tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46292691072988044852024-03-12T22:44:08.017-06:00Road Trip RambleRoad Trip Ramble is the chronicle of a nine-month journey with our cat throughout the United States. Traveling in a Free Spirit, a Class B motorhome from Leisure Travel Vans, we will follow back roads and scenic byways as we visit national parks, museums, historic sites, charming small towns and any other place that strikes our fancy.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-1451959484405051322012-07-01T19:48:00.004-06:002012-07-01T19:48:32.716-06:00Budget vs Actual Expenses<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Long before we left on our trip, I
reread </span><a href="http://www.roadtripdream.com/" rel="nofollow"><i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000;">Live Your Road Trip Dream</span></span></i></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, by Carol and Phil White, a
book that had inspired me to take a seven-week road trip after I retired from
the City of Miami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book
demonstrated how one could travel for a year for the cost of staying at
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were developing a budget
for our road trip, we looked to the book for advice and discovered that,
indeed, we could take our trip for not much more than staying at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip seemed to be something we could
afford.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike the Whites, however, </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">we had hoped not to have to rent our home while we were
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the income would have
been nice and would have covered our expenses for the mortgage, utilities and
other home-related expenses, we preferred not to have to pack up our personal
items to make room for a renter if at all possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our solution to this came in the form of a
nine-month job that I happened to get at the Estes Park Museum, just one year
prior to leaving on the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only
did I love the job, but I was also able to save what I earned and use that to
cover our home expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was even
quite a bit left over to cover some of our other trip-related expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Live Your Road Trip Dream</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> offered great ideas on how to develop a budget, and we
used many of these ideas in creating our own budget. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We erred on the high side in almost every
category as we didn’t want to come up short part way through the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It’s been interesting comparing our budget
with our actual expenses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we
certainly did not scrimp on spending, we were pleased with the final
figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we are sharing these
numbers in case anyone else might want to think about doing a similar trip.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-4393106485901117412012-06-27T20:50:00.000-06:002012-06-27T20:50:33.247-06:00How Did We Spend the Rest of the Money?<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Last week I reported about our biggest
expenses for the trip – <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/06/and-just-what-was-our-mpg.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">diesel fuel</span></a>, <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/06/where-did-we-stay-what-did-it-cost.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">lodging</span></a> and <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/06/where-did-we-eat-what-did-it-cost.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">food</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were big categories and accounted for approximately
sixty percent of our total expenditures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what about the other forty percent?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our next largest expense was RV service,
maintenance and repairs at $4,736.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
knew the RV would require two routine services while we were on the road and budgeted
$2,610 for this category.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it
seems that we grossly underestimated this figure, we decided near the end of
the trip to bite the bullet and <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/05/improving-our-ride.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">upgrade the RV</span></a> with an anti-sway bar and new
shocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That alone cost us approximately
$1,715. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the work was not
required, we felt it would be a worthwhile expenditure and knew we had been
coming in under budget in other categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What we hadn’t counted on, however, was having to replace the
tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a painful, but
essential, $1,167.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggam7EUYIDqBnS6ifLorKyOtoHA1UI5KEBoheDp4g_nCzhS0G8mAg1WPMPO7UqoJ3BGoOM3W7xapKTFDgAbQQ5v_D8tYoZ0dED4iIsuVe8qY0qVwqU111QbVQPIUqET5lIdIn5osw3VEW0/s1600/DSCN8981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggam7EUYIDqBnS6ifLorKyOtoHA1UI5KEBoheDp4g_nCzhS0G8mAg1WPMPO7UqoJ3BGoOM3W7xapKTFDgAbQQ5v_D8tYoZ0dED4iIsuVe8qY0qVwqU111QbVQPIUqET5lIdIn5osw3VEW0/s320/DSCN8981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Upgrade to the RV and the Tires Were a Major Expense</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Another big expense was entertainment at
$3,924.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This category included
everything from admission fees, tickets and tours to boat and seaplane
rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had decided even before the
trip began that we preferred to spend our money on experiences, not things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we did not scrimp in this
category, we still came in under budget by $1,871.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, that difference paid for the upgrade
to the RV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz61IqAGy9jjFa5pg7IG8qRIqJ_3qz25fOmKbCaHDhgLEdnYkpGGMP93m9iMjDZhlJHmYjALELv96rQ2mT58HkeA8NebJA9Xbknz-Syj6pgHV58GW4nTl-Ex4Y4a73Zj1KoLQ6yBYj-JTL/s1600/DSCN3137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz61IqAGy9jjFa5pg7IG8qRIqJ_3qz25fOmKbCaHDhgLEdnYkpGGMP93m9iMjDZhlJHmYjALELv96rQ2mT58HkeA8NebJA9Xbknz-Syj6pgHV58GW4nTl-Ex4Y4a73Zj1KoLQ6yBYj-JTL/s320/DSCN3137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experiences Like the Seaplane Ride to the Dry Tortugas Were So Worth the Money</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">OK, that brings our percentage of total
expenditures up to seventy-seven percent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What else did we purchase?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did
shop a little bit and spent a total of $3,283 for gifts, a few new clothes, a
new camera and assorted books, souvenirs and other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a good thing we had decided to mostly
forego shopping, since we did have a tendency to buy stuff once we walked into
a store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other “shopping” items included
supplies for the RV, household supplies and a few office supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did exceed our budget by about $400.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kitty, however, did a much better job and
only exceeded her $475 budget by $2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good Kitty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfwXty-mepopHaXTo_USTGUPZAOTJURnCsJQJQzsxhcy1smHfT3AXTq76Evd_Tps5RxHLezy-J3g61-A1-tXlCvTVT01AZd7jTdKXkbv82dJR6lmu7iQHPKKHRvp6XO6dRkp6bW6idelK/s1600/DSCN7306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfwXty-mepopHaXTo_USTGUPZAOTJURnCsJQJQzsxhcy1smHfT3AXTq76Evd_Tps5RxHLezy-J3g61-A1-tXlCvTVT01AZd7jTdKXkbv82dJR6lmu7iQHPKKHRvp6XO6dRkp6bW6idelK/s320/DSCN7306.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Collected Bandanas from Various National Parks</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We only had a few additional categories
that exceeded a total of $1,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
included personal care expenses, such as haircuts, laundry and toiletries, at
$1,396.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We paid $1,395 for cell phone
and internet access through our MiFi, as well as $1,294 for last-minute airline
tickets to Colorado for both of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were under budget for the first two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Airline tickets, however, were not in the budget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Expenses relating to winterizing our
house and having someone take care of the house and mail came to $1,372.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still had to pay the mortgage, condo
association fees and minimal utilities, but we did not include those expenses
in our trip expenditures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other assorted
expenses amounted to almost $4,000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">By the end of this week I plan to post
a chart comparing our original budget with our actual expenses. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These numbers may change slightly, but they’re
pretty accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I finish with the
chart, I don’t want to think about these numbers anymore!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-15173677623342513882012-06-24T19:36:00.000-06:002012-06-24T19:39:16.199-06:00And the Winner Is. . .<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">One of the things that Tim and I looked
forward to every morning was looking to see if we had received any comments on
our blog posts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was one way we
stayed connected with our family and friends, and we really appreciated the
time that people took to check in with us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Near the end of the trip, we decided
that we should acknowledge the person who had posted the most comments over the
course of the nine months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never
announced a contest and didn’t tell anyone about our plan, so no one knew that
a “prize” might be in the offing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We are pleased to announce that the
person who posted more comments than anyone was. . .”LV”!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congratulations and thank you for entertaining
us, commiserating with us and simply keeping us company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close on the heels of LV was “A,” and we also
loved reading your comments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">While we were in <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/04/equal-time-for-napa.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Napa</span></a>, LV posted a
comment about one the photos we included. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photo featured a banner that read “Wine a Bit,
You’ll Feel Better.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LV mentioned that
she loved the banner and said that she had to have it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we found a similar, although smaller,
banner, and that is your prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope
that you will remember sharing our trip with us every time you look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The banner will be in the mail to you this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy, and thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmwbE3BQ_PmCn0vw9JXXBeLBmV157H7MTtvdzRL6gDzwnJM5lklqfLAwq6Zvrae-WIqyxUdZHOFxCb_-rheKqYdLqClQcWaAXlvPnqnwz28b6CYQJtXl8HdG-iYqAOs3vtR42Mkmn37F9/s1600/DSCN7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmwbE3BQ_PmCn0vw9JXXBeLBmV157H7MTtvdzRL6gDzwnJM5lklqfLAwq6Zvrae-WIqyxUdZHOFxCb_-rheKqYdLqClQcWaAXlvPnqnwz28b6CYQJtXl8HdG-iYqAOs3vtR42Mkmn37F9/s320/DSCN7304.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Couldn't Agree More!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-36942983628645284992012-06-23T21:23:00.000-06:002012-06-23T21:23:35.091-06:00Estes Park on Fire<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A small, but fast-burning fire began at
noon today near the main entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite burning approximately sixteen
structures on High Drive, as well as adjacent forest and grasslands, it seems
that the fire has been mostly contained. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hile we were at lunch we watched black smoke
pour from the western part of town, although I didn’t have my camera with me to
record it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Two helicopters from the High Park
Fire, which has been burning near Fort Collins for two weeks, were quickly
dispatched to Estes Park, and it was fascinating to watch them hover over Lake
Estes and draw water into their tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had never seen anything like that before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our home is on the east side of town,
and we were never in danger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless,
the fire was a little too close for comfort for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is scary to see how much of Colorado is
burning, and it’s only June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Triple-digit
temperatures, wind and low humidity are only adding to the danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid it’s going to be a long, hot
summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl72qrZKNZ9_Q9HRmBwI5cj9sYjU-uEghi5mVtrUdRMuex26-vMktntAPosn2UzKH9HbLuvc6gFKJVGUkQVRyz3poS2u-4d2k00z3orjrOGC1SrBZhWmdLPwOUGdQpdWtxlt8HaWaRasK/s1600/DSCN7271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl72qrZKNZ9_Q9HRmBwI5cj9sYjU-uEghi5mVtrUdRMuex26-vMktntAPosn2UzKH9HbLuvc6gFKJVGUkQVRyz3poS2u-4d2k00z3orjrOGC1SrBZhWmdLPwOUGdQpdWtxlt8HaWaRasK/s320/DSCN7271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming In to Fill the Tanks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVN90XgOj27z5zbyTdw4i1WGqykpfZXFvY2nNCTz_e4yQM1lEeJzjmmfsH26SJMqV51qKIPuFhgLgXRgv8FBOyCRRwecBxH9aKe5MfEchsMOiuuq_0XZBcHiyAVZmM9SUfA_iZZLo7VEf/s1600/DSCN7273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVN90XgOj27z5zbyTdw4i1WGqykpfZXFvY2nNCTz_e4yQM1lEeJzjmmfsH26SJMqV51qKIPuFhgLgXRgv8FBOyCRRwecBxH9aKe5MfEchsMOiuuq_0XZBcHiyAVZmM9SUfA_iZZLo7VEf/s320/DSCN7273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at Lake Estes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rnaoddxepBIdFMsJcROn8qf3Eudj3g50NmRXPULcNlULYVQEiElRMwPASQizs1w29eZqIywdkSIjHoeAKXMgbrPvB7oPMvTLB-7V5GIaSWZG-Ndj1SoCdCvzj_iBSBW9gZ2F2Sc9c-oB/s1600/DSCN7277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rnaoddxepBIdFMsJcROn8qf3Eudj3g50NmRXPULcNlULYVQEiElRMwPASQizs1w29eZqIywdkSIjHoeAKXMgbrPvB7oPMvTLB-7V5GIaSWZG-Ndj1SoCdCvzj_iBSBW9gZ2F2Sc9c-oB/s320/DSCN7277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling the Tanks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4KlQOglBRplfCRLoAUeLABHnGHVE1cIMLvrRkMGDUw2rqiH_OcmelAprSxkJdxAVVXZnKxmWjQv9LHIz7mkkq__XcIp5UQmHt92QcvyyLECQnY8sWKyTOkdyuHartJT2iRcrP9cdscqq/s1600/DSCN7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4KlQOglBRplfCRLoAUeLABHnGHVE1cIMLvrRkMGDUw2rqiH_OcmelAprSxkJdxAVVXZnKxmWjQv9LHIz7mkkq__XcIp5UQmHt92QcvyyLECQnY8sWKyTOkdyuHartJT2iRcrP9cdscqq/s320/DSCN7280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanks Are Full</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw7bLyc4Ll3GUJd_MYdFyZ6Qp6IdK1BKaLre7NkBpoyKlg7kFAkrT_UgT0fFULBX2ngefzBfwaeG4OWWyJpFZXFiulidAedUumhw3bv7Qp12wq5OKlheMjG0UFqG6s1p1v4bdFH7bgHJr/s1600/DSCN7287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw7bLyc4Ll3GUJd_MYdFyZ6Qp6IdK1BKaLre7NkBpoyKlg7kFAkrT_UgT0fFULBX2ngefzBfwaeG4OWWyJpFZXFiulidAedUumhw3bv7Qp12wq5OKlheMjG0UFqG6s1p1v4bdFH7bgHJr/s320/DSCN7287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking Off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhIXrHvdNf_cMxKk3dASsbOEkgM_4TjUa8UEV8oiQt5LBGH69nBrJkSYjxBzUY7Zc4-p76QVak35_AVoLoE99u_8F_UOXdyGBbhUHMaxQk9XdjWNch2G2GupyZLYIy91wZQKwgy-yXRxU/s1600/DSCN7282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhIXrHvdNf_cMxKk3dASsbOEkgM_4TjUa8UEV8oiQt5LBGH69nBrJkSYjxBzUY7Zc4-p76QVak35_AVoLoE99u_8F_UOXdyGBbhUHMaxQk9XdjWNch2G2GupyZLYIy91wZQKwgy-yXRxU/s320/DSCN7282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off to Drop Water on the Fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jSv7ctJA-bi9tO8BGBAc3N8HELayDpAOYrOQWCMvfLAClYo2GQKYyoCopLCXg373_dEoKmGYkRFii_k_0NfenA3nItbvePSSrqE8qQIhijEVRd4tYgCFO3eYtSLKT63LXhbfrjpeV75s/s1600/DSCN7302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jSv7ctJA-bi9tO8BGBAc3N8HELayDpAOYrOQWCMvfLAClYo2GQKYyoCopLCXg373_dEoKmGYkRFii_k_0NfenA3nItbvePSSrqE8qQIhijEVRd4tYgCFO3eYtSLKT63LXhbfrjpeV75s/s320/DSCN7302.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Can See the High Park Fire from Our Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-59960112697222588212012-06-20T21:57:00.000-06:002012-06-20T21:57:28.414-06:00Where Did We Eat, What Did It Cost?<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Before we left on our trip, we had two
ideas about food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew that we would
eat out a lot, since experiencing local and regional foods was important to us,
and we also thought we would cook many of our own meals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As things turned out, we did eat out a lot,
but we almost never cooked meals from scratch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Even though our kitchen in the RV is
tiny, we were fully equipped to cook almost any kind of meal imaginable. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had purchased a nesting set of cookware
that took up very little room and had discovered ingenious silicone cookers that
would enable us to cook an entire meal in our microwave/convection oven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even had every utensil that we might
need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were definitely prepared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just found that we lacked the motivation
to cook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It all started in Maine when we couldn’t
seem to get our fill of local seafood, especially lobster and crab. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After living in landlocked Colorado, we were
starved for fresh seafood, and we really looked forward to eating out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lobster and crab were a little too messy to
try and prepare in the RV, so we left the cooking to someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QcjYsNQwhF0BLxMD9r47790NyQTJ2O3ya7jfPLDOOGZ3VanNM4nbw3RhQVgt120HPZQKhjxyVSyT9vTJrkrYvzJJKEvVwkQKaaf23JG6UnJF69IcoS5CO52jLPQRSF5vsYhyKI9-4chc/s1600/IMG_4449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QcjYsNQwhF0BLxMD9r47790NyQTJ2O3ya7jfPLDOOGZ3VanNM4nbw3RhQVgt120HPZQKhjxyVSyT9vTJrkrYvzJJKEvVwkQKaaf23JG6UnJF69IcoS5CO52jLPQRSF5vsYhyKI9-4chc/s320/IMG_4449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maine Lobster Was Hard to Resist</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We decided early on that lunch would
