tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45186627849535785702023-11-16T03:53:01.607-08:00Matthew and Nancy's North American TourFor the better part of 3 years we traveled North America in a truck and 5th-wheel trailer (Gigantor and the Whale). Our trip began in March of 2010 and finished August of 2012. We've been all over, from Nova Scotia to Florida, Southern California to British Columbia. It was the trip of a lifetime - the memories we made will be cherished for the rest of our lives. This blog chronicals our journey. Enjoy!Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-61581965803426342372012-10-24T16:47:00.000-07:002012-10-24T16:47:48.932-07:00The Long Drive HomeIt's been more than two months since we arrived back on Freeman Road. <br />
<br />It was a bittersweet ending to a most incredible journey, a journey which took us to 44 of the 50 states, and 5 Canadian provinces, racking up 51000 miles on Gigantor's odometer, about 40000 of which were under tow.
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<br />It was bitter because of the finality of selling our rig and leaving it behind, and because after we left our relationship with the buyer deteriorated (long story). It was sweet because it was nevertheless a perfect ending to arrive back at home without the burden of needing to sell truck and trailer in New England at the end of the camping season.
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<br />The drive home was long: 2800 miles in six days; around 7 hours driving per day. The first drive might have been the best...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDR1Io4_rFkQyk1XPz6onnVcXgnLGdFV6-XZtrmso2UZvssh-cmGk3D0CnmzWl0JTYDrwZBsW-KzPuxTJN7NLVPkMOfrp7tOFUZLP1loYPAER4K2Saes3mu-1rjtrLOSDbe6wRDpDUehyphenhyphen/s1600/Drive+Home+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDR1Io4_rFkQyk1XPz6onnVcXgnLGdFV6-XZtrmso2UZvssh-cmGk3D0CnmzWl0JTYDrwZBsW-KzPuxTJN7NLVPkMOfrp7tOFUZLP1loYPAER4K2Saes3mu-1rjtrLOSDbe6wRDpDUehyphenhyphen/s400/Drive+Home+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5778353540667171858" /></a>
...we had great scenery as we drove past, and through, the mountains of central Utah, and we had an excellent lunch stop (at a campground, of all places) near Fremont Indian State Park in the Fishlake National Forest.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4fboydqfFD6B837H7GssDmjA05LchjT83N2ERttM3mmX0lm9zbzqkYMRUZwaL2mnUXshyphenhyphenIFIEsi94085K3cYqZSUofAFSMsFc5BKeWOrKUb_1tazkCRDY2v0-xvOHiJaZSpH6glJ7bzG/s1600/DSCN229601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4fboydqfFD6B837H7GssDmjA05LchjT83N2ERttM3mmX0lm9zbzqkYMRUZwaL2mnUXshyphenhyphenIFIEsi94085K3cYqZSUofAFSMsFc5BKeWOrKUb_1tazkCRDY2v0-xvOHiJaZSpH6glJ7bzG/s400/DSCN229601.JPG" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
Coming down out of the mountains and into the desert we were treated to a broad desert panorama seething with thunderstorms. It took a while, but I caught a lighning strike "on film":
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55QF4nWv_Nvb1oPM222TweeRudRt9X7tw-r2adxFPb7mj-4DIV3JR3kl_Je-nE5_RMo9CGUrlsFiSacIXnpcB5To8rkn-0R-0v2fs2NDE6xq5INOyWpz15uqi3Q5LUffuBDhKFNPKZSGp/s1600/DSCN231302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55QF4nWv_Nvb1oPM222TweeRudRt9X7tw-r2adxFPb7mj-4DIV3JR3kl_Je-nE5_RMo9CGUrlsFiSacIXnpcB5To8rkn-0R-0v2fs2NDE6xq5INOyWpz15uqi3Q5LUffuBDhKFNPKZSGp/s400/DSCN231302.JPG" /></a>
<br />Day 2 took us over the Rocky Mountains, past Glenwood Springs, Vail and over Loveland Pass. We lunched on the shores of a lake where a bighorn sheep observation structure had been build. The sheep were not to be seen (probably hiding behind rocks, sniggering and butting each other), but it was a great place for a break, and gave Toby the opportunity for a hike and a swim before settling in for another haul, across the rest of Colorado and into Nebraska.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsfaK73PE90SqPCvOmmTsK_a6h2qM_KrQvVpr4XKFf8eH6fFABJTpUWcDSMWfKaHxblaYLZt1a29XLj5mTl9nEB-yzOw9jTa2G5xA6GTaa_JwBY_5DPbzcJxnAEw-CjTz9bsKBAiJG1p1/s1600/Drive+Home+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsfaK73PE90SqPCvOmmTsK_a6h2qM_KrQvVpr4XKFf8eH6fFABJTpUWcDSMWfKaHxblaYLZt1a29XLj5mTl9nEB-yzOw9jTa2G5xA6GTaa_JwBY_5DPbzcJxnAEw-CjTz9bsKBAiJG1p1/s400/Drive+Home+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5778353535103175874" /></a>
<br />The third day the driving began to get old.
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Most of the day was spent cruising past field after field of endless waves of grain. We crossed the border into Iowa and guess what - looks just like Nebraska!
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On the fourth day things began to green up a bit. We crossed the mighty Mississippi River, and ended the day in South Bend, Indiana, not far from the Notre Dame campus, and an area familiar to me because I travel there to visit my employer in nearby Elkhart. This familiarity was like catching a whiff of home, and with only two more drives it was like the end was now in sight.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy1Ev34CBn2y67KuEyNZvu-0hkySh9T3s57ULB7ZeetvT7HlLaF8OMHM3ShN_OjQm7N6H9iV0QzGbyV2oeyrykQutQrMYhPRjArFKeVtSY7gUE50xz-knglDyH29AJ74yHDFOc-Vt8Iui/s1600/Drive+Home+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwy1Ev34CBn2y67KuEyNZvu-0hkySh9T3s57ULB7ZeetvT7HlLaF8OMHM3ShN_OjQm7N6H9iV0QzGbyV2oeyrykQutQrMYhPRjArFKeVtSY7gUE50xz-knglDyH29AJ74yHDFOc-Vt8Iui/s400/Drive+Home+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5778353415619523202" /></a>
In the morning we went out for breakfast, and it was a good thing we did, because on the way back to the hotel (a drive of maybe 1/2 of a mile) our moving truck engine overheated! All of the engine coolant had leaked out overnight. We called Penske, thankful that they had a facility in town, but fearful that we would have to re-pack in a replacement truck. Instead they sent out a repair technician who found and fixed the problem in roughly 43 seconds. He then spent a while coaxing the thermostat open so that he could refil the coolant system, but once that was done we were back in business. All told it was less than two hours lost. We tore down the highway as fast as the speed-governor on the truck would allow, crossing most of Indiana, all of Ohio, and into Pennsylvania. Here we stayed at a marginally better hotel and treated ourselves to a room service dinner.
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The last drive: back into the northeast proper; back into New England. It warmed us to be getting so close to the end, but aggrevated us to be back in the land of competitive driving. A construction project in New York state brought us to a standstill. Once we finally crept over the border into our home state of Connecticut we were welcomed by our fellow nutmeggers passing on the right, weaving through traffic, neglecting to use the turn signals on their european sports sedans...
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And then there we were, driving slowly down our tree-lined street, past the golden hilltop meadow, along our own Firefly Field sloping down to our frog pond, the split-rail fence lining the lawn and driveway. The smell of oaks, cut grass and fresh water wafted in through the open windows. The buzzing of Cicadas and chirping of songbirds filled the late-summer air. We had arrived, back to stay...
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...at home.
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Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-31737488231820358392012-07-31T18:33:00.006-07:002012-08-16T05:09:01.629-07:00Hurricane, Utah: Sale of the Whale<strong>It was with mixed emotions</strong> of excitement and wistfulness that we packed up for one last tow. We automatically set about our routine of de-cluttering, stowing loose items, lashing the TV and chairs, raising jacks, running in the slides,disconnecting water and electricity, and hooking up the truck. This was certainly not our favorite part of living on the move, but it was unique to this lifestyle we've been living for most of the last two and a half years. This last drive under tow would be different in another way: Nancy would not be in the passenger seat of Gigantor - instead she would be following in the Penske truck. It was an easy drive - all highway - but we used our two-way radios for communication, like when and where to stop for lunch. We arrived in Hurricane, checked in, and backed into the site next to the buyers, Steve & Maria.<br /><br />That first afternoon and evening were pretty much <strong>just what I'd hoped for</strong>. The four of us excitedly walked around and through the Whale, and that evening Steve and Maria hosted a nice dinner of bruschetta, grilled fish & squash. We talked over wine and cocktails, sharing stories and plans for the future. Nice.<br /><br /><strong>The next day wasn't so much fun.</strong> Nancy and I still had a lot of cleaning and packing to do, and the moving truck was already very full. We were running out of boxes, and getting to more difficult items to pack. But the real source of stress came from Gigantor. Steve had noticed some wetness from oil under the engine. I was aware of it, but paid it no heed as it had been that way for so long and had gotten no worse. But Steve wanted it checked out, and suddenly we were afraid that they wouldn't buy the truck. We had naively assumed that the sale would go through without a hitch, had paid a lot of money for the moving truck, and were not prepared to take Gigantor home with us. <br /><br />We dropped the truck off at a <strong>repair shop</strong>, and busied ourselves for a few hours, taking care of chores, including the wire transfer from Steve to the bank which held our lien on the trailer. That part went well anyway.<br /><br />When we returned to the shop to hear the <strong>prognosis</strong> I was full of dread. It seemed that sometime in the truck's past someone had damaged the upper oil pan, and repaired it with epoxy or something. This repair was failing, and oil was now leaking through cracks in the patch. But, for $650 it could be put to right, so I agreed to absorb the cost, and Steve agreed to buy the truck. Not too terrible an outcome.<br /><br /><strong>That night</strong> we retired to our separate quarters, all tired from the emotional impact of the day. Nancy and I were upset by the unexpected truck issue, wishing we'd had it checked out and fixed beforehand, so that we'd have arrived confident and with no lurking problems. We also had the question of the trailer title to deal with. In retrospect, we should have borrowed from ourselves, paid off the trailer, and shown up to the sale with a clean title. But, time was tight and its hard to get mail when we move so often. Plus, by having Steve pay the bank directly, then the title would get issued directly to him in his name, thereby avoiding the step of taking our signed-over title to Utah DMV for reissue. But, Steve was wary of the process, and wanted to hold back the balance of the combined sale price until he had title in hand. We didn't want to leave that much money behind, along with both truck & trailer. A compromise was reached that we would leave behind just $1000 as insurance that the title arrived as promised.<br /><br />And so, after a last flurry of packing and cleaning, we piled into our rented Penske truck and pointed its nose <strong>toward Connecticut</strong>. It would take us six days, driving 7-8 hours each day, to cover the 2800 highway miles to get home. We were eager to get started, as we were eager to have it over with. <br /><br />Much more full than expected - somehow all this was neatly tucked away in The Whale:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUG2pacfd10Hm06co4JAk2OYrfodm64_GZDsu9KT0afGBloPlFyDOVXb5tJW45XJefY8ntrp4HIPYD6YTk7_SlRRnA54TnCo_Qtr6xo6cqRPay6FS0zXSlOnJH27RSzZ9BFZPPWVmIvbZ/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUG2pacfd10Hm06co4JAk2OYrfodm64_GZDsu9KT0afGBloPlFyDOVXb5tJW45XJefY8ntrp4HIPYD6YTk7_SlRRnA54TnCo_Qtr6xo6cqRPay6FS0zXSlOnJH27RSzZ9BFZPPWVmIvbZ/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777238438573746290" /></a><br />New owners, Steve and Maria:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjFFwjJrdOxSvgFywL9TQngfXc8ES6XO-eBroFfxnRAt3YKL6uxJOACtgK-ai0r13b7FDireHzgKfi2rc-j1pxS_VGaTIBX31m8PiZZwRB6AFVRwo9gsqILUVpVdXthASyi4vI5PnDO7n/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjFFwjJrdOxSvgFywL9TQngfXc8ES6XO-eBroFfxnRAt3YKL6uxJOACtgK-ai0r13b7FDireHzgKfi2rc-j1pxS_VGaTIBX31m8PiZZwRB6AFVRwo9gsqILUVpVdXthASyi4vI5PnDO7n/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777238432860845218" /></a><br /><br />Our six days of driving home were not without their moments, and I'll tell those stories in the next post. But this, now, is the end of the story of our adventures with Gigantor and The Whale. If that comes across as anticlimactic, that's because that's exactly how it felt.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-62144596426215946232012-07-29T06:40:00.002-07:002012-08-10T14:57:18.130-07:00Pocatello & ProvoIt was with great reluctance and a sense of resignation that we left Sun Valley and headed southwards. Our first drive took us to Pocatello, Idaho, where we just spent an overnight. It was hot there, but we still took a walk on a multi-use trail adjacent to the campground, and went into town for mediocre Thai food.<br /><br />We drove south again to Provo, Utah, where we would begin cleaning and packing truck & trailer for handoff. The heat was almost unbearable, more so because we were moving around a lot, packing up, cleaning and waxing. I did outdoor chores like waxing Gigantor early in the morning, and in the heat of the afternoons we hid indoors and packed boxes.<br /><br />We got boxes for free by stopping at a nearby industrial park, where, with permission, we took 20 or so in "like new" condition. Saved nearly $50 over buying them at Home Depot. We picked up our Penske moving truck in Provo, too. A 12 foot box truck, it was actually smaller and easier to drive than Gigantor. We began to fill it right away:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf70ncoM_41ICyFvGyAmM247SG2VmiabWFuW3gY0uar2WKDPVqtpDDECY8IEwmAD8yhbAFtasHLujhph5s1KGneoQ_2aSz3Kj9rFzhlXOZafaG9Q2LgIheS2Sba93awSui7vZ7M4I-zdr/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf70ncoM_41ICyFvGyAmM247SG2VmiabWFuW3gY0uar2WKDPVqtpDDECY8IEwmAD8yhbAFtasHLujhph5s1KGneoQ_2aSz3Kj9rFzhlXOZafaG9Q2LgIheS2Sba93awSui7vZ7M4I-zdr/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774487945457436770" /></a><br /><br />I had originally thought that our payload would just cover the floor of this moving truck, but it quickly became apparent that it would be filled two or three boxes high. Amazing how much stuff we had tucked away in storage in The Whale.<br /><br />Move moving and selling stories in the next post...Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-84212836448026041882012-07-25T06:33:00.007-07:002012-08-05T06:20:45.458-07:00Sun ValleyThis would be, for all intensive purposes, the last stop of our incredible adventure, and what an amazing relief it was to be in Sun Valley. To escape from the heat and stress that we suffered in Boise, and relax into the relatively cool and wild beauty of this riverside, mountainside forest service campground.<br /><br />We camped at Wood River Campground, 10 miles north of the mountain-resort town of Ketchum. It was a great site, although I think all of them were. We even had just enough Verizon signal for our Wilson amplifier to make usable internet, although not enough to have a phone conversation. That was fine with us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmDqMoyOp6sAbVaV5Knm6eb4282iFhByMzUttDSy4E9y7qxs6kzdW5PZf52hYluabTVQKeB33vxWciKmLCExB5JZaR1XDL8GsrY86e21Ezovl6gbVvTwINnHDeUjVJZEUB5VbBVgiqRIe/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmDqMoyOp6sAbVaV5Knm6eb4282iFhByMzUttDSy4E9y7qxs6kzdW5PZf52hYluabTVQKeB33vxWciKmLCExB5JZaR1XDL8GsrY86e21Ezovl6gbVvTwINnHDeUjVJZEUB5VbBVgiqRIe/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165739078399618" /></a><br />The warm, long days and cool nights were perfect for living off of our batteries, and we only ran the generator for a few hours each day to charge up the house, computer and cell phone batteries. Pleasant as it was, we cooked over a wood fire each night, and kept it burning until bedtime.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G9W9urNoXVWkEpdNngde5R3U1Qb37z9X35xW7arwtkrt_RCS43NpvyJzcmEK8jmF50yZikY6WO6_XMhYjF_bvy7BaexOEK_xpatf34DLWOeHa7RiLRXl_ZSXB1GBwQ3W6GNZohKWxDze/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G9W9urNoXVWkEpdNngde5R3U1Qb37z9X35xW7arwtkrt_RCS43NpvyJzcmEK8jmF50yZikY6WO6_XMhYjF_bvy7BaexOEK_xpatf34DLWOeHa7RiLRXl_ZSXB1GBwQ3W6GNZohKWxDze/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165732973834034" /></a><br />We met a really great man, Lowell, and his companion, Carl, a miniature schnauzer. Lowell and Carl would wander by each afternoon or evening. Lowell would talk to us about Sun Valley and the Sawtooth Mountains, past and present. He was in his late 70's and a widower, having lost his wife to cancer several years ago. He still comes to camp in Sun Valley, and visit the memorial bench that he installed on the river not far from the campground. We enjoyed talking with Lowell, and watching Toby and Carl play. This connection made our visit here more special.<br /><br />Lillian also tracked us down here. She was still in Brookings, having stayed until after Samantha's baby was born, and now came to visit us on here way back east. She stayed two nights with us, and during the day that she was there we drove up the valley, over the mountains, and into the lands beyond:<br /><br />The sawtooth mountains:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cQTAXrNkC7bHj0lisTrVZMtKt3BrLYGdDSJTl3cDE1NZW3oJk0G7G6LVA4KIRpxMhFifwOY6LRbBidXyqtub8nBANWDr3Da2msMig8BKJTSkvvE_rMWZiR7B-nrU9-I3Yq479WDp6BLo/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cQTAXrNkC7bHj0lisTrVZMtKt3BrLYGdDSJTl3cDE1NZW3oJk0G7G6LVA4KIRpxMhFifwOY6LRbBidXyqtub8nBANWDr3Da2msMig8BKJTSkvvE_rMWZiR7B-nrU9-I3Yq479WDp6BLo/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165718302594434" /></a><br />Cooling off in the Salmon River:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdEt5vGw739HGkW-Xi080k5Ktw-7FzIXH92zCZQu48c2sHLX5FHrM0VisN0aT9_oj07EVVTtRLUZhe3yFp8C7wz7nLbTHu5Ae-Zc78tHtlvmJvp9KtHM6YSistcin4C7C7mZumfhl8Ui/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdEt5vGw739HGkW-Xi080k5Ktw-7FzIXH92zCZQu48c2sHLX5FHrM0VisN0aT9_oj07EVVTtRLUZhe3yFp8C7wz7nLbTHu5Ae-Zc78tHtlvmJvp9KtHM6YSistcin4C7C7mZumfhl8Ui/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165472723268946" /></a><br />Little Redfish Lake:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_snvbKqvy_v1MeFxWdTM2Ckv_Bx6YXMQ3wh8FxUw6LmCnecZbnesgiPH_8YpxeZq5HY5aFfk1iiXFT0kPoQfpcUFDt8oTIy7f4RXIoPaHBcbEMow-8Vqob4RgjeAjJ9Fe0AExPdqvyZ6/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_snvbKqvy_v1MeFxWdTM2Ckv_Bx6YXMQ3wh8FxUw6LmCnecZbnesgiPH_8YpxeZq5HY5aFfk1iiXFT0kPoQfpcUFDt8oTIy7f4RXIoPaHBcbEMow-8Vqob4RgjeAjJ9Fe0AExPdqvyZ6/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165461815694962" /></a><br />Wildflowers were a'bloom:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TiS8Z77iJfzfoctCxZoPlST3-M15uvlZQxr2FzBMMWR4CiSQ6s4tPRW-RIpU1wlewGMWXUIYf8Iqyk2RjqwEHuitpEmtw6nTTEGBw3aDoa_K14u9zd_O9U-CNdd3nr1GRznJ4xFrmGwi/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TiS8Z77iJfzfoctCxZoPlST3-M15uvlZQxr2FzBMMWR4CiSQ6s4tPRW-RIpU1wlewGMWXUIYf8Iqyk2RjqwEHuitpEmtw6nTTEGBw3aDoa_K14u9zd_O9U-CNdd3nr1GRznJ4xFrmGwi/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165455287549186" /></a><br />Boulder Mountains:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbA7gOwT7wB0zBZyIrWaAeX254l95X41EScWgICz6-9Jewya8OUNLZqmt7fVvQBc6mw2YzCgwApAhtuI2yLFmaizZHFhnXGZO99_xj1qrypJ2TEmXLSzz7kp62j6A0YjLiglbi7gficEG/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbA7gOwT7wB0zBZyIrWaAeX254l95X41EScWgICz6-9Jewya8OUNLZqmt7fVvQBc6mw2YzCgwApAhtuI2yLFmaizZHFhnXGZO99_xj1qrypJ2TEmXLSzz7kp62j6A0YjLiglbi7gficEG/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165451352555090" /></a><br />Our other days we spent walking Toby on the Harriman Trail which bordered the campground, and I went for a couple of excellent mountain bike rides. One was on a singletrack network just north of Ketchum, where steady climbing yielded rewards of views of the valley and an awesome descent back to the trailhead:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdD3Dn-aWFSG62tMkYvsT9Xuk_bT5q8w77H63dw5At9aTx_PxF4VMMuNLoGfyAzZ9x4zHdw4rr5EMvfUha1gQMvxfrLQ6sRl0ce3G2-6gFwKPt_nZoTMxWxHeTsxU22KCZu1zWBJxExpB/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdD3Dn-aWFSG62tMkYvsT9Xuk_bT5q8w77H63dw5At9aTx_PxF4VMMuNLoGfyAzZ9x4zHdw4rr5EMvfUha1gQMvxfrLQ6sRl0ce3G2-6gFwKPt_nZoTMxWxHeTsxU22KCZu1zWBJxExpB/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165104147802914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-yngG8NI97uzv8RIzR7K7sOAyjcpX1jvHL2MBzkWr_UWjgw9QId3_lRL7m5IwMNo9IJiMPQ_3BrVbtU3uz2p5UUrCqclWsBC55vOvEVzY98ChFPy7_9MmjKyYLhNrG0Tka3kL92XJ6b-/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-yngG8NI97uzv8RIzR7K7sOAyjcpX1jvHL2MBzkWr_UWjgw9QId3_lRL7m5IwMNo9IJiMPQ_3BrVbtU3uz2p5UUrCqclWsBC55vOvEVzY98ChFPy7_9MmjKyYLhNrG0Tka3kL92XJ6b-/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165101933604546" /></a><br />The other ride was at the Sun Valley Resort, where I twice rode the gondola 3200' feet up to the 9100' summit of Bald Mountain, to ride the singletrack trails back down. Unlike any other lift-service riding that I've done, where the ride down takes no longer than the lift up, in this case the trail back down was more than 12 miles long and took an hour! So I only did two runs, but it was awesome!<br /><br />Sweet singletrack carved into the mountainside:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ68whZB-AoW6JLfb6c3qbya7gwFBNej2srOKw-wUdBKFhAIkT9EInaUogH-zDz6QYl9JMClCH1X0_9i6KzTYTNSaYsi0GjcLbgnMFGZafVFuqL56KXK83FbiYL215zV_9CLUJGEDqB-6r/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ68whZB-AoW6JLfb6c3qbya7gwFBNej2srOKw-wUdBKFhAIkT9EInaUogH-zDz6QYl9JMClCH1X0_9i6KzTYTNSaYsi0GjcLbgnMFGZafVFuqL56KXK83FbiYL215zV_9CLUJGEDqB-6r/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165086612160850" /></a><br />Actually, the second run was much more fun than the first, as I knew what to expect, and had learned how to float the bike over the loose & jagged shards of shale that covered sections of the trail surface. It was fast riding and amazing views, including of the town of Ketchum, thousands of feet below on the valley floor:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeF168tA_k5LO7qdA_vf2j7EZ-nbhjOm53HRthh3Aq_UDZN2C9JtuGWTVRTgxfp5OxelV5dUyc9n71y0tl0bcKcS9pDM4WTWkQW-phI0oPC-FwVynv9B5uaF1cC9sb_92hyphenhyphentBY2VbQsO-/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeF168tA_k5LO7qdA_vf2j7EZ-nbhjOm53HRthh3Aq_UDZN2C9JtuGWTVRTgxfp5OxelV5dUyc9n71y0tl0bcKcS9pDM4WTWkQW-phI0oPC-FwVynv9B5uaF1cC9sb_92hyphenhyphentBY2VbQsO-/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773165080123725378" /></a><br />This was such a great place for us to have our last real stop of our trip. From here we would be en route to deliver the rig to Hurricane, spending most of our time cleaning and packing in the hot sun. So we are so glad that we took the time to go to Sun Valley, enjoy and reflect upon our amazing journey.