tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9620350363639961702024-03-05T20:50:10.997-08:00Left and Leaving2 girls, 2 dogs, 2 ipods, 3000 miles, 11 states, 6 days in a hatchback.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-13837546206389824272009-06-08T11:28:00.000-07:002009-06-08T11:30:24.723-07:00Oh, Atlanta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtwZle_63K81VnMYeDX0fP7ZPLrDNv47ndjMlbq29iTne7LNlkgnOKitwGQc8zqs45pqkMSlioOND6rIRx9eS1nFjvfCM63KRdzgIGvaBdVnTJclnQwF1eco9dubETCiiHA5XfRdnfNY/s1600-h/IMG_2815.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtwZle_63K81VnMYeDX0fP7ZPLrDNv47ndjMlbq29iTne7LNlkgnOKitwGQc8zqs45pqkMSlioOND6rIRx9eS1nFjvfCM63KRdzgIGvaBdVnTJclnQwF1eco9dubETCiiHA5XfRdnfNY/s400/IMG_2815.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345025854292173090" /></a><br />I am home. More to post to complete the travel blog but I am enjoying just sitting still at the moment.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-72293532541139327612009-06-07T10:08:00.001-07:002009-06-07T10:09:40.453-07:00Homeward BoundWe are on our way HOME!<br /><br />On the ipod I plan to play<br /><br />Left and Leaving by the Weakerthans (namesake of the blog)<br />Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles<br />Oh Atlanta - Allison Krauseladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-34325715813403468602009-06-07T10:00:00.000-07:002009-06-07T10:07:29.101-07:00Sunsets, SunriseAt the Grand Canyon we saw the sun set and rise. At Arches we saw it set. On the Kansas prairie we saw it set once more. I had always thought of sunrise and sunset as rather gradual processes, as the colors linger in the sky. However, around 5:20 a.m. Wednesday at the Grand Canyon, there was a definite moment of particular brilliance. At that moment, the sun’s reflection on the western cliff glowed golden. Then, the sun slipped above the horizon, and the colors muted. <br /><br />Friday evening, we were cruising southeast through the prairie approaching Dodge City. For some reason, Andy looked back and exclaimed, “Holy crap! Look behind you!” The western sky, completely unobscured over the flat prairie, was the most vibrant shade of red. This lasted only minutes, time enough to snap a few photos, then, again, the colors faded, as the sun dropped below the heads of wheat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2qRNgXRfccSeT4liblJYZgVjL9otWV5o-xe3MiAiOpPBWnjaN_0R02L1XwdJNysVO2e18Aw1LymtNRMHBuRJ4afWPtlwkX9_eGDNlNU2vjepVSuMMkfg3njgAz4yB6mtkRjfFwva-lo/s1600-h/IMAG0400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2qRNgXRfccSeT4liblJYZgVjL9otWV5o-xe3MiAiOpPBWnjaN_0R02L1XwdJNysVO2e18Aw1LymtNRMHBuRJ4afWPtlwkX9_eGDNlNU2vjepVSuMMkfg3njgAz4yB6mtkRjfFwva-lo/s400/IMAG0400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344633080743080098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyjLUsFAPm3eLs_Jo6CqoULS2m090giE3AgsnCQVqujDfE8dbHRDJhXVASn6r0ykuwjJMzEVh6YSiUBVlirOahRGDBRtiDI6zpM4m4ttKReawdrJGTKjSBW-Uw3SzoB2Vn27eEOw-myc/s1600-h/IMG_2508.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyjLUsFAPm3eLs_Jo6CqoULS2m090giE3AgsnCQVqujDfE8dbHRDJhXVASn6r0ykuwjJMzEVh6YSiUBVlirOahRGDBRtiDI6zpM4m4ttKReawdrJGTKjSBW-Uw3SzoB2Vn27eEOw-myc/s400/IMG_2508.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344633076586934418" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS1aEn7cJ3Bq5mYVIwxL9XaPBL3j8AhzHbdSkfhyM1Y5Pp6mgpLsTWjId5G7c2NBkK6rfC-QBQxGT-H4XXfhGmxfli62KG5E-1v90cFCkH77XS3nYCafCLycygg1BuidEEjkGIJT-z6w/s1600-h/IMG_2693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS1aEn7cJ3Bq5mYVIwxL9XaPBL3j8AhzHbdSkfhyM1Y5Pp6mgpLsTWjId5G7c2NBkK6rfC-QBQxGT-H4XXfhGmxfli62KG5E-1v90cFCkH77XS3nYCafCLycygg1BuidEEjkGIJT-z6w/s400/IMG_2693.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344633070409237026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqQoIqlwEiMcMatsReBd065SqkO-U7XpCEKsp-LOa9j0iNdnCigayQ_91F0X0WFp0JBtaMk9FEtmtGLXTxyQecc9SQ7KZVldp54EGTmyySgJ71JOD692kP3dFK7ovtrH-HsvgnlJHkXE/s1600-h/IMG_1826.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcqQoIqlwEiMcMatsReBd065SqkO-U7XpCEKsp-LOa9j0iNdnCigayQ_91F0X0WFp0JBtaMk9FEtmtGLXTxyQecc9SQ7KZVldp54EGTmyySgJ71JOD692kP3dFK7ovtrH-HsvgnlJHkXE/s400/IMG_1826.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344633063210939426" /></a><br />Sometimes, the most beautiful things are behind you, and fleeting<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BxE0AUIksbOfV22LhnTT3nXoYN20_6CFysIx8_7_QTw66iRVcktAEPbKzsNstTQuoOo4lWDPkl18G8SgpaXFL3DNQq_hJbdwg20oNEhDyMveVIQhKJhQPLxiDdk84mucN7-khFO-q6A/s1600-h/IMG_2691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BxE0AUIksbOfV22LhnTT3nXoYN20_6CFysIx8_7_QTw66iRVcktAEPbKzsNstTQuoOo4lWDPkl18G8SgpaXFL3DNQq_hJbdwg20oNEhDyMveVIQhKJhQPLxiDdk84mucN7-khFO-q6A/s400/IMG_2691.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344633071624325762" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-78763380575337527602009-06-07T09:16:00.000-07:002009-06-07T10:00:31.178-07:00Greensburg, Kansas: Andy Makes an Involuntary Donation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN2pthbJnvKNvR5JHZqw6V7HoqRqtBBHzJw_oSdoO6ZP6QHKzRYwYT_XZKDGVwQ8WAqGxviquCyhsce6R0ia5nVe0FH4UrtBwea3yEuJJJ6zwYRMxoaDo_w7h0t2K_YVP150znUnY2aM/s1600-h/IMG_2719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHN2pthbJnvKNvR5JHZqw6V7HoqRqtBBHzJw_oSdoO6ZP6QHKzRYwYT_XZKDGVwQ8WAqGxviquCyhsce6R0ia5nVe0FH4UrtBwea3yEuJJJ6zwYRMxoaDo_w7h0t2K_YVP150znUnY2aM/s400/IMG_2719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344621674993563858" /></a><br /><br /><br />Per the recommendation of Andy’s parents, who are addicted to the green channel, we visited Greensburg, Kansas, a town destroyed by a tornado in 2007 and now rebuilding as the first American GREEN town. Greensburg is a rural town made up of farms and small local business. It also hosts the world’s largest hand-dug well. This town definitely has a special feel to it, as all the residents are friendly and inviting. The main store was bustling with activity, including our three visits. <br /><br />There were many empty foundations where houses once stood...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMni6GEW2tm5n9Z9W9JvIuGHQPWeTJ6w7sFooQ54-XRA0cYeDppmRZW-3R-QcB1NNg84SG3UoVzQLsNKCYLO1FQwdV1ixFjmyq9OBtWwtQ4oc33ynjwgsOlU1JX7UJNGDdebfhHNUr2SA/s1600-h/IMG_2746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMni6GEW2tm5n9Z9W9JvIuGHQPWeTJ6w7sFooQ54-XRA0cYeDppmRZW-3R-QcB1NNg84SG3UoVzQLsNKCYLO1FQwdV1ixFjmyq9OBtWwtQ4oc33ynjwgsOlU1JX7UJNGDdebfhHNUr2SA/s400/IMG_2746.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344623874021001362" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbMXMiL6EcKU2s0wzoTz2f_YtmzaE7uw2kEPj1HtUi-YjkUHK3DQZRf57xSURHI3aGey-yHccpSPatkS2LOimIyKSvPQQpUpSZ9YWdGyoqBlXDlsB7qQl9IEOv_yVzCp0yTYrPF2JtfE/s1600-h/IMG_2766.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbMXMiL6EcKU2s0wzoTz2f_YtmzaE7uw2kEPj1HtUi-YjkUHK3DQZRf57xSURHI3aGey-yHccpSPatkS2LOimIyKSvPQQpUpSZ9YWdGyoqBlXDlsB7qQl9IEOv_yVzCp0yTYrPF2JtfE/s400/IMG_2766.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344621688995148658" /></a><br /><br /><br />Andy Looking into the Well<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNzM46Dnp6wFfvURLg06TbW27t-vauu4P8gFeziWrnIKfzJR9vGtxbn7lS_UuH72yNcB7np09gMAi0FV8Y6L7lVqfRT7nuwxCZQTWgHJvUpdszQv_JpXdWionR0JUMHrMD7SfNnaAlAo/s1600-h/IMG_2761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNzM46Dnp6wFfvURLg06TbW27t-vauu4P8gFeziWrnIKfzJR9vGtxbn7lS_UuH72yNcB7np09gMAi0FV8Y6L7lVqfRT7nuwxCZQTWgHJvUpdszQv_JpXdWionR0JUMHrMD7SfNnaAlAo/s400/IMG_2761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344622978806781730" /></a><br /><br />Inside the well...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahe0Xcn2aTRGCPP_qhR1irFq_RBYMA1OQfrg48bIKbwg8GPOsaqn04m24somvr3XXrHLHH97XxnfYYnM5iG1gBnlMvV7F3LkNnFx6Q37QIZwNI3E-fdqnFWD3O4ufgZ9RX98ZhgQCGkQ/s1600-h/IMG_2764.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahe0Xcn2aTRGCPP_qhR1irFq_RBYMA1OQfrg48bIKbwg8GPOsaqn04m24somvr3XXrHLHH97XxnfYYnM5iG1gBnlMvV7F3LkNnFx6Q37QIZwNI3E-fdqnFWD3O4ufgZ9RX98ZhgQCGkQ/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344622976764269090" /></a><br /><br />Signs of hope outside the well...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V3i3xF_NQbZt14ekS1-Z4HP_aNMbZdVVrxIITI6kDoBCP2NG05G5k2PX7O44gUnOLgijVdhffpv-4orkeWgrlXgydRYgvYuzBlU98PM0fwCyyemJl8P8Yn46bmzEVAACO4R5Yx4Cn4U/s1600-h/IMG_2760.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V3i3xF_NQbZt14ekS1-Z4HP_aNMbZdVVrxIITI6kDoBCP2NG05G5k2PX7O44gUnOLgijVdhffpv-4orkeWgrlXgydRYgvYuzBlU98PM0fwCyyemJl8P8Yn46bmzEVAACO4R5Yx4Cn4U/s400/IMG_2760.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344622983715352642" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQJlNiHZmaSsHCexDuhcVTi4wUmBrC0sVP8C6OSi5VN90MejC5S2CpAsGzuX7OuX8hef9nGKiU-qmJWUgjNBUACH3_e8HShxqXdsNEqXR4X65pGIiNQmSp3eDCBw0rrqfdzj4LizyKK4/s1600-h/IMG_2741.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQJlNiHZmaSsHCexDuhcVTi4wUmBrC0sVP8C6OSi5VN90MejC5S2CpAsGzuX7OuX8hef9nGKiU-qmJWUgjNBUACH3_e8HShxqXdsNEqXR4X65pGIiNQmSp3eDCBw0rrqfdzj4LizyKK4/s400/IMG_2741.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344623885697997458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRnBlIexJ0ihtWwH-qmhNBfdlhUZ7LiZ_G13aL1VypncsXravjm423m3Lca2A4jqjdAqqU3qmcnSiZkIL8un3yjKDxbIzIPP6dHmprbLZeUedLWcdKa3iSV2VRvbU_fffj1DOkIM7VgY/s1600-h/IMG_2745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRnBlIexJ0ihtWwH-qmhNBfdlhUZ7LiZ_G13aL1VypncsXravjm423m3Lca2A4jqjdAqqU3qmcnSiZkIL8un3yjKDxbIzIPP6dHmprbLZeUedLWcdKa3iSV2VRvbU_fffj1DOkIM7VgY/s400/IMG_2745.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344623881841894818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xu908WB1BUdBJJhmAcaY89KZNb7p9MAJPRbm-_OHkmk4nLqYWLviyhprmM___7lTbvI1Al7NMa8KHkFQVtHxCHbij3WkVdFfWK_iY72rgOypcQ2_LtlikmICIvKaZIbKoTlR_cU7khM/s1600-h/IMG_2744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xu908WB1BUdBJJhmAcaY89KZNb7p9MAJPRbm-_OHkmk4nLqYWLviyhprmM___7lTbvI1Al7NMa8KHkFQVtHxCHbij3WkVdFfWK_iY72rgOypcQ2_LtlikmICIvKaZIbKoTlR_cU7khM/s400/IMG_2744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344623875789633298" /></a><br /><br />The school is still in FEMA trailers...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh84WpSMS-RKZT6b614HvfPh2GQ2UtU2_zuVmDvOd9pPUXKatF7nM25WkFCzYpLntBjF1ol6L-U0rceRYLOtTmTl33RneLQY_qeRZmQHyOT_2LMDdyt1XhSp3EkLeemnOojb6RaWq26U/s1600-h/IMG_2755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh84WpSMS-RKZT6b614HvfPh2GQ2UtU2_zuVmDvOd9pPUXKatF7nM25WkFCzYpLntBjF1ol6L-U0rceRYLOtTmTl33RneLQY_qeRZmQHyOT_2LMDdyt1XhSp3EkLeemnOojb6RaWq26U/s400/IMG_2755.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344623869153524274" /></a><br /><br />In driving around Greensburg, looking at the new growth amongst the remnants of devastation, we met a man named Harlan, who showed us his photographs of his family’s house, which was reduced to scraps of lumber in the storm. In the photos you can see the couch and chair his aunt and uncle sat on to weather the storm. Harlan told us both survived, but have since passed. He said his aunt never really recovered from her injuries. Sadly, Harlan’s cousin was also killed during the storm. Amongst all this sadness, Harlan was working on a new house built where his cousin’s had stood. This illustrates the vibe of the entire town: hope, courage, inspiration, optimism, faith. <br /><br />Our new friend Harlan...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL29Qkgxb8EbSyKI3lQbE-opvirrZrxu5-vMh2eTxwdLnDmIqsaLP1Iyghzh5gjfjBmRBbht_-geDiks7s-tZeJi46dWJCi6JJ0XG_Lkb_Gn4VoVfT2cyGZfmQ0jRji5Q0hysuvHSevg/s1600-h/IMG_2757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAL29Qkgxb8EbSyKI3lQbE-opvirrZrxu5-vMh2eTxwdLnDmIqsaLP1Iyghzh5gjfjBmRBbht_-geDiks7s-tZeJi46dWJCi6JJ0XG_Lkb_Gn4VoVfT2cyGZfmQ0jRji5Q0hysuvHSevg/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344622989957050018" /></a><br /><br />The new house on the land where his counsin's house once stood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtAr6yhNnOmdsN5Y2NaYNAX2bcsyAyncNPW_TkRtAX_D9T_f_FtYuxswQ0boGCbnFpZKYP5zPERQo0DplMPBJjxiLwD4k51pTcOqLaHI-F1G-4M2QLCPaEaFjt23zqeeTqJATlQwIgYk/s1600-h/IMG_2756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtAr6yhNnOmdsN5Y2NaYNAX2bcsyAyncNPW_TkRtAX_D9T_f_FtYuxswQ0boGCbnFpZKYP5zPERQo0DplMPBJjxiLwD4k51pTcOqLaHI-F1G-4M2QLCPaEaFjt23zqeeTqJATlQwIgYk/s400/IMG_2756.