tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89853785951726254142024-03-19T04:04:15.081-07:00Yellowstone NP RV 2009For those of you who are interested this is our Dream Trip, to travel across this Beautiful Country (Visiting as many National Parks as possible) of ours and end up Visiting our west coast branch of the Family.RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-15811493616332431942009-09-12T19:00:00.001-07:002009-09-12T19:10:06.244-07:00Day 102 HOME Campground Raynham, MA<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Saturday</p><p>September 12, 2009</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSES0IybI/AAAAAAAAFqk/LcTJ7fVz5Fs/s1600-h/IMG_5192%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5192" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSE93IQNI/AAAAAAAAFqo/qzSi7diEXbY/IMG_5192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>This morning Jewel and I did a little investigating and found there are <b>beaches</b> and some trails at this campground. <span style="font-family:Zola;font-size:7;color:#ff0000;"><strong><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSFXjntiI/AAAAAAAAFqs/x_thh8EYUac/s1600-h/IMG_5188%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSF75ZciI/AAAAAAAAFqw/bS0FQbmXtP8/IMG_5188_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></em></strong></span>Unfortunately it was raining and cold (welcome back to Massachusetts) so we did not get to enjoy them. It was a tossup if we were going to go back home via the <strong>Mohawk Trail</strong> or the interstate. The Mohawk Trail Region LINK:<br /><a href="http://www.mohawktrail.com/">http://www.mohawktrail.com/</a><br /> <a href="http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/byway/ma_mohaw.htm">http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/byway/ma_mohaw.htm</a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSG0YnoTI/AAAAAAAAFq0/PPJhzoLLeHs/s1600-h/IMG_5201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5201" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSHQCnbxI/AAAAAAAAFq4/-Co_AEpm95c/IMG_5201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The weather seemed to clear so we chose the trail. The Mohawk trail was the first designated scenic highway; boy you should see it now run down and dilapidated (past tense). When I was a young boy I enjoyed many happy times in this area. Half way thru the weather got ugly and we decided to take the interstate. We truly enjoyed ourselves and the visit with Kelly and her family was more than we could have dreamed of.</p><p>So until our next adventure sayonara.</p><p>We traveled 9,243.5 miles in the Motorhome and another 3,871 miles in the Jeep for a total of 13,114.5 miles of enjoyment. I think I snapped a picture for every mile. </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSIVyFw8I/AAAAAAAAFq8/Ugm-L6Si4Sk/s1600-h/IMG_5202%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5202" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSI6PEASI/AAAAAAAAFrE/ROwOFDMQBXU/IMG_5202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Good By, r0n and Deb</p><p> </p><p><strong><em>I captured a picture of this Dead Leave it reminded me of the END to our trip.</em></strong> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Zola;font-size:7;color:#ff0000;"><strong><em></em></strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Zola;font-size:7;color:#ff0000;"><strong><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSJ2Q16rI/AAAAAAAAFrI/zQotIV9_Mag/s1600-h/IMG_5194%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5194" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxSKuJ227I/AAAAAAAAFrM/3RhVf41BfbI/IMG_5194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </em></strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Zola;font-size:7;color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>THE END</em></strong></span></p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-13025271099828556262009-09-12T18:28:00.001-07:002009-09-30T16:12:22.440-07:00Day 101 Historic Valley Campground North Adams, MA<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Friday</p><p>September11, 2009</p><p>Welcome to the City of North Adams’ LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.northadams-ma.gov/">http://www.northadams-ma.gov/</a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKf4XQQSI/AAAAAAAAFoc/Z60J2qq4waA/s1600-h/IMG_5182%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5182" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKhBLLMqI/AAAAAAAAFog/U-vMIlvFtXQ/IMG_5182_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKh0jYGgI/AAAAAAAAFok/nrJWEF11xHg/s1600-h/IMG_5183%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5183" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKil5vgPI/AAAAAAAAFoo/EbhQblYxG4E/IMG_5183_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>We have made a couple of attempts to get to the top of <strong>Mount Greylock</strong> and hopefully this stop will result in success,. The first time Ron tried the climb to Greylock in the Columbus MH but that turned out badly. The poor Columbus was struggling and straining to get up that mountain and we finally had to turn around. The second time the road was closed due to construction.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKju-nNBI/AAAAAAAAFos/Eij2WVVmFc4/s1600-h/IMG_5158%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5158" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKkDcy75I/AAAAAAAAFow/rgqVUs2A40w/IMG_5158_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKkznrrsI/AAAAAAAAFo0/VrtrSmZaBI4/s1600-h/IMG_5159%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5159" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKleklyfI/AAAAAAAAFo4/o9xTHL3uMjA/IMG_5159_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKmSA7DiI/AAAAAAAAFo8/Ut32M35_ZWs/s1600-h/IMG_5174%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5174" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKnO6U3cI/AAAAAAAAFpA/VYvyjmQbsG4/IMG_5174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The weather hasn’t looked too promising since arriving at the CG and the weather forecast is for rain. We wasted no time getting out the door and our first stop was at the <strong>Natural Bridge State Park</strong>. The Natural Bridge is made of marble and the dam is the only marble dam in the country. It s quite spectacular and different from any dam we have seen. </p><p>Natural Bridge State Park LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/nbdg.htm">http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/nbdg.htm</a></p><p>Western Gateway Heritage State Park LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/wghp.htm">http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/wghp.htm</a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKn5FdzKI/AAAAAAAAFpE/t5nBta9qTew/s1600-h/IMG_5131%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5131" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKoU8-tOI/AAAAAAAAFpI/trwVJJGq-PY/IMG_5131_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKpbVdSEI/AAAAAAAAFpM/eUtZvMWniwM/s1600-h/IMG_5135%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKp-e63XI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/1P4w1QdPoNs/IMG_5135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKqne1pWI/AAAAAAAAFpU/keQWj5lfxks/s1600-h/IMG_5137%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5137" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKrGIErnI/AAAAAAAAFpY/nEJFdvvZhYU/IMG_5137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKr5NXqDI/AAAAAAAAFpc/bqR_pGL0ek4/s1600-h/IMG_5144%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5144" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKsvV0aEI/AAAAAAAAFpg/EEv6hyLpyf0/IMG_5144_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Then it was on to the <strong>Hoosac Tunnel</strong>, or so we thought. Although we had it plugged into the TomTom we were unable to locate it. We drove around for about 30 minutes with no luck so we headed up to Mount Greylock.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKs6bZ9MI/AAAAAAAAFpk/s2nDiUTJA44/s1600-h/clip_image001%5B3%5D.gif"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="21" alt="clip_image001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKtcS4SWI/AAAAAAAAFpo/2YIdIWx5vhI/clip_image001_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/">http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock/</a></p><p>The weather was deteriorating and the higher we climbed the fog thickened. By the time we reached the summit you could only see about two feet in front of you. We didn’t let a little weather stop us so we headed to the <strong>Bascum Lodge</strong> that was built by the CCC’s during the depression. The <strong>fireplaces</strong> in the lodge are beautiful and you can spend the night in the lodge if you choose to.</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKt9R3T6I/AAAAAAAAFps/NrKyoy3Ywg8/s1600-h/IMG_5163%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5163" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKuQn0WGI/AAAAAAAAFpw/z9SIyTzxYZI/IMG_5163_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKvEK2gMI/AAAAAAAAFp0/ejxHuWRlehQ/s1600-h/IMG_5160%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKvpEVpjI/AAAAAAAAFp4/SDY3G3JBNow/IMG_5160_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKwcEpQBI/AAAAAAAAFp8/VJ2Q-FlOiBQ/s1600-h/IMG_5161%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5161" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKw6U6d4I/AAAAAAAAFqA/i85rXnZGRZU/IMG_5161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"><em>r0n NOTE: the ranger attempted to get the $3.00 parking fee from us but I explained to him we had a Senior Mass Pass. (get outa here)!</em></span></p><p> </p><p>Back outside we walked to the lighthouse through the dense fog a <strong>Massachusetts Veteran’s War Memorial</strong> that was erected as a monument to the men and women who fought in our armed services.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKxb5DQ4I/AAAAAAAAFqE/ds3uxibWBt4/s1600-h/IMG_5164%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKx4TvzBI/AAAAAAAAFqI/k_RzxBzAVRw/IMG_5164_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKyRPH2xI/AAAAAAAAFqM/2cN4QOJQnLk/s1600-h/IMG_5166%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKy9nGonI/AAAAAAAAFqQ/E-XQ9oKf2BY/IMG_5166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICK ON VIDEO:</span></strong></p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzpIN4VOjEaQHz04TTWLE58Mmyz6ZEdv6hLoqHFPNNaoxkJx-K4HYL_ZKNYQyGTk_ArE8Uv3S7qkaErDQPiyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>The trip back down the mountain was very interesting. The <strong>fog was really thick</strong> making seeing very difficult. It’s always an adventure for us.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxKzo7nruI/AAAAAAAAFqU/IZTRqMSUHqg/s1600-h/IMG_5177%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5177" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxK0FRbUHI/AAAAAAAAFqY/mRquAwSE4Jw/IMG_5177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Back at the MH Ron was intently looking for that <strong>Hossac Tunnel</strong>. </p><p>Welcome to HoosacTunnel.net.LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.hoosactunnel.net/index.php">http://www.hoosactunnel.net/index.php</a></p><p> </p><p>He finally found what he was looking for and of course has to seek it out. The tunnel is on private land owned by the railroad and there are no trespassing signs. Of course Ron ignored those and made his trip to the tunnel along the railroad tracks. I waited in the car for the fast getaway if needed. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxK0wKPrkI/AAAAAAAAFqc/bGAbO-ECqgI/s1600-h/IMG_5186%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5186" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxK1rbQNpI/AAAAAAAAFqg/xRYXkfhSidQ/IMG_5186_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Back at the MH and with his curiosity satisfied we had our last dinner on the road. Tomorrow we will be back home. Ron is not happy about returning home and would like to stay on the road permanently. We have a lot of planning to do if that is our next move. </p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-57998879319430974392009-09-12T17:57:00.001-07:002009-09-12T17:57:55.200-07:00Day 100 Rest Area Worcester, NY<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Thursday</p> <p>September10, 2009</p> <p>  WOW, it’s hard to believe it has been 100 days since we started on this great journey of ours. It has flown by so fast and the summer is almost completely behind us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDNUyNhJI/AAAAAAAAFmU/k7ruTe1mJrw/s1600-h/IMG_5120%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5120" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDN-XBn5I/AAAAAAAAFmY/ZzJCW0QG4PY/IMG_5120_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We left <strong>Watkins Glen</strong> around 10:30 am heading down the road to the <strong>Corning Glass Museum</strong> in Corning, NY. I was expecting a replication of the Corning Glass Factory from years ago but was pleasantly surprised to find several phenomenal glass exhibits including 35 centuries of glass on display.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDOR5Q43I/AAAAAAAAFmc/GpjBw0HUeDg/s1600-h/IMG_4999%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4999" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDPAtl-FI/AAAAAAAAFmg/n61XO8o-mJE/IMG_4999_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDPhgVmuI/AAAAAAAAFmk/7Pzslbl4fd8/s1600-h/IMG_5003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDQEhdMMI/AAAAAAAAFmo/P7Mt02rPHQE/IMG_5003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDRjjjGiI/AAAAAAAAFms/AziHMnT8tbo/s1600-h/IMG_5025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDSi0v67I/AAAAAAAAFmw/bWz6fn-S08E/IMG_5025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The museum is enormous so we tried to get through in an orderly fashion so as not to miss anything. Many of the pieces caught our eye and we realized we do have eclectic taste. We liked anything from super modern to antique.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDTJiRVMI/AAAAAAAAFm0/onT--ORCPGI/s1600-h/IMG_5112%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5112" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDTsWrJJI/AAAAAAAAFm4/brYm5m37FN0/IMG_5112_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDUElTJkI/AAAAAAAAFm8/sc5lRvWKAmc/s1600-h/IMG_5111%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5111" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDU_9NLtI/AAAAAAAAFnA/GU2Wnemo0uY/IMG_5111_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>There was a <strong>chess set</strong> that was made up of glass figurines of religious figures that was absolutely beautiful. And, a museum of glass would not be complete without stained <strong>glass windows</strong> from Tiffany and Frank Lloyd Wright. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDWHOPorI/AAAAAAAAFnE/qZtoLX2mMZ0/s1600-h/IMG_5070%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5070" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDWuMns2I/AAAAAAAAFnI/S9ZwvYAJuSU/IMG_5070_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDXmo0ibI/AAAAAAAAFnM/vK_LVrV1BXY/s1600-h/IMG_5075%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5075" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDYAgKI3I/AAAAAAAAFnQ/9dQK3dB1A1I/IMG_5075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDZgjIfmI/AAAAAAAAFnU/dOwv-h_4rIs/s1600-h/IMG_5076%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5076" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDaIyfGtI/AAAAAAAAFnY/Vq_lyOKIg80/IMG_5076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDa73q_gI/AAAAAAAAFnc/-4H-23mgWyk/s1600-h/IMG_5079%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5079" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDbTb4CDI/AAAAAAAAFng/IG0tFaIMWjM/IMG_5079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDcCqQ_UI/AAAAAAAAFnk/DGzL5IVM_vE/s1600-h/IMG_5080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDcjmkrUI/AAAAAAAAFno/cvzA-YFDnOE/IMG_5080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We attended several <strong>glass demonstrations</strong> including a hot glass show where the young lady fashioned a great crab from blown glass. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDdSwAcNI/AAAAAAAAFns/YRMAAUVdu8U/s1600-h/IMG_5045%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDeEUELmI/AAAAAAAAFnw/A-i2yWGafcg/IMG_5045_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> She had done apprenticeships for several years with artisans around the world. Many of the artisans do a six -year internship in the glass blowing department at Corning or they come to Corning out of college with glass blowing as part of their college curriculum. We then attended a flame - working demo where the man made a <strong>beautiful horse</strong> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDeiwZytI/AAAAAAAAFn0/yIVquFfUfko/s1600-h/IMG_5064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDfLT_q_I/AAAAAAAAFn4/Qt5099N9vK4/IMG_5064_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDf87d46I/AAAAAAAAFn8/71tEZ-NWI6o/s1600-h/IMG_5067%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDgXgv6YI/AAAAAAAAFoA/ZUu5_56_UiM/IMG_5067_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> from a shaft of glass. Later we attended a glass breaking demo and fiber- optic demo that were both fun and informative. </p> <p>Back in the museum we pursued the remaining exhibits and were once again impressed by the talent of so many people. We were in the museum for over four hours and certainly could have spent more time there if we had wanted to take part in glass blowing our own ornament. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDhBVEe8I/AAAAAAAAFoE/GbWA7JdZX0w/s1600-h/IMG_5102%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5102" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDhltvvYI/AAAAAAAAFoI/d2038a0uA14/IMG_5102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDiZHwt3I/AAAAAAAAFoM/ZUTrroMTCRE/s1600-h/IMG_5084%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_5084" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDjK6UbHI/AAAAAAAAFoQ/vM6zeQgsgLc/IMG_5084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We didn’t get back on the road until 4 pm and drove for about three hours. We stopped for the night at a <strong>rest area</strong> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDj1wPFEI/AAAAAAAAFoU/ORLY7I8tAtw/s1600-h/IMG_5126%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_5126" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqxDkX_nhOI/AAAAAAAAFoY/QWUUGwcgx6Q/IMG_5126_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>and tomorrow we will be heading to North Adams.