1uT51eZOedKq4R9LYrP3hfOMs2P8msBe_RgIavsO7byiz/s1600/beautiful+ladies+in+dresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkm5Oa9Pi0wDUS5nJ95GN-0m5NlQLVKbRMjN7hjdx5UZGbgY3DtxHb2Z8O5EVPnwuym2ZNBl-5S9YjarhEToMKpeEGkleOmQ1uT51eZOedKq4R9LYrP3hfOMs2P8msBe_RgIavsO7byiz/s1600/beautiful+ladies+in+dresses.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella said this formation looked like "3 beautiful ladies wearing gowns."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBNG71qhbZh6Zwl8lP5nNxSCrNlUm2ZYMxBb7L06HgAiZ8zvRQt15ASLPVXnPthlp4MAxdv66BpADLGL_Ye34jYyo428ZRv9I35z24LXTV3L8tcH3JuM8tgrzlearSxpcxrl5Uvk8aM6L/s1600/Archesbella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBNG71qhbZh6Zwl8lP5nNxSCrNlUm2ZYMxBb7L06HgAiZ8zvRQt15ASLPVXnPthlp4MAxdv66BpADLGL_Ye34jYyo428ZRv9I35z24LXTV3L8tcH3JuM8tgrzlearSxpcxrl5Uvk8aM6L/s1600/Archesbella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again, it's hard to tell from the picture, but this is a HUGE span about a couple hundred yards behind Bella.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBL8jNXFUG3dFANF5x_DIU8iLNlY9DYoA_6i1yTEL4fWZvHyC869Q2bShxPOo-hZRv-9B53DpcTMYb15c4bmW69wOAFid2ef9jzj61zs_g4kvbXqpENhzKKamSJyfiMS9CGppq8ujczx/s1600/rainbowpoint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBL8jNXFUG3dFANF5x_DIU8iLNlY9DYoA_6i1yTEL4fWZvHyC869Q2bShxPOo-hZRv-9B53DpcTMYb15c4bmW69wOAFid2ef9jzj61zs_g4kvbXqpENhzKKamSJyfiMS9CGppq8ujczx/s1600/rainbowpoint.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bryce Canyon, rainbow point.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOzRaEJ6fgEfjmEQighedARt2aMw1cwNp-YJgvbvh6FZfLsMsdSo-ShvTrLYcEW5EOz7NFDQjuqRVjT25oA6A5UjfYpdA3agDD8MdzkuWqVhb_hq-R8_-hs6rldVo02fPXhWVUD1duIsi/s1600/windows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOzRaEJ6fgEfjmEQighedARt2aMw1cwNp-YJgvbvh6FZfLsMsdSo-ShvTrLYcEW5EOz7NFDQjuqRVjT25oA6A5UjfYpdA3agDD8MdzkuWqVhb_hq-R8_-hs6rldVo02fPXhWVUD1duIsi/s1600/windows.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They call this "the windows" at Arches National Park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8Yso-rCETQH5dfP_tcsTM0LFs7CwqQy_MSAPWO4tE0QVPcoqhHzUqeK-Fh_i4MyJfbRH2lMkTdwnAbT7LEjefgae__A8dU2aZr-_V0aa51u97O0kVT6t_yN-9zqj5tlLSU2vSJNy-_n-/s1600/rockclimbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8Yso-rCETQH5dfP_tcsTM0LFs7CwqQy_MSAPWO4tE0QVPcoqhHzUqeK-Fh_i4MyJfbRH2lMkTdwnAbT7LEjefgae__A8dU2aZr-_V0aa51u97O0kVT6t_yN-9zqj5tlLSU2vSJNy-_n-/s1600/rockclimbing.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I beginning our climb, which was the hardest part.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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</div>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-38192535763201647262011-05-06T02:08:00.000-07:002011-05-06T23:27:33.095-07:00They say a picture is worth a thousand words....If that is true, we'll need 1000 pics to convey some of the things we've seen on this trip so far. I knew the trip was going to be awesome. I knew it could even be life changing in that it could change my perspective on some things, but I just was not prepared for the sheer size, vastness and utter beauty of some of the things we've seen so far.<br />
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We woke up in Durango, made breakfast, checked out of the hotel and we were pulling out of the parking lot headed to Mesa Verde when I saw this older couple in an old beat-up car with the hood-up. I rolled down the window and asked if they needed a jump. They did, so I got my jumper cables out, gave them a jump. They thanked us and were on their way. I think it's best to never pass up an opportunity to get some easy karma points. :-) I packed up the jumper cables and we we headed for Mesa Verde, about 40 miles away. It was an easy drive with some beautiful scenery along the way.<br />
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Our initial plan was to spend 1/2 a day in Mesa Verde and then head back through Durango up to Ouray. For those of you reading this who have been to Mesa Verde, you can stop laughing now. I was beyond naive to think we could spend just 1/2 a day in MV. When we pulled up to the park entrance they asked us if we had plenty of gas because the cliff dwellings themselves were 23 miles past the front entrance. We did have plenty so we went ahead in. The 15 mile drive to the main visitors center was nothing short of awe inspiring. Even if there were no cliff dwellings this drive would have been worth the price of admission. Once at the main visitors center we decided to take the tour of the largest cliff dwelling, Cliff Palace. We bought our tickets then drove another 8 miles to the site where we got together with our tour group. It seemed funny to me, but of the 30 or so people in our group, at least 1/2 were not from the USA. The largest foreign contingent was from Germany (UK, France, Australia and Canada also were represented). MV must be very popular with German tourists because the brochures were in three different languages, English, Spanish and German. We even met some Germans who had their camper van shipped over from Germany and were traveling all over North and South America with it. I envy them.<br />
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The hike down to Cliff Palace was not too bad, but there were some VERY narrow spots, especially carrying a baby on my back. Once we got down there, the park guide spoke for about 40 minutes, when 20 minutes would have done nicely. I was lucky to miss about 20 minutes of it when Aldous got fussy which required me to go off around a corner ledge so every one else could here her drone on. :-) We then had about 10 minutes to explore the area, most of which was spent standing in line to see a painting that had been left by the Anasazi inside one of their towers about 800 years ago. It was only visible by sticking your head in a 2x2 window and looking about 10 feet up and to your right.<br />
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After this we decided to spend the night in the park. It was too early in the season for camping, but there is a hotel on site. It was a bit more than what we hoped to spend, but given the view and the fact that the next nearest hotel is about 35 miles away and we wanted to explore MV some more the next day, we decided to stay there. We also ate at their very good restaurant, which was not unreasonably priced. Before checking in at the hotel we decided to do the self-tour of the Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling and this was by far the best experience we had at any of the Anasazi ruins. You went at your own pace, there were rangers there to answer questions, but only if you had any. :-) After viewing STH, we watched a short video in the onsite museum about the history of the cliff dwellings. This was very informative and highly recommended.<br />
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We then checked into our hotel room, went to dinner, and then back to the hotel room and turned in for the night. The room had no wifi, and no TV...which is what we needed. I fell asleep at 9:30, usually I'm up till past midnight typing these blogs (it's 3:07am now as I post this). The next day, we did a short hike to see the Soda Canyon overlook, in which you can view the Balcony House cliff dwelling on the other side of the canyon (we opted to not take the guided tour to the cliff dwelling itself). It was about 1.5 miles, but the sun was bright and it was hot. Let's just say I'm glad it wasn't 1.6 miles. :-) We then decided to have a picnic on one of the overlooks on the way out of the park and head for Ouray. One last thing, in two days we didn't see 1/2 of what there is to see at MV. Of course we had little kids in tow, but still, you could easily spend 4-5 days here or a casual week even without towing kids around. If you make the trip to see MV, give yourself a minimum of 2 full days to see it...and start early every day.<br />
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Now, let me begin this by telling you that when my uncle Bill asked where we wanted to go after leaving ABQ. All we knew is that we wanted to go to Mesa Verde, then Moab, then on to the Grand Canyon. He said that given that list, after visiting MV, we needed to take the road from Durango through to Ouray. He said it was so spectacular, that if our trip ended after that road, we'd be satisfied. I think he was actually downplaying how spectacular the drive actually is! Snow covered peaks 12K feet high, passes that were 11K feet high, rushing rivers, winding roads with no guard rails that plunged 100s upon 100s of feet, snow melt waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, avalanche signs on every other corner, some for snow, some for rocks. It was just simply incredible, there is no other way to describe it. I have no issue at all with heights, but some of these roads without guardrails were just insane and even made me feel a little nervous. It wasn't so much the height as it was the fact that I would find myself in awe of the surroundings, looking up and then realizing, um hey, you are piloting a heavily loaded Flower Power Swagger Wagon with your wife and kids on-board, you might want to keep your eyes on the road! <br />
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We made it to Ouray and then debated on whether to stay at the more expensive hotel with onsite hot spring hot tubs terraced behind the rooms up the mountain, or stay at the hotel slightly outside of town for about 1/2 the cost...but still an amazing view. We went with option 2. We did not have time to get pics of the views from our hotel though because we decided to unpack quickly and run over to the Hot Springs Pool right in the middle of the town that was open till 9PM (it's off-season). It was awesome! They have several large pools that range in temperature from 84-105 degrees. <span style="font-size: small;">http://www.ouraycolorado.com/Hot+Springs+Pool</span> This is one of the coolest little towns I've ever seen. We plan on exploring it some tomorrow and will post some pics. Meanwhile, it's very late and we've had a long past 2 days so I'm going to let the pictures do the rest of the talking. We've taken about 200 pics in the last 2 days so, I've tried to pick out some of the better ones. Sorry they are not in order, but blogspot is giving me fits trying to arrange them and I'm too tired to fix them now. :-) <br />