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344622995001130338" /></a><br /><br /><br />Greensburg's hospital is currently still in FEMA trailers. Harlan told us that people went to the old hospital's basement for safety during the storm (including his wife who worked there) and all of those people survived but the hospital above was destroyed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9de7mDi7sBcPV4XprHNPWP9kIxRxJFAvJHIZ7o9eRodlEP4AyIGOFYiKvzx7kw-PEXuMN2qvQmmy3kamVSgIy92K5WU3r_R42Lp-aeYeTdJCkO4MC6TSkFEcBaG5JXqBuSP8-CwA6yc/s1600-h/IMG_2732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9de7mDi7sBcPV4XprHNPWP9kIxRxJFAvJHIZ7o9eRodlEP4AyIGOFYiKvzx7kw-PEXuMN2qvQmmy3kamVSgIy92K5WU3r_R42Lp-aeYeTdJCkO4MC6TSkFEcBaG5JXqBuSP8-CwA6yc/s400/IMG_2732.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344624526261162434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_m56ec2yEDjD2qeBoeG3KFYvH0wxmule5AqfocsJGJpBSZUzWPedvB5bW8OtddgPZSv3MA1o1FUVROhgREkqd1jjG-wd0C9lb6FVOgkec1lwWMZZoSntOunINVvJVN4HJbE5BjSdR9I/s1600-h/IMG_2735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_m56ec2yEDjD2qeBoeG3KFYvH0wxmule5AqfocsJGJpBSZUzWPedvB5bW8OtddgPZSv3MA1o1FUVROhgREkqd1jjG-wd0C9lb6FVOgkec1lwWMZZoSntOunINVvJVN4HJbE5BjSdR9I/s400/IMG_2735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344624526902336370" /></a><br /><br />A new hospital is in the works<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CkkY0hnPt5zXiIt1u9pMaeWyTo9-dzcIuQkvXM-q0cHmTbJ9go3xSsz3TIdPKaG0DNfxARtOqiU5S-lk_alrmXS6O48PKleJ1lKagecV_HlKS8AKU4GRsXPR8SLhj6hXX2uzg-dIp7U/s1600-h/IMG_2739.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CkkY0hnPt5zXiIt1u9pMaeWyTo9-dzcIuQkvXM-q0cHmTbJ9go3xSsz3TIdPKaG0DNfxARtOqiU5S-lk_alrmXS6O48PKleJ1lKagecV_HlKS8AKU4GRsXPR8SLhj6hXX2uzg-dIp7U/s400/IMG_2739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344624516521577538" /></a><br /><br />Two of the most interesting new structures in Greensburg are the Silo Eco-House. It is built in the shape of a silo to commemorate that the silo was the only building unharmed by the tornado. This house boasts many sustainable features, including a roof-top garden designed to support root vegetables. The Silo Eco-House will serve as office space for local non-profits. The Studio 804 Arts Center features solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heating, and other Earth-friendly systems. It is expected to earn the U.S. Green Council’s LEED certification, the nation’s most rigorous standard for environmental sustainability. It was designed and built for the people of Greensburg by students in The University of Kansas’s award-winning Studio 804 course. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO5vD6sF21v3q9meM3QhMDob2Mf-plPSvNjOJdbgYd-rPKK-TdslfveJXIwlI2dMDlWq81l2gGE9YkUzPMRaQMyBpqm9lbrCHPgPwEQoy4WSAKN-Jq7J9SIC1blGNvI-InJo9MxS7_-k/s1600-h/IMG_2765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO5vD6sF21v3q9meM3QhMDob2Mf-plPSvNjOJdbgYd-rPKK-TdslfveJXIwlI2dMDlWq81l2gGE9YkUzPMRaQMyBpqm9lbrCHPgPwEQoy4WSAKN-Jq7J9SIC1blGNvI-InJo9MxS7_-k/s400/IMG_2765.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344630653500551010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR86Lq5bdnW4oUOuq64hnrtD9lRYOEdI8ebdB8ZLt_THQzGhgQB9SunsPBAVLJ9-CnsbMLmtaCgK1wNYga8dMbc7e7s6Nm8VlDfvh2j-6yJE7DlVfsA8ZNl9xmn4ZIh2jvxSyjZg51B8g/s1600-h/IMG_2767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR86Lq5bdnW4oUOuq64hnrtD9lRYOEdI8ebdB8ZLt_THQzGhgQB9SunsPBAVLJ9-CnsbMLmtaCgK1wNYga8dMbc7e7s6Nm8VlDfvh2j-6yJE7DlVfsA8ZNl9xmn4ZIh2jvxSyjZg51B8g/s400/IMG_2767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344621684269086818" /></a><br /><br /><br />On the way out of Greensburg, Andy was given notice to make an involuntary donation to the City of Greensburg. Apparently, our traffic infractions caught up with us. Andy was cited for going 75 in 65 mph zone. Kristi is a prosecuting attorney who once made the front-page news for recommending a ticket be enforced against a man traveling 90 in a 65 mph zone en route to the hospital. Kristi has offered to attempt to negotiate a dismissal or reduction of the ticket, but Andy is reluctant to accept the offer. What do you think? Please post as a comment. <br /><br />It was really uplifting to see such activity and community after such a tragedy. A town of approximately 1500 people lost 11 people and 95% of the town was flattened. The storm shelters next to the new homes and remaining foundations were haunting. The local high school is still in FEMA trailers. They have a wall built for the new school and the fence outside displays student’s messages of hope. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdesnCK6_gUQwSVzOpzefyI0OBdh1buuXBj4oq8HMms69oMJ1eVGdLsFAQj6XY1voIi8H12oCncwlVAraFV6UiRiIPHvfOJbw8f__QVaJw0FFnrspgsJl7Qed2jP8ATS6uOhUQZ99lPo/s1600-h/IMG_2770.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdesnCK6_gUQwSVzOpzefyI0OBdh1buuXBj4oq8HMms69oMJ1eVGdLsFAQj6XY1voIi8H12oCncwlVAraFV6UiRiIPHvfOJbw8f__QVaJw0FFnrspgsJl7Qed2jP8ATS6uOhUQZ99lPo/s400/IMG_2770.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344621683546032370" /></a><br /><br /><br />Noise-a-Sarus likes green things....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_s6Ol5Mj8IJPZ_7YblqyjKAS8j5QG2HrlHW-6GpIskhH6DfW7nLBM0D4qDZOJyrS3kadRtAry189rKKIX3G1DlIU0Jj5ds-RJ0DtW50qQzROlEUOdbR-RMRyi1fbvft6YNPmYNlGrtM/s1600-h/IMG_2723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_s6Ol5Mj8IJPZ_7YblqyjKAS8j5QG2HrlHW-6GpIskhH6DfW7nLBM0D4qDZOJyrS3kadRtAry189rKKIX3G1DlIU0Jj5ds-RJ0DtW50qQzROlEUOdbR-RMRyi1fbvft6YNPmYNlGrtM/s400/IMG_2723.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344621669893299202" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-91640217778638147772009-06-07T09:01:00.000-07:002009-06-07T09:15:18.889-07:00Kansas and the Prairie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YyHOwupjfVG6YN-ggykZojNDQNQ5LuLLbUkpMwsZxK6t97C78vPlSfJ2pZsmBp9IVKkA1RAFtOeuw-BWjfuB0SIPsmRYivIs_Rzq4cTtvGREYiG3wmUHW_SVdVzfFVgNFWbDlx8BZuc/s1600-h/IMG_2667.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YyHOwupjfVG6YN-ggykZojNDQNQ5LuLLbUkpMwsZxK6t97C78vPlSfJ2pZsmBp9IVKkA1RAFtOeuw-BWjfuB0SIPsmRYivIs_Rzq4cTtvGREYiG3wmUHW_SVdVzfFVgNFWbDlx8BZuc/s400/IMG_2667.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344617645852261538" /></a><br /><br />The vastness and sameness of the prairie are as breathtaking as the mountain vistas we have seen. The grassland generally appears to extend to the horizon in perfect flatness and uniformity of color. However, the prairie is not, in fact, flat, but rather a series of gently rolling hills. The yellow green fields and the roadside are dotted with clusters of wildflowers. Cattle graze contentedly, and pastures alternate with corn and wheat fields, occasionally punctuated with an oil well. This pattern repeats itself for hundred and hundreds of miles. <br /><br />It is easy to see how early settlers, arriving on virgin uncultivated grassland, saw flatness. Kristi was listening to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie on audio book while driving. To hear Laura’s description while seeing the scenery brought new meaning to the text. Kristi was also reminded of The Children’s Blizzard, the story of a tragic blizzard which struck the prairie around the same time Laura was growing up there. <br /><br />Along the way we saw a sign advertising the world’s largest prairie dog. Noise-a-saurus whispered to Andy that he wanted to meet this prairie dog. As it turned out, it was right on the way and at the right time for one of our gas/rest stops. So we pulled in. The actual exhibit was closed, so we peeked between the boards and over the fence. Noise-a-saurus has this picture to prove he met the world’s largest prairie dog. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_grgNinLJWB45JctenZvnpfV-9jtpAhyphenhyphenFH6gT8spgI-YtDMRZEebxTPJvipcLJWEYsSCIOLYNQXARS3KjqNvrkkJ8Tr6u0qQKkIKO2k0pbyBN5Glh7_7_V1zHdj_pQrDKBiifeCnqH_M/s1600-h/IMG_2661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_grgNinLJWB45JctenZvnpfV-9jtpAhyphenhyphenFH6gT8spgI-YtDMRZEebxTPJvipcLJWEYsSCIOLYNQXARS3KjqNvrkkJ8Tr6u0qQKkIKO2k0pbyBN5Glh7_7_V1zHdj_pQrDKBiifeCnqH_M/s400/IMG_2661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344617643182654434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsmsob-ERNgbku5mhnjDPDc-jCulcTMiZIDzIbuniM5i-G9NML0LMIMvcAXVuPjVMb6Wv3tEhedKQm-iFhhdaY8DsooDHDcYyOw80i7TkLjTAsuN86IXqPL-bKA4oGuy1uoqJ0j2ycG0/s1600-h/IMG_2663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsmsob-ERNgbku5mhnjDPDc-jCulcTMiZIDzIbuniM5i-G9NML0LMIMvcAXVuPjVMb6Wv3tEhedKQm-iFhhdaY8DsooDHDcYyOw80i7TkLjTAsuN86IXqPL-bKA4oGuy1uoqJ0j2ycG0/s400/IMG_2663.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344617642856065442" /></a><br /><br />We also passed through Scott City.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB4xWIiZFB0rCffgKBAlaWzwyr_WHF_n8xwau24EoNWNT6DPa3FKnFsrDPlKkzhwbSgdG3RvKlRLkBOSxQfzQPyczROef12QQVU-QQYoyY8-4kTERcqmgs3eVwoTgghxZke2IknEpn6M/s1600-h/IMG_2679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB4xWIiZFB0rCffgKBAlaWzwyr_WHF_n8xwau24EoNWNT6DPa3FKnFsrDPlKkzhwbSgdG3RvKlRLkBOSxQfzQPyczROef12QQVU-QQYoyY8-4kTERcqmgs3eVwoTgghxZke2IknEpn6M/s400/IMG_2679.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344618644011082802" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNoW04_Fs82R1n4wpO1J3C-5ck8UJuX-EzipZavatJDGAKhFMPq25ZkUhlKSQI7YkfHuDOS6P1TCmbTBAMVXgLvVm66CYyLyBZTny5WcaakoGSofBFkZjiDYR9dlkjGyf6hUo5UeKIXI/s1600-h/IMG_2680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNoW04_Fs82R1n4wpO1J3C-5ck8UJuX-EzipZavatJDGAKhFMPq25ZkUhlKSQI7YkfHuDOS6P1TCmbTBAMVXgLvVm66CYyLyBZTny5WcaakoGSofBFkZjiDYR9dlkjGyf6hUo5UeKIXI/s400/IMG_2680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344618646078251986" /></a><br /><br />Each prairie town we passed through is laid out with one central street, unlike the block layout we are more familiar with. Instead of a courthouse square, we inevitably passed a grain processing plant. Dodge City, the largest town we passed through Friday, also boasts of its meat, with many steakhouses as well as old west/cowboy museums and historical sites. <br />Most of the prairie cattle graze and roam freely in fields whose boundaries are beyond the horizon. <br /><br />On our way out of Dodge, we noticed a meat processing plant. This in itself was not shocking. As we passed it, we then saw black fields littered with lighter colored shapes. It looked, frankly, like a huge junkyard. As we drew closer to the fields, we realized they were feed lots. The lighter shapes were cows, standing in their own poo. The stench was almost overwhelming. Michael Pollock described these type of feedlots in The Omnivore’s Dilemma, a book Kristi recommends. We were so taken aback, we did not manage to get a photo. We are not actually disappointed that we didn’t see another such meat factory. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMEp1olpLF9jTQLkoxDYlo-NboRjmaFXX8nEUVmYlsjpbIh9k5QGBO9ITvF0i8f4eng6s6cz7Eqm4bfupO2zfHjd_Q9GgDf1dhkY9P_nG7wD3Ng_l-kQ0kBR2yya9a5coMKAWK1G-Hs/s1600-h/IMG_2652.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYMEp1olpLF9jTQLkoxDYlo-NboRjmaFXX8nEUVmYlsjpbIh9k5QGBO9ITvF0i8f4eng6s6cz7Eqm4bfupO2zfHjd_Q9GgDf1dhkY9P_nG7wD3Ng_l-kQ0kBR2yya9a5coMKAWK1G-Hs/s400/IMG_2652.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344617635640925394" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-DGEn4xrtmhMT0PmU5Zy5m7kpgbRUpTRJc0xalfvzKYZiW_PWWPiAj54JADGhTD9fQhObqk97CsY24EDrWDfMXRSCO0SkNFZHbgoygZ8N6L1CJYc7Xo_AnPDjC4Yi9Uii9hry0E-yLY/s1600-h/IMG_2708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-DGEn4xrtmhMT0PmU5Zy5m7kpgbRUpTRJc0xalfvzKYZiW_PWWPiAj54JADGhTD9fQhObqk97CsY24EDrWDfMXRSCO0SkNFZHbgoygZ8N6L1CJYc7Xo_AnPDjC4Yi9Uii9hry0E-yLY/s400/IMG_2708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344618631689548098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHQxgkShl9dKyWMVtrLC_vuFBJ9PnGQkdMQvz4uHOGOemC1rc_-q4KHQFg0zYaCsTilhyphenhyphenSnrQ0maQBaf2_hbMraHvsiKo1qCFEr8HfxFbuHLZ5m8vOr1ugWPrybJ0iKMR-Ol7M0SkPsI/s1600-h/IMG_2671.