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-2630530388827837802009-09-10T19:07:00.001-07:002009-09-30T17:10:01.913-07:00Day 99 Watkins Glen State Park Watkins Glen, New York<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Wednesday</p><p>September 9, 2009</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwflJsvwI/AAAAAAAAFko/Mnu1fvGlwEA/s1600-h/IMG_4879%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4879" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwgEIiUeI/AAAAAAAAFks/fnokgBa0HyU/IMG_4879_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p>Today we drove the 90 miles to <strong>Watkins Glen</strong>. We have attempted to stop here on two different occasions but other factors prevented us from doing so.</p><p>Watkins Glen was craved by glacial waters moving through shallow river valleys leaving deep, steep sided throughs. That on-going process is responsible for what is now the park’s <strong>rugged gorge</strong> and spectacular <strong>waterfalls</strong> (19 of them).</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwhBlVaHI/AAAAAAAAFkw/MWj7H5x9MYw/s1600-h/IMG_4888%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4888" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmwh7hPwtI/AAAAAAAAFk0/V7C6O3ays44/IMG_4888_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwimGD2ZI/AAAAAAAAFk8/g74McLszWJA/s1600-h/IMG_4975%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4975" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwjQQ6kSI/AAAAAAAAFlA/9PCdPK0YqXc/IMG_4975_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwkG564AI/AAAAAAAAFlE/e6CPQbAotSA/s1600-h/IMG_4918%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4918" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwkiT1oqI/AAAAAAAAFlI/ZBq2fuIE3OY/IMG_4918_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></a></p><p> </p><p>To start our hike through the gorge we had to pass over a <strong>suspension bridge</strong> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwlgSYuSI/AAAAAAAAFlM/txc-obJuhNU/s1600-h/IMG_4887%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4887" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwmZ6OV_I/AAAAAAAAFlQ/cdtgozhnDU0/IMG_4887_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> which sits 85 feet above the gorge creek bed. During the great flood of 1935, the water rose to within five feet of the bridge. Now that’s a lot of water. </p><p>In the 1800’s, the dining room of the three story <strong>Glen Mountain House<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwnGqzs-I/AAAAAAAAFlU/KJjWkAl2uBE/s1600-h/IMG_4886%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4886" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmwn1FXBzI/AAAAAAAAFlY/ihwF-ef4UT0/IMG_4886_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong>peered over the gorge next to the Suspension Bridge and Lily Pod. Today the resort hotel is gone but we did see remnants of the building’s foundation. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The gorge is 1.5 miles long and hundreds of feet deep with <strong>19 waterfalls</strong>, two of which you can walk under (we did) with over 800 stone steps to climb. We were enamored with the beauty of the place and as always amazed at the <strong>geological aspects</strong> of the formation of the gorge.</p><p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwoWyb-rI/AAAAAAAAFlc/t47x7aNKAuA/s1600-h/IMG_4979%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4979" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwpIqVITI/AAAAAAAAFlg/keAveXJuWVM/IMG_4979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmwp906gdI/AAAAAAAAFlk/B_j-67AmWPI/s1600-h/IMG_4988%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4988" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwqqG13YI/AAAAAAAAFlo/EHKOzPFH_ag/IMG_4988_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We walked up the 800 steps for the 1.5 mile trek through the gorge and then we retraced our steps for the 1.5 mile trek back to the car. I lost count of the steps at around 1300 but I’m sure the <strong>1600 steps</strong> round trip was accurate. We enjoyed that wonderful walk and we are both happy we finally got to see the place. </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwrdNZtZI/AAAAAAAAFls/vBNt2Tl3eyo/s1600-h/IMG_4902%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4902" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwsDcP3eI/AAAAAAAAFlw/jB4so7WCytY/IMG_4902_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmws7UvDMI/AAAAAAAAFl0/6_dkoSg0t_k/s1600-h/IMG_4907%5B3%5D.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The walkways are ancient sea floors that are petrified.</span></strong> <img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4907" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwtaW72BI/AAAAAAAAFl4/6Y9TV1tgYGI/IMG_4907_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwuQ33abI/AAAAAAAAFl8/1BhqYN7dKyE/s1600-h/IMG_4909%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4909" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmwu2hQ7zI/AAAAAAAAFmA/X4YgsmWJkrQ/IMG_4909_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmwv1bJRAI/AAAAAAAAFmE/G6RFCDnbWwc/s1600-h/IMG_4951%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4951" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwyfrUSPI/AAAAAAAAFmI/MGOSwGgCVbg/IMG_4951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p>On the map there was an Iroquois Lodge noted. We have seen so many beautiful lodges associated with both state and national parks that we had to check this one out. Oh yes, did I mention that all those beautiful lodges were in the Midwest and on the West coast??? The lodge here was quite different – not a lodge at all but a long building with a roof to accommodate picnickers. I guess the definition of a place depends on where you are in the country.</p><p>Another wonderful day in our adventures with a great day of exercise for us both.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqmwzlVijnI/AAAAAAAAFmM/uGjbt98-jLc/s1600-h/IMG_4994%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4994" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sqmw0Tq1rNI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/KAU1CnFmsxA/IMG_4994_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>CLICK to SEE VIDEO:</strong></span></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxF7EvWdbu5yAH4N2I8J-1FTv_0ahE-TMg5-96isxnOdeBsbIsIngivDLJaXFRG9YXhqmuKNsbYe3kY7aHWNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-57617938016984632022009-09-10T06:57:00.001-07:002009-09-10T06:57:10.675-07:00Day 98 Letchworth State Park Mount Morris, New York<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Tuesday</p> <p>September 8, 2009</p> <p>Today we drove to <strong>Letchworth Sate Park</strong>, one of our favorite places to stopover. We have been to Letchworh at least twice before and it still holds the same intrigue for us. The park is beautiful with spectacular overlooks and waterfalls that still inspire despite seeing them for the third time.</p> <p>We stopped at a rest area along the interstate in Chautauqua, New York. What an incredible rest area. The visitor’s center was beautiful and the grounds spectacular over looking a lake. Jewel enjoyed running in the grass and we enjoyed the views and all the beautiful landscape and flowers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFO3_PAMI/AAAAAAAAFio/3q5E2_cKpAM/s1600-h/IMG_4839%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4839" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFPjFjUvI/AAAAAAAAFis/IycMlGi7vOc/IMG_4839_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFQu4RoDI/AAAAAAAAFiw/F_HybV-TFe4/s1600-h/IMG_4843%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4843" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFRamQn3I/AAAAAAAAFi0/IYrLCKiZPUg/IMG_4843_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFSqhmP7I/AAAAAAAAFi4/A5PaMmA2xXU/s1600-h/IMG_4844%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4844" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFTWaeHPI/AAAAAAAAFi8/af0S9MfX0Jk/IMG_4844_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFVIfaUaI/AAAAAAAAFjA/HQJ_TrT8Dhs/s1600-h/IMG_4845%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4845" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFWc8dAPI/AAAAAAAAFjE/_z_P1vd8jeU/IMG_4845_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFXeCG8-I/AAAAAAAAFjI/nL3Z392-ZXU/s1600-h/IMG_4846%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4846" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFX4UBvzI/AAAAAAAAFjM/tITzOwqVAho/IMG_4846_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFZbGB8UI/AAAAAAAAFjQ/_W7JuVSZurc/s1600-h/IMG_4847%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4847" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFaFbCsKI/AAAAAAAAFjU/atVh8YwuF1Y/IMG_4847_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFbKJ1bZI/AAAAAAAAFjY/8CTV1QMhmlc/s1600-h/IMG_4851%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4851" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFb5GHhEI/AAAAAAAAFjc/fouHUSyLU94/IMG_4851_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFcU05t9I/AAAAAAAAFjg/Lvz-5M4azaw/s1600-h/IMG_4854%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4854" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFdG1wWII/AAAAAAAAFjk/PcI6TfBrS6Y/IMG_4854_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFeS8qO_I/AAAAAAAAFjo/60ZvpLcW7kw/s1600-h/IMG_4858%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4858" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFfHdGB7I/AAAAAAAAFjs/j5-vnpvyExw/IMG_4858_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFhXBSLjI/AAAAAAAAFjw/8UuYLKhT15o/s1600-h/IMG_4860%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4860" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFh8vBrYI/AAAAAAAAFj0/ZHqo9xdUieM/IMG_4860_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFioAFO_I/AAAAAAAAFj4/p7zgZ30Xaic/s1600-h/IMG_4861%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4861" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFjTGnDtI/AAAAAAAAFj8/gQz4swtR4Lw/IMG_4861_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><font face="Twentieth Century SemiBold" size="5"><strong>Lunch along road.</strong></font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFlDAhNFI/AAAAAAAAFkA/Q3XCK2DhrJw/s1600-h/IMG_4863%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4863" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFlyIxamI/AAAAAAAAFkE/8Gp90gfkHp0/IMG_4863_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFm-6LQDI/AAAAAAAAFkI/9EI7m2_FqKk/s1600-h/IMG_4864%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4864" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFnjSWyrI/AAAAAAAAFkM/qFPRyjPaheg/IMG_4864_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We opted to eat dinner at the <strong>Glenn Iris Inn</strong> overlooking a huge <strong>waterfall</strong>. We have eaten there before and were impressed with the food and view. It was a little bit of a disappointment this time because the food wasn’t as good but OK anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFox6sjjI/AAAAAAAAFkQ/isN_vubmJkQ/s1600-h/IMG_4867%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4867" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFpYb1z6I/AAAAAAAAFkU/usJ13PyIyrk/IMG_4867_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFqSdMhAI/AAAAAAAAFkY/58GLZ5K89wM/s1600-h/IMG_4870%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFrelPBII/AAAAAAAAFkc/j-Aq8QeR0Cs/IMG_4870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFsWm9k4I/AAAAAAAAFkg/n8J4blGYh5A/s1600-h/IMG_4872%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4872" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkFtABI6EI/AAAAAAAAFkk/Q2oRJQ7xXs4/IMG_4872_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It is getting darker earlier and earlier so sightseeing in the park was limited. Back at the CG Ron is planning our next stop before getting home. He is having a hard time giving up life on the road and is trying to extend the 400 or so miles we have to drive for as long as possible.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-16721802758931452762009-09-10T06:34:00.001-07:002009-09-10T06:34:13.580-07:00Day 97 Geneva State Park Geneva, Ohio<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Monday</p> <p>September 7, 2009</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAGWZmt-I/AAAAAAAAFiI/M0Dzg4HdvCE/s1600-h/IMG_4834%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4834" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAHZ3Z3iI/AAAAAAAAFiM/y8AV1o5IRe0/IMG_4834_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkALY0vFQI/AAAAAAAAFiQ/1vxJvO6U3Fs/s1600-h/IMG_4833%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4833" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAMJ_AzDI/AAAAAAAAFiU/iY1ql3LXflQ/IMG_4833_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We headed out around 9 AM with cloudy skies and as the morning progressed intermittent rain showers. The farther east we travel the worse the weather has gotten. No more bright sunshine every day. We never thought too much about the humidity on the east coast but it is definitely quite annoying.</p> <p>The entire weekend we have been noticing the huge number of police out on patrol but Ohio has everyone beat so far. Every 50 miles or so another motorist was pulled over. Ohio must have an enormous state police force.</p> <p> </p> <p>We decided to stop at <strong>Geneva State Park</strong> for the night. The park sits on the banks of Lake Erie and since the holiday weekend is over we had no difficulty getting a site.  </p> <p>Lake Eire’s existence can be traced to the glacial era of Ohio’s geological history when the state was covered by ice over one mile thick. During the Pleistocene era continental glaciers advanced and receded from Ohio at least four times. The scouring action of the ice sheet created the lake Erie Basin. Because Lake Erie is a shallow lake, it becomes treacherous during severe storms. It can change from a serene quiet lake to raging and thundering in a matter of hours. </p> <p>We planned on <strong>walking along the beach</strong> and maybe even wading in the water but the weather was cold and drizzling so we just opted to stand and watch the lakes waves lap against the shoreline and the <strong>freighter</strong> traveling in the distance. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAPgjQHDI/AAAAAAAAFiY/bh0bv1TvzGM/s1600-h/IMG_4836%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4836" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAQgfIGXI/AAAAAAAAFic/MU_0B2p3YX8/IMG_4836_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAUIQWMqI/AAAAAAAAFig/KYcE9XJVzj8/s1600-h/IMG_4837%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4837" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqkAU5Llq8I/AAAAAAAAFik/smjyjjmkgGk/IMG_4837_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We took a ride to the beach town that reminded us of Salisbury Beach in New Hampshire. Despite it being late evening there were still quite a few people in the beach town on the last night of the Labor Day weekend.</p> <p>Back at the CG we had diner and settled in for the night. </p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-12095236997463647822009-09-07T18:10:00.001-07:002009-09-07T18:15:15.159-07:00Day 96 Rest Area Howe, Indiana<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Sunday</p><p>September 6, 2009</p><p>Ron found a great <strong>nature trail</strong> this morning while walking Jewel. He got some great pictures of the flowers and butterflies.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWuvqo1nVI/AAAAAAAAFg4/JXzhGfeNf1g/s1600-h/IMG_4826%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4826" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWuwRKA7-I/AAAAAAAAFg8/xGlOkshod4g/IMG_4826_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWuxu2c0UI/AAAAAAAAFhA/Q5J5CHbdsqs/s1600-h/butterfly%20IMG_4816%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="158" alt="butterfly IMG_4816" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWuyTuULkI/AAAAAAAAFhE/A3wYpNeRqwQ/butterfly%20IMG_4816_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu0w3EABI/AAAAAAAAFhI/psVaHVnjzi0/s1600-h/IMG_4817%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4817" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu15Ad16I/AAAAAAAAFhM/vqTjKNbIhXM/IMG_4817_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu4SiZ5dI/AAAAAAAAFhQ/y8EYH-h5gL8/s1600-h/IMG_4818%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4818" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu59kmTxI/AAAAAAAAFhU/K3mP7uWWAg0/IMG_4818_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu7MtmDHI/AAAAAAAAFhY/LzdVSzquhf0/s1600-h/IMG_4819%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4819" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu7xKaY0I/AAAAAAAAFhc/-A3WUcXkbxU/IMG_4819_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu8snv4WI/AAAAAAAAFhg/9ZjWChwfIbA/s1600-h/IMG_4821%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4821" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu9RCB5oI/AAAAAAAAFhk/TJtJdjPgQ-s/IMG_4821_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu-b7WleI/AAAAAAAAFho/j-qvpSzgMvs/s1600-h/IMG_4825%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4825" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWu-_M-r8I/AAAAAAAAFhs/ELOzX18Byl0/IMG_4825_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Note the No <strong>Smoking Sign</strong> – It’s the first of its kind we have seen.</p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvAmBdSsI/AAAAAAAAFhw/P7QYd-cAKPg/s1600-h/IMG_4827%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4827" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvBXUshmI/AAAAAAAAFh0/sduSiCc8jMk/IMG_4827_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>We continue our trek homeward with still nothing of interest to stop for. There are lots of <strong>cops</strong> on the roads making a lot of money for their respective states on this holiday weekend.