typically be our main meal of the day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
of all, lunch is usually less expensive than at dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, we looked forward to lunchtime as a nice
break from driving or touring. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, our
primary reason was the fact that it was just too inconvenient to go out for
dinner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we arrived at a campground
and got set up, we simply did not want to turn around and drive back out for
dinner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just wasn’t worth the hassle,
especially once it started getting dark so early. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Eating our biggest meal at lunch meant
that we often had leftovers for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
quickly got into the habit of not cooking, and when we didn’t have leftovers,
we learned that we could purchase very good prepared foods at supermarkets or
delis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were often tired at the end of
the day and did not want to add cooking to our list of other evening activities,
which included writing blog posts and researching where we should go the next
day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">People often wonder if we got tired of
eating out every day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can honestly say
that we did not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We almost never ate in
chain or fast food restaurants and instead sought out local spots that featured
“home cooking.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In nine months I can
remember only a handful of restaurants where the food was pretty bad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’m too easy to please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say, however, that while we did not
miss our own “home cooking,” we absolutely loved it when friends and family prepared
meals for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a special treat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vAPB2kI3iHCQ71aHkJ0lwZ5dbKNqtck4ThJKIg0eBpJ19PJykQLQazZIuwET_9OctQ5cQdssNG6o_U7LnfqZwbGCTljilADT7Ce9jXhCxPspb6ThmKYGux4pdIQF0Y996f221UFcjDLk/s1600/2011-11-07+14.23.46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vAPB2kI3iHCQ71aHkJ0lwZ5dbKNqtck4ThJKIg0eBpJ19PJykQLQazZIuwET_9OctQ5cQdssNG6o_U7LnfqZwbGCTljilADT7Ce9jXhCxPspb6ThmKYGux4pdIQF0Y996f221UFcjDLk/s320/2011-11-07+14.23.46.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurants Featuring Home Cooking Were Not Hard to Find</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We loved sampling all sorts of regional
foods, from local seafood along both coasts to down home Southern classics, and
we were always on the lookout for barbeque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then there was pie. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We felt that
it was our mission to discover the best pie in the country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try as we might to come up with a winner, we
just couldn’t choose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost every slice
of pie we tried was wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3YqcQmKFqw8oaQ_As8DZt_z434NTWyWFPFc7hoPtp_PzaXm6SFgp1XS5CKitGSQO6wUrpwvlf_DIWVwrjMXw5BVVfBoGxcW8yuKzSxxWIDv7tGD5uOE8a9qdOsRalcDskD48LEM5e0F9/s1600/DSCN2186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3YqcQmKFqw8oaQ_As8DZt_z434NTWyWFPFc7hoPtp_PzaXm6SFgp1XS5CKitGSQO6wUrpwvlf_DIWVwrjMXw5BVVfBoGxcW8yuKzSxxWIDv7tGD5uOE8a9qdOsRalcDskD48LEM5e0F9/s320/DSCN2186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Carolina Barbeque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gsX33c4Bpw6Y3JV60krlTjh3sRudvC_oJtv2Z3AlFKixzA7Be4vstS2qKmiqXKKvuOmCx6osikNsBf5o4huEhcQW1DKNJ0LioEDeEaybzr1dYh-m1jsmqlddZT0hyphenhyphenXRHa9jYkCflzGZB/s1600/DSCN0999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gsX33c4Bpw6Y3JV60krlTjh3sRudvC_oJtv2Z3AlFKixzA7Be4vstS2qKmiqXKKvuOmCx6osikNsBf5o4huEhcQW1DKNJ0LioEDeEaybzr1dYh-m1jsmqlddZT0hyphenhyphenXRHa9jYkCflzGZB/s320/DSCN0999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pie Is Nice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although we often ate at places that
would fit right in on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” we also treated ourselves
to a really elegant dinner from time to time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some very memorable fine dining
experiences, especially in Savannah and Yosemite National Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtUVxfMek1_rSnoG8ipfCIlekAjYO48FXHztDJLINy2ildkNbD9wIKv2KSmtaKawWo22djufetBlh9LnGNVU5Ltn2-IS4Wb7WrexDgq6uNEfSaMSHzzxmZCkP5_0-pl4l1xIVNyCAzp6v/s1600/DSCN2553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtUVxfMek1_rSnoG8ipfCIlekAjYO48FXHztDJLINy2ildkNbD9wIKv2KSmtaKawWo22djufetBlh9LnGNVU5Ltn2-IS4Wb7WrexDgq6uNEfSaMSHzzxmZCkP5_0-pl4l1xIVNyCAzp6v/s320/DSCN2553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Elegant Christmas Dinner in Savannah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">So, I’m sure you’re wondering what all
of this food cost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our total budget for
food was a generous $50 per day, or a total of $14,488 ($9,500 for dining out and
$4,988 for groceries). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hoped that we
wouldn’t spend that much, and we didn’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Food ended up costing us approximately $13,155, or $45 per day, which
also included treating friends and family to meals from time to time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The final breakdown was $9,200 for dining out
and $3,955 for groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came in
under budget one more time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Could we have saved money on food? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a doubt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we don’t regret our choices. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoyed eating out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, by not cooking at night, we
eliminated what could have become a stressful situation at the end of a long
day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did eat breakfast in the RV virtually
every morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made coffee and had
cereal with blueberries, a banana and orange juice, just like we always did at
home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was always a treat when we did
go out for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also rarely stopped
for coffee and saved our latte money for a favorite dessert, which we always
shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were in an area where
there were no restaurants to be found, we even fixed our own lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picnics in beautiful surroundings were always
nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We did have to learn a new way of
shopping. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been accustomed to
planning my grocery list around what was on sale, and I often used coupons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also loved trips to Costco to stock up on “vats”
of things we used in large quantities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
of that went out the window in shopping for the RV. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, we couldn’t wait for something to be on
sale. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, we simply didn’t have room
for “vats” of anything. Instead, we had to buy the most expensive, small size package. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding room for
an extra box of cereal was a challenge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the small size of our refrigerator, we
often had to shop twice or even three times a week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Murphy’s Law guaranteed that we never ran out
of milk, orange juice and half-and-half on the same day, and since there was no
room to store an extra container upright in the refrigerator, that meant another
trip to the store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We ended up not minding our frequent
stops for groceries, however. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
interesting to shop in new stores and discover how selections varied in
different parts of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always
hoped to find tasty prepared foods that we would enjoy for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The occasional trip to stores like Whole
Foods, Trader Joe’s or local co-ops was always a special delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we did not travel during the
season for farmers markets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s one
of the things I would have enjoyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6o3D670td5eM3tky1zlmQlH5oFGJTgibGS1j1nm5pAtc7GRXaphcBs5tkQoAaihf-FTWywfr7bjNP8bYmoqbZCOLnUpo25X4hUk56U84z26wzAg3-Cntwiqa7jn7KsO_ZfMjDn3EDW7M/s1600/DSCN8033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6o3D670td5eM3tky1zlmQlH5oFGJTgibGS1j1nm5pAtc7GRXaphcBs5tkQoAaihf-FTWywfr7bjNP8bYmoqbZCOLnUpo25X4hUk56U84z26wzAg3-Cntwiqa7jn7KsO_ZfMjDn3EDW7M/s320/DSCN8033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Found Wonderful Prepared Foods for Dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdPbu-HrfEuzTYCVd6aW86Xa_lzbR0GgpPbA1IZBGJEfb2Mq69tsPzd0Rw03w4eYwMZag0yAbt6bD2prrxddSCvmNdzRDwukXAIREXZUo7ei6ExCXA-GT1WRvbyKk9888xn-Va1J8D31S/s1600/DSCN2128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdPbu-HrfEuzTYCVd6aW86Xa_lzbR0GgpPbA1IZBGJEfb2Mq69tsPzd0Rw03w4eYwMZag0yAbt6bD2prrxddSCvmNdzRDwukXAIREXZUo7ei6ExCXA-GT1WRvbyKk9888xn-Va1J8D31S/s320/DSCN2128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Included Local Treats in our Grocery Budget</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Now that we’re home, I’m trying to
learn to cook again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how
quickly we forget certain skills. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m
getting better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I made oven
fried chicken and banana bread. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
knows what I’ll try next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even made a
run to Costco. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess life is getting
back to normal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-2264714975931697482012-06-19T20:15:00.000-06:002012-06-19T20:15:59.387-06:00Where Did We Stay, What Did It Cost?<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">People have asked us about where we
stayed each night, the types of campgrounds we favored and the typical costs
involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s a breakdown and a few
notes about our overall lodging experience.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent
278 nights on the road, including the twenty nights on the road before Tim
joined me in Maine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent 247
nights in the RV in a wide variety of public and private campgrounds, family
and friends’ driveways (or homes), and a few miscellaneous locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">16 nights
in federal campgrounds, including National Park, National Forest and Corps of
Engineers campgrounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">33 nights
in state campgrounds (we were not in the RV for 2 of those nights when both Tim
and I were in Fort Morgan for Tim’s mother’s funeral)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">14 nights
in city/county campgrounds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">160 nights
in private campgrounds (32 of those nights were in KOA campgrounds) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">19 nights in
family or friends’ homes or driveways<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">3 nights
in Wal-Mart parking lots<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">2 nights
in repair shops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">2 nights
in boondock sites<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd1w_SRWvKta5vEraNO2c5LiTGC6AlxOuz1Ls7WBGoOo90IrhUEkoCS2aIm3FIDgy0qqnryeYbXVl1brdws8EVgPHsHy4klVRzEoLjwrtRR8kA8yGCMj0R2KlzFGP84gVu65FN-HaDljh/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd1w_SRWvKta5vEraNO2c5LiTGC6AlxOuz1Ls7WBGoOo90IrhUEkoCS2aIm3FIDgy0qqnryeYbXVl1brdws8EVgPHsHy4klVRzEoLjwrtRR8kA8yGCMj0R2KlzFGP84gVu65FN-HaDljh/s200/IMG_4462.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Park Campground in Maine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bYwJgzvRKG8yL45ZK2ZgifPG2Vft4ekF2L-EAlOOnBWjAEIfphhuwLX8q-GWtns_Anj1Al_ZAHwEwet_b8qEcabVBgKBjELwf5XMBAXT00r_1_wVU7Rxv08alhMsieBxiCPuIeeBUD2/s1600/IMG_5387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8bYwJgzvRKG8yL45ZK2ZgifPG2Vft4ekF2L-EAlOOnBWjAEIfphhuwLX8q-GWtns_Anj1Al_ZAHwEwet_b8qEcabVBgKBjELwf5XMBAXT00r_1_wVU7Rxv08alhMsieBxiCPuIeeBUD2/s200/IMG_5387.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Campground in New York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOjfIhF9ubMdLSrROEX_o8vytXL7127U6Ebhm64tFE4kylq28Y-zgb6hZa4qfBIsbTDHBexmrLGADhJOqlZ0NesOuej1yDdcp9PXR83TMyX4epU555se5aNeB-8M2ue7ARNTng1w1QU2v/s1600/DSCN4032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOjfIhF9ubMdLSrROEX_o8vytXL7127U6Ebhm64tFE4kylq28Y-zgb6hZa4qfBIsbTDHBexmrLGADhJOqlZ0NesOuej1yDdcp9PXR83TMyX4epU555se5aNeB-8M2ue7ARNTng1w1QU2v/s200/DSCN4032.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">County Campground in Georgia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_47-97JrGiZQ0qfziGIg1W6hBuRtCIpQ990QgHbG_aG5oYHbGjjFznq0mAgx2H8soYRPo1paShi5os8_VBIQ9Oa08FOYuM7Ypdhwj4NP1gGfX2rzxjSoL6c9-5hvPoO7gtziJxyA4X2t/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_47-97JrGiZQ0qfziGIg1W6hBuRtCIpQ990QgHbG_aG5oYHbGjjFznq0mAgx2H8soYRPo1paShi5os8_VBIQ9Oa08FOYuM7Ypdhwj4NP1gGfX2rzxjSoL6c9-5hvPoO7gtziJxyA4X2t/s200/IMG_5074.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Private Campground in Rhode Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent
31 nights in hotels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This included two
nights in Fort Morgan during Tim’s mother’s funeral when we also paid
campground fees for the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After
staying at an assortment of chain hotels the first two months, we discovered
Drury Inns, which welcome pets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the
west coast where there are no Drury Inns, we stayed at a newly remodeled La
Quinta Inn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We stayed
at the Miami River Inn, which my friend Jane manages, while we were in Miami.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We splurged
on two-night stays at two different hotels, The Inn at Middleton Place in
Charleston, South Carolina, and Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park,
Washington, for Christmas and my birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Nine of
our hotel nights were prompted by a need to escape severe weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent a
total of $10,622.41 on lodging, including $6,767.28 on campgrounds and
$3,855.13 on hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had anticipated
that we would stay in hotels twice a week, and had budgeted $5,349 for
campgrounds and $9,800 for hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soon
discovered that we rarely needed a break from the RV and did not need to spend nearly
as many nights in hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had it not
been for so many instances of severe weather, we likely would have stayed even
fewer nights in hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, we ended up
spending more on campgrounds, but much less on hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came in under budget for lodging by a
whopping $4,527.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our most
expensive campground was the French Quarter RV Resort in New Orleans,
Louisiana, at $73.23 per night for two nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being in walking distance of the French Quarter made this rate bearable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our least
expensive campground was the Lincoln Park Campground in Medicine Bow National
Forest, Wyoming, at $5.00 per night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
used my newly-acquired Senior Pass which knocked 50 percent off the campground
fee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If we had
waited one year to begin our trip, we would have saved 50 percent on most of
our 16 nights in federal campgrounds using my Senior Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad we decided not to wait, however.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our
average rate per night for lodging was $38.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our average rate per night for camping was $27, and the average for
hotels was $124.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had budgeted $25 per
night for campgrounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to the
generosity of family and friends, and a few free camping spots, we were able to
come close to that figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
actually budgeted $125 per night for hotels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although I
didn’t qualify for a Senior Pass until the last month of the trip (I was able
to use it to save $35 over three nights), we did have several memberships that provided
considerable savings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our favorite was
Passport America, a membership that costs $44 per year but offers a 50 percent
discount at over 1,800 campgrounds, although with certain restrictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saved approximately $650 in 31 nights over
the course of our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a great
deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AAA and Good Sam Club, a
membership that costs $19 per year, were widely accepted at many private
campgrounds, saving us 10 percent on numerous occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membership in KOA, at $24 per year, saved us
10 percent at all KOA campgrounds and offered points toward future discounts,
which we were able to use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aGiOUOVHz_M7iYtnWoWJ-NluMpxfobDug43kmn6hYZPJHB_CW3fLbIqY0uGo62Bc4l3xGZsHV3_cB3X-ZT9IQteNWr87ay60BePavbC5XTrZHUtV3IKPcNj9Br4mpsOfGmSndFbugWKH/s1600/DSCN7247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aGiOUOVHz_M7iYtnWoWJ-NluMpxfobDug43kmn6hYZPJHB_CW3fLbIqY0uGo62Bc4l3xGZsHV3_cB3X-ZT9IQteNWr87ay60BePavbC5XTrZHUtV3IKPcNj9Br4mpsOfGmSndFbugWKH/s320/DSCN7247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Membership Programs Are a Great Way to Save Money on Campgrounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We had
anticipated spending the majority of nights in federal, state or county
campgrounds, as opposed to private campgrounds, but that didn’t happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The public campgrounds where we did stay were