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHQxgkShl9dKyWMVtrLC_vuFBJ9PnGQkdMQvz4uHOGOemC1rc_-q4KHQFg0zYaCsTilhyphenhyphenSnrQ0maQBaf2_hbMraHvsiKo1qCFEr8HfxFbuHLZ5m8vOr1ugWPrybJ0iKMR-Ol7M0SkPsI/s400/IMG_2671.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344619862728212210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhyHG-kZ0bHTsi0HGCyyseCpPuVEu5LHbTVGiRmQebNUDKAr9E3yBH9pmXFp5jgY682s3p0wxu-TZaackmEUnVInP-UJiJN7eyNut4aLoA_LC61yuKu1F7AKYr3zYfW9fxhl7IPHJ6jo/s1600-h/IMG_2668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhyHG-kZ0bHTsi0HGCyyseCpPuVEu5LHbTVGiRmQebNUDKAr9E3yBH9pmXFp5jgY682s3p0wxu-TZaackmEUnVInP-UJiJN7eyNut4aLoA_LC61yuKu1F7AKYr3zYfW9fxhl7IPHJ6jo/s400/IMG_2668.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344619858389981090" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiyBCRLcXrAc5uYLs6Y2yaZ39XGDV25DoXaOqnL6WGLJFyeipL7dnw9wRxfg63xxS4AFNLEzAoghMjW7uMBKk8ac1KzjDPXYJN6n4PKFVNa7LcdcFLvOca_nir-y6RwfJrU6oH9anYow/s1600-h/IMG_2785.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiyBCRLcXrAc5uYLs6Y2yaZ39XGDV25DoXaOqnL6WGLJFyeipL7dnw9wRxfg63xxS4AFNLEzAoghMjW7uMBKk8ac1KzjDPXYJN6n4PKFVNa7LcdcFLvOca_nir-y6RwfJrU6oH9anYow/s400/IMG_2785.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344617630646727170" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-48068599745275898312009-06-07T08:51:00.000-07:002009-06-07T09:01:45.837-07:00Colorado and the Rockies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_mAECOm2BwLZQKE67v9OSppJ0zRVitL-_rY0jdc9dil9RU697d_1V9FitYeZxlu54wVUbB1_0DqKJ7FzueeBlNMMqzf57y5JF8ZY1qom_63G4KeLoZ3-SzwXn9CD4m2gWAitpk7dmfM/s1600-h/IMG_2588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_mAECOm2BwLZQKE67v9OSppJ0zRVitL-_rY0jdc9dil9RU697d_1V9FitYeZxlu54wVUbB1_0DqKJ7FzueeBlNMMqzf57y5JF8ZY1qom_63G4KeLoZ3-SzwXn9CD4m2gWAitpk7dmfM/s400/IMG_2588.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615165850585634" /></a><br /><br />Friday was our longest day of driving. We left Moab, Utah, bound for Dodge City, Kansas. This required that we cross the entire breadth of Colorado in one day, a total drive of twelve hours, road time. Because we had not actually finished our viewing at Arches, we headed for the park on our way out. As a result, we started the day’s official journey at 9:00 a.m. mountain time1. <br /><br />This particular segment of our itinerary was carefully planned the night before. Kristi proposed we drive in three-hour shifts, with three 20-minute breaks. Andy was very compliant with the plan. The dogs, with the aid of benadryl and xanax, were tolerably compliant. Through bending the speed limit, we actually made up enough time to absorb our rest stops. We all peed on schedule. We ate in the car. We finally rolled into Dodge at 10:00 p.m. central time.<br /><br />Passing through the Rockies was an incredible experience. The altitude challenged our driving skills and illuminated the limitations of Andy’s little Pontiac Vibe, notwithstanding the 100-octane gas. Our ears popped continuously. It was amazing to go from the dry desert to lush forested mountains and snow capped peaks. Unlike the mountains in the east, traffic cannot always go around or over the Rockies. Sometimes, you have to go through the mountain, in tunnels. We passed through Vail and saw the ski slopes and golf courses. <br /><br />The Colorado River kept reappearing along the highway, and we actually crossed it several times. It was really refreshing to see trees and water again. The next major city was Denver. We were surprised at how much the altitude had dropped by then, and by how quickly the Rocky Mountains yielded to rolling hills to prairie. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2n8eWJRpLPG56DicfupOqVo6B6HH91QzP-BzZCronHz0FkdRM8llmvRO5ajM7AQlZWm0h8oA3G7pzj4m3PK-a3qWggX3eNowPNDquzE5RHOGArySGQGz1xNB8W4tWnjmsSSHKYs_Ff8/s1600-h/IMG_2597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2n8eWJRpLPG56DicfupOqVo6B6HH91QzP-BzZCronHz0FkdRM8llmvRO5ajM7AQlZWm0h8oA3G7pzj4m3PK-a3qWggX3eNowPNDquzE5RHOGArySGQGz1xNB8W4tWnjmsSSHKYs_Ff8/s400/IMG_2597.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615659243376274" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0855So9PofTpER0te1tByOEjoxIJ1dXibBgCYLzMOpciChx82IzlojLQ8Tu9RJWPv_eJfJXRGTLYlo-U0UtLkwXVMjTeFt-CiIP5NR-gAckFHLGT8Ijuh0iYoKJ4orgAaAsszCmR6nKs/s1600-h/IMG_2644.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0855So9PofTpER0te1tByOEjoxIJ1dXibBgCYLzMOpciChx82IzlojLQ8Tu9RJWPv_eJfJXRGTLYlo-U0UtLkwXVMjTeFt-CiIP5NR-gAckFHLGT8Ijuh0iYoKJ4orgAaAsszCmR6nKs/s400/IMG_2644.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615173520546690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd6Xy3bUmdf1IbVfTACvNsAIs4GyAW4pkfSzvxh7VSmI2mnPVInZoSIBVFgoIgkpX6pIvnM4x-493BBrNhQxj1faFd-5lEQvDIFxQ71fu4-HqI9sHHnoyrvZjSiiXM-WuR4ewev6LAe8/s1600-h/IMG_2630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd6Xy3bUmdf1IbVfTACvNsAIs4GyAW4pkfSzvxh7VSmI2mnPVInZoSIBVFgoIgkpX6pIvnM4x-493BBrNhQxj1faFd-5lEQvDIFxQ71fu4-HqI9sHHnoyrvZjSiiXM-WuR4ewev6LAe8/s400/IMG_2630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615163183936594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRaCY2V1-UqLdAX36kOHOrn4But7ia89iL35mRKPb067C-Feo0lBP487axqst0C9d2IYgRCap-_rshvfceu-I9EoMV6CFF9tDzfbOdo7SYIHDoHoHegjlvnis9Viojg-kJJKDihb8cOw/s1600-h/IMG_2627.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRaCY2V1-UqLdAX36kOHOrn4But7ia89iL35mRKPb067C-Feo0lBP487axqst0C9d2IYgRCap-_rshvfceu-I9EoMV6CFF9tDzfbOdo7SYIHDoHoHegjlvnis9Viojg-kJJKDihb8cOw/s400/IMG_2627.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615159218546098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutGCuL0bTubSuPnkxOab889AmOa3d_Rr6_SwHNIQ33VbzpnHQQak7rCIkxALYY02tQqfuLf_xSGKoIAEqNZtszCHhrB9r99prSF8ZQaALX_x-yyUN7hBIW-rWe9EhVfaEh46-zB5JCBk/s1600-h/IMG_2620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutGCuL0bTubSuPnkxOab889AmOa3d_Rr6_SwHNIQ33VbzpnHQQak7rCIkxALYY02tQqfuLf_xSGKoIAEqNZtszCHhrB9r99prSF8ZQaALX_x-yyUN7hBIW-rWe9EhVfaEh46-zB5JCBk/s400/IMG_2620.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344615157048833810" /></a><br /><br />Foot note: It took us about an hour to figure what time we left Arches for our travel, because it seems each time we pass through a time zone, we set a different clock. All our clocks – car radio, GPS, Kristi’s watch, and Andy’s laptop - are on different times. After mentally walking through our morning and consulting the gas receipt, we confidently concluded we actually started out at 9:00 a.m.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-74513949769144844262009-06-07T08:35:00.000-07:002009-06-07T08:50:54.974-07:00Arches National Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDILI-d04RzWM-cxMFSDJvcmWdiAt9_nZqGqSlyBfy1L-Or7o48w4vm4AZUHQJ9xKV7LzAYECiZnUGsUAbmHkXOdtv6UJS9eolGsrlnAy0rPptwQZqvTXrAG7_I3JHoZBI9X4b73P1lBo/s1600-h/IMAG0466.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDILI-d04RzWM-cxMFSDJvcmWdiAt9_nZqGqSlyBfy1L-Or7o48w4vm4AZUHQJ9xKV7LzAYECiZnUGsUAbmHkXOdtv6UJS9eolGsrlnAy0rPptwQZqvTXrAG7_I3JHoZBI9X4b73P1lBo/s400/IMAG0466.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612854179206994" /></a><br /><br /><br />I was in awe the entire time we were in Arches National Park. If you want to explore this country, I cannot recommend the city of Moab and Arches enough. I can’t even explain it in it words really. But before you go off and explore the rest of the world you should see the amazing creations the earth has made right here in our back yard.<br /><br />I will let the photos speak for themselves….<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDATgNSvbg6doPl9y8dmNE_Y9a0Toi0Wboac8e84Rf4sch8ytMJVV51WWEeF-w6UOve3E40vsVj_XvuTw5zONeGWKf_MqPk6lcM-nJ1QueclZkjIxp3TH4f2C8tEhKrc8E6Zo5mK9womE/s1600-h/IMAG0490.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDATgNSvbg6doPl9y8dmNE_Y9a0Toi0Wboac8e84Rf4sch8ytMJVV51WWEeF-w6UOve3E40vsVj_XvuTw5zONeGWKf_MqPk6lcM-nJ1QueclZkjIxp3TH4f2C8tEhKrc8E6Zo5mK9womE/s400/IMAG0490.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612855978902722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwEZVe1DE5GjYLg0A7IjV_xfT8y63dEs4sx8NjAMBD1hhtm3nsUqelYlWiWTDT-hRiIBc_f2STXNX4C-iN2wUJyYjPlu_XMdcemVzXxl2-rpYxiUegVoyIadvUnN9sy8LOs8ZassSVcg/s1600-h/IMG_2467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwEZVe1DE5GjYLg0A7IjV_xfT8y63dEs4sx8NjAMBD1hhtm3nsUqelYlWiWTDT-hRiIBc_f2STXNX4C-iN2wUJyYjPlu_XMdcemVzXxl2-rpYxiUegVoyIadvUnN9sy8LOs8ZassSVcg/s400/IMG_2467.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612858702578482" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTYt-BcK3ks2WKyYMR-tLwRHskXhf83m1PP42-40TqvMrAONv-zVDkZ79Rc66BpFTrR-uc_NltMYXAcid3ri44hCqxf6BFrEhuys-FJSqIwrbKhf3eiyxlv-V9drm-UpZgJ_LwXTJhN8/s1600-h/IMAG0472.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTYt-BcK3ks2WKyYMR-tLwRHskXhf83m1PP42-40TqvMrAONv-zVDkZ79Rc66BpFTrR-uc_NltMYXAcid3ri44hCqxf6BFrEhuys-FJSqIwrbKhf3eiyxlv-V9drm-UpZgJ_LwXTJhN8/s400/IMAG0472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612848872091170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ytXJ2pjFAOPfoPabIIm8xPN40modmd3leFNzrSeY0uFzCfOtjbLkz1_kw76-qPNkEBOPcqGzzE-Gmf0ZTzs9kTZeegqvWo4ptQyWUpzyYdNpGCjw4Ir51DwDu2V1a8_nl6GkwiqH8qg/s1600-h/IMAG0470.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ytXJ2pjFAOPfoPabIIm8xPN40modmd3leFNzrSeY0uFzCfOtjbLkz1_kw76-qPNkEBOPcqGzzE-Gmf0ZTzs9kTZeegqvWo4ptQyWUpzyYdNpGCjw4Ir51DwDu2V1a8_nl6GkwiqH8qg/s400/IMAG0470.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612847146396818" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ssU8xC1rSN6Rcs5U-jTDgJm1pQVfSdDDq_gWEsz8Khrfp3XdwHsFlFrkezb0Pk-SwrNXHZGpE1v762MuOI484ThSFyFecvwpgssgXixzmFmXfK14VBHG59TBdyUOUkZUcxPtWdBlXg/s1600-h/IMAG0464.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_ssU8xC1rSN6Rcs5U-jTDgJm1pQVfSdDDq_gWEsz8Khrfp3XdwHsFlFrkezb0Pk-SwrNXHZGpE1v762MuOI484ThSFyFecvwpgssgXixzmFmXfK14VBHG59TBdyUOUkZUcxPtWdBlXg/s400/IMAG0464.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612411829680722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NpjRZFtbqrHLvJ31zAW8U4U7AGqAhnKLxqxu-26K36V-DUOAcR2cVy86wx-YdjtvJt-r0VYmzAZL0kzw2gX6DrJWliQ9AksR3jq8jkBsO1FrFq0mKNSJviI3QhWP1elcS1l1GNUM6pU/s1600-h/IMG_2574.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NpjRZFtbqrHLvJ31zAW8U4U7AGqAhnKLxqxu-26K36V-DUOAcR2cVy86wx-YdjtvJt-r0VYmzAZL0kzw2gX6DrJWliQ9AksR3jq8jkBsO1FrFq0mKNSJviI3QhWP1elcS1l1GNUM6pU/s400/IMG_2574.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612402834130690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQpHYR5xBDP3G8IDeQ4K5HGNafLTjcExmTX5044oq0KHfc487WyIoPmeZ7dHaJKBYnIL__QDMeWQzM-e6GG3YQG9gSb-FFx9MR8mboxJZQp1J9wHKqalZRQV_I_x7uXUfavjj5cu_OjA/s1600-h/STA_2575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQpHYR5xBDP3G8IDeQ4K5HGNafLTjcExmTX5044oq0KHfc487WyIoPmeZ7dHaJKBYnIL__QDMeWQzM-e6GG3YQG9gSb-FFx9MR8mboxJZQp1J9wHKqalZRQV_I_x7uXUfavjj5cu_OjA/s400/STA_2575.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612407424683442" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12xYKx0jmT7NI5mWUaBmxUC819TszN4IbJ_gedwrsJLLetgsr2baSYrfnlRdBNXH5SJyrB2LNDDnyVFfRQRugcg-C2rMd_R-BKDiihvHELxcXaAcmAb54TaigimFb7QaNAtz55IVLh5I/s1600-h/STE_2582.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12xYKx0jmT7NI5mWUaBmxUC819TszN4IbJ_gedwrsJLLetgsr2baSYrfnlRdBNXH5SJyrB2LNDDnyVFfRQRugcg-C2rMd_R-BKDiihvHELxcXaAcmAb54TaigimFb7QaNAtz55IVLh5I/s400/STE_2582.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612395134942018" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWd5KUWV7A7-QbXzCEGmDy4lpe3qK2IRnwqBc3H8yy9ORIqrXNdUnAZhmmjqMITOq5gm-febuptj6jo74fEyQseGQvbNox6asOdo-GVxjUS9vGOgd4SPQfwgw0verl3GNJ7rgIMZ6vzY/s1600-h/IMG_2539.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWd5KUWV7A7-QbXzCEGmDy4lpe3qK2IRnwqBc3H8yy9ORIqrXNdUnAZhmmjqMITOq5gm-febuptj6jo74fEyQseGQvbNox6asOdo-GVxjUS9vGOgd4SPQfwgw0verl3GNJ7rgIMZ6vzY/s400/IMG_2539.