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvCuvbtuI/AAAAAAAAFh4/P2WWxc0jZYs/s1600-h/IMG_4807%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4807" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvDU36EYI/AAAAAAAAFh8/TVb7sRNy_7A/IMG_4807_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>We passed through three time zones in the last three days and last night we entered the final – Eastern Time. It is getting darker much earlier and we both believe that we really are charged by solar power. With the longer days and sunshine we had tremendous energy – now we tire out much earlier.</p><p>We stopped at a rest area in Indiana and planned on spending the night. I was making dinner when the generator stopped running. We had what we thought was over ¼ tank if gas but I guess not. The generator won’t run at ¼ tank. Fortunately there was gas available and at $2.49 per gallon, not a bad price, but Ron decided to head down the road instead.</p><p>At the next rest area 29 miles down the road there was a Mobile Station – not BP and the price was $2.99 a gallon a full 50 cents more per gallon. What a rip off. Ron put in $50.00 worth and we will look for more reasonable gas tomorrow.</p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">r0n NOTE: Same State Same Toll Road, GO FIGURE?</span> </p><p>See the difference in the <strong>service area</strong> in Indiana. Makes you want to turn around and head west again.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvEdF6ONI/AAAAAAAAFiA/FiYXnjXsJEc/s1600-h/IMG_4832%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4832" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWvE0DC57I/AAAAAAAAFiE/xH0SJMnq2xU/IMG_4832_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-81190064142769745732009-09-07T17:34:00.001-07:002009-09-07T17:34:45.569-07:00Day 95 Rest Area Altoona, Nebraska<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Saturday</p> <p>September 5, 2009</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmhdL7bdI/AAAAAAAAFgY/thUNFXM4Cwg/s1600-h/IMG_4803%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4803" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmh1H08nI/AAAAAAAAFgc/ttkurHHCDAU/IMG_4803_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmjGlatzI/AAAAAAAAFgg/KaBKDP-ylAw/s1600-h/IMG_4805%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4805" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmkNHnDlI/AAAAAAAAFgk/aIs6HMnlXoc/IMG_4805_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Well we are in day two of the Labor Day weekend. Since every campground in the area is full to capacity and there really isn’t anything along the way to stop and see or visit we continued our journey home along I-80. The land is flat and road straight so we are able to make some decent time, especially since the speed limit is 75 MPH. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmlp7HpFI/AAAAAAAAFgo/TO8Gpl1_tHA/s1600-h/IMG_4808%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4808" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmmIOInaI/AAAAAAAAFgs/xqkiMRbOUPA/IMG_4808_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Along the route is a 65 million dollar privately <strong>owned arched bridge across I-80</strong>.  Of course you can’t get to it unless you take the exit past the bridge and reverse direction. We didn’t but we did get a picture or two of the bridge. We were surprised that the state would allow a privately owned bridge to nowhere be built across an interstate.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmoPrLq-I/AAAAAAAAFgw/evJpaL79sHw/s1600-h/IMG_4811%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4811" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqWmpBGv_DI/AAAAAAAAFg0/angZ89vhZ8s/IMG_4811_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-44790176107248775792009-09-05T20:50:00.001-07:002009-09-05T21:09:47.205-07:00Day 94 Wal-Mart Lexington, NebraskaCaptain’s Blog<br /><p>Friday</p><p>September 4, 2009</p><p></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxUwjnFrI/AAAAAAAAFfI/k0iyKLxh3Ug/s1600-h/IMG_47932.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4793" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxVaDJyRI/AAAAAAAAFfM/E0SV_1sdATY/IMG_4793_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p>Terry Bison Ranch is very interesting there is a small amusement park that looks like was built with old farm equipment and junk.</p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxWJ5GplI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/IROsL02B8qQ/s1600-h/IMG_47842.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4784" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxWU6FDVI/AAAAAAAAFfU/8sL-XEWBEW0/IMG_4784_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxXKD-aiI/AAAAAAAAFfY/_tPYsXDe6Ao/s1600-h/IMG_47852.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4785" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxXk8WRsI/AAAAAAAAFfc/lvmLLE-Lt34/IMG_4785_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxYCQbTsI/AAAAAAAAFfg/hLztVl8Ghv8/s1600-h/IMG_47862.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4786" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxYsBdqsI/AAAAAAAAFfk/HoG_9cRGPW8/IMG_4786_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxZsbV9dI/AAAAAAAAFfo/cthpDCg-iF0/s1600-h/IMG_47872.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4787" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxae3NucI/AAAAAAAAFfs/CgZWPJo329w/IMG_4787_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><br /><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxawYTz2I/AAAAAAAAFfw/XciD8SmOacU/s1600-h/IMG_47882.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4788" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxbXB3XRI/AAAAAAAAFf0/N-kown7PX8w/IMG_4788_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxcJBK9vI/AAAAAAAAFf4/mMzGmTx_8IY/s1600-h/IMG_47892.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4789" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxcr0DybI/AAAAAAAAFf8/5KfkfJde70E/IMG_4789_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxdWjTe1I/AAAAAAAAFgA/ev2ncP5mkCY/s1600-h/IMG_47912.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4791" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxd0tdjdI/AAAAAAAAFgE/HX6Izu2rOcU/IMG_4791_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><br /><p></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Zola;font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">r0n NOTE: I call it the Frankenstein Park!</span> </p><br /><p>We left the Terry Bison Ranch at Noon to make our back home via I-80 through the cornfields of Nebraska. As hard as we looked we could not find one thing of interest to do in Nebraska.</p><br /><p>We planned on staying in a rest area but they were very small, crowded and so close to the highway it was unnerving. We got lucky and found a Wal-Mart so opted to spend the night there, with a whole group of other RVer’s. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxeZTuzwI/AAAAAAAAFgI/vpVpR2e8bgc/s1600-h/IMG_479716.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4797" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqMxfTx296I/AAAAAAAAFgM/O4sveYIQ06s/IMG_4797_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>This particular Wal-Mart had set up and entire area for truckers only. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378201450611422530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-9Id8d3UxHBvfKDNKHwtee10akoajCqR9i_9NQHTLE06mMdMcX_QYlkSngeeXNZ3xtGiNkCGI0HFU_HGlO7wAuMP3Hy29mFzudgSeOJBCQOuuqRUDZNzK4BxFEp2kBNCR1ngOcHhGLMa/s320/IMG_4804.jpg" border="0" />What a great idea since the rest stops are lacking the space.</p><br /><p>Tomorrow it’s more driving/ riding. This is the hard part of the trip- the drive home with nothing exciting to see and do.</p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-47328604524041493212009-09-03T23:31:00.001-07:002009-09-03T23:31:05.602-07:00Day 93 Terry Bison Ranch and RV Park Cheyenne, Wyoming<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Wednesday</p> <p>September 3, 2009</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv3LPMfwI/AAAAAAAAFaA/IY2ffyoLmw4/s1600-h/IMG_4617%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4617" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv3k1o8EI/AAAAAAAAFaE/7755BxydOsM/IMG_4617_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv4TwJVWI/AAAAAAAAFaI/2I-RBLAxQ8U/s1600-h/IMG_4612%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4612" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv5OIbW6I/AAAAAAAAFaM/u399OXyKcTo/IMG_4612_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv5lDmNGI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/fSgUDXpPfiM/s1600-h/IMG_4614%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4614" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv6GFkESI/AAAAAAAAFaU/S_6-P6YKxTE/IMG_4614_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I was unable to sleep last night tossing and turning for hours. Then Ron woke around 3 am and had some serious gastric upset. He’s never sick so I was concerned. He finally settled down around 4:30 am and then we both fell asleep.</p> <p>The short ride to Cheyenne was uneventful. The traffic out here is negligible. The state is huge with only 500,000 people. No traffic jams or congestion here.</p> <p>Once settled in at the CG we headed into Cheyenne to check out the Cheyenne Depot and Cheyenne <strong>Depot Museum.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv6hLEJ0I/AAAAAAAAFaY/TgufoUt68S0/s1600-h/IMG_4626%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4626" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv7Tc997I/AAAAAAAAFac/b11V2QK0AmQ/IMG_4626_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv71lsB6I/AAAAAAAAFag/AoimNezaEHU/s1600-h/IMG_4629%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4629" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv8b5pRII/AAAAAAAAFak/4kurnIMNIEs/IMG_4629_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> A National Historic Landmark the former Union Pacific Depot has been restored to its original glory. The Museum exhibits and interactive displays retrace the rich railroad history that made Cheyenne what it is today. We enjoyed the displays and chronological history of the making of the Union Pacific Railroad. In its prime there were 5000 people working on the railroad maintaining and caring for the huge steam engines. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>With the construction of diesel engines the steam engine was no longer useful of cost effective so became obsolete. The majority of the engines were scrapped with 8 of the <strong>Big Boys</strong> remaining on display around the country.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv80wf8NI/AAAAAAAAFao/wuEJRisdTn4/s1600-h/IMG_4634%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4634" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv9uQ3D9I/AAAAAAAAFas/ZKQ5Z2Raifg/IMG_4634_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We then toured the <strong>Wyoming State Capitol Building</strong>. We got a parking space out front (no way this would happen in Boston) and were greeted with enthusiasm by the receptionist at the front desk. We did a self-tour of the building. The interior is beautiful and the intricate <strong>cherry wood working</strong> was done by the Amish. Since the Amish strive for perfection but will not allow themselves to be viewed as perfect (because in their belief only God is perfect) when completing the staircase they put one <strong>spindle in upside down</strong>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv-KL7GvI/AAAAAAAAFaw/uzE0u-zwf-8/s1600-h/IMG_4636%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4636" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCv-n_BfXI/AAAAAAAAFa0/cAsx71-1ioA/IMG_4636_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwBz9MPqI/AAAAAAAAFa4/cyeWjjYPJTM/s1600-h/IMG_4640%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4640" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwCZWNLKI/AAAAAAAAFa8/cOhwWP7A4QI/IMG_4640_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwC2LaUeI/AAAAAAAAFbA/CHAy2-DIWDY/s1600-h/IMG_4643%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4643" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwDhtGeDI/AAAAAAAAFbE/djmcktYAgXU/IMG_4643_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwEEM74PI/AAAAAAAAFbI/tVNUHr4Q5Nw/s1600-h/IMG_4645%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4645" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwElXVLDI/AAAAAAAAFbM/X6lxW_FKO3s/IMG_4645_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwFfm_QkI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/dbGVEBZlQn8/s1600-h/IMG_4647%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4647" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwF6_aboI/AAAAAAAAFbU/u6tqIVwJT0k/IMG_4647_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwGlN-ZbI/AAAAAAAAFbY/9MmSuPVunck/s1600-h/IMG_4654%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4654" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwHAGUBRI/AAAAAAAAFbc/07pmgc2a5wU/IMG_4654_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwH6zDlJI/AAAAAAAAFbg/nh6Kpd0MjKM/s1600-h/IMG_4644%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4644" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwIawrKMI/AAAAAAAAFbk/SOXUaanTem0/IMG_4644_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwIziqPPI/AAAAAAAAFbo/-Xo6HZ71wj0/s1600-h/IMG_4652%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4652" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwJpk7esI/AAAAAAAAFbs/NahTWXx8JYo/IMG_4652_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Next we toured the <strong>Historic Governor’s Mansion</strong>. The mansion was occupied by state Governors until the mid seventies. Preservation of history is huge in Wyoming so the house underwent a huge renovation and is open to the public for tours. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwKEO1R0I/AAAAAAAAFbw/GmdYizgR9aE/s1600-h/IMG_4674%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4674" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwK8T06lI/AAAAAAAAFb0/pXPu1rHo3Kw/IMG_4674_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We spotted some silverware on the tour and had to check out where it was made since we were both raised in the <strong>silver city of Taunton</strong>. The silverware was made at Reed & Barton and F.B Rodgers both Taunton silver shops. There was an odd piece and no one could tell what it was used for so we took a picture and will try to find out. The curator of the building was pleased to think she may be able to get an answer to the question she is always asked- what is that? </p> <p><strong><em><font face="Zola" size="5">The top when pushed down is a bell but what are those little pegs for?</font></em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwLa7AOWI/AAAAAAAAFb4/j4_RkTKj-E8/s1600-h/IMG_4680%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4680" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwMAPZZ0I/AAAAAAAAFb8/SY-YikpiuYQ/IMG_4680_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwMvORe3I/AAAAAAAAFcA/bEY63m1U4r0/s1600-h/IMG_4681%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4681" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwNjRK00I/AAAAAAAAFcE/xGoV5qLFTEA/IMG_4681_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwOB_JAKI/AAAAAAAAFcI/emXgPaGIKdo/s1600-h/IMG_4682%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4682" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwO7rQYzI/AAAAAAAAFcM/JBHK0STlU64/IMG_4682_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwPjn8aSI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/MuK3n9081Zo/s1600-h/IMG_4683%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4683" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwQIjq1ZI/AAAAAAAAFcU/Mj4CEaP3X2Y/IMG_4683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Next we stopped to see the Big Boy Steam Engine at Holiday Park. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwQyBnbSI/AAAAAAAAFcY/YUSXyQkrWUc/s1600-h/IMG_4688%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4688" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwRTOc3nI/AAAAAAAAFcc/oLSAdNzLaOk/IMG_4688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwSKGXuQI/AAAAAAAAFcg/lbEByFHIwjM/s1600-h/IMG_4692%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4692" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwShEvRwI/AAAAAAAAFck/c4JxXTzOj_U/IMG_4692_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Back at the <strong>Terry Bison Ranch CG</strong> we had dinner then <strong>took a walk around the property</strong>. The back of the CG is actually in Colorado. The CG has a huge farm with horses, ponies, pigs, ostriches, lamas, donkeys, <strong>camels</strong> (yes camels) chickens, goats and sheep and who knows what we missed. Oh yes, across he field more buffalo roam.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwTjaFUJI/AAAAAAAAFco/sarlSA1KlXM/s1600-h/IMG_4699%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4699" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwUM1jzRI/AAAAAAAAFcs/GPHJG0l00ig/IMG_4699_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwU6Ekn2I/AAAAAAAAFcw/LkDHo8Ypokc/s1600-h/IMG_4700%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4700" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwVd0WDRI/AAAAAAAAFc0/JES9VavPwsc/IMG_4700_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwYVRJCJI/AAAAAAAAFc4/ihojoPnsQBE/s1600-h/IMG_4701%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4701" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCwZBWI6qI/AAAAAAAAFc8/G97bIL2j5Qk/IMG_4701_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCx61ceS_I/AAAAAAAAFdA/otaQOTwsBao/s1600-h/IMG_4703%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4703" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCx82EetlI/AAAAAAAAFdE/Uvd97CtRSc8/IMG_4703_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCx9prz9_I/AAAAAAAAFdI/qTBAJwu4P_8/s1600-h/IMG_4724%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4724" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCx-Ri6FmI/AAAAAAAAFdM/yplWY5JlWeM/IMG_4724_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCx_lOaZTI/AAAAAAAAFdQ/E7DboHL5Qv4/s1600-h/IMG_4725%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4725" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyAXO-FWI/AAAAAAAAFdU/J7Qyg16posI/IMG_4725_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyMsXF5XI/AAAAAAAAFdc/cpd2pQiahnA/s1600-h/IMG_4730%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4730" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCynq3PHEI/AAAAAAAAFdk/m7S9XatdlIM/IMG_4730_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCypZTlb5I/AAAAAAAAFdo/C3welMGg0D8/s1600-h/IMG_47372.