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-75492369965070151792012-07-20T06:26:00.008-07:002012-08-04T19:29:38.903-07:00Burns & BoiseIt came time to begin our trek to Hurricane, but we wanted one final destination before we relinquished Gigantor and the Whale to its new owners. We set our sights on Sun Valley, Idaho, and it would take use three drives to get there. First was the dusty little town of Burns, in eastern Oregon. The Old Camp Casino allowed dry camping in their parking lot for free, so we pulled in to check it out. Turns out it was better than many private parks we've paid good money to stay at. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIaDHo2cFg348OF15Ji_3wzzJkJn5komxV8jVznK-8qZh4avK7sf5aQwSa7j2oy3qw_-4z5g1ZctQQBDlMFX_llI-FoOiTsD7zml7hHjESH75411OMz0c5KWlg9rs8hEj1uFCmkwpv48d/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIaDHo2cFg348OF15Ji_3wzzJkJn5komxV8jVznK-8qZh4avK7sf5aQwSa7j2oy3qw_-4z5g1ZctQQBDlMFX_llI-FoOiTsD7zml7hHjESH75411OMz0c5KWlg9rs8hEj1uFCmkwpv48d/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001798867932226" /></a><br />Although it was hot when we arrived, we pulled into a shady area, and the dry desert air cooled off after sunset.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fAgnUjyqzJAP3cXvkj2Eu8gixs9Jft5HIs8QzKvWjhkgYi7athhl0_Rw0FC-5DvatDzVr3Oygu5EkHnKArbUtO_Ay3095WDhmEx18v0gIwLuh8ueEUeUBv0tXh0MUtDzV2DMF8KhtgZA/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fAgnUjyqzJAP3cXvkj2Eu8gixs9Jft5HIs8QzKvWjhkgYi7athhl0_Rw0FC-5DvatDzVr3Oygu5EkHnKArbUtO_Ay3095WDhmEx18v0gIwLuh8ueEUeUBv0tXh0MUtDzV2DMF8KhtgZA/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001792562657682" /></a><br />We spent a pleasant evening there, and almost wished we could stay longer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHChJXcsWaCafxVavVyKPus4X_N-12wJBi2L9x1FS0RrA66agL09QFjpCPG97CabkPpFwstNO3u7hUBMZJ7G0yrG0oeuzlG-IS4BWlH1gQuQxHozL8VnWJ1fOFpbrjkyv-_felMBxtwp0k/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHChJXcsWaCafxVavVyKPus4X_N-12wJBi2L9x1FS0RrA66agL09QFjpCPG97CabkPpFwstNO3u7hUBMZJ7G0yrG0oeuzlG-IS4BWlH1gQuQxHozL8VnWJ1fOFpbrjkyv-_felMBxtwp0k/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001785559349698" /></a><br />Continuing eastward we arrived at a campground in Boise, Idaho. We were in for a surprise though, as when we stepped out into the searing heat, we found one of our trailer tires was flat! We slowly rolled into our site, and, dripping with sweat, I removed the bad tire and installed the spare. I then inflated the bad tire and found a puncture, which I repaired with a plug kit I've been carrying around for 2 1/2 years. Adding air once more, however, I found that the puncture was not the only problem - the steel belting within the tire had failed, so the tire was completely destroyed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDE1Gki55fShPdq__OcritaU_ZUHQCfCuFvLdr8WWZvfBQc1kqNQJLNkn0tj164rolRViRkvSW1UlhtQEexE9YTLGAzabEbOxASDgtuAaGjvba1c_0hWwiUkIwcxOIJC3K7UgYWHdtn4F/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDE1Gki55fShPdq__OcritaU_ZUHQCfCuFvLdr8WWZvfBQc1kqNQJLNkn0tj164rolRViRkvSW1UlhtQEexE9YTLGAzabEbOxASDgtuAaGjvba1c_0hWwiUkIwcxOIJC3K7UgYWHdtn4F/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773010381809696082" /></a><br />The next day, another scorcher, we tried to get the bad tire replaced on warranty, only to find that trailer tires are apparently not warranted by their manufacturer. The dealer we bought these from would have replaced it, but they are in Indiana, so we just had to find a local tire shop and buy a new one, which we did.<br /><br />The heat was so bad - blazing sun and 100 degrees, that our air conditioner was overwhelmed. We even hung a tarp over the sunny side to help keep control of the inside temperature. The only relief we found was to walk down to the river which bordered the campground, and dip our feet in its cool waters. We'd bring our camp chairs and a pair of gin & tonics down there and sit until we felt human again.<br /><br />Desperate for exercise, I got up early one morning and got on the bike trail that stretches for over 20 miles along the river that cuts through Boise. Along the way I passed a bike jump park, where I gave myself a refresher course in table-top jumps...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbRWCUw0T9KrdznPvQ5HwVQrLmX6BNWlYyonRVNiyeN6MGhi92aIJpQBjEUjJ2hkFjz6wQwhNjJqLZCbDzzTURCgtNIlOBsiAtaryH0w9l38TF2Y9OkLxzyHnfcJ9rUIYmu21kQMscvt2/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbRWCUw0T9KrdznPvQ5HwVQrLmX6BNWlYyonRVNiyeN6MGhi92aIJpQBjEUjJ2hkFjz6wQwhNjJqLZCbDzzTURCgtNIlOBsiAtaryH0w9l38TF2Y9OkLxzyHnfcJ9rUIYmu21kQMscvt2/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001545899026386" /></a><br />...and stopped to watch white water kayakers play in the wash below a breached dam:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxDwPy1P4M2YdujRhK3gAkq_WeqO28CtZPDf9KPo2w21x4x1AHYRLtwh4Tkz6G9-UXLHou-2ZNyVPVrs3JdJ_11e4d6vwQePYC0VAj_6vtiS7yxoZVTUm4gpsKY7-14hTKOtkE8hi7143/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxDwPy1P4M2YdujRhK3gAkq_WeqO28CtZPDf9KPo2w21x4x1AHYRLtwh4Tkz6G9-UXLHou-2ZNyVPVrs3JdJ_11e4d6vwQePYC0VAj_6vtiS7yxoZVTUm4gpsKY7-14hTKOtkE8hi7143/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001532082717778" /></a><br />I made it into downtown, and rode up the city streets to the capitol. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWoO3BRa-65JEUOt0-I3eJ74hEvXz6ysLCR1O5-FUPebiAYtIEFbGVf6Yfx1aoe1Tsz7xleHfA45TreE6E2qY9aiyhprDa90An3_U-2UheVqBcIMOEQ9N6mDv4tt6Ta7a59tT3jEz-nq0/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWoO3BRa-65JEUOt0-I3eJ74hEvXz6ysLCR1O5-FUPebiAYtIEFbGVf6Yfx1aoe1Tsz7xleHfA45TreE6E2qY9aiyhprDa90An3_U-2UheVqBcIMOEQ9N6mDv4tt6Ta7a59tT3jEz-nq0/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5773001539658023986" /></a><br />Boise seemed like a pretty nice little city. Too bad it was so freakin' hot, or we would have explored it more thoroughly. Maybe next time.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-89278173015951964172012-07-16T18:23:00.014-07:002012-08-04T05:26:42.593-07:00Bend & SistersI went to Bend <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/07/road-trip-estacada-sisters-bend.html">last year </a>while Nancy was back home on business, and I had wished that she’d been there with me to experience all that the area has to offer, especially visiting with my cousin Bruce and his wife Cathy. Like last year I had trouble finding a suitable campground, the best ones being fully reserved, and the nicest not having electricity. It was unfortunately very hot while we were there, so we needed to run our air conditioner. So, we went where I’d gone last year, to Crooked River Ranch. It’s an OK place to camp, but was very busy. This time the crowd was there to golf. We were gone on outings each day, so weren’t there when it was hottest. <br /><br />The first night we met Bruce in the Old Mill district of Bend, had a walk around, and grabbed a bit to eat. Lots of folks were out floating or paddling in the river, or strolling along the paths at its banks. The next day Bruce and Cathy had to work, so we entertained ourselves by driving into the town of Sisters, then south up into the mountains to Three Creeks Lake, which Bruce had recommended. It was such a beautiful place, and nearly 20 degrees cooler than at the ranch. We launched our kayaks and had a nice paddle in the lake, admiring the snow covered peaks which surround it. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqpCtfuRF462_TK2SIB1juP24jiNBGQI-EJBfZax8Ar-ND9yaQkiC-4pxJ-RnbolSDF_fVbsJf9LK3_zdgvvvwr54qt2gUc1j64bALHVtB0EzNxmNe5HEH62JS9ewBgUkK-tW-kntf2jz/s1600/06.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772632892201156850 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqpCtfuRF462_TK2SIB1juP24jiNBGQI-EJBfZax8Ar-ND9yaQkiC-4pxJ-RnbolSDF_fVbsJf9LK3_zdgvvvwr54qt2gUc1j64bALHVtB0EzNxmNe5HEH62JS9ewBgUkK-tW-kntf2jz/s400/06.JPG"></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwtNpgw2Mv9aSnvcc0jy9Ra_7S_mjh7CUIM44dVHHjOwKt3_Rv5iaBzfFkpdFJB-mTKdcr2lrUwdewASf6pTYPrPAT2ndB6ApQF1z1O8AHt5D-Jwjz8j6psws400-WmoNaLLAkon-vuzl/s1600/08.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772632517048360914 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwtNpgw2Mv9aSnvcc0jy9Ra_7S_mjh7CUIM44dVHHjOwKt3_Rv5iaBzfFkpdFJB-mTKdcr2lrUwdewASf6pTYPrPAT2ndB6ApQF1z1O8AHt5D-Jwjz8j6psws400-WmoNaLLAkon-vuzl/s400/08.JPG"></A> <br />Some snow still remained on the north facing shore, and I dragged my boat up the slope a bit, sledding back down and right into the lake! I tried to post a video of it here, but it didn't work, so I've just captured a screen shot of the moment of impact...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDkPQM3qZMc5t0DohyNKJGWxEHFRt4mGPInky6EDrIoq6_zyawVszYlkOyXOtZ-oxmfRmr5VjWQ381VtgsHbvrCn3SZcm5QusZbR7Sx59YiWILkr9GyIlS8VtA5GxfVCjQMsH2R_XYjkJ/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDkPQM3qZMc5t0DohyNKJGWxEHFRt4mGPInky6EDrIoq6_zyawVszYlkOyXOtZ-oxmfRmr5VjWQ381VtgsHbvrCn3SZcm5QusZbR7Sx59YiWILkr9GyIlS8VtA5GxfVCjQMsH2R_XYjkJ/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772792919035604578" /></a><br />On the drive out to the lake and back Gigantor’s battery light was on. The charge gage read low, and I was concerned that the alternator might be bad. Sure enough, the next morning the truck wouldn’t start. I tried to jump it with the camper’s batteries, but she wouldn’t have it. AAA came out and got her going, and I immediately drove down to buy a new alternator. It was an easy replacement, and put the truck right once more. That evening found us in Bend where we had a nice visit and with Bruce and Cathy at their home. It was great fun to meet their newest family member, an English spaniel named Baxter. Toby and Baxter got along great, and we were pleased at how Toby holds up playing with such a young puppy. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Bg-9iMqdXI2eBg8HTCxZ9QsJ_utrB7oks3UJzOpOayB6iZQyFvVaQIQRSds1VtPSnhAcP5L7kdRK-nj0pn2_Ss7w6GFiA9BB-Jj0Oanyu9O7WhZX7apGl4TFSNtaIbJIyXVvqvaQOxC/s1600/11.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772632503746283282 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Bg-9iMqdXI2eBg8HTCxZ9QsJ_utrB7oks3UJzOpOayB6iZQyFvVaQIQRSds1VtPSnhAcP5L7kdRK-nj0pn2_Ss7w6GFiA9BB-Jj0Oanyu9O7WhZX7apGl4TFSNtaIbJIyXVvqvaQOxC/s400/11.JPG"></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ayr8gOnicwmMGAeushiwRQt38pEmTFgYflk91Y0NVb5SimBYCJDBWIaFbVQ8XuZh8LXShUixcM6mgZs9QqLjLdzkujG-EmsKKR7lMiwZ2jG885RZyYb8KZ0_5rM9fWyGV_fshAnCp-X8/s1600/12.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772632493713422066 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ayr8gOnicwmMGAeushiwRQt38pEmTFgYflk91Y0NVb5SimBYCJDBWIaFbVQ8XuZh8LXShUixcM6mgZs9QqLjLdzkujG-EmsKKR7lMiwZ2jG885RZyYb8KZ0_5rM9fWyGV_fshAnCp-X8/s400/12.JPG"></A><br />Cathy cooked another excellent salmon dinner, and we had lots of good conversation. When we left for the evening we didn’t go straight back to camp. Amazingly, my favorite guitar player, Jeff Pevar, whom I’ve seen play dozens of times back in Connecticut, was playing with Ricki Lee Jones at the Bend Summer Music Festival! Jeff lives in Ashland, Oregon now, so it wasn’t as remarkable as it would have been had he still live in CT, but still, pretty amazing. So, we went down to the park where they were playing and saw the last half-hour of the show. As they left the stage I called out to Jeff, and he came over for a moment to say hello. It’ll be fun to see him back east and laugh about this coincidence. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl0PPgj5725yowu_OgaQ4pwfs0anzhSRt2tFMHB37W_md7wRXpBPDMUTvRwAi2IUW5dF4Zqh8iydXBjGmQwreCQQjhB-CHlYx0XLbC-sqISSmZH2NeLYtOQn4pFUmPXu9NKcG2L6J9aG4/s1600/13.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772632490188328354 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl0PPgj5725yowu_OgaQ4pwfs0anzhSRt2tFMHB37W_md7wRXpBPDMUTvRwAi2IUW5dF4Zqh8iydXBjGmQwreCQQjhB-CHlYx0XLbC-sqISSmZH2NeLYtOQn4pFUmPXu9NKcG2L6J9aG4/s400/13.JPG"></A> <br />Now, it was about this time that we learned that we had buyers for Gigantor and the Whale! This meant that instead of taking the next six weeks to camp our way back home, we would head south to Hurricane, Utah, and then haul our belongings back to CT in a moving truck. It also meant that we didn’t have to rush away just yet, so we moved over to Sisters for a couple more days. We arrived on the day of the International Quilt Show, so we had to get into town early to avoid sitting in traffic. Coming in as we did from CRR we avoided most of it anyway – SO glad we didn’t come from Bend as Rt. 20 was backed up for many miles until early afternoon.<br /><br />I wanted to take Nancy to the Peterson Ridge Trail network which I had ridden last year, and knew it was right up her alley. We biked through town to the trailhead, had a nice ride, then back. <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAphnReAtiMSDhl4PHijWm-tIppKfvexWDENDStJ0-h2XMt7v8naHyodYsAn4EHBzD6l6j44QEc1Ay88qyZLpdtqw72qE5q-tMyK_f3aLXZbtKSR3eAJ-mebudUl57OL3toXibZBix698S/s1600/14.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772631623558647314 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAphnReAtiMSDhl4PHijWm-tIppKfvexWDENDStJ0-h2XMt7v8naHyodYsAn4EHBzD6l6j44QEc1Ay88qyZLpdtqw72qE5q-tMyK_f3aLXZbtKSR3eAJ-mebudUl57OL3toXibZBix698S/s400/14.JPG"></A> <br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oe01uer2S6PyJrvYbR0kxs4l7G74VthxK1c27UhftkcxL2kNOH7wAe9MtvrkoLDzpsa7fWPDLnNMZCuZrcoCZxYFj9aeYa-VUNDnU3ms6u-nc4I6MIjBrEd_74goEULcpOjjhy6YElN8/s1600/15.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772631619961906242 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oe01uer2S6PyJrvYbR0kxs4l7G74VthxK1c27UhftkcxL2kNOH7wAe9MtvrkoLDzpsa7fWPDLnNMZCuZrcoCZxYFj9aeYa-VUNDnU3ms6u-nc4I6MIjBrEd_74goEULcpOjjhy6YElN8/s400/15.JPG"></A> <br />After showers and lunch we rode back into town to browse the show. There were a few rain sprinkles as we pedaled over, and we just had a chance to see the town streets lined with hanging quilts before it started to rain in earnest. We ducked into a shop where many other quilts were displayed, and soon it was coming down in buckets! A Quilt Rescue Team deployed at the first sign of foul weather, and in no time the town was stripped of hanging quilts. The streets were like rivers, small hail dancing on the sidewalks. Thousands of people fled the town and the show was essentially over, just like that. Oh well. How long can you really look at quilts anyway? <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX1yWWsBVZQnE-w0aYnvG5RUADZXOukoAUrBTP3ffduDqUJ51ZUUuZzIDZ_c8O-QBVQkRKYQ7Eq-wy9l1dv9HQ3MJkbEkAcxxIwtMg5IL1KSZmZXaWT6JHz32SoYCnxJYMHFetHdS-pF5/s1600/16.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772631605809315330 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX1yWWsBVZQnE-w0aYnvG5RUADZXOukoAUrBTP3ffduDqUJ51ZUUuZzIDZ_c8O-QBVQkRKYQ7Eq-wy9l1dv9HQ3MJkbEkAcxxIwtMg5IL1KSZmZXaWT6JHz32SoYCnxJYMHFetHdS-pF5/s400/16.JPG"></A> <br />The next day Bruce, Cathy and Baxter came out to Sisters, and, after stopping at Sister’s Bakery for their melt-in-your-mouth fresh cake doughnuts, we all drove out to the Metolius River, stopping first at its source. This river originates underground, like an enormous spring. From a hollow in a hillside pours forth a full-sized river! Very cool! <br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDbQ-6t7D8LNzvaGM1ahGWiT0-NIF644pEkCuVl3V9f1kNnCwySG_SFUJNo2A8mWA1C823mW6o2jkhrU5G48mB7Ue6ln8S_COpqbB0Gw2Z_MgDrwh0hDdkdKMBfTq2Tr0Z-T-t31WWSmM/s1600/17.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772631595145210146 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDbQ-6t7D8LNzvaGM1ahGWiT0-NIF644pEkCuVl3V9f1kNnCwySG_SFUJNo2A8mWA1C823mW6o2jkhrU5G48mB7Ue6ln8S_COpqbB0Gw2Z_MgDrwh0hDdkdKMBfTq2Tr0Z-T-t31WWSmM/s400/17.JPG"></A> <br />We proceeded to park at a large fish hatchery where we would hike along the river, but first we wandered among the pools to see the millions of trout being raised there. An overflow pool held escapees which had grown into large adult fish. The Metolius is a beautiful river, and its color is striking. We enjoyed a nice hike up river a ways, then back, before making our way back to Sisters. A really nice afternoon and visit.<br /><br /><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UEGOX2iSRNjrwlwLvGf3xOa2O5TJz4YwzzUDp3HEDrmXIQKDZZ5InzJbxMfu8eEVF8jw99sz3iichn4g2Bu1DADoLE23U1fVqf8bBAyggwF5SQqz9CIFHiAQXBayrZE-qjpg5W-u4YzV/s1600/18.JPG"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772631587361724514 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UEGOX2iSRNjrwlwLvGf3xOa2O5TJz4YwzzUDp3HEDrmXIQKDZZ5InzJbxMfu8eEVF8jw99sz3iichn4g2Bu1DADoLE23U1fVqf8bBAyggwF5SQqz9CIFHiAQXBayrZE-qjpg5W-u4YzV/s400/18.JPG"></A>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-42126639291176146752012-07-11T18:40:00.005-07:002012-07-30T22:14:41.849-07:00Crater Lake revisitedHeading east from Brookings took us first down to Crescent City, California, where we had to endure another agricultural checkpoint. Thankfully we’d saved our paper from the first time, and we were quickly on our way. Driving northeast from there, through stands of old-growth redwoods, we came at last to the Crater Lake RV park, in Prospect, Oregon.<br /><br />We’ve stayed at this park <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/06/crater-lake.html">before</a>, just over a year ago, when it was called Prospect RV park, and this is where we had met Zack and Bekah, who were hosts there. They’ve moved on to host at another park, and we're sorry to have missed them, but this park remains one of our favorite private campgrounds, as it is laid out in the manner of some of the better state parks – nice deep, wide sites in a well treed park-like environment.<br /><br />We wanted to visit Crater Lake again, having been so enchanted with it last year. It was a beautiful warm day when we went there this time, and the perfect blue waters were every bit as magical as we remembered. Regardless of having taken many photographs previously, I couldn’t resist and took many, many more. This time we also had a nice hike along the rim trail which afforded us some panoramic views that we hadn’t seen before. What a gorgeous place. You should go there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2zHwZyxkXYrVxn4iO-Gbty8aH2BPFWUyXcGnTmbj5N0LYZTD0VujZO4Vo6xzXsElc8hocRonTQ6mCdHYcTzGYvqftztxx2CVHgXTvo0fZxdNoi53NKbEaBLkgHOYH2W7EhjDVpuSSRoe/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2zHwZyxkXYrVxn4iO-Gbty8aH2BPFWUyXcGnTmbj5N0LYZTD0VujZO4Vo6xzXsElc8hocRonTQ6mCdHYcTzGYvqftztxx2CVHgXTvo0fZxdNoi53NKbEaBLkgHOYH2W7EhjDVpuSSRoe/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769325373953942674" /></a><br />Rolling in snow on a hot summer day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCqUq-D80xBnvMRqxwgUfNFjgTxlNqV2j0ZMaD6ax6dgiGtJP9xLqrirs-zj9wy2oXztJrWZg0g1SUHT495Zs2NXXIvWBsRRMVSEqAPSZCUh9xDW5nEpoXk56f630tif_ZP8Lt2vZrDv5/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCqUq-D80xBnvMRqxwgUfNFjgTxlNqV2j0ZMaD6ax6dgiGtJP9xLqrirs-zj9wy2oXztJrWZg0g1SUHT495Zs2NXXIvWBsRRMVSEqAPSZCUh9xDW5nEpoXk56f630tif_ZP8Lt2vZrDv5/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769325382680366386" /></a><br />Click to enlarge:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NabL4DRBZNcKM48f0cLTZzeij0BDYBdutd6qDKzv7Pw24lDQp7Iw5fdlv_5f3UlXpsU6g_wmfYriuMsVWXt6y34k-p6Gqkf3VKr34SqM1dsDnsMQ0nCywwA227nyLRzgWM4hr-pUUhPL/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NabL4DRBZNcKM48f0cLTZzeij0BDYBdutd6qDKzv7Pw24lDQp7Iw5fdlv_5f3UlXpsU6g_wmfYriuMsVWXt6y34k-p6Gqkf3VKr34SqM1dsDnsMQ0nCywwA227nyLRzgWM4hr-pUUhPL/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769325368687203138" /></a><br />The other highlight of our stay was the trail that follows the Rogue River, and is accessible right from the campground. I enjoyed this rolling trail last year, and rode it with Zack as well. This time I took Nancy out on it, and she loved it. We rode it all three mornings we were there. Great fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjH4FJKXIsdaPEV8FlHafozNsLkSfvQDWsW4B4Yv-BlHOEAGt221DTTEbZNXSELvW63dJnuwcA3Wr4oiq7G6Fn7HmcFlz2VcZwqMtESPQ2hq21g-c2DMsy4KT04JaE-diRQ0fMei5NN8Y/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjH4FJKXIsdaPEV8FlHafozNsLkSfvQDWsW4B4Yv-BlHOEAGt221DTTEbZNXSELvW63dJnuwcA3Wr4oiq7G6Fn7HmcFlz2VcZwqMtESPQ2hq21g-c2DMsy4KT04JaE-diRQ0fMei5NN8Y/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769325398139656098" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-76389391569229380332012-07-08T20:10:00.014-07:002012-07-25T20:54:47.203-07:00Brookings revisitedIt was a quick drive up from Trinidad, mountain roads through redwood groves, then opening up and flattening out near Crescent City, California. We arrived in Brookings, Oregon, and camped at Riverside Campground, on the north shore of the Chetco River, and just a couple of miles from where Nancy's sister, Diane, lives with her man Steve.<br /><br />We were here this same week <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/06/family-reunion-in-brookings.html">last year</a>, over the 4th of July, except then we were joined by our sons Derik & Scott, their girlfriends Kristen & Brittany, and Nancy's mother Lillian and her husband Mike. We were a boisterous crowd, and we had a fantastic time, but we didn't personally feel like we'd gotten much visiting time in with Diane and Steve. So this time, we did that.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eNV6uFaS5OnYcWnlmM4DKkm-jOQPnz_IghmzCzdq4wGQejU9StZR6sY6k6DjhBIbkYTEVRKD_2PY0GZk8WrN2bSNrcYqXHDnSau-U1AdfqhdjSieukrl33_2AoCpz2xkOgStFl-9SUpb/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eNV6uFaS5OnYcWnlmM4DKkm-jOQPnz_IghmzCzdq4wGQejU9StZR6sY6k6DjhBIbkYTEVRKD_2PY0GZk8WrN2bSNrcYqXHDnSau-U1AdfqhdjSieukrl33_2AoCpz2xkOgStFl-9SUpb/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241945051821970" /></a><br />We went over to their house to visit, and their chihuahua, Chakota, a tiny, quivering, nervous little dog, was highly suspicious of us, but when she saw Toby, it was a reunion with her lost love! Like last year she threw herself at him, desperate for his love. Toby, whose dangly bits were removed before he hit puberty, had absolutely no idea what Chakota was desiring, backing herself up to him and looking around coyly as if to say "Do me, you magnificent beast!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsVoWqZpDpjXxkHWUrrJjLhrl4pZy3f9whaVWjpH2hLjbS3r-QAcCd-n-x7I9YJ0dYXYbp_zU8HhRl2ZhBndrNLYprzS8J8vdpTB2r2V37dEWbg0PwCZV9PtkEdjau_zMVLEU_BNz5nbK/s1600/19.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsVoWqZpDpjXxkHWUrrJjLhrl4pZy3f9whaVWjpH2hLjbS3r-QAcCd-n-x7I9YJ0dYXYbp_zU8HhRl2ZhBndrNLYprzS8J8vdpTB2r2V37dEWbg0PwCZV9PtkEdjau_zMVLEU_BNz5nbK/s400/19.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766351675683087090" /></a><br />We went out for a nice dinner (thanks Steve!) and then over to a club where we were met by friends Lois and Brad, and by cross-country driving Lillian. Steve, Diane and Lois sang with the kareoke machine, so I got up and sang a medley of Tiny Tim tunes, and that actually did not happen AT ALL!<br /><br />The next day actually WAS the 4th of July, and we went down to the Harbor, staked out some beachside real-estate with blankets and chairs, and browsed the tents and booths set up in the area before heading back to the house for a barbecue. In the evening we returned to the beach, found our claim undisturbed, and settled in to people watch until the fireworks display began.