some of our favorites, especially the ones that provided hookups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Public campgrounds are typically in a much
more natural setting and have greater space between RVs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we ended up staying in more private
campgrounds since most public campgrounds do not provide hookups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although some private campgrounds resemble
parking lots, we did find quite a few in beautiful settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wrote about our growing need for hookups and
our evolving campground preferences <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/03/campground-styles.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Much of
our trip took place in late fall, winter and spring, so evenings were chilly,
and we found that we needed heat most nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our little electric heater turned out to be our best heat source, but
that required electrical hookups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although we could have used our propane heater without hookups, it was a
bit noisy and would virtually drain our batteries with just one night of use as
we found out a few times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did love
the propane heater for heating the RV in the mornings, however, since we could
turn it on with a remote control without getting out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not stop using the heater until the
first of June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We also
needed electrical hookups to charge our considerable assortment of electronics each
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we could have turned on our
generator for this purpose, we rarely used it because of the noise, vibration
and exhaust fumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many public
campgrounds also prohibit or restrict generator use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We stayed
in more KOA campgrounds than we ever anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally these were nice, convenient
campgrounds and had all of the amenities we needed, especially clean laundry
facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure we would like
KOAs during the summer, however, because they cater to families with children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we would likely try to avoid any
campground with pools and other child-friendly facilities in the summer
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our experience in the off-season
was much more peaceful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBC80EEWYKHsIwSPWCrXqRCw43FYip5b4VtXEA0klpk_gUFJKxWtzXom61XH6Bo5ZZf-AMRJhvt46BPzp_oVYgRPWYVmzrFHcD-7PEbzSoko4u3b5ScJ9kndjXlUyHOGZ2n0xUTQJ9n2JX/s1600/DSCN8615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBC80EEWYKHsIwSPWCrXqRCw43FYip5b4VtXEA0klpk_gUFJKxWtzXom61XH6Bo5ZZf-AMRJhvt46BPzp_oVYgRPWYVmzrFHcD-7PEbzSoko4u3b5ScJ9kndjXlUyHOGZ2n0xUTQJ9n2JX/s320/DSCN8615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many KOA Campgrounds Have Nice Settings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">All in all we were pleased with the
campgrounds that we found. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most were
nice, and some were extremely nice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rest were ok for just one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
lucky that circumstances forced us to stay in really awful campgrounds only a
handful of times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally there
were just no options in the area, and in those cases we just used the
campground as a place to park and hook up. <span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Note
that I never bothered to photograph the less-than-desirable campgrounds.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">If we had made more of an effort, we could
have saved more money on campgrounds by seeking out ones affiliated with
Passport America or looking for less expensive campgrounds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the end of a long day of touring, we
found that convenience was sometimes more important than the few extra dollars we
might spend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">From time to time, we did enjoy staying
in hotels, particularly on special occasions and after many days of very dusty
campgrounds in the southwest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found
that it was not worth the effort to stay just one night in a hotel, however. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hauling all of our things, and Kitty’s, into a
hotel was much more of an effort than simply pulling into a campground and hooking
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZF7loMdmLgPZvhj-fgY6_byz9Y3OntsvveBNdnfkVzAeI3Ml2DYBheG2CM61uOgOagLNE3jU5HhkPspjpJ-2Ff5uw0pul3e-zH5PuOJEQdVmS7jd9n1mafeWqCe_3_YY0Zc3mGOdsX5Z/s1600/DSCN2200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZF7loMdmLgPZvhj-fgY6_byz9Y3OntsvveBNdnfkVzAeI3Ml2DYBheG2CM61uOgOagLNE3jU5HhkPspjpJ-2Ff5uw0pul3e-zH5PuOJEQdVmS7jd9n1mafeWqCe_3_YY0Zc3mGOdsX5Z/s320/DSCN2200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Enjoyed Staying in Hotels on Special Occasions</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-16716641734830116222012-06-18T20:58:00.000-06:002012-06-19T20:16:26.019-06:00And Just What Was Our MPG?<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The end of the trip became particularly
real today when Tim had to report back to work. Don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim really loves his job, so in one sense he
was looking forward to getting back to the park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, his returning to work means that the
trip is really over and that we won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, except
maybe for a long weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to
admit that I’m still adjusting to not being on the road, but I have no doubt that
things will get easier.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7fykY-SXnDcjEfr0Wtp3YxXIi80v7MeCjSnMShBpUMleSYrNNCSSbWKT-1rl_gcWVPGlQhS_6_T7KJCZ9l2xs1Q1O34lwjE2Zc_OEfrkqBNHe13IFjXCtVIgBGo9gEbeqbYSWVushr0w/s1600/DSCN7244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7fykY-SXnDcjEfr0Wtp3YxXIi80v7MeCjSnMShBpUMleSYrNNCSSbWKT-1rl_gcWVPGlQhS_6_T7KJCZ9l2xs1Q1O34lwjE2Zc_OEfrkqBNHe13IFjXCtVIgBGo9gEbeqbYSWVushr0w/s320/DSCN7244.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Is Dressed and Ready for Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Last week was a transition time for
both of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really didn’t do much of
anything except relax. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a good
thing, as we both needed some down time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extended travel can be hard work!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I’ve started to compile a few
statistics from the trip that might be of interest to at least a few folks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s installment has to do with the
question we were asked most often on the trip, “How many miles per gallon does
the RV get?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, more people asked
us about mileage than anything else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
are a few statistics related to miles and mileage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We
traveled 25,238 miles during the nine months we were on the road, including the
3,528 miles that I drove from Colorado to Maine at the beginning of the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had guessed that we would drive
approximately 28,300 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We
averaged 91 miles per day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our longest
driving day was 333 miles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had quite
a few days when we didn’t drive at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our
average mileage was 18.7 miles per gallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>During the trip we had guessed that the average might be closer to 20 miles
per gallon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we’re still happy
with 18.7 since our original budget was based on 18 miles per gallon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent a
total of $5,289.07 on diesel fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had budgeted $7,914 for the trip, based on $5.00 per gallon (we wanted to use a
worst-case scenario to be on the safe side). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, prices were much lower than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The lowest
price we paid was $3.599 per gallon on January 25, 2012, in Americus, Georgia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The
highest price we paid was $4.699 per gallon on March 22, 2012, in Trinidad,
California.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We did much better than we had
predicted, and we had money left over for other, more fun, items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though the price of fuel is still
expensive, it’s not a reason to cancel a trip.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDuW0tVpRSSyOfbIPtTiNa1kAhBbzC0gNMGFhDDGSAkZjy2z8fvO6pn7AvpxTz89MjbBIUoL4gtq8pRWxfC5-l2qLzOpaHfHKSU3lefNGbJkwYTy26-qSEp9p0AOtPRafK1bhiUDkC5C9/s1600/DSCN7246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDuW0tVpRSSyOfbIPtTiNa1kAhBbzC0gNMGFhDDGSAkZjy2z8fvO6pn7AvpxTz89MjbBIUoL4gtq8pRWxfC5-l2qLzOpaHfHKSU3lefNGbJkwYTy26-qSEp9p0AOtPRafK1bhiUDkC5C9/s320/DSCN7246.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Kept a Log of our Daily Mileage and Fuel Expenditures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On a sad note, we received an e-mail
today notifying us that Test, <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2011/12/karen-and-test.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">our second adopted sea turtle</span></a>, passed away on
June 7. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Test had been at the Georgia Sea
Turtle Center for a year after a fishing line had wrapped around her front
flipper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The line had torn
through all the muscle and other soft tissue down to the bone, and her entire flipper
had to be removed. Test seemed to be doing
well until the wound opened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite numerous
treatments of antibiotics, as well as a blood transfusion, Test did not make
it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff at the Sea Turtle Center
is heartbroken, as are Tim and I. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
just grateful that Karen, our other adopted sea turtle, <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/05/karen-is-free.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">was successfully released back into the water</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-43268968420757666672012-06-14T21:21:00.000-06:002012-06-14T21:21:10.826-06:00Home Again, Home Again<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Tim and I drove back to Estes Park on
Sunday in separate vehicles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove
the RV with Kitty, and I drove the car, which Chris and Tom had kept for us in
Fort Morgan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was thick with smoke,
and we learned that the wildfire had grown to 10,000 acres. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smoke had even drifted all the way to
Nebraska. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air quality was very poor,
and the wind didn’t help matters.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We had planned to stop in Loveland to
stock up on supplies since our cupboards at home were bare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Kitty was with us, we decided to take
her into PetSmart with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pets are
welcome, but I had never seen a cat in the store. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course Kitty received lots of attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she walked in on her leash, she was
quickly overwhelmed with all the sights. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She much preferred sitting in the child seat
in the shopping cart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim teased the
clerks and told them that Kitty had come for the buffet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did seem to be entranced with the fish
and birds, but none were harmed during her visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The drive up Big Thompson Canyon was
beautiful, and I was reminded that thousands of people come to Estes Park for
vacation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been one of those
visitors on three occasions before I moved here, and I love the town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think summer is the best time to be here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Nonetheless, it was strange to be home
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The house was nice and clean, and
Vicky had taken good care of everything, but it’s going to take a bit of time
to adjust to being in the house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
wandered around and tried to figure out what to do and where to start. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seemed to be no hurry, so I decided to
just ease into things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that Tim
is happy to be home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kitty is also
adjusting to being stationary, but she has started to rediscover her favorite
places, and I think she’ll be fine as long as she is with Tim and me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We’ve been paying close attention to any
news we can get about the fire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The High
Park Fire has grown to be the second largest in state history, and there has
been no containment. Dozens of
structures have been lost, and hundreds of people have been evacuated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim and I realized that if a wildfire ever does
threaten our home, we will be able to evacuate in the RV with Kitty and have a
safe and comfortable place to live for as long as necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Next week, after Tim returns to work, I
plan to write a series of wrap-ups about the trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not exactly sure what I’ll write about,
but in the meantime I want to take time to sit back, reflect on the trip and
remember the wonderful people and places we saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-28814968360200523692012-06-13T23:09:00.002-06:002012-06-13T23:09:38.670-06:00What a Welcome Home<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After spending the night in the
Medicine Bow National Forest, we began our climb over the Snowy Range Scenic
Byway on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This byway is one of
the most beautiful mountain drives in southern Wyoming and climbs over the
second highest pass in the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reached
the highest point on the byway at 10,847 feet and were amazed to find that the
Snowy Range didn’t live up to its name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
at that elevation there was a surprisingly small amount of snow.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1weu5xgkl1J8ToNtR3vGflIEmbrIi-hQO8LdhmoI9TApMWvqUjQDulF0Dvxuzgj1IoKIuTw9f1KQELeUnIvfAeDORJ6RElEpk_ao14U3LrMQni5GAcj_L5av5wHuX-yCrQ_BKrEPHZZu/s1600/DSCN7116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1weu5xgkl1J8ToNtR3vGflIEmbrIi-hQO8LdhmoI9TApMWvqUjQDulF0Dvxuzgj1IoKIuTw9f1KQELeUnIvfAeDORJ6RElEpk_ao14U3LrMQni5GAcj_L5av5wHuX-yCrQ_BKrEPHZZu/s320/DSCN7116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Way to Snowy Mountain Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zlBtje2scrwVZf8yHCr-ArIrBqwBWv7AMejJ2yLXtiyvUZxQIRHqNlPf_avQstrtCTOj7_tXiG6J-n01A3I_-eow4T6Reh8tKAS56Z9VM8YOTpxRnSEM0VJODpqmIs02x5_8frHE9Ddt/s1600/DSCN7125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zlBtje2scrwVZf8yHCr-ArIrBqwBWv7AMejJ2yLXtiyvUZxQIRHqNlPf_avQstrtCTOj7_tXiG6J-n01A3I_-eow4T6Reh8tKAS56Z9VM8YOTpxRnSEM0VJODpqmIs02x5_8frHE9Ddt/s320/DSCN7125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this the Snowy Range?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although we saw very little snow, we loved
the rugged peaks and the alpine ecosystem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mountain lakes were beautiful, as were the abundant wildflowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped at the highest overlook on the
byway where we were almost blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
visibility was good, and we were able to see many of the adjacent mountains
ranges, including those at Rocky Mountain National Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim spied a wildfire in the distance, but we
didn’t think too much about it at the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmcSikL1ffkCg1tssaModuh1ssbVVNN5Esl8sFtErG61FThfVhyaJVCy8DYBRF0vSEd0RLBHc-i6EGCrmt2L3GMlPuVG15viuUD7uxTwalXFMoSbPy_lhS8eskFagvfn_foqYsXhB66WR/s1600/DSCN7119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmcSikL1ffkCg1tssaModuh1ssbVVNN5Esl8sFtErG61FThfVhyaJVCy8DYBRF0vSEd0RLBHc-i6EGCrmt2L3GMlPuVG15viuUD7uxTwalXFMoSbPy_lhS8eskFagvfn_foqYsXhB66WR/s320/DSCN7119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Mountain Lakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dadmRFuG0s5AyeEuoAQCMBo_PhyALMnG_8jEJOpWORNPc6lVmAair3eLi-LE-ODpQfyvPeO8YnwKYBlCFVGbw4TIYt5dQvmcx2BqjO0LNnFfkx-XT-AP9_qKCip2f1MdZ2QMBmwb5S5D/s1600/DSCN7155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dadmRFuG0s5AyeEuoAQCMBo_PhyALMnG_8jEJOpWORNPc6lVmAair3eLi-LE-ODpQfyvPeO8YnwKYBlCFVGbw4TIYt5dQvmcx2BqjO0LNnFfkx-XT-AP9_qKCip2f1MdZ2QMBmwb5S5D/s320/DSCN7155.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View toward Distant Mountain Ranges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-IYyMcwtLSrhu0y8STkbpCH20QxN4vmRMEyeyqSqJl3RfcGTpP-O4ILBV4PDFC6ZxzJ0EO2CoMgjfzCdDa-kE-RN3PYiEeHPGGn1aV5sAB6-rVIdC9DKcqNZr4QZejFWY4ytTnv6qXzj/s1600/DSCN7156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-IYyMcwtLSrhu0y8STkbpCH20QxN4vmRMEyeyqSqJl3RfcGTpP-O4ILBV4PDFC6ZxzJ0EO2CoMgjfzCdDa-kE-RN3PYiEeHPGGn1aV5sAB6-rVIdC9DKcqNZr4QZejFWY4ytTnv6qXzj/s320/DSCN7156.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine Ecosystem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVPnq0gvhchUD9YplqiLXdttgb4jvwuicDvzxkWl8Lm7eveYQ_7KPKRtm_pamA6iIAGk1ncPHSvDurvr-ESCAXqREyuXwPlp24TT0TKtJpgS1p2SD8VglPeoleppNPu77jxme20k0Gfbn/s1600/DSCN7112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVPnq0gvhchUD9YplqiLXdttgb4jvwuicDvzxkWl8Lm7eveYQ_7KPKRtm_pamA6iIAGk1ncPHSvDurvr-ESCAXqREyuXwPlp24TT0TKtJpgS1p2SD8VglPeoleppNPu77jxme20k0Gfbn/s320/DSCN7112.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Evidence of Beetle-Killed Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHej8hmLO7dsg9MKdOmrA5-8St5QGfc28XuVjbpdxK8oDQvJFn7OkhwyYDLtWUuLcvCHWlnksKDIgCUQs7it3aU305Cuq24xIclAHvSIdCdw74rKZhgoBzAx_YtykRYlKQkdobuBJDyC0a/s1600/DSCN7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHej8hmLO7dsg9MKdOmrA5-8St5QGfc28XuVjbpdxK8oDQvJFn7OkhwyYDLtWUuLcvCHWlnksKDIgCUQs7it3aU305Cuq24xIclAHvSIdCdw74rKZhgoBzAx_YtykRYlKQkdobuBJDyC0a/s320/DSCN7148.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine Flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8HAZ7Y_ZIlKC67EOGYEXszUQXhf4Feo92GcZhdOsmaUYGai8j6d6ejU6xyBbHcbin9rh2MZidRp6Q1O-EdQMPr5zXBxm30Ex2xYC0OaGA0eCzG0fvjJrr9qO1FXxXsuMPrWZhgpoWSbr/s1600/DSCN7152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8HAZ7Y_ZIlKC67EOGYEXszUQXhf4Feo92GcZhdOsmaUYGai8j6d6ejU6xyBbHcbin9rh2MZidRp6Q1O-EdQMPr5zXBxm30Ex2xYC0OaGA0eCzG0fvjJrr9qO1FXxXsuMPrWZhgpoWSbr/s320/DSCN7152.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Wildflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After stopping in Laramie for lunch, we