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344612391075022274" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOLAvVzzEyBnhxAvFNWPQdhry7VqvTOiLCQJ-j9KcpRhCW2l1_SVfXuGosdihvRRx3gAZbUHz9AVKtr1-3Q06w_Y12-1ZVIbhfigwD_x7XbYCKV6ZefuEjeiKCHGFFhjFRZV_iXfJOBs/s1600-h/IMG_2532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOLAvVzzEyBnhxAvFNWPQdhry7VqvTOiLCQJ-j9KcpRhCW2l1_SVfXuGosdihvRRx3gAZbUHz9AVKtr1-3Q06w_Y12-1ZVIbhfigwD_x7XbYCKV6ZefuEjeiKCHGFFhjFRZV_iXfJOBs/s400/IMG_2532.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611675295533618" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS7_Zk5MXpDa9MYtkgSi6oJRwt-UqGFEvc6fzc7wbemhCg1tK2-h6Rfk_LPEemF4zy238Ptm3TyjrTwi8Une1M507Qe47x7w0XCFtF8HX8seJVy8tLDouRZ6JO7jkWO0dWYI08lspOZg/s1600-h/IMG_2526.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS7_Zk5MXpDa9MYtkgSi6oJRwt-UqGFEvc6fzc7wbemhCg1tK2-h6Rfk_LPEemF4zy238Ptm3TyjrTwi8Une1M507Qe47x7w0XCFtF8HX8seJVy8tLDouRZ6JO7jkWO0dWYI08lspOZg/s400/IMG_2526.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611670912806866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOazCV_ImG6xjOF9MYrkd9BoTLFmhDxbA67WmEpe7pCHBzntFBdghAneaLXp4rEAcPmqusno9l9hsx6x3s2iMVu_O63O6qFyuWDYOyv_6a-rgKB9hFdDB0J1A7VnSZb2654hZ7rhDCOY/s1600-h/IMG_2535.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOazCV_ImG6xjOF9MYrkd9BoTLFmhDxbA67WmEpe7pCHBzntFBdghAneaLXp4rEAcPmqusno9l9hsx6x3s2iMVu_O63O6qFyuWDYOyv_6a-rgKB9hFdDB0J1A7VnSZb2654hZ7rhDCOY/s400/IMG_2535.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611668856796674" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34UISesP0TjVKXhdjpnY3H4ZVML9Jn85LP9OWVIL36R5KkNt6bYdPBb0C8xaW7NUBwmshLpvzptWvQcxjT2nY3GMQ5IDtURPIQBqkTOfR5M9hgRUA4EmVtBJ0xxH669Ip22ab36cFE1o/s1600-h/IMG_2450.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34UISesP0TjVKXhdjpnY3H4ZVML9Jn85LP9OWVIL36R5KkNt6bYdPBb0C8xaW7NUBwmshLpvzptWvQcxjT2nY3GMQ5IDtURPIQBqkTOfR5M9hgRUA4EmVtBJ0xxH669Ip22ab36cFE1o/s400/IMG_2450.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611662131651714" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4-XNAE0HHbaTfXebHAAZPSuueICkXXzNinV2dQ0wzVh9n0crdZWjaDJuNn3f3OWo-_Tl2quv2uPpLv8ZQ6Wogk8GpFqlqqBGkv-yKn4oeTcieXEX7kJ9hRKSUpMPtASD5HOXeU1Ktn8/s1600-h/IMG_2503.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4-XNAE0HHbaTfXebHAAZPSuueICkXXzNinV2dQ0wzVh9n0crdZWjaDJuNn3f3OWo-_Tl2quv2uPpLv8ZQ6Wogk8GpFqlqqBGkv-yKn4oeTcieXEX7kJ9hRKSUpMPtASD5HOXeU1Ktn8/s400/IMG_2503.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611658260135202" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVSmUIzi9y-1w3YkR0Yu6Bp6jfCaNgo1K_Zw4toEfOED7euUpjsKthYq7fqjhuZwb3cUcO2omEOv8O0D8acqU7bCMIo2ExCVoQc2_BSfjdEoks1cs90_un1RVIHLR_r0u9OrpoFSKlqE/s1600-h/IMG_2530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVSmUIzi9y-1w3YkR0Yu6Bp6jfCaNgo1K_Zw4toEfOED7euUpjsKthYq7fqjhuZwb3cUcO2omEOv8O0D8acqU7bCMIo2ExCVoQc2_BSfjdEoks1cs90_un1RVIHLR_r0u9OrpoFSKlqE/s400/IMG_2530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611040217953634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi453G6CAps0-NAhNjtnbOsnvfBZxb08ww5I2H9_mvQf_eR6Mqno0LWzdLmF6ta5Ib7SYOawVBX0x77OngFwypPfGaM1jfen1QSvepArSN7T40d1dtDGGdQ05Q2rVgoYCxQZ5cg-yECAPc/s1600-h/IMG_2522.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi453G6CAps0-NAhNjtnbOsnvfBZxb08ww5I2H9_mvQf_eR6Mqno0LWzdLmF6ta5Ib7SYOawVBX0x77OngFwypPfGaM1jfen1QSvepArSN7T40d1dtDGGdQ05Q2rVgoYCxQZ5cg-yECAPc/s400/IMG_2522.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611040257618930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2HJWGlahfGCPkpGW6Rl_j8uu2Klhcgxpc5yZSR9W0GqL_jfBPbk9-UAHnVVbtD_-ez7d3oH1FTopv7nHitwDBB6CURd4GBlgNyakkPSjC52VBDfyDopV69TmJ2jHldZD81k8dvGFIWk/s1600-h/IMG_2562.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2HJWGlahfGCPkpGW6Rl_j8uu2Klhcgxpc5yZSR9W0GqL_jfBPbk9-UAHnVVbtD_-ez7d3oH1FTopv7nHitwDBB6CURd4GBlgNyakkPSjC52VBDfyDopV69TmJ2jHldZD81k8dvGFIWk/s400/IMG_2562.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611035180038114" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eV_6bBKFPPX9-W_nLaYXolvRmf0cqxUxk1jVNAkZnMX8AOfuaAyEdlIfX9SDvlw3cxjZGcCLbyN9gGePy9je6nBStGbNA6I7pzZaPlNO6b1xH2v1A78c4RkWHbbgp1B1jxR5TqkXHo/s1600-h/IMG_2557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0eV_6bBKFPPX9-W_nLaYXolvRmf0cqxUxk1jVNAkZnMX8AOfuaAyEdlIfX9SDvlw3cxjZGcCLbyN9gGePy9je6nBStGbNA6I7pzZaPlNO6b1xH2v1A78c4RkWHbbgp1B1jxR5TqkXHo/s400/IMG_2557.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611029204414962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0FnBcfoX95794hqN5rLze2wS3lG4IVpRX5LybpjCSbs_dMvQ3WCXpT5ZL5G_vFG9648dvp5orarZQpOs4A01P13f6ZC6PhYkh0V3kg8VCiq7sVi245smEiKVWu-721WEgYZUftQ22l8/s1600-h/IMG_2550.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0FnBcfoX95794hqN5rLze2wS3lG4IVpRX5LybpjCSbs_dMvQ3WCXpT5ZL5G_vFG9648dvp5orarZQpOs4A01P13f6ZC6PhYkh0V3kg8VCiq7sVi245smEiKVWu-721WEgYZUftQ22l8/s400/IMG_2550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344611028035897986" /></a><br />As we left the park, Kristi looked at the rock formations scattered around the desert, and thought, this is where God left his toys out.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-1327633209145211242009-06-07T00:16:00.000-07:002009-06-07T07:15:10.028-07:00Oscar's Blog Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcfIupQ8GpH2QXOydBFgN-u75iMAdB0qVvLqEiGvZr7VOMRBSAVTGxrOzya6Qy5iEGleTGrr9HYVafAi-OswqMqJ35Iih7xRYxkerKAYKemBUbIhe1infK2i3tS7TiMofktazP-KiK64/s1600-h/IMG_2776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPcfIupQ8GpH2QXOydBFgN-u75iMAdB0qVvLqEiGvZr7VOMRBSAVTGxrOzya6Qy5iEGleTGrr9HYVafAi-OswqMqJ35Iih7xRYxkerKAYKemBUbIhe1infK2i3tS7TiMofktazP-KiK64/s400/IMG_2776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344479758029566546" /></a><br />These people are f#$%#*! crazy. Where could we be going? Why are we still in the car? How do I get out of here? Are we there yet? I want to get out of the car. I’m thirsty. Is this Oliver’s fault? Let me at him. I have to go to the bathroom. I want water. Oh, you have some peanut butter for me? I’m feeling sleepy. . .<br /><br />Are we still in the CAR? WHEN are we going to get there? Where do we LIVE? Why is this the SAME hotel room as last night? Are we going in CIRCLES? Are we LOST? I’m THIRSTY. I want to go to the bathroom. I can’t find my ball. I can’t find a comfortable place to lie down. Can I lick your leg? Why are we STILL in the car? Are we there YET? I don’t want some more peanut butter. Is this stuff laced? Oh, I’m feeling sleepy again. . .<br /><br />I’M THIRSTY!! I HAVE TO PEE!! WHY ARE STILL IN THE CAR?? WHERE ARE WE GOING?? WHERE DO WE LIVE? I DON’T WANT YOUR STINKIN’ BULLY STICK. I DON’T WANT MY BALL. DON’T PET ME, LADY. GRRRR! I WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS CAR DAMMIT!!ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-77667057283639827132009-06-07T00:11:00.001-07:002009-06-07T00:13:09.577-07:00Oliver's Blog Entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGBWFRilhcTsuN5yCsG26TzX4aSBEa3RILAZgIPDKfWKC_VF2AXLcm-GINtUcEoJ96Ur0xkizGbQsENbtb80nkBQab0DjATqIigaQwQHokPyAWeBKfrs0p8gdkmsghwTOUyH9OBgQSIY/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGBWFRilhcTsuN5yCsG26TzX4aSBEa3RILAZgIPDKfWKC_VF2AXLcm-GINtUcEoJ96Ur0xkizGbQsENbtb80nkBQab0DjATqIigaQwQHokPyAWeBKfrs0p8gdkmsghwTOUyH9OBgQSIY/s400/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344480023506230418" /></a><br /><br />ZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. ZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. ZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. <br />Oh, is this a rest stop? <br /><br /><br />ZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. ZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. ZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fart. <br />Oh are we there? <br />Where’s the pillows? <br />I’m ready for bed. <br /><br />Cool.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-18158011886756086552009-06-06T22:52:00.000-07:002009-06-07T00:08:28.309-07:00Monument Valley by Accident<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBiFB1ULrGnCai_MOsZi9pRGE3GRsASMLjIG8YjjOc98TM5twW03k12WUjE40_McHhlIdGomeL0UyodXLjshxIeny9-OcZ4ns_Ykr7Oy9uQ1giBlYbuffk49RdoD8Yt8MSRGarcYh71c/s1600-h/DSCF9306.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBiFB1ULrGnCai_MOsZi9pRGE3GRsASMLjIG8YjjOc98TM5twW03k12WUjE40_McHhlIdGomeL0UyodXLjshxIeny9-OcZ4ns_Ykr7Oy9uQ1giBlYbuffk49RdoD8Yt8MSRGarcYh71c/s400/DSCF9306.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477966951357506" /></a><br /><br /><br />On my trip out to California last year, my driving companion Scott and I definitely wanted to visit the amazing Monument Valley. However, on that trip, it was too far off our route. When planning this trip, again Monument Valley at first appeared too far off our planned route. I’m not sure what happened with our trip plans, but completely by accident we found ourselves in northern Arizona/southern Utah approaching some of the most amazing landscape I’ve ever seen. Kristi had earlier seen a sign for the "eighth wonder of the world", and it suddenly occurred to me that I had seen photographs of these particular rock formations. I then realized we had accidently happened upon Monument Valley, another example of our serendipitous adventures. <br /><br />What a wonderful accident.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCxX3FNZh7ajurR8vGwqM7-Fv3NmqhS91BaDVqXXXYQOg-aXmiD2A1ufR9S_aGc7WV8JiEEv6uYgvDV8l_PpHrH7NYrk_VIfOVwg-BAIkSCSnaeqwLddK0wCYDN3u9J_R23BFXMuwyk0/s1600-h/IMG_2328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCxX3FNZh7ajurR8vGwqM7-Fv3NmqhS91BaDVqXXXYQOg-aXmiD2A1ufR9S_aGc7WV8JiEEv6uYgvDV8l_PpHrH7NYrk_VIfOVwg-BAIkSCSnaeqwLddK0wCYDN3u9J_R23BFXMuwyk0/s400/IMG_2328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476458171057186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTRagr2lLlTxT-WreP0-VJO719c7Pqdra_1RLeoocmCXzNMLqbJtO21qWJsEJF7Fc2eZkzOWamhRcl4z03DS4Kd-BS5RGgAJ8my1kZcOzwtKfyyWaBvyjKB4HQwI_MHURbdtXON6xJaA/s1600-h/IMG_2321.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTRagr2lLlTxT-WreP0-VJO719c7Pqdra_1RLeoocmCXzNMLqbJtO21qWJsEJF7Fc2eZkzOWamhRcl4z03DS4Kd-BS5RGgAJ8my1kZcOzwtKfyyWaBvyjKB4HQwI_MHURbdtXON6xJaA/s400/IMG_2321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476454759635602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D54-ANjM4ghKewMPRAsXLsevnMyUUbqwFU_w-uXZz5Qe5io2BFw6XI5QSKlKJaYo2x0jQSnhmx8rMHNpKbryYiNkuz5rZK2rRIcZArBVf9EZoDhZvToqiCwAZw7pIQeefIMsH_4n_bU/s1600-h/IMG_2224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3D54-ANjM4ghKewMPRAsXLsevnMyUUbqwFU_w-uXZz5Qe5io2BFw6XI5QSKlKJaYo2x0jQSnhmx8rMHNpKbryYiNkuz5rZK2rRIcZArBVf9EZoDhZvToqiCwAZw7pIQeefIMsH_4n_bU/s400/IMG_2224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476449564963634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xL6efw1sdXVGVB7C92Qi5jVi4FF4UGG1jF9bizuRwuDKXQC6ecyX4xiTfkZnZ6bQXWa0aHnx4AXefu6U55yO61F_9RPaU6KhS-vvLUHfMCuKMQYbm8G7BV26i75DJFhI0wbhsH4_jh4/s1600-h/DSCF9298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xL6efw1sdXVGVB7C92Qi5jVi4FF4UGG1jF9bizuRwuDKXQC6ecyX4xiTfkZnZ6bQXWa0aHnx4AXefu6U55yO61F_9RPaU6KhS-vvLUHfMCuKMQYbm8G7BV26i75DJFhI0wbhsH4_jh4/s400/DSCF9298.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476442455478082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3cMtBS4IwMnlxKea8iOkfLEYqI2HQaxnit6EVuPPGL6UDtLFVFAugrauJEbdppu1yuq-sETL9hQA2A3LAMlrDy5Ra8zZ6KmWpcZRbozTGklXJCdQ9WYnd50QeybC9PaOl8mrPNrbLkA/s1600-h/DSCF9307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3cMtBS4IwMnlxKea8iOkfLEYqI2HQaxnit6EVuPPGL6UDtLFVFAugrauJEbdppu1yuq-sETL9hQA2A3LAMlrDy5Ra8zZ6KmWpcZRbozTGklXJCdQ9WYnd50QeybC9PaOl8mrPNrbLkA/s400/DSCF9307.