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wB3pfuPKKHF_WlM8RTy1HY_7Je_rcLS907c3MpGQm69XmVdbpYR9bST4h5Fggsb4vIpgD8wq_yUXq_ltbAj5N_p4MMsfuH2sLFv-mufqxrrUY1dIvHZtP8kqExCVA-mqSs6GgS2OmPiD/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wB3pfuPKKHF_WlM8RTy1HY_7Je_rcLS907c3MpGQm69XmVdbpYR9bST4h5Fggsb4vIpgD8wq_yUXq_ltbAj5N_p4MMsfuH2sLFv-mufqxrrUY1dIvHZtP8kqExCVA-mqSs6GgS2OmPiD/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241936125110994" /></a><br />Lois & Brad<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhGPsadFJPu7-Cn-QuyozUmTQ4JHCFxdrCEnWkjPTei_bW6b3PL89sXuQxaKUBrR29gzH0TDykFkDYAh0twM_O1aub2OUa8fqDy37cADjWuQdqPs7hELqqQ6-PexrN0g1E-QnIoXs21PZ/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhGPsadFJPu7-Cn-QuyozUmTQ4JHCFxdrCEnWkjPTei_bW6b3PL89sXuQxaKUBrR29gzH0TDykFkDYAh0twM_O1aub2OUa8fqDy37cADjWuQdqPs7hELqqQ6-PexrN0g1E-QnIoXs21PZ/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241928557057122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc8Ih-KOFGchdvSQpELUu8KUop3NeXAONSiGX_9ss-A3OfW7aLNJMqPCooWMYf1eH58jw46-x-gpCGJWGCZIhb0SAqQinhjzIGrB6izsQMOxah_K6YqB8ovBTVIx70gzPGK7PGyzT-diA/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzc8Ih-KOFGchdvSQpELUu8KUop3NeXAONSiGX_9ss-A3OfW7aLNJMqPCooWMYf1eH58jw46-x-gpCGJWGCZIhb0SAqQinhjzIGrB6izsQMOxah_K6YqB8ovBTVIx70gzPGK7PGyzT-diA/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241924261697970" /></a><br />Our niece Samantha was very pregnant while were were there, past due in fact. We had hoped that baby Nicholas would have emerged before, or during, our stay, but he chose to stay put. We did see Samantha several times, though, and went with her for a nice hike out to Indian Sands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQkdjvf4khhCdbnEMMW9jIOwVlUSVVyDIxmzgBzkHZVBl_WqqFLeSHXBb3mPSDkFhXI0YGO_rsNjgCXR09vZlJAVBTc9xl-zzYjUTn4HBUHuCWQXFZEVdoffpJLVR4IvEHTAIzNNs1qOu/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQkdjvf4khhCdbnEMMW9jIOwVlUSVVyDIxmzgBzkHZVBl_WqqFLeSHXBb3mPSDkFhXI0YGO_rsNjgCXR09vZlJAVBTc9xl-zzYjUTn4HBUHuCWQXFZEVdoffpJLVR4IvEHTAIzNNs1qOu/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241659930333778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNMyYGXInsLOBbot56kEQqueKzrn94nWzVhKDPSKpwdHsfZYY2MwQPlsYWCe2sJ-t5D37fi9SXBlSWdCKnJSGE_x3C1ga9juTFnkTMikC6DznOH6g0e1rqXZbJRZeSQxZtz0r3h6CSW8F/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNMyYGXInsLOBbot56kEQqueKzrn94nWzVhKDPSKpwdHsfZYY2MwQPlsYWCe2sJ-t5D37fi9SXBlSWdCKnJSGE_x3C1ga9juTFnkTMikC6DznOH6g0e1rqXZbJRZeSQxZtz0r3h6CSW8F/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241654169339010" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG68XrHHBcJJOzqOLgLJcRnNeDCZfEYzDwSaGDfrGQPvcxMmvalnsVMCnVULRtg0S8Xe6obXi3fs6vQAr4UjH7_tnjuroyCdOJBoj_6QUYJ_eU_oYTNl-h70bVTOxmrWNnRf-orhxVbWi/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG68XrHHBcJJOzqOLgLJcRnNeDCZfEYzDwSaGDfrGQPvcxMmvalnsVMCnVULRtg0S8Xe6obXi3fs6vQAr4UjH7_tnjuroyCdOJBoj_6QUYJ_eU_oYTNl-h70bVTOxmrWNnRf-orhxVbWi/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765241651559237682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJw0Wd27iyNnSN1m3HiHffBk4QdeIBHXxrJeSYGtvIj1fFFE9TGv-FiL4CdRNYIKeTh9Bj3nxPtZ7yx-tv3xYsGDCvCQ_LiHGd5Yv4gV6pm111Kb9gbhttg6rX9D0LQQKtJecdCU5OJ2z/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJw0Wd27iyNnSN1m3HiHffBk4QdeIBHXxrJeSYGtvIj1fFFE9TGv-FiL4CdRNYIKeTh9Bj3nxPtZ7yx-tv3xYsGDCvCQ_LiHGd5Yv4gV6pm111Kb9gbhttg6rX9D0LQQKtJecdCU5OJ2z/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765240661252917138" /></a><br />Another exciting adventure we had was floating the Chetco river with Lois and Brad. We met on a Saturday morning and drove up river a ways to plant their car at the take out point, and load their boats into Gigantor. We then headed further upriver, about 7 miles further, unloaded, and began our trip.<br /><br />Our float started out with a pair of small rapids, but the river was running strongly, and they were challenging. We all cleared the first, but I was the only one of the four of us to make it through the second still atop my boat – Brad, Lois and Nancy all dumped. Of the three, it was Nancy who was unprepared for the experience. She was disoriented under water, came up under the kayak, then emerged sputtering and frightened. The boat, paddle and other loose items headed downstream, while Nancy found her footing on the far bank. Thankfully the water was quite pleasant in temperature! Her boat got stuck in an eddy, I retrieved the paddle, and Brad snagged our camera, floating and dry inside its ziplock bag! The next challenge was to help Nancy back across. Using a paddle as a walking stick, I waded over to her, but in the strong current getting her across was difficult, and she ended up breaking free and floating downstream a bit before she could get out. I then waded for the stuck kayak, but I too got swept off my feet and headed downstream. So, I tried a different tactic, and dragged my boat upstream of hers, paddling across to snag it. We all sat in the sun for a while after all that while Nancy recovered from her fright. We dried off a bit and had our lunch before heading back out on the river.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbxdJ-TJs7SNd06h3Z9vpb3GvieKdpqOckYPG-8Q_rmXYwzNVro_8JpusxHaHAMw0suwem4aJ_cTUs_K5nC-9jR53YarE46YmRWOHQLxvnPu2UADSOrkKz2G4jQVsQetKqQJVjVfsbkRA/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbxdJ-TJs7SNd06h3Z9vpb3GvieKdpqOckYPG-8Q_rmXYwzNVro_8JpusxHaHAMw0suwem4aJ_cTUs_K5nC-9jR53YarE46YmRWOHQLxvnPu2UADSOrkKz2G4jQVsQetKqQJVjVfsbkRA/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765240644791986482" /></a><br />The rest of the float was really, really nice – we had warm sun, just enough breeze to keep us cool, and we enjoyed the beautiful clear waters of the river, and the pristine wilderness it cuts through. Nancy was nervous as we continued to float through riffles, and walked one tricky one. Good thing, too, as Brad got caught in a strainer, thankfully was unhurt, and it took him a while to extract himself. All in all it was an excellent and adventurous outing.<br /><br />After five days in Brookings Sammy’s baby still hadn’t come, and it was time for us to begin our long journey home. The morning of our first eastward drive Diane took us all out to brunch at Superfly, a really cool little eatery that also distills its own vodka. We’ll have to try the vodka another time, but we did enjoy our meals, and saying our goodbyes, we motored on down the road, homeward bound.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif7mbMlAPEp1X5dzrA7JpGuqwlGw4p3uWJRi1KsdY8_d-CmAxq0_4jjWx1Ac-uOZo1umoTVy467EH9-U8pggOvnktUC1TDHHI-XWusUzR-21g3zfc55RmraCClnb3Q5W_FjRZi4r9IO4F/s1600/15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif7mbMlAPEp1X5dzrA7JpGuqwlGw4p3uWJRi1KsdY8_d-CmAxq0_4jjWx1Ac-uOZo1umoTVy467EH9-U8pggOvnktUC1TDHHI-XWusUzR-21g3zfc55RmraCClnb3Q5W_FjRZi4r9IO4F/s400/15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765240636899445986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ztny_LCyVoxl6f_J7j1ilUdidUhc5AaDZNNRLbn1xL1ck4ZzO2NgEtVg_dIEv-J3GQEnDTBhZyr9U1rhZYy4AaZlFVK1qKKtEq63PQdmOdQyAgVa-Kod22fw1kJfMKifdUs4eO8PrfAx/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ztny_LCyVoxl6f_J7j1ilUdidUhc5AaDZNNRLbn1xL1ck4ZzO2NgEtVg_dIEv-J3GQEnDTBhZyr9U1rhZYy4AaZlFVK1qKKtEq63PQdmOdQyAgVa-Kod22fw1kJfMKifdUs4eO8PrfAx/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765240634548340306" /></a><br />Epilogue:<br />Samantha gave birth to baby Nicholas on July 12th. We're sorry we missed it, but happy that mother and child are healthy and happy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSHhDcqwZPp7HkRlO87ncourKyzWokDG4UVHd2p5tp0lzFulBTB8NYnP2ZGkWzyuYnrf9hBT47Vyhx-0Yb5ecPOXnfoSCDtAhqho-JpzFJH0SXsDkKLqpJcG17MbQN2r6wA4U8Waqczop/s1600/20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSHhDcqwZPp7HkRlO87ncourKyzWokDG4UVHd2p5tp0lzFulBTB8NYnP2ZGkWzyuYnrf9hBT47Vyhx-0Yb5ecPOXnfoSCDtAhqho-JpzFJH0SXsDkKLqpJcG17MbQN2r6wA4U8Waqczop/s400/20.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5769320696533965282" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-68716414967455289602012-07-02T17:21:00.006-07:002012-07-13T07:50:19.469-07:00Trinidad revisitedFond memories of Trinidad brought us back there once more, although we tried out another RV park, Sounds of the Sea. Our habit of not reserving way in advance causes us to be unable to stay at state parks most of the time, unfortunately, but the flexibility pays off in other ways.<br /><br />For the first time in two months we encountered wet weather. Not really rain, per se, but mist so heavy that individual droplets were visible as they fell. This far north the landscape changed to pure temperate rain forest, all lush and green. Gone are the prickly grasses and thorny seed pods. Thick lawns, towering evergreens draped with moss, tall ferns... Beautiful. And the air feels rich with oxygen.<br /><br />In the afternoon when the fog/mist/rain burned off we went into Trinidad to walk the beach and around town, picking up some more delicious Katy's canned albacore. <br /><br />Trinidad Harbor:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wslYbM6E7gbdlrebb5qxjYaZCzrO38PvJV3h5HhEtMmSUSmafLTHFqXRcB4CAHg0cy1jnV7zmv6IJERl6PPkOOwk9xwpoIIx8T563uIFvXBd2wKBG1_zF59kT2BRvSmyFXsT3Cxes6SJ/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wslYbM6E7gbdlrebb5qxjYaZCzrO38PvJV3h5HhEtMmSUSmafLTHFqXRcB4CAHg0cy1jnV7zmv6IJERl6PPkOOwk9xwpoIIx8T563uIFvXBd2wKBG1_zF59kT2BRvSmyFXsT3Cxes6SJ/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007304545148706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7u26JU3693rj2DfmbMurW9dKciwxDi2pEx1A3HPlb8gKc8E5Oc3SoSnnZAZsxcXkzioLp5sNe1evuw8aNMxnKqfuPEoKKQwiaHzP2Iz2Mt5g9XsMERsaPVC8xNYIFoz7Chn9R4is5Udm/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7u26JU3693rj2DfmbMurW9dKciwxDi2pEx1A3HPlb8gKc8E5Oc3SoSnnZAZsxcXkzioLp5sNe1evuw8aNMxnKqfuPEoKKQwiaHzP2Iz2Mt5g9XsMERsaPVC8xNYIFoz7Chn9R4is5Udm/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007302601328034" /></a><br />A short bike ride down the road brought us to Patrick's Point State Park, a beautiful place, and where we descended a path to the shoreline to explore tidepools.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSIQ6DUWODMM0TveNNpumvGX0g0kZbXkbCBUW-u41NLl2jvh_1ImBJI3ROi2JoVht90GkkAHo9AB38ovYaDLFPuRGyFdEX21SA_Vmwx2XIwryz21SvHUmz_kMb6HyNrWkstgCgqXpve1L/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSIQ6DUWODMM0TveNNpumvGX0g0kZbXkbCBUW-u41NLl2jvh_1ImBJI3ROi2JoVht90GkkAHo9AB38ovYaDLFPuRGyFdEX21SA_Vmwx2XIwryz21SvHUmz_kMb6HyNrWkstgCgqXpve1L/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007107257821826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkBz_Kq6846JtuEjW8ubwYJFeWkaHm8lJ1CBvuFIefWCir089KiLrM2IVboZGVuMLbbh7C-JNfO4uoRRXhhs-lDKW5pT0SEv5O_RpsmuPHG6Wud4vxDCoW5md8GhMzcKOnBPmaK-u_523/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkBz_Kq6846JtuEjW8ubwYJFeWkaHm8lJ1CBvuFIefWCir089KiLrM2IVboZGVuMLbbh7C-JNfO4uoRRXhhs-lDKW5pT0SEv5O_RpsmuPHG6Wud4vxDCoW5md8GhMzcKOnBPmaK-u_523/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007291735905170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DwjIpJOxCzRcuUeC8pgAKTD4y2UDp2n6pgjWvXpsC-IvXupn1iHNuL7coJf78laE2YFskGTDLPJztE2LH0GjtkT22pnkwrEK6wNuHR-DPdEhg-b5yEGKoxAj1G2Kdn4jrI0THb20QfSX/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DwjIpJOxCzRcuUeC8pgAKTD4y2UDp2n6pgjWvXpsC-IvXupn1iHNuL7coJf78laE2YFskGTDLPJztE2LH0GjtkT22pnkwrEK6wNuHR-DPdEhg-b5yEGKoxAj1G2Kdn4jrI0THb20QfSX/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007116675561298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAb1eRTpffbcZf7bH0piERl7QutJ1-mzDa7iCEFCHmo9c_r5kyS963aBdmd-IO-n7yu6o2aDZzo6TcWp1rQJ2Pj63j11fZAGVuwSJW2XpxW3W4xJd92_Y0rOYbmeOiUJGkfG4kX2XSJdF/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAb1eRTpffbcZf7bH0piERl7QutJ1-mzDa7iCEFCHmo9c_r5kyS963aBdmd-IO-n7yu6o2aDZzo6TcWp1rQJ2Pj63j11fZAGVuwSJW2XpxW3W4xJd92_Y0rOYbmeOiUJGkfG4kX2XSJdF/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007111242207730" /></a><br />Agate beach provided hours of pretty-stone-searching entertainment, and a tired Toby allowed his back to be the site of an art installment:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZk29uVfR1bqhh-w_AuhMF-aIqUGBhWwbfFRQLzXq409NUr0UroRifOtXWrXNbXzqmGFzBw6oWyZtepcycPS_OWmIHcLyYZuqUp-xNnRgcMO7HN1O0UCj9AxrAP1SI0IVhvq03YwXn9Yi/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZk29uVfR1bqhh-w_AuhMF-aIqUGBhWwbfFRQLzXq409NUr0UroRifOtXWrXNbXzqmGFzBw6oWyZtepcycPS_OWmIHcLyYZuqUp-xNnRgcMO7HN1O0UCj9AxrAP1SI0IVhvq03YwXn9Yi/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763007105189395538" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-88384197908790387322012-06-29T20:29:00.007-07:002012-07-07T21:36:14.558-07:00MendocinoWe returned to the Mendocino coast, camping this time at the Caspar Beach RV park. Getting there from inland involved crossing the coastal mountain range - a strenuous chore under tow. We were constantly accumulating cars behind our bulk, and pulling over in the turnouts to let them pass, but each time caused us to lose momentum or brake hard, so I hope the courtesy was appreciated. The campground was OK, and we might have disliked it a lot if we hadn't gotten one of the best sites, on the end of the row, with a decent "yard". Most of the others were packed in like sardines and had tiny, shared yards.<br /><br />Across the street from the campground was Caspar Beach, which was really nice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQryanJxQlKUq11TzMS3xGuMbVsUymewRJ5Oedlb5GT1zVvTYGIh8d33lhiu6hjoMB6rRpBP6ykagf5KrfcHEJZFqTkdATlOx6_rop80Kl8uE0ejH444tohftvN_B52Nj8dedvXy9vgHk_/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQryanJxQlKUq11TzMS3xGuMbVsUymewRJ5Oedlb5GT1zVvTYGIh8d33lhiu6hjoMB6rRpBP6ykagf5KrfcHEJZFqTkdATlOx6_rop80Kl8uE0ejH444tohftvN_B52Nj8dedvXy9vgHk_/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762648681170322146" /></a><br />The kayaking in this area is fantastic, and we went twice, once right from this beach, once from down the road at Van Damme Beach. The water was gin clear, kelp waved in the swells, rocks covered with mussels, barnacles and starfish, perched upon by gulls and oystercatchers. One ledge was home to a dozen or so massive sea lions. We had fun riding the swells as they surged around rocks & reefs, and as they rushed through narrow gaps and tunnels:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwXCDGX23tpC8sRX9_OGFvVsugiTFE6hyphenhyphenRM0R0HR_8Xgsab9CQPO5GtgHGJWvHazZApBHbQUKB6uwnwlfHlbeK9KSkcXomIENJ_KjW5PJ-2qvJe6q9Ja_9q4cbQAOgRefOspEy5knugQR/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwXCDGX23tpC8sRX9_OGFvVsugiTFE6hyphenhyphenRM0R0HR_8Xgsab9CQPO5GtgHGJWvHazZApBHbQUKB6uwnwlfHlbeK9KSkcXomIENJ_KjW5PJ-2qvJe6q9Ja_9q4cbQAOgRefOspEy5knugQR/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762648675806015858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSparoMVpcEOn1ymt_vW9w6HmOe4CDPdkpTwzaUgiFlDWMY_rsC-RTrGE6VywboSPR73bvkQo1Z0zPfuMHp-0UZZqTww4_O0eK5Yf4oGLSdEpaEly5Y-xwcwgAWasSRHsPu91XsYhReol/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSparoMVpcEOn1ymt_vW9w6HmOe4CDPdkpTwzaUgiFlDWMY_rsC-RTrGE6VywboSPR73bvkQo1Z0zPfuMHp-0UZZqTww4_O0eK5Yf4oGLSdEpaEly5Y-xwcwgAWasSRHsPu91XsYhReol/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762648435995096498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKtnAIrECn-RfITtUnrs-J-3mcIW5hYTayFCAmAfkP5pjje79Sr86HVQSNoOxsbY3yiB3KOqDu7CGRFZWd0YtJQYI5mksj7oWjsheBD4yHKxNNYinIMZS1rw8NpizSUlJ1UkfeHQWp1AW/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKtnAIrECn-RfITtUnrs-J-3mcIW5hYTayFCAmAfkP5pjje79Sr86HVQSNoOxsbY3yiB3KOqDu7CGRFZWd0YtJQYI5mksj7oWjsheBD4yHKxNNYinIMZS1rw8NpizSUlJ1UkfeHQWp1AW/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762648432759318386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iDbPHsY2vnPgy4k3_jryNGBPW9ik7wDmZzALbCeHzfNZOpfwaOXNDxPZlhTanDE-e0G6kWg4722zn9Zlone0cvDu76fgZT80UnAFhbkjoaVjdgu84ErcWRCbTiK0sdWU_HklNIGZx5y1/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iDbPHsY2vnPgy4k3_jryNGBPW9ik7wDmZzALbCeHzfNZOpfwaOXNDxPZlhTanDE-e0G6kWg4722zn9Zlone0cvDu76fgZT80UnAFhbkjoaVjdgu84ErcWRCbTiK0sdWU_HklNIGZx5y1/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5762648429481374034" /></a><br />Definitely two of the best paddles we've had on our travels.<br /><br />We also went for a nice hike, and I had a short but fun bike ride, but these pale in comparison with the quality of the paddling. Love the Mendocino coast!Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-48761154236997829022012-06-27T20:23:00.015-07:002012-07-03T08:37:34.056-07:00Calistoga; Napa & Sonoma ValleysWe were happy to return to Napa Valley, with its rolling hills, endless rows of grape vines, and luxurious wineries. Even happier that our friend Sharon was camped there, and we'd get to spend a few days visiting and enjoying the bounty of the valley together.<br /><br />We made camp at the Napa Valley Fairgrounds in the little town of Calistoga, nestled in the north end of Napa Valley. Although it was parking lot camping, it was good enough, and convenient to town, wineries, trails, and Sharon.<br /><br />We got together for a dog walk and dinner at the elegant new Silver Snail, got caught up, and heard all about the resident mountain lion at large in the woods behind her camp! Exciting, in a I-feel-like-prey kind of way...<br /><br />Chateau Escargot:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0b50VvnhUYxhBs2mMdpb6-O96UM84Wfqys3qjTgZWfphiJ1z1XSVXWvxlzjW_F4eAn3B2eFq-HPGPrfvNd44oy8-bl36yXudkk-xx4Rb_KHwUOGIarmWG_gu6cE9LJuyfGujcxPPvbUD/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0b50VvnhUYxhBs2mMdpb6-O96UM84Wfqys3qjTgZWfphiJ1z1XSVXWvxlzjW_F4eAn3B2eFq-HPGPrfvNd44oy8-bl36yXudkk-xx4Rb_KHwUOGIarmWG_gu6cE9LJuyfGujcxPPvbUD/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286747796736850" /></a><br />That tawny beast in front of the Silver Snail isn't the mountain lion, that's the ever exuberant Harley dog.<br /><br />In the cool of the morning, while walking Toby, I heard the blast of burning gasses, and looked up to see a hot air balloon drifting overhead.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAx4suqGilIteRm_Qh_Bok7xxapx-g4Ijd2z-2zaY3E2JiQuyrXLOQWO2VwMIAWXH-galRlGC8KU-hXrbLz021y0Tw5IPFxAmN47gU9EIlQTQuMV7Wqcvyg7T31B5k6R7EmFOwwhRApvs/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAx4suqGilIteRm_Qh_Bok7xxapx-g4Ijd2z-2zaY3E2JiQuyrXLOQWO2VwMIAWXH-galRlGC8KU-hXrbLz021y0Tw5IPFxAmN47gU9EIlQTQuMV7Wqcvyg7T31B5k6R7EmFOwwhRApvs/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286743200042994" /></a><br />I found that there was a trail very near the campground - just a couple of blocks to the trailhead. The Oat Hill Mine Road was constant climbing for as far as I followed it in (4.5 miles), but it wasn't tortuous, boring road climbing, it was varied terrain, not too steep a grade, alternating through trees and meadows, and offering great views down the valley:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvECcXUWPRxQR_tn_H9uXo3pRmYvpLrun60PdaFQRBk6pqR3C_OE7SioCbecHwEdDdPspXd1btcBupR26Qv414gXNmQuZz10jzQGpIeR-_6EoLjLh2FxbwRG9bl7e88_zw3UCuT8oXjNWb/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvECcXUWPRxQR_tn_H9uXo3pRmYvpLrun60PdaFQRBk6pqR3C_OE7SioCbecHwEdDdPspXd1btcBupR26Qv414gXNmQuZz10jzQGpIeR-_6EoLjLh2FxbwRG9bl7e88_zw3UCuT8oXjNWb/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760394286371007090" /></a><br />The way back down was a blast as always, and I veered off onto a narrow singletrack that I'd spied on the way up. This, as it turned out, made the ride a whole lot more interesting, as this trail was at times not more than 6" wide, clinging precariously to the steeply sloped hillside. It required intense concentration to keep the bike on trail, with potentially painful consequences for failure to do so. It was like riding a dirt-covered curb downhill for miles. I had to put a foot down a few times, but no falls, and good fun.<br /><br />In the afternoon Nancy and I went to the mill where Sharon works on weekends, a working water-driven stone grist mill. Sharon hooked us up on the next tour, during which Jim the Miller gave us a very interesting and thorough explanation and demonstration of the grain mill. That evening over dinner at The Whale we planned to visit some wineries.<br /><br />After getting some work done in the morning, we headed out after noon, picked up Sharon, and went to our first stop: <a href="http://www.montelena.com/">Chateau Montelena</a>. If this winery sounds familiar its because it was one of the two Napa vineyards who's products won top honors for their 1973 Chardonnay in a 1976 blind tasting in France, against the best wines of France. (The other was Stag's Leap for their cabernet sauvignon) We'd heard of this when we watched the excellent film adaptation of this story: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914797/">Bottle Shock</a>. We subsequently wanted to visit this historic winery because its success changed Napa Valley and helped catapult it into the wine mecca that it is today.<br /><br />We found Chateau Montelena to have lovely grounds, the stately stone house overlooking a bucolic pond, chinese gardens, and it's vineyards.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThJXqOSdXupFJHVGGDgpK1VWUCyWcmhUB1W5t91E52-DRXXm3abILQRClcEKcAcMT1ffh8pMmtOUnY7KYsysmcvAO2Kk8n3HslugT73ear-4WN_HgmabWiQvXp3Ty8IiaECCGpwr0FPkA/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThJXqOSdXupFJHVGGDgpK1VWUCyWcmhUB1W5t91E52-DRXXm3abILQRClcEKcAcMT1ffh8pMmtOUnY7KYsysmcvAO2Kk8n3HslugT73ear-4WN_HgmabWiQvXp3Ty8IiaECCGpwr0FPkA/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286344809847362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZFCfe5SGqUXGCu3gPt39-RQa8dBKOxLwyD2YVQ7iMtpo_HUWdmICApnzVYbtOT5HjRPFlUgbyDVnNOo2owWrEPdeu8Yq86Yq3hyqnOb5POI7poVUCudnbR0sya9hmoN3OPUQ7m-USF8i/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZFCfe5SGqUXGCu3gPt39-RQa8dBKOxLwyD2YVQ7iMtpo_HUWdmICApnzVYbtOT5HjRPFlUgbyDVnNOo2owWrEPdeu8Yq86Yq3hyqnOb5POI7poVUCudnbR0sya9hmoN3OPUQ7m-USF8i/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286348733010050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWy2bXGJA6b8yQgNOeUb9MssAb9bfwsGD4fQQgY8T7ognza0QRF1gvrlPE6uo6yhthT8xnzD3CBKg6FWwBG58kGcWvFXmMPvRF6JH_Mv9b6qLf8IDPcFADXM2t2DJPquWiia_MaBUwVNB/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWy2bXGJA6b8yQgNOeUb9MssAb9bfwsGD4fQQgY8T7ognza0QRF1gvrlPE6uo6yhthT8xnzD3CBKg6FWwBG58kGcWvFXmMPvRF6JH_Mv9b6qLf8IDPcFADXM2t2DJPquWiia_MaBUwVNB/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286358768857218" /></a><br />The wines were very good, but also very expensive ($50 - $150/bottle), so we enjoyed our tastings and left empty handed.<br /><br />From there we went down the valley a ways to the enormous Robert Mondavi estate. There we took a tour of the winery from a friendly young Californian lady ("Fer Sure!") We learned more California wine history, about soil types, grape vine horticulture, picking, pressing, fermenting, casking and bottling. And yes, we sampled a few of their products - the estate grown bottles that are not widely distributed.