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4737" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyqRzC9lI/AAAAAAAAFds/nc6uttvAW0s/IMG_4737_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyrfps-cI/AAAAAAAAFdw/U-CZxhoh4Uc/s1600-h/IMG_47492.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4749" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCys4V8bII/AAAAAAAAFd0/absdRtP-Jqg/IMG_4749_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCytWHSHDI/AAAAAAAAFd4/Ik19KsmdRUQ/s1600-h/IMG_47522.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4752" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyuGIy8NI/AAAAAAAAFd8/A3buxPi9O3g/IMG_4752_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyuy7jG4I/AAAAAAAAFeA/rS3f9MNQva4/s1600-h/IMG_47552.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4755" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyveKamCI/AAAAAAAAFeE/5Hit1sAOdl4/IMG_4755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCywHAk4DI/AAAAAAAAFeI/SgPgLsklV3A/s1600-h/IMG_47642.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4764" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyw0hVmNI/AAAAAAAAFeM/1pQQB4aOnBQ/IMG_4764_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyxmWkLLI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/eVU5PBtmbCk/s1600-h/IMG_47692.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4769" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyyAk8QdI/AAAAAAAAFeU/hM82_6DP1XU/IMG_4769_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyymcwB0I/AAAAAAAAFeY/1G7pi42Q4mY/s1600-h/IMG_47702.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4770" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCyzYz11nI/AAAAAAAAFec/n9MSnclcdmY/IMG_4770_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCy2bjdJwI/AAAAAAAAFeg/KQK75fdL32k/s1600-h/IMG_47752.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4775" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCy27MvNvI/AAAAAAAAFeo/5ASw47pPDbY/IMG_4775_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It was a great day and tomorrow we start the ride home. We’re not sure what we will be doing because Nebraska has nothing to see along the route we are taking. So I guess it will be lots and lots of cornfields. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0Fw21XyI/AAAAAAAAFew/drEcIpQBdmw/s1600-h/IMG_47072.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4707" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0GWxTHyI/AAAAAAAAFe0/lLq48IItBe8/IMG_4707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0G8evDsI/AAAAAAAAFe4/EsCxpPnoWI8/s1600-h/IMG_47082.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4708" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0HoIrXVI/AAAAAAAAFe8/yIcjnOWnQ1k/IMG_4708_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0JbPWF7I/AAAAAAAAFfA/tGlInkpQydM/s1600-h/IMG_47732.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4773" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqC0Jy5sgsI/AAAAAAAAFfE/08oeIBdsRSc/IMG_4773_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-35007265974103120482009-09-03T22:19:00.001-07:002009-09-03T22:19:58.137-07:00Day 92 Medicine Bow National Forest Vedauwoo Campground, Wyoming<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Tuesday</p> <p>September 2, 2009</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCi3VE0eRI/AAAAAAAAFXo/0MVpWTN9ROo/s1600-h/IMG_4492%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4492" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCi8ryjHTI/AAAAAAAAFXw/b4bDUbquwSs/IMG_4492_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCi9AtIdqI/AAAAAAAAFX0/hmtp-TXkXDI/s1600-h/IMG_4496%5B4%5D.jpg"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCi94ljDhI/AAAAAAAAFX4/5YZeT1DUQOc/s1600-h/IMG_4530%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4530" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjBbKLB1I/AAAAAAAAFX8/nL8Zq3en6V4/IMG_4530_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4496" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjCASTjtI/AAAAAAAAFYA/WyzUSjSmP1A/IMG_4496_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We were up early so decided to take a ride to the <strong>visitor center</strong>. Ron had in his mind that he wanted to do some hiking but I was out of sorts and hiking was not on my list. After some discussion we forfeited the hike (at least for the morning) and took a ride around the area instead. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjDZtFwoI/AAAAAAAAFYE/gtBjl1MdrG0/s1600-h/IMG_4500%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4500" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjEHAOpsI/AAAAAAAAFYI/qsk3EDnNzF0/IMG_4500_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>This is the Old Lincoln Highway RT 30 this is the highest spot on I-80 8600 feet.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We toured the area and stopped by the <strong>Curt Gaudy State Park.</strong> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjEqewOGI/AAAAAAAAFYM/rLsK3Ao2lEQ/s1600-h/IMG_4504%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4504" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjFKo-AbI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/2X4YMMduzBE/IMG_4504_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> It was another beautiful park with sites by a lake. The area is big into fishing and hunting and most of the parks are set up to accommodate both.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjF6S0RKI/AAAAAAAAFYU/TFqyeH_XDxU/s1600-h/IMG_4506%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4506" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjGkC6DII/AAAAAAAAFYY/lsRbfEJ8LHg/IMG_4506_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Later we hiked the <strong>Box Canyon Trail</strong> and oohed and aahed over the rock formations. It was another beautiful day and we enjoyed being outdoors. We had planned on taking Jewel with us but when we called her to the Jeep (hates riding in the jeep) she opted to go into the MH and nap on the couch. ???????????????????????????????????????<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjIE1CzVI/AAAAAAAAFYc/byLwrtDqzdw/s1600-h/IMG_4525%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4525" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjJNEjGtI/AAAAAAAAFYg/VDMXMZ6rXzU/IMG_4525_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p>Later in the evening Ron took Jewel for a walk while I made dinner. They walked around the massive formation right by our campsite. And Ron informed me of all the beautiful <strong>formations</strong> I had missed. Jewel was a good guide dog and led Ron out of the woods on a trail she found.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjJ1UV5WI/AAAAAAAAFYk/ck0SfcxovSc/s1600-h/IMG_4533%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4533" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjKXjFeoI/AAAAAAAAFYo/B7pj5BxiV4M/IMG_4533_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjLQ3fnBI/AAAAAAAAFYs/3c_cEFm4Hzs/s1600-h/IMG_4536%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4536" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjLwJu-fI/AAAAAAAAFY0/WYfsip9wu3M/IMG_4536_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjM3ak1cI/AAAAAAAAFY4/CMnCooZxxD8/s1600-h/IMG_4561%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4561" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjQvL81iI/AAAAAAAAFY8/fe-kY6062iU/IMG_4561_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjRrQy9kI/AAAAAAAAFZA/nWI_5t_9iDk/s1600-h/IMG_4543%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4543" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjSODbfAI/AAAAAAAAFZE/S3OUv2IuYIU/IMG_4543_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjTBcyARI/AAAAAAAAFZI/u0CwiRuQ-2I/s1600-h/IMG_4574%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4574" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjT4RrsDI/AAAAAAAAFZM/a6wh1_YggFI/IMG_4574_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjU3li8GI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/JnD5A-CYynQ/s1600-h/IMG_4587%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4587" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjVhJfK8I/AAAAAAAAFZU/GbHMiuwRGuo/IMG_4587_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjWSeAhBI/AAAAAAAAFZY/4KPiaVeK0S0/s1600-h/IMG_4584%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4584" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjXavVOUI/AAAAAAAAFZc/ea6x2O9GmPA/IMG_4584_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjX53zSpI/AAAAAAAAFZg/poMNqJda10E/s1600-h/IMG_4588%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4588" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjYlO_65I/AAAAAAAAFZk/_DuUfnzKf6E/IMG_4588_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjZlCkiXI/AAAAAAAAFZo/UAkjGOFRyN8/s1600-h/IMG_4592%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4592" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjaVbCO_I/AAAAAAAAFZs/wHpCeYWIblY/IMG_4592_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>After dinner the storm clouds were rolling by and we heard some <strong>people yelling on the rocks</strong>. A young woman was rock climbing and she was trying to get down. Her friend was guiding her but she kept yelling she was afraid. Meanwhile the lighting was flashing in that big cloud above her head. We were afraid for her – not that she would fall but that she would get struck by lightening. She got a grip and rappelled down quickly. I think she was afraid of the lighting too.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjbAQ5LoI/AAAAAAAAFZw/LuEwAXiHdaU/s1600-h/IMG_4609%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4609" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjb-2rgAI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/pSBKGC5aZKA/IMG_4609_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjcfnBelI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/42v7cKwsqRU/s1600-h/IMG_4606%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4606" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCjc0DwrRI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/HPuN-OmMevQ/IMG_4606_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I don’t think I mentioned the woman Ron was helping out yesterday. We stopped for a break at a rest area outside of Laramie. Ron took Jewel for a walk and a woman in a van had a service dog with her. Jewel and the service dog got chummy and the woman told Ron she had a service dog because she falls all the time. As Ron was walking away the woman asked Ron if she was gong in the right direction to North Carolina. He thought she was kidding but later we saw her looking at her map so Ron brought his road atlas out to her and routed her to North Carolina. As it turned out the woman was a retired PA, has MS and is traveling the country with her dog. She was not only driving a fully loaded van she was towing a trailer with an outboard motor, had a zodiac and a surfboard and any kind of surgical equipment one might need. Don’t ask – we don’t know. At the campground she was re-arranging her stuff- lots and lots and lots of stuff</p> <p>About 30 miles down the road we stopped to gas the RV and who pulled in next to us but the same woman. Then after checking in at the CG we drove around to see if anyone else was there and guess who- yes the same woman – what are the odds – OK Kelly and Megan – 100%. LOL</p> <p>Tomorrow we plan to stop in Cheyenne and do some sightseeing there. </p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-82129895651291645592009-09-03T21:30:00.001-07:002009-09-03T23:43:25.413-07:00Day 91 Medicine Bow National Forest Vedauwoo Campground, Wyoming<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Tuesday</p><p>September 1, 2009</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCUdqoQShI/AAAAAAAAFUw/TSfryRtf4fw/s1600-h/IMG_4379%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCUejpBRsI/AAAAAAAAFU0/cr8SAQb-HGs/IMG_4379_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>We left the rest area this morning around 9:00 am. We can certainly make a day of a rest stop. We arrived in Laramie, Wyoming around noon and stopped at the local Wal Mart for groceries. We weren’t sure if we would spend the night at the Wal Mart or try to find a CG. They were none listed for the Laramie area so we thought Wally World would have to do. </p><p>We unhitched the Jeep and as we were preparing to leave for some sightseeing another couple in the MH next to us stopped to talk. As it turned out the man had been a North Dighton resident for most of his life. He moved to North Carolina and now he and his wife were in Wyoming trying to escape civilization. They came to the right place!!!!</p><p>They told us about a CG near the Vedauwoo’s but thought our MH was too big to get into the CG. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We left and headed to the <strong>Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic</strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCUfY0WGZI/AAAAAAAAFU4/VaSOkjs6P_4/s1600-h/IMG_4380%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4380" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCUvHMwWjI/AAAAAAAAFU8/y6BgWdMcJeU/IMG_4380_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> Site <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCVIAptoKI/AAAAAAAAFVA/phquMihAm9w/s1600-h/IMG_4385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4385" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCVJ9rlzFI/AAAAAAAAFVE/-dfWiGBZjpI/IMG_4385_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> (WTP) a prison that has undergone a tremendous restoration process. We did a self –guided tour through the prison and were duly impressed with the work that had been done. </p><p>Built in 1872, expanded in 1889, closed in 1903, the Wyoming Territorial Prison held numerous outlaws, male and female, old and young. We walked through the processing room where background info on each inmate was gathered with a photographic record taken.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The <strong>warden’s office</strong> was furnished with the aid of an 1897 inventory of the property and the wallpaper is an exact replica of the original. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCVT8EAW8I/AAAAAAAAFVI/EAuaPnwGteo/s1600-h/IMG_4396%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCVUiy1qXI/AAAAAAAAFVM/cGI-41h8XCI/IMG_4396_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We toured the cells in the north wing and rooms of the guards who lived at the prison. <strong>Caged overlooks</strong> adjacent to the guards’ rooms gave a full view of the forty-two cells.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXFbYMYbI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/3HykCL5zPRg/s1600-h/IMG_4400%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXHosIAWI/AAAAAAAAFVU/O5DE1JuWjfs/IMG_4400_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXJO8AsNI/AAAAAAAAFVY/PcrMTppMNI4/s1600-h/IMG_4401%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4401" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXLeQQUSI/AAAAAAAAFVc/XGsLV6PRgmQ/IMG_4401_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXMdoysXI/AAAAAAAAFVg/wfN-x9IXSdg/s1600-h/IMG_4412%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4412" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXNLjfoDI/AAAAAAAAFVk/SMQNqOAUVQY/IMG_4412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>There <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXO0Mc_rI/AAAAAAAAFVo/1t_P_vllLm4/s1600-h/IMG_4388%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4388" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXQDDH0mI/AAAAAAAAFVs/WHszh7cKjjQ/IMG_4388_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>was a hospital infirmary and a <strong>special women’s</strong> area <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXRJ4Hp2I/AAAAAAAAFVw/iUxDz7Gs8wU/s1600-h/IMG_4392%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4392" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXS4EyHxI/AAAAAAAAFV0/i02vsBEqT0g/IMG_4392_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>that contained two cells set up <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXTlxIZkI/AAAAAAAAFV4/qQlnrY2Mwyc/s1600-h/IMG_4389%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4389" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXUlAG00I/AAAAAAAAFV8/Z9-kiF0HtWg/IMG_4389_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a>as living quarters and a third fitted as a bathroom. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXb8KwN0I/AAAAAAAAFWA/I2EOe4hWT1s/s1600-h/IMG_4411%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4411" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXcpcmS8I/AAAAAAAAFWE/vjCAMyYcGo8/IMG_4411_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The WTP is the only remaining building of its type and now stands as a monument to the history of the American West and yes <strong>Butch Cassidy</strong> was slept there. </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXdSwVlCI/AAAAAAAAFWI/Du5vf92-TyM/s1600-h/IMG_4403%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4403" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXfolVbkI/AAAAAAAAFWM/SzwBofOfLuw/IMG_4403_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Within the confines of the prison was a <strong>broom factory</strong>. Restoration of the broom factory was completed in May 2009. The broom factory was cool and Ron even convinced me I <strong>could ride a broom.</strong> No luck though, I couldn’t get it off the ground.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXgYXiRcI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/uPIH_lL-BFw/s1600-h/IMG_4418%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4418" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXhCF8RwI/AAAAAAAAFWU/rVx7eN5HpDU/IMG_4418_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXh8fCN4I/AAAAAAAAFWY/O5oCx5lq0vA/s1600-h/IMG_4423%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4423" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXigkhrsI/AAAAAAAAFWc/am7vbYS-46M/IMG_4423_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Outside the walls of the restored prison is a <strong>Frontier Town</strong>:<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXjXchkEI/AAAAAAAAFWg/bjVYCFMQ0Fo/s1600-h/IMG_4434%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4434" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXl6tURCI/AAAAAAAAFWk/9gPAgI1g_B4/IMG_4434_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> Mercantile and Saloon. The town was recreated and is a composite of what an early town in Wyoming may have looked. The town was closed but we were able to look in the windows.