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PS. Quick short cute Bella story of the day. The Mesa Verde visitors center has one of those machines where you put in 2 quarters and a penny, then you turn this handle 5 times and it crushes your penny flat and puts a new picture on it (in this case a deer). Bella asked for some money for this on our first day in MV but I didn't have any change. The next day I bought something and there was about $.86 in change which I handed to Bella and told her if was for the penny crusher later. She looked at the money, counted it, got a big smile on her face and said excitedly, "Daddy, I only need $ .51, this is $.86 cents so that means I have some extra money that I can donate to help someone!" We must be doing something right.... :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTub45FfOxGPNM6eCbthMQgM_TQI0G407Ho9lhBygd1-pj1nFmTALc6sWQwyPbEWd8KiW-sFVtDmU-dsBpEIUtSYRNMAP7kGHvN7cAPKkjxko936KXbwQSCnH9gnTeBIEgKxA6Kt2hkVv/s1600/cliffpalacecanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTub45FfOxGPNM6eCbthMQgM_TQI0G407Ho9lhBygd1-pj1nFmTALc6sWQwyPbEWd8KiW-sFVtDmU-dsBpEIUtSYRNMAP7kGHvN7cAPKkjxko936KXbwQSCnH9gnTeBIEgKxA6Kt2hkVv/s1600/cliffpalacecanyon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the canyon Cliff Palace is in....you can see the end of the palace in the far left of the picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbduI-eYHfgtlhBUlH5SALx5tOzF7J92jpFa3L-arm8luVyMgxeplK1lZFs9N31YQqwus8lhCx60oEbMPR3y_EIL8QXf-l7dDz6Q_duPZHUJSS1XFB0lNEbQZ5yyrULIEQkaos3iOTINfx/s1600/cliffpalaceclose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbduI-eYHfgtlhBUlH5SALx5tOzF7J92jpFa3L-arm8luVyMgxeplK1lZFs9N31YQqwus8lhCx60oEbMPR3y_EIL8QXf-l7dDz6Q_duPZHUJSS1XFB0lNEbQZ5yyrULIEQkaos3iOTINfx/s1600/cliffpalaceclose.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was at the tail end of the tour so I could get people in the pics to give it scale.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NwN9mvRHUoAOM_G2uwPIdOSyXZIBLwHQu1Bhwrx9aNZjwLTCFNp9MpwJmsDme4ak_OqqObOrlC-WKFLW9RtKT7muVSmj3AYrOpYq7lcZeCFFzRBrFAZZ0C9ZzizenOmuXKOgxd7fnb_q/s1600/cliffpalaceinline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NwN9mvRHUoAOM_G2uwPIdOSyXZIBLwHQu1Bhwrx9aNZjwLTCFNp9MpwJmsDme4ak_OqqObOrlC-WKFLW9RtKT7muVSmj3AYrOpYq7lcZeCFFzRBrFAZZ0C9ZzizenOmuXKOgxd7fnb_q/s1600/cliffpalaceinline.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle took this pic of Bella, Aldous and I waiting to see the painting.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0groJJ4oobC0m9H-z7yqByhH-eTgA1_dO3f5k8VeuvFUUrzD80rD8vvf-NNNiyATgyVFhPIpAKGnLKYVy08AuJ_XofikS_DLqqrPZtEn6tm-DCbZunTwffsfaGtDQYfnnRcbHRRfdX1Gq/s1600/Climb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0groJJ4oobC0m9H-z7yqByhH-eTgA1_dO3f5k8VeuvFUUrzD80rD8vvf-NNNiyATgyVFhPIpAKGnLKYVy08AuJ_XofikS_DLqqrPZtEn6tm-DCbZunTwffsfaGtDQYfnnRcbHRRfdX1Gq/s1600/Climb.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Climbing out of the canyon after visiting Cliff Palace.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih83HCC0Si_kK8UviV2sC8QESd8nXKtRCOrNl23N363eH97hILL5t-Qh02B7dWD-c6RbrfhLluFZaS6CgNTXJxmLaQNl1FxvmmjQzL_ek-hBibvbGbYo5FVR1X8G7DNZpod3HCVQGGyLJx/s1600/climbdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih83HCC0Si_kK8UviV2sC8QESd8nXKtRCOrNl23N363eH97hILL5t-Qh02B7dWD-c6RbrfhLluFZaS6CgNTXJxmLaQNl1FxvmmjQzL_ek-hBibvbGbYo5FVR1X8G7DNZpod3HCVQGGyLJx/s1600/climbdown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was pretty steep, and carrying a baby up was not that easy, but it was worth it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfk_chfVgtjs-QMnKq_3OFLpNgU5ZP-Av5KColo3H1FukFqnnuqBm48SU7jCnVrSHsAgVA-pHGdXBK61cFPmK7moMR6Yz5s1TFpiULiAWK4tLUyInqyev7-VNUXoSIOSTGwBkNGxAex3C/s1600/Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfk_chfVgtjs-QMnKq_3OFLpNgU5ZP-Av5KColo3H1FukFqnnuqBm48SU7jCnVrSHsAgVA-pHGdXBK61cFPmK7moMR6Yz5s1TFpiULiAWK4tLUyInqyev7-VNUXoSIOSTGwBkNGxAex3C/s1600/Hotel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the hotel we stayed in at Mesa Verde, and those are wild horses you see all over the park.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehLmBuYNx9-t8JkgJ3rQrePHA0Vjgb5ewNn8C7GIZ8awWS9YzvP5pE89Y9fq83uAg9NOkQnt-7h8Iat3wDHXfH9Pd2W1z394vwYSwX2DUzrjFMqRJvsw4m1JE3ASre-FDWmX4gNk_xZfI/s1600/picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehLmBuYNx9-t8JkgJ3rQrePHA0Vjgb5ewNn8C7GIZ8awWS9YzvP5pE89Y9fq83uAg9NOkQnt-7h8Iat3wDHXfH9Pd2W1z394vwYSwX2DUzrjFMqRJvsw4m1JE3ASre-FDWmX4gNk_xZfI/s1600/picnic.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our picnic leaving Mesa Verde.....what a view!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7p2Otk4va1TCj9NMNBYVQuD8vRAytP5s57sUsu3qoJLcln3fcTbccx9v6s1vmq9Eg7Bz7SoBpwK4QLfMsjtnyJgIhlyqeE7IJrbFaHTdI0uqkNwa3JMcm-rm53mJXcKsew6XakwIY2xH/s1600/silverton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7p2Otk4va1TCj9NMNBYVQuD8vRAytP5s57sUsu3qoJLcln3fcTbccx9v6s1vmq9Eg7Bz7SoBpwK4QLfMsjtnyJgIhlyqeE7IJrbFaHTdI0uqkNwa3JMcm-rm53mJXcKsew6XakwIY2xH/s1600/silverton.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Silverton, CO, between Durango and Ouray....interesting little town.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bEuq4gxbWsyy5To_54mUJOh9WZ-RKouAz5VV2XrKWH3BBV672VhnVCLf0HcBNZpCyiJWGzpoa8J3ZPqk_N_kB2N34IKOYRuyPILS-WZ4fndLPlbA3RB2P_Cz1kCw1SPl3Qi0sMrB13Sk/s1600/snoballfight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7bEuq4gxbWsyy5To_54mUJOh9WZ-RKouAz5VV2XrKWH3BBV672VhnVCLf0HcBNZpCyiJWGzpoa8J3ZPqk_N_kB2N34IKOYRuyPILS-WZ4fndLPlbA3RB2P_Cz1kCw1SPl3Qi0sMrB13Sk/s1600/snoballfight.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I having a snowball fight at one of the 11K foot passes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfWzBF1nGsqLKqbrAkUO8fkZX0PQJ641KGEqZkMZHKlDGteSGXAS-O8XPIHkp0rYcyxBBu54ZtTdOVOyH3q7ZP0pWEO596hZpx_uguO2sLdNvzCPR63vo-X3Kd3UsfRT4ox5E2DAF2lRP/s1600/snocapeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfWzBF1nGsqLKqbrAkUO8fkZX0PQJ641KGEqZkMZHKlDGteSGXAS-O8XPIHkp0rYcyxBBu54ZtTdOVOyH3q7ZP0pWEO596hZpx_uguO2sLdNvzCPR63vo-X3Kd3UsfRT4ox5E2DAF2lRP/s1600/snocapeak.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The highest peak we saw.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95pd7FXgEoLHknm2OE4eenIaVZOes5Y8L26VljI7IEFzKGVtqlr2MncUJZIKCHS_cE2ZBxBIDoLPG6Hv6S93opHRfkJOAkq5pkRFER7R_atX4RBqUpP33ENfjBuk5rauDXRlHjBMsBxsm/s1600/snocaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95pd7FXgEoLHknm2OE4eenIaVZOes5Y8L26VljI7IEFzKGVtqlr2MncUJZIKCHS_cE2ZBxBIDoLPG6Hv6S93opHRfkJOAkq5pkRFER7R_atX4RBqUpP33ENfjBuk5rauDXRlHjBMsBxsm/s1600/snocaps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from the road leaving Mesa Verde.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQLDHIGiWRVz1tYvIKMOcK1ZywKdXuR3NpIb5TZ7AKbUu5xJDCf7xASDGMCUX9elNRkX7rmXQyJDLCUZpKtJyO3eT5PIHY3OYkOjuYIb8xoSkf56ZatpvVeNA48GoUIZ9g7sIFgP3rfIP/s1600/snopeaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQLDHIGiWRVz1tYvIKMOcK1ZywKdXuR3NpIb5TZ7AKbUu5xJDCf7xASDGMCUX9elNRkX7rmXQyJDLCUZpKtJyO3eT5PIHY3OYkOjuYIb8xoSkf56ZatpvVeNA48GoUIZ9g7sIFgP3rfIP/s1600/snopeaks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Snow capped peaks.....duh. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-NRbHWABef5qrZHzzjr6B3D35LnmkFU1FRvqEe0GL0TixwbKRO_2By-WMrkYA8-HOX1fKnaHT8Q2YkzGATcNYdyMuNWVlzaypeCyWMUkTuqGh0-Lhp0s-mHe3IYzcLN16a3BCsr16cg5/s1600/sprucetreehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-NRbHWABef5qrZHzzjr6B3D35LnmkFU1FRvqEe0GL0TixwbKRO_2By-WMrkYA8-HOX1fKnaHT8Q2YkzGATcNYdyMuNWVlzaypeCyWMUkTuqGh0-Lhp0s-mHe3IYzcLN16a3BCsr16cg5/s1600/sprucetreehouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In front of Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYVwVKo9AeFU56xLFzhyphenhyphenr2EJDSpmCXeith-EQyAN1QMkzxg-pKp2ENN0YyP7rNojUaE6SJYkW0chLXKNL3OSQYvR3d5K9IWxInYLvzVG80V8eM0ngZfi95SAEV8rfgqrE1XHfbT5MZWyR/s1600/kiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYVwVKo9AeFU56xLFzhyphenhyphenr2EJDSpmCXeith-EQyAN1QMkzxg-pKp2ENN0YyP7rNojUaE6SJYkW0chLXKNL3OSQYvR3d5K9IWxInYLvzVG80V8eM0ngZfi95SAEV8rfgqrE1XHfbT5MZWyR/s1600/kiva.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a kiva (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiva). It's a room used by the Anasazi that is dug into the ground and would normally have a roof on it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV6vJsrjnuAnMR83BxZDiwFdmoPgq3Ni1c4WK20_azDFkl5Z87QPyK6cv90QUEsDIV4zpHvbFjhXgiWWyPxX1NMuQ1JNTAom3Iia2kmPg46fSJ4aumxjpSUYqyJSF4UbqUb8RbcwAMnrJ/s1600/kivaexit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXV6vJsrjnuAnMR83BxZDiwFdmoPgq3Ni1c4WK20_azDFkl5Z87QPyK6cv90QUEsDIV4zpHvbFjhXgiWWyPxX1NMuQ1JNTAom3Iia2kmPg46fSJ4aumxjpSUYqyJSF4UbqUb8RbcwAMnrJ/s1600/kivaexit.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Bella and I climbing down into a kiva that has had it's roof restored.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEklE0AWZeFY7K6dZPtir9ruqS9fiL6jHFNeE1fYUEtrYk41bOewYm_Fx6onXS9kgo0ZomdwLdQ8-Z4r6w2kUJcCCxvmbwa70K0bKR50jjhZhkW9_PtfkSweYvWC3xw6aG_u0XVsIFGTl/s1600/BellaKiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEklE0AWZeFY7K6dZPtir9ruqS9fiL6jHFNeE1fYUEtrYk41bOewYm_Fx6onXS9kgo0ZomdwLdQ8-Z4r6w2kUJcCCxvmbwa70K0bKR50jjhZhkW9_PtfkSweYvWC3xw6aG_u0XVsIFGTl/s1600/BellaKiva.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella sitting in the kiva.</span></td></tr>