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476439431524802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa0NAhequxSmpCB2PDxCM0vDgGCKavoAlmsKVHdsydDwb03cEOGTpKCiX8cPNtaH1NpmJaoawzeOfmE1QWTEjMwe35hryZ2GS4-DM1dJcEaWymqjS5N-d_Hfn8y8Clav4OXkw6IB8kjI/s1600-h/IMG_2265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpa0NAhequxSmpCB2PDxCM0vDgGCKavoAlmsKVHdsydDwb03cEOGTpKCiX8cPNtaH1NpmJaoawzeOfmE1QWTEjMwe35hryZ2GS4-DM1dJcEaWymqjS5N-d_Hfn8y8Clav4OXkw6IB8kjI/s400/IMG_2265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474933188889794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFy3Dd8bh7aCx_55lIcc8RjuhnT4M8kTy12JLpihDzEdUo3Xx1Gxuy4LQTxFypyVkBt7RJhMaMk35polbsIHQ6aAcv8aYvzyDw6I64DcjBVDKwqGsIZjpuqJbtWVxnX3jaAjqCMPRwnA/s1600-h/IMG_2263.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFy3Dd8bh7aCx_55lIcc8RjuhnT4M8kTy12JLpihDzEdUo3Xx1Gxuy4LQTxFypyVkBt7RJhMaMk35polbsIHQ6aAcv8aYvzyDw6I64DcjBVDKwqGsIZjpuqJbtWVxnX3jaAjqCMPRwnA/s400/IMG_2263.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474926637848818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim64aFWLCRksToQRgEVAvyziAuA45xD3sTFi6oxtwgqCla-jdAacsfzimkR02mRZH2uncFArF_ZA6TRqGTRZwI9eofe7oZi3br3Bng2g24vwzNO_fnY1PmRVbXPTtDXwPgG5TGAsRoHrc/s1600-h/IMG_2260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim64aFWLCRksToQRgEVAvyziAuA45xD3sTFi6oxtwgqCla-jdAacsfzimkR02mRZH2uncFArF_ZA6TRqGTRZwI9eofe7oZi3br3Bng2g24vwzNO_fnY1PmRVbXPTtDXwPgG5TGAsRoHrc/s400/IMG_2260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474918811329122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPzYkctDPHFiUE4joXj2graKfxuGU7Njm4vdSoaH4ycBOq7dSkuTjzr9hyphenhyphen-uUI7w78c7HoslutIhMFoWQQQlkTLBu7t7-CTNeVdOvraILK-O3-SzcKTVlZZreobSWiSi4gnPgbCdWMHw/s1600-h/IMG_2246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPzYkctDPHFiUE4joXj2graKfxuGU7Njm4vdSoaH4ycBOq7dSkuTjzr9hyphenhyphen-uUI7w78c7HoslutIhMFoWQQQlkTLBu7t7-CTNeVdOvraILK-O3-SzcKTVlZZreobSWiSi4gnPgbCdWMHw/s400/IMG_2246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474914462858978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaotFQoTR8VoeIA0agmAAMaqUJ09ou4ZJmZc7UDKFpIR4BO66vMs97_ZJJerTaE9mqv7tF1t5Ewev8XjXOLjPAJkzKoUDFGT9gZ0sinQ43WslhHLZzRcz5MefgnuO4VxjiUDZ2KM_HJt8/s1600-h/IMG_2242.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaotFQoTR8VoeIA0agmAAMaqUJ09ou4ZJmZc7UDKFpIR4BO66vMs97_ZJJerTaE9mqv7tF1t5Ewev8XjXOLjPAJkzKoUDFGT9gZ0sinQ43WslhHLZzRcz5MefgnuO4VxjiUDZ2KM_HJt8/s400/IMG_2242.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474912745348626" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQYpH39G4W76iE3d5DVFsfQlFoU9nqdyHnXEZnSb1ygn-t2-jwpeNEipLITr0sV5fBN15LzFtwh_opG8Rf40c0fxC7yb_htfuuvu0Dw_M57cgQDwRLg1Fngd_PXTegU1hdBHLD6_XyM8/s1600-h/IMG_2407.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQYpH39G4W76iE3d5DVFsfQlFoU9nqdyHnXEZnSb1ygn-t2-jwpeNEipLITr0sV5fBN15LzFtwh_opG8Rf40c0fxC7yb_htfuuvu0Dw_M57cgQDwRLg1Fngd_PXTegU1hdBHLD6_XyM8/s400/IMG_2407.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477331705127602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmwJSZ4i4kgiJfal3RvkvwUAgq18D0BojTbNfYZQxJvKypz8mSVMz8yrF5T7eFYtpPIqXioVLgHRi-BRYEvgEaSoR1MCgprmGv2J_3S00wbDeiTNnSHordHuNGi8f23fZlntXr11n1Cc/s1600-h/STD_2388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmwJSZ4i4kgiJfal3RvkvwUAgq18D0BojTbNfYZQxJvKypz8mSVMz8yrF5T7eFYtpPIqXioVLgHRi-BRYEvgEaSoR1MCgprmGv2J_3S00wbDeiTNnSHordHuNGi8f23fZlntXr11n1Cc/s400/STD_2388.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477328425760066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO9bBF3RlbqJ3kkFdvhhMhQysD6HGoZMlSGONQ5RZwTRVXLwnMs2TXjfMEjccj5LcRy1UPrFOCK2K_Al7vaOtCHMR4NB0ttcDeTNyGTKqIdoD0CSw7mIl5ZUTnCMMmvnwImcxZRNokMU/s1600-h/IMG_2352.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghO9bBF3RlbqJ3kkFdvhhMhQysD6HGoZMlSGONQ5RZwTRVXLwnMs2TXjfMEjccj5LcRy1UPrFOCK2K_Al7vaOtCHMR4NB0ttcDeTNyGTKqIdoD0CSw7mIl5ZUTnCMMmvnwImcxZRNokMU/s400/IMG_2352.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477323544675634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_eD831HavrtDfJxHFywY8Swzr1jOD3EH1PJu9BXBaqTOLS5NUN1tCdK3Lg-JyjLO1sRdQsGvmltMvhyfRJoA65nnhGJRO1cRr6ZTwPGiz47eqSLJJIEzoKDetx3mjscVW1mI2spQLFA/s1600-h/IMG_2337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1_eD831HavrtDfJxHFywY8Swzr1jOD3EH1PJu9BXBaqTOLS5NUN1tCdK3Lg-JyjLO1sRdQsGvmltMvhyfRJoA65nnhGJRO1cRr6ZTwPGiz47eqSLJJIEzoKDetx3mjscVW1mI2spQLFA/s400/IMG_2337.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477321841106482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IH6IU5g8TEADlgGF2nkQss2fJZew05WIF5E4LP9WSyrNHUhTatP2hBjRvKcv0qVBzow-K-FS_mSBUYyTPbVG-nKWAbG5OYuNXjC8ZnjrpwyxtyYJ6Ck96ix0cg_2pzevoWvsHImA_lE/s1600-h/IMG_2334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3IH6IU5g8TEADlgGF2nkQss2fJZew05WIF5E4LP9WSyrNHUhTatP2hBjRvKcv0qVBzow-K-FS_mSBUYyTPbVG-nKWAbG5OYuNXjC8ZnjrpwyxtyYJ6Ck96ix0cg_2pzevoWvsHImA_lE/s400/IMG_2334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344477315400609522" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-35838335136884584022009-06-06T10:07:00.000-07:002009-06-06T22:51:06.519-07:00Serendipity & The Euclid Ave Yacht Club:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGrECEkLj_Zcrzt9-ed4c71lqMaftTUq3iZFSPIZzdtRGFr_Ni2miEIrYXWLujngNtCrQW4OJ-7Kk2u3PNhQJ8D7yKkr2EZHUjYBemrAGOjm4bQIP9Fc1gFLuz_Nvyf3fMrCjqRdkUXg/s1600-h/352064917_ce0078eb1b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGrECEkLj_Zcrzt9-ed4c71lqMaftTUq3iZFSPIZzdtRGFr_Ni2miEIrYXWLujngNtCrQW4OJ-7Kk2u3PNhQJ8D7yKkr2EZHUjYBemrAGOjm4bQIP9Fc1gFLuz_Nvyf3fMrCjqRdkUXg/s400/352064917_ce0078eb1b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344458522558636018" /></a><br />It is truly a small world. I will quote Susan by saying “If there are 4 million people in Atlanta, why do I run into the same 20 f$*@&ers everywhere I go!” Well, this coincidence reaches far further than Marietta. <br /><br />So, Kristi and I caught the very last shuttle bus from Arizona restaurant at the Grand Canyon rim to our lodge. It was about 11PM. The bartender from the restaurant was entertaining us with his “war” stories (I suspect trying to impress Kristi). In the conversation we mentioned to him we were from Jackson and Atlanta, Georgia (not our real home towns). Right then the woman in front of us turns around an says, “You’re from Atlanta? I am from Atlanta? Which part?" She then tells us she owns a bar in little five points.<br /><br />Turns out this woman sitting in front of us on the last shuttle bus going through the Grand Canyon at 11pm owns one of my favorite bars in Atlanta: The Euclid Ave. Yacht Club! Seriously. My friends who I have dragged here many nights and my parents who I have taken there will not believe that I traveled 3000 miles and back and ended up on a bus with the owner of the ole YC.<br /><br />This is actually not the biggest coincidence of the serendipitous meeting. Turns out this is also the woman who was recently helping the Alabama Boston Terrier Rescue (the group Kristi and I work with and met through) to find a lost Boston terrier. She has always wanted to work at the Grand Canyon so she took the summer off to do just that. She send her love to her staff back home.<br /><br />We then started chatting like we were old friends who had not seen each other in years. <br /><br />I think Kristi and I need to have a celebratory drink at the YC when we all get back to Atlanta in honor of the generous serendipity in this small small world.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-68405618003171567722009-06-06T09:24:00.001-07:002009-06-06T09:26:32.287-07:00Greensburg, KS - The Green ChannelWe are off to Greensburg, KS where the Green Channel is filming a show about a town that was 95% totally destroyed by a tornado and is now rebuilding itself totally GREEN!<br /><br />Check it out here: <a href="http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/greensburg/">GREENSBURG</a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-36115124473816281852009-06-06T08:30:00.001-07:002009-06-06T08:50:47.251-07:00Navaho NationEast of Las Vegas toward the Grand Canyon, we traversed the desert. As expected, this barely habitable land is, well, barely inhabited. Towns were 200 miles apart, and were tiny. Kristi wondered who would choose to live out here. <br /><br />We were cool and comfortable in the air-conditioned car and didn’t even realize that we were in fact becoming dehydrated, until our lips became chapped, our skin became dry, and we got headaches. We stopped at a Sonic for a drink. That’s when we noticed – almost everyone there was Native American. The local law enforcement and other public offices in the town were tribal. The hand-washing notice in the bathroom was published by the Navajo Nation. <br /><br />There are episodes in our nation’s history that are not proud. I am not proud that my ancestors came to a new continent; exploited, then practically perpetrated genocide against the native people; then confined those that survived to tiny parcels of inferior land. How could we have done this? Who thought this was okay? True, the tribes did already inhabit this land – but they migrated over large areas to more fertile land. And back then, they still had buffalo to hunt. We blame their current economic status on genetic predispositions and character flaws, but who else (other than the Mafia) is doing more than scratching out subsistence in the desert?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN4JDF5X6u2Eq2c_ykVKWzaETM6d4I9QhFc8PWtXoV7skdwizozCNE7o9dVw_4SLyTkecTtI5qXgKK179c9UmPO2e_zVEYktYqaA3EaaI1L2syC6t_fJEtEoQVc5opiPhkXxug4gXVUwI/s1600-h/IMG_2263.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTN4JDF5X6u2Eq2c_ykVKWzaETM6d4I9QhFc8PWtXoV7skdwizozCNE7o9dVw_4SLyTkecTtI5qXgKK179c9UmPO2e_zVEYktYqaA3EaaI1L2syC6t_fJEtEoQVc5opiPhkXxug4gXVUwI/s400/IMG_2263.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344238288685450578" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhoJQErDnEjYXbLWqGWn0RktYcYYN3JKbQyhq7lSHGLYmYgEQ1G00p6vtNISsOjyzbF9i4VjpXd-mLJvYp5Guf177YndH4fJxqwnlWxLKCXjOKrYU9tALqY0dh0fwkoR4OudmhvaKEISb/s1600-h/IMG_2260.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhoJQErDnEjYXbLWqGWn0RktYcYYN3JKbQyhq7lSHGLYmYgEQ1G00p6vtNISsOjyzbF9i4VjpXd-mLJvYp5Guf177YndH4fJxqwnlWxLKCXjOKrYU9tALqY0dh0fwkoR4OudmhvaKEISb/s400/IMG_2260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344238285027782898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frt8MXXGrCRwcY7xOVgIZw1akiyhAULptYe7E-gVZGaxqWE8nmWX1pKnyAol1-Hnap3GjHZu79VEDjJOJKfayrGWxNL1h1zJi-8SMIqDf82Z8xk34LlMKbP9t3kqnTEHXvSj4fsGoOY3/s1600-h/IMG_2297.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frt8MXXGrCRwcY7xOVgIZw1akiyhAULptYe7E-gVZGaxqWE8nmWX1pKnyAol1-Hnap3GjHZu79VEDjJOJKfayrGWxNL1h1zJi-8SMIqDf82Z8xk34LlMKbP9t3kqnTEHXvSj4fsGoOY3/s400/IMG_2297.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344238280899357010" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-15873930268849055142009-06-05T23:05:00.000-07:002009-06-05T23:37:58.457-07:00Andy's Favorite Photos of the Grand Canyon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dMgXRMURitQ-63VCFlb7xrvXFrvoaX5N7bc9mGUYvYwEw7HRsm6rIxBJjq4y0O-PnhnDtjbtUGBwW79D_UXcCo468SC9Fh2xGPM0jFOl4jxzRR2j-cbjx7V3kf74lvyj0oujzqjGFNc/s1600-h/IMAG0400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dMgXRMURitQ-63VCFlb7xrvXFrvoaX5N7bc9mGUYvYwEw7HRsm6rIxBJjq4y0O-PnhnDtjbtUGBwW79D_UXcCo468SC9Fh2xGPM0jFOl4jxzRR2j-cbjx7V3kf74lvyj0oujzqjGFNc/s400/IMAG0400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344096902035639570" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWj7I_x8ZvZU2VVFxD_8us5g4uiR4hL1Oi2oF1xUU6Gptn_xcX0kMgRYp9GF_2groDidMjgthKeMhaA2gOIEl4TmiId11L7h5wO5RpJg1E2SEKIpfoK8jaT1xVnpaAovEUq_o9QvVZC4/s1600-h/IMAG0410.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWj7I_x8ZvZU2VVFxD_8us5g4uiR4hL1Oi2oF1xUU6Gptn_xcX0kMgRYp9GF_2groDidMjgthKeMhaA2gOIEl4TmiId11L7h5wO5RpJg1E2SEKIpfoK8jaT1xVnpaAovEUq_o9QvVZC4/s400/IMAG0410.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344096905256113282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02_eCIUDu9GcvMgZfoqdSoPXM0WCFRGvq8Un1peACblH_jmch8Aq5VQUYOqEqLCTnmoALbtRO_GpifYzMaO-CkhvZHZcz5FRQs3qXcoLYuCy8_JNXNWUnE5IiHCjtHrXmgiTDioVTU80/s1600-h/IMAG0421.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02_eCIUDu9GcvMgZfoqdSoPXM0WCFRGvq8Un1peACblH_jmch8Aq5VQUYOqEqLCTnmoALbtRO_GpifYzMaO-CkhvZHZcz5FRQs3qXcoLYuCy8_JNXNWUnE5IiHCjtHrXmgiTDioVTU80/s400/IMAG0421.