</p><p>A horse barn on the property was constructed in 1910 for use of the University of Wyoming Stock Farm, later, an experimental station.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The <strong>Box Car House</strong> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXmUVgAtI/AAAAAAAAFWo/HjBljd6IERI/s1600-h/IMG_4382%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4382" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXnBD5DLI/AAAAAAAAFWs/hhrm0TzkB1Y/IMG_4382_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> was constructed from a leaky Union Pacific boxcar. Initially the boxcar sat inside the prison stockade and was used as a workroom. When the stock farm took over in 1903, they moved the boxcar to its present location and converted it to a home for the head sheepherder.</p><p>We then visited the <strong>warden’s home<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXnnokyyI/AAAAAAAAFWw/Jgg5OYHI0q8/s1600-h/IMG_4442%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4442" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXoYq5MHI/AAAAAAAAFW0/vDxtv16C8yc/IMG_4442_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong>that has been completely redone. It was a very nice home by anyone’s standard and very roomy as well.</p><p>All of the buildings are in some form of renovation. It is amazing how much money is being used to restore the buildings to an almost new condition.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXpFJPY1I/AAAAAAAAFW4/JqkkS7dnR70/s1600-h/IMG_4440%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4440" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXpmCQZSI/AAAAAAAAFW8/NZhhwR2Yhi8/IMG_4440_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p>After completing the tour we headed to the Weedauwoo Campground to see if our MH would fit. Ron doesn’t usually like to backtrack but he likes to get caught t in small spaces even less. As it turned out the CG was in a beautiful spot among the Weedauwoo rocks and the sites were more then big enough for our rig. So we headed back to Wal Mart to collect the MH and spend the night in a great CG. It was a National Forest so once again our senior discount applied. Yeah!!!!</p><p>Weedauwoo (pronounced Vee-da-voo) is an Arapaho word meaning “earth born.” Ancient Indians believed that the magnificent rock formations in the Pole Mountains area of the Medicine Bow National Forest were created by playful spirits.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXrXD3mnI/AAAAAAAAFXA/dN5kaNHHyZY/s1600-h/IMG_4453%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4453" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXsEiKz7I/AAAAAAAAFXE/ZKX4hzIDGKo/IMG_4453_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The area was considered a sacred place where young Indian men went on vision quests. The <strong>oddly shaped rocks</strong> form all sorts of shapes, mushrooms, balancing rocks, rounded knolls, lizards, faces, turtles – anything you might dream up. We saw Winston Churchill and Jimmy Durante as well as Snoopy and a giant shark. </p><p>The area is also teaming with <strong>rock climbers</strong>. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXs4LYWzI/AAAAAAAAFXI/R_GqB_wU0FE/s1600-h/IMG_4450%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4450" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXth2JGeI/AAAAAAAAFXM/ZUT2UhC3Cl8/IMG_4450_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> I’m not sure how they can climb those sheer walls but they do. It was amazing to sit outside our MH and be among the beautiful backdrop for the Weedauwoo.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>CLICK LINK:</p><p><a href="http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/borderland/">http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/borderland/</a></p><p> </p><p>After dinner we headed to the <strong>Ames Monument</strong> an unusual 60 foot pyramid shaped limestone behemoth. The monument stands alone on the prairie and watches over the lonely remains of the one –time rail town of Sherman. The monument was built in 1881 to honor the Ames bothers, Oliver and Oaks, who were influential leaders in the construction of the transcontinental railroad. The Union Pacific built the monument despite a scandal about the brothers and mismanagement of railroad money.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXueG4UzI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/mg61iTAJP_0/s1600-h/IMG_4468%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4468" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXuyErSxI/AAAAAAAAFXU/K2xjAK52Hp4/IMG_4468_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXvYiy_bI/AAAAAAAAFXY/Z8BlZ3iShxY/s1600-h/IMG_4464%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4464" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXwD87S3I/AAAAAAAAFXc/frkptUGSb50/IMG_4464_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXxE5PY_I/AAAAAAAAFXg/I7HRZ8Vlul4/s1600-h/IMG_4467%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4467" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SqCXxvrFlZI/AAAAAAAAFXk/37c0np58Jqg/IMG_4467_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Interestingly the Ames brothers were from Easton, MA. Oaks Ames former home sits on Borderland Sate Park in Easton. (See Link)</p><p>Back at the MH we marveled again at the beautiful rock formations and also at the fact that the CG was nearly empty. </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">CLICK LINKS:</span></strong></p><p>CLICK LINK:<br />Vedauwoo<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedauwoo">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedauwoo</a><br /> <a href="http://www.vedauwoo.org/intro.htm">http://www.vedauwoo.org/intro.htm</a></p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-40534733714406979012009-09-01T20:51:00.001-07:002009-09-01T21:16:29.824-07:00Day 90 Tabletop Rest Area Tabletop, Wyoming<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Monday</p><p>August 31, 2009</p><p>Wow, we can hardly believe we h<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3riCeD2NI/AAAAAAAAFTU/ef9tcnO03_c/s1600-h/IMG_4332%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4332" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rjMUav9I/AAAAAAAAFTY/rwnyL1XBEjQ/IMG_4332_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> ave been on the road for 90 days. It has flown by and we have been having a blast. It is great fun to get up in the morning and not always know where you will be sleeping that night. We have been to some great places and have seen so much that we’re in overload.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Today we continued toward Laramie, Wyoming and made a stop at the <strong>Fossil Butte National Monument</strong>.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rj5k762I/AAAAAAAAFTc/Lrcc93PYwx4/s1600-h/IMG_4347%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4347" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rkiTvcmI/AAAAAAAAFTg/V8NnJVwe5xQ/IMG_4347_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rlcDV8KI/AAAAAAAAFTk/ESJDpS8CQQU/s1600-h/IMG_4357%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4357" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rmKRPOJI/AAAAAAAAFTo/U5DFslUm7Zg/IMG_4357_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rmwCU0OI/AAAAAAAAFTs/OUBMOnVC5PQ/s1600-h/IMG_4355%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4355" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rnsalFdI/AAAAAAAAFTw/kN2fLue24UE/IMG_4355_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3roUNw93I/AAAAAAAAFT0/Ik444Bgq4cM/s1600-h/IMG_4361%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4361" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rpbMl1-I/AAAAAAAAFT4/xGAHjiXmggc/IMG_4361_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>“Three ancient great lakes existed in the region of Wyoming, Utah and Colorado 50 million years ago – <b>Lake Gosiute</b>, Lake Uinta and <b>Fossil Lake</b>, the smallest. All are gone today, but they left behind a wealth of fossils in lake sediments that turned into rocks known as the Green River Formation, made up of laminated limestone, mudstone and volcanic ash. The fossils are among the most perfectly preserved remains of ancient plant and animal life in the world.-----<b>Fossil Butte National Monument</b> preserves the butte and its invaluable, fascinating record of the past.”</p><p></p><p></p><p>The fossils on display were magnificent and without a doubt the best we have seen. They are so detailed that you can see entire skeletal structures, eye sockets and even the impressions of feathers. We were <b>totally amazed</b>.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rpzHN9FI/AAAAAAAAFT8/odHDhTcKA7M/s1600-h/IMG_4342%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rq8YanWI/AAAAAAAAFUA/TU4nHYhWX6k/IMG_4333_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rrkqXRrI/AAAAAAAAFUE/K7I1v5Z87jA/s1600-h/IMG_4336%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4336" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rsX3bRsI/AAAAAAAAFUI/aG73OOjOvDw/IMG_4336_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4342" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rs89JIFI/AAAAAAAAFUM/qvTPVT4HLqI/IMG_4342_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>......................................................................................................................................................................</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rt4PDMII/AAAAAAAAFUQ/WE1O6A20cBI/s1600-h/IMG_4350%5B4%5D.jpg"></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rvbPrwbI/AAAAAAAAFUY/iQBuAEqiMo8/s1600-h/IMG_4351%5B4%5D.jpg"></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>After watching a brief film on how the fossils are excavated we decided to take the 2.5 mile <b>Historic Loop Trail</b> hike that rises 600 feet to the site of a fossil quarry in the Green River Formation that was worked in the late 1960’s. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rw-a16wI/AAAAAAAAFUg/8peGCRMyIL4/s1600-h/IMG_4349%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4349" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rxYaYDgI/AAAAAAAAFUk/1TGvCv_0CtY/IMG_4349_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3ryMig9YI/AAAAAAAAFUo/1LZCFHzg-t4/s1600-h/IMG_4354%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3ry9pfntI/AAAAAAAAFUs/Hgs9GN6mwe0/IMG_4354_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Since dogs were allowed on the trail we decided to take Jewel with us. Unfortunately, about half the way up the Butte, Jewel developed problems breathing. She was really struggling and despite stopping and giving her lots of water she refused to climb another foot. It wasn’t hot but I think she dehydrated quickly due to her small body size despite us giving her water frequently on the trail. Ron carried her partway back down the trail and after about 15 minutes she was able to continue on her own. She really scared us and for a few terrible moments we though she might die.</p><p>Back at the MH she continued to breathe extremely hard for about one hour. Finally with rest and water she cooled and was back to normal. We never did get to the quarry but that was ok as long as Jewel was OK.</p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rt4PDMII/AAAAAAAAFUQ/WE1O6A20cBI/s1600-h/IMG_4350%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4350" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3ruXARSCI/AAAAAAAAFUU/W1DZ4KBmhRM/IMG_4350_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rvbPrwbI/AAAAAAAAFUY/iQBuAEqiMo8/s1600-h/IMG_4351%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4351" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3rwGbPicI/AAAAAAAAFUc/WQvXqhbxVaM/IMG_4351_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We drove for another two hours and spent the night at a <b>rest stop</b> along the highway out in the middle of nowhere. There was not another person there and it made us a little nervous. Ron had considered going down the road but there was nothing for at least another one-hundred miles. Finally some truckers and another camper pulled in for the night, so we had some company.</p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-20664288858166638792009-09-01T20:29:00.001-07:002009-09-01T21:02:07.186-07:00Day 89 Montpelier Creek KOA Montpelier, Idaho<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Sunday</p><p>August 30, 2009 </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mOb_9h0I/AAAAAAAAFRg/lPQLjYipvXc/s1600-h/IMG_4245%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4245" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mPGnWnkI/AAAAAAAAFRk/Tjd68LxtMTA/IMG_4245_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Last evening we prepared the MH for launch, but before leaving this morning we had to do one last hike on the <strong>Tree Mold Trail</strong> a 2 - mile loop trail through lava fields. Once again the scenery was breathtaking and the tree molds very interesting.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p>You could see the outline of the bark in the molds<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mRaZSLRI/AAAAAAAAFRw/gAVcveaVivk/s1600-h/IMG_4234%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="UPRIGHT" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mSFRcZhI/AAAAAAAAFR0/iR3jJbqr94w/IMG_4234_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a>. Despite how desolate the area is it always amazes us that out of the ashes and lava flowers will find a way to grow.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mTMv4bMI/AAAAAAAAFR4/Vnz12q6zRhM/s1600-h/IMG_4238%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4238" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mTzX1Y-I/AAAAAAAAFR8/MGDHPSQDheg/IMG_4238_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mPxdHE8I/AAAAAAAAFRo/vqtq5c6M9X0/s1600-h/IMG_4243%5B3%5D.jpg"></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p>We stopped at the </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mPxdHE8I/AAAAAAAAFRo/vqtq5c6M9X0/s1600-h/IMG_4243%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4243" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mQsqGACI/AAAAAAAAFRs/sgMJJcYl5zU/IMG_4243_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Idaho <strong>Science Center in Arco</strong> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mVxHcvmI/AAAAAAAAFSA/3_u-0b4b81k/s1600-h/IMG_4256%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4256" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mWi4RRCI/AAAAAAAAFSE/fnoTZDaWPD8/IMG_4256_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> where they have the “Hawkbill” Idaho’s submarine in the desert. We met and were fortunate enough to have a tour of the facility, that is a work in progress, with <strong>Clay Condit a physicist<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mXY7KGhI/AAAAAAAAFSI/aSCqFqzzpCs/s1600-h/IMG_4257%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4257" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mYK956LI/AAAAAAAAFSM/Gew0yWcDbKo/IMG_4257_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong>who worked on and developed the technology for the first atomic submarine. Interestingly, the development of nuclear submarines was done out in the deserts of Idaho. Clay was very informative and brought life to the history of the beginnings of nuclear power when politicians and environmentalist were not involved in the decision- making. Clay told us that he spent some time traveling around the country as a young man and had met Korczak, the man who sculptured Crazy Horse. He was invited to stay with Korczak and his family and was offered a job working the on sculpture. He declined but returns to Crazy Horse regularly to monitor its progress.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mY--ASAI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/Tob9lpZ9hxc/s1600-h/IMG_4274%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mZiOe4dI/AAAAAAAAFSY/5qbwJpFGn4g/IMG_4274_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3maaF8p7I/AAAAAAAAFSc/UFxZd62q4gs/s1600-h/IMG_4273%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4273" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mb0lsPpI/AAAAAAAAFSg/gptBH8rqh9Q/IMG_4273_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>After spending an hour or so with Clay we stopped at the <strong>EBR-I</strong> or Experimental Breeder Reactor-I. On December 20, 1951, EBR-I became the first nuclear power plant to produce usable electricity using atomic energy. After that day and until decommissioning in 1964, EBR-I generated enough electricity to supply all the power for its own building whenever the reactor operated. The goal of EBR-I was to prove that Nuclear power was a good source for electricity.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mcrHr59I/AAAAAAAAFSk/S7PHki_PI5Q/s1600-h/IMG_4272%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mddckdzI/AAAAAAAAFSo/OcanG3imvqk/IMG_4272_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p>We had a tour of the facility with a nice young woman named Marty, who explained the functioning of the plant and how in the 50’s the people working in the building were really unaware of safety issues and dangers they would encounter should they be exposed to radiation. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mg-C_fwI/AAAAAAAAFS8/YVrQUw6-BxE/s1600-h/IMG_4317%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4317" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mhd_VHPI/AAAAAAAAFTA/9HQeIK1zfvU/IMG_4317_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mfui_iqI/AAAAAAAAFS0/UwmAvIM8q6E/s1600-h/IMG_4285%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mgCz0qSI/AAAAAAAAFS4/oqrLUnSXYyo/IMG_4285_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p>Sadly, other reactors in the country have been closed and only one is currently in use. We have fallen behind in trying to find alternatives for energy. Both China and France use 80% of atomic energy for there electricity needs while the U.S. only uses 20%. Both countries are way ahead of us in the technology used for atomic power and we have fallen to the back of the line due to politics. What a shame. The U.S. was once a leader in this type of technology and is now lagging behind.