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<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;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEezpRRpCX5tze9N-ahHFKR1agNkbCIxJpBxNzSxRuN_OeMtRvwVAAyOLJ9L9qPDn4JCfEf1BP0-4S4ZnIG0JX_bJH6El1KbpBWiw7qfeudccl1zGIU-zu0zgRTR6ihNfzxoieQ4nuU9To/s1600/SpruceTreeHousebellamichelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEezpRRpCX5tze9N-ahHFKR1agNkbCIxJpBxNzSxRuN_OeMtRvwVAAyOLJ9L9qPDn4JCfEf1BP0-4S4ZnIG0JX_bJH6El1KbpBWiw7qfeudccl1zGIU-zu0zgRTR6ihNfzxoieQ4nuU9To/s1600/SpruceTreeHousebellamichelle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella, Michelle and Aldous outside Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbBlhIEmC_hBKj6VhzJl5SS89GIwoAxAIaHY6GSoBcP8KHrJpRBmja067lwaT8XEUJKEN-BHAzSiOv25qZO7D2Q6kBhiasK339vmUJFwnoe1cBV06BX4QtCxkswKW999_CnlEVsXJEpOA/s1600/tongues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbBlhIEmC_hBKj6VhzJl5SS89GIwoAxAIaHY6GSoBcP8KHrJpRBmja067lwaT8XEUJKEN-BHAzSiOv25qZO7D2Q6kBhiasK339vmUJFwnoe1cBV06BX4QtCxkswKW999_CnlEVsXJEpOA/s1600/tongues.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldous and I had just tasted snow at one of the passes...no, it wasn't yellow snow...just cold as hell. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_93Ol8FTzj8USpxUjo7tqNb8A_2IYtyBEs_aJFQeuGEfcmfc3qU9OmEcz-IQ-gtyvPOpenAMjSCbl3JXZV3d9sGp8UZhCJiy0e-dUR4bcxLkiOFHZ0R72n_A7Gu8JRQNGliokCDOmy841/s1600/waterfalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_93Ol8FTzj8USpxUjo7tqNb8A_2IYtyBEs_aJFQeuGEfcmfc3qU9OmEcz-IQ-gtyvPOpenAMjSCbl3JXZV3d9sGp8UZhCJiy0e-dUR4bcxLkiOFHZ0R72n_A7Gu8JRQNGliokCDOmy841/s1600/waterfalls.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two cliff face waterfalls right outside Ouray.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7CcR36ZCrITStgM8KiL_xwQcklQmX8_F4aCrRa6C_VKwO5e22v3f4uEB9qk6JOxbtwgNs4C1K2id7eazbAKWaInPdoABliXK5Rso7DlaFgn0gn2I6h8tcKvNtawgKGdgMd4cbp3SwH2d/s1600/Cliffpalace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7CcR36ZCrITStgM8KiL_xwQcklQmX8_F4aCrRa6C_VKwO5e22v3f4uEB9qk6JOxbtwgNs4C1K2id7eazbAKWaInPdoABliXK5Rso7DlaFgn0gn2I6h8tcKvNtawgKGdgMd4cbp3SwH2d/s1600/Cliffpalace.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A view of Cliff Palace from an observation deck.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheMp98Ryr3SutT2matmd2JXZO0LJw5iTMfwlhLsjOEePziSHUk9zoLLNsMTG_vDZPeugMgJ0DKUW9p9kfnsjEFr30II1j0Izrp4GKxGRmBSZcOcW6ECkYwC4QZdKPuu53JjDkXtKsZXO3/s1600/canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheMp98Ryr3SutT2matmd2JXZO0LJw5iTMfwlhLsjOEePziSHUk9zoLLNsMTG_vDZPeugMgJ0DKUW9p9kfnsjEFr30II1j0Izrp4GKxGRmBSZcOcW6ECkYwC4QZdKPuu53JjDkXtKsZXO3/s1600/canyon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the MANY canyons in Mesa Verde</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FUqATv_dc4yVf_j3NrNxPNZEhKazeaxufs4LN4gv9wDMq1JMi_yns-dnEL9e2bah3ThZpWgmPrAB99b-Uyl9azFCYRzCEsvzXiN56N1hCieZaa8-OjX16H0BKyf_A1_LJeldRVvq2Gvg/s1600/painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FUqATv_dc4yVf_j3NrNxPNZEhKazeaxufs4LN4gv9wDMq1JMi_yns-dnEL9e2bah3ThZpWgmPrAB99b-Uyl9azFCYRzCEsvzXiN56N1hCieZaa8-OjX16H0BKyf_A1_LJeldRVvq2Gvg/s1600/painting.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">800+ year-old painting in Cliff Palace tower.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-QKCxcRo802R9ZvfWsBmqTkz0v8HH0UavDyjZSzgnNyMIF4cB5ly7NB8eSrAV2mSVFBnXk-IFq6I6dj3yH6hmoN6ZKUFc1vNNaAMoM2gQJsH42AT9o9oaxcWosj3N4mO6QKSAkx0MDw4/s1600/BellaFriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-QKCxcRo802R9ZvfWsBmqTkz0v8HH0UavDyjZSzgnNyMIF4cB5ly7NB8eSrAV2mSVFBnXk-IFq6I6dj3yH6hmoN6ZKUFc1vNNaAMoM2gQJsH42AT9o9oaxcWosj3N4mO6QKSAkx0MDw4/s1600/BellaFriend.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella made a new friend at Mesa Verde...the little lizard on the left of the rock...he was smiling too...really.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFZDGe73N6QNLoOa69JdAmYsnQRL81OqQ9XvPaolPVfuXfH2kdCIo7KYR54WuoghzXK5bX9oB1N4dwTVliBnBvEvuMKsPh0c5B2B1BZaGLfz63o-Y50J_A7h6xIZX6K0FEc_Brzummz2r/s1600/flowerpowerswaggerwagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFZDGe73N6QNLoOa69JdAmYsnQRL81OqQ9XvPaolPVfuXfH2kdCIo7KYR54WuoghzXK5bX9oB1N4dwTVliBnBvEvuMKsPh0c5B2B1BZaGLfz63o-Y50J_A7h6xIZX6K0FEc_Brzummz2r/s1600/flowerpowerswaggerwagon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Flower Power Swagger Wagon (nearly) on top of the world.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB92mSHC6fyxMH1KNVX1nBGuEC6ZtBZUWUbHuBsZ3B8MZ9KXW-VVNCX-fRt68B2HO5W8I5wpHzHL9NtF6qgbHLtmM1Pvhd6PfcppMhHAZHGmFbqTPhJJQSef9cO9qO0kFzSuf3Fio_18W/s1600/guardrails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZB92mSHC6fyxMH1KNVX1nBGuEC6ZtBZUWUbHuBsZ3B8MZ9KXW-VVNCX-fRt68B2HO5W8I5wpHzHL9NtF6qgbHLtmM1Pvhd6PfcppMhHAZHGmFbqTPhJJQSef9cO9qO0kFzSuf3Fio_18W/s1600/guardrails.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Guard rails? We don't need no stinkin guardrails! This one is actually very minor compared to others...they were too nerve racking to try and get a picture of them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82O8LE8i6n5L7ora-EXn7Fldt9sVX9Vo_ACCxJMfwwNTyaC1s1vF8XF_bs0DhLinjWYouruKZA7CWKUNTPth_HP4-Ut-J5fxNa_mO3gDTErZG5WzTrMq2vtNdVonFVM5Zo5JAPUpBVXW/s1600/ouraycitylimits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI82O8LE8i6n5L7ora-EXn7Fldt9sVX9Vo_ACCxJMfwwNTyaC1s1vF8XF_bs0DhLinjWYouruKZA7CWKUNTPth_HP4-Ut-J5fxNa_mO3gDTErZG5WzTrMq2vtNdVonFVM5Zo5JAPUpBVXW/s1600/ouraycitylimits.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like the sign says, Ouray city limits...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9SMIa9wxMEW8kHIRYNvM1VkzN-QeejtHqjCHiWemVFb3qnESRDBCggNXxLlMzGmh7hecKn2BMlMHYIPZAp_xSLikbMwa27FFnx88qRP4_sjujtVgZnKUZcINfO9RCH-aF90ZFDnMWpP8/s1600/MIchelleAldie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9SMIa9wxMEW8kHIRYNvM1VkzN-QeejtHqjCHiWemVFb3qnESRDBCggNXxLlMzGmh7hecKn2BMlMHYIPZAp_xSLikbMwa27FFnx88qRP4_sjujtVgZnKUZcINfO9RCH-aF90ZFDnMWpP8/s1600/MIchelleAldie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle and Aldie at one of the 11K foot passes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-48771853869512659472011-05-03T23:24:00.000-07:002011-05-03T23:24:08.111-07:00Goodbye New Mexico, Hello Colorado!After nearly a week staying in ABQ with my aunt and uncle it was time again to hit the road. We really enjoyed our stay in ABQ, both because we had excellent hosts and it's a neat little city. I have a feeling we'll be back in the not too distant future. Our initial plan was to drive up to Cortez, CO, which is the closest town to Mesa Verde (the New York City of cliff dwellings), so that we could spend about a 1/2 day there before heading farther north into CO. We took I-25 out of ABQ, to 550 which runs all the way to Durango, CO. <br />
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Northern New Mexico has some spectacular views. You can see for what appears to be hundreds of miles and what is really cool is that you can see desert like mesas out in the distance, and then even farther behind them you see huge snow capped mountains. It's really quite a site. The landscape changes significantly as you approach CO. As we drove through northern New Mexico we started to notice these large volcanic rock formations that look like they appeared from lava bubbling out of the desert and cooling (which is probably close to what happened thousands of years ago....this area is covered in old inactive volcanoes evidently). There were even some of these at the base of some mesas which made for a neat contrast between the black volcanic rock and the red color of the mesas. The desert like landscape with red rock mesas and canyons starts to gives way to a much more green landscape with more vegetation as you move into CO. This is almost simultaneous with the mountains rising up to meet you and is quite the contrast to where we have spent the last week. Durango is only about 20 miles inside CO, and in that short 20 miles, the landscape had completely transformed.<br />
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When we arrived in Durango we decided to call it a night (it's only about 35 miles from here to Mesa Verde). We took a quick drive through downtown Durango and it seems to be a cool little town. Definitely a place you could spend a day checking out and we might do a little exploring here tomorrow, we'll see.<br />
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Here are a few pics from the drive up...again, please excuse the quality of some, it's hard to get a good shot from a moving car. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n1sViMAGIEJ495ctF0h_zBfbceQ6FQbYvDm-LC8GdUufDWifMsBAVy2Yr2Y4HtoUa_XTupCfyDIx6maAd3UUZ8BQ7EjpiD01SSu__JY3H8G-kfzgqsidVQE04v7LSndcMo7GvcsoM71g/s1600/BellaAndDave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n1sViMAGIEJ495ctF0h_zBfbceQ6FQbYvDm-LC8GdUufDWifMsBAVy2Yr2Y4HtoUa_XTupCfyDIx6maAd3UUZ8BQ7EjpiD01SSu__JY3H8G-kfzgqsidVQE04v7LSndcMo7GvcsoM71g/s1600/BellaAndDave.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On our way out of town we hit Trader Joes for food supplies. While there we met Dave, a TJ employee and through our conversation we told him about our trip. He was very enthusiastic about the whole idea and Bella took a liking to him. I had to ask Dave a question before we left. Why are TJ employees so happy? For those of you who shop at Trader Joes, you have no doubt noticed how EVERY single employee is ALWAYS happy and enthusiastic. Dave, said it was simple. They hire happy enthusiastic people and treat them well. What a great business plan. :-)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ePUeeW4QwFfBnf8R6Q1CfVKF3L-zh5zkk_ATYiYfX0lbtfncRy3ZZOXris5Yvr7VrK9SjW_9HKnIskF0h7gK0JbuZWuhU3buPcG4FoAQbaT5hHUKhoI3LppuIYrLz7ckAXiEPmOQIkpg/s1600/oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ePUeeW4QwFfBnf8R6Q1CfVKF3L-zh5zkk_ATYiYfX0lbtfncRy3ZZOXris5Yvr7VrK9SjW_9HKnIskF0h7gK0JbuZWuhU3buPcG4FoAQbaT5hHUKhoI3LppuIYrLz7ckAXiEPmOQIkpg/s1600/oil.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You see a bunch of lone oil pumps out in the middle of nowhere in northern New Mexico. There are also bunch of natural gas production facilities out here as well.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG4oa6ueKGojZvA_YY8r1Fw7ByHu5BFVEDFibdtDP81gLlY0b0eU6ZlWAGrOrUZ3YKZvszrEzlMudtvY6UttWj-INvcMJis5ZPuK72tEl_pUiKcGt8kQgIdObKlQsnszB5tup2JStqQHL/s1600/volcanic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizG4oa6ueKGojZvA_YY8r1Fw7ByHu5BFVEDFibdtDP81gLlY0b0eU6ZlWAGrOrUZ3YKZvszrEzlMudtvY6UttWj-INvcMJis5ZPuK72tEl_pUiKcGt8kQgIdObKlQsnszB5tup2JStqQHL/s1600/volcanic+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An example of the volcanic rock formations.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmxTX-AQiTOL901TcMF_zXAOHF8luPRoJlHQBL4gOZzkMaJiHisX8IHyG9kXPTw0Eqx8JrKIa0EzW4MsrHxp5B0JgIS_nF3Gl-csfFpXkx4mTzDgj66cPl0_5GzoZgJzc5QSoWauXiWnu/s1600/volcanicrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmxTX-AQiTOL901TcMF_zXAOHF8luPRoJlHQBL4gOZzkMaJiHisX8IHyG9kXPTw0Eqx8JrKIa0EzW4MsrHxp5B0JgIS_nF3Gl-csfFpXkx4mTzDgj66cPl0_5GzoZgJzc5QSoWauXiWnu/s1600/volcanicrock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More volcanic rock formations.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OSyUCgcEmtV2bUTs8bTXTMEwJUYUOxdl_teev1IQweMKazna6_BT8lyq5RLCy8lvWpdU14okn0YOjiWXL6CtpSLeS0Q7kVhg6NvmBUFrTgijWvyR4ZRBSMpeE_u-Ur3JY70DP2DhxWGp/s1600/volcanicrock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OSyUCgcEmtV2bUTs8bTXTMEwJUYUOxdl_teev1IQweMKazna6_BT8lyq5RLCy8lvWpdU14okn0YOjiWXL6CtpSLeS0Q7kVhg6NvmBUFrTgijWvyR4ZRBSMpeE_u-Ur3JY70DP2DhxWGp/s1600/volcanicrock1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a close up shot of them, as you can see these were right by the side of the road.