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344095873712769682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoICdGwxg-_8CvCYMNy6teB6lJP1XA_4voCFmXHG5j4RWomPT5iSD4ij1NBOTdu70KNYAMcMLnFzSCJhgME1SromVIR-DHvc4Uar3ifVZQ5u3BN5KUsmsc5L1p13NklYbPGMzz5-6NUJM/s1600-h/IMAG0420.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoICdGwxg-_8CvCYMNy6teB6lJP1XA_4voCFmXHG5j4RWomPT5iSD4ij1NBOTdu70KNYAMcMLnFzSCJhgME1SromVIR-DHvc4Uar3ifVZQ5u3BN5KUsmsc5L1p13NklYbPGMzz5-6NUJM/s400/IMAG0420.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344095869370911122" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFFyx1H9G1vFnZo1YQGVLhRkjdNoTMrbEK-iAKwGR6h7T0yW8car8Q3Pnerruml6smMRLqn3rr_bR9BEuhSBNdxC8i-pBcbwWRToBll_COATvf7S0OAqSgAOErOGDIDZA9HkQUVbkrYc/s1600-h/IMAG0423.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFFyx1H9G1vFnZo1YQGVLhRkjdNoTMrbEK-iAKwGR6h7T0yW8car8Q3Pnerruml6smMRLqn3rr_bR9BEuhSBNdxC8i-pBcbwWRToBll_COATvf7S0OAqSgAOErOGDIDZA9HkQUVbkrYc/s400/IMAG0423.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344095868921440610" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkBRpGbkm69shG5VSTnSJiT8RNQokRys0FGSPnGWeGnuFeSNR3GB-WaEPOo_SXHbc-xwB1sZDuhYNwtgOHFmTmLMsbiWrNnNAxcXf-4UnoiS1M7tFNyVV3QXRm6JLITERKQazQ-qXFyg/s1600-h/IMAG0448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkBRpGbkm69shG5VSTnSJiT8RNQokRys0FGSPnGWeGnuFeSNR3GB-WaEPOo_SXHbc-xwB1sZDuhYNwtgOHFmTmLMsbiWrNnNAxcXf-4UnoiS1M7tFNyVV3QXRm6JLITERKQazQ-qXFyg/s400/IMAG0448.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344095869110320370" /></a><br />Our Grand Canyon Coordinates <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_nGg87YbIHk9-nqo0Jj04lIdrVeEOt0w5NOXi1HyiBpbrGT1YuyLtO1E1rxh-hr-SYHmoeIHLa0mN6MgEGMhWyffbbWNM41OnWalV4P67WjQNiJx2zn4OzANVyh__GzyfkWatcwjj1s/s1600-h/IMAG0453.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_nGg87YbIHk9-nqo0Jj04lIdrVeEOt0w5NOXi1HyiBpbrGT1YuyLtO1E1rxh-hr-SYHmoeIHLa0mN6MgEGMhWyffbbWNM41OnWalV4P67WjQNiJx2zn4OzANVyh__GzyfkWatcwjj1s/s400/IMAG0453.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344094123358927874" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqdQcyG9k65fmnCh0gAlRAwouCebs1-5uPbY02J_xbbKqd5XTNgDsAMAg3JnkoM5QI9CJv20EP1tVVsYpFqHcpF-uUKbRFOtSyxnDucCAhd0gAGXH4KMljv3sGfyd2MynwOi-wCmH668/s1600-h/IMAG0385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqdQcyG9k65fmnCh0gAlRAwouCebs1-5uPbY02J_xbbKqd5XTNgDsAMAg3JnkoM5QI9CJv20EP1tVVsYpFqHcpF-uUKbRFOtSyxnDucCAhd0gAGXH4KMljv3sGfyd2MynwOi-wCmH668/s400/IMAG0385.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344094129097829138" /></a><br /><br />We opened up the Port I have been saving since April from Sonoma Valley<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdwZCbXoVf4zBAPoffHFoe_NveVgK8tsnsYQoKq-QVO45BX3GR8rluRxs6IALG_kZLxuN541r0lME3i_rbKPaEPPzq6kMXStEz1RJaE0e-Hj2OI7znt6iEj1cwqsSaivoDTuhyFyZZ7I/s1600-h/STC_2016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdwZCbXoVf4zBAPoffHFoe_NveVgK8tsnsYQoKq-QVO45BX3GR8rluRxs6IALG_kZLxuN541r0lME3i_rbKPaEPPzq6kMXStEz1RJaE0e-Hj2OI7znt6iEj1cwqsSaivoDTuhyFyZZ7I/s400/STC_2016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344097733681484738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97dUgmdOiscFUhEr7hLW7mHM8Ee__9g-ovVPxy6sVUV36mYJqnfwtA8WWNe3AGk2UNVuqsiX4BM7nF7qOSLpQiTmPuyXjqIw6c9HkNN-0COMQy85WZsR8vZFDQRWXk6gUM1jFtILL3LU/s1600-h/IMG_2019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97dUgmdOiscFUhEr7hLW7mHM8Ee__9g-ovVPxy6sVUV36mYJqnfwtA8WWNe3AGk2UNVuqsiX4BM7nF7qOSLpQiTmPuyXjqIw6c9HkNN-0COMQy85WZsR8vZFDQRWXk6gUM1jFtILL3LU/s400/IMG_2019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344096911500102962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJnGbPGKAtvU1IWswkGOEMbw2ohtD9DY_xmC0DqNyDFlyJPBPuWM9kDrk81y8NV0RKL_5ZC1oRxM3pVS5djxWIi_eTX-hw0aRI8VYEs0bACuv3Dmpxy-wyjzSkWb9nh-4f0PkSpI50r8/s1600-h/IMAG0395.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJnGbPGKAtvU1IWswkGOEMbw2ohtD9DY_xmC0DqNyDFlyJPBPuWM9kDrk81y8NV0RKL_5ZC1oRxM3pVS5djxWIi_eTX-hw0aRI8VYEs0bACuv3Dmpxy-wyjzSkWb9nh-4f0PkSpI50r8/s400/IMAG0395.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344094129117943874" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAFqEVqkB0h64FcIVInI9QTYFo-g23KBFrkp2hb6ohJE_-b1wZ0HIpwVM7eqxsAjvuo2QdwbhGN62MO8LGOuNvmjXz_6zI_EogihoJGuczc_KF1DKLn8ucgBIwFbPR2JY7xRSFaWc7w8/s1600-h/IMAG0389.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAFqEVqkB0h64FcIVInI9QTYFo-g23KBFrkp2hb6ohJE_-b1wZ0HIpwVM7eqxsAjvuo2QdwbhGN62MO8LGOuNvmjXz_6zI_EogihoJGuczc_KF1DKLn8ucgBIwFbPR2JY7xRSFaWc7w8/s400/IMAG0389.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344098820027609570" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZUZsg_7FaN8tm11umqdNHunbrRS8YxtjcHv54O-sWWvEIElfOKLe7LUMX7H88RFF_F4xcKPHjF7eCi7UXD2ho-7keLufjdJg9PGK6Pb-CNV-OdUOuY4zTo7Jl3RAjSiTD5rncTSwvQ/s1600-h/IMAG0390.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZUZsg_7FaN8tm11umqdNHunbrRS8YxtjcHv54O-sWWvEIElfOKLe7LUMX7H88RFF_F4xcKPHjF7eCi7UXD2ho-7keLufjdJg9PGK6Pb-CNV-OdUOuY4zTo7Jl3RAjSiTD5rncTSwvQ/s400/IMAG0390.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344098823658294914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_MH-VCPOEbkZ4YgdZ8IFcS9NXl1TrDN7Is_ZoBUthfBOTlnf81igTFW4DcjQiALz4dJvaa3o7OcmBubmhIGEWqtD7tlf0y10jIjav6AS58_VH0LGfhwbyOKGNLs6fCzYnUBOo4m9Gkg/s1600-h/IMAG0431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_MH-VCPOEbkZ4YgdZ8IFcS9NXl1TrDN7Is_ZoBUthfBOTlnf81igTFW4DcjQiALz4dJvaa3o7OcmBubmhIGEWqtD7tlf0y10jIjav6AS58_VH0LGfhwbyOKGNLs6fCzYnUBOo4m9Gkg/s400/IMAG0431.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344099892549883858" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-91266665371102098552009-06-05T22:55:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:57:20.510-07:00Trivia1) What do you think is the highest temperature Kristi and Andy have experienced during this trip so far and where?<br /><br />2) What is the lowest temperature they have seen and where?<br /><br />3) What do you think the highest and lowest elevation we have been at during the trip and where?ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-27501138636666852862009-06-05T22:47:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:55:04.763-07:00Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, Oh my!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmd68ClKs-gzXWWWm2S8mhbxlIHyxcXQO3nnAZ2xS0LHTvLL5DQe6eCufqwrWPrHyTwGGZDVbI_X9vUcHQd47dAZAQM_7VshrPplzjB9eo-aiLG9ylRS1_dC_lNtisuohq8WxYeRbnnk/s1600-h/IMG_1947.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmd68ClKs-gzXWWWm2S8mhbxlIHyxcXQO3nnAZ2xS0LHTvLL5DQe6eCufqwrWPrHyTwGGZDVbI_X9vUcHQd47dAZAQM_7VshrPplzjB9eo-aiLG9ylRS1_dC_lNtisuohq8WxYeRbnnk/s400/IMG_1947.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344088086278885122" /></a><br /><br />Andy loves Hoover Dam. It is such a strange place. Lake Mead is like a lake on Mars and the Dam itself is such a strange massive contraption among almost NO vegetation. This is why it gets so many visitors each week I guess. So, I wonder what it looked like before there was a dam.<br /><br />While leaving the Hoover Dam we caught sight of six middle-eastern men, orange robed, walking in a block formation. Kristi thought they were prisoners but Andy explained they were probably Monks. Kristi snapped a photo as they were getting into their car but they were no longer in formation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisBcWiscSJvq5Wxn1hf5iCDqpcHQ0crRCifumBOLxFw_KRz4jGOZdEFpAgjFbHAQD5h_ao_tfwqR7udeqoWFSRkNFi9lICS9QCHUIJhljI_XULf2bOaUtdmj_Bs7PfWQGAH5VKYrNqoM/s1600-h/IMG_1948.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisBcWiscSJvq5Wxn1hf5iCDqpcHQ0crRCifumBOLxFw_KRz4jGOZdEFpAgjFbHAQD5h_ao_tfwqR7udeqoWFSRkNFi9lICS9QCHUIJhljI_XULf2bOaUtdmj_Bs7PfWQGAH5VKYrNqoM/s400/IMG_1948.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344088088769604514" /></a><br /><br />Because we have “the bubble” on top of the car, Homeland Security made us pull to the side and open up our ‘top’. They caught our stow-away Noise-a-saurus but they still let him leave with us. I think the girly products they happened upon up there sped up the process of the search. <br /><br />Oscar growled at them through the widow as the guys argued if he was a pug or Boston Terrier.<br />On the way to Hoover Dam I needed gas so I stopped in a gas station and went to an open pump. After filling up I looked at the total and it was $55!!! Holy crap! At first I thought it was highway robbery because there was not much gas in the desert. Then I realized I had just filled my tank with 100 Octane gas! Scott will enjoy hearing this mishap. No wonder the woman in the hummer was looking at me strange – like “Girl, what are you putting high octane in that little vibe, it’s not gonna make it go any faster.”<br /><br />For the record, $5.99/gal gas = no change in a Pontiac Vibe’s performance. <br /><br />As we drove off, some woman was arrested in the parking lot. <br /><br />Our first view of Lake Mead (note dead bug):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfgHEFbEDcqbl-PFUpX1XnY3TF56zIrIm2ugmL2LkWG-0_ARe2nrg9yIeGL_Ob77cBCe0sv_kPgrsFiogTL1ZRezgkttTdvkLgIXIdcRSkbM4HtAtmPt0LaqxQ8vCi_L1VBDz_nyQdPE/s1600-h/IMG_1935.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfgHEFbEDcqbl-PFUpX1XnY3TF56zIrIm2ugmL2LkWG-0_ARe2nrg9yIeGL_Ob77cBCe0sv_kPgrsFiogTL1ZRezgkttTdvkLgIXIdcRSkbM4HtAtmPt0LaqxQ8vCi_L1VBDz_nyQdPE/s400/IMG_1935.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344087689977218754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjpMq9ClMd3lRWog7WIShPONVXaKSNMvNxv2onTJRRO3vmuJCqRQiLPs2cqo7-Hotm2FIxlrIoRrQUxCzRKrVFmWiCr3Q8vb_UYGf55Kd9pfLI6kRA-w6EnvdAIBhdFJN5K86WjJjrwU/s1600-h/IMG_1938.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjpMq9ClMd3lRWog7WIShPONVXaKSNMvNxv2onTJRRO3vmuJCqRQiLPs2cqo7-Hotm2FIxlrIoRrQUxCzRKrVFmWiCr3Q8vb_UYGf55Kd9pfLI6kRA-w6EnvdAIBhdFJN5K86WjJjrwU/s400/IMG_1938.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344087692697458306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxsDZVSq_NFf9pfqMe8AXgFKQklwcUn4n054ruMRhseGpHglSf-MfH0kd6T5_-O1JkcKNffWQOqTBKnWqKQARkkuOH-8s12hePhAY0IZyOO2tfcwzxULmE33W4PG6zeMIQfRE9_G2o_Q/s1600-h/IMG_1936.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxsDZVSq_NFf9pfqMe8AXgFKQklwcUn4n054ruMRhseGpHglSf-MfH0kd6T5_-O1JkcKNffWQOqTBKnWqKQARkkuOH-8s12hePhAY0IZyOO2tfcwzxULmE33W4PG6zeMIQfRE9_G2o_Q/s400/IMG_1936.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344087692626865874" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbt6tOUf85mN2hf1BAYezQ91TdTP26NvlK1ayxXt4WNz_MPJdrAjSzb9VmEg_09jwkntcC6LVaW7XbHmzTqjV3jthrpS3vfQo5IsqIwi2adFsQv39YalwPmu9V_2k3vvFl6VDsh3pLZo/s1600-h/IMG_1945.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbt6tOUf85mN2hf1BAYezQ91TdTP26NvlK1ayxXt4WNz_MPJdrAjSzb9VmEg_09jwkntcC6LVaW7XbHmzTqjV3jthrpS3vfQo5IsqIwi2adFsQv39YalwPmu9V_2k3vvFl6VDsh3pLZo/s400/IMG_1945.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344087691343424898" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-30973109725993127382009-06-05T22:34:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:46:31.274-07:00Leaving Las Vegas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl94lqtjWcKprD9zwLCDVFTppWu5zS61MeVq8Ig_XDVcdrgIbHsHR_Mc-K0Pf_Q2qdX30Fm0DvTM686T1j_cTdpUHpEbbsIedqhrqwDI9LveE5YTTlBn2-seQYpWRN0pQMbyApXitm90M/s1600-h/IMG_1900.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl94lqtjWcKprD9zwLCDVFTppWu5zS61MeVq8Ig_XDVcdrgIbHsHR_Mc-K0Pf_Q2qdX30Fm0DvTM686T1j_cTdpUHpEbbsIedqhrqwDI9LveE5YTTlBn2-seQYpWRN0pQMbyApXitm90M/s400/IMG_1900.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344086245729477362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKEmV2R-UHK8yHkUlXAAwKPMZksM3L4FXVyF5k343DoBY06gKC_4eaqDK6kL0-0XjtW2vxewv_kN31A3DP3XkwdmqndYsh-GYPzIBCwGF-z-ZyKDPT2_APPEHNtoEfOrvk20sWG_jHpw/s1600-h/IMG_1894.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKEmV2R-UHK8yHkUlXAAwKPMZksM3L4FXVyF5k343DoBY06gKC_4eaqDK6kL0-0XjtW2vxewv_kN31A3DP3XkwdmqndYsh-GYPzIBCwGF-z-ZyKDPT2_APPEHNtoEfOrvk20sWG_jHpw/s400/IMG_1894.