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3miL_2XYI/AAAAAAAAFTE/MLQz1wa_jZg/s1600-h/IMG_4296%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mi6u0vgI/AAAAAAAAFTI/qP8a6BC-AmQ/IMG_4296_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3meOekFsI/AAAAAAAAFSs/R-17lIfBYEg/s1600-h/IMG_4312%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4312" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3me-N5UsI/AAAAAAAAFSw/80MSf7G5B9w/IMG_4312_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>We stopped at the Montpelier, Idaho KOA for the evening. Ron had a good Internet connection so was able to get the last few days of the blog posted. I, of course, caught up on laundry.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mjnMOlAI/AAAAAAAAFTM/nQ5LqE7xuwg/s1600-h/IMG_4322%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4322" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Sp3mkPN-1AI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/ywWnELU1E4E/IMG_4322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-88278453726153376022009-08-30T18:40:00.001-07:002009-09-01T21:06:34.796-07:00Day 88 Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Craters of the Moon, Idaho<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p></p><p><strong></strong></p>Saturday <p></p><p></p><p><strong></strong></p>August 29, 2009 <p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspgua9-cI/AAAAAAAAFPo/UzoZjGsNN-I/s1600-h/IMG_41193.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4119" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsphJ4C2GI/AAAAAAAAFPs/B_nLStrPE-o/IMG_4119_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>I know this will sound weird but Ron and I both love it in this <strong>rock-strewn, colorless place</strong>. We have enjoyed the hikes, programs and even the silver fox that came through our campsite last evening. Jewel loves it here also and has made herself a very comfy dirt bed. All this for only five dollars a night.</p><p>Today we hiked the very short <strong>1/4 mile North Crater Flow Trail</strong> with waysides describing and explaining the many volcanic features found in the park. We then decided to take the hike along the North Crater Trail recommended by Ranger Tiffany.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsph1sD6LI/AAAAAAAAFPw/sGg4Xh8hUyA/s1600-h/IMG_41283.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4128" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspiezjR8I/AAAAAAAAFP0/vPL0FIpGuO4/IMG_4128_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspjrT0uKI/AAAAAAAAFP4/MjmCNfK-rik/s1600-h/IMG_41383.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4138" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspks7QUWI/AAAAAAAAFP8/6MdVk_lDKD4/IMG_4138_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The trail is 1.8 miles one way so we would make our decision on the route back once finished. We left the Jeep at the Spatter Cones parking lot at one end of the trail and began our ascent. </p><p>The trail was difficult to say the least but worth every step. We stood by an <strong>overlook of a volcano,</strong> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspmAlJ1UI/AAAAAAAAFQA/7K4mC9OGIfY/s1600-h/IMG_41343.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4134" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspnhS4Z8I/AAAAAAAAFQE/Nq1ZGnGRO_w/IMG_4134_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspo4U2z6I/AAAAAAAAFQI/s2MnS2JocDs/s1600-h/IMG_41373.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4137" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsppSZT1ZI/AAAAAAAAFQM/bVqbL1m9kks/IMG_4137_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> walked over ancient lava flows and enjoyed the spectacular view from the highest elevations I have ever hiked. Hiking the 1.8 miles at 6000 feet over rocky terrain, down steep inclines and over <strong>lava flows</strong> was not as difficult as walking from the end of the trail on the paved road back to our starting point. We opted to take the road instead of back over the rough terrain but by the end of the first mile we were thinking we should have retraced our steps. It was easier to walk on rough terrain then on the tarred roadways. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspp3jM-BI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/CT3vMDRcmQk/s1600-h/IMG_41423.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4142" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsprGdR5MI/AAAAAAAAFQU/Qy6SgGpgXpw/IMG_4142_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspvk3sXSI/AAAAAAAAFQs/ZxfUP4H9OgQ/s1600-h/IMG_419512.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4195" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspw1Ey8II/AAAAAAAAFQw/GHbtpoNqxZ4/IMG_4195_thumb10.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspr97iXKI/AAAAAAAAFQY/WyzNF-kbFvU/s1600-h/IMG_413210.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>By 1.7 miles we were pooped and decided to sit for a while so we pulled up a curbing and sat for a few minutes. The last ½ mile we knew was uphill and would be a challenge. Even Ron admitted to being tired. As we sat several cars passed and one women and her son stopped to ask if we were OK. I guess we didn’t look OK. She offered us a ride up the hill and we gladly accepted. We have met some very nice people all across the country and they were no exception. </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspuMzBi_I/AAAAAAAAFQk/ToLHZDJmswQ/s1600-h/IMG_41867.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspr97iXKI/AAAAAAAAFQY/WyzNF-kbFvU/s1600-h/IMG_413210.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspuMzBi_I/AAAAAAAAFQk/ToLHZDJmswQ/s1600-h/IMG_41867.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Back at the MH we decided we had covered the park, except for a couple of caves. We kicked </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p>back, relaxed and then prepared the MH for the next leg of our trip. It will be on to Cheyenne, Wyoming via Salt Lake City.</p><p>Ron went to the evening program but I stayed behind to finish the blog. An arduous at best.</p><p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspuMzBi_I/AAAAAAAAFQk/ToLHZDJmswQ/s1600-h/IMG_41867.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsput2QYtI/AAAAAAAAFQo/mw7BoKXmqBw/IMG_4186_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp2pZF3qI/AAAAAAAAFRE/EtI9algVnrY/s1600-h/IMG_41605.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp3GijPsI/AAAAAAAAFRI/crdlLWbAtN0/IMG_4160_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspuMzBi_I/AAAAAAAAFQk/ToLHZDJmswQ/s1600-h/IMG_41867.jpg"></a></p><p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspuMzBi_I/AAAAAAAAFQk/ToLHZDJmswQ/s1600-h/IMG_41867.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspy8-yDOI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/ClQQazEJKrU/s1600-h/IMG_42007.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspz3oO-VI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/Vk5UGR2syW4/IMG_4200_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspy8-yDOI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/ClQQazEJKrU/s1600-h/IMG_42007.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspvk3sXSI/AAAAAAAAFQs/ZxfUP4H9OgQ/s1600-h/IMG_419512.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspr97iXKI/AAAAAAAAFQY/WyzNF-kbFvU/s1600-h/IMG_413210.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspsybgD7I/AAAAAAAAFQc/r_tjYsEPkQc/s1600-h/IMG_41714.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a> </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpspsybgD7I/AAAAAAAAFQc/r_tjYsEPkQc/s1600-h/IMG_41714.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4171" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsptYweAXI/AAAAAAAAFQg/Q1MRJ3gKx2I/IMG_4171_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4219" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4sDOEEI/AAAAAAAAFRQ/U3_SNt6po-8/IMG_4219_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4217" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp64Ad6JI/AAAAAAAAFRY/CQOTndaB804/IMG_4217_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp4B_0VRI/AAAAAAAAFRM/ITU8Hv0ZvW8/s1600-h/IMG_42194.jpg"></a> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp01jHWQI/AAAAAAAAFQ8/XggZAZSPPrM/s1600-h/IMG_415511.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4155" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp1UVH0MI/AAAAAAAAFRA/LxqRR86rmGQ/IMG_4155_thumb9.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spspr97iXKI/AAAAAAAAFQY/WyzNF-kbFvU/s1600-h/IMG_413210.jpg"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4132" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp72U4c9I/AAAAAAAAFRc/zdVonKuM92k/IMG_4132_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsp5q5NwYI/AAAAAAAAFRU/QrVc1VqQnIs/s1600-h/IMG_42178.jpg"></a> </p>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-16085434327324716912009-08-30T18:35:00.001-07:002009-08-30T18:35:35.893-07:00Day 87 Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Craters of the Moon, Idaho<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Friday</p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 28, 2009 <p></p> <p>Our plan for the day was to get up and out early for the 9:00 am Ranger led cave walk into Indian Tunnel. Ron didn’t sleep well because he has been having right ear pain and he normally sleeps on his right side. Once he finally fell asleep he slept until 9:00 am so we opted for the 4:00 PM walk.</p> <p>We drove along the loop and stopped at <strong>Devil’s Orchard</strong> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoifAfReI/AAAAAAAAFNk/7c_Mhy_FM9E/s1600-h/IMG_40003.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4000" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoiwzOBdI/AAAAAAAAFNo/aVEVYbf7AP0/IMG_4000_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> where island-like lava fragments stand in a sea of cinders. Devil’s Orchard formed over two thousand years ago when nearby volcanoes erupted so violently that they tore themselves apart. Rivers of lava floated huge chunks of crater wall down to what is now called Devil’s Orchard. As time passed, rocks crumbled and the seeds of rabbit brush and pine took root in the sparse soil. A hundred years ago a visiting minister declared the jumble of rocks, shrubs and trees to be a garden for the devil himself.</p> <p>The formations are unusual and the <strong>trees grossly deformed</strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsoj_rAGgI/AAAAAAAAFNs/Jc9Or7f2JcM/s1600-h/IMG_39923.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3992" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsokX9T3TI/AAAAAAAAFNw/ycLjt1RKxBQ/IMG_3992_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsolSNgZMI/AAAAAAAAFN0/L8oPtFMtU7c/s1600-h/IMG_40013.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsol86-f6I/AAAAAAAAFN4/cogBigYPh70/IMG_4001_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsomzi7VeI/AAAAAAAAFN8/iRlgBmF9p-Y/s1600-h/IMG_40023.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsonzZqhuI/AAAAAAAAFOE/qJ5vxqJLDKs/IMG_4002_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> but beautiful in an eerie way. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The area makes one pause to think about the ferocity of the eruption that sent the huge volcanic boulders flying across the landscape landing without form or reason.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Later we took the <strong>Broken Top Loop<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsoosmh56I/AAAAAAAAFOI/JfE8kr5cOXQ/s1600-h/IMG_40323.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsopOMdL2I/AAAAAAAAFOM/cH3H0WsOkg4/IMG_4032_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong>Trail a hike up, around and through the freshest lava on the Snake River Plain. Along the 1.8 - mile trail we were able to observe most of the volcanic features that make up the unearthly landscape.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsopmKaixI/AAAAAAAAFOQ/6Z_AdxVI6qc/s1600-h/IMG_40313.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_4031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoqCXLnBI/AAAAAAAAFOU/KMkTV5GcsXI/IMG_4031_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>When looking for the volcano we had to remember that we were actually looking at it although not a conventional volcano like Mount Saint Helen’s. The depression we were walking through was one of a series of tears in the earth that are the source of the Craters of the Moon lava field. Broken Top was formed as frothy, molten rock was sprayed high into the air from linear eruptive fissures. As the cinders fell back to earth and piled up, they formed a <strong>cinder cone.</strong> </p> <p>Looking to the northern horizon we could see where the lava stopped and the foothills of the Pioneer Mountain began. That is the northern boundary of the huge mass of lava known as the Eastern Snake River Plain, which covers more then 7,500 square miles. WOW! That’s a lot of lava.</p> <p>Along the trail we walked on crunchy cinders. The cinders contain many gas bubbles and vesicles making them very light weight. Thin layers of glass coat the cinders creating prisms that refract and reflect light into millions of micro-rainbows. They are quite beautiful and cannot be taken for souvenirs.</p> <p>We could see the large peak of <strong>Big Southern Butte</strong> 25 miles to the east of us. It lies outside the boundaries of the park and looks like a stratovolcano but is not. It is a massive dome of rhyolite rock. <strong>Rhyolite</strong> is composed of the same minerals as granite but in lava form. It is estimated that about 300,000 years ago rhyolite lava slowly rose up through the layers of dark basalt and broke through the surface to form the Big Southern Butte Peak.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsorOWfk2I/AAAAAAAAFOY/YXzSlXei-Gg/s1600-h/IMG_40783.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4078" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsornvterI/AAAAAAAAFOc/aTVVOjoPv3U/IMG_4078_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>We then were warned to watch out for bombs!!! Not real bombs but bombs that were created by globs of molten rock that were called bombs when they were thrown out through the fissure during the formation of Broken Top. The place was covered with round bombs, some weighing over 100 pounds. There were two other types of bombs strewn about. One called a “<strong>Breadcrust” bomb that</strong>  had a outer layer that would crack like the crust on bread. “Spindle” bombs would form as hot lava spirals through the air, freezing into twisted bizarre shapes. We were fortunate to see them all.</p> <p>We stopped to view the pressure flow ridge formed when crusts of cooling lava encapsulates the hot flowing lava below creating a roof. As the pressure under the roof increased it forced the crust upward causing it to bend and buckle. There were rounded, bulbous projections called lava toes at the base of the ridge. I’m not sure if we captured it well on film.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsosRkrmWI/AAAAAAAAFOg/AJWeP4Zi9ek/s1600-h/IMG_40603.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsotNZkT0I/AAAAAAAAFOk/tVKfKvrPqfk/IMG_4060_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsouIIAGfI/AAAAAAAAFOo/SX-rnDC-tAY/s1600-h/IMG_40693.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4069" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsou1vvGPI/AAAAAAAAFOs/68Tad08USn4/IMG_4069_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> Next we stopped at the <strong>buffalo caves</strong> but since Ron didn’t bring a flashlight we weren’t able to get into them. They didn’t look very stable anyway and the area had experienced some rock slides. Buffalo Cave is part of the lava tube system of the Broken Top flow.</p> <p><strong>Big Cinder Butte</strong> could be seen from the trail and at over 700 feet high is the largest cinder cone in the park. It is believed that a fountain of fire at least 1,500 feet high produced Big Cinder Butte.</p> <p>The hike across the <strong>pahoehoe</strong> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsowLabxeI/AAAAAAAAFOw/B5fmdZQLAAM/s1600-h/IMG_40523.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4052" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsowkVdcDI/AAAAAAAAFO0/JYOWoEDFDzA/IMG_4052_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoxjeF6oI/AAAAAAAAFO4/Gvgu5-X-tNk/s1600-h/IMG_40543.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoyA9h0bI/AAAAAAAAFO8/PteQtf3XYIg/IMG_4054_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> (means ropy in the Hawaiian language) lava flows was incredible and awe inspiring. We have walked across lava flows in Hawaii but these were unique in every way. </p> <p>After leaving Broken Top we headed back to the MH for lunch. Then on to another hike with Ranger Lennie to Indian Tunnel the remnants of a huge lava tube the result of the <strong>Blue Dragon Lava Flow</strong> about 2,100 years ago. Sheets of lava ran down the slope from a fissure and in some places the lava flowed in channels. The surface of the channels hardened, forming tubes that transported molten rock. Eventually the flow covered an area of 100 square miles and some of the lava tubes more then 30 feet high. In some places the lava is an iridescent blue (really beautiful), the result of titanian magnetite crystals suspended in the glassy rock surface. Hence the name “Blue Dragon Flow.”</p> <p>When we reached the <strong>Indian Tunnel</strong> we had to take a very steep staircase <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsoyp0S8LI/AAAAAAAAFPA/C22p7m-8dvk/s1600-h/IMG_41063.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsozFnEIZI/AAAAAAAAFPE/1ntJUQsxBHg/IMG_4106_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> down and then hop over rocks to get to a level surface. The lava tube (cave) was enormous. The size of the tube is 30’ high, 50 ‘ wide and 800’ long. We had been in lava tubes in Hawaii and also under Mount Saint Helen’s but this tube dwarfed both.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso0G_8Z0I/AAAAAAAAFPI/wUAsAtH2FuI/s1600-h/IMG_41143.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso0_h7MVI/AAAAAAAAFPM/cBCMkAfpiIc/IMG_4114_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After Ranger Lennie gave his talk we were left to our own devices. Either leave with him or continue on to the other end of the cave and climb out. Of course Ron wanted to traverse the cave so not wanting to be considered a wimp I joined him. We met a very nice woman and her twelve-year old son (our Grandson Steven’s clone) and they joined us on the journey up and over the rock piles and through the small opening to the outside. It was a lot of fun and Ron was happy that I didn’t wimp out on him. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso18Ik8fI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/CLNyJ-0k0X8/s1600-h/IMG_40823.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4082" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso2ek-b4I/AAAAAAAAFPU/Rx2NzLyNSck/IMG_4082_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Of course one cave is never enough so we all went to explore <strong>Beauty Cave</strong> a 300 foot cave that you enter through a large opening and scramble down a slope of large rocks to the smooth pahoehoe floor . The cave was very dark and we had to use our flashlights. Unfortunately there had been a collapse so were unable to travel the 300 feet.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso3ViWXlI/AAAAAAAAFPY/JgnETP24aCg/s1600-h/IMG_41043.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4104" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso4ZJHw7I/AAAAAAAAFPc/XB6i8Z_ZGrA/IMG_4104_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>We returned to the MH and with no time for dinner we headed out on the evening stroll with Ranger Tiffany for a panoramic view of the <strong>North Crater Cinder</strong> Cone.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso5KEFBdI/AAAAAAAAFPg/HjSDYsbGZRE/s1600-h/IMG_40723.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4072" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spso5znbp2I/AAAAAAAAFPk/NBzrCEnHJ5o/IMG_4072_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> The ¼ mile hike uphill was worth the view. It was spectacular to say the least. It is amazing that such a desolate monochromatic place could be so very beautiful. Tiffany, our geologist, was put to task by some very difficult, rude people asking difficult questions but she met the challenge and impressed the heck out of us.</p> <p>Back at the MH I threw together a quick dinner and then it was off to the evening Ranger Program. The guest speaker was a meteorologist from the National Weather Service. He was quite good but very technical. We enjoyed the program and were surprised to learn of the many varying components that go into predicting and reporting weather. </p> <p>Finally, after a very busy day we headed to the MH and to bed. Ron wants to stay one more day and hike the North Crater Flow Trail, the longest trail in the park. More adventures tomorrow.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-19153008621817896682009-08-30T18:32:00.001-07:002009-08-30T18:32:15.181-07:00Day 86 Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve Craters of the Moon, Idaho<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Thursday</p> <p>August 27, 2009</p> <p>We took our time getting out of Mountain Home and didn’t leave until 11:00 am. We were about 175 miles from Craters so took our time getting there. Actually there was no choice since the road construction kept slowing us down. Again the ride was long and the scenery less then appealing (our first encounter with ugly landscape).<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn7Bf23SI/AAAAAAAAFMs/X7hWsVWF5Hc/s1600-h/IMG_39333.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3933" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn7hbgjqI/AAAAAAAAFMw/hu-yVBdVBz4/IMG_3933_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>We arrived at Craters of the <strong>Moon National Monument</strong> and Preserve around three. Our original plan was to spend a few nights in Arco 18 miles from Craters but decided to stay at the no utilities campground in the park and camp among the basalt debris from the volcanic eruption 2000 years ago. The price helped us decide as well, only $5.00 per night for Golden Age Pass holders. </p> <p>“The surface of the moon as seen through a telescope” is how geologist Harold T.  Stearns described the area in 1923. Stearns saw a place where “the dark craters and the cold lava were nearly destitute of vegetation.” Its strangeness stirred local legends, public interest and then a feature story in the <i>National Geographic</i> magazine. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge established Craters of the Moon National Monument to preserve “ a weird and scenic landscape, peculiar to itself.” </p> <p>Craters of the Moon was named some 45 years before the first moon landing and although there are many lava flows on the moon, astronauts confirmed that the lunar craters were caused by meteorite impacts, not volcanism. The craters of Craters of the Moon are definitely of volcanic origin. However, there is no visible volcano. The huge volumes of lava did not come from one volcano but from long fissures across the Snake River Plain that are known collectively as the <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn8iznWOI/AAAAAAAAFM0/514FFiO4gwk/s1600-h/IMG_39824.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3982" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn9JJLwCI/AAAAAAAAFM4/GRRdnmwzGLw/IMG_3982_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>“Great Rift.” Around 15,000 years ago lava welled up from the Great Rift to <strong>produce a vast ocean of rock</strong>.(basalt)   The most recent eruption is said to have been 2000 years ago. Geologists believe that future events are likely within the next 1000 years. Tiffany, a geologist and Park Ranger told us at her lecture that she wakes every day hoping it will be the day of the big eruption. NOT WHILE WE’RE HERE – PLEASE!!!!</p> <p>After dinner we took a ride along the <strong>7-mile loop</strong> stopping at the <strong>Inferno Cone<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn9s3o4II/AAAAAAAAFM8/xkasjg7fuds/s1600-h/IMG_39663.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3966" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn-dplKpI/AAAAAAAAFNA/hPpTdMQxawk/IMG_3966_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </strong>a short, steep 0.5 mile hike where from the top you can see cinder cones lined up along the 60 mile Great Rift. To the south towering above the lava plains we were also able to see Big Cinder Butte, one of the world’s largest basaltic cinder cones. The hike up Inferno Cone was difficult because of the 14 percent grade but coming down was much easier.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn-zai3fI/AAAAAAAAFNE/0tw1xB3Fwe0/s1600-h/IMG_39543.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3954" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/Spsn_a-8L4I/AAAAAAAAFNI/Gbm7JC3sBP0/IMG_3954_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Our next stop was at the <strong>Spatter Cones</strong> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoASr0UwI/AAAAAAAAFNM/E7vk8KWxY0E/s1600-h/IMG_397216.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3972" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoAzeD5NI/AAAAAAAAFNQ/7eQN6xrqMj0/IMG_3972_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoBqCS9xI/AAAAAAAAFNU/gG8J_tfaSTQ/s1600-h/IMG_39743.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3974" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoCtWGcEI/AAAAAAAAFNY/1AJno8ubYuY/IMG_3974_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> and Big Craters area. Spatter Cones are actually miniature volcanoes. Within the Spatters Cones we saw snow and ice, remnants of the winter snows.</p> <p>Despite the barren conditions and park’s lava fields and arid sagebrush areas the park sustains a diversity of plant and animal life. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The <strong>Dwarf buckwheat</strong> thrive among the cinders and are so evenly spaced thy look like they have been professionally planted. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoG7ffQEI/AAAAAAAAFNc/BeTaNnQ0rpc/s1600-h/IMG_40332.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_4033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsoHcI1PnI/AAAAAAAAFNg/UFzK959KTtw/IMG_4033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We ended the day taking in the Ranger program led by Tiffany the Ranger with a death wish. She was excellent discussing the geology of the park and its’ history.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-50367027461385165612009-08-30T18:23:00.001-07:002009-08-30T18:23:36.125-07:00Day 85 Mountain Home RV Park Mountain Home, Idaho<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Wednesday</p> <p></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 26, 2009 <p></p> <p>It was a driving day so not much excitement happening. The landscape in southeast Idaho is arid and bland. The area is really a desert. The temps were in the high nineties and it was very humid.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmBNeSNCI/AAAAAAAAFMM/xhDPenYhi3o/s1600-h/IMG_39223.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3922" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmBgy0TVI/AAAAAAAAFMQ/hSpsqHVw7w4/IMG_3922_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmCR1uDKI/AAAAAAAAFMU/2oidtSUsD78/s1600-h/IMG_39315.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3931" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmDFAFSmI/AAAAAAAAFMY/2bVMpZawdF8/IMG_3931_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Ron was tired and not feeling his best so we decided to call it a day early. We got a site at the <strong>Mountain Home RV Park</strong> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmD89A19I/AAAAAAAAFMc/jNBSy3WdV7w/s1600-h/IMG_39233.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmEixDL4I/AAAAAAAAFMg/0EwI38FUAL8/IMG_3923_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> in Mountain Home, Idaho. It was a beautiful place and appeared to have been set-up as a high end RV Resort that was never completed. </p> <p>After a nap and once the temp dropped we took Jewel for her needed walk. Ron spotted a <strong>Columbus RV exactly<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmFNqrRtI/AAAAAAAAFMk/EUPoBXE_w44/s1600-h/IMG_39243.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3924" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpsmFvRnBwI/AAAAAAAAFMo/R4VcTY7e4tg/IMG_3924_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </strong>like the one we owned prior to our current MH. It was the same color combo and we were excited to see if it was the one we had once owned. In the 13 years we have been RVing we have never seen another Columbus anywhere.</p> <p>As it turned out it was a little different – two feet shorter but the same exterior coloring. The man who owned it bought it brand new and was now living in it due to a recent marriage break-up. We were taking a picture of the MH when he came out and wanted to know what we were doing. I think he thought we were appraisers or something. He told us he had to split everything with his soon to be x-wife 50/50. Anyway we got a charge out of finally seeing another Columbus.</p> <p>We sat outside enjoying the cooled temps. The views weren’t great but  we did get to watch other MH’s parking for the night at the nearby Wal Mart.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-64849876055249671942009-08-25T21:52:00.001-07:002009-08-25T21:52:55.738-07:00Day 84 Meacham, Oregon - Emigrant Springs State Campground<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Tuesday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 25, 2009</p> <p>After a very restful night in the Wal Mart parking lot we decided to unhook the Jeep from the MH and head out to find the infamous potholes. Twenty-five miles west of Othello is a huge reservoir where the potholes are supposedly located. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_aUW0MEI/AAAAAAAAFK8/vWdgrhvf62s/s1600-h/IMG_3883%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3883" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_bO-o24I/AAAAAAAAFLA/agfmGcWKIzI/IMG_3883_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> We stopped at Potholes State Park and after searching and reading all of the literature on the bulletin boards found that the potholes are actually at the bottom of the reservoir. Now we understand why the internet was unable to provide us with good info on potholes. Oh well, it was a valiant effort but no luck viewing the potholes. </p> <p>Eastern Washington is quite different from the rest of the state. It is actually a desert area and the heat was intolerable. We have become accustomed to cooler temps and did not like the 90- degree weather with the scalding sun.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_bz8-dqI/AAAAAAAAFLE/z2K0ZBlHqDU/s1600-h/IMG_3907%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3907" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_cm8bwzI/AAAAAAAAFLI/AsksAgQXv0A/IMG_3907_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Once into Oregon and out of the desert climate we opted to stop early and hunker down for the night. We stopped at Emigrant Springs State Campground right off the interstate. The CG is a really nice place with full hook-ups for only $16.00 per night. It sits in a heritage area along the Oregon Trail. </p> <p>“Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area preserves a site near</p> <p>the summit of the Blue Mountains where Oregon Trail<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_dcgDKbI/AAAAAAAAFLM/85Ga3Ui5scg/s1600-h/IMG_3892%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3892" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_eamV22I/AAAAAAAAFLQ/Ob5UkB3hliI/IMG_3892_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_fMBnnOI/AAAAAAAAFLU/2D2m0ZNuj0I/s1600-h/IMG_3896%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3896" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_gBtEdpI/AAAAAAAAFLY/1sFIepD8FbY/IMG_3896_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_hHZeuXI/AAAAAAAAFLc/KYG1otkNsgs/s1600-h/IMG_3894%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3894" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_hwnSaTI/AAAAAAAAFLg/iDErY0ZVcsc/IMG_3894_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_i7Dl0wI/AAAAAAAAFLk/0VVlBMNgsTU/s1600-h/IMG_3899%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3899" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_jtMuAXI/AAAAAAAAFLo/UJ4836qaz8E/IMG_3899_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>travelers once replenished their water supplies. Now visitors</p> <p>find a refreshing place to camp in an old-growth forest</p> <p>between Pendleton and La Grande.”</p> <p>After a nap and dinner we took a walk around the park and found some interesting structures. One in particular was the walkway to nowhere. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_kYRPBzI/AAAAAAAAFLs/jUS0qLCfd-o/s1600-h/IMG_3906%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3906" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_lDAB1ZI/AAAAAAAAFLw/RkrI7J1AcZM/IMG_3906_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> We then drove to a viewpoint on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_mG2v3XI/AAAAAAAAFL0/gspCxEI7r7A/s1600-h/IMG_3916%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3916" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_mjA54QI/AAAAAAAAFL4/1mQvmSDSQDU/IMG_3916_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> The landscape was moonlike with rolling hills – very, very pretty.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_njTSSkI/AAAAAAAAFL8/69iuoZMfvRo/s1600-h/IMG_3911%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3911" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_odnK_lI/AAAAAAAAFMA/7gV6gxyEXjU/IMG_3911_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>  We were able to get a great sunset shot over the trees. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_pKyCKRI/AAAAAAAAFME/HrT7-nnecFg/s1600-h/IMG_3920%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3920" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS_pp5NpTI/AAAAAAAAFMI/A7gYrj8F3Vg/IMG_3920_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> We didn’t get very far today, only 147 miles but we definitely enjoyed the journey.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Lucida Sans Unicode" color="#ff0000" size="4"> r0n NOTE: isn’t this a Beautiful Country we have, when you can just pull off the road at no particular place and find the things we have been able to run into!</font></p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-38702093976828167892009-08-25T21:33:00.001-07:002009-08-25T21:33:09.031-07:00Day 83 Othello, WA - Wal*Mart<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Monday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 24, 2009<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS6-n5WVGI/AAAAAAAAFKs/eb5ogAGWe4Y/s1600-h/IMG_3882%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3882" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS6_TOnEOI/AAAAAAAAFKw/1fMAZfoLpRg/IMG_3882_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS7AKJi-5I/AAAAAAAAFK0/aIdsBXprOSU/s1600-h/IMG_3881%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3881" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpS7A1dpSWI/AAAAAAAAFK4/iSlwnuyckgg/IMG_3881_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The nineteen days here flew by like a rocket ship. Where does the time go???? </p> <p>Kelly stopped by and had coffee with us this morning. We will definitely miss being with her and the family. Jewel will go into a depression when she realizes she will not be seeing Kelly, Megan and Patrick. She has adopted Patrick as her new best friend and will have withdrawal from him for sure. </p> <p>After washing the MH and car we were ready to leave around Noon. We stopped and talked to Betty, the lady who oversees the park. She plans to be back next summer and so do we.</p> <p> </p> <p>The ride to Othello was uneventful. We stopped at the local Wal Mart bought much needed groceries and spent the night.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-72274802561157171622009-08-25T20:28:00.001-07:002009-08-25T20:28:33.762-07:00Day 82 Game Park Campground Auburn, WA<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Sunday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 23, 2009 </p> <p>Today was the last day of our visit here in Washington with our family. The time flew by and we had a wonderful time each day better then the last.</p> <p>Kelly made a great blueberry pancake breakfast and we spent the majority of the day talking. Megan, Kelly and I finished the movie we had started the night before and the guys spent time outdoors when they weren’t making fun of us for crying. The movie My Life as a House was a real girl flick and a real tear-jerker.