<br /><br />The next day (Happy Birthday Sharon!) we packed a picnic lunch and drove over the mountains to adjacent Sonoma Valley. Our first stop was at Kenwood, because Sharon had served a chardonnay of their at dinner the 1st night and we really liked it. Leaving there we drove south to the charming little town of Glen Ellen, to Benzinger, where they use Biodynamic, organic and sustainable farming methods. Sounds good, right? Turns out harsh chemicals and fertilizers make tastier wine! No, I'm sure it's just my poor taste...so we proceeded down to the town of Sonoma to visit Gundlach Bundschu, which we all liked much more. It was a fun afternoon of wine immersion, and we were all in need of a caffeinated beverage to shake off the cobwebs. We went to the center of town to find a cafe, and found that, plus a large crowd gathered for the weekly farmer's market: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SrMTh_oi2dUJlMra7suvlULNqc-ApY1FRmtkowMdreV9aapSidvNJZ9prPLF_n5C9mXlJEW8E6o7H5Yt4-CpF0zUBF6RbOhGiaixZFIot2vqYOWgy1psu0NtVmHRFy1L6ioxAmIl_mCK/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SrMTh_oi2dUJlMra7suvlULNqc-ApY1FRmtkowMdreV9aapSidvNJZ9prPLF_n5C9mXlJEW8E6o7H5Yt4-CpF0zUBF6RbOhGiaixZFIot2vqYOWgy1psu0NtVmHRFy1L6ioxAmIl_mCK/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286755457436514" /></a><br />We joined the throngs, browsed around, grabbed some fresh produce and food-truck grub. It was a long, fun day, ending with a grilled salmon dinner at the Snail, and goodbye for now.<br /><br />It was great to see Sharon again, and spend some more time in beautiful Napa and Sonoma valleys.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96msgtsJmdsW-mX5BH787O-X4Hq9CDwry50u1q7RdqUYUcw7B527m-Batqdf128HsUF4QckCHST8xStJu0q8a_8o41IfrCBh_rcDFtwMOoYms4Xe5lEn12k-MxfKf-OaZ7vBX1TtCyKsD/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96msgtsJmdsW-mX5BH787O-X4Hq9CDwry50u1q7RdqUYUcw7B527m-Batqdf128HsUF4QckCHST8xStJu0q8a_8o41IfrCBh_rcDFtwMOoYms4Xe5lEn12k-MxfKf-OaZ7vBX1TtCyKsD/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286757846190482" /></a><br />And I'll leave you, for the time being, with this photo of a large and indignant crawfish I found stalking around near the pond at Chateau Montelena. He brandished his claws menacingly at my lens, and reminded me of President Nixon "I am not a crook!" (I am a crawfish!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNheUG2Y56nIuwu9MecZCBfB0YGsM1kwVRyeJ3k8AMxOlHGNp7ScahSZPQdXO_7gQ4pdvaBHaGpawcQ4GhuZD-OXFiibCwHB-c8BxOkz55zXAwc2C7jbNYSASCkt7HKUF1QlkeJKOWdcPv/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNheUG2Y56nIuwu9MecZCBfB0YGsM1kwVRyeJ3k8AMxOlHGNp7ScahSZPQdXO_7gQ4pdvaBHaGpawcQ4GhuZD-OXFiibCwHB-c8BxOkz55zXAwc2C7jbNYSASCkt7HKUF1QlkeJKOWdcPv/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5760286353150465634" /></a><br />Yeah, he's lucky he wasn't there with 100 of his friends or he'd have part of my large and indignant lunch!Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-36397208916412119192012-06-23T20:21:00.006-07:002012-06-30T20:15:43.607-07:00Half Moon BayIt was a happy coincidence that our friends Howard and Jenny would be in Half Moon Bay precisely when we would be passing through on our way to Napa Valley. Considering that we are from Connecticut and they are from Australia, this is truly remarkable! So, we found a campground in HMB, Pelican Point, and called it home for a couple of days.<br /><br />This park is an island in a sea of golfing greens. A paved pathway down to the beach doubles as golf-cart roadway, and protective fencing prevents pedestrians from taking a Titleist in the temple. The beach was a beautiful little crescent that, at low tide, connects to a seemingly endless stretch of sand. It turned out to be dog-friendly as well, and many local people brought their canine companions there to play. Toby had a blast and met a variety of new friends each time we went down. Our boy loves a good beach, especially if he can be off-leash.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhnGQg2Lzlpc51cYrgU1dIgjAokjgLyYUT2e62ep7Q10_-PVIwxi14Qq9Fi5NI_yF2Twd2aMuXhg292vvnbbJh-eTntGc-kf0jRccwY7ldMF03Ro1VjhvfbufRkiaAbNnLgZ5Fm7N1IO0/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759836953718569314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhnGQg2Lzlpc51cYrgU1dIgjAokjgLyYUT2e62ep7Q10_-PVIwxi14Qq9Fi5NI_yF2Twd2aMuXhg292vvnbbJh-eTntGc-kf0jRccwY7ldMF03Ro1VjhvfbufRkiaAbNnLgZ5Fm7N1IO0/s400/01.JPG" /></a><br />Howard had caught himself a rare mosquito-borne virus while on some walkabout deep in the dingo-infested wilds of western Australia, and had the doctors in the Bay Area trying to figure it out. We imagine them scratching their heads, flipping through their old textbooks, going on webMD... Anyway, between his trips into the valley for tests we were able to meet up for a visit and dinner out. Their excellent and hospitable friends and hosts Bobbi and Wayne live in Half Moon Bay, as it turns out just about 1/4 mile from where we were camped! We went there and visited over snacks and gin & tonics, then popped into town to enjoy a very good meal at the restaurant <a href="http://itsitaliarestaurant.com/">It's Italia</a>. For those of you not lucky enough to know them, that's Jenny & Howard on the left, Bobbi and Wayne on the right:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZ8G-EU2ASQdSYGLAddhHlHDdPYmbUyQbc9KFIKsLkX3xbDfyoHd1gqEej3KzO7gHQOnfcugIb_JpbeGVveIVxZnQCBH-EBLMiI3BCigCxoxkQ-rJVr4HMwhqSCQCHAhagjrOmedP2DJK/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759836945249199762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZ8G-EU2ASQdSYGLAddhHlHDdPYmbUyQbc9KFIKsLkX3xbDfyoHd1gqEej3KzO7gHQOnfcugIb_JpbeGVveIVxZnQCBH-EBLMiI3BCigCxoxkQ-rJVr4HMwhqSCQCHAhagjrOmedP2DJK/s400/03.JPG" /></a><br />It was so great to see our friends again, and we hope to do so again in Maine this fall.<br /><br />Also while in HMB I found a very fun little coastal trail that followed the edge of the bluffs along the bay. I scouted it myself the first day, then, having found it to meet Nancy's strict criteria of what-makes-a-trail-worth-riding, we both went out during our second day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXRb5Ja2j3mRkx-1rx36-AI3EP3zyIANCN1OnRMqk78btPmIsaAxrAZOcukQph6J6S_zcYvGCQEo5VKBFp5WLZOpXNkgvTZSOWWbtk9tzf-E0NUifJtYi9f4mkEQwGR3J7LfvesRE-8mj/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5759836949265581490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXRb5Ja2j3mRkx-1rx36-AI3EP3zyIANCN1OnRMqk78btPmIsaAxrAZOcukQph6J6S_zcYvGCQEo5VKBFp5WLZOpXNkgvTZSOWWbtk9tzf-E0NUifJtYi9f4mkEQwGR3J7LfvesRE-8mj/s400/02.JPG" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-77164614383113507222012-06-20T07:02:00.011-07:002012-06-29T20:19:25.960-07:00MontereyOur next camp was at the K.O.A. in Prunedale, where they are smart to call themselves Monterey KOA because no one would stay at the Prunedale KOA...<br /><br />I was jonesin' for some exercise in the form of a mountain-bike ride, and found that nearby Fort Orb & Lagusa Seca Recreation Area not only has an extensive trail system, but is home to the <a href="http://www.seaotterclassic.com/">Sea Otter Classic</a>, an annual mountain bike race that hosts the largest consumer bike exposition in North America. It was a hot day when I rode there, and I sweated up hill after hill. But as it almost always is after a great deal of climbing, the return back down makes it all worthwhile. Trail #41, the "Goat Trail", had been noted by several reviewers as a "must ride", and now, having ridden it, I heartily agree. It was pitched downwards just enough to let gravity do the work, but not so much that exessive braking was necessary. Swoopy curves, rollers, banked turns and berms, through golden grasslands dotted with dark green shrubs and shade trees. An excellent ride. I went back a few days later to do it again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn8d5quI-rf1msirFm9vUwl3I1p0w8MnhuNfDOFWBvRvkp61CuKeqEgqAGGn_KpjzpazD_nh7dJwu2yVHvQLnB3jENSHpd_8MKsdTOq2-YUi6oK-xKPan7_o0M57-ZU8Ej3REnJ5ihMQ_/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn8d5quI-rf1msirFm9vUwl3I1p0w8MnhuNfDOFWBvRvkp61CuKeqEgqAGGn_KpjzpazD_nh7dJwu2yVHvQLnB3jENSHpd_8MKsdTOq2-YUi6oK-xKPan7_o0M57-ZU8Ej3REnJ5ihMQ_/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757831504440604402" /></a><br />There were lots of kayaking opportunities in the Monterey area - we paddled twice, once in Elkhorn Slough, a tidal estuary teeming with bird life, like this Willet:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR2PylPAohtCTARBzXRLSIXdUUMrjePahkwFSELd-bYe7V6RkLXR8JG0LPTc-sL0XI4k3nSl1h0qzDlo5vw-gAiNLh6xNS7K1etFnC-XXvZyWg2iVmS62RP4tC_dFsGuLbiLqrqC_d1Al/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR2PylPAohtCTARBzXRLSIXdUUMrjePahkwFSELd-bYe7V6RkLXR8JG0LPTc-sL0XI4k3nSl1h0qzDlo5vw-gAiNLh6xNS7K1etFnC-XXvZyWg2iVmS62RP4tC_dFsGuLbiLqrqC_d1Al/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757831501647824178" /></a><br />We saw Willets, Whimbrels, Widgits, Whisks, Wingdings...<br /><br />Our second paddle was in Moss Landing, where the Elkhorn Slough joins the Pacific. Here we paddled past a beach obscured by fat harbor seals...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eY0PQaBkK8yxU-WCI5p4Pv2sqhoVqU-BWLwPs7Wd_WmwRDl-mHzXHfvbBc1RoCKDwUqPDKwyTisYXOZkHfpv6OxfLESAeS-YBGsQY03oisWFKIuai03FTA0z_-IMN-hR5FKbA4l1WYBG/s1600/22.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eY0PQaBkK8yxU-WCI5p4Pv2sqhoVqU-BWLwPs7Wd_WmwRDl-mHzXHfvbBc1RoCKDwUqPDKwyTisYXOZkHfpv6OxfLESAeS-YBGsQY03oisWFKIuai03FTA0z_-IMN-hR5FKbA4l1WYBG/s400/22.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757632294796899362" /></a><br />...past a raft of more than 30 sea otters...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2bO1YVVlXHJlRPmMqzrTnnI_0AbpI7OSv45YyjX71LFYimaOhhpm58hS4DBLj4J0iFyCnTdvjX5b9kmXZcqpUtcuwiRAxt066_YegIpYtqwLYm9SzJIEt_hNSQwcTAKsS033LtTc_JFG/s1600/20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2bO1YVVlXHJlRPmMqzrTnnI_0AbpI7OSv45YyjX71LFYimaOhhpm58hS4DBLj4J0iFyCnTdvjX5b9kmXZcqpUtcuwiRAxt066_YegIpYtqwLYm9SzJIEt_hNSQwcTAKsS033LtTc_JFG/s400/20.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757632307030883298" /></a><br />...and by a floating dock piled high with barking sea lions:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6bQE0PBm27RqaYOT6lN9pPS7QvcspuCFDKfyu4i0bf4SiRmCe1_MgaGYzQCL40nmAh-9OIbg-AFSXr7yATAawIW_i-0N0Hq50Jzx7Jyz1Onr0uDVRK_FF1B51Pbjn4MBh-HX7LlSejMJ/s1600/18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6bQE0PBm27RqaYOT6lN9pPS7QvcspuCFDKfyu4i0bf4SiRmCe1_MgaGYzQCL40nmAh-9OIbg-AFSXr7yATAawIW_i-0N0Hq50Jzx7Jyz1Onr0uDVRK_FF1B51Pbjn4MBh-HX7LlSejMJ/s400/18.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757632314670513090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S7es65yffhWMO_zEwfTT5__dLGk4U2b5OJOgvF033YIk41CjTpZjWsKgdNjD-GRwY-HRhot2L7P5VgU0VbHxifbWpZ2IuJLxZ8wjg9VZKesK2tjoHhAKGUtdei4sPnwqkGIzqINGjMnz/s1600/19.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S7es65yffhWMO_zEwfTT5__dLGk4U2b5OJOgvF033YIk41CjTpZjWsKgdNjD-GRwY-HRhot2L7P5VgU0VbHxifbWpZ2IuJLxZ8wjg9VZKesK2tjoHhAKGUtdei4sPnwqkGIzqINGjMnz/s400/19.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757632308028113922" /></a><br />Who stunk, by the way. I'm from the Maine coast - I've smelled rotting sea life before, like barrels of ripe baitfish on lobster piers, or heaps of guano on some rocky rookery, but this made those odors seem like fresh roses in comparison. Nasty!<br /><br />It was especially fun to be drifing along and have a sea otter pop up a few yards away and start munching on some crunchy mollusk it had just plucked from the bottom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k-5hvOzFX4Dswf7_SVPMhqhuY-vksIWQ8Iu2lNbvgrgMZHNNAfPn3d0zJB94pSCzhrWNDH4xyzX4nyPzohSdnOMy6eFWFStOsgejjVlK_-2c19NFdt9HCeoHVAiaKJehpgNboLp8RqQM/s1600/21.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k-5hvOzFX4Dswf7_SVPMhqhuY-vksIWQ8Iu2lNbvgrgMZHNNAfPn3d0zJB94pSCzhrWNDH4xyzX4nyPzohSdnOMy6eFWFStOsgejjVlK_-2c19NFdt9HCeoHVAiaKJehpgNboLp8RqQM/s400/21.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757632301753864770" /></a><br />We took a drive into the town of Monterey to see what all of the fuss was about. Our campground host had clued us in to the bike trail that follows the waterfront, so we parked just out of town and rode in. We always like touring by bike, as we cover more ground, but can easily stop to explore an area on foot.<br /><br />We first checked out Monterey's commercial fishing pier, where fisherman sold their catch directly to consumers, and where we could look out into the harbor to see seals, otters and sea lions amongst boats of every sort. The heavy duty moorings for large fishing vessels had enormous bouys, and upon each was perched at least one sea lion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHGjRy_Y2a_9bNf96fng39TGYo51lMSzeR18NrxFeKBo4vg06mGramolel5pwvJGYfGvOlvjwPrxmgZMhPqRgj4eGEmgQeAsNfNpWGmc6yfnPbJ6RkHKbwKAW3T-wOaKOstwJvtBWyOX0/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHGjRy_Y2a_9bNf96fng39TGYo51lMSzeR18NrxFeKBo4vg06mGramolel5pwvJGYfGvOlvjwPrxmgZMhPqRgj4eGEmgQeAsNfNpWGmc6yfnPbJ6RkHKbwKAW3T-wOaKOstwJvtBWyOX0/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757832590516340418" /></a><br />Our next stop was Fisherman's Pier, the tourist edition. Here countless seafood restaurants handed out clam chowder samples to the throng of gawkers, ourselves included. T-shirt and candy shops abounded as well. At the end of the pier, however, actual fish-related activites were happening. Charter boats returned with their patrons, trailed by flocks of gulls and pelicans. The mates carried the days catch, bright red snapper and fat silvery salmon, up to the fillet stations on the wharf. As they cut up these fish and flung the bits over the edge alert and agile gulls would dart out and catch these morsels before they hit the water below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-pysGTTkS_t90F_Ypivn7ib6S8OJO039JkB99ynwudj_S8UcjJek13BYXpAT4WuumQtK2jMOi1oAXNT_e5Zp1u4R8oHVfu43g9evnn5mchToyUDESZJsB5rcPQ298l0Fx-9c2p7oeDQZ/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-pysGTTkS_t90F_Ypivn7ib6S8OJO039JkB99ynwudj_S8UcjJek13BYXpAT4WuumQtK2jMOi1oAXNT_e5Zp1u4R8oHVfu43g9evnn5mchToyUDESZJsB5rcPQ298l0Fx-9c2p7oeDQZ/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757831482564451842" /></a><br />From there we followed the bike path to Cannery Row. Another tourist mecca, this shopping, lodging and dining zone was where the Pacific's vast sardine bounty used to be processed. I guess we got so good at catching sardines that we fished them into oblivion, and cannery row resorted to toursism. Several giant cement holding tanks remain, as well as many of the original wooden structures housing the canneries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz96J7t1s4vy8FXuO3oPi7EBP5WAZihdMfUsuxgrcdH4uXVF447nx0H7an6MHK9N0Z71SCR11_wDp_KggWUtGxaV0Ac-xcVPxfQ3Yh22gDbh3V8FYWqmoz_U1IR_Ti_r2lJ_PhwIjxjgY/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz96J7t1s4vy8FXuO3oPi7EBP5WAZihdMfUsuxgrcdH4uXVF447nx0H7an6MHK9N0Z71SCR11_wDp_KggWUtGxaV0Ac-xcVPxfQ3Yh22gDbh3V8FYWqmoz_U1IR_Ti_r2lJ_PhwIjxjgY/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757831496422451858" /></a><br />But it was Big Sur that brought us to this area. We loaded the bikes into the truck and headed south on Highway 1, and enjoyed the spectacular scenery - California's answer to Kauai's Na Pali Coast.<br /><br />Wildflowers were exploding with color along the bluffs:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWcGSCMw1ncyVa70SfjPTwGBv_Hoh6DG9UyxPnw8NCjHA6byojhPfzeaPTlAGgOU8z6QgM93NHvGYGRE9ynZZfR0Xtzwg4hYSeEuydXp_EZTLBnLTh-QsgNAoS5UI9cO830gEm9B4wZVK/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWcGSCMw1ncyVa70SfjPTwGBv_Hoh6DG9UyxPnw8NCjHA6byojhPfzeaPTlAGgOU8z6QgM93NHvGYGRE9ynZZfR0Xtzwg4hYSeEuydXp_EZTLBnLTh-QsgNAoS5UI9cO830gEm9B4wZVK/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633157911766258" /></a><br />Enless surf pounded the rocky coast and sand beaches:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqO4PEsu1S-ufoVtoNn8TrJT9XsDPExN1H9ytezBZPs3XNzWnqLgNoZl6TfZpJi_jgb3IooYRO_BkRIB28nVEkuylbZY5QSRBt3diTOk_C4_SR7wpHJudHGo0wABxWf8AfQ4d6Vz_swtE/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqO4PEsu1S-ufoVtoNn8TrJT9XsDPExN1H9ytezBZPs3XNzWnqLgNoZl6TfZpJi_jgb3IooYRO_BkRIB28nVEkuylbZY5QSRBt3diTOk_C4_SR7wpHJudHGo0wABxWf8AfQ4d6Vz_swtE/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633154191999602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnI2hAzvkxMUYvIqqvXeCJNpW_20BsBU_EPGGvbIW8e9272FEuLlDZs41HsUHzrXK7N-IsyEWwUH8AcJvD7DkTziZHoym669XUpIzTWLwrv3L-k7aBqEVkRmRY23Z80H8JpI9NFGMl_T/s1600/15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWnI2hAzvkxMUYvIqqvXeCJNpW_20BsBU_EPGGvbIW8e9272FEuLlDZs41HsUHzrXK7N-IsyEWwUH8AcJvD7DkTziZHoym669XUpIzTWLwrv3L-k7aBqEVkRmRY23Z80H8JpI9NFGMl_T/s400/15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633144880731506" /></a><br />We ended our drive in Big Sur, at beautiful <a href="http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/">Nepenthe</a> restaurant, perched 800' above the sea:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4lXLKP3OfOZGwnMvF4FmrdjfoQKMJCGLG_iUVg1Nn1PZ5yHX2w_Vl91-UbRCt36M87QuhaQSF4PmwLuNTQzsS_aEZZVIRAh0eLqpM3ryEvv54thcp4Bd1s4qh3PVqngy2NLOiP54C9g1/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4lXLKP3OfOZGwnMvF4FmrdjfoQKMJCGLG_iUVg1Nn1PZ5yHX2w_Vl91-UbRCt36M87QuhaQSF4PmwLuNTQzsS_aEZZVIRAh0eLqpM3ryEvv54thcp4Bd1s4qh3PVqngy2NLOiP54C9g1/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633142482766674" /></a><br />On the way back we rode our bikes down a short but very fun trail in Andrew Molera State Park, down to a secluded sand beach and back.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p00BYhU-nyyx7cbbSdyLsJcFYZYdRDqQ7PSpYE9TCZPaSedCjzoiLS_6B2V6ahS0WdCVtXNUCUvhWu64THTtIAxxChRlWu9fpQ0yz13OEvJyDo0jKqcK8-pNTNBHeMTA9JFOjyOypeIC/s1600/17.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0p00BYhU-nyyx7cbbSdyLsJcFYZYdRDqQ7PSpYE9TCZPaSedCjzoiLS_6B2V6ahS0WdCVtXNUCUvhWu64THTtIAxxChRlWu9fpQ0yz13OEvJyDo0jKqcK8-pNTNBHeMTA9JFOjyOypeIC/s400/17.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757633136561998914" /></a><br />Love that Big Sur coastline!<br /><br />And what would a trip to California be without local produce. The area we were in was harvesting strawberries and artichokes like mad, and the amazing stand in Moss Landing had all that and so much more. Avacados were 7 for $1! Best produce stand ever.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3CcfaUxsQrD88sVyw2FZEx0ShqsFL5F7gotFe5N3JdWNffMAHy9h_CN14dq1o7jrJ_lA8pmbhMVj405W3jYS-JAmtn7dk7Dlp0Ln0XfpVqjo3yTK7haWaaUMLYzUGmceZ_9P_c5o2STH/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3CcfaUxsQrD88sVyw2FZEx0ShqsFL5F7gotFe5N3JdWNffMAHy9h_CN14dq1o7jrJ_lA8pmbhMVj405W3jYS-JAmtn7dk7Dlp0Ln0XfpVqjo3yTK7haWaaUMLYzUGmceZ_9P_c5o2STH/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5757832596706611362" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-17951357288854124402012-06-15T07:43:00.002-07:002012-06-22T11:22:53.766-07:00San SimeonWe had to leave the campground in Morro Bay because it was booked solid, but found a state park just 1/2 hour up the coast that had sites available for a couple nights. We headed up there to Hearst-San Simeon State Park and got a nice site up on a hilltop with, if you craned your neck just the right way, had a view of the ocean. Just $20/night, crazy cheap for California, with no services. Our little Honda 2000 provided quiet power when we needed it. We enjoyed staying there, and would have stayed longer if there had been availability. Our ability to dry camp is tremendously improved having purchased good quality new deep-cycle batteries for this trip around.<br /><br />Our neighbors on both sides were super nice, and we had some nice chats with both. We also walked on the park trails, although we found an abundance of ticks. Abundance is too weak a word: the tall grasses were a tick metropolis. We came back from our hike through the fields and subsequently, disgustingly, removed around 50 (yes, fifty) ticks from ourselves and from Toby. We continued to find them on ourselves for around 24 hours, although we avoided the tall grass. It was vile.<br /><br />A nicer walk turned out to be a boardwalk that snaked down to the beach. The pounding surf, billowing fog, and attractive stones in the beach made it a great place to spend time, although Toby wasn't allowed on the beach, what with being a dog and all.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue7j2cGcXKeIqey3h-jcEykJ3hPO20UgMaoq_iDkixgOWFyTHDpSkhyphenhyphen6ZHNimHvKyX77UEje3p5ldA4WuK9qv5B_o1b57OJHh8twHbANMqeQ9UsfnuTEGu0xEnGYEGb2VcHWolKNQ0pGs/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue7j2cGcXKeIqey3h-jcEykJ3hPO20UgMaoq_iDkixgOWFyTHDpSkhyphenhyphen6ZHNimHvKyX77UEje3p5ldA4WuK9qv5B_o1b57OJHh8twHbANMqeQ9UsfnuTEGu0xEnGYEGb2VcHWolKNQ0pGs/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756300185508651250" /></a><br />We only had one full day here, and after putting in my hours with work we set out to drive up the coast a ways. Just a few miles north was the turnoff to Hearst castle, which we'd heard a lot of good things about, but can only be seen by paying for tours, and we decided to see the (free) wonders of nature rather than the costly wonders of man. So we proceeded another several miles up the road to a turnout looking over a beach used by elephant seals. This was awesome! We'd never seen these beasts before, and it was great to watch them. At this time of year these were all juvenile males, on the beach for their annual molt. The adult males and females are on a slightly different schedule, and were out spending their 10 months at sea, somewhere between California and Alaska.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNH8JiqyU4vdEZ8bDa48n0TTwajPKmpNY80mIRSpenLW75SDduyRIM3iBtT0oTDWztycv1UwDk3Gmp3XPUeeMmwnRIxwy4JUcbGAl4g4IFyev5HZ4cUYDukCG4UKjX_UGcaOIXAI-J4ud/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNH8JiqyU4vdEZ8bDa48n0TTwajPKmpNY80mIRSpenLW75SDduyRIM3iBtT0oTDWztycv1UwDk3Gmp3XPUeeMmwnRIxwy4JUcbGAl4g4IFyev5HZ4cUYDukCG4UKjX_UGcaOIXAI-J4ud/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756300179772937010" /></a><br />The silvery-grey ones have molted and are just waiting for the mood to strike them, or to get hungry enough, to go to sea. They don't eat for the months that they are on the beach. The brown ones have arrived more recently and still have their old coat. Most of these guys weight something between 1 - 2000 pounds. An adult male can be as much as 16 feet long and 5000 pounds! We'd have had to been there in mid-winter to see them on the beach. It was great to see these juveniles lounging and sparring on the beach and in the shallows, bellowing a noise like an under-water-open-mouthed belch. Quivering blubber + pendulous snozz + gurgle-burp = one spectacularly ugly animal!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9UTEOZK4gLiFR_pR6SDTdMrRmgrP5fW8SSbCcRqv0sNt8Q2N9LDQPjaTaKgQqGKfE734B5xZCAe8IfSlONQn4ZxsNdUrPeGr6IvfcroR4x0TPwc4q4owdB8zhoeM2feNR7bKRk76sdkd/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9UTEOZK4gLiFR_pR6SDTdMrRmgrP5fW8SSbCcRqv0sNt8Q2N9LDQPjaTaKgQqGKfE734B5xZCAe8IfSlONQn4ZxsNdUrPeGr6IvfcroR4x0TPwc4q4owdB8zhoeM2feNR7bKRk76sdkd/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756300172245240482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVAeXEqkvDAptuNOdyI3vqDK2LXp5En2B0U6dfyX30Sb7EsAV1KPyh5x4Tq7btGpmOjOskaUIV9AtOLsIeQmg77s0SuRARJ_C_rQotM_fpwyNXrz27PXE8ZpCuIl3-oYdMUawhwikp5U6/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVAeXEqkvDAptuNOdyI3vqDK2LXp5En2B0U6dfyX30Sb7EsAV1KPyh5x4Tq7btGpmOjOskaUIV9AtOLsIeQmg77s0SuRARJ_C_rQotM_fpwyNXrz27PXE8ZpCuIl3-oYdMUawhwikp5U6/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756308510306962914" /></a><br />After we'd stared at elephant seals for a long while we continued north until Highway 1 got real twisty and climbed upwards, cut like a narrow shelf into the mountian-sides. There we found a pulloff to a gated abandoned road which headed up higher, a series of switchbacks through meadows, looking out over the neverending expanse of the Pacific. We hiked up with Toby until we came to another gate, enjoying the exercise and views.