turned south into Colorado. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Record high
temperatures and a wildfire burning out of control near Fort Collins, which is not
too far from our home, welcomed us back to our home state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small fire that Tim had spotted had grown from
500 to 5,000 acres in just a few hours. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
followed the progression of what came to be known as the High Park Fire as we
drove south. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a scary sight, and we
knew that the recent drought and the high number of pine bark beetle-killed
trees would make containing the fire difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYwti2k0OFBGHTtJKM0jelaVSGr04T9c28dtBt_UG0L1WgRibQAtbzrMWLalC69NYR6QOx-O-OKy_ins0R_IQgxU3DgODUTgl5w9OZZPIsQn5rQt83TI-exxmr57h359fJFts3wWKFLPi/s1600/DSCN7198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYwti2k0OFBGHTtJKM0jelaVSGr04T9c28dtBt_UG0L1WgRibQAtbzrMWLalC69NYR6QOx-O-OKy_ins0R_IQgxU3DgODUTgl5w9OZZPIsQn5rQt83TI-exxmr57h359fJFts3wWKFLPi/s320/DSCN7198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Colorful Colorado, and Wildfires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIgVA-OTtwfY-DmE-ZjeX8o6LovTGsfqbkPcvZXEUVpWbzcBBkxF-MTFhjoUCqFFQMCLXlz4YDQR9z6HlX8jUlrZvUgh8cDiRfipRol3qmHrmwhoC2tLmMuE4cHpsdc5jOHrN2z5o0QpA/s1600/DSCN7211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIgVA-OTtwfY-DmE-ZjeX8o6LovTGsfqbkPcvZXEUVpWbzcBBkxF-MTFhjoUCqFFQMCLXlz4YDQR9z6HlX8jUlrZvUgh8cDiRfipRol3qmHrmwhoC2tLmMuE4cHpsdc5jOHrN2z5o0QpA/s320/DSCN7211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Watched the Wildfire Grow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi-g9X9EU2HVMJ1zn3jSKtYc6VmHt7C5EmcYv4dhb0SkbXicJAb0OLNTIZyPBuzvrwkK0qfOeaKbOaGISrhE01aC5hWz4ajR1c2_s7EWxlFTg6-sjM8p9weIynAJUq5UsnGL6zDx5k_UA/s1600/DSCN7232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsi-g9X9EU2HVMJ1zn3jSKtYc6VmHt7C5EmcYv4dhb0SkbXicJAb0OLNTIZyPBuzvrwkK0qfOeaKbOaGISrhE01aC5hWz4ajR1c2_s7EWxlFTg6-sjM8p9weIynAJUq5UsnGL6zDx5k_UA/s320/DSCN7232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a Scary Sight</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We passed through Eaton, which was a
kick for me, since it was fun to visit a town that shares my last name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our final destination for the day was Fort
Morgan where Tim’s sister Chris and her husband Tom live. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had kept our car and truck while we were
away, and we wanted to visit with them and then retrieve the car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9rwIWyQDUxEJYJVOZII4X3XiiKCqsWk9euYs0a7FpFQ_VNLiAY5MFlsLCd-VsJ9svzLzr2KPcXYWOpdqhmOasTttujXcorANXyRDgrkvJgz2muRXnOh_mLW3096eOrrHYjEiajqvmO4t/s1600/DSCN7239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9rwIWyQDUxEJYJVOZII4X3XiiKCqsWk9euYs0a7FpFQ_VNLiAY5MFlsLCd-VsJ9svzLzr2KPcXYWOpdqhmOasTttujXcorANXyRDgrkvJgz2muRXnOh_mLW3096eOrrHYjEiajqvmO4t/s320/DSCN7239.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Eaton</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent a wonderful evening with family.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we had wanted to take them to
dinner, Chris and Tom thought we might enjoy a home-cooked meal instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How thoughtful they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had invited Tim’s sister Cathy and other
members of the family, and we were able to catch up with everyone over a great
dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9scCyaFXChVj9kzec4Nst3s4rgbTvb-DycSfvFZFU-G6IHlzZLNJxKjPcFAG2AzXaMtbZphSLvNsprl7ai30IhyphenhyphenFFqohpB8zSs54vSEc-qwuFnFnt6zqDyguKePqREgnCNI3ywC-XeqsA/s1600/DSCN7242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9scCyaFXChVj9kzec4Nst3s4rgbTvb-DycSfvFZFU-G6IHlzZLNJxKjPcFAG2AzXaMtbZphSLvNsprl7ai30IhyphenhyphenFFqohpB8zSs54vSEc-qwuFnFnt6zqDyguKePqREgnCNI3ywC-XeqsA/s320/DSCN7242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Family</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">I can’t believe that we arrived back in
Colorado when temperatures reached a scorching 101°.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are just not used to such heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had only a handful of very hot days on the
trip, and that was just fine with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
we should have waited to return until Sunday, when a cold front was predicted
to drop temperatures by at least 20°.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later
in the evening the cold front ushered in very high winds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just glad we stowed the awning or it would
have blown away. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was blowing so hard
that it was even hard to close our vent cover. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we could add high winds to record high
temperatures and a wildfire. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a welcome
home from Mother Nature!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-42341743888017940182012-06-12T22:40:00.000-06:002012-06-12T22:40:22.381-06:00Crossing the Sierra Madre Range<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We were getting close to home when we
entered Colorado last Wednesday, but decided we weren’t quite ready to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we headed north into Wyoming on Friday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been noticing that when we meet people
now, many are from our neck of the woods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they ask where we are from, we can tell
them that we’re from Estes Park, not Colorado, and they know where that is.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We stopped in Baggs, Wyoming, for lunch
and a trip down memory lane for Tim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim
used to pass through Baggs when he worked in Wyoming, and he wanted to see what
had become of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The town has grown
a bit, but has otherwise changed very little. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baggs was once frequented by Butch Cassidy and
his outlaw “Wild Bunch,” and a cabin that was one of his hangouts is open to
the public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyKx74-lCUIkdFuT4SUH9eKoT0aawpb5-PCO_VwU8-MzPodRZLGCMFXov0KTqRkzpqwhHCfOe7tP9b3Z-5HmTb4QJ0vb7PiTA-nEO8gk5_JRDjO3KMsmor7wgYjloJBEVzzGWSMV3vqLn/s1600/DSCN7072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyKx74-lCUIkdFuT4SUH9eKoT0aawpb5-PCO_VwU8-MzPodRZLGCMFXov0KTqRkzpqwhHCfOe7tP9b3Z-5HmTb4QJ0vb7PiTA-nEO8gk5_JRDjO3KMsmor7wgYjloJBEVzzGWSMV3vqLn/s320/DSCN7072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First State Bank of Baggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_dWBM0hHI6Tt_Ej2qvDJnZfYOtlOJsytRJ55pW-RhJgFeRW3MfNfRhpQK1XfJA2IgBtzA_sXmWQTOCd5KeCoA1CseCsfh5ZSzlbTFU-8SXfEEpLKj58TcuS0zzq6KGkg50UucjtNScqM/s1600/DSCN7076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_dWBM0hHI6Tt_Ej2qvDJnZfYOtlOJsytRJ55pW-RhJgFeRW3MfNfRhpQK1XfJA2IgBtzA_sXmWQTOCd5KeCoA1CseCsfh5ZSzlbTFU-8SXfEEpLKj58TcuS0zzq6KGkg50UucjtNScqM/s320/DSCN7076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gaddis-Matthews Cabin</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Tim wanted to cross the Sierra Madre Range
in southern Wyoming on Highway 70, a road that was paved only recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road was dirt when he worked in the area,
and he was impressed with how easy the drive had become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roads in the mountains always seem to be a
work in progress because of the extreme conditions, however, and w</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">e had
to detour around a slide that had taken out a section</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> of new pavement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VpSXcqxtbmsCnMBgLrEkrh1W2XHQ6Pcxb1iA4Ijznk-15H8Bosz-m8g6hl64ZvR_iz2wM58EdzLcYxdenmXCavocp3xIdvN8C5IT0g93a2Xmn1tyqfiMz70aVBxWNogUXiMFAg873hAc/s1600/DSCN7080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VpSXcqxtbmsCnMBgLrEkrh1W2XHQ6Pcxb1iA4Ijznk-15H8Bosz-m8g6hl64ZvR_iz2wM58EdzLcYxdenmXCavocp3xIdvN8C5IT0g93a2Xmn1tyqfiMz70aVBxWNogUXiMFAg873hAc/s320/DSCN7080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foothills of the Sierra Madre Range</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWFYrzhB1T0Y8MdF0yZmHkrnAPzV-f_eI8X-KLRG2bN1tbGd5din6A9XuozVMVWT3a7km7rXr5huGN8NGdiMnyiNWPY0-oXATsiC1AXhyphenhyphenzYpbwvSoIRX0ZAL9eoQG1-zBtNc1-kfC8Qwx/s1600/DSCN7083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWFYrzhB1T0Y8MdF0yZmHkrnAPzV-f_eI8X-KLRG2bN1tbGd5din6A9XuozVMVWT3a7km7rXr5huGN8NGdiMnyiNWPY0-oXATsiC1AXhyphenhyphenzYpbwvSoIRX0ZAL9eoQG1-zBtNc1-kfC8Qwx/s320/DSCN7083.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What Happened to the Road?</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This beautiful mountain road climbs to 9,955
feet at </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Battle
Pass, named for a nearby conflict that took place in 1841, and it is here that
the road crosses the Continental Divide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We were
surprised to see the lack of snow, even at this elevation, and guessed that it
must have been a very mild winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thomas
Edison camped near the road in 1878 while on a fishing trip, and it was here
that he realized that the fiber from his bamboo fishing pole would make a
suitable filament for his incandescent electric lamp.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQPrkzOwWRlFozggNfnbULTGKARGCrcePM9ErObzhPQ8M8GAG01257w7-2qOI_12OvPFKZcbp7IeTy3bauGoVhgSA0vh1x610t0xHYcNiyh0ZfDq88Rr8lo6hmWAdsbeAgsHZwB77Muhs/s1600/DSCN7107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQPrkzOwWRlFozggNfnbULTGKARGCrcePM9ErObzhPQ8M8GAG01257w7-2qOI_12OvPFKZcbp7IeTy3bauGoVhgSA0vh1x610t0xHYcNiyh0ZfDq88Rr8lo6hmWAdsbeAgsHZwB77Muhs/s320/DSCN7107.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View from Battle Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzaPILlUeFWTS2QAluTDXBXgdjVzD-GFdOqaWlpmEFL3r81qOw9CF85ViAqfpkjvgNBZhHE4V4Adp9gZ7KkpgJfjt2weInV2fqFh0PnIW0u0Np0WPeFSGXEdD3gahUlLTLve2kOSl5Tic/s1600/DSCN7091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzaPILlUeFWTS2QAluTDXBXgdjVzD-GFdOqaWlpmEFL3r81qOw9CF85ViAqfpkjvgNBZhHE4V4Adp9gZ7KkpgJfjt2weInV2fqFh0PnIW0u0Np0WPeFSGXEdD3gahUlLTLve2kOSl5Tic/s320/DSCN7091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View toward Battle Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3hnVPAgvtOATKKRD0HgfqfgmrzsobGq4f-5bg_ph9Q0oJVXJnDQm467e2aF4XMalzPAv0L_Q_Yn2E1aMnNK1UkY7_rdAOdihnz3UoITJWiu30J9BT8TQUnWZsaJOcPKxAeYrLPfs4S32/s1600/DSCN7096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu3hnVPAgvtOATKKRD0HgfqfgmrzsobGq4f-5bg_ph9Q0oJVXJnDQm467e2aF4XMalzPAv0L_Q_Yn2E1aMnNK1UkY7_rdAOdihnz3UoITJWiu30J9BT8TQUnWZsaJOcPKxAeYrLPfs4S32/s320/DSCN7096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What Happened to the Snow?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp1Xva25RRwt88mvS64jwfIRy6EI65CT_b1fs9yNDGaG8CIZzSLYDsy4eVM6bWKDQuWLUmIpgPzAIjoXD0J6hQzR0ERGGx9VdWMp-YI-KhDJM4M9sAithyphenhyphentE_71f9eQRYUru8mKWwSsPt/s1600/DSCN7101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp1Xva25RRwt88mvS64jwfIRy6EI65CT_b1fs9yNDGaG8CIZzSLYDsy4eVM6bWKDQuWLUmIpgPzAIjoXD0J6hQzR0ERGGx9VdWMp-YI-KhDJM4M9sAithyphenhyphentE_71f9eQRYUru8mKWwSsPt/s320/DSCN7101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Edison Camped Near Here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">What was especially shocking as we
drove through the Medicine Bow National Forest was seeing the effects of the
pine bark and mountain beetle infestation that has killed approximately two-thirds
of the trees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hillsides are mostly
gray now, not the beautiful green we love to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we are all too familiar with the
pine bark beetle infestation, we had not witnessed its effect since we left
Estes Park last year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so
heartbreaking to see what has happened to our majestic forests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-41493112110622424762012-06-11T22:30:00.000-06:002012-06-11T22:30:30.489-06:00Canyon Country<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">As we
learned <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/06/dinosaurland.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">last Wednesday</span></a>, there is much more to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/dino" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Dinosaur National Monument</span></a> than
dinosaur bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least half of the
park is the canyon country of the Green and Yampa Rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to access canyon country, we took
the thirty-one mile drive to Harpers Corner on the Colorado side of the park
the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This part of the park is
not as well-known as the area containing the dinosaur quarry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, there are no dinosaurs here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim and I have both traveled extensively in
this part of the west, and neither one of us had been to this part of
Colorado.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad we decided to take
this drive.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
would hate to guess how many times I’ve used the words “spectacular,”
“amazing,” “awesome” or “stunning” to describe what we’ve seen on this
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite their overuse, the canyons
we saw today can only be described that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From a series of overlooks and trails, we looked down at the labyrinth canyons
that had been cut deeply into the rocks. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheer cliffs, great faults and rainbow-hued
rocks only added drama to the scene. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Enx_R0XlWVewPd5DiA2mQcU2xEOSMYhC5KOgjWd7JDM263R2ZMMU1DzkYre_rKbEfdtTAIJQYyVz53kv1VnxMS3xRE_VEmp6rnoqRemneVT19GnvBNFlJOkgywkfyW5EGQIg5b0rx8UK/s1600/DSCN6958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Enx_R0XlWVewPd5DiA2mQcU2xEOSMYhC5KOgjWd7JDM263R2ZMMU1DzkYre_rKbEfdtTAIJQYyVz53kv1VnxMS3xRE_VEmp6rnoqRemneVT19GnvBNFlJOkgywkfyW5EGQIg5b0rx8UK/s320/DSCN6958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plug Hat Butte</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj3LEJ7hwNcrvz96qRZ7mVNtxAjfORDIrJo0DyamPlrL6AQBIf16vyUX3MPkYNFVTNdgY_Y8D6rdrKQgNpf70e7UTenprpZkzLVxnMYD6NqElplG5-cNlyDwIRyN5FY26d4aCmU2s9zly/s1600/DSCN6977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj3LEJ7hwNcrvz96qRZ7mVNtxAjfORDIrJo0DyamPlrL6AQBIf16vyUX3MPkYNFVTNdgY_Y8D6rdrKQgNpf70e7UTenprpZkzLVxnMYD6NqElplG5-cNlyDwIRyN5FY26d4aCmU2s9zly/s320/DSCN6977.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beginning of Canyon Country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUEhDVP0bVAXqtO10GHzUgDA32GBBZmpguXalA0V4_tbm8f84HUMhi-nQBzy2x_zH54qLtI5yBvcpUsyw9nt5LAz9x2e64DZGwgHwX1zlyqlaKcujOfooVxgdTEnOzD9H_i8KBTL5nMUP/s1600/DSCN7011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUEhDVP0bVAXqtO10GHzUgDA32GBBZmpguXalA0V4_tbm8f84HUMhi-nQBzy2x_zH54qLtI5yBvcpUsyw9nt5LAz9x2e64DZGwgHwX1zlyqlaKcujOfooVxgdTEnOzD9H_i8KBTL5nMUP/s320/DSCN7011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Road Leading Down into the Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Aes3E8E9vxNOSIBdmU_zWAaalkS_KPKX2eWmbAgVU5J-WJVDWnsR6KiwMYetNBJDlZk2n0bMsi7HhvXUFF_KOIfoXA8VrKxnUhCXHCbc0TZ8BJSjwiy6UpQKJqMNhW7rpp4zSmrjoiVf/s1600/DSCN7043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Aes3E8E9vxNOSIBdmU_zWAaalkS_KPKX2eWmbAgVU5J-WJVDWnsR6KiwMYetNBJDlZk2n0bMsi7HhvXUFF_KOIfoXA8VrKxnUhCXHCbc0TZ8BJSjwiy6UpQKJqMNhW7rpp4zSmrjoiVf/s320/DSCN7043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Labyrinth Canyons</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">An unexpected treat was seeing the wildflowers
that bloom in the spring at these high elevations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A profusion of yellow, red and blue blossoms seemed
to flourish in the arid environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
delicate flowers were such a stark contrast to the wildness of the canyons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjCvtBgRSQ6QSsJM3jidOTjrfQHCdwj8b9KxNmPsBPgJvr9lVGxsWYwUKzzlYr-_ybe0HXGdhl3_UJu-Px2H91uBz0El4qnmqkbCmVapFs_ArcTsfzqTWG8m16avlq4ekTAKb8Fnq3lOt/s1600/DSCN6994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjCvtBgRSQ6QSsJM3jidOTjrfQHCdwj8b9KxNmPsBPgJvr9lVGxsWYwUKzzlYr-_ybe0HXGdhl3_UJu-Px2H91uBz0El4qnmqkbCmVapFs_ArcTsfzqTWG8m16avlq4ekTAKb8Fnq3lOt/s320/DSCN6994.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Profustion of Wildflowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwP8SJqa5GgfL_he_k92LiLmUeWqHDzx0uF8roURI35nIz-zjdPzT2aUiFf026M1rc4wcJXDy3A01JKyh4IhZiTx6HIKwkRfeVRTl2eHziK1qX6qC83E3237H_xG-irv3RRgLWAWZ_bDd/s1600/DSCN6974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwP8SJqa5GgfL_he_k92LiLmUeWqHDzx0uF8roURI35nIz-zjdPzT2aUiFf026M1rc4wcJXDy3A01JKyh4IhZiTx6HIKwkRfeVRTl2eHziK1qX6qC83E3237H_xG-irv3RRgLWAWZ_bDd/s320/DSCN6974.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Globemallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintxyaAayLQc6S2CB4_URppver5saiW601-GY4zsj2-eGr3iCKilPRNVLPt541CFuOcAw3zErKyiEWxj-BMFn4x-HW2WZlcJcsw4xwEQRShJhCkVxLQ296yYeNDyilffH-IjqxfsvDXYzn/s1600/DSCN6998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintxyaAayLQc6S2CB4_URppver5saiW601-GY4zsj2-eGr3iCKilPRNVLPt541CFuOcAw3zErKyiEWxj-BMFn4x-HW2WZlcJcsw4xwEQRShJhCkVxLQ296yYeNDyilffH-IjqxfsvDXYzn/s320/DSCN6998.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly on the Scarlet Gilia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When we reached the end of the road, we
hiked to the end of Harpers Corner to take in the most dramatic view of all,
the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We climbed through pinyon pine and juniper
forests on our way to the tip of a promontory overlooking the canyons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to describe just how rugged these
canyons appear from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know
how high we were above the rivers, but the rafts we spotted floating down the