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344086247705104258" /></a><br /><br />We got into Las Vegas on Tuesday night kind of late and we were exhausted so we got Indian food and went to bed. The La Quinta’s internet was down so it made for some frustration. Especially since Kristi has some real law work to do.<br />In the morning we went to the Stratosphere (which sucked by the way) and Ceaser’s Palace. <br /><br />Kristi asked the shuttle bus driver why anyone would come all the way out here in the middle of the desert and decide THIS is the place to start a city! No grass, no moisture, no fertile soil, miles away from civilization! The driver told us about the history of Las Vegas and when he named the founding founders, he mentioned several Mob bosses. The light bulb came on. Here, were no one else wanted to be, they could have gambling and prostitution legalized. Now, everyone wants to go there. I played Roulette, which I love! Kristi watched. Lost $40 but it was worth it. <br /><br />Below is a photograph of some mobsters we spied hanging out in a pool in front of Treasure Island. It looked like a very questionable situation. We are convinced someone is now “sleeping with the fishes,” and we are a little afraid they will track us down to recover this photograph. That is why we are not using our real names.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFbkl8Igio7XOMpj11XBSXPalGRRU2LLVWaq_qDS_NtpQ4XQc8h7br5Jmx74UNC0yZiz3O455aCg0ubPh_Elu5-82czMTxD0md30w-psqf2CU5Ca34Na5h59G3l5MQx423BXlB7kWrPE/s1600-h/IMG_1919.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFbkl8Igio7XOMpj11XBSXPalGRRU2LLVWaq_qDS_NtpQ4XQc8h7br5Jmx74UNC0yZiz3O455aCg0ubPh_Elu5-82czMTxD0md30w-psqf2CU5Ca34Na5h59G3l5MQx423BXlB7kWrPE/s400/IMG_1919.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344086242077931410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKczGiZV3mMJQ8hpuJf7bbDUW_HDJTg7N1p8R2H-C369gH0AUO4fogFXlCr5wMzmGT0KaCwPJCRIO6rE4d-ERrWtiOHLw2RQO_2mNU5TfDNl6qv6-KvCeTVvyiUkRjctof3pMNbveItE/s1600-h/IMG_1917.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKczGiZV3mMJQ8hpuJf7bbDUW_HDJTg7N1p8R2H-C369gH0AUO4fogFXlCr5wMzmGT0KaCwPJCRIO6rE4d-ERrWtiOHLw2RQO_2mNU5TfDNl6qv6-KvCeTVvyiUkRjctof3pMNbveItE/s400/IMG_1917.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344086242532013282" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-52249160121023081032009-06-05T22:04:00.000-07:002009-06-06T22:40:49.106-07:00So, You Wanted to See an Elk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9O7UpBv2cyZ_Fw7nO3m2pNRjq7tm-0182Q6MP9UpEF0KsGBSySi-yW3bVohhpyvbA_PcdSJvEs8cKgqLo0nzGmxND8eOZnTPOdZuQq4v00fczkBExF-7KhzFT_ju0L5OHO9dyuQP-Gs/s1600-h/IMG_2079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9O7UpBv2cyZ_Fw7nO3m2pNRjq7tm-0182Q6MP9UpEF0KsGBSySi-yW3bVohhpyvbA_PcdSJvEs8cKgqLo0nzGmxND8eOZnTPOdZuQq4v00fczkBExF-7KhzFT_ju0L5OHO9dyuQP-Gs/s400/IMG_2079.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344080041886747794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixLJNO3eFKAhswHrUOu4AzQ69WvqiQguAsUKkNvzQQbP321M2ARXuSFU379Au5xBYYhFfEJgY_zKJDteGWFNZd5wU9zz1YkShIu8fL4KotBszehjl0HQQztohjDKnJsFq7CsNArwOz9A/s1600-h/IMG_2077.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixLJNO3eFKAhswHrUOu4AzQ69WvqiQguAsUKkNvzQQbP321M2ARXuSFU379Au5xBYYhFfEJgY_zKJDteGWFNZd5wU9zz1YkShIu8fL4KotBszehjl0HQQztohjDKnJsFq7CsNArwOz9A/s400/IMG_2077.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344080034536224210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-oebLFnr8issLa5FeD5sNQIaUutz2cSXLmOD1aELOJiFf7qx8KKqVvvFGZlnr5upcKtbh9Djqod4Yr6_KZHwMgjD8oS8RB7VEtExaKx3TTk88BVNAGDRnqvbiEdQOIAdbFEkHML91NI/s1600-h/IMG_2029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-oebLFnr8issLa5FeD5sNQIaUutz2cSXLmOD1aELOJiFf7qx8KKqVvvFGZlnr5upcKtbh9Djqod4Yr6_KZHwMgjD8oS8RB7VEtExaKx3TTk88BVNAGDRnqvbiEdQOIAdbFEkHML91NI/s400/IMG_2029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344079447505445922" /></a><br /><br /><br />In the desert and in the mountains, we saw many signs warning us of various animals we might encounter along the highway. Thankfully, we have not yet, on the road. Both of us had hoped to see some of the native wildlife. <br /><br />After watching the sun set at the Grand Canyon, we walked the trail from Yavapie to Bright Angel. The moon was full, the sky was clear, so it was a bright night. The rimside lodges are all clustered together. As we walked along, the canyon to our right and the lodges to our left, Andy grabbed Kristi’s arm and said, “So, you wanted to see an elk?” There, in the front yard of one of the lodges, stood an elk, not forty feet away. Kristi scrambled to get her camera out and adjust the settings for the lighting. There was no need to hurry. The elk was at the buffet. We managed to get the night shot, and next morning learned there are several, they have names (Leroy and Dennis the Menace), and they frequently graze the lodge lawns. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK7geKykgXrF1U6PgUWQDcjrN3JJ8iFZG9MmUiquWKyWyRYvFPx2gtdTSqNS8tg5As3pHHmIf37g53bZLVksjGswX7UXkM4kUppfkeTBgVHV1leguYpjXSMdjq60QNluUk2xcJbZmwFA/s1600-h/IMG_2097.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK7geKykgXrF1U6PgUWQDcjrN3JJ8iFZG9MmUiquWKyWyRYvFPx2gtdTSqNS8tg5As3pHHmIf37g53bZLVksjGswX7UXkM4kUppfkeTBgVHV1leguYpjXSMdjq60QNluUk2xcJbZmwFA/s400/IMG_2097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344079445053363154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemSsmmfbChOhhO4ETUqwgV7W3qOL67nNw6-NYDzaamD5vQ-2oF_1Yzbz2hgmZqmu4zNUHuPp7eReAq6CmuNGosRTq6Jy0OC-YE5eLJ3gSy_zG7jjbqucUB1OGyEikJxCBsm2YFUsPI68/s1600-h/IMG_2103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemSsmmfbChOhhO4ETUqwgV7W3qOL67nNw6-NYDzaamD5vQ-2oF_1Yzbz2hgmZqmu4zNUHuPp7eReAq6CmuNGosRTq6Jy0OC-YE5eLJ3gSy_zG7jjbqucUB1OGyEikJxCBsm2YFUsPI68/s400/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344079437717424770" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-66558543730693103602009-06-05T21:08:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:33:07.041-07:00Name the Dead Bug<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyXLR_ujIpH_hyo8hAtuyJHYB2CmXaF7kcw2iHkZ_rwNELzDVuAi2m-T-hsyBBvzW3F3Yf-p8HFcFoZ8f0uf6Ga1IVteJpGoQRX7jGG-z1lRH0DEXwGXUZyD3QVq_goZ0vhPRZTu7zfI/s1600-h/IMG_1935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyXLR_ujIpH_hyo8hAtuyJHYB2CmXaF7kcw2iHkZ_rwNELzDVuAi2m-T-hsyBBvzW3F3Yf-p8HFcFoZ8f0uf6Ga1IVteJpGoQRX7jGG-z1lRH0DEXwGXUZyD3QVq_goZ0vhPRZTu7zfI/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344074895416851858" /></a><br /><br />We have a dead bug that has traveled with us on the windshield for several states. The windshield wipers won’t clean it up and we keep forgetting to clean it at our timed pit stops. I think we picked it up in Arizona. He/she can be seen in many of our photos. Its guts are kind of yellow in color and I think it was a substantial sized bug.<br /><br />We are currently accepting suggestions for names for said bug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDCF6xmW7Dn8A6Xo5tJicY9_kOao4RK7a4juOMJFf_4VZle9_YUamXLtSHuSNEJ5llOAMEuq7qzQ9dab0h0ITpJeD42jK4kZeaaegcBHbLBYfynGrNO0qHUtDltJkQsP6LUc4KPeYoGI/s1600-h/IMG_1971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDCF6xmW7Dn8A6Xo5tJicY9_kOao4RK7a4juOMJFf_4VZle9_YUamXLtSHuSNEJ5llOAMEuq7qzQ9dab0h0ITpJeD42jK4kZeaaegcBHbLBYfynGrNO0qHUtDltJkQsP6LUc4KPeYoGI/s400/IMG_1971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344074892398712994" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-30560932832921113882009-06-05T20:49:00.000-07:002009-06-05T22:32:04.165-07:00General Update Day 4: Catching UpWhat the Road Looks like after TWELVE HOURS OF DRIVING<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswHoG98aV-LwU_bnBuLO4yzRYvVUmgbVy_idXj4zeDPssXgIKC6s9Tys0jEqJhVLOTAeIeUEN5heRrlyUbqUhRWqfR7eo2n7NCEFHTCbXX1gSbv0EfkUh_lTJ-v4gfvaKdLK6a908o1I/s1600-h/IMAG0508.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswHoG98aV-LwU_bnBuLO4yzRYvVUmgbVy_idXj4zeDPssXgIKC6s9Tys0jEqJhVLOTAeIeUEN5heRrlyUbqUhRWqfR7eo2n7NCEFHTCbXX1gSbv0EfkUh_lTJ-v4gfvaKdLK6a908o1I/s400/IMAG0508.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344058703978665250" /></a><br /><br />Kristi and I are currently between Denver and the Kansas state line on i-70. Today is our longest day of travel: 12-13 hours. We are driving from Moab, Utah, all the way across the state of Colorado to Southeastern Kansas where we will spend the night in Dodge City. Tomorrow AM we are going to Greensburg, KS. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If anyone watches the show about Greensburg please tell us what we should see while were there.<br /></span><br />The dogs have done well so far but Oscar just required a half of a xanax (my xanax). If I were a dog, I would be pretty pissed about 8 hours into a 12 hour drive too. But seriously the dogs have become professional travelers. As long as they have a butt to sleep next to at the end of the night they are happy. FYI: Oliver slept with Kristi last night. I was abandonded!<br /><br />Thanks for all the info on Seviche from everyone: Ben, Scott and Tsun-Yen. Though there seem to be different opinions to what exactly it is, I do think Kristi basically ate raw fish and survived.<br /><br />Kristi and I have sacrificed eating properly, bathing and peeing to make up time we used sight seeing. We both agree that the other does not stink. We made portable lunches from pilfered items from the free breakfast at La Quinta. I have been limiting my water intake so I don’t have to pee too much (bad idea for the days we were in the desert).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TALLY:</span><br />4 days<br />6 states<br />3 time zones<br />2,045 miles<br />28 hours on the road<br />still 2 girls, 2 dogs, 2 guitars. . <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />CASUALTIES:</span><br />at least 2 bugs, one still on the winshield wiper<br />1 chapstick<br />1 dog toy<br />$40 at roulette table<br />human renal function<br />canine liver function<br />nutrition<br />personal hygiene standards<br />a little bit of sanity<br />several traffic laws<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">TO GO: </span><br />2 days<br />6 states<br />1000 miles<br />16 hours on the road<br /><br />Kristi Needed a Little Prayer<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG53_OwH2F3ajbWET13Lr6Z3hrKUd4fiW-fnvDeAjLXVNw_DMcn5RxuF61mWt0qZdyC35VvgiZ9bMnkt8-lV3DFVWkrDpwwgHpq_E_0dN9Tg9myVN0VpTm3Xtur36vkJtQTvt7fCy0LLM/s1600-h/IMAG0358.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG53_OwH2F3ajbWET13Lr6Z3hrKUd4fiW-fnvDeAjLXVNw_DMcn5RxuF61mWt0qZdyC35VvgiZ9bMnkt8-lV3DFVWkrDpwwgHpq_E_0dN9Tg9myVN0VpTm3Xtur36vkJtQTvt7fCy0LLM/s400/IMAG0358.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344058703618483458" /></a><br /><br />Oscar making sure we don't leave him<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZC-32BESsGbo6UARtEuir12353ULtjDq78FjoW_OoPsRkHlW4ECCvOs446p7MwJNKK50Q5r0HIl7OdgJqQnaOr_DL-1kb7iJ6hCN5AS9W_lt6uJhDOq7zYWmWksVM8h7VEoa6K5h7o/s1600-h/IMAG0494.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvZC-32BESsGbo6UARtEuir12353ULtjDq78FjoW_OoPsRkHlW4ECCvOs446p7MwJNKK50Q5r0HIl7OdgJqQnaOr_DL-1kb7iJ6hCN5AS9W_lt6uJhDOq7zYWmWksVM8h7VEoa6K5h7o/s400/IMAG0494.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344058716228735074" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-15249698074362674182009-06-05T20:48:00.000-07:002009-06-05T20:49:32.749-07:00Andy's way of cooling melted chocolate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlfMazALBsmV_Rdn_GZmF6RxmQqUnnBBhJXUZQ0P-O9LNg4BDgzKAmPIYqKluQaZ7e9jtc9aIAhVKcQrOVzQi6eRHxiXvbOT7LXprP-KeWCcybvrVl8yhg0KTfBTfuBj2xpb6dOBPRiA/s1600-h/IMAG0513.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlfMazALBsmV_Rdn_GZmF6RxmQqUnnBBhJXUZQ0P-O9LNg4BDgzKAmPIYqKluQaZ7e9jtc9aIAhVKcQrOVzQi6eRHxiXvbOT7LXprP-KeWCcybvrVl8yhg0KTfBTfuBj2xpb6dOBPRiA/s400/IMAG0513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344056717646571090" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-44184468230730887122009-06-04T22:04:00.001-07:002009-06-04T22:15:36.978-07:00Change of Route<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16WoVcj4ePFI-AGhMn1wn0vsuzVOP0Mi7BznVPO_jv-Gpfn_bbz0Ok7lLdP53crFv-MjTJ-2JAyHRlu00JLqM740z3epnAp3o1vdtCFejVIk2ovSo0QW5tLimYi7eaa7WTvbgpgBMhFQ/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16WoVcj4ePFI-AGhMn1wn0vsuzVOP0Mi7BznVPO_jv-Gpfn_bbz0Ok7lLdP53crFv-MjTJ-2JAyHRlu00JLqM740z3epnAp3o1vdtCFejVIk2ovSo0QW5tLimYi7eaa7WTvbgpgBMhFQ/s400/Picture+6.