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxiDOue06B-NucSR-dPrPIQTXvyiAorJmgY7PImiNJJJwTEikTOYsv-gBBqUDDG4XbTds39X-nEWIZ6ggioYN3VKYhUf1xE4V2VsLYt9Hmwd0dPyYn0eeBib6FYafIBtvryWZ_P1YJrY_/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxiDOue06B-NucSR-dPrPIQTXvyiAorJmgY7PImiNJJJwTEikTOYsv-gBBqUDDG4XbTds39X-nEWIZ6ggioYN3VKYhUf1xE4V2VsLYt9Hmwd0dPyYn0eeBib6FYafIBtvryWZ_P1YJrY_/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5756300167268673810" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-73415832567093573782012-06-14T20:28:00.016-07:002012-06-20T07:32:44.807-07:00Sand, Surf & Sun: Ventura & Morro BayWe drove north through/around LA, trying to avoid the worst of the traffic. Everywhere else we've been, Saturday morning is a good time to drive through a city, but not LA, where even then we had stop & go traffic. But we put up with it and got through it, eventually breaking out of the fray when the 101 sidled up alongside the beach just north of Ventura. A short ways up the road from there, as we were admiring the beaches and the surf, we noticed a long string of RVs parked on the roadside right next to the beach. There were too many of them in a row for them to be day-users, so we knew they must be camping. We impulsively pulled off at the next exit and backtracked on highway 1 to investigate. Sure enough, this was a state beach "campground", consisting of RV-length parallel parking spots, no hookups, just yards from the seawall protecting the road from the sea. We found an empty spot and, with not a little bit of maneuvering, squeezed in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFQYPt5m-nI5uVzhz7rU1U5Tx8YJ2_gLvHKCBUzSEEC-VWP9wnF-ANPaRp5UddjiNdGC4W46Yo5TyYBtXyhPIwy7-JnJP_F3z_9y9r1NACK9fE4_FaZV9vr-fa5udO4hoIhDmHWL21lN_/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFQYPt5m-nI5uVzhz7rU1U5Tx8YJ2_gLvHKCBUzSEEC-VWP9wnF-ANPaRp5UddjiNdGC4W46Yo5TyYBtXyhPIwy7-JnJP_F3z_9y9r1NACK9fE4_FaZV9vr-fa5udO4hoIhDmHWL21lN_/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754441074806727746" /></a><br />The pounding surf drowned out almost all of the road noise, and all but the most raucous of generators. Pelicans flew by almost constantly, skimming the water with their wingtips and getting lift off of the air pushed up by waves rearing up to break. Porpoise swam by. Surfers caught the perfect wave...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzG3_KtWCLhHr9brBLcVS7J4HgV9x4DIEdWDiDik_PnZYZDMk7CdqD9_WcYtLxwIsGAAg0AwlfDslHy7DmbUJYEUBu0u5g-DOWNCKVvqiHFI4mWkyMetjqZdkq8-HDU9-P4HRMZbAf1H8/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTzG3_KtWCLhHr9brBLcVS7J4HgV9x4DIEdWDiDik_PnZYZDMk7CdqD9_WcYtLxwIsGAAg0AwlfDslHy7DmbUJYEUBu0u5g-DOWNCKVvqiHFI4mWkyMetjqZdkq8-HDU9-P4HRMZbAf1H8/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754441061370820706" /></a><br />Ourselves, we just walked the sand beach - Toby loves himself a good beach:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ88KH2Z1RPviOrEdS_brpWP4isE6GDAb6hnLxqKfcxQOJp4qkstwF2opcCB7JiRxEY04sWV2-R9Z7FyjLdL0HcJ45Gsdk77kNzphvI_qYn8cBwP1-u2EpUsCc0accu2y_ajXgdo-j4NRm/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ88KH2Z1RPviOrEdS_brpWP4isE6GDAb6hnLxqKfcxQOJp4qkstwF2opcCB7JiRxEY04sWV2-R9Z7FyjLdL0HcJ45Gsdk77kNzphvI_qYn8cBwP1-u2EpUsCc0accu2y_ajXgdo-j4NRm/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754441071943422434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wpoleUk085LC1U8FHShNfCA4_1CxQv1HHUaUfQPxT5A7ILWP6ezRTCv52fDbTzoefg6zUvMa3an-YHmSyHkHLaNXOGSDb7HTNspaTUCdu-ofM-fRfYF0mfmSfQjkjYndl0ArXo1QcYTZ/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wpoleUk085LC1U8FHShNfCA4_1CxQv1HHUaUfQPxT5A7ILWP6ezRTCv52fDbTzoefg6zUvMa3an-YHmSyHkHLaNXOGSDb7HTNspaTUCdu-ofM-fRfYF0mfmSfQjkjYndl0ArXo1QcYTZ/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754441065834058274" /></a><br />We only stayed at this roadside/beachside campsite the one night, although it was cheap and couldn't be closer to the sea. It was also noisy, although the constant surf was noise of a natural and relaxing variety, the highway, commuter train, and most of all generators, were not so nice. If we were surfers we'd have settled in for a while as the wave break was nearly perfect, but we're not so we didn't.<br /><br />Instead we pushed up the 101 another coupla hours, onto Highway 1 and to Morro Bay. There we stayed at a private park which was fairly nice, with wooden half-walls between sites, making it easy to fence-in a big dog-yard. Just a few hundred feet from the campground was one of Morro Bay's nice sand beaches, plus the towering presence of Morro Rock:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj_vxA87319AiWtjIyIlSsLHsPNpOygpWi2JOtzAH5cC9U3j5g4Qw7znQ9FunFc6PMVA1b-3VTqJkmZvCMQiXSwXJOfEP3unEtvkULT2CxmqeYOMXsh2AZ5cdqWbYlvUYJ-rLIspVsn7b/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCj_vxA87319AiWtjIyIlSsLHsPNpOygpWi2JOtzAH5cC9U3j5g4Qw7znQ9FunFc6PMVA1b-3VTqJkmZvCMQiXSwXJOfEP3unEtvkULT2CxmqeYOMXsh2AZ5cdqWbYlvUYJ-rLIspVsn7b/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754440300224854850" /></a><br />We enjoyed our stay in Morro Bay - liked the town, liked the area. The town has a tourist element, but it's a real working town with a fishy waterfront. We walked, beachcombed, bird-watched, kayaked, and bicycled. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9aBuiR6Er4iifnt_GCArPsQYJQUkKK8NsQSO6jdtFStrFSo2poqBDmpZzTTOluzjN8L1jsT24CQXeUsPh5HbzYWItEsSdpRrvhJcuWEIjtX8jFmUfTX6tLOlTH8zjHwwzu7HVwhTo752/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9aBuiR6Er4iifnt_GCArPsQYJQUkKK8NsQSO6jdtFStrFSo2poqBDmpZzTTOluzjN8L1jsT24CQXeUsPh5HbzYWItEsSdpRrvhJcuWEIjtX8jFmUfTX6tLOlTH8zjHwwzu7HVwhTo752/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754440291848255218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUDIh4vgt9BHWBj2ruG3Zqyy1_7eN97ZAOKY4Q35ch2TK4_M60RxdW8mFvnYbP3-NtZlnQJEHliPPL82aj2CjgbbrGmkNfmCEmEgMg9RtDlESncqGOQ5RuGo2aVDmTwgQyL2Ja96j19Rz/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUDIh4vgt9BHWBj2ruG3Zqyy1_7eN97ZAOKY4Q35ch2TK4_M60RxdW8mFvnYbP3-NtZlnQJEHliPPL82aj2CjgbbrGmkNfmCEmEgMg9RtDlESncqGOQ5RuGo2aVDmTwgQyL2Ja96j19Rz/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754440289196562914" /></a><br />We especially enjoyed our first encounter with sea otters, which we found frolicking in the kelp just a few yards off shore near Morro Rock.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrMQHxBM-hc60qSaPVGgWMbTt7aZGa9fC9FlCDzIQJwK4R8fqV1fTWOSH6mTb3zAQgKmU_S7_HMBWQPq1TR4FcnUHX53S4C0EGy1qxmZ1aduxhWGPdTokJ_2xAHD6CAdJlVnfYA5sywMe/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrMQHxBM-hc60qSaPVGgWMbTt7aZGa9fC9FlCDzIQJwK4R8fqV1fTWOSH6mTb3zAQgKmU_S7_HMBWQPq1TR4FcnUHX53S4C0EGy1qxmZ1aduxhWGPdTokJ_2xAHD6CAdJlVnfYA5sywMe/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754439720832301458" /></a><br />They were rolling themselves up in kelp to anchor themselves during nap time. Then they'd rub their tails between big webbed feet, and hold their heads up with their paws. If that wasn't comfortable, it looked like they'd hook their claws into their jaws to hold their heads up. Very adorable creatures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcfLQi3oGDdWjlwLK6eKx8p0GcjHfOXrNPjhrBjy6YrO4UcmN_d6bMMqZap1iKY0NWSBqMcoUoBSym7pZDbYSaxVCWdGq88i3UTAUsq1L0YjQteMiX7cHn4Gt4nVwwEFcGX52qcvJzKk0/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcfLQi3oGDdWjlwLK6eKx8p0GcjHfOXrNPjhrBjy6YrO4UcmN_d6bMMqZap1iKY0NWSBqMcoUoBSym7pZDbYSaxVCWdGq88i3UTAUsq1L0YjQteMiX7cHn4Gt4nVwwEFcGX52qcvJzKk0/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754440284712209954" /></a><br />Also lounging on the warm rocks in the sun were dozens of ground squirrels, which apparently get fed by us humans, as they exhibit no fear and approach within inches to check for tidbits.<br /><br />On one of our walks down to the beach we were amazed to see an egret stab into the undergrowth and come out with a young ground squirrel in its beak, which it then dipped in water to lubricate, and swallowed!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfvMw_A-eaJ2FjDcyuPGbLAcwQUAbk_QYxb-wtkOKMf8Ilodn8ZKFHGDyODEWGt2pUq0dgL6Yj1H-aM72Hdw0KoV8w1wwnmfUrppYGFDMqKHHkD1cptZzi5aHoElPMfb_5XVWYXIPlLtG/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfvMw_A-eaJ2FjDcyuPGbLAcwQUAbk_QYxb-wtkOKMf8Ilodn8ZKFHGDyODEWGt2pUq0dgL6Yj1H-aM72Hdw0KoV8w1wwnmfUrppYGFDMqKHHkD1cptZzi5aHoElPMfb_5XVWYXIPlLtG/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754439718234928274" /></a><br />We had a nice paddle in the harbor, weaving amongst the fishing and pleasure boats, watching pelicans and cormorants feed, and sea lions jostle for space on an overloaded floating dock:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO-RKlbypFqDClkAfZOaTYCaqmkvdr7O5jYTdYEsRrtrlsC8ioJa-LeORZ5y95udkygQgohH13YVDt4BBMVY9pw2xtxoQZ-V_1J141Xt37ZNBP_AiFI3vIAnp80IOgyRH2hP8r0s7UtHS/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO-RKlbypFqDClkAfZOaTYCaqmkvdr7O5jYTdYEsRrtrlsC8ioJa-LeORZ5y95udkygQgohH13YVDt4BBMVY9pw2xtxoQZ-V_1J141Xt37ZNBP_AiFI3vIAnp80IOgyRH2hP8r0s7UtHS/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754439711948080226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06Ft-iOmEY_CZNs7DOAAglmqiy6Io27GRYGp3CjJHthzfE2CTcj-0cOOU1T5lMehIGD_lL4BkYrS0X41LUY27yajGM5QuU-TNb5se8BhYUIPvgKFAHc_ptDyMbCeXlPgdNvm8NskFhsKP/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06Ft-iOmEY_CZNs7DOAAglmqiy6Io27GRYGp3CjJHthzfE2CTcj-0cOOU1T5lMehIGD_lL4BkYrS0X41LUY27yajGM5QuU-TNb5se8BhYUIPvgKFAHc_ptDyMbCeXlPgdNvm8NskFhsKP/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754439709753191938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xQLpH_mfkwdkL1vpwYCoDFtt5pNUDDTWHUErbItROXpOQMcOi-bcyCvvJp8ay1cutuy-YqDF1pyw5mzLIdfJtKudisH3tVoEV-W5FEe3OsyOskpVC41Rzua8lpzxbleT-wxQ7A54cQjm/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xQLpH_mfkwdkL1vpwYCoDFtt5pNUDDTWHUErbItROXpOQMcOi-bcyCvvJp8ay1cutuy-YqDF1pyw5mzLIdfJtKudisH3tVoEV-W5FEe3OsyOskpVC41Rzua8lpzxbleT-wxQ7A54cQjm/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754439706525929570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q5jRr-QC2MmhIU1dnIDlRrLS9VRyIi7ASyit36YezyjqxQrSaCdgvhYVM3Pr1E7MB-5ivTYUAv1U5UsW9JgEEnSxqfOosBwLuSb5sP2XHdO8jxmaHKqlN_ixKOTM-iOlONplWUlw-fk_/s1600/17.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q5jRr-QC2MmhIU1dnIDlRrLS9VRyIi7ASyit36YezyjqxQrSaCdgvhYVM3Pr1E7MB-5ivTYUAv1U5UsW9JgEEnSxqfOosBwLuSb5sP2XHdO8jxmaHKqlN_ixKOTM-iOlONplWUlw-fk_/s400/17.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5754442797178569186" /></a><br />Loving this central California coast! More to come as we head north up the Big Sur coastline.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-89105244799172735252012-06-09T07:32:00.009-07:002012-06-14T20:24:38.000-07:00A Week in MetropolisDescending back to sea-level we had a panoramic view of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, and we were dumbfounded by sight of the thick brown layer of smog coating the entire area. Disgusting.<br /><br />We went there to be near an airport that wasn't charging an arm and two legs for me to fly back to Indiana for business. We found that at the John Wayne Airport in Orange County. In retrospect, I'd have anteed-up some cash for a more remote airstrip to avoid having to live in this "paradise" for the week.<br /><br />Arriving as we did on a Saturday the traffic was merely heavy, not completely ludicrous. We arrived at the campground in Corona, nestled on the east side of the Santa Ana Mountains, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. It was, indeed, a sketchy campground, nearly 100% long-term residents - those for whom this was the only affordable housing in the area. But this is what we get for picking based on price, and the options were luxury sea-side campgrounds which were two or three times the cost and largely booked solid anyway. Welcome to Southern California. But, we made the best of it. No one bothered us, folks were quiet and mostly friendly, and during the work-week most everyone was gone until evening. <br /><br />I actually only spent one full day there, during which we rode down the road to check out a lively cluster of buildings, Tom's Farms, which included country stores, restaurants, a narrow gauge train, pools, a gazebo with a live band, and a fruitstand:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlv0Ks-nIY_JSntf1O8CTHmCBSndwGHG9PxyF93TjvsmXL0GdTb_mS8y-7Uia4Pk_N6YfB3LMTGSo3qS2FnzF6XxyVljf3T58qwEtKVb-CH6txeQhgfh7KU6LSJeaQblV3zWdDb1w8IUS/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlv0Ks-nIY_JSntf1O8CTHmCBSndwGHG9PxyF93TjvsmXL0GdTb_mS8y-7Uia4Pk_N6YfB3LMTGSo3qS2FnzF6XxyVljf3T58qwEtKVb-CH6txeQhgfh7KU6LSJeaQblV3zWdDb1w8IUS/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5753317115984215922" /></a><br /><br />I drove to a nearby trail head for what turned out to be a very memorable mountain bike ride. The Skyline Trail climbed up into the Santa Ana mountains in a series of switchbacks, leveling out after about 4 miles. This I did solely for the purpose of riding back down on the single-track trails. It was a gruelling climb, but the views were great despite the fog/smog layer below. I attempted to photograph this view, but the haze rendered the results to be very unimpressive. Hence, no photo between here and the next paragraph...<br /><br />When I pointed the bike downhill the character of the ride couldn't have changed more. The pull of gravity seemed like that of the planet Jupiter, which I know because me and the guys rode there a few years back after taking a wrong turn in northern New Jersey. Anyway, the trail surface ranged between cement-hard packed earth and loose, deep sand. Steering and braking was impossible when things got loose, and it felt like I skidded down more than half of the trail. When I wasn't skidding I was squeezing the front brake like grim death. The rear brake was as about as useful as a solar powered foghorn, but my arse was planted on the rear wheel the whole time anyway.<br /><br />The trail threads down the east side of the Santa Ana mountains, with the city of Corona in the background:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg329xMHiqzSA_jk_FY6rS7C_0EdwXLVcFi7kujDiTJrT4Sp45-Df0zpUkxI4Jn06nPNgm1_kFaK3qzxd18E3OuqHbiOlD8tmbzbenaQUVXwuLzFAcJOFfUfJy0JNu-tGA5vK2C4b0kt_Xe/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg329xMHiqzSA_jk_FY6rS7C_0EdwXLVcFi7kujDiTJrT4Sp45-Df0zpUkxI4Jn06nPNgm1_kFaK3qzxd18E3OuqHbiOlD8tmbzbenaQUVXwuLzFAcJOFfUfJy0JNu-tGA5vK2C4b0kt_Xe/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5753317109541785714" /></a><br />At one point as I contemplated my next hair-raising descent I heard voices calling out to me from the trail across the gully from me. I was getting encouragement to make my plunge, and I couldn't disappoint my fans, so plunge I did. Thankfully, despite its sketchy nature, I cleaned the section, raised my arm to acknowledge the applause, and dropped into the next section. I should have groupies cheering me on every ride!<br /><br />The last 100 yards of trail were the steepest, but thankfully were free of loose gravel. I took it in four pieces, stopping when the laws of physics would allow to get my heart to start beating again. Several folks watched in disbelief. Apparently most riders avoid this prominently displayed piece of trail, where a tumble would be as hurtful to the ego as to the flesh.<br /><br />Here's the bottom of the trail as three hikers struggle upwards:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinMVGT5EAGz1m99NeVWnsJVuGkMYlPD3_xAFriwbn8573JFoSirhlFdRXFD5sTS5FcIzI41c6ARRtj0LsQLaQLHh5I90DarGnlVqg9s8i1YaDPADS7aGwxy2lvUbg4Is6qy0pYOGbM_t5/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinMVGT5EAGz1m99NeVWnsJVuGkMYlPD3_xAFriwbn8573JFoSirhlFdRXFD5sTS5FcIzI41c6ARRtj0LsQLaQLHh5I90DarGnlVqg9s8i1YaDPADS7aGwxy2lvUbg4Is6qy0pYOGbM_t5/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5753317103068986562" /></a><br />So, I spent the week in Indiana, to finish building the first batch of prototypes of the new Mark Levinson No52 Reference Preamplifier. It was a good week. The build went well, and it was fun to sit with my colleagues both at the bench and at each day's meals.<br /><br />I landed back in OC on Friday afternoon, just in time for LA's stoopid extra special commuter traffic extravaganza. After Nancy picked me up we drove just a few miles to a trail system along a back bay, where we had a nice walk with Toby before going to our favorite Sushi restaurant, Kitayama. There, at the sushi bar, our chef "Sho" took good care of us, providing a variety of sushis and sashimi's for me, and some tasty shrimp tempura maki for Nancy. The quality of the food at Kitayama was as impressive as ever, and its position at the top of our restaurant list is further solidified.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoKT3Ycgcinvt-tVWBVe3nTk_4Lc985okJZYyYVflggnZkpeXo1cmgaNzsUPyhn1HHHLvDFKwS3oWrXzJGFigICWArGMlzlUDip2ZseLHq8J5uobQ_BYZv2oxbGKc1UeRvQ5BI7VamZSm/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoKT3Ycgcinvt-tVWBVe3nTk_4Lc985okJZYyYVflggnZkpeXo1cmgaNzsUPyhn1HHHLvDFKwS3oWrXzJGFigICWArGMlzlUDip2ZseLHq8J5uobQ_BYZv2oxbGKc1UeRvQ5BI7VamZSm/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5753317108756563202" /></a><br />So, that was our week in L.A., and we were eager to leave the traffic and smog, heading north to where the highway narrows to two lanes, and the seagulls outnumber us humans. Full report, coming soon...Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-6502871841473658162012-06-01T19:25:00.006-07:002012-06-07T19:16:31.344-07:00Acoss the Mojave DesertFrom Utah it was necessary to cross the Mojave Desert to get to southern California. The lands past Las Vegas, Nevada are barren and devoid of hospitality for several hours drive, so we pulled into a campground in Vegas for two nights. One would have been better.<br /><br />It was hotter than a whore house on nickel night, so we hid out in air-conditioned comfort until evening, venturing out only to watch the Air Force fighter jets screaming by directly overhead...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9_Y8g0bYfkPg9z5tmqilNERzPTDJq0ulYcfUDzFgoHdpYPXt9fyGbADftukYnZux9N-mXLo1yTNGW9ykDwEGGxXrj4kcAaIsFmGmUlPRYVi0RY2UNJiukDf0I5st7fyapUV5BA-geNmu/s1600/01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9_Y8g0bYfkPg9z5tmqilNERzPTDJq0ulYcfUDzFgoHdpYPXt9fyGbADftukYnZux9N-mXLo1yTNGW9ykDwEGGxXrj4kcAaIsFmGmUlPRYVi0RY2UNJiukDf0I5st7fyapUV5BA-geNmu/s400/01.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468999795156770" /></a><br />...and to take a dip in the campground's salt-water swimming pool. In the evening we enjoyed a Thai meal at a local hole-in-the-wall, Siam Garden, then we went into the city and walked around downtown, including the Fremont Street Experience. This crazy street is five blocks, pedestrian only, covered by a continuous LED display canopy suspended 90' over the street surface. A 55000 watt sound system cranks out the sounds from the three performance stages. Dozens of restaurants, bars, shops and casinos, including the Golden Nugget, line the street, and visitors fly overhead on zip lines. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlv45UtVA_hqcvLKHE3Z2-uYryFxjZHD7Uhn3OGPM2ke95rQS5uJODat82Ulp4ze18u4WK5UMaGNDKFULeQxV6R4GcrgFxGh7ifIRNpg-QMPrNFxJRCmfEE0ZfVVVFh9Sl4aP4T8qr8t-/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihlv45UtVA_hqcvLKHE3Z2-uYryFxjZHD7Uhn3OGPM2ke95rQS5uJODat82Ulp4ze18u4WK5UMaGNDKFULeQxV6R4GcrgFxGh7ifIRNpg-QMPrNFxJRCmfEE0ZfVVVFh9Sl4aP4T8qr8t-/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468998117652082" /></a><br />It's loud, crowded and over-the-top. We walked down, walked back, and then got in the truck and left. Las Vegas. Not for me, thanks.<br /><br />Our next stop was more like it. It it hadn't been so stinking hot we'd have wanted to stay longer at Mojave River Forks Campground in Hesperia, California. We were all by ourselves in there, which is awesome:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oictOvf2fAPaFMeD4sDQKy3IzNVwbSbiNYV6rA00P2Mh2cZ27UtNQd_d6-BGBdEMQzFX0wHGSX90CdP552PM9IbkAe5kdVlTBRxu4kaPYhIgyImMIwwoCtJan3uu0Qvu0F_mMY-CDYz3/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oictOvf2fAPaFMeD4sDQKy3IzNVwbSbiNYV6rA00P2Mh2cZ27UtNQd_d6-BGBdEMQzFX0wHGSX90CdP552PM9IbkAe5kdVlTBRxu4kaPYhIgyImMIwwoCtJan3uu0Qvu0F_mMY-CDYz3/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468991897823042" /></a><br />Toby could be out without a leash or fence. When it was cool, in the mornings and after sunset, we could walk all around the park grounds, Toby off leash, dashing after ground squirrels.<br /><br />I went for a nice mountain bike ride on the Pacific Crest Trail which passed by in the foothills behind the park. I found out later than bikes aren't supposed to be on this trail. Oops. It was a great trail, though, and much of it was cut into the steep hillsides, narrow and sandy, requiring concentration to keep from veering off and tumbling through the junipers and sagebrush to the valley floor.<br /><br />One afternoon we looked out the window and saw a goat. I went outside and found a herd of them seeking shade under the overhang of The Whale:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc_QOH91b-6yeyCqw0QtCu-0613LSRZL-VsdW62xfEm-RPbmAUArYMj9XNHhDBPZyInHqtOnLpXkboaSGtOpMzCKUzbRKBethvlcGcCoFXx0GIeieWmeDficoB2maZUJzP6B2gyH-UyUc/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnc_QOH91b-6yeyCqw0QtCu-0613LSRZL-VsdW62xfEm-RPbmAUArYMj9XNHhDBPZyInHqtOnLpXkboaSGtOpMzCKUzbRKBethvlcGcCoFXx0GIeieWmeDficoB2maZUJzP6B2gyH-UyUc/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468797301591746" /></a><br />I then leashed up Toby and took him outside to meet them. At first they backed away, but then they huddled up and approached. At one point they got so close that one goat lowered its head, threatening to deliver a head-butt!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CJCAQHiNf5IOTu5fca9lcW04rbTNIUVR9Wr3wjCNVYhCQtYEI_yvQZn_5fjdXb41Y8irJL_49qMJQkfXPJfjuN6xak2O4fubAKG0aGHFrO8kKq79aiHk6Di7LEIlh_9SvddMgAnLNgi8/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CJCAQHiNf5IOTu5fca9lcW04rbTNIUVR9Wr3wjCNVYhCQtYEI_yvQZn_5fjdXb41Y8irJL_49qMJQkfXPJfjuN6xak2O4fubAKG0aGHFrO8kKq79aiHk6Di7LEIlh_9SvddMgAnLNgi8/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468794759601858" /></a><br />Nice, quiet park. It'd be worth a longer stay in cooler weather.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOB0n-5HaPLa1D-18KNKTqzC9R6S-SoWZh0EHP5xsxpNWyd2K84hNgmhiLTUsEOthR01vrAc9VTz69_UWOZI5pSAaKkyB3WdstqRg_T2cXjlju5KVo-NwJ9Px9kY-j3OoFDiQ4yv1Ud9A/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOB0n-5HaPLa1D-18KNKTqzC9R6S-SoWZh0EHP5xsxpNWyd2K84hNgmhiLTUsEOthR01vrAc9VTz69_UWOZI5pSAaKkyB3WdstqRg_T2cXjlju5KVo-NwJ9Px9kY-j3OoFDiQ4yv1Ud9A/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751468790477086306" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-64085461178314239432012-05-28T17:28:00.019-07:002012-05-31T12:00:46.973-07:00HurricaneHurricane, Utah, is a kind of gateway town to Zion National Park, and is close to the city of Saint George. It was a good place to spend a few days to re-supply from the relative remoteness of the last three stops. But, with Zion nearby, there were still plenty of opportunities for adventure.<br /><br />Firstly, we found ourselves a short distance from a well known mountain bike trail: Gooseberry Mesa. We headed out on our first morning, to beat the heat of the day. We drove up and out of the valley on the paved road and skirted the mesa. Then we turned onto a packed dirt road, and were thankful that it was relatively smooth, after beating the truck up so badly in Escalante. But we were in for another pounding. Another turn, and the road up to the mesa top was vehiclular torture. It was too rough to take at speed - we just had to suffer each and every rut, washboard, ridge and pothole. After five or six miles of truck abuse we at last arrived at the trailhead, about 2000' higher, and 10 degrees cooler, than town.