Green River appeared no larger than small dots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The view from this spot was one that I will not easily forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw8MSg2ES6WXBFp03Ds_iF8RtlEs1crn5l2qsz4IBgnPir-JCKA7hqvDzFJNemOUjwlHCznDtEC39IkHLa76B7aWJPWkg1qiyFdeu6nqix3stVRgTHMlAt_9AqWNkjsBo27ttmJONfsAk/s1600/DSCN7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWw8MSg2ES6WXBFp03Ds_iF8RtlEs1crn5l2qsz4IBgnPir-JCKA7hqvDzFJNemOUjwlHCznDtEC39IkHLa76B7aWJPWkg1qiyFdeu6nqix3stVRgTHMlAt_9AqWNkjsBo27ttmJONfsAk/s320/DSCN7061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End of the Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BT0P9x2x1E4N5YYOnZLPQfLpXsU07wJQSoRMQJTF5Jjg8w1vk_SC8_GJFR5-asLq_z5N9fQmEOwAJHjc_pg-E7oW25v0Ozaf2q1S1ilNTCcSvhju5Gss6-TtWvyGUYQ5pLlv6X_sI2ZA/s1600/DSCN7052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BT0P9x2x1E4N5YYOnZLPQfLpXsU07wJQSoRMQJTF5Jjg8w1vk_SC8_GJFR5-asLq_z5N9fQmEOwAJHjc_pg-E7oW25v0Ozaf2q1S1ilNTCcSvhju5Gss6-TtWvyGUYQ5pLlv6X_sI2ZA/s320/DSCN7052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yampa River Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_kql7pGhfCbtvpZxC5V6PhtaK2830lRd6BhcPt_4H3wEIymZzOaUshzQeK648OH9VDF4oa_DsQfwy1eIOrpm4t78H6hRWz_mBIKeSBXWoVDS2c_g2Gg_oi9oaDmFzcoKvMr-Uwjy7NvC/s1600/DSCN7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_kql7pGhfCbtvpZxC5V6PhtaK2830lRd6BhcPt_4H3wEIymZzOaUshzQeK648OH9VDF4oa_DsQfwy1eIOrpm4t78H6hRWz_mBIKeSBXWoVDS2c_g2Gg_oi9oaDmFzcoKvMr-Uwjy7NvC/s320/DSCN7066.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green River Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUlHqD_gMN_Ex0IsevsWKKODnoWsd0xVJJWP8xfo3V_VXDYXn0Jz2kch93hxRNJafojxoe5JZzaWK86Zhx1uc-xtNIQsUZJauIeNYkdDfccDVz-jNqY5LgWx_4fU90DsqotbgbOBYyAfY/s1600/DSCN7062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUlHqD_gMN_Ex0IsevsWKKODnoWsd0xVJJWP8xfo3V_VXDYXn0Jz2kch93hxRNJafojxoe5JZzaWK86Zhx1uc-xtNIQsUZJauIeNYkdDfccDVz-jNqY5LgWx_4fU90DsqotbgbOBYyAfY/s320/DSCN7062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim and Sarah at Canyon Country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We retraced our steps and left Dinosaur
National Monument. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove eastward
across a lonely stretch of northwestern Colorado and camped for the night at
Yampa River State Park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a long,
but good day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-44214437085391799492012-06-10T21:47:00.002-06:002012-06-10T21:47:59.376-06:00Dinosaurland<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We’re home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll write more about our homecoming in the
coming week, but for now I’ll just catch up on the posts from our last week on
the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most likely, I’ll post one “catch-up”
per day, so stay tuned. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I plan to
do a series of wrap-up posts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
that, who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll just have to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The town of Vernal Utah, and surrounding
Uintah County capitalize on their proximity to Dinosaur National Monument and
the quantity of fossils found in the region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The area even refers to itself as Dinosaurland, and a pink dinosaur welcomes
visitors to the town.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Dinosaur National Monument takes its
name from an incredible deposit of dinosaur fossils that were first discovered
in 1909.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quarry here is one of the
best late-Jurassic Period dinosaur finds in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quarry yielded the remains of more than
500 dinosaurs, and more than ten species of dinosaurs were discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty complete skeletons were unearthed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We visited Dinosaur National Monument last
Wednesday and were able to explore the original quarry and even touch dinosaur
bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Quarry Exhibit Hall is
actually built over and into the side of the quarry, and what remains of the
quarry wall is exposed inside the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looking up, or down, at a two-story high wall filled with more than 1,500
dinosaur bones was an amazing experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of the bones appeared randomly, but there were several sections of
articulated skeletons as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBhhVd4EvVQKbGaZMhI4LYPs0IXlx3ukCmAdjlJOv3veXvQhO1XpX4mgTVIEkTst33s6Woj6zrE647llCVOJNHlti8yhl9uO6ZXTJBnayVrcOPSnmZambWEuw2JDI4ph-IbR2kYG-B74L/s1600/DSCN6851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBhhVd4EvVQKbGaZMhI4LYPs0IXlx3ukCmAdjlJOv3veXvQhO1XpX4mgTVIEkTst33s6Woj6zrE647llCVOJNHlti8yhl9uO6ZXTJBnayVrcOPSnmZambWEuw2JDI4ph-IbR2kYG-B74L/s320/DSCN6851.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Walks Along the Quarry Wall Inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1yLJqyr9SEol6Q3fMFMA72xNqCrXHUgwIISHMEr2r5VnPlymkHhJac7oJvkRmhk7RFGrWnQCFe_MoPsnz6c7ZvuqrrRkx8NHcqoLsO6_QUwUiqjo6nRufbvsKGBUrMsS8bIhM1svxZ0c/s1600/DSCN6821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1yLJqyr9SEol6Q3fMFMA72xNqCrXHUgwIISHMEr2r5VnPlymkHhJac7oJvkRmhk7RFGrWnQCFe_MoPsnz6c7ZvuqrrRkx8NHcqoLsO6_QUwUiqjo6nRufbvsKGBUrMsS8bIhM1svxZ0c/s320/DSCN6821.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the More Impressive Dinosaur Fossils in the Quarry Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuBJs4qQIwuWLfT60PecLF4jM-RDT-LrhlbPd5oT-xSzBxNKETLROMqbQKcaa88MbkZ32zH2Lk8kVMrd4qL1mBioHSE6lwiEnOmHUNG1aS8j2WenPjTZIPP0YHbyRgN83higq4lDYcfJo/s1600/DSCN6823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuBJs4qQIwuWLfT60PecLF4jM-RDT-LrhlbPd5oT-xSzBxNKETLROMqbQKcaa88MbkZ32zH2Lk8kVMrd4qL1mBioHSE6lwiEnOmHUNG1aS8j2WenPjTZIPP0YHbyRgN83higq4lDYcfJo/s320/DSCN6823.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exposed Dinosaur Bones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAkbdfaU2PAbrNHCR1OWd0nKq3MulcrMoeNV5MNNBIAzC-HAHE3AXt9hDMh1GlegbWtarVoEwXMir5YUjAzQTVCSMmdsccG9ysm9MsoKmYeIKlekdVr_snOe4sjYA_2zDjMuXrIVeYMeg/s1600/DSCN6826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAkbdfaU2PAbrNHCR1OWd0nKq3MulcrMoeNV5MNNBIAzC-HAHE3AXt9hDMh1GlegbWtarVoEwXMir5YUjAzQTVCSMmdsccG9ysm9MsoKmYeIKlekdVr_snOe4sjYA_2zDjMuXrIVeYMeg/s320/DSCN6826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a Amazing Sight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYixwyyfhRv_qIsCnev1kxu-rFtd4Qbz1KII2BSjbAntyVDSwWlBNrXtoVGlEZlHUUpBlYOoY4x_1VemBHZprG8zqDqO88UdA_OnJg_7eeYmqjKTa3w97iMnCFAa7xJx7zQhqJwcd3jGMv/s1600/DSCN6852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYixwyyfhRv_qIsCnev1kxu-rFtd4Qbz1KII2BSjbAntyVDSwWlBNrXtoVGlEZlHUUpBlYOoY4x_1VemBHZprG8zqDqO88UdA_OnJg_7eeYmqjKTa3w97iMnCFAa7xJx7zQhqJwcd3jGMv/s320/DSCN6852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Had to Be Convinced It Was Legal to Touch the Dinosaur Bones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QL71D2cfB2iewWIR8M1HD1JgVywPU_sjFvxei8cCm0W7990PrqNeerDXwIjJmcp5sdNOt9JIKbPxeVaqug6yXVFuSD2Q0B9M3QqqCq-Ldg9DZNpqaQ8WugATVD7-iY4B-a1ZaZky86yw/s1600/DSCN6847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QL71D2cfB2iewWIR8M1HD1JgVywPU_sjFvxei8cCm0W7990PrqNeerDXwIjJmcp5sdNOt9JIKbPxeVaqug6yXVFuSD2Q0B9M3QqqCq-Ldg9DZNpqaQ8WugATVD7-iY4B-a1ZaZky86yw/s320/DSCN6847.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Exhibit Hall Also Contains Several Impressive Exhibits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The original Quarry Exhibit Hall was
built in 1957 as a part of the National Park Service Mission 66 program and was
an outstanding example of modernist architecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the building’s foundation was
never stable, and long-standing structural problems forced the National Park
Service to close the building in 2006.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily,
I was able to see the building from the exterior when I visited the park in
2007, although like every other visitor, I could not see the quarry wall inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rangers we spoke with said the hardest part
of their job was telling people that the quarry wall was closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the visitors had come from half-way
around the world and were simply devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was no access to the quarry wall for five years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcmg3e39CpAJGVDsXNwf-8UHe3hyphenhyphenSw7d16og601i1-epMl1zpQ7bNB73khd-DNq1JxwxiDGYlzR7fTuQ9S4gvMWes7Lu9Ttmc177GKY9sRf9cSauCBZmdTXinWbZYBLRNav44xQgUXbEx/s1600/DSCN6867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcmg3e39CpAJGVDsXNwf-8UHe3hyphenhyphenSw7d16og601i1-epMl1zpQ7bNB73khd-DNq1JxwxiDGYlzR7fTuQ9S4gvMWes7Lu9Ttmc177GKY9sRf9cSauCBZmdTXinWbZYBLRNav44xQgUXbEx/s320/DSCN6867.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Newly Opened Quarry Exhibit Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The current building opened just last
year and is a beautiful piece of architecture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is billed as a rehabilitation of the original building, but it really
is a reconstruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Virtually none of
the original structure remains, although the new building does maintain much of
the original design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy the
timing of our visit was such that we were able to go inside and see the quarry
wall.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb933AxQdmRct2cMnIZPrbaXzkKnZhf8f2RrC4aLmiTV_YPNA6KajVQsqeRWCfthWDeAIjtY6fkBMfleX3m3I6-nv_HerffVzwCBb3hhJlhwHnr3dIjV9wo5Q7odwJLwjlVGMBewom_FBV/s1600/DSCN6861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb933AxQdmRct2cMnIZPrbaXzkKnZhf8f2RrC4aLmiTV_YPNA6KajVQsqeRWCfthWDeAIjtY6fkBMfleX3m3I6-nv_HerffVzwCBb3hhJlhwHnr3dIjV9wo5Q7odwJLwjlVGMBewom_FBV/s320/DSCN6861.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape Adjacent to the Quarry Exhibit Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OFeEYBJ3L_15KxlZ-qkjKCc6KiL6_uJd4FltPmAcCrKX6KMv55Z_C66B8XHKvn43_220MzcKZ4f7GSPafxAj0rBXogTP2zAL5wLXZFw_kAsFMKnNi8d3781J-jdlt7SGnYA1dd1uoPiO/s1600/DSCN6869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OFeEYBJ3L_15KxlZ-qkjKCc6KiL6_uJd4FltPmAcCrKX6KMv55Z_C66B8XHKvn43_220MzcKZ4f7GSPafxAj0rBXogTP2zAL5wLXZFw_kAsFMKnNi8d3781J-jdlt7SGnYA1dd1uoPiO/s320/DSCN6869.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Cliffs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We found that there is much more to see
at Dinosaur National Monument than just dinosaur bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The deep and colorful canyons of the Green
and Yampa Rivers are preserved here, as are the historic remnants of ancient
cultures, settlers and homesteaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
took the Tour of the Tilted Rocks to discover some of these features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along this route we were able to view some of
the finest-quality petroglyphs I’ve ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This rock art was made about 1,000 years ago by the people of the
Fremont Culture, and some of the images are enormous in size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Petroglyphs like the lizard likely took
months to complete.</span></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXssR2ES-aJ_T_I6lJuetmw7hj_4RGTf2VhMUtDMfKiSdhPuktRNr7j_qq8dwWUTSI-oBejz4L4wQEB8fLERgaGWndGRawksZFHZciHUZNm19voDocbFQgfmlm1acq1YzZ1RldG_SSuJRk/s1600/DSCN6918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXssR2ES-aJ_T_I6lJuetmw7hj_4RGTf2VhMUtDMfKiSdhPuktRNr7j_qq8dwWUTSI-oBejz4L4wQEB8fLERgaGWndGRawksZFHZciHUZNm19voDocbFQgfmlm1acq1YzZ1RldG_SSuJRk/s320/DSCN6918.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Outstanding Collection of Petroglyphs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mm_uZd7pZKMviq_V1cx_bhxKJqBQOKJXVbUs8VUbkBQbPXIjyCwKv3C2-IRu5jLh8zRArs3XnL5H0qoZwpSOv6ntfYLVsbZtWKEBkr1sUAck8P7b3OWJfzIwo4DXg_dT1D5p9n6fDlDh/s1600/DSCN6917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mm_uZd7pZKMviq_V1cx_bhxKJqBQOKJXVbUs8VUbkBQbPXIjyCwKv3C2-IRu5jLh8zRArs3XnL5H0qoZwpSOv6ntfYLVsbZtWKEBkr1sUAck8P7b3OWJfzIwo4DXg_dT1D5p9n6fDlDh/s320/DSCN6917.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intricate Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f2rZLiQgRXuvX-KfVw05boAvUca7kn3wqK0JXDnflSoDw9CtepMzrG0H1pLjLTmeDd9Q9QWrpzpOot7osuqTCE4XwJrO_4JI4yIpdytcfK5biXI6FDrtFUdL9GB9M_ZcDtb3W81c41T8/s1600/DSCN6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f2rZLiQgRXuvX-KfVw05boAvUca7kn3wqK0JXDnflSoDw9CtepMzrG0H1pLjLTmeDd9Q9QWrpzpOot7osuqTCE4XwJrO_4JI4yIpdytcfK5biXI6FDrtFUdL9GB9M_ZcDtb3W81c41T8/s320/DSCN6925.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lizard Is a Favorite Figure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We also visited the restored cabin
built by Josephine Bassett in 1935 on land she homesteaded in 1914.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Josie was an independent woman who lived
alone here on her own terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard
to imagine the challenges she faced in this isolated and rugged, but beautiful
land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePQGOwBkJvsOvyQmMFBgYpPxJRToaDS6gw4nhdZ60luSxG8YdMZQKpT4ChoNX1jRZW1DLICi3nmYt2so9zXU_LzjPEHq4TUlKhgepfUixCtG7-FZ0H5up4GE_8mABoTQ58PBC-qreyYkx/s1600/DSCN6934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePQGOwBkJvsOvyQmMFBgYpPxJRToaDS6gw4nhdZ60luSxG8YdMZQKpT4ChoNX1jRZW1DLICi3nmYt2so9zXU_LzjPEHq4TUlKhgepfUixCtG7-FZ0H5up4GE_8mABoTQ58PBC-qreyYkx/s320/DSCN6934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josie Bassett Cabin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We followed the Green River for a while
and learned how the river was responsible for creating a host of amazing
geological features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rugged ridge of
Split Mountain, which the Green River split in half, for example, loomed
alongside of us for much of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colorful
cliffs and unusual rock formations only added to the spectacular scenery.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0bMuwknG-i1bb8sprOWZMG3NXRhsfEcP_6Rcq6HvNTG7nPZbFRAXP2ev8oU5yQwWV5KKVfnnzdRkVD8k3RXnTRq3BraCMB6UhY0jWMPyoe0SVxNu-0zS0Fl6pHDUfHGxLo6HFZCv2W5l/s1600/DSCN6807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0bMuwknG-i1bb8sprOWZMG3NXRhsfEcP_6Rcq6HvNTG7nPZbFRAXP2ev8oU5yQwWV5KKVfnnzdRkVD8k3RXnTRq3BraCMB6UhY0jWMPyoe0SVxNu-0zS0Fl6pHDUfHGxLo6HFZCv2W5l/s320/DSCN6807.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green River Winds Its Way through the Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTzVUiI-wVJj-6FN-v3WkGfIFzTsUQmO9b-ZOX_trvv5HiqbpqRE09w-2wOXJ1MBX2RtPr2IMJgdT67wSzqAOiD9rFHWLEVWES5gG9fUGP3ixBQoN-7rtjCDPKooB0w30pFM5pe2oSRYC/s1600/DSCN6895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTzVUiI-wVJj-6FN-v3WkGfIFzTsUQmO9b-ZOX_trvv5HiqbpqRE09w-2wOXJ1MBX2RtPr2IMJgdT67wSzqAOiD9rFHWLEVWES5gG9fUGP3ixBQoN-7rtjCDPKooB0w30pFM5pe2oSRYC/s320/DSCN6895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Split Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI2CEF9etOYju6Iagwul_gbkkNGmIWRFC6kY3Wi8FDA9Oih7ssGnYkdYg1lmh_1M_pzZ7Y7dafrl5ShSHJJogpr1C8RD-7_HVg4XyYKnQsqSZ5n23H2UuhNjbNVdaJzbtm_tJx-LngVct/s1600/DSCN6907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI2CEF9etOYju6Iagwul_gbkkNGmIWRFC6kY3Wi8FDA9Oih7ssGnYkdYg1lmh_1M_pzZ7Y7dafrl5ShSHJJogpr1C8RD-7_HVg4XyYKnQsqSZ5n23H2UuhNjbNVdaJzbtm_tJx-LngVct/s320/DSCN6907.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliffs Along the Green River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We drove to Dinosaur, Colorado, so we
could visit the Colorado section of Dinosaur National Monument tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time on this trip, we were
unable to find a campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one where
we had planned to stay was virtually abandoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We didn’t have a good feeling about the place, so we dumped our tanks
and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We never did see anyone
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus began a search for a place
to camp in an area where there simply were no campgrounds.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">By this time it was 6:00
pm, and we realized we would have to find a place to boondock, in other words,
park off of a main road in an area with no facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We turned onto a county road and then found a
dirt road managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a nice open space to park, and that’s
where we camped for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t
believe our first experience with boondocking took place the last week of our
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgJteFRUuyJxx_PNSPFO3iPU38s7gCvVPczISgRWikPCA93V7Zsn32hqDnwtXJKtZ6BDWVzDRto6Tp_Zmq4FVqBVVfFpP06tV3_Gqk-bcdsAKTkJ8dKxUIZO-KaZSdSIpt4GUMG1Om6GY/s1600/DSCN6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgJteFRUuyJxx_PNSPFO3iPU38s7gCvVPczISgRWikPCA93V7Zsn32hqDnwtXJKtZ6BDWVzDRto6Tp_Zmq4FVqBVVfFpP06tV3_Gqk-bcdsAKTkJ8dKxUIZO-KaZSdSIpt4GUMG1Om6GY/s320/DSCN6945.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Boondocking Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /> </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-78732274056371739902012-06-09T18:22:00.002-06:002012-06-09T18:22:55.126-06:00Almost Home<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For the last few days we have had
either no internet access, or a very weak signal. Consequently I have been unable to post any of
our adventures for what seems like a very long time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have now arrived in Fort Morgan at Tim’s
sister’s house, and we’ll head to Estes Park tomorrow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going to enjoy our visit while we’re
here, and I’ll catch up on the posts when we return home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for your patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise I won’t leave you dangling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a lot more fun things to tell you
about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-89958260055849851552012-06-05T23:37:00.000-06:002012-06-05T23:37:43.337-06:00Flaming Gorge<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We took the day off yesterday and hung
out at our campground overlooking Flaming Gorge Reservoir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was very hot, with the temperature reaching
93°, and there was very little shade to shield us from the scorching sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that several cities in eastern
Utah actually broke temperature records yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still had a good day and enjoyed watching
the pronghorn that frequent the campground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our camp host informed us that it is the
pronghorn that own the campground. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They graciously
allow us to camp there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How nice of
them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwg5aRb0b3F7YTyFYWFI2Ol3bUCg_3m_WD2etqjR_IP7gp7CHSObzFDtXanqJl8N-egrzrJFvdriZBQChL9jywxRPGnAnH3rggPzk-PbD3iYHoSFfu-t__OBGV3RF8xbpS319l22PDmHk/s1600/DSCN6697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwg5aRb0b3F7YTyFYWFI2Ol3bUCg_3m_WD2etqjR_IP7gp7CHSObzFDtXanqJl8N-egrzrJFvdriZBQChL9jywxRPGnAnH3rggPzk-PbD3iYHoSFfu-t__OBGV3RF8xbpS319l22PDmHk/s320/DSCN6697.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Make Yourself at Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rIw98_JaxI3faCT_a_6iRfiRZA2ZT6ZiKaedQBShjFASDZLvRa7IyqofQdWA0ExP9aeO0a9gyPJPkfELdT-2f9aKCBSu-Do_zT2IEJ33mM7_drl8LC5fZmuNBito7b672UmaieQCnE1Q/s1600/DSCN6702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rIw98_JaxI3faCT_a_6iRfiRZA2ZT6ZiKaedQBShjFASDZLvRa7IyqofQdWA0ExP9aeO0a9gyPJPkfELdT-2f9aKCBSu-Do_zT2IEJ33mM7_drl8LC5fZmuNBito7b672UmaieQCnE1Q/s320/DSCN6702.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are You Coming to See Me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Kitty didn’t seem to mind the heat, and