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343707689237923314" /></a><br />After leaving Las Vegas (update still needed on that, I know) we drove to the grand canyon and stayed the night there then drove on the back roads through the desert to Arches National Park in Moab, UT. AMAZING. <br /><br />We have been on back roads and in places without Wifi for a couple of days so our connectivity has been limited. Many updates should be expected soon with memorable photos. <a href="http://"></a><br /><br />So, my parents were excited that we were going through Kansas because of Greensburg, KS the town that was destroyed by a tornado and is now being rebuilt totally GREEN. <br /><br />I have only seen previews for the show on the Green Channel but it seems like a nice place to visit since there seems to not be much else in Kansas to see.<br /><br />So here is our updated map. We should still arrive in ATL on Sunday sometime. We are driving through Denver but not staying there.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-21181107145252707642009-06-03T11:53:00.001-07:002009-06-03T12:00:31.347-07:00Antelope Valley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjQEgXQBVf9zF8-EHv7sC5ELretHt2JQRRilaSEyC1wQ5zsQZyEYUV2-1-gZL5aLCrYc_ZS5pTywwDSba7BM0bvShdHfbZDASj6fV9AUHIYTuJCyvYPknVR4idWhyphenhyphenvINDdAyHGvBZCn4/s1600-h/IMG_1873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjQEgXQBVf9zF8-EHv7sC5ELretHt2JQRRilaSEyC1wQ5zsQZyEYUV2-1-gZL5aLCrYc_ZS5pTywwDSba7BM0bvShdHfbZDASj6fV9AUHIYTuJCyvYPknVR4idWhyphenhyphenvINDdAyHGvBZCn4/s400/IMG_1873.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343178202089197266" /></a><br /><br />We took a detour through Antelope Valley to see where Kristi’s friend Amanda grew up. We passed through Lancaster and Palm –something. The land is rocky sand, out of which grows no grass, but mostly scrubby little prickly dry twiggy bushes that inflict your skin with hair fine thorns as you walk by. Strange palms with awkwardly twisted trunks and branches intermittently appear as medusa trees. All around rise the mountains. There are no signs of moisture other than aqueducts and the flash flood warning signs, but plenty of wind and dust. Outside of the towns, it is a desolate, lonely, hauntingly beautiful land. <br /><br />While Andy drives, Kristi is minding the dogs, navigating, taking photographs, downloading photos, and updating the blog. Out an the desert highway, Kristi had a photographic almost semi crisis which we can’t write about. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGsha4Ketk3NWCyCsyVhWHXQcnspJiZ9CtkoCkxRRfLfnKushlCDqsV3mX0cFire29EDQ_XHFjwDBEqictkuQkC8xHWXEai5Ax00ppEHNN0T97M46-8gQnQTHWEAfnlboIESPrbaDA7Y/s1600-h/IMG_1886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGsha4Ketk3NWCyCsyVhWHXQcnspJiZ9CtkoCkxRRfLfnKushlCDqsV3mX0cFire29EDQ_XHFjwDBEqictkuQkC8xHWXEai5Ax00ppEHNN0T97M46-8gQnQTHWEAfnlboIESPrbaDA7Y/s400/IMG_1886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343177522251913058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuniak2Lu9A7uYk_oPKLsR_prqs9EdOB0u4vzuQAvePbu2AXCv3svNbfE3w-0I5WejArKzq7WFYIX4R4B3e3aBrdUk-2UYKxTMb4A5yKhiex7DMUykuAhrxC1RA7zwtwg_zpnjL8bm4M/s1600-h/IMG_1869.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuniak2Lu9A7uYk_oPKLsR_prqs9EdOB0u4vzuQAvePbu2AXCv3svNbfE3w-0I5WejArKzq7WFYIX4R4B3e3aBrdUk-2UYKxTMb4A5yKhiex7DMUykuAhrxC1RA7zwtwg_zpnjL8bm4M/s400/IMG_1869.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343177519189454514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0IBNGP6MSPHuMC0wlAZDiKqK-W3Ij9FGqnHxE4JeLm69XouRm7QcApJng9H88nxm8p1Dumm5RirpIqwIcHgampznCIxmtcJHwGj2LD74AYILiFoRa8sqs6kNQ1_c6huXWiidk6clr3o/s1600-h/IMG_1868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0IBNGP6MSPHuMC0wlAZDiKqK-W3Ij9FGqnHxE4JeLm69XouRm7QcApJng9H88nxm8p1Dumm5RirpIqwIcHgampznCIxmtcJHwGj2LD74AYILiFoRa8sqs6kNQ1_c6huXWiidk6clr3o/s400/IMG_1868.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343177514212684354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZd1PE0y3fVR-T_3vSvZuf_HTB5bK4SSmHOFLD30DZZL5T_41XBweQnG-v4ikByK2U4SQq3EK0bMnH5Ns5AV5oR6b14g2pe_KLyO2FCYrnqCiyXILsD7xinP93Xtmqnm5lUcHKoICzG8/s1600-h/IMG_1872.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZd1PE0y3fVR-T_3vSvZuf_HTB5bK4SSmHOFLD30DZZL5T_41XBweQnG-v4ikByK2U4SQq3EK0bMnH5Ns5AV5oR6b14g2pe_KLyO2FCYrnqCiyXILsD7xinP93Xtmqnm5lUcHKoICzG8/s400/IMG_1872.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343177504816377202" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_IpSeYvOP2oCCmEtPpmRjX4Crjjb0l058AymC6iCdMRssLb3XDJnUjqVBNZuE4RuwYqrMwP8xQcxnEqpXlP96f6H8qZ93KIg636R3nC7Oa_2IyelJ3j1JLe1N8YwoY5w2K4R9SxBC5I/s1600-h/IMG_1877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_IpSeYvOP2oCCmEtPpmRjX4Crjjb0l058AymC6iCdMRssLb3XDJnUjqVBNZuE4RuwYqrMwP8xQcxnEqpXlP96f6H8qZ93KIg636R3nC7Oa_2IyelJ3j1JLe1N8YwoY5w2K4R9SxBC5I/s400/IMG_1877.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343177520857131202" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-86768534931049075442009-06-03T11:45:00.000-07:002009-06-03T12:07:06.507-07:00This is NOT Happening<span style="font-weight:bold;">Note: Car before I started out from San Francisco<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbK-mAaROKnBZbu9r3v5X9xjkYhb_vpbSJAZpZhGNZr-5nYOnHM3yPbns7CTSgPGHHMdIPKZCgNfchxhUMYKF0tn6-c1ojodpy8uKsKz4mpnaHkSBmjm6VkpGP3D9zNBgmHI1MrgSjzI/s1600-h/IMAG0245.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbK-mAaROKnBZbu9r3v5X9xjkYhb_vpbSJAZpZhGNZr-5nYOnHM3yPbns7CTSgPGHHMdIPKZCgNfchxhUMYKF0tn6-c1ojodpy8uKsKz4mpnaHkSBmjm6VkpGP3D9zNBgmHI1MrgSjzI/s400/IMAG0245.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343174884970822162" /></a><br /><br />The Car: “Thump, thump, thump, thump. . .”<br /><br />Andy: Kristi, do you think that thing is denting my roof? <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Note: Andy refers to the cargo box as “that thing.”<br /><br /></span>Kristi: (looks) Yeah. (calmly)<br /><br />Andy: Can you feel it?<br /><br />Kristi: (still calmly)I can see it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLUhWtCm8nJfCG5uw_50PtKNK9AKKZ9nTpbwMVKvX2hOwJIJ0WEfHHTVFzPcijZ4jW_bDUsYNbx15ZvaOJ0_3ZrhGJpC5_sqCQTCqah7OswOK9IB6VHDDdOpEMALBwe4MEOrRfuJWryY/s1600-h/IMG_1850.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLUhWtCm8nJfCG5uw_50PtKNK9AKKZ9nTpbwMVKvX2hOwJIJ0WEfHHTVFzPcijZ4jW_bDUsYNbx15ZvaOJ0_3ZrhGJpC5_sqCQTCqah7OswOK9IB6VHDDdOpEMALBwe4MEOrRfuJWryY/s400/IMG_1850.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343174703563379794" /></a><br /><br />Andy: (looks in the rearview mirror, sees a huge bulge hanging down from the roof, gasps, and immediately darts across 3 lanes of L.A. traffic to exit the freeway.) <br /><br />GPS: Recalculating. . . Recalculating. . . Recalculating. . .<br /><br />Andy: (Speechless, starts breathing deeply to avoid hyperventilating).<br /><br />Kristi: (calmly) There has got to be a design flaw somewhere.<br /><br />Andy (in her head): <span style="font-style:italic;">WTF? Who cares if it’s a design flaw? OMG, how much will this devalue my car? I still owe $7000 on it. How are we going to get home? Am I going to have to get another hotel room in L.A.? Can a body shop undent the roof? How am I going to tell my Dad? Did I put too much in there? How did this happen? </span><br />(out loud) This is not happening. <br />Kristi: (in her head):<span style="font-style:italic;"> Wonder if we can just keep driving? Will it eventually break through? Can they use a giant magnet to pull the dent out? What should I be saying to Andy right now? <br /></span><br />The duo pull into the Jiffy Lube exit driveway, then back out and turn the corner to enter and park. <br /><br />GPS: Recalculating. . .<br /><br />As they attempt to exit the vehicle, Oscar jumps into the front seat, preventing seat belt removal. He growls as they shove him to the back. <br /><br />Andy: I’m just gonna get rid all my stuff up there.<br /><br />Kristi: I can see across the roof. It looks smooth. Can you see from your side? <br /><br />Andy: (puzzled, remains speechless, feeling the roof in the inside)<br /><br />Kristi: Come look. <br /><br />The two walk to the back of the car.<br /><br />Kristi: See? It looks smooth. The bubble is not touching the roof. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Note: Kristi refers to the cargo box as the bubble. <br /></span><br /><br />Andy: (disbelieving) Is that just how my roof is made? <br /><br />Kristi: (looking stricken) I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack. <br /><br />They begin to laugh; Andy hugs Kristi. They go next door to Jack in the Box and order Churros. <br /><br />Alternate ending:<br />When Andy darts across 3 lanes of L.A. traffic, she sideswipes a church bus and a 5 car pileup results. The car is totaled; however, strangely there is no damage whatsoever to the roof. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfQa2voHBCrGZ4BKGD9FOogy_DuxraylreThBNgJUPvnKo_nB3eXyxwFLuXpj9BCgObp49ywlxP-YPC7_AQZzfJ_-jp2auWl1bvT66zJoaxl6S0ntvnJ-3Ae3_CJD8yPMNJgAYLRmUng/s1600-h/IMG_1861.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfQa2voHBCrGZ4BKGD9FOogy_DuxraylreThBNgJUPvnKo_nB3eXyxwFLuXpj9BCgObp49ywlxP-YPC7_AQZzfJ_-jp2auWl1bvT66zJoaxl6S0ntvnJ-3Ae3_CJD8yPMNJgAYLRmUng/s400/IMG_1861.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343174701845989906" /></a>ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-962035036363996170.post-87883249688250460632009-06-03T11:42:00.000-07:002009-06-03T11:45:23.063-07:00FISH TACOSLos Angeles Tuesday June 2nd<br /><br />Kristi has recently (in GA) discovered fish tacos. Last night we saw a taco stand advertising fish tacos and decided that if one were going to become a fish taco connoisseur, one would have to have a fish taco in California. So, Tuesday morning we would have fish tacos for lunch. That is Kristi would have fish tacos and Andy would have something without fish or other animal parts). <br /><br />We pulled into a little Mexican grill and quickly saw that not only did they have a fish taco, but also a plentiful vegetarian menu. Andy quickly ordered a Seven Vegetable Quesadilla and began gathering up cups of salsa. Kristi, concerned about Weight Watchers points, inquired as to how the fish was prepared. The clerk explained they were marinated in lime juice with onions and cilantro. “But how are they cooked?” asked Kristi. The clerk replied, “They are marinated.” “But are they then grilled, or fried?” Kristi persisted. “They are just marinated,” responded the clerk. “Are they raw?” wondered Kristi, adding, “I don’t eat sushi.” “Oh, it’s not sushi, it’s whitefish,” reassured the clerk. “Is heat applied to this fish at any point?” asked Kristi. “I don’t think so,” said the clerk, “but I am sure you will love it. “ Kristi suddenly noticed the line collecting behind her and ordered a fish taco. <br /><br />When the food was ready, Kristi joined Andy at the counter by the storefront window. Andy was thrilled with the broccoli, carrots, squash, green beans, zucchini, and onions in her quesadilla, and was happy to see no mushrooms in there. Kristi tentatively opened her taco and sampled a tiny piece of the whitefish. It looked like it had perhaps been cooked at some point, and it did not taste or smell raw. She decided to eat the taco. It was good, especially with tomatilla sauce. Kristi has experienced no digestive upset as of yet.<br /><br />If anybody knows what exactly a ceviche taco is, and whether or not this fish was cooked, we would be grateful to learn. Thank you.ladybirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01421592502464447990noreply@blogger.com6