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbcNmo2ywzIkOy0t0MUNVXqHd73Hi5787IkEBUGrYcO7IdnBS_Dp603Sb3u1A_iEYZj61_DXRizgBvfZRIkREheMNwOPD08xj-TEg12Vt7gwwor6h7UDXefUO-c3AoKcuYYuy-EvrRJ11/s1600/snowcapped+peaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbcNmo2ywzIkOy0t0MUNVXqHd73Hi5787IkEBUGrYcO7IdnBS_Dp603Sb3u1A_iEYZj61_DXRizgBvfZRIkREheMNwOPD08xj-TEg12Vt7gwwor6h7UDXefUO-c3AoKcuYYuy-EvrRJ11/s1600/snowcapped+peaks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look closely beyond the mesas and you can see the snow capped mountains...the pics don't do it justice, which is pretty much the standard out here.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PWaXIJeLEdT50EGTF46i4UUrUXiOnLWDxrjsaWnmKr4OJKRsYowBE_fIzGrIRYBZVdmXqeRLcrMhQGLcNe4tGAtYuHCd2KppWqlWzaMQPi4bkRvK1soQdvDXm5xFsdZUYd-JArKNnwE6/s1600/snowcapped+peaks3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PWaXIJeLEdT50EGTF46i4UUrUXiOnLWDxrjsaWnmKr4OJKRsYowBE_fIzGrIRYBZVdmXqeRLcrMhQGLcNe4tGAtYuHCd2KppWqlWzaMQPi4bkRvK1soQdvDXm5xFsdZUYd-JArKNnwE6/s1600/snowcapped+peaks3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More distant snow capped peaks...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHB45sSNIZOXFeMJGiUCox1a5XMUByrSxkHffVJjCwyKGC6vWbKstMLSB0g-qAmVNdo4wF88v4LBc0ujte4IYf-AlaXd0kiUs6PGNiv_3ZRvMq-zWjdEVtCvO5ztf7jL3nYlQuaswPlr7/s1600/animas+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHB45sSNIZOXFeMJGiUCox1a5XMUByrSxkHffVJjCwyKGC6vWbKstMLSB0g-qAmVNdo4wF88v4LBc0ujte4IYf-AlaXd0kiUs6PGNiv_3ZRvMq-zWjdEVtCvO5ztf7jL3nYlQuaswPlr7/s1600/animas+river.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the Animas river in southern CO. Just a gorgeous view.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5-32ZIkyDvxli-uM_tAhRT29XEwlrc8NSdgW7klwVVOiJRuhpax4nooyT9JyJCis_q97cmmVAuGa2cD2JLjww-MgZ7A5eGTLmmfnoF6iIoKbCj3bhfYMb9gXwlLl_SJTiATNuRrUOmxQ/s1600/animas+river2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5-32ZIkyDvxli-uM_tAhRT29XEwlrc8NSdgW7klwVVOiJRuhpax4nooyT9JyJCis_q97cmmVAuGa2cD2JLjww-MgZ7A5eGTLmmfnoF6iIoKbCj3bhfYMb9gXwlLl_SJTiATNuRrUOmxQ/s1600/animas+river2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Same view, but slightly to the left. Michelle took this picture. I want to give her credit cause I think it's very cool with the sun shining over the mountains in the distance just beginning to set behind them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjpNrZZvni1CrRsH-py9NhFjGDB8I_k80aUMav0SjU7v78dGSJBSU8wMfHxRRgy269NdYd6Olf57img96TbqhIqnJyzNH454LfUDZ92itOD8X52AtQ73bhyFAtK-X0YUavkPXaYY14hbL/s1600/animas+riverBB.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Same pic, but with a dork and a cutie pie. :-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjpNrZZvni1CrRsH-py9NhFjGDB8I_k80aUMav0SjU7v78dGSJBSU8wMfHxRRgy269NdYd6Olf57img96TbqhIqnJyzNH454LfUDZ92itOD8X52AtQ73bhyFAtK-X0YUavkPXaYY14hbL/s1600/animas+riverBB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEODc1JaM97ovAbJyJzvpTdKhdYPBd7iajGaWwWMIw7c2W8LtdNerOFRuR-yuBoktAzevJWxKMLWXNYqPQHm_aY5BbQcHl6a2Ngt7loOj8OtqDWby8FNss9FUWDkwP5yqGLjzuNYlwbqRb/s1600/animas+riverBB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEODc1JaM97ovAbJyJzvpTdKhdYPBd7iajGaWwWMIw7c2W8LtdNerOFRuR-yuBoktAzevJWxKMLWXNYqPQHm_aY5BbQcHl6a2Ngt7loOj8OtqDWby8FNss9FUWDkwP5yqGLjzuNYlwbqRb/s1600/animas+riverBB2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's not obvious from the pic, but about 3 feet behind me is couple hundred foot drop nearly straight down.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPHD5rm5wCiDUWecoZo1JyNOXpkbijaTrket12tRgYu9BdP-fdLnMDpR20AV_GodGGBiQ-gjF3bnmqSVTBBo0Zum1RhWUShEDH6RWbzUAgxmfXbjqKHh56b1RJPW7ZAC9UABSnkjGOqP0/s1600/animas+riverMB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPHD5rm5wCiDUWecoZo1JyNOXpkbijaTrket12tRgYu9BdP-fdLnMDpR20AV_GodGGBiQ-gjF3bnmqSVTBBo0Zum1RhWUShEDH6RWbzUAgxmfXbjqKHh56b1RJPW7ZAC9UABSnkjGOqP0/s1600/animas+riverMB.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally someone in a pic with Bella who can hold her own!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsCmtR1VUfQN760mxYcMyoBTh8pp9NQVL1_-nEahHwOXqC5kiIVRNrtQw1MX4Oo9KNIQOc3yEh5Q51eZbIZuN3Rqp6z2Manx7Aiin0qrDA24R1itFqPjgqX0i80IRo7TVd7KvZrxstIjF/s1600/animas+riverMB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsCmtR1VUfQN760mxYcMyoBTh8pp9NQVL1_-nEahHwOXqC5kiIVRNrtQw1MX4Oo9KNIQOc3yEh5Q51eZbIZuN3Rqp6z2Manx7Aiin0qrDA24R1itFqPjgqX0i80IRo7TVd7KvZrxstIjF/s1600/animas+riverMB2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was trying to get more of the scenery in the pic, so Bella leaned to the left to make sure she was in it. That girl loves the camera.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTxn9rLR88ex06D-TJVfHwujQBZu3Zs9s5H0jEzpetdeaDo0xNATYf-vzNqKHrb5xW0tF_tGtxASPFkweK_MPi6LPfk52wTYGk8_f4QFddRQ9JEuUcZvFuz-HfVXj3XCDKnuYMGMh3DNt/s1600/toothless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTxn9rLR88ex06D-TJVfHwujQBZu3Zs9s5H0jEzpetdeaDo0xNATYf-vzNqKHrb5xW0tF_tGtxASPFkweK_MPi6LPfk52wTYGk8_f4QFddRQ9JEuUcZvFuz-HfVXj3XCDKnuYMGMh3DNt/s1600/toothless.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella lost another front tooth in our hotel room in Durango. She is worried about the tooth fairy not finding her. I have a feeling the tooth fairy is going to find her in about 5 minutes... :-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-12914074826614057622011-05-02T00:25:00.000-07:002011-05-02T10:34:24.322-07:00Recharging our batteries and checking out the local scenery in ABQ.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We have spent a few days in Albuquerque recharging our batteries with my very hospitable aunt and uncle visiting with them and my cousins. We don't see them often so it's great to spend some quality time with them, not to mention they are great guides for the local scenery as well. A few days ago we went to the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens and Zoo with my aunt Rebecca and cousin Jim. I grew up in DC going to the National zoo and we are family pass holders for the Atlanta zoo, so I wasn't expecting to be all that impressed, but the Albuquerque zoo proved me very wrong. The variety of animals and the quality of their habitats was better than most zoos I've been too. It's well worth a visit if you ever come through Albuquerque.<br />
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I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around the vastness of the open space and the almost surreal feeling the landscape can elicit in someone (me!) who has spent their entire life on the east coast. It's truly bizarre how the landscape (and weather!) changes so dramatically in a relatively small distance based on the altitude or which side of a mountain you are on out here. For example, the Sandia mountains are on the east side of Albuquerque. The east side of the mountains are VERY green and from a distance could be mistaken for mountains back east, but the west side of the mountains (the side you view from Albuquerque) are completely desert like, with no greenery whatsoever. Just rocks, dirt and a few short shrubs. It's hard to believe they are the same mountains. <br />
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Yesterday we went up to Bandelier National Monument (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandelier_National_Monument) in the Jemez mountain range. The highlight is Frijoles canyon which was home to human cliff dwellers over 10K years ago. You can actually climb up into some of the dwellings themselves that were used as homes. I have to agree with my uncle Bill when he said that sitting in these caves really causes you to literally feel the history they hold. It was amazing to think people inhabited these dwellings for thousands of years and yet they were completely abandoned hundreds of years ago and nobody knows why. We plan on also visiting probably the most famous cliff dwellers site, Mesa Verde, in southern, CO next week and it will be interesting to compare and contrast them, because from what we've been told Frijoles canyon was like a small village (even though it looks like hundreds to maybe a 1000 people lived there at once) and Mesa Verde is like a big city, respectively.<br />
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The drive to Bandelier from Albuquerque is nothing short of spectacular with just a continuous stream of awe inspiring scenery. Along the way we stopped on an Indian reservation where they were selling some food made right there by the side of the road in little huts. We had some "fry bread." It is similar to the type of flatbread eaten all over the Mediterranean, but instead of being baked it's deep fried...and it's AWESOME. :-) I wanted to take a picture of the native American women making it, but evidently they do not like to have their pictures taken. There is some debate as to whether or not it's because they believe the pictures capture their souls OR they are just tired of tourists taking pictures of them. Either way, I respected their wishes, which in retrospect was a good idea anyway because I have come to realize the out here, a digital camera becomes a sort of crack pipe. Once you start taking pictures, it's hard to put it down because it seems like every 30 seconds you see something that is picture worthy. At some point, you have to put the camera down and just enjoy the moment...but that proves much easier to say than do. I can see this is going to be an ongoing battle on this trip.<br />
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Best quote of the last few days from Bella..."I think New Mexico is pretty much just like the regular old first Mexico." I'm not quite sure what she bases that quote on, but it sure was cute when she said it. :-)<br />
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Here are some pics from the last couple of days....enjoy.<br />
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PS...once again this was posted late at night so please forgive the typos... :)<br />