Tim discovered a great brushing station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The new grill stand seems to have been placed at the campsite just for
that purpose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim got a few strange
looks, but several dog owners wanted to book an appointment with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw-JZ-oCZcwjBWtOCVVRFCUJm_Ivb51x2Be2gt9wt7tzASWg_mTKR0P_vMXzLYI7KjyyGImeKRexhFh9Zjwkmwg4phJhqGh9Hz0Bc5dmpAU1zGhtwWBu4olgOW4M3KNTrjgUuY6jxZRzN/s1600/DSCN6693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSw-JZ-oCZcwjBWtOCVVRFCUJm_Ivb51x2Be2gt9wt7tzASWg_mTKR0P_vMXzLYI7KjyyGImeKRexhFh9Zjwkmwg4phJhqGh9Hz0Bc5dmpAU1zGhtwWBu4olgOW4M3KNTrjgUuY6jxZRzN/s400/DSCN6693.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Is the Life!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We awoke this morning to another hot
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of that high wind warnings were
posted throughout eastern Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We coped
with winds of 25-40 miles per hour and wind gusts of 55-65 miles per hour for
most of the day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried, but could not
escape the wind or the heat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although we didn’t feel like spending
much time outside, we were lucky enough to be driving the Flaming Gorge-Uintas
National Scenic Byway the entire day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
a spectacular drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theme of the
byway is “Wildlife Through the Ages” since the route travels through one of the
richest areas for wildlife and fossils in the west. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Markers along the entire length of the byway
identify the various geologic formations, the time periods and the types of animals
and plants that were discovered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpTDrL9dNKJvsbAavPJlpat2Txn0XN7m30WBsC3awQcMT1pzdGc_vBXggzRZmCpZb7QGoi5v2aCIE7p7k7wRLILUTSXo4jKv7UL4HJk5LAXLLGtW-Hl8LrZvSoSAdk-_Gmb5kHLo9Hdiy/s1600/DSCN6713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpTDrL9dNKJvsbAavPJlpat2Txn0XN7m30WBsC3awQcMT1pzdGc_vBXggzRZmCpZb7QGoi5v2aCIE7p7k7wRLILUTSXo4jKv7UL4HJk5LAXLLGtW-Hl8LrZvSoSAdk-_Gmb5kHLo9Hdiy/s320/DSCN6713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geological Markers Along the Byway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFxWvKIIFDxYNiaZuOzEbFE_fXatOGwFqryqLXyDaY5vgMAHSLqXnzkcvPZQ6m3jH4mrAsxQbuNC7QIXtunculSCj7JV6_BFxF3lLUwLVQzNQ0WnxPeCPxEjuzWlVAJVK-VsxzFZfpFw8/s1600/DSCN6717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFxWvKIIFDxYNiaZuOzEbFE_fXatOGwFqryqLXyDaY5vgMAHSLqXnzkcvPZQ6m3jH4mrAsxQbuNC7QIXtunculSCj7JV6_BFxF3lLUwLVQzNQ0WnxPeCPxEjuzWlVAJVK-VsxzFZfpFw8/s320/DSCN6717.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color Along the Scenic Byway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As we left the desert-like area near
our campground, we climbed high into the eastern flank of the Uinta Mountains
at over 8,000 feet in elevation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along
the way we marveled at unique geologic features, deep multi-colored canyons,
breathtaking scenic vistas and dark green forest landscapes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about “eye candy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this drive may make my “top ten”
list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDbPeJuyx7YJR89tOc67GLVL0B-r10kS3nLv2FiGI_kK8TF4uCk1xblYBdfxppXGEYYbGoWN7Mcb_Kpy3kYWZzyRppeXC4FdpKnyXRUwT6bchZoE6PAN5t61I97kYWuSTSg3Mp3msJJaG/s1600/DSCN6718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDbPeJuyx7YJR89tOc67GLVL0B-r10kS3nLv2FiGI_kK8TF4uCk1xblYBdfxppXGEYYbGoWN7Mcb_Kpy3kYWZzyRppeXC4FdpKnyXRUwT6bchZoE6PAN5t61I97kYWuSTSg3Mp3msJJaG/s320/DSCN6718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep Creek Bay Sits along the Scenic Byway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXil1uig9nQs-R74DCI5X9-LL0X0E3oqypf21K_uavEsIWXEoAayn2o6oyd7v1xQLH2SA-mFHDKmg2gdmRi-rIobyKqDQj400V6Uz5YAOxFK_VgK9xvwBZHfE2jf8LjArqgdDxEwHucryC/s1600/DSCN6727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXil1uig9nQs-R74DCI5X9-LL0X0E3oqypf21K_uavEsIWXEoAayn2o6oyd7v1xQLH2SA-mFHDKmg2gdmRi-rIobyKqDQj400V6Uz5YAOxFK_VgK9xvwBZHfE2jf8LjArqgdDxEwHucryC/s320/DSCN6727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colors of the Cliffs Are Amazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlQpQZXlu-TuT9nRzTNYjTBh9X4lFY2Jed6E43poWJO7SgpkpfkguAb5GmcaFTCRGIA9FGGlTyoGOInmuGdPvnjvWTrHEFuO9WdCIY9p7z0e1rQmIrC1j5baDpMxVbbTf_S-xe3_Auol/s1600/DSCN6739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LlQpQZXlu-TuT9nRzTNYjTBh9X4lFY2Jed6E43poWJO7SgpkpfkguAb5GmcaFTCRGIA9FGGlTyoGOInmuGdPvnjvWTrHEFuO9WdCIY9p7z0e1rQmIrC1j5baDpMxVbbTf_S-xe3_Auol/s320/DSCN6739.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vista from Sheep Creek Overlook Took My Breath Away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Much of the drive passes through
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and we now understand how this gorge received
its name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flaming Gorge has to be one of
the most aptly named landscapes in the country. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The colors of the cliffs and canyons are
indeed “flaming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Flaming Gorge seems to be one of the
lesser known of all the west’s national recreation areas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we had the area almost to ourselves, and
we understand that it never gets too busy, even in the height of the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We made a detour to reach one of the
most photogenic sections of the gorge, Red Canyon, which was carved by the mighty
Green River. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked along the Red
Canyon Rim Trail and looked down 1,400 feet into Flaming Gorge Reservoir. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contrast between the red of the cliffs,
the blue of the water and the green of the trees was simply breathtaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzNOcdCHAnRSixWNilZyKarhuPEAdGBBb4vI0iZVO0F9NSEIEFqv-BFTvIF-VrP8BNq0glGU9Z7oLOpop-Csp9mdmytUHeP-NOi6DeyYtXxYBt6SFfuhyHn2EiH8DSgq2aP9vwGLSF8mX/s1600/DSCN6748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzNOcdCHAnRSixWNilZyKarhuPEAdGBBb4vI0iZVO0F9NSEIEFqv-BFTvIF-VrP8BNq0glGU9Z7oLOpop-Csp9mdmytUHeP-NOi6DeyYtXxYBt6SFfuhyHn2EiH8DSgq2aP9vwGLSF8mX/s320/DSCN6748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The View into Red Canyon Is Stunning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBmgJoDqykoJNFHnmHQnDxCr5U7LStRGWGfrtdoU5rZ-Ik9_wqX8malCCLzjKGPg-0CdzEUXgMsiZs5Y0nm_FRKkA8pXE-YRvfdyghUkEwcyd5TkAJb17gCmbvaDNb8Ft3wFknqYhVEZy/s1600/DSCN6759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBmgJoDqykoJNFHnmHQnDxCr5U7LStRGWGfrtdoU5rZ-Ik9_wqX8malCCLzjKGPg-0CdzEUXgMsiZs5Y0nm_FRKkA8pXE-YRvfdyghUkEwcyd5TkAJb17gCmbvaDNb8Ft3wFknqYhVEZy/s320/DSCN6759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Canyon Rim Trail Provides Awesome Views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After leaving Flaming Gorge we traveled
down through countless geologic layers of time on our way to the Uintah Basin
of Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section of the road is
infamous for its steep descent and series of nine tortuous switchbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the views were spectacular, the wind
made for extremely dangerous driving for high profile vehicles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were shocked to see a tractor trailer that
had rolled over along one of the curves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully the driver escaped with few
injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd2HcnA6o_hHQVGV9mhdCF5JQKMuzen93uevCuwNbpXHWkSL7zQAr84s87NRqnmRmgMSH6NWpNEsmOsTPO1Kff0TjWauKQyKoAW-z5Elsy_7X14bBqcw0k0THzMn70SiQQ2uFcSTsVQ1x/s1600/DSCN6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOd2HcnA6o_hHQVGV9mhdCF5JQKMuzen93uevCuwNbpXHWkSL7zQAr84s87NRqnmRmgMSH6NWpNEsmOsTPO1Kff0TjWauKQyKoAW-z5Elsy_7X14bBqcw0k0THzMn70SiQQ2uFcSTsVQ1x/s320/DSCN6769.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a Scary Sight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYxqJiyN-unOE8_4tzZ8AXhb7rbQ2SspxsbHfCAMRsto3qeCFWAEQt8p4H1suYGS3LIeysYuTeWi4V_z1c0V4gExfjD_PEN4yAKKVQdiHl4fxY8Gk1yiZ9usFHlv3zMzaMmNkQD77zYYI/s1600/DSCN6770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYxqJiyN-unOE8_4tzZ8AXhb7rbQ2SspxsbHfCAMRsto3qeCFWAEQt8p4H1suYGS3LIeysYuTeWi4V_z1c0V4gExfjD_PEN4yAKKVQdiHl4fxY8Gk1yiZ9usFHlv3zMzaMmNkQD77zYYI/s400/DSCN6770.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending into the Uintah Basin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Tim on the other hand did a
masterful job of controlling the RV, and we arrived safely at Steinaker Lake
State Park near Vernal, Utah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeRBj22L1a3-UtkVGh8VkkfGHnRSGqEBMIFD4RVouc_3JdnIkppETckXZL8db4sKX5coBEIHCSgsUe0qYaeasFdOVO6Yn3zzcV8ahr-fgVnFYcEX0viwg41gRt8SJDV7A8MSEvNYok2qR/s1600/DSCN6787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeRBj22L1a3-UtkVGh8VkkfGHnRSGqEBMIFD4RVouc_3JdnIkppETckXZL8db4sKX5coBEIHCSgsUe0qYaeasFdOVO6Yn3zzcV8ahr-fgVnFYcEX0viwg41gRt8SJDV7A8MSEvNYok2qR/s320/DSCN6787.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Water at Steinaker State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLZwwSrhDAz7A9lDHU4Z8wd_unhaD1GP8MZtBJinLMqRa4PvGVu4_9XBN4c61f5ggoQ1rVfMvBZ36YPO1l1aj9wjBhP-8vZfP5yFO9JP-8Cc4xwhyrKdA5_Pexpv_GKv5z3ZQxFcTCuHP/s1600/DSCN6788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLZwwSrhDAz7A9lDHU4Z8wd_unhaD1GP8MZtBJinLMqRa4PvGVu4_9XBN4c61f5ggoQ1rVfMvBZ36YPO1l1aj9wjBhP-8vZfP5yFO9JP-8Cc4xwhyrKdA5_Pexpv_GKv5z3ZQxFcTCuHP/s320/DSCN6788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Waterfront Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-32317889776463368142012-06-03T23:19:00.000-06:002012-06-04T23:34:36.675-06:00Stradling the 41st Parallel<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We spent last night in Kemmerer,
Wyoming, whose claim to fame seems to be the home of J.C. Penney and the site
of the “Mother Store.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kemmerer is a
cowboy town, as are most of the towns in Wyoming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way out of town we spotted a herd of
pronghorn on a hillside just beside the highway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Southwest Wyoming is home to the largest
migratory herd of pronghorn in the continental United States, and it is always
a thrill to see these graceful animals.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8X0oBA5G50IQPCzyQyanb-Fqh7ONn6yQ4PxCXiJK14R5Es_a_iXyclNjL0bo-tP3VPYjtLNusd6lvVMXHzO8AryQGwEGeRWIqRCy27MWaBW58PJjhNmcReYlda-1xvf-rw18lLpf9V1t/s1600/DSCN6601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8X0oBA5G50IQPCzyQyanb-Fqh7ONn6yQ4PxCXiJK14R5Es_a_iXyclNjL0bo-tP3VPYjtLNusd6lvVMXHzO8AryQGwEGeRWIqRCy27MWaBW58PJjhNmcReYlda-1xvf-rw18lLpf9V1t/s320/DSCN6601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Original J.C. Penney Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl0BtCHwMCCjUuNSpJ2eUz1mnSiwv5NOGLraigfKkEeX0DQ7L7Jo6J71Pkx5d4iqhpU7XeM0wKRNM1o8Stv2EAHulvb_VK3aXumle_Jby01HwADMwQLxJK1szyE6HHo6Mpn9ePru8sTWM/s1600/DSCN6614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBl0BtCHwMCCjUuNSpJ2eUz1mnSiwv5NOGLraigfKkEeX0DQ7L7Jo6J71Pkx5d4iqhpU7XeM0wKRNM1o8Stv2EAHulvb_VK3aXumle_Jby01HwADMwQLxJK1szyE6HHo6Mpn9ePru8sTWM/s320/DSCN6614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pronghorn Herd, Sometimes Called Antelope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6VjgbNDaHSGK5iujPE4cxMl3L9GzgbDLVV1AGVwl4kAnZuEMj448bvj6wRU7KdyIgJdi0dAIDgiUSnRtKAEKMFKcZBZsjdWd-JOAZ_VLMlJMsxFqERCS7JZ7Q9fEJRcAheFNlLKQUbQS/s1600/DSCN6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6VjgbNDaHSGK5iujPE4cxMl3L9GzgbDLVV1AGVwl4kAnZuEMj448bvj6wRU7KdyIgJdi0dAIDgiUSnRtKAEKMFKcZBZsjdWd-JOAZ_VLMlJMsxFqERCS7JZ7Q9fEJRcAheFNlLKQUbQS/s320/DSCN6605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Think They're Staring at Us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIKs5zvCijguJMtGGekERe6YvusYymYZP7Rb_7LeXKthYAQD37FE7_MP2hYokAx5ADzqOZYIqvJ2Wp9ttn9rX2EI2mRt4TZK_s_ucWdlaewjKkfv_R63aWefAPWdshC2Cr9nNt-0br9Q2/s1600/DSCN6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIKs5zvCijguJMtGGekERe6YvusYymYZP7Rb_7LeXKthYAQD37FE7_MP2hYokAx5ADzqOZYIqvJ2Wp9ttn9rX2EI2mRt4TZK_s_ucWdlaewjKkfv_R63aWefAPWdshC2Cr9nNt-0br9Q2/s320/DSCN6615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pronghorn Is the Fastest Land Mammal in the Western Hemisphere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although most ranches in Wyoming raise
cattle, we also passed several sheep ranches and were surprised to find
sheepherders who still traveled in their traditional sheepwagons. What a throwback to an earlier era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqlkQdLDVKWWGIK_CxICwBq4q26mWQLQuhV3eaO5d4rnScfWuR9QNmg6Es5WB7hyphenhyphenIUhp1Wj7E1FFMTDHy973S6kGPHkvOSsk-v30qhKXBbDfoUTq4pZ_aidWIonxj-Psqbj1MPplrYVU1/s1600/DSCN6618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqlkQdLDVKWWGIK_CxICwBq4q26mWQLQuhV3eaO5d4rnScfWuR9QNmg6Es5WB7hyphenhyphenIUhp1Wj7E1FFMTDHy973S6kGPHkvOSsk-v30qhKXBbDfoUTq4pZ_aidWIonxj-Psqbj1MPplrYVU1/s320/DSCN6618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wyoming Sheephearder and His Wagons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">One of the major sites associated with all
of the western trails is Fort Bridger. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Established
by Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez in 1843 as a trading post on the Oregon Trail,
it became a Mormon fort in the 1850s and then a U.S. military outpost in 1858. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fort Bridger is now a Wyoming State Historic
Park, and the evolution of the site is interpreted here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdYLCpPTfeqYv5Cm03mel9PaEFU8k4jKNU4PN3cbIzRYd2lKCAJgnx0nYylHnUQlFi00b1ennZFEZw5FDrLg46M0-xZBM6G-nCVztDEtlC_FOp06CNOpPj20g1W8YRRnzP6J4mA0anHvr/s1600/DSCN6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdYLCpPTfeqYv5Cm03mel9PaEFU8k4jKNU4PN3cbIzRYd2lKCAJgnx0nYylHnUQlFi00b1ennZFEZw5FDrLg46M0-xZBM6G-nCVztDEtlC_FOp06CNOpPj20g1W8YRRnzP6J4mA0anHvr/s400/DSCN6624.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1880s Barracks, 1867 Commisary and 1868 Guardhouse at Fort Bridger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Mountain men, Indian traders, Oregon
and California emigrants, Mormon pioneers, Pony Express riders, U.S. soldiers and
railroad men all passed through the fort. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We toured several of the original buildings
and tried to imagine the fort’s pivotal role in westward expansion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although many of the early structures no
longer remain, ongoing archeological excavations are uncovering evidence of the
fort’s history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAXAegXGV00MLIFKdbadndRELPWNAaOmAYdzJGqzlLtWIAZyJEBNVWAm6lp37v44Hs-9VtErQFr2efNwjlU4OjHdnt46iI-r_Yw2kOlgDA8MYxpFed6rM9702r4SxX0-Pl9pm2ATag8Pn/s1600/DSCN6640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAXAegXGV00MLIFKdbadndRELPWNAaOmAYdzJGqzlLtWIAZyJEBNVWAm6lp37v44Hs-9VtErQFr2efNwjlU4OjHdnt46iI-r_Yw2kOlgDA8MYxpFed6rM9702r4SxX0-Pl9pm2ATag8Pn/s320/DSCN6640.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1884 Commanding Officer's Quarters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUx5uGtRUZ4GACVFRzIbql_bLHEMOWnyXJRQZqtgvWMya37F5rdQNo_HkvPjq7EiSEDO5hZCKkGTp34Al5jbJfoo6H3UCcjvJ3HGQrc3Qmylg_QTlY7KDAILrqNXugkENIgXZ3cDJmQdX/s1600/DSCN6639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUx5uGtRUZ4GACVFRzIbql_bLHEMOWnyXJRQZqtgvWMya37F5rdQNo_HkvPjq7EiSEDO5hZCKkGTp34Al5jbJfoo6H3UCcjvJ3HGQrc3Qmylg_QTlY7KDAILrqNXugkENIgXZ3cDJmQdX/s320/DSCN6639.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranch House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxbwBOyiRfhvx_jYVCBKH7ZjaDAO-SDAWfCHa32KaMEeH3gKnDIVw9LX1eGLgy0rSI5ajwWmXnHHKjR0IrwaKoyuDThVXG-Mky_Xvk7vrN5vBayTJ6TMUYVhLLI90vIQxLDRKkME_4QTh/s1600/DSCN6634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxbwBOyiRfhvx_jYVCBKH7ZjaDAO-SDAWfCHa32KaMEeH3gKnDIVw9LX1eGLgy0rSI5ajwWmXnHHKjR0IrwaKoyuDThVXG-Mky_Xvk7vrN5vBayTJ6TMUYVhLLI90vIQxLDRKkME_4QTh/s320/DSCN6634.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archeological Excavations Are Peeling Away the Layers of History</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Adjacent to Fort Bridger is a roadside
motel that served the Lincoln Highway, an early transcontinental highway that
also passed by the fort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Built in 1929,
the Black and Orange Cabins have been restored by the State of Wyoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cool that Wyoming has recognized the significance
of structures like these that reflect the need to accommodate travelers along
the new highway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtvO4IjxrvDjSJ_riStP_swDrvf7mGkrkrkdBCor0kEuQwNHnv5elWuL7ZeJ6LcdZP0way5FZGs1YE8EQjIj2y-V8RDiU3PgV4gBTswX5xWmjU9GiBWDQhhOGkxDOwdYL-5K1714Gv-t4/s1600/DSCN6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtvO4IjxrvDjSJ_riStP_swDrvf7mGkrkrkdBCor0kEuQwNHnv5elWuL7ZeJ6LcdZP0way5FZGs1YE8EQjIj2y-V8RDiU3PgV4gBTswX5xWmjU9GiBWDQhhOGkxDOwdYL-5K1714Gv-t4/s320/DSCN6648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and Orange Cabins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Southwest Wyoming is characterized by
its starkly beautiful desert landscape. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
steadily climbed through eroding hills of various shades of tan and green and
saw the Uinta Mountains in the distance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Uinta Mountains are the only major
mountain range in the Western Hemisphere to run east and west. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We crossed into Utah and arrived at Flaming
Gorge National Recreation Area. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flaming
Gorge was named by John Wesley Powell in 1869 and is a spectacular geological
wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxC_AKkGrJFn2xc7-cqNaYM-JvYcHrNQd4b4Q_lr5IgERBPhwI7-hFEdnIypiZK75WuIAaOg9xOVXhsTmhWo2NpIGZEsCjygQAkwta4zok6SU9B7uAf1ovrXgvwFYoAI6U6CK1Qm0h4Fa/s1600/DSCN6654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxC_AKkGrJFn2xc7-cqNaYM-JvYcHrNQd4b4Q_lr5IgERBPhwI7-hFEdnIypiZK75WuIAaOg9xOVXhsTmhWo2NpIGZEsCjygQAkwta4zok6SU9B7uAf1ovrXgvwFYoAI6U6CK1Qm0h4Fa/s320/DSCN6654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwest Wyoming Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEsecO_y3uFMJwPD7q2cCr05fZG0-i4eLVa6_-lzXzFIf6WPCAktrZL5vzlk94P-58APiE8AzV2_8PSXtj20on6i12gL0MCCRXqK4xDHp-uyYF9eSY7isOwLDeGfW4kXES4F3hbd3a2dX/s1600/DSCN6661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEsecO_y3uFMJwPD7q2cCr05fZG0-i4eLVa6_-lzXzFIf6WPCAktrZL5vzlk94P-58APiE8AzV2_8PSXtj20on6i12gL0MCCRXqK4xDHp-uyYF9eSY7isOwLDeGfW4kXES4F3hbd3a2dX/s320/DSCN6661.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uinta Mountains Loom in the Distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The centerpiece of the Flaming Gorge National