<br /><br />We struck out down the Jeep trail that bisects the mesa and rode until Nancy felt "half-done", ready to turn around. But first we took a side trail to an overlook on the north edge, looking towards Zion National Park:<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl-0l-TiTu0kC1GLtLFOGiA0DyZlmJdqY_GOjFlh4vjhuFfpuikvag3z8CoU3lyCs8M17TqDRP3_rKw_wADyCLwDCbdq3i36GZXdLfDlPBr81qhrLxHT73QwUM_K-sMkT2CH0JT_GAMEN/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl-0l-TiTu0kC1GLtLFOGiA0DyZlmJdqY_GOjFlh4vjhuFfpuikvag3z8CoU3lyCs8M17TqDRP3_rKw_wADyCLwDCbdq3i36GZXdLfDlPBr81qhrLxHT73QwUM_K-sMkT2CH0JT_GAMEN/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747760274452131042" /></a><br />I rode on from there, taking on the single-track trails that make Gooseberry Mesa a destination for mountain bikers. New favorite trail! Sinuous, technical, through desert scrub, over vast areas of slickrock, and along jagged cliff edge with 1000' dropoffs. It was challenging, but 100% ridable, with a huge fun-factor and amazing views. Damn near perfect!<br /><br />The trail follows the razor edge of the mesa:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mS6DVHVR4m1CaXUaFdHD8jnoYQLaTyZ0eJe2u1dURn4hwnDmA27CTfBWXOX7bLxnnDsWxqFToDH8_0mtwV1B5RCMsN_C7Eb9KAasKJBc7hcjYxy1Rjp89aI8jRazEGxm5NMug8XlfZ9M/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mS6DVHVR4m1CaXUaFdHD8jnoYQLaTyZ0eJe2u1dURn4hwnDmA27CTfBWXOX7bLxnnDsWxqFToDH8_0mtwV1B5RCMsN_C7Eb9KAasKJBc7hcjYxy1Rjp89aI8jRazEGxm5NMug8XlfZ9M/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747760268774527874" /></a><br />At the top of the Goose:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE3uou9l92zzMrqY_2qcsYaMRY9L7uClfwKfc0qaEVGcEbjBp9r419qBK9zuYPT4hjNhmK9C7-PaS1d9bAIO-sQIRUtBOj9AGzLIr2c6_B5qyBg6KVmLHUTr1UCuH6iHbKAWQwVIiFjbj/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE3uou9l92zzMrqY_2qcsYaMRY9L7uClfwKfc0qaEVGcEbjBp9r419qBK9zuYPT4hjNhmK9C7-PaS1d9bAIO-sQIRUtBOj9AGzLIr2c6_B5qyBg6KVmLHUTr1UCuH6iHbKAWQwVIiFjbj/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747760272384675186" /></a><br />We also went out for walks with Toby. On one of them we found our way down to the Virgin River, hoping to dip our feet, and for Toby to swim, in its cool waters. Nope. Firsly, we were tormented by biting flies, the first insect pests we've encountered since crossing the Mississippi. Secondly, the river water was HOT. Not tepid, not warm. Hot. Apparently a hot spring bubbles up into the river just upstream, and I estimate the water temperature was around 100 degrees. Not refreshing AT ALL! Pretty, though:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwRMxADi8fgZSKIhnUsNGshZZNPwzbL-644w1pZSu31L73aCAdUFSx83Q4OVRg7ryhLvj9uHFyyyotgqof9SzrIwng8ANvJKzC5JmFVC8hbJYI7oU-rK8m5qP4DycSTLusTCcnEe6SL7v/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwRMxADi8fgZSKIhnUsNGshZZNPwzbL-644w1pZSu31L73aCAdUFSx83Q4OVRg7ryhLvj9uHFyyyotgqof9SzrIwng8ANvJKzC5JmFVC8hbJYI7oU-rK8m5qP4DycSTLusTCcnEe6SL7v/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747760260561877746" /></a><br />For another walk we scoped out the trails on Hurricane Rim, hoping to find more Nancy-friendly mountain bike trails. These weren't, but we enjoyed a good hike with views of the valley, towns of Hurricane and La Verkin, and the mountains beyond:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7-aK2g_vB7CiVa0hapffTRy2RdPr5xeQ2Z3miUnC4mESrwiXq4cG_PEOSt_08VbX8SkbREqFcXSQWfcOtWgJ-uhLUCAGh_6NX4Z4B-nS8FY_QdjB3oLA5OlCcM4CuMIvMdCJA5tGfVTy/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7-aK2g_vB7CiVa0hapffTRy2RdPr5xeQ2Z3miUnC4mESrwiXq4cG_PEOSt_08VbX8SkbREqFcXSQWfcOtWgJ-uhLUCAGh_6NX4Z4B-nS8FY_QdjB3oLA5OlCcM4CuMIvMdCJA5tGfVTy/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747758278433083826" /></a><br />A drive up along the freakishly blue waters at Quail Creek State Park...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm1ekeFxBdQemkUrpcWeD37JrlHvNgRalsz7mNEtmvWaEj5nhqUKJ8pIrxpXKcG0hw2aGb0au1NL4mYELzCQoo2mtJWlF-mzcyOeN_53ys4k6rWZXDfp6pSKBVKnQnsjA6um8P1OWt53T/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicm1ekeFxBdQemkUrpcWeD37JrlHvNgRalsz7mNEtmvWaEj5nhqUKJ8pIrxpXKcG0hw2aGb0au1NL4mYELzCQoo2mtJWlF-mzcyOeN_53ys4k6rWZXDfp6pSKBVKnQnsjA6um8P1OWt53T/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748772288112188882" /></a><br />...and into Red Cliffs Recreation Area brought us to a creekside trail up into a deep canyon:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV25fApopxRziNMQAAW0kygGXalmFuXmNk-tugapFZBRrMfQoXEGT_EgcUG7m2tWhyzwQn3N5xmsEQ_uvvm5gleKnlx6rqMZxeG6R0Nd4tdlBDaBDGTvF7jzBSs2Rub1Legy9qvEwWc88/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV25fApopxRziNMQAAW0kygGXalmFuXmNk-tugapFZBRrMfQoXEGT_EgcUG7m2tWhyzwQn3N5xmsEQ_uvvm5gleKnlx6rqMZxeG6R0Nd4tdlBDaBDGTvF7jzBSs2Rub1Legy9qvEwWc88/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748772283407070306" /></a><br />Many people hiked up in there to a place where the creek had carved a natural waterslide into a deep pothole, and they could slide and jump into the deep, cool, green waters. It was water-park crowded and crazy up there, so we sought out the more peaceful corners where we could wade, and Toby could swim. Very nice.<br /><br />And we couldn't well spend time in this area without a trip into Zion National Park. To escape the heat and the Memorial Day weekend crowds, we instead drove up Kolob Terrace Road, a much less visited part of the park. The road climbed up to 8000 feet, where we turned off to stop at Lava Point Overlook. It was refreshingly cool up there, 30 degrees cooler than in the valley, and very windy. It was beautiful. All of Zion is beautiful.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A1lklfnU5-EiqLLdxaaAGYlz0R5p1N4z06mTai0bmySCiHgDKucpcIixc8_0yimeoK6iMRuhPCl8Pyki2DKbnxNssMMYe7srhHMXceP2mDoEja77z23ZTZYmqMZABLpYvcMzAeDx_FE6/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A1lklfnU5-EiqLLdxaaAGYlz0R5p1N4z06mTai0bmySCiHgDKucpcIixc8_0yimeoK6iMRuhPCl8Pyki2DKbnxNssMMYe7srhHMXceP2mDoEja77z23ZTZYmqMZABLpYvcMzAeDx_FE6/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5748772979483961890" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OBLiF4snAnRsnKjcaoC8XUMIJiC_JFjQyitz07hFygxOWzioQ71KLp4mC3bBrH-wnM2zz0U972Dfop-N7gEXsyYT6Bcr-h5oH5QLvPnG1PHO4AxeBjpv-cuhiPnjkjdNv9sadjcWAkij/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OBLiF4snAnRsnKjcaoC8XUMIJiC_JFjQyitz07hFygxOWzioQ71KLp4mC3bBrH-wnM2zz0U972Dfop-N7gEXsyYT6Bcr-h5oH5QLvPnG1PHO4AxeBjpv-cuhiPnjkjdNv9sadjcWAkij/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747760256644239490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4_E3gch7-jP343m4eN5pbJmskHR7dKOGkKD9pq4CpF9e67i75bXn_M9aWl0kRbhef4i89XNGj869eUmZT91bUzO1ZYRDw3MhEJuQrIW-s94XrpDLhdx9nnuxJV6h9c4adk66CHyC-9_N/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4_E3gch7-jP343m4eN5pbJmskHR7dKOGkKD9pq4CpF9e67i75bXn_M9aWl0kRbhef4i89XNGj869eUmZT91bUzO1ZYRDw3MhEJuQrIW-s94XrpDLhdx9nnuxJV6h9c4adk66CHyC-9_N/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747759943587423346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKPqat8aWZ083J-swqY4Y8D_prY2uSUw4lZDDletvDp8W7KnaXpSR2pPNpVeMQ-Chizrp1WdbVHO_1z8VsEPuvP7wSYGZ56ilyYycVJtKRV3PKzNfFTrXgD7GJixSlukVud6mW6UhX_2u/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKPqat8aWZ083J-swqY4Y8D_prY2uSUw4lZDDletvDp8W7KnaXpSR2pPNpVeMQ-Chizrp1WdbVHO_1z8VsEPuvP7wSYGZ56ilyYycVJtKRV3PKzNfFTrXgD7GJixSlukVud6mW6UhX_2u/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747758380828406370" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iWzhThpXDouNI3WYZh8ZmklNcW6rOMkQHIW9M2eUFh2vqoO1L7e11lga8xJZo8v-woVtoz1zSGddORRhawvFcv4go2ExOMu146R8N3I4I71yqzN3iPuV5GFSISnIpB_bhZUVDcmfw0ER/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iWzhThpXDouNI3WYZh8ZmklNcW6rOMkQHIW9M2eUFh2vqoO1L7e11lga8xJZo8v-woVtoz1zSGddORRhawvFcv4go2ExOMu146R8N3I4I71yqzN3iPuV5GFSISnIpB_bhZUVDcmfw0ER/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5747757327034853570" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-39733928579471220442012-05-23T15:26:00.009-07:002012-05-26T17:58:14.777-07:00Bryce-capadesAnother re-visit occurred at Bryce Canyon. A quick hour's drive from Escalante, we took a spot back at Bryce Canyon Pines, where we'd stayed <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-and-around-bryce-canyon.html">before</a> and where we made the happy acquaintance of Tommy & Danielle.<br /><br />First thing I did when we arrived was suit up to take another crack at riding the Thunder Mountain trail in nearby Red Canyon. Last year I was unable to complete this loop because of evil sticky cement red mud from hell, which I still find remnants of whenever I clean my bike a year later. This time the trail was bone dry, and we all know how dry bones are. Once again I endured the four miles climb on paved bike path, and the two miles climb on gravel road to get to the trailhead. Once again I enjoyed the sinuous singletrack as it threaded in an out of countless minor canyons. Once again I took joy in breaking out into the open to see the hoodoo-encrusted Red Canyon laid out before me. But this time - no malevolent mud - and I finally got to enjoy the downhill run that I'd twice climbed out to seek. This red ribbon of singletrack stands out as one of my most favorite pieces of trail - expertly routed along spines of earth, along dizzying dropoffs and postcard vistas; swooping turns, nearly impossibly tight switchbacks, through towering hoodoos - really awesome!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYwonZ6569DkilnbZpJ4rcpamGc01iZsKMsxl82-m5tCFP1Lg-HxqjnUA987udYtgKWWR0wR_4uEyCp7va8h05I2R4yFFDKrEpmNUf0QArzmdgQJn9LRvlgzZQvym3_DcFphtKd6OV7NP/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYwonZ6569DkilnbZpJ4rcpamGc01iZsKMsxl82-m5tCFP1Lg-HxqjnUA987udYtgKWWR0wR_4uEyCp7va8h05I2R4yFFDKrEpmNUf0QArzmdgQJn9LRvlgzZQvym3_DcFphtKd6OV7NP/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746278054058871970" /></a><br />When the adrenaline-fueled downhill bomb-run was complete, the trail became smooth and buff, but still nice and narrow, and pointed downhill just enough to let mother earth's ever-present pull of gravity propel me forward. As my speed approached that of a proton in the Large Hadron Collider even slight turns became hairy, so frequent braking was required to keep me out of the woods. What a finish! I'm so glad that we returned so that I could succeed in completing the fabulous Thunder Mountain trail!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuLuvf-QlZvLo0_Zv2NH48zOMjFpLuNSMYORPDvcxd0B2caq7Cj2lvGKv7P0TEERFO-ksRncWUNBaGkPg5zVAVxKP0q-sts7morfH-4A2zTu-t6oICRXewlgWCDDld0PGU6aFnIkXFIE0/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuLuvf-QlZvLo0_Zv2NH48zOMjFpLuNSMYORPDvcxd0B2caq7Cj2lvGKv7P0TEERFO-ksRncWUNBaGkPg5zVAVxKP0q-sts7morfH-4A2zTu-t6oICRXewlgWCDDld0PGU6aFnIkXFIE0/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746278048742920162" /></a><br />Nancy and I returned to Bryce Canyon National Park to hike again the Queen's Garden and Navajo trails which we so enjoyed last year. And despite having seen all of these natural wonders before, we were still captivated, and couldn't resist taking dozens of photographs. The only amusing downside to this visit were the busloads of French-speaking persons who streamed down the trail towards us, filling the air with their righteous indignation, reluctant to make space for us to pass. Still, their presence could not detract from the astounding beauty of the hoodoo-studded canyon:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxn5Z4wjxBc6PQqshheSYdnarRYyX05h7Gs35G0GdjMhXDYdoQbvTmuDYy0Xt8ve6smvoHC5OkVxSEvOgJ8oRAzsB9x8_xQfXBWUlm-_23uxYxhJ-50_Pk2xcPieJm7mTm2TbMX0-BDbY/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxn5Z4wjxBc6PQqshheSYdnarRYyX05h7Gs35G0GdjMhXDYdoQbvTmuDYy0Xt8ve6smvoHC5OkVxSEvOgJ8oRAzsB9x8_xQfXBWUlm-_23uxYxhJ-50_Pk2xcPieJm7mTm2TbMX0-BDbY/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746278034813197266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfRaXSf_Zh4FQK1OaE9Upl3uporWIFtJ4SNe2QhryD1Vc-CiyRQ7TDPSMsQMteoFTLzfZuE0rvLgfV-zaBXaMacekbdSYCeJK7Sa9bBBrnUcGxzt2ELklVc4ADqewnH4AzNfYShgef5am/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfRaXSf_Zh4FQK1OaE9Upl3uporWIFtJ4SNe2QhryD1Vc-CiyRQ7TDPSMsQMteoFTLzfZuE0rvLgfV-zaBXaMacekbdSYCeJK7Sa9bBBrnUcGxzt2ELklVc4ADqewnH4AzNfYShgef5am/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746277084239482722" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz4HQkYCoeTWD6HOmWU9E5i8KAGdPrljab88eTLPcFEdp8ghWSZNERXvncl2_MJ9IbKKxNQ-a0BqaMxKxmlMYz4rai9KiY_-yvMVJDIrnh7Eki2O5nG8kx1YvhgyR-hyNOxieoNvzHNtV/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz4HQkYCoeTWD6HOmWU9E5i8KAGdPrljab88eTLPcFEdp8ghWSZNERXvncl2_MJ9IbKKxNQ-a0BqaMxKxmlMYz4rai9KiY_-yvMVJDIrnh7Eki2O5nG8kx1YvhgyR-hyNOxieoNvzHNtV/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746277076582785410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Ap8G7CAP2BJ91Kp3KvEVypKLJY1l9fx2U0KqvA-hPvRnSPlea06ChvG4UUtSbm7IAc1GAsGZn6U-DPCPA-Gvfw9bJ-FLRemaQKw3GnCPCU0MwP926aJGLSpwCc6BuLKWcKFLSzepcHN/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0Ap8G7CAP2BJ91Kp3KvEVypKLJY1l9fx2U0KqvA-hPvRnSPlea06ChvG4UUtSbm7IAc1GAsGZn6U-DPCPA-Gvfw9bJ-FLRemaQKw3GnCPCU0MwP926aJGLSpwCc6BuLKWcKFLSzepcHN/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5746278039944113426" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-81346332148215405972012-05-21T19:57:00.012-07:002012-05-26T20:33:39.602-07:00Playing the Slots in EscalanteWe don't usually play slots, but in Escalante we made an exception, and won big!<br /><br />Back home in Connecticut slots means slot machines, one-armed-bandits, lined up in countless rows at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos, often guarded by retirees feeding then coins with one hand, grasping a cocktail in the other, a cigarette dangling from their lips. Here in Escalante, Utah, slots are so <strong>SO</strong> much better. These are slot canyons, sandstone alleyways carved by water and wind. Instead of being sad machines bleeding life from their victims, these slots are natural and magical.<br /><br />Getting to Escalante from Moab took us across the Utah desert, then through gorgeous Capitol Reef National Park, and on down Rt. 12, where we climbed all of the way up to 9600' before making our way to the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument. The stretch of 12 from Boulder to Escalante stands out as one of the most beautiful and exciting drives in the country. Spectacular scenery from a road that clings precipitously to the landscape, with grades up to 14% working engine and brakes. Drive it if you can.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrcFvx9trDrOym_Il3x9gI05SsYs7n-DO5_kpo6Lnm489myueboVncM6XmXamIFz_MCJwYUal7W3mbAvGLCtwS4nnJ7kk8SYFGSezwPY93ulwjHOpXeU9N0wAaIZAxrFK5aWGdsbll0dM/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrcFvx9trDrOym_Il3x9gI05SsYs7n-DO5_kpo6Lnm489myueboVncM6XmXamIFz_MCJwYUal7W3mbAvGLCtwS4nnJ7kk8SYFGSezwPY93ulwjHOpXeU9N0wAaIZAxrFK5aWGdsbll0dM/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745572412577005618" /></a><br />Speaking of driving, to get to the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons that we wished to hike, we first had to drive 26 miles on the Hole in the Rock road. This was easily, far-and-away the roughest piece of road we've driven. It was pure washboard; pure rattle your bones, loose your fillings washboard. Brutal. After a few miles of abusing Gigantor at 20mph or so I pulled over to let some air out of her tires. They were pumped up to their limit at 80 psi. I bled them down to 60, and in retrospect wish I'd gone lower. This helped, but it was still a nearly hour-long trip of punishing ourselves and poor Gigantor, a cloud of dust and truck parts in our wake...<br /><br />But we made it. Poor Toby, who endured the roughest ride of his life, had a quick sniff, and then got set up in the truck with windows open, and a tarp stretched over to keep out the hot sun. Nancy and I descended into the wash, and slogged through deep, soft sand to reach our goal: Peek-a-Boo slot. Right away we loved it - immediately we stepped out of the searing sun into a cool, quiet wonderland. The red sandstone glowed in the filtered sunlight. As we walked we heard only the sound of the sand crunching underfoot and the occasional whoosh of wings as a raven flew over the slot, 60 feet above our heads. We instinctively lowered our voices, and walked on and on, amazed.<br /><br />Entrance to Peek-a-Boo slot:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OXz9zwf9h3ih5ryY62IcRTuu-hajQD68waBiaZCWA0k3gf0i6TTjwzMSXayX27mTc45V7mQ0AICn6yPYVra7HD9hvAuyyEbv3hmZ_j_UKwqbRC1bfGx4ER500OlHGY7rTL7goKiJva7M/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OXz9zwf9h3ih5ryY62IcRTuu-hajQD68waBiaZCWA0k3gf0i6TTjwzMSXayX27mTc45V7mQ0AICn6yPYVra7HD9hvAuyyEbv3hmZ_j_UKwqbRC1bfGx4ER500OlHGY7rTL7goKiJva7M/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745569035505132034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqIQG2HdbZWeJwBzBOABogUI0NlZRE0M7z_3Fu47b4Onfv-n1hQqJoUzgJgSPqc9pfQHvq0UJp42BvTqFTboVERD7wLqEo-Ntb4GW3_7Ab2G4-o8qaqtXi9uoqOjB2ArOfjrwzwG5-HSc/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqIQG2HdbZWeJwBzBOABogUI0NlZRE0M7z_3Fu47b4Onfv-n1hQqJoUzgJgSPqc9pfQHvq0UJp42BvTqFTboVERD7wLqEo-Ntb4GW3_7Ab2G4-o8qaqtXi9uoqOjB2ArOfjrwzwG5-HSc/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745569042631537202" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheNZZJvYXh6bbNfcJnh_MVAcG5nYBDAkKVLIGx4m2rSzTJMKxMbQg3Zo81wFkJXaVnwo59owGE3UiBtjcsGFoLZh7KnL6QmIa-aJMvqK3DxQwH6yBd3Bfhc0wvNltNWM1deB7IawKK7Xx/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheNZZJvYXh6bbNfcJnh_MVAcG5nYBDAkKVLIGx4m2rSzTJMKxMbQg3Zo81wFkJXaVnwo59owGE3UiBtjcsGFoLZh7KnL6QmIa-aJMvqK3DxQwH6yBd3Bfhc0wvNltNWM1deB7IawKK7Xx/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566903569023650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ840kY3eSTMMU4WlVAErEK4BWOy2a8ZCPbdIALGsALCfpIdoDQ7kdNR6s0zlLUbXvZ4G6q4IWkom5Ebx0CWcWJmOwEzSzPkVGM8FNyoj4VthT84kDXcEVa8OwvVSl_Xvh6nRxFf04Zxb/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJ840kY3eSTMMU4WlVAErEK4BWOy2a8ZCPbdIALGsALCfpIdoDQ7kdNR6s0zlLUbXvZ4G6q4IWkom5Ebx0CWcWJmOwEzSzPkVGM8FNyoj4VthT84kDXcEVa8OwvVSl_Xvh6nRxFf04Zxb/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566912427173426" /></a><br />We came back out of Peek-a-Boo and walked, practically waded, through the deep sand down-canyon to get to the Spooky slot. On the way we heard high, thin squeaking, and I looked up into a crack in the stone into the faces of dozens of bats! We watched them for a few minutes as they jostled around, bathing each other or whatever bats do as they wait for the sun to set.<br /><br />Entering Spooky slot felt so good as we were getting baked by the unforgiving sun. Within seconds that was all forgotten as the world we entered was like no other. This slot made Peek-a-Boo look like a boulevard! At times less than 1 foot wide, the only way to move was to scootch sideways. I couldn't turn my head to look back without bumping the brim of my ball cap! It was awesome! We went until the flat, sand floor gave way to a 3-dimensional canyon, requiring technical and contortionist moves to proceed. I went ahead just far enough to know that it was beyond Nancy's level. But wow, what a great experience, worth every second of that tortuous drive.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ItZ-vpyxdOZAqsfbGKiMkalwGJz6pLgFFJXc7ixyaAG33BOWFYxuXgjEj1NMnoYflHURn4IGiUj4XaDToxlXgwrJxdbJXDDfzSsc8xQvBK3BqoJq8QSwbRQevQV0olgkThcOh-DOQf3Q/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ItZ-vpyxdOZAqsfbGKiMkalwGJz6pLgFFJXc7ixyaAG33BOWFYxuXgjEj1NMnoYflHURn4IGiUj4XaDToxlXgwrJxdbJXDDfzSsc8xQvBK3BqoJq8QSwbRQevQV0olgkThcOh-DOQf3Q/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566615596599698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtD9W-MNSmc1B6ZD63dyRJQhK5EWcWlfXwPEZdwsCfvvCRcW_eYFimm1JbhcYunFJ0WjZwzfwvLdELIKA3RRF5OstXZ7KSSYLO-2go-0nXm5XvH5jhaAp7oSFHje5eGNFRHvNQa1xAHYg/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtD9W-MNSmc1B6ZD63dyRJQhK5EWcWlfXwPEZdwsCfvvCRcW_eYFimm1JbhcYunFJ0WjZwzfwvLdELIKA3RRF5OstXZ7KSSYLO-2go-0nXm5XvH5jhaAp7oSFHje5eGNFRHvNQa1xAHYg/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566619629384642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGGU6dOu3-oeoGtHtdrTZJIbBNS3ZwT5nYludfsUlFuj5ougT0lPY09FCk6ZbBCIeRrxzOEucPIeZwf6Jf2LdxktUS7c4WW_5wYsXf8_CPKPTQFUERSuAQua0Xbv8ahCAs37Nda-4KNUb/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGGU6dOu3-oeoGtHtdrTZJIbBNS3ZwT5nYludfsUlFuj5ougT0lPY09FCk6ZbBCIeRrxzOEucPIeZwf6Jf2LdxktUS7c4WW_5wYsXf8_CPKPTQFUERSuAQua0Xbv8ahCAs37Nda-4KNUb/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566639144347634" /></a><br />Actually, the way back wasn't so bad. I tested a theory that faster might be better, and it worked. We careened down the road at twice the speed we'd come down at: 50mph instead of 25. I guess the tires didn't have time to descend into the space between the washboard bumps, and the ride smoothed out considerably. So, it was easier on us, easier on the truck, and took half as much time. Win. Win. Win. This is a road best suited to a plush off-road 4X4 with low-pressure tires, not a monster dually one-ton with pumped up street tires. Next time.<br /><br />Before leaving Escalante Toby got to go on a nice hike too. We took him down to walk a trail along the Escalante River. It was perfect on a hot day, with a canopy of trees overhead, red-rock canyon walls, and cool waters to wade in. One of Toby's all-time favorite hikes, I'm sure.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGeU3h3K4_oQ3hGSTEWXdrcRQ0l36M7r_UqVAn5wbv2IOKi7xMcpucgUSHWJGajz5G26wryNPQvSLDTyifwSnNmYO95idyOE42cNHG9C5rNQRNVWjr547_Y3rCOa_SziUfhxA42Cko0Aw/s1600/15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGeU3h3K4_oQ3hGSTEWXdrcRQ0l36M7r_UqVAn5wbv2IOKi7xMcpucgUSHWJGajz5G26wryNPQvSLDTyifwSnNmYO95idyOE42cNHG9C5rNQRNVWjr547_Y3rCOa_SziUfhxA42Cko0Aw/s400/15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745572415644379266" /></a><br />There's so much more to see and do in this area. You can be sure that we'll go back some day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh2-4muTlYqatIAYM2pZQ2KSAy2cjYjoFGgrEjUbWjlJ4q37kG6rI3wfgA1X57sk2T4BjORaxYKpJda3FjUJddut2tID0GwuFG5KLbSi4OL8nIKToW_bOEQvUsESM4njYSikCqvQapTi9/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh2-4muTlYqatIAYM2pZQ2KSAy2cjYjoFGgrEjUbWjlJ4q37kG6rI3wfgA1X57sk2T4BjORaxYKpJda3FjUJddut2tID0GwuFG5KLbSi4OL8nIKToW_bOEQvUsESM4njYSikCqvQapTi9/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745566613567884706" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-23650650796105392502012-05-18T15:37:00.012-07:002012-05-21T19:34:00.835-07:00MOABulousI think Moab must stand for <strong>M</strong>ega <strong>O</strong>utdoor <strong>A</strong>dventure <strong>B</strong>onanza! This place was near the top of our "places to re-visit" list. Here we wanted to re-live some great moments and add some new ones. <em>Mission accomplished</em>.<br /><br />It got very hot in the afternoons, so our adventures took place 1st thing in the morning, or in the evening. Afternoons were spent in the air conditioned comfort of The Whale, bathed in the blue glow of computer monitors, getting work done.