PPS...credit goes to my aunt Rebecca for not only being a fantastic host, but also taking some of the fantastic pics below. You can tell which one's are hers and which are mine because her's are the ones that look like they were taken by someone who knew what they were doing. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUmb9xc0bs6tUtxjqRNLxN_XkHtob6bg2TRCxNYZvlqr0hh-JaF0D5UsZ8-yf03PViEyYCfUOzTzB_2EMiNFssRTR0wJTew-pevqUgvhGI1W-ead3Pa-zZhxuGdxB_CyX_e0XMODEwalK/s1600/BellaAnt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUmb9xc0bs6tUtxjqRNLxN_XkHtob6bg2TRCxNYZvlqr0hh-JaF0D5UsZ8-yf03PViEyYCfUOzTzB_2EMiNFssRTR0wJTew-pevqUgvhGI1W-ead3Pa-zZhxuGdxB_CyX_e0XMODEwalK/s1600/BellaAnt.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isabella riding an ant at the Albuquerque zoo...she didn't even bother with a saddle.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FWv_UtnBLfid1VY3FkETy_0THKfizYRi1sPzCzTyXrxqt1SefcEGaHVupNgT5i0CrowOct6Htp4WHqCroYyt5BrjtN_Je2LK8eWnOARwe3eS_ST9leqfdoXwT0cwew_2x0txaDK2AqcZ/s1600/BellaDragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FWv_UtnBLfid1VY3FkETy_0THKfizYRi1sPzCzTyXrxqt1SefcEGaHVupNgT5i0CrowOct6Htp4WHqCroYyt5BrjtN_Je2LK8eWnOARwe3eS_ST9leqfdoXwT0cwew_2x0txaDK2AqcZ/s1600/BellaDragon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isabella riding the dragons tail...ABQ zoo had a fabulous kids area at the botanical gardens.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmJmG-tueppwfTnuZY9zSXIPyEgiE4WEdUcqA5ZErjl0R5wA4NZq7VIrcb0BoFSTxo9Oo8h_PzSUz9LyXzvYkT5Y4juozWPTNcgsO1DLjN5gSKRdJkIkOPH9vLsg5d03MyKEwAXo-FR3L/s1600/BellaKomodo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmJmG-tueppwfTnuZY9zSXIPyEgiE4WEdUcqA5ZErjl0R5wA4NZq7VIrcb0BoFSTxo9Oo8h_PzSUz9LyXzvYkT5Y4juozWPTNcgsO1DLjN5gSKRdJkIkOPH9vLsg5d03MyKEwAXo-FR3L/s1600/BellaKomodo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is anyone seeing a pattern here? I wonder how I can fit a pony in a downtown Atlanta loft?</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVnoqNgu-lLwHEO7A0DHmyCDze48ynTMny8ckHkfJBSbBheGVYoGZMvoIptt4qlnJJ9yKlf74XhXHA53wrq5ZplMth19Bau3_gS15COOTdq7KZHz1IhmakomrxI47PHqjxyve7OZ_IqTv/s1600/BellaVinyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVnoqNgu-lLwHEO7A0DHmyCDze48ynTMny8ckHkfJBSbBheGVYoGZMvoIptt4qlnJJ9yKlf74XhXHA53wrq5ZplMth19Bau3_gS15COOTdq7KZHz1IhmakomrxI47PHqjxyve7OZ_IqTv/s1600/BellaVinyard.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">ABQ botanical gardens had a very large organic farming area where they had an orchard, all kinds of vegetables and this small vineyard. According to this sign the first vineyards in North America where planted by Spanish missionaries in New Mexico.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVh6KEotcOriy2p6HkF_lUAOYFZ3Te7_Q-8sXHef9xAx30XfIuBL5WgYmpwcSGOVDTYdXKIOxCNhRfzEEIzo2SRQSLQsN32ZtmsOBP9tppH-FG5PXxIYJU9mXmQWbTq-y4FdOSPBFDGio/s1600/traderjoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVh6KEotcOriy2p6HkF_lUAOYFZ3Te7_Q-8sXHef9xAx30XfIuBL5WgYmpwcSGOVDTYdXKIOxCNhRfzEEIzo2SRQSLQsN32ZtmsOBP9tppH-FG5PXxIYJU9mXmQWbTq-y4FdOSPBFDGio/s1600/traderjoes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is kind of a random shot, but this is the view leaving the Trader Joe's parking lot. Toto, we are definitely not in Atlanta anymore!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvcvz2Jm6Db3xhuxxTV6_6lpWTWWQEGnD401dOXrTe9Hx-Tg_cvalujvJz9C5kVAHyivwEeX2PDbZpzCF1LCtlmEntrlpx2Ep-5mhU5ApSWsnoQNJDsHTLmmyzjFSsHtpLRJg3DCwsjz0/s1600/DSCN4234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvcvz2Jm6Db3xhuxxTV6_6lpWTWWQEGnD401dOXrTe9Hx-Tg_cvalujvJz9C5kVAHyivwEeX2PDbZpzCF1LCtlmEntrlpx2Ep-5mhU5ApSWsnoQNJDsHTLmmyzjFSsHtpLRJg3DCwsjz0/s640/DSCN4234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was taken at some hot springs that we stopped at on the way to Bandelier....you can't see it but the sulfur stank something fierce....seriously it was the sulfur...no, REALLY IT WAS THE SULFUR!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijONQenYtYFjWiWmFDQXm6oXT_HE6U5rQS0dZANaWjhV3JmF5nkwqRnUVWpa0YLeOsEGHKsd-TlztOWojRphaGqBvoLDdRgSm8CKEH6MQC0LB5MkRI7JUxOOGPZPmVtdx5brBjStSAClo9/s1600/DSCN4240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijONQenYtYFjWiWmFDQXm6oXT_HE6U5rQS0dZANaWjhV3JmF5nkwqRnUVWpa0YLeOsEGHKsd-TlztOWojRphaGqBvoLDdRgSm8CKEH6MQC0LB5MkRI7JUxOOGPZPmVtdx5brBjStSAClo9/s640/DSCN4240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My cousin Jim and Bella looking at the interesting stuff growing in the sulfur rich pools of water.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaH13ZcFti3F894PeesvCKZJpl2DbiAwJOCXrCRm3OEZheNMIGezTeRQSDgqNJ_h8ezGEZOoD8sAKyyfdST3rrsivP7nEP4NfOBAMeIt7-PhScRgMaVMaPNTpjIphMI6SSl8tA4sb-8l_/s1600/DSCN4235%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaH13ZcFti3F894PeesvCKZJpl2DbiAwJOCXrCRm3OEZheNMIGezTeRQSDgqNJ_h8ezGEZOoD8sAKyyfdST3rrsivP7nEP4NfOBAMeIt7-PhScRgMaVMaPNTpjIphMI6SSl8tA4sb-8l_/s640/DSCN4235%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These little caves were formed by the minerals in the water leaving deposits as the water flowed on what appears to be a giant piece of granite (but I'm not sure).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7b339dtUlf0siM69Cyjs3TUbc1W4cvQnKw7vyvqxWybYRtDQ2RAGST3be8kHCowNufY_rxSZjrTzCKDBg6P6Zb0JpWdv86JJghi5bA0ubnql9sDtKA-uCKN7z4p_dbezDdXSgsmgKpwq/s1600/DSCN4243%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7b339dtUlf0siM69Cyjs3TUbc1W4cvQnKw7vyvqxWybYRtDQ2RAGST3be8kHCowNufY_rxSZjrTzCKDBg6P6Zb0JpWdv86JJghi5bA0ubnql9sDtKA-uCKN7z4p_dbezDdXSgsmgKpwq/s640/DSCN4243%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Picnic in Bandelier...somebody loves the camera.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOpUv6MW1eBlnN3eAFiHiiwZyeH8iPN6RbwU-BJoeYNjJYSXhVDcSED1vaq-n9WKVbdtlU9nokURP8Cp7VVA86SKDNkgOwpSIsTHDd1r1AkhBIx8TSUJ5psg5efP-VjaxQZr35d_8TrEg/s1600/DSCN4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOpUv6MW1eBlnN3eAFiHiiwZyeH8iPN6RbwU-BJoeYNjJYSXhVDcSED1vaq-n9WKVbdtlU9nokURP8Cp7VVA86SKDNkgOwpSIsTHDd1r1AkhBIx8TSUJ5psg5efP-VjaxQZr35d_8TrEg/s640/DSCN4288.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a pic of me entering one of the caves carved into the side of the cliff that were used as homes. Some of the dwellings were no more than 4x4, while others were a good 25 feet across and tall enough for me (6 ft) to walk around in standing straight up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZTx7FY_Z-B84PoY-OD-cy5KiO0uWGvo5dD4W3X74NTxN60ekIE6bhVxO_DJXgOjjgHFTBhm5LSyHfSEmTbEPYXJvWl6vGfm9rVSRgJeskpWlDENkXB7i1TsOgWMJG6KfOmx3wtHSgnTG/s1600/DSCN4292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZTx7FY_Z-B84PoY-OD-cy5KiO0uWGvo5dD4W3X74NTxN60ekIE6bhVxO_DJXgOjjgHFTBhm5LSyHfSEmTbEPYXJvWl6vGfm9rVSRgJeskpWlDENkXB7i1TsOgWMJG6KfOmx3wtHSgnTG/s640/DSCN4292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I looking out of one of the cave entrances down on the valley below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ6gnnOUnixFrculxdZ0f-LZI4UGaVLE3XuiWsi2zg3fmwG-WNojM-_csMsQ8zLhJaTrUr6PomjxGRKwrfOcAR6F7itU93oMx_Sp5bPe08Dhgj8dIklBNmMM8bu1aGrQIX400W-GTgJwv/s1600/lookingout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ6gnnOUnixFrculxdZ0f-LZI4UGaVLE3XuiWsi2zg3fmwG-WNojM-_csMsQ8zLhJaTrUr6PomjxGRKwrfOcAR6F7itU93oMx_Sp5bPe08Dhgj8dIklBNmMM8bu1aGrQIX400W-GTgJwv/s640/lookingout.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This the view Bella and I had from the pic above.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4VkQO0cbvqBbDGv1mApZ2lllnkFpYxRp8wiuJQJxE9AhY3R4D7xX518JLufDJRFXmKNOCHIMqQgdOWT6NbY2n2W_n3opnjt_VQ2arRq1fciqpx7ATk0LTnwgnaFMlgZCxRV2IJAoQNuq/s1600/SulphurSprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4VkQO0cbvqBbDGv1mApZ2lllnkFpYxRp8wiuJQJxE9AhY3R4D7xX518JLufDJRFXmKNOCHIMqQgdOWT6NbY2n2W_n3opnjt_VQ2arRq1fciqpx7ATk0LTnwgnaFMlgZCxRV2IJAoQNuq/s640/SulphurSprings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is another pic of us in front of the hot spring and you can see how big the mineral formation is....it's hard to see, but down to the right in that dark area was a pretty decent waterfall.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_qhwpcU4-0Pt9ReJkZmiNYoMuSUQxa_drGQXVq_13YGezXUnEevMDblIZbZSJKRjpfpD_0JJTfjs89rDhQitLpvxk7Q8nOZVzs2_lLtHg170fUxWGBIL_vgLLiLVLU8iBxELyP9xFhRO/s1600/310Canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn_qhwpcU4-0Pt9ReJkZmiNYoMuSUQxa_drGQXVq_13YGezXUnEevMDblIZbZSJKRjpfpD_0JJTfjs89rDhQitLpvxk7Q8nOZVzs2_lLtHg170fUxWGBIL_vgLLiLVLU8iBxELyP9xFhRO/s1600/310Canyon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On our way to Bandelier my uncle Bill took a little detour to a canyon he had never been to himself, but he wanted to see because some scenes from the movie "3:10 to Yuma" were filmed there. This pic was taken on the road down that canyon. Unfortunately there is nothing in the pic to give it scale so you can tell how HUGE that wall face is, but I think the different colors of the minerals in the wall make it an interesting pic nonetheless. Trust me, it was <span style="font-size: small;">BIG.</span> :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCcBtmK9hGNBESsdkErZI5P6iEZ6xKjMw3CyD9OQR-4hoiJagxUYDGLMaBF7rtSvDWEx7d0RabtqkSNk5DHTI8TaIYrePoDWSru5VtlnDN2V1L7Dp1W7oIR9QWiNYu-LoxzVP80VXZuex/s1600/310Yuma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCcBtmK9hGNBESsdkErZI5P6iEZ6xKjMw3CyD9OQR-4hoiJagxUYDGLMaBF7rtSvDWEx7d0RabtqkSNk5DHTI8TaIYrePoDWSru5VtlnDN2V1L7Dp1W7oIR9QWiNYu-LoxzVP80VXZuex/s1600/310Yuma.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you saw the movie "3:10 to Yuma" with Russell Crow and Christian Bale you will remember the tunnel scene. It was filmed in these two tunnels.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0giBrwUI-eaZXo0TTk9l4r0qPAhzbbIxzkdSW1QychamYBw6H_4AyLf_12KVyXkYYx37AkqLgVDYaiuPJp0EVhZ6O9nuAMyz6C_PfitOPjk_RFuRjZttyGpIf0sIVrSth5hrFx554rYp7/s1600/310Yuma2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0giBrwUI-eaZXo0TTk9l4r0qPAhzbbIxzkdSW1QychamYBw6H_4AyLf_12KVyXkYYx37AkqLgVDYaiuPJp0EVhZ6O9nuAMyz6C_PfitOPjk_RFuRjZttyGpIf0sIVrSth5hrFx554rYp7/s1600/310Yuma2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A shot of my uncle Bill's car heading for the first tunnel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Ypy6JoGtjXHCJCQfnNzYEC6guKL0e5_J6fSz7A1RV35syr1AnwO1VG7cMCwGc8A32hO_rVkdl5B20xF1FPrTOgZcIyeNuB_iE_0bL8ynWuzwzvUiJUcBishfGcdg5yyi9exgzWF5nKs/s1600/AldieBillMichelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Ypy6JoGtjXHCJCQfnNzYEC6guKL0e5_J6fSz7A1RV35syr1AnwO1VG7cMCwGc8A32hO_rVkdl5B20xF1FPrTOgZcIyeNuB_iE_0bL8ynWuzwzvUiJUcBishfGcdg5yyi9exgzWF5nKs/s1600/AldieBillMichelle.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie trying on my uncle Bill's cowboy hat on the valley floor of Frijoles canyon. He liked it, so I think we are going to have to get him one of his own. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMQvqAX0KkCeEECKrSfEKlQ2qTEr7v8mA6gdpXyIiiZ726S7Zgn-0gIQR33tZrDQ9kngUc363k0b1CjUqCK34CSgSrAUcvBHGgyjIdYlO4H5SS7H3wdc8a76M3zAukvJkqciIpusK34vC/s1600/BandalierCanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMQvqAX0KkCeEECKrSfEKlQ2qTEr7v8mA6gdpXyIiiZ726S7Zgn-0gIQR33tZrDQ9kngUc363k0b1CjUqCK34CSgSrAUcvBHGgyjIdYlO4H5SS7H3wdc8a76M3zAukvJkqciIpusK34vC/s1600/BandalierCanyon.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a view down into Frijoles canyon where the cliff dwellings were.