Recreation Area is the huge Flaming Gorge Reservoir, which spans the
Wyoming-Utah state lines, which happens to be the forty-first parallel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The area is a popular area for fishing and
boating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are staying on the west side
of the reservoir and have managed to snag a campsite with a water view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hot and windy here, and there’s very
little shade, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going to rest here for the next day or
so and then explore the red rock cliffs and canyon that Flaming Gorge is known
for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0pmqfU1MoYwUibVuFi2R6WJBBhBKPbf_hXccMRsIuyXe5Fvv0ETvxwNPBwueW_LCRjq9TX33jB-ctErKN9Ksh0VPVeLxi27VBnVeCHrw3zFwKyRClHRR_93ojxmgwcxhruh1UM2wuelY/s1600/DSCN6673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0pmqfU1MoYwUibVuFi2R6WJBBhBKPbf_hXccMRsIuyXe5Fvv0ETvxwNPBwueW_LCRjq9TX33jB-ctErKN9Ksh0VPVeLxi27VBnVeCHrw3zFwKyRClHRR_93ojxmgwcxhruh1UM2wuelY/s400/DSCN6673.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzMtwyy40FeONhraHpPOpzdDGUKJuAVrUjO0YbdLqRGyLE2Kd-up3zM-IBio7ePxgT2Q1zEPAhOGuhwyIX-p-sMzyd9nfBSi7sdMCYWixqQDJUuhRYJ80T9HxJ_3gSADvR3queqCzgF6/s1600/DSCN6689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzMtwyy40FeONhraHpPOpzdDGUKJuAVrUjO0YbdLqRGyLE2Kd-up3zM-IBio7ePxgT2Q1zEPAhOGuhwyIX-p-sMzyd9nfBSi7sdMCYWixqQDJUuhRYJ80T9HxJ_3gSADvR3queqCzgF6/s400/DSCN6689.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Flaming Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKLM-xlpHcHYZIFZZSYTxLTjrANSpZRiMhBaKpnezhfyRn9xpd2I1xfeDbYeuGqIgRwxHf4p2cKN_DsW3gwKxMMQo5Wv7lrynCqj0FQIf8Qlq0ezy8S3eHYG0lP7Vls2Yfmsx2M7lh2-8/s1600/DSCN6690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKLM-xlpHcHYZIFZZSYTxLTjrANSpZRiMhBaKpnezhfyRn9xpd2I1xfeDbYeuGqIgRwxHf4p2cKN_DsW3gwKxMMQo5Wv7lrynCqj0FQIf8Qlq0ezy8S3eHYG0lP7Vls2Yfmsx2M7lh2-8/s400/DSCN6690.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lovely View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-34255919134661014912012-06-02T21:07:00.000-06:002012-06-04T21:26:46.266-06:00Aquarium in Stone<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We drove east from Idaho today through
an expansive landscape. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, we left the
state without visiting the potato museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just didn’t have time to do everything! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a detour in order to drive along the
west shore of Bear Lake, which straddles the Idaho-Utah border.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes called the Caribbean of the
Rockies, Bear Lake is twenty miles long and is a beautiful shade of blue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we enjoyed the lake views, the
neighboring communities did not tempt us to linger.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iz2AslvWyDK5aoFtneRfPUI2ZOx3I2WXnnaDmlWok2AF2SgYYRrdven7b74zOPkKjk8W2sfNjJF7vYd-PPfjdwGZUve16ce-KmpSRTAxfJehVcNEPnbK5I-77pdNOhbzzQXLbf6N681z/s1600/DSCN6492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iz2AslvWyDK5aoFtneRfPUI2ZOx3I2WXnnaDmlWok2AF2SgYYRrdven7b74zOPkKjk8W2sfNjJF7vYd-PPfjdwGZUve16ce-KmpSRTAxfJehVcNEPnbK5I-77pdNOhbzzQXLbf6N681z/s320/DSCN6492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm Clouds Looming Over the Wide Open Spaces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ulIoh4m8E3f40y3r9o4KvhTKBNDfoD3BVlDmF9qr45lrM_oZU7RJDV3KmUsyRwwrMAxp-qfUmECqmrC8jAysMONgmTm4F3CGyRUYoVBxB6y6ISrVxJZutaqbUZFPVfK80Zvl5ZMQf22X/s1600/DSCN6491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ulIoh4m8E3f40y3r9o4KvhTKBNDfoD3BVlDmF9qr45lrM_oZU7RJDV3KmUsyRwwrMAxp-qfUmECqmrC8jAysMONgmTm4F3CGyRUYoVBxB6y6ISrVxJZutaqbUZFPVfK80Zvl5ZMQf22X/s320/DSCN6491.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We kept driving, picked up the Oregon
Trail once again and crossed into the wide open spaces of southwest Wyoming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One more national park was on our agenda,
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/fobu" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Fossil Butte National Monument</span></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve
visited several national parks where fossils are the focus, including <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/05/rivers-canyons-and-fossils.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument</span></a> and <a href="http://www.roadtripramble.com/2012/05/journey-through-time.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">John Day National Monument</span></a>. Fossil Butte is my new favorite, at least as
far as the fossils are concerned, although John Day still wins out on scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Fossil Butte National Monument
preserves an extraordinarily rich and diverse fossil deposit dating back fifty
million years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What makes Fossil Butte so
special is the fact that the fossils found here are among the world’s most
perfectly preserved remains of ancient plant and animal life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The displays at the visitor center are
exceptionally well-presented, and we just couldn’t believe the incredible detail of
the fossils on view. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nine-foot palm fronds,
countless fish species and softshell turtles were just a few of the fossils
that we looked at in amazement. Many
fish even retained their entire skeleton, teeth, scales and skin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems fitting that Fossil Butte has often
been called an Aquarium in Stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one
knows for sure what events led to the preservation of Fossil Lake’s animals and
plants, but many scientists believe that an essential ingredient was burial in calcium
carbonate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpS51WymNCEwB7nMxxL9TTNJZFoClvEQwjsdv0jrWVC8OpSA96ltbow4S6tWuSswTD_QOYohu527N4_3p4-XgL5RQFG2od8MbP5V-n06pOljVWC8CP_ykHV9eoLURcevuDz4Tvj-xA5TB/s1600/DSCN6546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpS51WymNCEwB7nMxxL9TTNJZFoClvEQwjsdv0jrWVC8OpSA96ltbow4S6tWuSswTD_QOYohu527N4_3p4-XgL5RQFG2od8MbP5V-n06pOljVWC8CP_ykHV9eoLURcevuDz4Tvj-xA5TB/s400/DSCN6546.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fossilized Plant Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_9Ot3OFmxhsxQWdendJ5hLpXhKerL-ea8VoibTbdGXXLgWiN9_CUMkDvJVgVfckG-t_XClNv94hQdqmXuiyK_zjlDRFXSYsEqnWOWeihbOKvCLLFVBPxK7QS70_N1hbAY4DUo23HzKvv/s1600/DSCN6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_9Ot3OFmxhsxQWdendJ5hLpXhKerL-ea8VoibTbdGXXLgWiN9_CUMkDvJVgVfckG-t_XClNv94hQdqmXuiyK_zjlDRFXSYsEqnWOWeihbOKvCLLFVBPxK7QS70_N1hbAY4DUo23HzKvv/s320/DSCN6553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 20 Species of Freshwater Fish Have Been Identified</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqALiNb8P-71FVULKKi9ksyTFE2VIN8V5clLLbGggn-WStZ6EEY-RyIh5w_5OY2dFKFIWjib5jn9Zykdv0_ct6iv2kMGKMrGGVZBojFmYv22-GfTMKWa1HXbYdiiRyH1OzoKe5WIEUhyL2/s1600/DSCN6560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqALiNb8P-71FVULKKi9ksyTFE2VIN8V5clLLbGggn-WStZ6EEY-RyIh5w_5OY2dFKFIWjib5jn9Zykdv0_ct6iv2kMGKMrGGVZBojFmYv22-GfTMKWa1HXbYdiiRyH1OzoKe5WIEUhyL2/s320/DSCN6560.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Amazing Amount of Detail Has Been Preserved</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM3ZW4tQzOLqAYvmhzUFc6dpxRNlZNSODvezGm0-s736Zph93QFBhtzhg49d1rQGZxwuqcgYeZjy5ep0Fnq0hqZmgwbFuvKcHWCsbNuAVlvTHjBMyyKga-hXvM48LEBuOIcwSlAsySAUr/s1600/DSCN6551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM3ZW4tQzOLqAYvmhzUFc6dpxRNlZNSODvezGm0-s736Zph93QFBhtzhg49d1rQGZxwuqcgYeZjy5ep0Fnq0hqZmgwbFuvKcHWCsbNuAVlvTHjBMyyKga-hXvM48LEBuOIcwSlAsySAUr/s320/DSCN6551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Fossils of Turtles Have Been Found</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Another very cool feature at Fossil
Butte is a Journey Through Time that records events in the Earth’s history beginning
4.5 billion years ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The timeline starts
on the entrance road and continues along the railing outside the visitor center.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here the timeline follows the Earth’s history
as it evolved into what we know it today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was fun to spot some of our favorite events. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other national parks known for their fossils
were also placed in their respective places in time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxyDoK_wW_E6cb-XvoS6avVtNtSVmH9Etawl09tYggYfbmHZGBPUYQcdjCNQUQ_98PklmyBERz1P45Fx_HiGe2rHpX86aJRMtkTqlHscfjYprgKDsOhYSGxIvVpTkh4MU_4HvZqlIs3r-/s1600/DSCN6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxyDoK_wW_E6cb-XvoS6avVtNtSVmH9Etawl09tYggYfbmHZGBPUYQcdjCNQUQ_98PklmyBERz1P45Fx_HiGe2rHpX86aJRMtkTqlHscfjYprgKDsOhYSGxIvVpTkh4MU_4HvZqlIs3r-/s400/DSCN6527.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beginning of the Journey Through Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AxOv3KszRpC4nZWuZ_y8EqKiABhwhHzpevvToriE9QI6Hlgmmz_mcOMLrWq0zlZY9oJX696jX4tZ9wn2MQQ8Vrr7wRuWNJkZf7c30DEEepcghNsk6jaWHT_ImccpDJJrqfQfWmozVJAF/s1600/DSCN6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AxOv3KszRpC4nZWuZ_y8EqKiABhwhHzpevvToriE9QI6Hlgmmz_mcOMLrWq0zlZY9oJX696jX4tZ9wn2MQQ8Vrr7wRuWNJkZf7c30DEEepcghNsk6jaWHT_ImccpDJJrqfQfWmozVJAF/s400/DSCN6542.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Journey Through Time Continues at the Visitor Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nye3LM_P_z2jft9kEQmqTEGKZHwGcpgnykRxhAk-islHtI0IFVLmyrp-tctB-keLfpvOdsMVi88Fa5FIt0suMAyP9hAuhi8ib5AOTXjzP_uVHOxsqL_X1jo40oyvtN1INzn0eCNU-PDt/s1600/DSCN6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nye3LM_P_z2jft9kEQmqTEGKZHwGcpgnykRxhAk-islHtI0IFVLmyrp-tctB-keLfpvOdsMVi88Fa5FIt0suMAyP9hAuhi8ib5AOTXjzP_uVHOxsqL_X1jo40oyvtN1INzn0eCNU-PDt/s400/DSCN6572.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossil Butte, for Which the Park Was Named, Can Be Seen Behind the Timeline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The landscape at Fossil Butte is also
impressive, particularly its namesake feature. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the fossils came from Fossil Lake,
which today is a flat-topped rock butte that stands near the center of the
ancient lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took the scenic drive
into the high country where we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the butte
and surrounding sagebrush-covered hills.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKHgfpyb57nvVioMbGQgPZPlMB5mavI6uDwScNth04-_IA4AIcbqy8LCVT1vRtf60ABEXZbOJBM9YtOs80Tz8CeV0A23hyphenhyphenleNEKSs6d8TNGUeXCSW-sGZjY33NY0sAMhNDn1nLgW_BVnU/s1600/DSCN6584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKHgfpyb57nvVioMbGQgPZPlMB5mavI6uDwScNth04-_IA4AIcbqy8LCVT1vRtf60ABEXZbOJBM9YtOs80Tz8CeV0A23hyphenhyphenleNEKSs6d8TNGUeXCSW-sGZjY33NY0sAMhNDn1nLgW_BVnU/s400/DSCN6584.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Impressive Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-76078223438518496922012-06-01T23:38:00.000-06:002012-06-03T23:57:51.282-06:00Places of Contemplation and Wonder<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">There are a number of dark days in the
history of the United States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II is one of those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor,
hostility and suspicion toward people of Japanese ancestry intensified, and all
Japanese were treated as potential spies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wartime hysteria prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to authorize
the relocation of persons from designated areas for the purpose of national
security.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Over 120,000 persons of Japanese
ancestry living on the West Coast were interred in ten relocation centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited one of those centers today, the
<a href="http://www.nps.gov/miin" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Minidoka National Historic Site</span></a> near Jerome, Idaho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here approximately 13,000 Japanese, most of
whom were American citizens, were interred for the duration of the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the foundations of two of the camp’s
structures remain today, but the site at Minidoka evokes the harsh life that
existed behind barbed war.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAw70jwQ2Y_mnxcSLXrmLDjqrZ5wAjDf6yE92_6vLnncvOR4lynPr6ehVD3HuCzt3j1cGoEckRi8zVC1nSW6KbIdxlkHRM9e0FT_Ri8EOzjS_cgR4jXjtH_StaR4hyf5tjk3jCdeO2Ar4/s1600/DSCN6398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAw70jwQ2Y_mnxcSLXrmLDjqrZ5wAjDf6yE92_6vLnncvOR4lynPr6ehVD3HuCzt3j1cGoEckRi8zVC1nSW6KbIdxlkHRM9e0FT_Ri8EOzjS_cgR4jXjtH_StaR4hyf5tjk3jCdeO2Ar4/s320/DSCN6398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only Remnants of the Reception Building Remain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxxrlUQqzdCIo3dTPOmpFZ6bbxgrwhsTkO-rydA7chwC9lbpSlqb4TvvkF4AykUD8APX1LF-qx_ZMN-DIiefzsYRwiuUvXKSpfuqYvPl_jU0xzIno4gpx6uVodl3qdtAQUmg5RXhrAoOE/s1600/DSCN6405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxxrlUQqzdCIo3dTPOmpFZ6bbxgrwhsTkO-rydA7chwC9lbpSlqb4TvvkF4AykUD8APX1LF-qx_ZMN-DIiefzsYRwiuUvXKSpfuqYvPl_jU0xzIno4gpx6uVodl3qdtAQUmg5RXhrAoOE/s320/DSCN6405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of the Military Police Building Mark the Entrance Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FpTnKYH99iDY47KuMehl6e-VcvZvpwokUAZm8prso3XI6PgiGhw-evF6MufOTD0KpBxrJg28tPXammS0kqE6yHvLWofet6xwFbcjFI6mcvpm0Sp4eF2F-8o6w-LWFxln7K2vkAE1hR3F/s1600/DSCN6406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FpTnKYH99iDY47KuMehl6e-VcvZvpwokUAZm8prso3XI6PgiGhw-evF6MufOTD0KpBxrJg28tPXammS0kqE6yHvLWofet6xwFbcjFI6mcvpm0Sp4eF2F-8o6w-LWFxln7K2vkAE1hR3F/s320/DSCN6406.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbed Wire Surrounded the Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Despite their internment, most Japanese
Americans remained extremely loyal to the United States, and many volunteered
for military service. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minidoka had the
highest number of volunteers of the ten relocation centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visiting Minidoka brought home the message
that we must be vigilant to protect the constitutional rights and freedoms of
all citizens and prevent the recurrence of any similar event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Minidoka is a powerful place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M-MoIH9KEcgIg0Fxedz5fiy9tN__dniNjAOCO6k4bQtBpn-QkoTb6BH11FI3OIIZJjErQ3j-CbUzwhdAx2zq2DLghtpQUpvjuaF_yyxy8Si2S0u8CSp6pie6NPbgALSvX5-_tCxrdbzs/s1600/DSCN6402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M-MoIH9KEcgIg0Fxedz5fiy9tN__dniNjAOCO6k4bQtBpn-QkoTb6BH11FI3OIIZJjErQ3j-CbUzwhdAx2zq2DLghtpQUpvjuaF_yyxy8Si2S0u8CSp6pie6NPbgALSvX5-_tCxrdbzs/s320/DSCN6402.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hono Roll Listed the Names of the Internees Serving in World War II</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">From Minidoka we drove to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/crmo" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve</span></a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
strange landscape was described by a geologist in 1923 as “the surface of the
moon as seen through a telescope.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
the legislation establishing the national monument described the area as “a
weird and scenic landscape, peculiar to itself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this make Craters of the Moon an officially
“weird” park?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCl9_BpveHn_EWvCgoE_GvhkUhCvGnx8Ay2Uk0xm0VKeyLuJ_0JBb2cJCcbgaIQT4bEAX223iL1LQqyp5oUHcMQLuI9cK8xyMfUelBHtTqaV6Rg66mF-BIUnw3wZyEhb3X8s1JuPr_BXu/s1600/DSCN6478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCl9_BpveHn_EWvCgoE_GvhkUhCvGnx8Ay2Uk0xm0VKeyLuJ_0JBb2cJCcbgaIQT4bEAX223iL1LQqyp5oUHcMQLuI9cK8xyMfUelBHtTqaV6Rg66mF-BIUnw3wZyEhb3X8s1JuPr_BXu/s320/DSCN6478.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Weird and Scenic Landscape</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Craters of the Moon is all of those
things, and it’s a fascinating place to visit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears to be a barren landscape, but it
draws you in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, vast amounts of lava
flowed not from one volcano, but from long fissures across the Snake River
Plain known as the Great Rift. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Great
Rift is the deepest and longest volcanic fissure in the continental United
States. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eight major eruptive periods have
occurred beginning approximately 15,000 years ago, with the most recent just
2,000 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">This a wonderful place to learn about
volcanic features, from spatter and cinder cones to fissures and rifts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was apropos that two Hawaiian
words are used to describe the different types of lava flows. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pahoehoe</i>
is smooth or ropy lava, while <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a’a</i> is
rough or jagged lava. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Craters of the
Moon is such a good laboratory that NASA’s Apollo astronauts learned basic
volcanic geology here in 1969. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-8OVRPl6zoD0orAbbLAQm4lsmDviHK7W_g5vsQOnli2SObAsqJQTgoGGlmEEHlYYyyHPOA9o2jt5JTqtYB9V5NMtuxftpAHO6GrHfO2aaSooydPe2RUraopRlhZ81E6lT1pZ23Vdn5gP/s1600/DSCN6424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-8OVRPl6zoD0orAbbLAQm4lsmDviHK7W_g5vsQOnli2SObAsqJQTgoGGlmEEHlYYyyHPOA9o2jt5JTqtYB9V5NMtuxftpAHO6GrHfO2aaSooydPe2RUraopRlhZ81E6lT1pZ23Vdn5gP/s320/DSCN6424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through the Lava Field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuhIfuQFOTJqoswBoQB-K-H3J5xxnMHaQGCssSoQLHvvIRZsZ_q3W3SaphxmW550pWP6Rvckfmi9N9ypdvCEkl267U7cFgsk8keoWL9J3tL3Z81PyyP0v7gxzjWYoj0YOmDUOf957e97F/s1600/DSCN6432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuhIfuQFOTJqoswBoQB-K-H3J5xxnMHaQGCssSoQLHvvIRZsZ_q3W3SaphxmW550pWP6Rvckfmi9N9ypdvCEkl267U7cFgsk8keoWL9J3tL3Z81PyyP0v7gxzjWYoj0YOmDUOf957e97F/s320/DSCN6432.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Pahoehoe,</em> or Ropy, Lava</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTlsgFzabmZO4wAepCqT4boRBBdQhQFn-MuiPQkKrkfKLr9c_8UFpc7zRccmrvq4C7CVi6FJa_H9rVJC2SdFVWYdF6YS7x5njnPMSxcB1W9nPGm3hRBKZPxth08IsR9wVeHvE22YnJVCs/s1600/DSCN6433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTlsgFzabmZO4wAepCqT4boRBBdQhQFn-MuiPQkKrkfKLr9c_8UFpc7zRccmrvq4C7CVi6FJa_H9rVJC2SdFVWYdF6YS7x5njnPMSxcB1W9nPGm3hRBKZPxth08IsR9wVeHvE22YnJVCs/s320/DSCN6433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>A</em>'<em>a</em>, or Jagged, Lava</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvY6hDVFmomCzDbhFVU6m9boho_tbJVXgfBMAQo57O4l8o7mUkj0dzqFL3ydV5-4_mEy1brXfakOf6RPNpDUKKMcf7bi3xodVeXtxs3-w0PHur3lDewRNnkLr9ngHUqFn4YNiDGBoF_H2/s1600/DSCN6435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvY6hDVFmomCzDbhFVU6m9boho_tbJVXgfBMAQo57O4l8o7mUkj0dzqFL3ydV5-4_mEy1brXfakOf6RPNpDUKKMcf7bi3xodVeXtxs3-w0PHur3lDewRNnkLr9ngHUqFn4YNiDGBoF_H2/s320/DSCN6435.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Among the Lava</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We hiked to the top of the Inferno Cone