<br /><br />Before I get into the outdoor stuff, first a few words about the campground: It was low-rent, a trailer park on one side, campground on the other; a dustbowl strewn with tired old campers housing full-time residents. We would have left, but there were rally's in town that week, and site availability was scarce. So, we squeezed into our site, our living side shared with perhaps the most dilapidated old truck-camper (sans truck) that we've ever seen. Dirty aluminum siding, sitting on blocks, a blue-tarp bungeed in place to keep the rain out...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYDj8lxaCMtay7_JA6p2Q7JfwxuuKkx8_lEcUqDs_W7fb5Id74dS2JTin6oPozWRZqdemHsziMFsbGMm-PZaDZFKparJSdNXip18Rc0Hct8xdq4OfOW7ZcmsUzwj01KvRuXlb8RZyry-g/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYDj8lxaCMtay7_JA6p2Q7JfwxuuKkx8_lEcUqDs_W7fb5Id74dS2JTin6oPozWRZqdemHsziMFsbGMm-PZaDZFKparJSdNXip18Rc0Hct8xdq4OfOW7ZcmsUzwj01KvRuXlb8RZyry-g/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5745176129518973378" /></a><br />Nice, eh? The occupants were a very nice young woman and her lovable dog. She emerged wearing black tights, a tank top, and a head-dress of long, purple woolen braids. Her dog appeared au-natural, looking like a pit-bull played a role in his conception. But we discovered her to be a very nice person, a fire eating/throwing/spinning pyrotechnic acrobat performer, and her dog turned out to be a docile and lovable animal (although his attitude towards me <strong>may</strong> have been influenced by the treats that I have him when his mommy was off spinning fiery hoola-hoops around her purple dreads). On our other side a truck camper pulled in about 6 inches away, so close that the driver had to scooch over and exit her rig on the passenger side. A Whale in a Sardine can!<br /><br />So, the first morning I went out to ride Moab's famous Slickrock trail, which I had enjoyed immensely <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/05/m-o-b.html">last year</a>. Once again I was thrilled by the uniqueness on the landscape and the joy of the demanding terrain. Love it or hate it, there's nothing else like it. I love it, and we all know that I am always right...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsITN4RNEriJRENVJDJoQRfXH_En2YYsb1JK_0vEPOea1BVxHGZVadZyt9yIYrqQX9vSVNEuHipTX2y-EBx2by1X5ijsrGWBeaec-PMYn18OUVUMRah7M6FGmzyhCWxCbp34ffnd34Iuo/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsITN4RNEriJRENVJDJoQRfXH_En2YYsb1JK_0vEPOea1BVxHGZVadZyt9yIYrqQX9vSVNEuHipTX2y-EBx2by1X5ijsrGWBeaec-PMYn18OUVUMRah7M6FGmzyhCWxCbp34ffnd34Iuo/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744288196272229170" /></a><br />In the evenings we'd drive up onto the Sand Flat Recreational Area, where the Slickrock trail is, and go for a walk. Here is Gigantor on slickrock:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM3sYEtSgun_mVCoENaTU6JA29VDegV47HLb4TnYMysvz44vVvkvK2-M2aMkem7H9Yy06I4e0if_-DMD9tb70htPGBio24vWHsVKcO8l-ftH-whgggUhY6SDYKaTvsOe8rCc6rLdpdpc3/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM3sYEtSgun_mVCoENaTU6JA29VDegV47HLb4TnYMysvz44vVvkvK2-M2aMkem7H9Yy06I4e0if_-DMD9tb70htPGBio24vWHsVKcO8l-ftH-whgggUhY6SDYKaTvsOe8rCc6rLdpdpc3/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744288185865469186" /></a><br />We saw some beautiful sunsets up there, and enjoyed nice walks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczT4iqWv_kdnoOvug61lzMSwW_yuh1p4mkKD0gh19g-ISmMtoxAHvVOavbd_1yWt2jDfNMIIlbs25zHseOnUsDU0CHN0wRoarDk22FyQr9vI6cbRkfG0QGsok676K8-fcYnEX14vbv6TE/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczT4iqWv_kdnoOvug61lzMSwW_yuh1p4mkKD0gh19g-ISmMtoxAHvVOavbd_1yWt2jDfNMIIlbs25zHseOnUsDU0CHN0wRoarDk22FyQr9vI6cbRkfG0QGsok676K8-fcYnEX14vbv6TE/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744288194711426306" /></a><br />The next morning we headed up to Arches National Park, and drove to the end of the park road to Devil's Garden, to hike out to Landscape Arch, which, at 290 feet may well be the longest in the world:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBPhasXmqj1o2F9vEJxjohp6jUadX1I9oNwtyVvZltunjCyaiHrSZ-a0bqGFQI8UxAw1wyJ1YEstvYRamF6MviewsMuPYiK4mBUeVTMZKzK2zzcXn9QdcR6pjIt8EvcMm3ss1l4hVCVgZ/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBPhasXmqj1o2F9vEJxjohp6jUadX1I9oNwtyVvZltunjCyaiHrSZ-a0bqGFQI8UxAw1wyJ1YEstvYRamF6MviewsMuPYiK4mBUeVTMZKzK2zzcXn9QdcR6pjIt8EvcMm3ss1l4hVCVgZ/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287998488411250" /></a><br />The trail along the way passed through typically gorgeous Utah scenery...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8oJ2ohIKkmjy81BEyQpbamk-SsRAbokZPaPDCDB_86k008fQ8eWPTQapa0CT-qhBpanu6GJqQq_jgznkKTCae7bxeKM7DuatPSt4-jPXWqt4wV_DJ_gapkMA4J8d4kEbFg1VW_r_-wJn/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8oJ2ohIKkmjy81BEyQpbamk-SsRAbokZPaPDCDB_86k008fQ8eWPTQapa0CT-qhBpanu6GJqQq_jgznkKTCae7bxeKM7DuatPSt4-jPXWqt4wV_DJ_gapkMA4J8d4kEbFg1VW_r_-wJn/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744288006706821234" /></a><br />...and among flowering cacti:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PFFe90UNDUXM2GlBADadXZUXi-8jFQ0nI8iahW_ThjMYCES0nKBaGft_ZAt6r7FvCu5I6Gl-HMA2drINqYneuKIPOb371pE9evEFuX1M6Y1kCG58UBKNKzCUuRHqJg-F3c2dKJdyJ_8D/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PFFe90UNDUXM2GlBADadXZUXi-8jFQ0nI8iahW_ThjMYCES0nKBaGft_ZAt6r7FvCu5I6Gl-HMA2drINqYneuKIPOb371pE9evEFuX1M6Y1kCG58UBKNKzCUuRHqJg-F3c2dKJdyJ_8D/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287994009772322" /></a><br />The morning of our last day we drove up to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 2000' above the valley floor and the Colorado River which carved it. The view from up there is spectacular:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHXIwJuj-cD9M-XaWS-5nsXEl1gx54w4MhyphenhyphenlCU50g5Ymn7KA93mOxkLUO8wp-l4k8lAYHsN4hIrCsbaVbqCQMAIKao8esleFI4qOtNUwDSIhjGywOSp7YEJl94XTqIvb-so1SR8FUMAfU/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHXIwJuj-cD9M-XaWS-5nsXEl1gx54w4MhyphenhyphenlCU50g5Ymn7KA93mOxkLUO8wp-l4k8lAYHsN4hIrCsbaVbqCQMAIKao8esleFI4qOtNUwDSIhjGywOSp7YEJl94XTqIvb-so1SR8FUMAfU/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744288203354737890" /></a><br />We went there to ride the excellent mountain bike trail that sweeps through the scrub on the mesa-top. This is where Nancy rode last year, and was the inspiration for her getting her own proper mountain bike. Here she is ripping up the trail:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxQW10HHONLhrNlnLrFA9EK2ZyK2Y0PAED0bgdaxqB7sJVgyt2-WoQwNJq2_8E-io9WI7TiZH1uyIJa1ivadkrLm0wWnGm-CIig4r-55dABTY0C6I6nxUs3sZpWzciiYz8kzZgwhllMzr/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxQW10HHONLhrNlnLrFA9EK2ZyK2Y0PAED0bgdaxqB7sJVgyt2-WoQwNJq2_8E-io9WI7TiZH1uyIJa1ivadkrLm0wWnGm-CIig4r-55dABTY0C6I6nxUs3sZpWzciiYz8kzZgwhllMzr/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287987838410242" /></a><br />And here I am climbing one of the short, steep hills on the trail:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV5vRMxWv16dpU_7Xe4JvA6zmxqgDs8D9CNRPVzoVV-pf0mR6vv4ObOf7qv-sJPmBtHaipEBYR6x68Ggk1ydNaTsDy9XHx16HrSZzPJ3OqMoiENv-FqIdzQMBQZ_bW7KbyuM_xGf8l42N/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrV5vRMxWv16dpU_7Xe4JvA6zmxqgDs8D9CNRPVzoVV-pf0mR6vv4ObOf7qv-sJPmBtHaipEBYR6x68Ggk1ydNaTsDy9XHx16HrSZzPJ3OqMoiENv-FqIdzQMBQZ_bW7KbyuM_xGf8l42N/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287733954618594" /></a><br />I continued on to do a longer loop than Nancy was up for, and it brought me to an overlook on a cliff with a sheer dropoff. I couldn't resist the photo opportunity, which I wouldn't have been able to do had Nancy been there!:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQosEbgY2l1szwyvAKdD1g6elpZjNA5SkkZkcLZAyWbSk7-Uanlhyphenhyphen4f9ruMXvefOZOb2vmJswxa0OfG2e-pjDl3iJ3g9OpcQ2knhlbzWqdy7kiHhwdoFkvHs_xPDHl0pPZ-ohU0lq_U3cj/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQosEbgY2l1szwyvAKdD1g6elpZjNA5SkkZkcLZAyWbSk7-Uanlhyphenhyphen4f9ruMXvefOZOb2vmJswxa0OfG2e-pjDl3iJ3g9OpcQ2knhlbzWqdy7kiHhwdoFkvHs_xPDHl0pPZ-ohU0lq_U3cj/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287715323151538" /></a><br />Our last evening we joined a "Jeep" Tour, which was actually a Hummer tour, with <a href="http://www.highpointhummer.com/">High Point</a> tours. We piled into a Humvee that had been modified to seat 10, including the driver, Josh. We drove up to the salt flats, and pulled onto the Hell's Revenge 4X4 trail. This challenging jeep trail has a natural "filter" at its start - a 90 degree turn up onto a ribbon of sandstone with sheer dropoffs on both sides, requiring a serious four-wheel-drive vehicle with high ground clearance and very short overhangs. It filters out the wanna-be's, allowing only serious, trail-rated vehicles to pass. Here we are descending this same feature:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbRfMss4nBQFwGogQW3uKqOt9BaxmYExn0fqwKSY3SWKuvrF5IqAb9DE9eubxWHRrr6cKdPcc2GHU-k9gWfECW9gVCXQE7CvC32UxJEw_Qkp8hCK7oJmreom-Y3iZFvsReRPUieFEP9dk/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbRfMss4nBQFwGogQW3uKqOt9BaxmYExn0fqwKSY3SWKuvrF5IqAb9DE9eubxWHRrr6cKdPcc2GHU-k9gWfECW9gVCXQE7CvC32UxJEw_Qkp8hCK7oJmreom-Y3iZFvsReRPUieFEP9dk/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287705694673378" /></a><br />On our tour we climbed and descended slickrock formations so steep that they seemed impossible for a wheeled vehicle to navigate. The Humvee's impressive off-road abilities were truly demonstrated. It's ability to approach and climb up nearly vertical walls of rock were indeed awesome.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yN2i4khbmhcg1oCpM6yWr4FGlEhvNnoDT8551z0uOAgLoX9fAoJCbaPZxpp45A7pRRqj295Z8BVeUnkRzAcejzDm5xDFNiaxF4VYahGlACC0EhFCB9QkF7RkpUvXqUVqbQ42JG5__sBn/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yN2i4khbmhcg1oCpM6yWr4FGlEhvNnoDT8551z0uOAgLoX9fAoJCbaPZxpp45A7pRRqj295Z8BVeUnkRzAcejzDm5xDFNiaxF4VYahGlACC0EhFCB9QkF7RkpUvXqUVqbQ42JG5__sBn/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287707327834034" /></a><br />And not everyone who attempts this extreme driving makes it out. Here is a Nissan Pathfinder carcass which serves as a reminder to those unexperienced drivers who think they can take their stock vehicles on Hell's Revenge:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbqCILm4m1a4J4-r0MyzkdeLnkmSISNzz-9-ibHkWJh7faotDboqAG7KlVLEgnxqI0-DcLTnPFbFd8JMrsX1xA4SMTnLaytQD1mSadvWJP19W49XnRk5KtwVyb4Lkw_K6g0rD6gfZQppb/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbqCILm4m1a4J4-r0MyzkdeLnkmSISNzz-9-ibHkWJh7faotDboqAG7KlVLEgnxqI0-DcLTnPFbFd8JMrsX1xA4SMTnLaytQD1mSadvWJP19W49XnRk5KtwVyb4Lkw_K6g0rD6gfZQppb/s400/11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5744287712779830850" /></a><br />We enjoyed the tour immensely - it's a far cry from what we would have attempted had we rented a stock Jeep Wranger and explored on our own. Good stuff!<br /><br />So, once again Moab impresses us with the variety and quality of outdoor pursuits available, and with the spectacular sandstone landscapes. Definitely worth a visit or several.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-89184977511398477952012-05-05T17:03:00.017-07:002012-05-17T20:24:05.129-07:00Durango RevisitedAh, Durango. We loved this town <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/04/durango-colorado.html">last year</a>, and were happy to call it home for two weeks this time around.<br /><br />We drove up from Gallup, and we had a pretty rough couple of days to start us off. Kinsey was not well when we left Gallup, and did not improve. We took her to the vet in Durango, and were prescribed some medications to help her little heart keep pumping. The medications caused incontinence, so we had a messy, miserable day, and she died in the night. At least she didn't suffer for long.<br /><br />Rather than sit in the Whale and mourn, we tried to keep busy, and enjoy this wonderful town and the surrounding countryside. We hiked up Animas Mountain, affording us views of the valley and of Durango:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS2sRPijKo0JOp3Rs2EL2JQT3v5pyMrEOEwv-jYSKQi8TOd0Ego5WifLWJY7s2DyC19EZnny7wiDNbMzj3A5kbWuYJN_y7OEfx_jWMpW8FPn4IJrkIXM5USBWmaJrcoo3N9wvFGxiMFvs/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS2sRPijKo0JOp3Rs2EL2JQT3v5pyMrEOEwv-jYSKQi8TOd0Ego5WifLWJY7s2DyC19EZnny7wiDNbMzj3A5kbWuYJN_y7OEfx_jWMpW8FPn4IJrkIXM5USBWmaJrcoo3N9wvFGxiMFvs/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593898760787282" /></a><br />Along the trailside this little lizard posed for a photo:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMYZh7iKOAuspTaJnEv9Sa3ugYMXZ0E_QtPOlfUikiTW-FiQWrE4fBNRy73Y1Og2eBJ-Zcp7BSIPnDSBHVkwHdu5PtNGUklsMRyg35eA4mCHl_LhVkTLmdRh7JcD_abE5B5-qU08SH5Go/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMYZh7iKOAuspTaJnEv9Sa3ugYMXZ0E_QtPOlfUikiTW-FiQWrE4fBNRy73Y1Og2eBJ-Zcp7BSIPnDSBHVkwHdu5PtNGUklsMRyg35eA4mCHl_LhVkTLmdRh7JcD_abE5B5-qU08SH5Go/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593911825713954" /></a><br />We strolled downtown, stopping for lunch and pastries at Jean-Pierre, walking Toby along the Animas River which flows right through town, and which is popular with all manner of watercraft enjoying its rapids:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0n49gyFD39VHhGMYEjddDiZJnCkc45wMfNzDsa5pdbBfCAhD2yRsoxnwPtlNA1uWEi4VbWAShIlkXLbwc1hgIDxx2twOrPhurb8BNLw9IwBFI_jQU48PV6wnZkQWCVPLMtnAXRhWwf0B/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0n49gyFD39VHhGMYEjddDiZJnCkc45wMfNzDsa5pdbBfCAhD2yRsoxnwPtlNA1uWEi4VbWAShIlkXLbwc1hgIDxx2twOrPhurb8BNLw9IwBFI_jQU48PV6wnZkQWCVPLMtnAXRhWwf0B/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593893483278722" /></a><br />We went for a mountain bike ride on the Rim Trail, which clings precariously to the edge of the mesa on the east side of town:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog6KG1wq6evMB7JTuUsVEmE3dx7a8kixAzj7kDTao2Zs0f8ur1Z_q301vnNqsoE_ZvGhWuGKlZCKYDfXwRVr8e7DwYbXAtxcxF-ntSmmnIf-b9PgLWbF4CHvQ4RxdyHOlTnUQ2zVpKMgF/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhog6KG1wq6evMB7JTuUsVEmE3dx7a8kixAzj7kDTao2Zs0f8ur1Z_q301vnNqsoE_ZvGhWuGKlZCKYDfXwRVr8e7DwYbXAtxcxF-ntSmmnIf-b9PgLWbF4CHvQ4RxdyHOlTnUQ2zVpKMgF/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593887337187906" /></a><br />And we went for a white-water rafting trip on the Upper Piedra River with <a href="http://mild2wildrafting.com/">Mild to Wild</a>. This was an all-day adventure, starting with a 45 minute drive to a rendezvous point, then 1 1/2 hours in a bus with the guides and other customers to the put-in point. We floated for about four hours, with a stop for lunch along the way, and we splashed, lurched & bounced down fast-flowing snow-melt water, through rapids from class I to class IV. It was nearly constant action, and great fun!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmVgVsUg-7P4pL_dy8ByK6yIObl4GMJXoh4jsOAOFZ53g7VVc-NT9DtSF3zQS9c1YQzWS02qdQL8Mka23_9khoCkUS0zGXXsd4-qxjLpAGnFvZP68i92SRDYjgFFrSq1136aMGlbBn7Us/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmVgVsUg-7P4pL_dy8ByK6yIObl4GMJXoh4jsOAOFZ53g7VVc-NT9DtSF3zQS9c1YQzWS02qdQL8Mka23_9khoCkUS0zGXXsd4-qxjLpAGnFvZP68i92SRDYjgFFrSq1136aMGlbBn7Us/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593534912872866" /></a><br />Because of the very cold water we were each dressed in a heavy neoprene wetsuit, jacket & booties, with a splash jacket over that, and a helmet. Our trip ended in a surprising manner: the guide spun the boat to back into the take-out area. He mis-judged his position and struck a rock, sending us all flying. I found myself on the other side of the boat with my arm underneath the young woman who'd been paddling beside me. I wiggled my arm to get free before realizing that my arm was trapped in her most private and sensitive of areas! I can only assume that it was with great reluctance that she raised to release me. Talk about a wet suit!<br /><br /><em>Anyway</em>, speaking of riding...I also got out for a good mountain bike ride up into Horse Gulch, on the Telegraph trail, which took me from town, on the valley floor at 6600' to a high saddle at 7500'. I then plummeted back down, did a loop on Stacy's and Mike's trails, and went home tired and happy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5uQXhxM9XUHfGLn9Z3zKFGo-w8OD4cZaySn0j7F_EqSK39HuPLt-Ps4cYfJsKoVWVk65r0gj2pH4l7pweI71kLoeXemt-XQbS3o6L5qw4vEOWTQabkTqNf_zqk_6U_3ZnztlcJIjTdbq/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5uQXhxM9XUHfGLn9Z3zKFGo-w8OD4cZaySn0j7F_EqSK39HuPLt-Ps4cYfJsKoVWVk65r0gj2pH4l7pweI71kLoeXemt-XQbS3o6L5qw4vEOWTQabkTqNf_zqk_6U_3ZnztlcJIjTdbq/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593513374827794" /></a><br /><br />We headed back into town on Sunday afternoon for the Irish music jam, or ceiligh, at the Irish Embassy:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuly1ezbOXG0ajXyMY4hGjyUdKDnmthNJNqmqpjy9SC8ZhFMcdJC1w99F2bS-7oLGzBh5vYGyDNLTMN9xOm-2ju9mRbbpjc7s5q7M0KbZQnr1YfAehckXZKfakpItaz83NfmOTTD58YQK/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuly1ezbOXG0ajXyMY4hGjyUdKDnmthNJNqmqpjy9SC8ZhFMcdJC1w99F2bS-7oLGzBh5vYGyDNLTMN9xOm-2ju9mRbbpjc7s5q7M0KbZQnr1YfAehckXZKfakpItaz83NfmOTTD58YQK/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593094835356034" /></a><br /><br />Monday I had to fly to Indiana for the week. There I put together the first batch of circuit boards and metalwork of the new <a href="http://www.marklevinson.com/News/Story/79">Mark Levinson</a> No52 preamplifier that I've been working on with the team at Harman Luxury Group. I flew out of Durango's LaPlata Airport, which is so nice, small and friendly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiBFRi9tSPkzjr2M1LUirnisgKu7iwZG0-SW-NuGGCYOKEBGrkFU9RPbCvDRrnSClEmfwMoFQRJOb0Vw6Ty4gf3X2ijt_97OJEnX1l1KmWcoOFAgLHwJ0rmtLUM7-X3RGNADuL6dfX3_P/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiBFRi9tSPkzjr2M1LUirnisgKu7iwZG0-SW-NuGGCYOKEBGrkFU9RPbCvDRrnSClEmfwMoFQRJOb0Vw6Ty4gf3X2ijt_97OJEnX1l1KmWcoOFAgLHwJ0rmtLUM7-X3RGNADuL6dfX3_P/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593086790865570" /></a><br />While I was gone Nancy took Toby for walks, rode her bike on the Animas River trail, and dodged the thunderstorms that pestered the area while I was away.<br /><br />When I returned I settled down to relax with a cup of tea and the latest Durango Telegraph newspaper. I opened it up and there I saw a picture of a guy I haven't seen in 30 years: <a href="http://www.georgeschmidtpaintings.com/">George Schmidt</a>. We saw George's father Jim <a href="http://gigantorandthewhale.blogspot.com/2011/10/water-schmidt.html">in the fall</a> on our way home for winter, and heard that George was spending a lot of time in Durango. This confirmed it, and I promptly Googled George, found his phone number, and gave him a call.<br /><br />We made a plan to go mountain biking the next day. After Nancy and I checked out the Durango Farmer's market, I rode over to meet George and his lovely girlfriend Amber at the house that they are renovating. From there we hopped in George's Ford euro-style van, affectionately dubbed the Pugfish, and drove over to the west side of the mountains to the town of Dolores, and to the Boggy Draw trailhead. We enjoyed a great ride, uncommonly smooth and fast for Colorado mountains. It was a good workout, too, being that we were riding between 7600 and 7900' elevation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYri70-6HBILevJuFuq_i9iSDYeDF9KFdO6Cn5emq8HvcYQFZOmYRc_yrsZNDGETnAi1Wi_CVidSy_-_zJOru4Tp5UGKW75QtsPeHpuE5HEj9BTr8loTaIzIt5JDNvdYVz2pIOvc6a-67o/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYri70-6HBILevJuFuq_i9iSDYeDF9KFdO6Cn5emq8HvcYQFZOmYRc_yrsZNDGETnAi1Wi_CVidSy_-_zJOru4Tp5UGKW75QtsPeHpuE5HEj9BTr8loTaIzIt5JDNvdYVz2pIOvc6a-67o/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5742593073860502162" /></a><br /><br />We got back late, retired to our quarters to clean up, then all four of us met for a tasty New-Mexican meal at Gazpacho.<br /><br />Our last Day in Durango was Mother's Day, so I went out early to poach some blooms from a lilac tree, then prepared biscuits and gravy for Nancy's special breakfast. We worked that sinful goodness off by biking top-to-bottom-to-top of the Animas River Trail. It was a cool day, but got sunnier and warmer as we pedalled south, but when we turned around to head back we were buffeted by strong headwinds, which got stronger and colder as we labored along. By then end of the ride I was very chilled, and happy to get back to the Whale for a cup of hot tea.<br /><br />We finished off our Durango-time with a soak in the <a href="http://www.trimblehotsprings.com">Trimble Hot Springs</a> with George and Amber. It was great to relax, unwind, and get all warm in the hot mineral waters. And it was great to have one more visit with George and Amber before moving on. We certainly hope to see these two great people again someday.Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-57300332535067850292012-05-02T11:35:00.009-07:002012-05-03T09:41:47.439-07:00Kinsey: May 24 1995 - May 1 2012We said goodbye to our little puppy girl, Kinsey, our beloved pet west highland terrier of nearly seventeen years.<br /><br />Here are some rememberances of Kinsey:<br /><br />She had an overbite, and a crooked tail which she never raised above her back.<br /><br />She was willful and independent, and required regular reminders that she wasn't the boss of the house.<br /><br />She loved to walk on logs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz2uowWQfTeIIY4diOP2QJiUmrnRO8qRhWNEWIQoN3_FVoY1WuJVzpCdiZpW6S0MqCWzJHZW8CyOJSjiEFTsrkv9SJrZi9m_JO6wedsLgLO8W9ozU6JO537sWOY2XHKqPki4SKxGRBRLj/s1600/HPIM0207.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz2uowWQfTeIIY4diOP2QJiUmrnRO8qRhWNEWIQoN3_FVoY1WuJVzpCdiZpW6S0MqCWzJHZW8CyOJSjiEFTsrkv9SJrZi9m_JO6wedsLgLO8W9ozU6JO537sWOY2XHKqPki4SKxGRBRLj/s400/HPIM0207.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738016293387943090" /></a><br />She chewed for comfort as a puppy - she destroyed the wicker of her first bed, mauled an antique book, and had a particular affinity for mommy's underwear.<br /><br />She didn't care for plush toys, with the exception of a sheeps-wool star shape, which she suckled and nuzzled at night for comfort to the day she died. As a younger dog she prefered balls. She'd bat them around with her paws, then chase them down and pounce on them. We'd bounce them to her to catch, or roll them to her - then shed bat them back to us. She also loved to chase and herd soccer balls around the yard, which she'd eventually pop after persistent biting.<br /><br />When we'd ride in the car Kinsey would always climb up onto my shoulders, where she'd be nestled between the back of my head and the head-rest of my '89 Thunderbird.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwgu3yR6sy7wbjbPTKNq8cgsRFplHKX6vId8keedVdDSIvXYsL6SW9RhSr_AuWkWWSvPijCN4H-rAv9E-HXHHzxpGP6vitoTVSTJRLM0CKknbhfVxnRROUFwwf6RHwyxPLt4wRJRXrYwV/s1600/Kinsey04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwgu3yR6sy7wbjbPTKNq8cgsRFplHKX6vId8keedVdDSIvXYsL6SW9RhSr_AuWkWWSvPijCN4H-rAv9E-HXHHzxpGP6vitoTVSTJRLM0CKknbhfVxnRROUFwwf6RHwyxPLt4wRJRXrYwV/s400/Kinsey04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738016138139269810" /></a><br />In good weather Kinsey would be tied to a run in the yard while we were away at work. She hated being tied up, but we'd leave the back door of Nancy's old car open, and she'd jump up in there and hang out on the rear ledge. It was her dog house, made by Pontiac.