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkoYzxL1YB5bqZslfcOY47sWs2kAJBhk8c_FVaJvOUJYY3IjRVU77fb7quRcvJ5l3-IfFCW5P5_cmzPkRIMltK9hAHYgmO0r50h2iEOqhwh53NmUBCcsJm0qXoOFL-Utx8B6RDfY5VPfu/s1600/Bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkoYzxL1YB5bqZslfcOY47sWs2kAJBhk8c_FVaJvOUJYY3IjRVU77fb7quRcvJ5l3-IfFCW5P5_cmzPkRIMltK9hAHYgmO0r50h2iEOqhwh53NmUBCcsJm0qXoOFL-Utx8B6RDfY5VPfu/s1600/Bella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think Bella is enjoying the trip...is there anything better in life than seeing your kids smile like this? If there is, I have yet to experience it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHN7Bhh0v1Crw6elNWr8iYtD4NPA3uuJ6Opb83Woi4qrjiFSMa-y294fjV18T0CCaYLn5NXLechIs1wwgfx2vLq6yWciDfLntL9jO0TGTwICRlaC1XU34vSEkjYX2232gvzlJkOcvkwd/s1600/BellaCliffdwellers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZHN7Bhh0v1Crw6elNWr8iYtD4NPA3uuJ6Opb83Woi4qrjiFSMa-y294fjV18T0CCaYLn5NXLechIs1wwgfx2vLq6yWciDfLntL9jO0TGTwICRlaC1XU34vSEkjYX2232gvzlJkOcvkwd/s1600/BellaCliffdwellers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There were cliff dwellings all along the canyon wall you see on the left as far out as the picture goes...and still more behind the picture. It looked to me that if all the dwellings were inhabited at once there must have been hundreds and hundreds of people living there at one time...maybe a thousand or more even.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu1lcakigPdpIdjZZPrxirELexktG6HJI1qSwQcd7HTnPMRJE0FYx9kk9PWiOyoCDSLyCz-JV7dcJ8XyWvkFvi68irAU1j3HEQA2Mq8Ao5f0h-LzxGOOQ5j6dkz5AeOgpsLYzEu7WUH1J/s1600/BellaJimintoCD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlu1lcakigPdpIdjZZPrxirELexktG6HJI1qSwQcd7HTnPMRJE0FYx9kk9PWiOyoCDSLyCz-JV7dcJ8XyWvkFvi68irAU1j3HEQA2Mq8Ao5f0h-LzxGOOQ5j6dkz5AeOgpsLYzEu7WUH1J/s1600/BellaJimintoCD.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My cousin Jim taking Bella up to see one of the dwellings. Michelle, hurriedly trying to get out of the pic...no dice. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUZObLU-5LP_jKhHPQaDqnxVhTdLNWr8qTD21ft_K2PYzNYeFxghZieyCgCtL68SMF__5wTwsuDArcoNefsuwWBKi3LuS1HGhTRFQG9C8JyKgfwpo6TJmYFMBCb2UQVe-Sl-ZBBrQ1io-/s1600/BillAldie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUZObLU-5LP_jKhHPQaDqnxVhTdLNWr8qTD21ft_K2PYzNYeFxghZieyCgCtL68SMF__5wTwsuDArcoNefsuwWBKi3LuS1HGhTRFQG9C8JyKgfwpo6TJmYFMBCb2UQVe-Sl-ZBBrQ1io-/s1600/BillAldie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aldie getting a ride from his great uncle Bill...a big thumbs up to Bill, he carried Aldie up and down most of the canyon walk so I could explore the dwellings themselves and take some pics.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF60FlxfCnm26OiHHhkPlXS5f0p8xhpTH9ztcTJe0rYOXQH2899gBgoeW6knnF7cHvDWAV_OSUJo-_Jj3egtGvoGmmUPcQmf5zoWOMMXnT2n7SPNJ-2LJo8gVXyFT98Vv9dHDKpim79JA/s1600/brendhanbella+cliff+dwellers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF60FlxfCnm26OiHHhkPlXS5f0p8xhpTH9ztcTJe0rYOXQH2899gBgoeW6knnF7cHvDWAV_OSUJo-_Jj3egtGvoGmmUPcQmf5zoWOMMXnT2n7SPNJ-2LJo8gVXyFT98Vv9dHDKpim79JA/s1600/brendhanbella+cliff+dwellers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I sitting on the "front porch" of one of the cliff dwellings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVlr842yKOUyng1SZK965BbO1_x7Eb26bvDxYmZdTUlQTgNEjbUj1s7Zt8jOHNInzP-W-YWPYmoO_jkZWyzD5W7OyOOMRvG772EDXhNBJRnfHQNOt3HEFWx2bU3z4dAV3xYq9FLwvv3_5/s1600/canyonfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVlr842yKOUyng1SZK965BbO1_x7Eb26bvDxYmZdTUlQTgNEjbUj1s7Zt8jOHNInzP-W-YWPYmoO_jkZWyzD5W7OyOOMRvG772EDXhNBJRnfHQNOt3HEFWx2bU3z4dAV3xYq9FLwvv3_5/s1600/canyonfloor.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a picture of the cliffs where the dwellings were from the trees on the valley floor. It's a gorgeous setting. The valley is very green and has a nice little year round stream running through it (many of the streams up here are seasonal, usually only running when the snow pack is melting). It's very easy to understand why people lived here for nearly 10 thousand years, but it's much harder to of hard to imagine why they left.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlnBQLkfhulRgiQHgQtlYNyAUmRCvJ-t0223M9HyzNpPRH2yknHnxCUw8mUYjYwfRolq91gCpgn_dYXpVe5BP29f5yuHddDGkWQ4dZyx87OST3mAIWpyTeARzDWpN0H5XhEycZ132xQqz/s1600/cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlnBQLkfhulRgiQHgQtlYNyAUmRCvJ-t0223M9HyzNpPRH2yknHnxCUw8mUYjYwfRolq91gCpgn_dYXpVe5BP29f5yuHddDGkWQ4dZyx87OST3mAIWpyTeARzDWpN0H5XhEycZ132xQqz/s1600/cd.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the walk approaching the canyon wall that holds the dwellings. Most of the larger holes you see were dwellings, but this area did not have a walkway to actually get into any of them which is why you don't see any access ladders.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-4WXmDBjJdXRlpbtD3yFdsDc_B0v6uLUXXx1e290i1DAYBsJHISF4KF1Z5XhnXHSkTzhesBSjYfuVKw5dEScQKHw8_soxO_rpTb9SCiqEOGh70H3uhTEtt-fgFY8Yj_mUSSkPA6lH5Y0/s1600/CliffDwellers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-4WXmDBjJdXRlpbtD3yFdsDc_B0v6uLUXXx1e290i1DAYBsJHISF4KF1Z5XhnXHSkTzhesBSjYfuVKw5dEScQKHw8_soxO_rpTb9SCiqEOGh70H3uhTEtt-fgFY8Yj_mUSSkPA6lH5Y0/s1600/CliffDwellers.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and me in the front porch and my aunt Rebecca and cousin Jim in the entrance. This particular dwelling had several rooms that were connected by small passages. It was bigger than some apartments I've seen in NYC and London.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv8JmcCxiBOI0Tpvu5jbxygGpYpAl8gVL5ypHMUxjASoaxOkIoWdWca7yVCe6ULDSO_cBGqiucx2QHoTRp9Qv4HPv287sWMeOWaAbTRPGj4izFiQMq6mw1daESN2a6w5BXHWq5idcAXa_/s1600/Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUv8JmcCxiBOI0Tpvu5jbxygGpYpAl8gVL5ypHMUxjASoaxOkIoWdWca7yVCe6ULDSO_cBGqiucx2QHoTRp9Qv4HPv287sWMeOWaAbTRPGj4izFiQMq6mw1daESN2a6w5BXHWq5idcAXa_/s1600/Cliffs.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another pic of the long canyon that was filled with dwellings....and check out the sky, that is exactly what it looked like. We were there yesterday and it was 75 degrees and gorgeous. Today, they got 6 inches of snow in that canyon. Did I mention that the weather patterns out here are a little crazy?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ4hRzpHxVTx5K4Wbjuu87c7Bef84UGz5s06TQQ4Gss0UdjHAztp4S_DnqGMx6X6l-B4oNoN0kcamfFohhV-5WOjlwZIPVxPMqjCyzVxCjKfrmlln_zMkC8iHJP6lD95Tlo7hhlQcisDe/s1600/Cliffs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZ4hRzpHxVTx5K4Wbjuu87c7Bef84UGz5s06TQQ4Gss0UdjHAztp4S_DnqGMx6X6l-B4oNoN0kcamfFohhV-5WOjlwZIPVxPMqjCyzVxCjKfrmlln_zMkC8iHJP6lD95Tlo7hhlQcisDe/s1600/Cliffs2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another shot of the canyon wall with dwellings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-unfTKtnTKZ_UG0H5wMYP363VozgchZSLw3Tq6UKgUt7_1MXEoSO7pMZ3r1fxx2-rTR3YpPDtWsXSJddAYvKeHGda2BzY5AfltYqzHR8EWlAshaFEtjQhb99oZnI8l3tiNIweCV3UCnTU/s1600/JimBella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-unfTKtnTKZ_UG0H5wMYP363VozgchZSLw3Tq6UKgUt7_1MXEoSO7pMZ3r1fxx2-rTR3YpPDtWsXSJddAYvKeHGda2BzY5AfltYqzHR8EWlAshaFEtjQhb99oZnI8l3tiNIweCV3UCnTU/s1600/JimBella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and Jim in one of the dwellings.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sqfeNdxruDVN2U8lQe0osPTtUprM0b7HvaJW_ShrLcOzehjIr4j_WWNsFTK-xTltuSbjvk-RKZKcIR75jPOUPIX72LgIUPxx7Rs8Uhcw7J06IHp3Btb4PMLdAMt0j6Z5lUatyjedBESe/s1600/MichelleBella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sqfeNdxruDVN2U8lQe0osPTtUprM0b7HvaJW_ShrLcOzehjIr4j_WWNsFTK-xTltuSbjvk-RKZKcIR75jPOUPIX72LgIUPxx7Rs8Uhcw7J06IHp3Btb4PMLdAMt0j6Z5lUatyjedBESe/s1600/MichelleBella.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michelle and Bella standing on a rock above a river below. This was shot in the same canyon where the tunnels were that were from"3:10 to Yuma." This pic is quite misleading as it looks like the river is pretty close, but that was a very steep and fairly deep ravine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Petroglyphs on the canyon walls.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_r_1jZnozKazm49kOjeYaI6MNotdaaenKjvQqrJJPIlsf7y5S9WUJlSRpRx3JtAIxUCEniOD1p9jm0T2l1mElwN_Am-jR51ObyFWYjdnm5AiYuw6clQhtDTUSQGlD142PSWTwounhyphenhyphennH/s1600/valleyfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_r_1jZnozKazm49kOjeYaI6MNotdaaenKjvQqrJJPIlsf7y5S9WUJlSRpRx3JtAIxUCEniOD1p9jm0T2l1mElwN_Am-jR51ObyFWYjdnm5AiYuw6clQhtDTUSQGlD142PSWTwounhyphenhyphennH/s1600/valleyfloor.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another view of the canyon walls from the valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8P9NIMBkfa0oefXA6HgeQEQMEpXj9e24JtKarQUcYx46Rps-J_gfF42HFusMksDn1u7Km_QRPwJWjj0VIEvlwbp2edD7a2MXyFP-EEkaIbfKKOGCNwSKqBhUYPLyJOaCOUgyZrB29d0S/s1600/ValleyFloorCD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8P9NIMBkfa0oefXA6HgeQEQMEpXj9e24JtKarQUcYx46Rps-J_gfF42HFusMksDn1u7Km_QRPwJWjj0VIEvlwbp2edD7a2MXyFP-EEkaIbfKKOGCNwSKqBhUYPLyJOaCOUgyZrB29d0S/s1600/ValleyFloorCD.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This a pic looking down from the cave dwellings. Those remains you see are the foundations of the buildings that were built by the cave dwellers on the canyon floor. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture has nothing to do with our trip, it's just a great picture of my <b>beautiful</b> wife and since it's this is my blog post, I can post whatever I want. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-30268224300921186392011-04-27T02:01:00.000-07:002011-05-02T16:09:06.958-07:00"Cowboys," Coyotes, and Tumbleweeds, Oh my...I am not a religious man by any means, but I must confess, I prayed for a decent nights sleep last night and lo and behold Aldous delivered. Woohoo! We did not rush when we got up this morning because we knew we could knock out the last 650 miles or so in a day pretty easily. We finally got on the road about 10:30 AM well rested and looking forward to getting to Albuquerque to see my uncle Bill and aunt Rebecca.<br />
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There wasn't much exciting to see in Oklahoma until we got past OK City and the wind farms started popping up. I find myself very interested in the whole green energy movement and I've seen a couple of shows about these huge wind farms in OK, North Texas and New Mexico, but seeing them on TV and seeing them in person is two different things. First off, the windmills are HUGE. Without seeing them in person, it's hard to believe just how big they are (http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2007/03/how_big_is_an_industrial_wind.html). Not only are they huge, but the wind farms themselves are massive and are stretched out amongst the three states I mentioned along I40. We must have seen hundreds of them, maybe even up into the thousands. Some people think they are eyesores, but I personally don't see that. I actually think they look pretty cool, almost like some modern art out there on the barren landscape.<br />