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr0et3khI/AAAAAAAAFKU/1rhCPle9Y4o/s1600-h/IMG_3869%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3869" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr1OdpfyI/AAAAAAAAFKY/VWovirBNIzg/IMG_3869_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We took a short ride to the Marina and walked along the beach and boardwalk. Back home Patrick, Kelly and I made our last big feast together. The meal was delicious as usual. The dessert was even better.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr2B8T-dI/AAAAAAAAFKc/jLWdqx_WX-Q/s1600-h/IMG_3874%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3874" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr2-3xCqI/AAAAAAAAFKg/LgTtXSXYKO8/IMG_3874_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr3p0IhgI/AAAAAAAAFKk/IrlcFMorWyY/s1600-h/IMG_3870%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3870" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpSr4Mnq6FI/AAAAAAAAFKo/vEWVIlgOEzc/IMG_3870_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a>We reviewed all the pictures from the last two days and again chuckled at the funny parts and oohed and aahed at the beauty we had experienced. Sadly, it was time for us to leave. We exchanged lots of big tight hugs and kisses. Kelly will be stopping at the CG for another good-by in the morning. It is hard to leave but we had to head home at some point – I guess.</p> <p>We’ll be back on the road and only have a loosely fit plan for the trip back. Ron is in no hurry so I’m sure we’ll get to see and do a lot on the trip back. </p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-4820450891991676582009-08-23T20:46:00.001-07:002009-08-23T20:46:27.408-07:00Day 81 Game Park Campground Auburn, WA<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Saturday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 22, 2009</p> <p>Kelly cooked us a gourmet breakfast and once again we hung around for the remainder of the morning. Patrick was babysitting his friend’s son Tommy and seemed to have a great time.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIM-wBzgYI/AAAAAAAAFJc/stQWqXSaS3o/s1600-h/DSCN1642%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1642" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIM_Kn8xmI/AAAAAAAAFJg/xueC76M3TzA/DSCN1642_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIM_hOUhcI/AAAAAAAAFJk/055z1Juy4p8/s1600-h/DSCN1652%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1652" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIM_-YJ19I/AAAAAAAAFJo/3j6R3tK2nZc/DSCN1652_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINAVdv41I/AAAAAAAAFJs/kpaa6ZW8HJo/s1600-h/IMG_3876%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3876" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINA9FfyII/AAAAAAAAFJw/EhfKW2TAr9Y/IMG_3876_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p> Megan modeled her new dresses for us. She sure looked beautiful!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINBfFMvGI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/mJj0GrfuNKE/s1600-h/DSCN1638%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="DSCN1638" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINBnbtniI/AAAAAAAAFJ4/TO7V5KhkSwE/DSCN1638_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Patrick and Ron went to the Seahawk’s and Bronco’s game at Qwest Field. They had tickets in box seats on the fifty-yard line and really enjoyed the great view and game.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINCP45vLI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/l-ieREo4ywk/s1600-h/IMG_3848%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3848" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINCggKD_I/AAAAAAAAFKA/Fo0PjP4iRsc/IMG_3848_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINDf9x2tI/AAAAAAAAFKE/ZbRa3wiN5rM/s1600-h/IMG_3852%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3852" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINDwLQj5I/AAAAAAAAFKI/H6YhbDXSFks/IMG_3852_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINEdwiWJI/AAAAAAAAFKM/u9aC2CoCxCk/s1600-h/IMG_3861%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3861" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINEu0BFtI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/1oQ7TucZyv8/IMG_3861_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpINEdwiWJI/AAAAAAAAFKM/u9aC2CoCxCk/s1600-h/IMG_3861%5B3%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Megan’s friend Misty came over and Kelly, Megan, Misty and I went out for a night of beauty – manicures, pedicures and waxing. We stopped at the mall and walked around. Back at the house we watched a movie and enjoyed real buttered popcorn – no microwave for us.</p> <p>It was another great day with the family. Tomorrow is our last day here and we can hardly believe the time went by so quickly. </p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-45162859335221493062009-08-23T20:31:00.001-07:002009-08-23T20:31:45.212-07:00Day 80 Game Park Campground Auburn, WA<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Friday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 21, 2009</p> <p> </p> <p>Today was a catch up and laundry day. We spent the day with Kelly, Patrick and Megan reviewing our vacation and pictures. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIJnu9C1RI/AAAAAAAAFJU/eBVQ04gZuRo/s1600-h/DSCN1646%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1646" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIJoN6MtGI/AAAAAAAAFJY/Fh2LHg-WbmQ/DSCN1646_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> Ron and Kelly discussed our return trip home and by early evening we headed back to the MH for the night.</p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-40404312901114990002009-08-23T20:08:00.001-07:002009-08-23T20:08:09.783-07:00Day 79 Game Park Campground Auburn, WA Ruby Beach, Tallest Spruce Tree in the World<p>Captain’s Blog</p> <p>Thursday<strong></strong></p> <p> <p><strong></strong></p> August 20, 2009</p> <p>We woke to an overcast rainy day that is more the norm for the peninsula. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEAfVVLSI/AAAAAAAAFIg/vWnDu2jWR8Q/s1600-h/IMG_3788%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3788" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEAlLCYAI/AAAAAAAAFIk/pQmYAY5DBPw/IMG_3788_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>We had a leisurely breakfast and got on the road around 10 AM.</p> <p>Along the way we missed the entrance to the tallest Cedar Tree. The road signs here are few and far between. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEBJWYnNI/AAAAAAAAFIo/SrTzkiSHX-U/s1600-h/IMG_3796%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3796" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIECDxkFhI/AAAAAAAAFIs/5pFbCPbSI1I/IMG_3796_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> We stopped at Ruby Beach and once again traversed over the many logs strewn on the beach. Once again Jewel did very well log hopping.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIECnYb6KI/AAAAAAAAFIw/D5Hq2pCD8BY/s1600-h/IMG_3804%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3804" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEDJI1cSI/AAAAAAAAFI0/HysxlNvszpc/IMG_3804_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> I did well going out to the beach but needed some help jumping off some high spots on the way back. Each beach has been beautiful and spectacular in different ways. The sea stacks in the area made the landscape very unique. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEDfUVA2I/AAAAAAAAFI4/wt2u7NxrTDg/s1600-h/IMG_3803%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3803" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEDyK8JMI/AAAAAAAAFI8/SCgKeXxMfq0/IMG_3803_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEEXhsIDI/AAAAAAAAFJE/0ArbVQS1j_Y/s1600-h/IMG_3815%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3815" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEFlJfXeI/AAAAAAAAFJI/1o_JvSeNd4k/IMG_3815_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Our next stop along the winding, narrow roads was the Tallest Spruce Tree in the World. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEF4O4LFI/AAAAAAAAFJM/XGrrYUdHWKo/s1600-h/IMG_3825%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3825" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpIEGXe3GCI/AAAAAAAAFJQ/TG6cWlYI8Ak/IMG_3825_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> Finding a parking space for the MH and Jeep was a challenge. We did get into a driveway of a campground but turning around proved to be a greater challenge because of the length of our rig and the very narrow road. A dump truck was parked in the way and after some conversation with the driver he agreed to move and Ron deftly maneuvered the rig and we were safely on the road again.</p> <p>We headed down 101 and because the road is under construction there were many stops for road construction. This increased our time on the road significantly. Because of the route we had taken it increased our mileage so we had to gas up. The gas station was tight and unbelievably busy. Once again Ron had to use his driving skills to maneuver in a small space with the big rig – but he did it – again. Patrick could not believe how Ron can get in and out of tight spaces without incident or breaking a sweat.</p> <p>Once settled at the CG we all went to dinner at Denny’s and enjoyed a great meal. We all finally settled into our respective homes around 10 PM tired and weary but with great memories of the previous five days. </p> RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8985378595172625414.post-14049130822331448602009-08-23T19:33:00.001-07:002009-08-23T19:52:31.879-07:00Day 78 Walking the beach at the CG, Rialto Beach<p>Captain’s Blog</p><p>Wednesday<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Lonesome Creek Campground</strong></p><p><strong>La Push, WA</strong></p><p>August 19, 2009</p><p>We woke to another beautiful day. Patrick and Kelly were amazed at how great the weather has been on the peninsula. I guess it’s usually cold and windy. </p><p>Both Ron and Patrick took Jewel for a walk on the beach before breakfast. She has been getting a lot of beach walking time and is very happy.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH71b4WUZI/AAAAAAAAFGw/PMipCT4Xh3A/s1600-h/IMG_3610%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3610" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH71stHm4I/AAAAAAAAFG0/tVIU7RNDH5I/IMG_3610_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p>Megan is NOT getting enough sleep because we are all going to bed late and getting up early. Of course sleeping in the kitchen area has its downside with all the noise and activity. She needs eight hours but has been getting only six.</p><p>After breakfast Kelly and I packed a lunch for the day trip to Rialto Beach. The ride to Rialto was short and sweet.</p><p>The plan was to walk along the beach to the Hole in the Wall, a large rock formation with a cave opening. We walked about ¼ mile and because the tide was coming in and would peak at 12:45 PM we opted to turn back and have our lunch instead of being caught between the ocean and logs on the beach.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH72A9Uk8I/AAAAAAAAFG4/DcdQYqrcwv8/s1600-h/IMG_3625%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3625" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH72cnMldI/AAAAAAAAFG8/S0hO9UA2KBs/IMG_3625_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p>After lunch we headed back down the beach and started the 1 ½ walk to Hole in the Wall. We dodged the waves but not so successfully so got soaked. Fortunately it was beautiful and sunny so getting wet was not a problem.</p><p>Megan, Kelly and Patrick opted not to get wet and managed to dodge waves by jumping on rocks and logs. They missed all the fun of being drenched by the waves but did get a good laugh watching us.</p><p>We stopped about half-way and Megan who was feeling soooo tired decided to nap on a log.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH725BV5yI/AAAAAAAAFHA/MwOo1TVdzRY/s1600-h/IMG_3637%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3637" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH73sROsII/AAAAAAAAFHE/5dUN0Bwz7vs/IMG_3637_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> She slept soundly and was lucky she didn’t fall off and kill herself.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH74K4PUGI/AAAAAAAAFHI/vatashCyr3Y/s1600-h/IMG_3660%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3660" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH74nEc-qI/AAAAAAAAFHM/FJz-lPvhbaI/IMG_3660_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Back on the beach we stopped at one of the sea stacks and Ron decided he should take a swim. NOT!!!!! The ocean is brutal and the waves were crashing very hard against the rocks. He didn’t swim but did get up on a rock with the waves crashing around him. He proceeded to pretend he was scaling a sea stack. Kelly and Patrick joined him in the water and frolicked. Megan did not frolic????????????????????????????????????</p><p>At the end of the beach we were blocked by the tides from getting to the Hole in the Wall. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH75PK58vI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/3XxhUN9l9Ys/s1600-h/IMG_3674%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3674" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH75XjYIrI/AAAAAAAAFHU/2GLL2apXSA4/IMG_3674_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A local resident was sun bathing and told us we could climb the steep incline near the peninsula and get to the other side. Because the tide was going out we would be able to walk behind the peninsula and eventually we could walk through the structure and walk back to the beach as the ocean waters receded with the tide.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH75yo-tbI/AAAAAAAAFHY/psaO0NCcDzA/s1600-h/IMG_3758%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3758" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH76BhomvI/AAAAAAAAFHc/KbNxhbTTuB8/IMG_3758_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH76uZ9YeI/AAAAAAAAFHg/07KidsKL_w4/s1600-h/IMG_3731%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3731" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH77IMwx4I/AAAAAAAAFHk/i70YgACutY0/IMG_3731_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a></p><p>Megan was not hot on taking the hike. She is more of city girl then an outdoor person and was not happy with the prospects of climbing the peninsula rock formation. After some debate we decided it was a go and the climb would happen.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH77XRnxmI/AAAAAAAAFHo/_wMyIxc2kxs/s1600-h/IMG_3647%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_3647" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH77678sNI/AAAAAAAAFHs/52fbuuTnzDY/IMG_3647_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" align="left" border="0" /></a></p><p>The climb to the top of the side of the peninsula was grueling and some of the steps were so high Kelly had to give me a boost to get my very short legs to the next step. Once at the top we had a great view of the sea stacks and the ocean. The climb down the other side was very steep and covered with vines but we all managed to get down without incident.</p><p>The tide was out sufficiently so that we could walk along the back of the peninsula and through the Hole in the Wall. Ron and Kelly took pictures of the sea creatures in the tidal pools. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH78MdmppI/AAAAAAAAFHw/SG9pm827B88/s1600-h/IMG_3686%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3686" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH78qkVPpI/AAAAAAAAFH0/maf4p0lawPw/IMG_3686_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH79HYpfyI/AAAAAAAAFH4/df_QUS-nJQQ/s1600-h/IMG_3736%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3736" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH79UFzozI/AAAAAAAAFH8/3UWWO4xlSsg/IMG_3736_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>The tide was not out far enough so that we could walk back to the beach. Patrick and Ron went to investigate the return route and after a short wait Kelly, Ron and I took the beach route along slippery rocks and splashing waves. It was fun for us. Patrick and Megan chose to take the dry route back up the side of the peninsula.</p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH7939hhtI/AAAAAAAAFIA/ABpjbgQTQrU/s1600-h/DSCN1504%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH7-T524vI/AAAAAAAAFIE/himHO9eRtcg/DSCN1504_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH7-rP9zcI/AAAAAAAAFII/MXJdfDEKtD0/s1600-h/IMG_3766%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_3766" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH7_AtqgoI/AAAAAAAAFIM/fI9iPVNTL0g/IMG_3766_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p><p> </p><p>We met back on the beach and took the hike back to the car. Everything looked so different with the tide out. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH8AdwPXGI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/C0UGaHgcyhI/s1600-h/DSCN1589%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1589" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH8AoSK0_I/AAAAAAAAFIU/UxOM7y6sI24/DSCN1589_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> </p><p>Back at the CG we ate dinner then sat around the campfire laughing most of the evening. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH8Az7OEMI/AAAAAAAAFIY/ijNxdqxsXF4/s1600-h/DSCN1594%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="DSCN1594" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1OFxcoeoyD8/SpH8BXsKaZI/AAAAAAAAFIc/AUDfYW5sf-k/DSCN1594_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a> The sky was crystal clear and because there was little to no ambient light the stars were shining brightly. Tomorrow we head back to Auburn with plans to do more sight seeing on the way.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>CLICK ON VIDEO:<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>></p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy27lN581aQG94OZmqBzsWWNkvK1ojR0kaOBAeD3ydp7LGERGRjrjqOGlDqFmyuUvP4a4NaR7LFUFfQqN5Fow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>RON and DEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09785713961252265030noreply@blogger.com0