<br /><br />Her favorite perch indoors was on a cushion atop a piano bench next to a window. Here she could survey the bird-feeding area. When a squirrel came to feed, she'd throw herself against the glass repeatedly and bark. It's a wonder she never broke through.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7KyxYXf0ChiUR1Ur1rRsXHiyJTT0qBpbpPVwBvmsRvu9KwBpEfIQwfPDg8BxJVSTvZCzyzQHZd3Y2NShKYN8tguCuhWbV1SMeP180mOjA43V1ePpwtKB0jE1Z5P9NMN_1-obtgQmIda6/s1600/September+2006+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7KyxYXf0ChiUR1Ur1rRsXHiyJTT0qBpbpPVwBvmsRvu9KwBpEfIQwfPDg8BxJVSTvZCzyzQHZd3Y2NShKYN8tguCuhWbV1SMeP180mOjA43V1ePpwtKB0jE1Z5P9NMN_1-obtgQmIda6/s400/September+2006+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738015842749916322" /></a><br />Kinsey loved Fergus, one of my parents' Scottish Terriers. She'd yip, bite, and dart, coaxing him into play. Then she'd roll over on her back, all coy, giving herself to him. He didn't know what to make of her. Fergus died way before his time, leaving a hole in Kinsey's heart that would never heal.<br /><br />She was six years old when we brought Toby home, and she was not pleased. He stole a healthy percentage of our love from her, and she never forgot it. For the rest of her life she was never truly nice to him, although we're certain that she secretly liked him.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ATdyMozoqs05hbRTC6C09MHGAzZ5vQYJbU-68UvTvI9rD18Yim3XKQOtxTKRJxCSif8D-CkTRZTGbxstNsEvqQg3bQoAaiFoQbbLm3rFAR7dNbYLWYlXg0E8xp4XemzZo3_Zv9poDWF/s1600/DSCF0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7ATdyMozoqs05hbRTC6C09MHGAzZ5vQYJbU-68UvTvI9rD18Yim3XKQOtxTKRJxCSif8D-CkTRZTGbxstNsEvqQg3bQoAaiFoQbbLm3rFAR7dNbYLWYlXg0E8xp4XemzZo3_Zv9poDWF/s400/DSCF0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738016291112133346" /></a><br />Toby taught Kinsey to dig, to hunt, and to escape the fenced yard for big adventures in the neighborhood and woods. Kinsey became an escape artist, able to breach the fence even after her mentor had given up. We'd come home from work to find Toby on the inside, Kinsey on the outside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiPql3vUiJRiz4dXUzKGcbc5jeMKqDmYJF1b4EIT2FSvAKhAW5rvTWN6tG3RbE6-NJUr1M_HA8d5a2vYjvdATIlpRtkhpaGlGUwtNx9kZ6-SX7PK2t9lolr6Zl3Sw8rFPgkIb6nDe4geE/s1600/P1030340.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiPql3vUiJRiz4dXUzKGcbc5jeMKqDmYJF1b4EIT2FSvAKhAW5rvTWN6tG3RbE6-NJUr1M_HA8d5a2vYjvdATIlpRtkhpaGlGUwtNx9kZ6-SX7PK2t9lolr6Zl3Sw8rFPgkIb6nDe4geE/s400/P1030340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738015855837902978" /></a><br />For most of her life she had a disorder which disrupted tear production, causing dry eyes. Even with medication her eyes were often uncomfortable, and they produced mucus that would require cleaning, and occasionally infections would take hold.<br /><br />Kinsey started acting old when she was around 12 years old. She slowed down during our walks and hikes. Her eyesight was declining, and her hearing began to diminish. We would eventually buy a stroller for her to ride in when she tired of walking. She drew stares, smiles and comments as she was wheeled along. She looked the Queen.<br /><br />Our big North American tour was good and bad for Kinsey. She didn't care for the travel, and was indifferent to new places unless there was thick green grass to roll in. The Whale was good, however. It has more carpet than home, and its small size allowed her to easily find Nancy, or to make it known that she needed to go outside.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0y7GRVvzzZzl533lojr90OJzJG1OtblEtiSzFtV4DNrfddsXw1-_cLrqnxRGRafc_kyW2Aniz4CaR8KppMcT9x_32xrn7z6iDBu5Ge4sx8XDv5qTxTdq80lnlYnUYhBR6AlgeQZ390Gd/s1600/Kinsey06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0y7GRVvzzZzl533lojr90OJzJG1OtblEtiSzFtV4DNrfddsXw1-_cLrqnxRGRafc_kyW2Aniz4CaR8KppMcT9x_32xrn7z6iDBu5Ge4sx8XDv5qTxTdq80lnlYnUYhBR6AlgeQZ390Gd/s400/Kinsey06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738016132299332354" /></a><br />Towards the end of her life Kinsey had three passions: Nancy, sleep, and treats. She got all three in abundance, and so she was as happy as she could be.<br /><br />We are both sad to say goodbye to our little white dog, but for Nancy it will be a slow wound to heal. Thanks to Kinsey for staying with us for so long, and for enriching our lives. We loved her and miss her.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc_jyzHWn5zVVGPVb42_FMGCPojxznA-yZVBtQEDC9_ZwZf2HSx1GHhl1ABY0m_baGZSRWyST29tx3bUC9o4dr1MYVUc1bnEUvGG8Th_72ePWwXJsyY9HNoYymxuW_oqqpWl6qcKEBxft/s1600/HPIM0431.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfc_jyzHWn5zVVGPVb42_FMGCPojxznA-yZVBtQEDC9_ZwZf2HSx1GHhl1ABY0m_baGZSRWyST29tx3bUC9o4dr1MYVUc1bnEUvGG8Th_72ePWwXJsyY9HNoYymxuW_oqqpWl6qcKEBxft/s400/HPIM0431.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5738016141877235730" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-47744393689654516752012-05-01T18:01:00.012-07:002012-05-02T11:33:02.098-07:00Gallup, New Mexico - This time it was awesome!We were driven out of Gallup two weeks ago by strong winds and blowing sand. It was frustrating because of the beautiful landscape and abundance of hiking and biking trails. So we were glad to go back, and even more so when we learned that our travellin' friends <a href="http://www.imperfectdestiny.com/">Jim and Julie</a> would meet us there!<br /><br />We pulled into Red Rock Park campground just minutes after J&J, and, faced with too many (200) sites to choose from, we pondered and hemmed & hawed, but eventually made a decision and parked our rigs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3Cl7Tdo6JaU_4WpaqVTnYSFOBxJXDqsHtEkNhrg1sTkxMICpcS1-YRxwPKwjZaLo802xSQJHzdEZa7RHWTX981dGQ93srWF4Urs92V5THrQs0MHmE1uBcIv_uUAJgf7XFRBkID_wYWZy/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3Cl7Tdo6JaU_4WpaqVTnYSFOBxJXDqsHtEkNhrg1sTkxMICpcS1-YRxwPKwjZaLo802xSQJHzdEZa7RHWTX981dGQ93srWF4Urs92V5THrQs0MHmE1uBcIv_uUAJgf7XFRBkID_wYWZy/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766902462302754" /></a><br />During our stay Jim, Julie and I took two nice hikes, one to each of the formations accessible from the park. Toby and Star dog went on the first, but both elderly dogs had trouble with the steep and slippery sandstone.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbq9TLDjjam1u6yYHwu2v_vNR8cDsG0u5qNMBLKAaWgJN016LbdsI5Wk4ujJ98A5EIjXK9fZeZXVAzz-u8eGYapPe9mYwcl1wziCKtWrcVYzqau3WA-b-BgQeg06WVsHFaOOZuPxT2M7i/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbq9TLDjjam1u6yYHwu2v_vNR8cDsG0u5qNMBLKAaWgJN016LbdsI5Wk4ujJ98A5EIjXK9fZeZXVAzz-u8eGYapPe9mYwcl1wziCKtWrcVYzqau3WA-b-BgQeg06WVsHFaOOZuPxT2M7i/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737767159295540898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq1Ro-M3CV4Qk3pOCY2jJhsKfOiFVcmGRQC-XFGahMIfc01S9KBj-pseFTK9QcbXCUVMomcw7MQZTLdKN_xcoInOl2NkPsrI79cxXdFsnzd7Om8_wEvI_lUDdZSsY8V8xVI-CEGu6P46a/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq1Ro-M3CV4Qk3pOCY2jJhsKfOiFVcmGRQC-XFGahMIfc01S9KBj-pseFTK9QcbXCUVMomcw7MQZTLdKN_xcoInOl2NkPsrI79cxXdFsnzd7Om8_wEvI_lUDdZSsY8V8xVI-CEGu6P46a/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737767157708686162" /></a><br />Toby was coerced to hike the longer, higher Pyramid trail as well, but he was one tired puppy when we got back to camp! The views from the top of the pyramid were fantastic - a full 360 degree panorama.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM2OujNk4r-gp8I5H-wuPeyvg1HZpVR48wcIofr-kQdQSGFIaOqrnjrfDMBRfIQNW13ECsjNQGbcHw_OIReA775M9oE0cRXoVPAilYDJT9OawGqfNOxt1oKZzleGNNyW0R5b9zbjEGzim/s1600/09.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM2OujNk4r-gp8I5H-wuPeyvg1HZpVR48wcIofr-kQdQSGFIaOqrnjrfDMBRfIQNW13ECsjNQGbcHw_OIReA775M9oE0cRXoVPAilYDJT9OawGqfNOxt1oKZzleGNNyW0R5b9zbjEGzim/s400/09.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766899498804994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh3QoAGMp1M3DRwbOYBauyjnNUNGXO0uma9NOGR-wpKqCja9dZOhrZAI9OjQJTtKgmHU__Y3M4OtHhfPSeQvpDQwmQJh-E_o92VV0Ti4Iy8QEUR9J-aWGKdo5HlJ5S2Rv9BazwC9mB_-D/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIh3QoAGMp1M3DRwbOYBauyjnNUNGXO0uma9NOGR-wpKqCja9dZOhrZAI9OjQJTtKgmHU__Y3M4OtHhfPSeQvpDQwmQJh-E_o92VV0Ti4Iy8QEUR9J-aWGKdo5HlJ5S2Rv9BazwC9mB_-D/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766722378632098" /></a><br />Plus, we got to see a little rattlesnake sunning itself in a rock crevice just off of the trail. I believe that this was a mojave rattler.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXv-c3KD4K4PPX4Ueiqc0DY-xzRPqaeAc9msY35xep877vuLXJnK8XXxOqA8iFtlWlUO5ox-2gJAfl46f84kJHqFfzAAX2qm_vitTcEfkGBVi_k36XCAJRKSuU8fck0i4tP1kg-ovX6Lv/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXv-c3KD4K4PPX4Ueiqc0DY-xzRPqaeAc9msY35xep877vuLXJnK8XXxOqA8iFtlWlUO5ox-2gJAfl46f84kJHqFfzAAX2qm_vitTcEfkGBVi_k36XCAJRKSuU8fck0i4tP1kg-ovX6Lv/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766727756866882" /></a><br />I also went for a good bike ride on the High Desert Trail System <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8sV_gtolI81d99GvEnam7FcW5KEHJE0lkrTgkHHXuskzVjnyuOLX1Sc-tZ5ANvYJJO2gdq54vXF7goafWBfgY2eB4O4Ai81wHm69ZUldeXa1d0NYCRdX8sOwm0ellH-Rozm5KYfv3B7K/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 82px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8sV_gtolI81d99GvEnam7FcW5KEHJE0lkrTgkHHXuskzVjnyuOLX1Sc-tZ5ANvYJJO2gdq54vXF7goafWBfgY2eB4O4Ai81wHm69ZUldeXa1d0NYCRdX8sOwm0ellH-Rozm5KYfv3B7K/s200/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737767034714735650" /></a><br />- a very buff singletrack that made up for its lack of technical challenges with mile after mile of twists and turns, able to be ridden very fast. A great overlook, too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSApvE6_2c85yCmU6VHCBmHNas5bzUFyCqM_ezCaAMg2E3DiOHfbzhdTfdR0wM1V8ow1gwXisCUeVPhRZBR0OejVjZT4wBPzTjslU0RygkV5E4aV0o9jecgMmY_o9IWn1H7J7eA4omKd1/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSApvE6_2c85yCmU6VHCBmHNas5bzUFyCqM_ezCaAMg2E3DiOHfbzhdTfdR0wM1V8ow1gwXisCUeVPhRZBR0OejVjZT4wBPzTjslU0RygkV5E4aV0o9jecgMmY_o9IWn1H7J7eA4omKd1/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766911360025122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRvsJlrA9idvfmkPsKhXdw5c1EDdOyNuYuQ3uNUADlcAnVMJOyPqUbrHy4pi998DSnATbDVBE3FBm98oPatVTQgGOXwJFWn-V2n8A80UnbptKrzu4QmaN3MRHhXsvPps4Y65RjYMa77nG/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRvsJlrA9idvfmkPsKhXdw5c1EDdOyNuYuQ3uNUADlcAnVMJOyPqUbrHy4pi998DSnATbDVBE3FBm98oPatVTQgGOXwJFWn-V2n8A80UnbptKrzu4QmaN3MRHhXsvPps4Y65RjYMa77nG/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766908807328210" /></a><br />We took a drive into downtown Gallup for a walk around. If it weren't for the murals it would have been a waste of time. Apparently everything is closed in Gallup on Sundays. The murals were nice, though.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFDnwEiJboE8XPm6VukNfF47oIAkTpcEG2Rg0UksQ5Rd787RwRWyoij_-ebykfEy-MwZwa3NobbDMsEQV5Gswv_V2oTH2Kzyd7B3y-xjiPIbJXh7ZfbHSfDiCB7SKT4GagSwa4CpTOVfS/s1600/13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFDnwEiJboE8XPm6VukNfF47oIAkTpcEG2Rg0UksQ5Rd787RwRWyoij_-ebykfEy-MwZwa3NobbDMsEQV5Gswv_V2oTH2Kzyd7B3y-xjiPIbJXh7ZfbHSfDiCB7SKT4GagSwa4CpTOVfS/s400/13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766718821903682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvWJH9WdQmhCe7MxuW275aOpFyhCJIQWG_6S-82NdqyIKzXTIh3LccT-0ZIMsLAEkbQTwPHjKAi1GZNcvR8wkYsySNkDfHjXT2utqr0qdgNY8BWmZ4uUstfWlkR-IcgVKhT1S5Gcdwk79/s1600/14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvWJH9WdQmhCe7MxuW275aOpFyhCJIQWG_6S-82NdqyIKzXTIh3LccT-0ZIMsLAEkbQTwPHjKAi1GZNcvR8wkYsySNkDfHjXT2utqr0qdgNY8BWmZ4uUstfWlkR-IcgVKhT1S5Gcdwk79/s400/14.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766715160198530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD_U0Y7chS39LHzlfl3VmSAd9W3-vgBot2VQtx1UCGrIF3lXeu_1dc1x9yMmH_DKalBKMIu0hM5xq2mq4eO2lFWCsoJfPiTvdRb31QMaVKp-fGCpNyqotyStvi8Li6JamEtMj2Sa3hT4Q/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD_U0Y7chS39LHzlfl3VmSAd9W3-vgBot2VQtx1UCGrIF3lXeu_1dc1x9yMmH_DKalBKMIu0hM5xq2mq4eO2lFWCsoJfPiTvdRb31QMaVKp-fGCpNyqotyStvi8Li6JamEtMj2Sa3hT4Q/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766460719337826" /></a><br />The four of us enjoyed evening meals together, talking and playing board games until bed-time. It was great to have another visit, and we certainly hope that Jim and Julie will include Connecticut in their travels in the next year or two.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy377eNWOqN3jMdJismm7puKrKZhRJ6F3Zb3-0CyORvYMylTH0ioWfCRZR5E_wNYW8nx4KzQ8irLoustQ-d24hDDCLrQAdyDw5m81wSK7v5Pj9Wag3wqnlCh1bjzS77C1alEbDU-iAdYZ/s1600/15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy377eNWOqN3jMdJismm7puKrKZhRJ6F3Zb3-0CyORvYMylTH0ioWfCRZR5E_wNYW8nx4KzQ8irLoustQ-d24hDDCLrQAdyDw5m81wSK7v5Pj9Wag3wqnlCh1bjzS77C1alEbDU-iAdYZ/s400/15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5737766467876783106" /></a>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4518662784953578570.post-3941155676766109392012-04-26T20:07:00.013-07:002012-04-29T07:48:18.474-07:00Cottonwood & FlagstaffWe had to move camp at the end of our week with the Lawrence's because we couldn't get a spot at the campground in Sedona for the second weekend. So we moved out to Cottonwood, to Dead Horse Ranch State Park, where we had really enjoyed staying before.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBqIZOQEEOMA3hcxRASnJX3jvHqhyB4CbUdVWEM9-mx02EWhAfisjuCasfwCFmuuOH2U_RyPGmTcdiAm9WngcqU1eIXhx3faIzhNXCLIPmk8i7wXkTIAPct1Byp-ZXYwBEzgCFajrOjh3/s1600/05.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBqIZOQEEOMA3hcxRASnJX3jvHqhyB4CbUdVWEM9-mx02EWhAfisjuCasfwCFmuuOH2U_RyPGmTcdiAm9WngcqU1eIXhx3faIzhNXCLIPmk8i7wXkTIAPct1Byp-ZXYwBEzgCFajrOjh3/s400/05.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736828754182426002" /></a><br />After saying our goodbyes to our dear friends, we settled in to enjoy a quiet weekend, trying to keep cool as temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees. Our air conditioner has a hard time when it gets over 90 - we're lucky if it cools us by 10 degrees, but it still feels good compared to being out baking in the sun.<br /><br />One of the visitors to our camp, a Gambel's Quail:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxJh9vDqeldmZe4-85LBiQliMK486vV6pF-YIOuvxn7Oq8DgbzsnSvGhcavlbqWxRL3T6xUJoVbd6i0b8_jL9FgW3U5tMr-ftTHw9yuxXqGcoKBUzjwrcjr5ej7WGtZeGxFT6WF2FTY2B/s1600/04.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxJh9vDqeldmZe4-85LBiQliMK486vV6pF-YIOuvxn7Oq8DgbzsnSvGhcavlbqWxRL3T6xUJoVbd6i0b8_jL9FgW3U5tMr-ftTHw9yuxXqGcoKBUzjwrcjr5ej7WGtZeGxFT6WF2FTY2B/s400/04.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736829272572808402" /></a>We also had jackrabbits, desert cottontails, hummingbirds and a roadrunner.<br /><br />I loved the mountain bike trail loop at this park, and was determined to ride it again, so both of the next two mornings I got up early and was on the trail before 7:00AM. Hot air balloons were visible each morning as well - I guess the aeronautics of ballooning are best before the desert heats up. Anyway, the trail was great as ever: a fairly gradual climb of about 3 miles, with great views of the valley and the mountains to the west...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYa-Ni1GT4MPDxrdWTGlYVsFJKM7AqUGYWA-Gy2c86B0HmjWEX6Jeisb7uJawcGqVaueJlek_i2VBCHItnTN4xZRk3MjnKfs1m29EkqPIiOQHrdxKjHXopyXWirMkrg2Ge1na892Lt76a/s1600/02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYa-Ni1GT4MPDxrdWTGlYVsFJKM7AqUGYWA-Gy2c86B0HmjWEX6Jeisb7uJawcGqVaueJlek_i2VBCHItnTN4xZRk3MjnKfs1m29EkqPIiOQHrdxKjHXopyXWirMkrg2Ge1na892Lt76a/s400/02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736829288620681154" /></a><br />...then another 3-ish miles of rolling terrain, and then the last 3 miles of brilliant downhill singletrack, chock full of sweet turns, ledges and drops - such a blast!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTKXy3PaC4ETHf9l7rouQipZWOVhrkwuKlRHuT0uUhirve9Gl6NpMgTeHvNF9tClGezapJcl3Szvqr8BGMkWJ8PLmlIJXSMeRrzClVDmCuW4_-219JHYcTYOPN10uuthW_SmNJVQe_PIi/s1600/03.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTKXy3PaC4ETHf9l7rouQipZWOVhrkwuKlRHuT0uUhirve9Gl6NpMgTeHvNF9tClGezapJcl3Szvqr8BGMkWJ8PLmlIJXSMeRrzClVDmCuW4_-219JHYcTYOPN10uuthW_SmNJVQe_PIi/s400/03.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736829280931609394" /></a><br />We pretty much holed in during the hottest part of the day, heading out when the sun got lower late in the afternoons to walk the dogs and let them swim in the Verde River that flows through the park.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKTqCaEJbTkAYDjuEbs1b7Fu2jNGlY0jnAYFW8WFeoP_MoGIwiHwytOZxq4LiNh3jCMSsHeF7JQIjjS0o5eGel6XiUznMs1Y6SPsoZDsN3yXNE_8s_zLzeHaFlbBFBFPKbtuFUVhFBeSE/s1600/06.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKTqCaEJbTkAYDjuEbs1b7Fu2jNGlY0jnAYFW8WFeoP_MoGIwiHwytOZxq4LiNh3jCMSsHeF7JQIjjS0o5eGel6XiUznMs1Y6SPsoZDsN3yXNE_8s_zLzeHaFlbBFBFPKbtuFUVhFBeSE/s400/06.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736828749538506306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmOJF20oGuHayo482kHPKxinRYggxHtL_TpGPakYl-eEJJf47aDp8iRliFw0mC8bPjzV-2QjBZvU2J868JZX17lupbjx_if0FNq3bdVIqKlXmnOWhNbLXZv7kxaNnnt3uhaj9l1vvzN40/s1600/01.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmOJF20oGuHayo482kHPKxinRYggxHtL_TpGPakYl-eEJJf47aDp8iRliFw0mC8bPjzV-2QjBZvU2J868JZX17lupbjx_if0FNq3bdVIqKlXmnOWhNbLXZv7kxaNnnt3uhaj9l1vvzN40/s400/01.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736829297215718450" /></a><br /><br />Our next stop was just over an hour's drive up (literally, over 3000 feet higher) to Flagstaff. Our friends Tommy & Danielle live there, and we were happy to be able to visit them again, see their home and home-town.<br /><br />Tommy took us on a mountain bike ride, one that suited Nancy's tastes - Campbell Mesa. Danielle, 30 weeks pregnant, has wisely hung up her bike until after the little one emerges. At the trailhead we found that there was a controlled burn going on, which closed most of the trail system to us, but we made the best of it and still enjoyed a nice ride.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAw9el77XSE7KzVKT_Wq6Yh9Tq-dL2-jN5JnZoTUH9YvYLauHZgcfUU_Np96zJieqY77NzDEwO9A3dsBbDZihytRG93xiroQeMVtpAqmlYuRE_3oWL8T-LYfWP4p2mIv8eH42hHO-B7_xz/s1600/07.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAw9el77XSE7KzVKT_Wq6Yh9Tq-dL2-jN5JnZoTUH9YvYLauHZgcfUU_Np96zJieqY77NzDEwO9A3dsBbDZihytRG93xiroQeMVtpAqmlYuRE_3oWL8T-LYfWP4p2mIv8eH42hHO-B7_xz/s400/07.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736828743988518306" /></a><br />The next day we ventured into downtown Flagstaff, and really liked it. Lots of art shops and galleries, outfitters and restaurants. It had a vibrant atmosphere, friendly and unpretentious. It's proximity to real mountains (12000' Humphrey's Peak is practically in the city) gives it a mountain town feel, yet a half hour drive gets you down off of the plateau and into summery southern-Arizona weather. Sedona is close; the Grand Canyon is close. There's trails everywhere, and most people use them. Flag is added too our short list of favorite places - one's we'd like to get to know better.<br /><br />Scenes from Flagstaff:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aRkDCmD7jOn04ulVb1ekP8ZkAISmg_bUKZzGjACUL8WX0MvgZ7lkC5Z1OWakYtP0QWo9SkBbxdKJHByCG91Wih3L-0OK0ljYrnzUtl6EXABTI-X8KTa1mqdV0AeH0iE3EHziZJv96V1u/s1600/08.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aRkDCmD7jOn04ulVb1ekP8ZkAISmg_bUKZzGjACUL8WX0MvgZ7lkC5Z1OWakYtP0QWo9SkBbxdKJHByCG91Wih3L-0OK0ljYrnzUtl6EXABTI-X8KTa1mqdV0AeH0iE3EHziZJv96V1u/s400/08.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736828736638657266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGZVEEeNyVClec4DikA7OjAnIwNnMTmAoH9lqHoqruHp3Aw4fqjZsXcaqLyWZmQxkXplaq4n6a8nIFKlwW-6vjd8qzb6XGfFInrpZbVZU-PVVAcTHKoqzcx2LBoMBI4dgghQ3kBwSAZRg/s1600/10.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGZVEEeNyVClec4DikA7OjAnIwNnMTmAoH9lqHoqruHp3Aw4fqjZsXcaqLyWZmQxkXplaq4n6a8nIFKlwW-6vjd8qzb6XGfFInrpZbVZU-PVVAcTHKoqzcx2LBoMBI4dgghQ3kBwSAZRg/s400/10.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736828731445662498" /></a><br />Car paint ruined? Try duct tape as an exterior finish:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkfvAHqu2GPmV_hoOry1w6PXYfhzz2nHzUHj6yzwUzIg6ZuClPA7DpcRlnEzLmSErR3dSS8Pl2VDChmOVNeZwb49nwfjC8eHOhogf2XuaSu022UiKO6jfFxFzVdNet0OMehKRjcxMLqd-/s1600/11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkfvAHqu2GPmV_hoOry1w6PXYfhzz2nHzUHj6yzwUzIg6ZuClPA7DpcRlnEzLmSErR3dSS8Pl2VDChmOVNeZwb49nwfjC8eHOhogf2XuaSu022UiKO6jfFxFzVdNet0OMehKRjcxMLqd-/s400/11.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736826837955155346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VtUwj4VBQIitMoNem-5DWChSHP3uMjxJvTgwZJ28fdJ_If17aOR9t9nZphGZhJOlZP3Nyp5nry_HXTUUtJU-xCeMa-pWpVI9JLh82fw-An0tlz8j9bPr2xTbuz-xa9e2W1iJ-MSYJvSG/s1600/12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VtUwj4VBQIitMoNem-5DWChSHP3uMjxJvTgwZJ28fdJ_If17aOR9t9nZphGZhJOlZP3Nyp5nry_HXTUUtJU-xCeMa-pWpVI9JLh82fw-An0tlz8j9bPr2xTbuz-xa9e2W1iJ-MSYJvSG/s400/12.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736826836543707682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFFtPmeQ3QznIN7V3TMx81frOaV337kM1L88D8zUv_G4iC-vI4NbFPKpuBgd3Hl0UmJt179BvLqEEjAUuj3sSbmN9ZwXnUh8MgfEbbPIi-4Us_IDg-s9y0MQlb3cZIF5nxpt-wfx2HlJF/s1600/13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFFtPmeQ3QznIN7V3TMx81frOaV337kM1L88D8zUv_G4iC-vI4NbFPKpuBgd3Hl0UmJt179BvLqEEjAUuj3sSbmN9ZwXnUh8MgfEbbPIi-4Us_IDg-s9y0MQlb3cZIF5nxpt-wfx2HlJF/s400/13.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736826820335322866" /></a><br /><br />Tommy and Danielle then took us up the mountain where the four of us, along with Toby and Haley (T&D's charming hiking shih-tzu) and we went for a nice gentle hike, perfect for little white dogs and pregnant ladies! Back down in Flag, we settled in for a great evening at their house, were we were served grilled steak tacos - mmmmmm!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOcCfeN3ug5revacXdyc_l0H2NnXU96-F6eY59GvSCQKmv3bAaQiYFRd2iaZm_AEU3Vb3flJxM4DH1mHrcmUl5fhum2TArl8DhWLr97FbpC7xLlJakXmenINaGrqIuc_GndDN6gZ4zXdk/s1600/16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOcCfeN3ug5revacXdyc_l0H2NnXU96-F6eY59GvSCQKmv3bAaQiYFRd2iaZm_AEU3Vb3flJxM4DH1mHrcmUl5fhum2TArl8DhWLr97FbpC7xLlJakXmenINaGrqIuc_GndDN6gZ4zXdk/s400/16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736826818298955538" /></a><br />Our last day in Flag the weather turned ugly. Although the day dawned clear and mild, the wind picked up, scudding clouds filled the sky, the temperature dropped into the 30s, and all day long we got alternating rain, sleet, snow, hail, and sun! We did some laundry and shopping, then met T & D downtown for happy hour drinks and sushi at <a href="http://karmaflagstaff.com/">Karma</a>. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFyhzyc2Hg_qgEtW0TMc-FZn68LZ8BJEuixDKaklKsv2Rw1ZvcrXgbVQhSATTMdxrpG5qwecUbT4FTM1hVyis0eP15yT3i0prZbSF-NiY_q7X2G__y5dWhRFT6IlXeei7nwlJpM3rItWm/s1600/18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFyhzyc2Hg_qgEtW0TMc-FZn68LZ8BJEuixDKaklKsv2Rw1ZvcrXgbVQhSATTMdxrpG5qwecUbT4FTM1hVyis0eP15yT3i0prZbSF-NiY_q7X2G__y5dWhRFT6IlXeei7nwlJpM3rItWm/s400/18.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5736826811773840466" /></a><br />It was a wonderful few days with great people in awesome Flagstaff. <em>"I pledge allegiance to the Flag..."</em>Matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03349708577209593368noreply@blogger.com1