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As we made our way out of OK we stopped at rest stop to have lunch. The first thing you notice about the rest stops in OK is that the picnic benches are all under stone teepees. It's kinda cool. As you can imagine, the Native American influence is all over this place and this was kind of a neat way to pay homage to it. We had lunch under one of the teepees and when we were finished I took Bella to the bathroom while Michelle finished feeding Aldous. As Isabella and I walked up to the bathroom an older gentlemen, about 300 lbs walks out of the men's room headed for his car. He was wearing the biggest cowboy hat I had ever seen. Seriously, Aldous could have taken a bath in that thing. He had a bolo tie and matching cowboy boots on as well. As he approached us he said quite loudly "HOWDY!" and Isabella and I returned his greeting. After he passed us, Isabella grabbed my shirt and tugged hard and was yelling and whispering at the same time as she said, "Daddy, Daddy, that was a real live cowboy!" I was about to explain to her that he wasn't a real "cowboy" but turned around a bit to look at him and he must have heard her because he looked back as well and was smiling. I bet she made his day, even if he knew he wasn't real cowboy. At that point I figured what was the point of telling her he wasn't a real cowboy. Sometimes perception is more fun than reality and this trip is all about the fun. :)<br />
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Moving into Texas from OK the thing that struck me was just the extreme expansiveness of the landscape. I've seen it on TV, but like the massive size of the windmills, it just doesn't compute the same as it does in person. Everywhere you look, as far as the eye can see it's flat and just seems so immensely huge...and it goes on like this FOREVER, to the point you think the scenery will never change and then all of a sudden it does. About 25-50 miles from the New Mexico border the scenery all of a sudden changes from totally flat land with a few shrubs on it or some sort of crop to what looks like a scene out of western movie with a landscape that is full of little canyons and mesas of all sizes. It's remarkable how quickly it changed and it surprised me even more how excited I got when the landscape changed. This was the sort of stuff we took this trip to see! Rolling into New Mexico it's much of the same, until we got closer to Albuquerque and all of a sudden you could see the mountains rising in the distance. Our whole journey today was done in what can best be described as a massive wind storm. We were fighting gusts of 40-60 mph the whole time. I had to hold the steering wheel turned to the right the whole time just to go straight. It's not fun fighting the steering wheel for 650 miles but it sure made it obvious why they have so many windmills out here. We arrived at my aunt and uncles about 8:30 local time and they were waiting for us with cold beer, fantastic homemade beef stew and chocolate chip cookies. It was a perfect welcome for 4 road weary travelers. :)<br />
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We will probably be here in Albuquerque for a few days. My cousin Jim is flying in tomorrow and my cousin Kate lives in town so we are going to spend some time with them as well. I'm not sure how much I'll have to update the blog in the next few days so I thought I would list the states we've been through and name the things that jump out at you as you travel through them. Here goes...<br />
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Alabama: Adult novelty stores, abandoned businesses and religious billboards.<br />
Mississippi: Adult novelty stores, abandoned businesses and religious billboards.<br />
Tennessee: Adult novelty stores, abandoned businesses and religious billboards. <br />
Arkansas: Adult novelty stores, abandoned businesses and religious billboards. Are you noticing a pattern here? I think it's a southern thing. Arkansas also seems to have a Walmart on every corner.<br />
Oklahoma: FLAT, casino and religious billboards, dead coyotes (big ones) on the side of the road, windmills.<br />
Texas: FLAT (till the last 30 or so miles of I40), religious billboards, windmills, tumbleweeds (we hit a big one blowing across the road today going 80 mph and it exploded like a giant dandelion seed head).<br />
New Mexico: Beautiful scenery, windmills and casino billboards. :)<br />
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After just 3 days the number one thing that jumps out at me is I can't believe I waited till I was 41 to do this.<br />
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Here are a few pics from today, but keep in mind most of them were shot from inside a car that was traveling between 75-85 MPH at a time, which did not help the quality. <br />
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PS, please forgive the typos, it's 3AM and I can't stay awake to proofread it. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUI5tmsjRE0/Tbe2Sm62VaI/AAAAAAAAARc/W8nqeMDXcxE/s1600/NMScenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUI5tmsjRE0/Tbe2Sm62VaI/AAAAAAAAARc/W8nqeMDXcxE/s1600/NMScenery.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A landscape shot of TX to try an give you some idea of the expansiveness of the landscape....the pic doesn't do it justice.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH11yiaKReo/Tbe2ShLl50I/AAAAAAAAARg/WPGmz5MkxEk/s1600/assendcars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NH11yiaKReo/Tbe2ShLl50I/AAAAAAAAARg/WPGmz5MkxEk/s1600/assendcars.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo TX, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Ranch</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vwEDyOjysQ/Tbe2S7Y934I/AAAAAAAAARk/DMlCyIxuTnY/s1600/GasStation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="580" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vwEDyOjysQ/Tbe2S7Y934I/AAAAAAAAARk/DMlCyIxuTnY/s640/GasStation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We stopped to get Bella an Ice Cream and I saw this old abandoned service station on the other side of I40 from the Dairy Queen and I felt compelled to cross I40 take a pic of it. I don't know why, we have literally seen hundreds of abandoned service stations like this, but it somehow called to me. We get to Albuquerque tonight and my uncle Bill is looking at the pics and asks if this pic was taken in Shamrock TX. I told him, yes, I think it was. He said he recognized it because he had an old VW that broke down on him back in the 80s in Shamrock on a trip and he recognized this as the shop that repaired. It just seemed an odd coincidence that that of all the abandoned service stations we saw I felt the need to take a pic of this one.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ocS0r_ImaQ/Tbe2TLeWo5I/AAAAAAAAARo/cdMFvWFGRr4/s1600/oldpumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ocS0r_ImaQ/Tbe2TLeWo5I/AAAAAAAAARo/cdMFvWFGRr4/s1600/oldpumps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had to take this pic because this was the first time in at least 15 years I've seen the old style gas pumps like these that were still functioning and in use!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiEhdza0jbQ/Tbe2TUHa-DI/AAAAAAAAAR4/sghL_nAGOaY/s1600/TexasCross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LiEhdza0jbQ/Tbe2TUHa-DI/AAAAAAAAAR4/sghL_nAGOaY/s1600/TexasCross.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They say everything is bigger in Texas....well, I can tell you that certainly applies to crosses!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZxnK1WJzog/Tbe2S_bL01I/AAAAAAAAARw/tAIWpf59Iqw/s1600/NMScenery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZxnK1WJzog/Tbe2S_bL01I/AAAAAAAAARw/tAIWpf59Iqw/s1600/NMScenery2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another landscape pic that doesn't look like anything special in the picture, but was awesome in person.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EySaaFhQ-nQ/Tbe2TNC8fJI/AAAAAAAAARs/OJhpfwnkyhU/s1600/RestStopTeePee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EySaaFhQ-nQ/Tbe2TNC8fJI/AAAAAAAAARs/OJhpfwnkyhU/s1600/RestStopTeePee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm now of the opinion that every rest stop should have teepee picnic table shelters.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEBLz7C_f9k/Tbe2TlroAwI/AAAAAAAAAR8/zgkF5DejNwc/s1600/windmills2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NEBLz7C_f9k/Tbe2TlroAwI/AAAAAAAAAR8/zgkF5DejNwc/s1600/windmills2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wonder what Don Quixote would have said had he come across these "giants?"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C62ExxQx1tQ/Tbe2TlKRb-I/AAAAAAAAASA/ZwPPJRqlMk8/s1600/windmills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C62ExxQx1tQ/Tbe2TlKRb-I/AAAAAAAAASA/ZwPPJRqlMk8/s1600/windmills.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This kinda gives you an idea of the size of the windmills....although technically I believe these are called wind turbines as they turn turbines to make electricity, as opposed to turning mills. :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUTwFIzri1E/Tbe2TZ7nqDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/9wViy0PQ8DE/s1600/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EUTwFIzri1E/Tbe2TZ7nqDI/AAAAAAAAAR0/9wViy0PQ8DE/s1600/Sunset.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sun had JUST set behind the mountains as we were approaching Albuquerque. If we had been even 5 minutes earlier this would have been an incredible pic.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-9763264529051218922011-04-25T22:47:00.000-07:002011-10-07T08:47:27.420-07:00The King lived in a dump(y neighborhood).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We started off the day by heading over to Graceland which was only about 15 minutes from our hotel. Now admittedly, we didn't see much of Memphis, but the area we did see, which is to say the area surrounding Graceland, was, um, shall we say, less than graceful. It's really bizarre, because as we were driving over there the neighborhoods started getting worse and worse. It was just rundown 1/2 empty strip mall here, boarded up apartment complex there etc. etc. We kept waiting for the neighborhood to get better....but it never did. Then all of a sudden, you notice every business seems to be Elvis Presley related and you are at Graceland...well sort of. You come to the Graceland parking lot where they want $10 just to park and then the tickets to actually tour Graceland are $30+ per person ($70 for the VIP tour). While I actually wanted to tour Graceland, the combination of god awful surroundings, the exorbitant prices and a time schedule that really only allowed one site seeing stop today, we decided to bag Graceland and spend the time in Hot Springs Arkansas instead.<br />
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So off we headed to Hot Springs and promptly ran into a storm that would have looked right at home in The Wizzard of Oz. Seriously, I have never in my life seen a set of storm clouds like the ones rolling towards us. It was literally like something out of a movie. They were magnificent and spooky at the same time. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I realized we were in Tornado Alley and a tornado just took out the St. Louis airport a few days ago. We got lucky though and there were no tornadoes to be seen (if I'm honest, I was a wee bit disappointed), just some of the hardest rain I've ever experienced. We made it to Hot Springs in about 3 hours, which was pretty good considering the weather. HS is a neat little town even if it's a bit run down. I bet in it's heyday (which looks to have been sometime in the 20s or 30s) it was really quite the destination. Even today though, it's worth spending a day or two there. It's like a cross between Ocean City MD and Harper's Ferry, W. Va if you can imagine that. It's got some serious natural beauty, but at the same time is very touristy with plenty of little nic nac shops. Unfortunately the weather was still damp and very gray (but no rain!) so no decent scenic pics here either, but a few interesting one's nonetheless.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella Standing on a wall that sits atop a small mountain (large hill?) that overlooks Hot Springs.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Filling her water bottle at public filling station for the spring water. Tasted awesome too, very mineraly (is that a word?)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbWsFagsVgk/TbZVzSEWsFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/UMzhILvE3zo/s1600/BellaDaddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbWsFagsVgk/TbZVzSEWsFI/AAAAAAAAAQU/UMzhILvE3zo/s640/BellaDaddy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bella and I at a spring in the middle of the town.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpJpIg1dYC0/TbZV3oxxopI/AAAAAAAAARE/DtsyaaLDoog/s1600/BellaMommyAldous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QpJpIg1dYC0/TbZV3oxxopI/AAAAAAAAARE/DtsyaaLDoog/s640/BellaMommyAldous.jpg" width="424" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls and Aldous at the same spring.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AitkBBno6A/TbZV3-NITMI/AAAAAAAAAQw/UY4CYDhG9Y4/s1600/HotSprings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AitkBBno6A/TbZV3-NITMI/AAAAAAAAAQw/UY4CYDhG9Y4/s640/HotSprings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Downtown Hot Springs, AR.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKpeQA5bU0k/TbZV0NSvePI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/6EFVYwIDVIA/s1600/BellaFriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pKpeQA5bU0k/TbZV0NSvePI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/6EFVYwIDVIA/s640/BellaFriend.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At a neat little emporium in HS...Bella's face is not a put on...she was terrified of that wooden Gorilla....took me a few minutes to talk her into posing for this pic. :-)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This had nothing to do with Hot Springs. This was the sign for a restaurant in the same parking lot as a gas station we stopped at in OK. The sign speaks for itself....no we didn't eat there, Michelle wouldn't let me. :-)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Next up, Albuquerque, NM where we are going to spend some time with my uncle Bill and aunt Rebecca and check out the local sites.<br />
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</div>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-29800652681166900562011-04-25T06:23:00.000-07:002011-04-25T06:23:06.628-07:00Sleepless in MemphisThings we learned last night.<br />
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1. Homemade beanie weenies (Bush's Original Baked Beans with bacon and brown sugar along with Trader Joes all-natural hot dogs) taste awesome....yea, we are on a budget. :)<br />
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2. While the kind of gas baked beans gives me usually leads to a night of entertaining complaints from my room mates, the kind of gas it gives Aldous is painful, wakes him up at about 1:30 and keeps him up crying till about 3:00 AM. Poor little fella. :(<br />
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3. Michelle has a super human ability to pace back in forth in a hotel room in the pitch dark lugging this 30 lb crying fit pitching ball of kicking arms/legs for what seems like hours trying to calm him down. I don't know how she does it. My back won't last 5 minutes.<br />
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4. The number one way to determine you didn't get enough sleep? You wake up and your eyeballs are itching something fierce. <br />
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5. No more baked beans for Aldous...<br />
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Ok, back on the road and a quick stop to see The King before we head to Hot Springs national park. The weather looks crappy today, so it may be slow progress. We'll see...Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211201945889049974.post-66254145390388826702011-04-24T20:09:00.000-07:002011-05-02T16:12:11.436-07:001 day down ? days to go....Well, we didn't actually hit the road till 1:30 today. Fatigue from my lyme disease has really been kicking my butt these last few days and as we were (still) packing last night I was ready to postpone our departure one more day so that we could get up early (like 4AM early), get on the road and spend 2 straight days driving to Albuquerque. I just could not fathom getting up with 4 hours of sleep (we still had 2 more hours of packing) and driving all day. Michelle, to her credit, had a <b>MUCH</b> better idea. Go to bed, don't set the alarm clock, get up when the kids do, have a leisurely breakfast, finish the packing and hit the road. Instead of two 12 hour days of driving, she suggested we just take 3 shorter days and also see if there was anywhere worth stopping for an hour or two along the way (we originally had not planned on doing any sightseeing until we made it to Albuquerque). Well, as it turns out, our route takes us right past Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, AR. <br />
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We had planned on trying to make it to HS today, but Aldous would not have it. We made it right outside Memphis by about 8PM Eastern before he was done for the day. We pulled into a truck stop and Michelle fed Aldous while I used her new smartphone (the HTC Thunderbolt ROCKS!) to go on Hotwire and find a decent cheap hotel. Just about the time I was finished booking a night at a Holiday Inn Express about 2 miles away Michelle had finished feeding Aldous and we were getting ready to head out. Just then, two shirtless gentlemen in their mid-50s covered in home-applied tattoos and mud, rode over to our mini-van on 4 wheelers. One pulls up to Michelle's window and the other one parks in front of the van. The fella at Michelle's window starts talking to us. Now, you have to remember, we are in Mississippi, and if you have never heard a DEEP SOUTH accent, they can be a bit hard to understand (hell, even if you have heard them, they can be hard to understand). Michelle can't understand a thing he's saying. I understood enough to get the gist of it, but before I could answer him, Michelle started complimenting their "mini trucks" (I don't think he understood what she meant at this point...as you can surmise, Michelle has not spent much time around "four-wheelers" in her life :) ). I think they made her a little nervous and that's why she started gushing over their "mini-trucks." So there we are, a mini-van covered in sunflower, daisy and bee stickers surrounded by locals in "mini-trucks" blocking our path of escape. Turns out they were just asking if we were lost and did we need directions. We explained we were fine, just needed to feed the baby and I said they looked like they were having fun. The talkative fella said "HELLS YES, WE'RE HAVIN FUN!" Evidently, according to him there about 30 guys just like him and there are four-wheeler trails all around that area and they all get together every weekend to ride the trails. They told us to take care, we said likewise and off they rode on their "mini-trucks." Michelle looks at me and says, "I couldn't understand a thing they were saying." At this point, Isabella pipes up. "Are we still in the USA?" she asked, 100% serious.<br />
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Damn, this trip is gonna be FUN! :)<br />
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We plan on getting on the road early and although I would never travel here to see it, I think since we are in Memphis, we might swing by Graceland, get a pic in front of the gates and then boogey on over to Hot Springs for a few hours. Sorry about the lack of pics today, but there really wasn't much to take a picture of, though if I had to do it over I would have asked our 'mini-truck' friends for a pic. :) <br />
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PS as I was typing this Isabella insisted we post a pic, so, by popular demand, or rather Isabella's, here is a pic of Isabella and Aldous in bed for the night in the Holiday Inn Express in Olive Branch Mississippi...<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> While I think this pic is cute, I hope future pics will be a little more scenic in nature. Ok, I'm off to bed, it's now midnight for me and I'm beat. :)</span>Brendhan Pelothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14443825468740165343noreply@blogger.com7