where we were rewarded with expansive views of the entire area, including a
series of cinder cones lined up along the Great Rift. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great perspective on this unique lava
field.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIuMg3qWiqj90JCLWVo3-TvS7smTCe5EkHYP8e3UcL88sIGBw6ZIotZMSMMwdsQKMXv0mQfaF7bVEKUUu6fD4aKK1S7m7LdEixYYrxNGPvhGI9M5j0YiA7d1ZSE5_gcjDf84Wui7-yYP7/s1600/DSCN6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIuMg3qWiqj90JCLWVo3-TvS7smTCe5EkHYP8e3UcL88sIGBw6ZIotZMSMMwdsQKMXv0mQfaF7bVEKUUu6fD4aKK1S7m7LdEixYYrxNGPvhGI9M5j0YiA7d1ZSE5_gcjDf84Wui7-yYP7/s320/DSCN6450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim on His Way to the Top of Inferno Cone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7-NLPXxyx_pK-UhhPgl3rJK-PTRS8dfZsASg6aRn_3L1T7RGSaeiSedVqhUw049of1IlYYLgrofbSu_0I9BrCKM2j7ZU-kkPrLCq8u-egitBgdPcNDO87XWOIP8dpCWFMYWiKfcMoyv5/s1600/DSCN6454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7-NLPXxyx_pK-UhhPgl3rJK-PTRS8dfZsASg6aRn_3L1T7RGSaeiSedVqhUw049of1IlYYLgrofbSu_0I9BrCKM2j7ZU-kkPrLCq8u-egitBgdPcNDO87XWOIP8dpCWFMYWiKfcMoyv5/s320/DSCN6454.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a Long Way Down from the Top of the Cone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBEyfySEd4xCmKiQNhNY4SMkIwgzSDVZj1GtVwdAoJCFZl76aPQWP7C3FWkIInLpp799SQIfbx_ld0VQCrebsw_b90f9FQibveqkI58BzsToXfEM_uB2BJZ2GabM0Ru0RDJtO2sjGbSbt/s1600/DSCN6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBEyfySEd4xCmKiQNhNY4SMkIwgzSDVZj1GtVwdAoJCFZl76aPQWP7C3FWkIInLpp799SQIfbx_ld0VQCrebsw_b90f9FQibveqkI58BzsToXfEM_uB2BJZ2GabM0Ru0RDJtO2sjGbSbt/s320/DSCN6458.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinder Cones Lined Up along the Great Rift</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTryGQHrEqIJn7txvHN1ltJcVyRecYtouL7r0hzvlsQfeSnuDw58byBUQrgzx8-lrFmkf-3wGJhqa4kkdPoQoKldtdJCDSivJnfrm9qILF5fmR78cZH3PgdQk2WA6bgTgd-FmVGmfjgfy1/s1600/DSCN6473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTryGQHrEqIJn7txvHN1ltJcVyRecYtouL7r0hzvlsQfeSnuDw58byBUQrgzx8-lrFmkf-3wGJhqa4kkdPoQoKldtdJCDSivJnfrm9qILF5fmR78cZH3PgdQk2WA6bgTgd-FmVGmfjgfy1/s320/DSCN6473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Tree Is Just Hanging On Atop the Cone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pir0x7aDPHX34XAE4QA8rM_0o0QJjf_W0I8gmpHE3cgWJl_46zLueCaNeY-3YUgWnE3AvPJyQcAvQENx-z9NLvR0TqnPunzw4rmGQbDcqEQfnW-AYFPrZeOwUdpiFyUJho_aeqsCkVg_/s1600/DSCN6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pir0x7aDPHX34XAE4QA8rM_0o0QJjf_W0I8gmpHE3cgWJl_46zLueCaNeY-3YUgWnE3AvPJyQcAvQENx-z9NLvR0TqnPunzw4rmGQbDcqEQfnW-AYFPrZeOwUdpiFyUJho_aeqsCkVg_/s320/DSCN6461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Strange, But Surprisingly Wonderful, Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-1138513081041323652012-05-31T23:19:00.000-06:002012-06-01T23:37:23.395-06:00Rivers, Canyons and Fossils<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Idaho has more whitewater river miles
than any other state in the continental U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On Tuesday, we experienced the Snake River in Hells Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, we followed the Salmon and Payette
Rivers, although we just appreciated views of the rivers from the highway and
countless overlooks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Salmon River is the legendary
“River of No Return,” and we followed a portion of the river from White Bird to
Riggins, Idaho’s whitewater capital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Highway 95 parallels this mighty river, and we witnessed how its power
had carved the beautiful Salmon River Canyon through the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way we passed back into Mountain Time
Zone, one more indication that we’re nearing the end of our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO6QDX-oJreUQ6YlRYj6EYJCPwoJLgzYwNshNB2Xuw6GqfNw6Ax2StVxW3QN0On7I7kpsfjt_-fARwz96IKersvjdKxex-buOoIn2vVCsprT7Bd9kxbQ1pdEow4_FSY_cm40Q0AdYgFjc/s1600/DSCN6261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO6QDX-oJreUQ6YlRYj6EYJCPwoJLgzYwNshNB2Xuw6GqfNw6Ax2StVxW3QN0On7I7kpsfjt_-fARwz96IKersvjdKxex-buOoIn2vVCsprT7Bd9kxbQ1pdEow4_FSY_cm40Q0AdYgFjc/s320/DSCN6261.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salmon River Is Peaceful Here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U08KEevmXX3ZN_5ksIxH_w6RFmXxaR0K3xTjwPx3xEKS5n00b8zsUqJ6vrEa4T2WLyvtTfOB6mNtX6BGU8b1qUVrZtU0vIWDsGuvt6q9GuQ71vYDm3PI9C91QYQmPTeqr2O6DKq5WGfO/s1600/DSCN6267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U08KEevmXX3ZN_5ksIxH_w6RFmXxaR0K3xTjwPx3xEKS5n00b8zsUqJ6vrEa4T2WLyvtTfOB6mNtX6BGU8b1qUVrZtU0vIWDsGuvt6q9GuQ71vYDm3PI9C91QYQmPTeqr2O6DKq5WGfO/s320/DSCN6267.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Salmon River Cut this Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">A bit farther south we turned onto the
Payette River Scenic Byway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Payette
River seemed to be even wilder than the section of the Salmon we had been
following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We watched the river crashing
and tumbling its way over rocks through the narrow river valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often the river was a wild torrent, while in
other places it was barely a ripple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL1WPVz8oCocfdJmr-Npcc6LU5K1ONAcFsFYF_HkFwbjpwWK3OEiY6qkVfFsKF0fX0Qy8Da7T5ULZX8s27qnN196CBT1aTaG9nGCd8LryinmCSaRSsVZn9AtoZwUN-_3e_xJrLrrFFX9t/s1600/DSCN6318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGL1WPVz8oCocfdJmr-Npcc6LU5K1ONAcFsFYF_HkFwbjpwWK3OEiY6qkVfFsKF0fX0Qy8Da7T5ULZX8s27qnN196CBT1aTaG9nGCd8LryinmCSaRSsVZn9AtoZwUN-_3e_xJrLrrFFX9t/s320/DSCN6318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payette River Whitewater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">McCall was our destination for
lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quaint resort mountain town
sits on Payette Lake and is a popular place for both summer and winter
recreation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We soon climbed into tall
tree country and ascended into high mountain valleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snowcapped peaks provided a dramatic backdrop
for much of the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60GGdn3ZzNVXKbB7dXQntPWpVGaJpk-CqqEfP3l1kYvHRHVsl2Y78jP4DA2xuXFY5CUaEIEOzQJZ7zgoOFAJIjA9Xf0ISL64_TQ6dCFI7iWSKL6DUw90ZhDCTQq6FHU8ruy9KeCUqZ8-G/s1600/DSCN6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60GGdn3ZzNVXKbB7dXQntPWpVGaJpk-CqqEfP3l1kYvHRHVsl2Y78jP4DA2xuXFY5CUaEIEOzQJZ7zgoOFAJIjA9Xf0ISL64_TQ6dCFI7iWSKL6DUw90ZhDCTQq6FHU8ruy9KeCUqZ8-G/s320/DSCN6296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payette Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-_B1LLhh15KCkpuQ9rePMyB3bOFasmwKv-FlHXHiCX10jJy62hYthHo6o263xUf9tkcpWsWexsG7BMg-a-XIFozCZMhK-lzFUVQ0pLBhbJxfqc_wHyZfNptXK6Q5fjN9PI3YBVhVAZim/s1600/DSCN6284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-_B1LLhh15KCkpuQ9rePMyB3bOFasmwKv-FlHXHiCX10jJy62hYthHo6o263xUf9tkcpWsWexsG7BMg-a-XIFozCZMhK-lzFUVQ0pLBhbJxfqc_wHyZfNptXK6Q5fjN9PI3YBVhVAZim/s320/DSCN6284.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Mountain Valleys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtg9Sfj5cusGgCbKRltqYjpWXpH_BKDHzoWjTwXocSlIIM_KsaSCmfhp8UkzdxYXe3aob6JEwaT5rRMERxF2ZNbr815fTbj1Ek2zRTFLrp9-L5_x_sm3ge4Ehq2mPPji2FKDyADE_2oi/s1600/DSCN6303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJtg9Sfj5cusGgCbKRltqYjpWXpH_BKDHzoWjTwXocSlIIM_KsaSCmfhp8UkzdxYXe3aob6JEwaT5rRMERxF2ZNbr815fTbj1Ek2zRTFLrp9-L5_x_sm3ge4Ehq2mPPji2FKDyADE_2oi/s320/DSCN6303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Lingers on the Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We arrived in Boise, Idaho’s capital,
and drove through the downtown area where we saw the capitol building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our favorite stop, however was a local co-op,
where we picked out local cheeses, wine and produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prepared foods were too tempting to
resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will eat well for the next
few days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When we stopped for the evening, I
uncorked a bottle of a local red wine from the Snake River Valley called
Chicken Dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just loved the name,
but the wine also turned out to be very good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a nice way to end a lovely day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Snake River cuts its way through
much of south central Idaho, and the river was our constant companion for much
of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The high desert plateau which
we passed through is now a rich agricultural region, thanks to irrigation
provided by the Snake River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh381zBC62H-h_Gp16DsF70fvBT7wrRNujlqfVKKb9kNZWLG8_i-G6Q4cvOWdymAn3kSFEgFH7fH1kEPyamCgOpY-Vt1Sa8LciDd9DOG25X41uLLpMYDGeVRQqPKyV1lOPmW8T8oXfSUvGY/s1600/DSCN6338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh381zBC62H-h_Gp16DsF70fvBT7wrRNujlqfVKKb9kNZWLG8_i-G6Q4cvOWdymAn3kSFEgFH7fH1kEPyamCgOpY-Vt1Sa8LciDd9DOG25X41uLLpMYDGeVRQqPKyV1lOPmW8T8oXfSUvGY/s320/DSCN6338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Snake River Winds Its Way Through South Central Idaho</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
also owes its existence to the Snake River and what was found in the bluffs
that form the river canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monument
protects the world’s richest known fossil deposits of the late Pliocene Epoch,
about 3.5 million years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hagerman also
contains the largest concentration of fossilized horses in North America and is
most famous for the Hagerman Horse, Idaho’s state fossil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V9qxI4kUnxXc9lfPxMAjxmVucSDTZ1AACRtKS0Dp3XpUK7QyE3hVTWPi5ZEsmsUdHME6-mpkO6SInaht9WH8QXgAWNdsMi3mCyEdMhveaQA7cJW-6X312XNwXpbBDD3poJOYOsMHjJOv/s1600/DSCN6341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V9qxI4kUnxXc9lfPxMAjxmVucSDTZ1AACRtKS0Dp3XpUK7QyE3hVTWPi5ZEsmsUdHME6-mpkO6SInaht9WH8QXgAWNdsMi3mCyEdMhveaQA7cJW-6X312XNwXpbBDD3poJOYOsMHjJOv/s320/DSCN6341.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hagerman Horse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Although it is not possible to view
fossils on a trail, we were able to get a closer look at the sedimentary layers
in the bluffs, which are approximately 600 feet high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each layer in the formation represents a
different geologic event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The views down
to the Snake River were beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5y11IBtq22cWOcy6obVIciChtHhKGN_5ExEdzKP-qhvmpzMGYF8JGySZehl8-xoKSE9s840Trd07zoOAWQQ4TTEeU0ZcVX90d0hzQ4SrvMzZtZKJu_JXy7KjLRgYadGHkxUQGp_WIGO6/s1600/DSCN6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5y11IBtq22cWOcy6obVIciChtHhKGN_5ExEdzKP-qhvmpzMGYF8JGySZehl8-xoKSE9s840Trd07zoOAWQQ4TTEeU0ZcVX90d0hzQ4SrvMzZtZKJu_JXy7KjLRgYadGHkxUQGp_WIGO6/s320/DSCN6345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snake River Overlook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxojZ7VZKY_06rzRCUGIAwF2ouCd0t7M-N2XNKtDqiWFGpJHJW22XZlFq6SlAFEQm47HLTOx86IQI5LnosGnVVop89buPa7psP9uRM5ZHEzc98GC_z4lzeqIadatkn8go4IUhF2y3Qcha/s1600/DSCN6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxojZ7VZKY_06rzRCUGIAwF2ouCd0t7M-N2XNKtDqiWFGpJHJW22XZlFq6SlAFEQm47HLTOx86IQI5LnosGnVVop89buPa7psP9uRM5ZHEzc98GC_z4lzeqIadatkn8go4IUhF2y3Qcha/s320/DSCN6349.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedimentary Layers in the Bluffs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/hafo" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument</span></a>
is also one of only four national park units that contain segments of the
Oregon Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From an overlook, we could
clearly see the trail ruts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These ruts
are not two parallel ruts carved into hard rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, the ruts are U-shaped because the feet
of the oxen dug more deeply into the soft soil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trail ruts most closely resemble parallel
swales in the landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the
emigrants reached this area, they had already walked 1,300 miles. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They usually arrived here in July, and the
temperature often reached 100 degrees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Oregon Trail seemed much more real when I could look at the actual ruts made by
so many thousands of wagons.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy44JzT9iBL9Sruq-LDBHhyXMiKyGdrecQvQhkGBLPEAZ6fzszBdrDF8QBCbg9h4oOmki1kSONqTWhgVXgBzQKPRa5lmMvvLWUD-Yn1Nlhp4Bj0w2313ctcdWrKWYqt2Jx5SHO-TVtJx4x/s1600/DSCN6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy44JzT9iBL9Sruq-LDBHhyXMiKyGdrecQvQhkGBLPEAZ6fzszBdrDF8QBCbg9h4oOmki1kSONqTWhgVXgBzQKPRa5lmMvvLWUD-Yn1Nlhp4Bj0w2313ctcdWrKWYqt2Jx5SHO-TVtJx4x/s320/DSCN6370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon Trail Ruts Are Visible Between the Two Poles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPGKcs9VZT_8EjH-vwbdRcYz7TTe9joVyYyseb360UoZXl-BiSPREdmpv9-Sf7uVro_P_dyftlgN98jFqyBHDgaWmNuXLviQgmSOBvxHzsu_rUILcONDZAjTqUeXGzZmH7SyMOWfcQ2S3/s1600/DSCN6372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPGKcs9VZT_8EjH-vwbdRcYz7TTe9joVyYyseb360UoZXl-BiSPREdmpv9-Sf7uVro_P_dyftlgN98jFqyBHDgaWmNuXLviQgmSOBvxHzsu_rUILcONDZAjTqUeXGzZmH7SyMOWfcQ2S3/s320/DSCN6372.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Is the Landscape that the Oregon Trail Emigrants Traversed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Snake River had one more surprise
for us, called the Thousand Springs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just
south of Hagerman, we could see natural springs cascading down the walls of the
Snake River Canyon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These springs are
not waterfalls, but instead flow naturally from the underground aquifer of the Snake
River Plain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXweX9O6HawGcSzzO8wHX9g4MIGUo0_dF6V5tAKIcQeRn-dVfrIS0DQBUNuuKVBwzGh9j1mR0Yl0-h_PLBganHGlcYY6dGvjfkdKLuX7yjO60ISlWJqdjHYW8f2uOzyKlU0j1Y0DM-c3cj/s1600/DSCN6383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXweX9O6HawGcSzzO8wHX9g4MIGUo0_dF6V5tAKIcQeRn-dVfrIS0DQBUNuuKVBwzGh9j1mR0Yl0-h_PLBganHGlcYY6dGvjfkdKLuX7yjO60ISlWJqdjHYW8f2uOzyKlU0j1Y0DM-c3cj/s320/DSCN6383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thousand Springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As we passed into the city of Twin
Falls, we were delighted to find diesel under $4.00 per gallon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We haven’t seen fuel prices this low since we
left Austin, Texas, in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We crossed
the Snake River once more in Twin Falls and wondered what might have possessed
Evil Knievel in 1974to attempt to jump this canyon.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-csR87VJbZBfJ5nubiB4LUIgSDA6mhM-3lCUUXhe9yW5_eCgkVhyphenhyphenkake6hyphenhyphenjvc0NX2XDuuWO31zf5XfhPHbXvDuwi7Ho-Nhvs8i8vQRnpb-t2TEnkRMaY1k9lVUKKjMe8x4VjoUc_PH7/s1600/DSCN6388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-csR87VJbZBfJ5nubiB4LUIgSDA6mhM-3lCUUXhe9yW5_eCgkVhyphenhyphenkake6hyphenhyphenjvc0NX2XDuuWO31zf5XfhPHbXvDuwi7Ho-Nhvs8i8vQRnpb-t2TEnkRMaY1k9lVUKKjMe8x4VjoUc_PH7/s400/DSCN6388.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who Would Try to Jump the Snake River Canyon?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-12921416338831776902012-05-29T23:06:00.000-06:002012-05-31T23:18:28.798-06:00Heavenly Hells Canyon<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hells
Canyon is the deepest gorge in North America and had always been a “must see”
stop on our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we took a
six-hour jet boat tour through the deepest, most rugged section of Hells
Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an exciting adventure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a blast!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
started the tour in White Bird, Idaho, one of the few access points into Hells
Canyon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Killgore Adventures, the company
that we selected for the tour, has a convenient campground where we
stayed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so handy to just walk
from our RV to the shuttle that would take us to Pittsburg Landing on the Snake
River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several couples who had been in
White Bird for a weekend ATV Ride joined us on the shuttle, and we heard all
about the exciting trail rides they had taken into the backcountry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
drive to Pittsburg Landing was on a steep, one lane gravel road through
mountainous terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful
scenic drive with spectacular views into the center of Hells Canyon National
Recreation Area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy that we had
opted for the shuttle and had left the RV back at the campground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFz4YPt-u3ZDFR8-Q5609tS4iWw4toqGuToDSMXkDnaKH4p4bxhLIM1MtXyv-QiUa7Cx87j-yXVO86TokEITdHcX55fK2Iv85XKh9Oki5rk_qIomKpr8I44hmIjg3A0uZwgOKt_5VtAdk/s1600/DSCN6254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFz4YPt-u3ZDFR8-Q5609tS4iWw4toqGuToDSMXkDnaKH4p4bxhLIM1MtXyv-QiUa7Cx87j-yXVO86TokEITdHcX55fK2Iv85XKh9Oki5rk_qIomKpr8I44hmIjg3A0uZwgOKt_5VtAdk/s320/DSCN6254.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Down into Hells Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As
I prepared to photograph the view, I realized with horror that I had forgotten
to reload the SD card into my camera last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had two fresh batteries but no SD card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so angry at myself and could not
believe that I would not have a camera on one of the most scenic rides of the
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In desperation I asked everyone I ran
into if they had an extra SD card I could purchase, but had no luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
stepped aboard the jet boat and started our ride through some of the most
amazing scenery in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steep
cliffs rose from the edge of the river, and we started to experience some of
the whitewater that the Snake River is known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a stop at the historic Kirkwood Ranch
and toured the museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I continued my
quest for an SD card, and a very nice gentleman and his wife offered me the use
of his camera since he preferred to use his IPhone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How incredibly generous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mood immediately brightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pbChVdXTeFJC8pyzIVbxujRouom-zK1JlXoW34Ti8NBtFSOvefoyaFEqAl7OCxW7DlE4vMItDt0NEMwrdmRK7oRWYhnXLzCDMin0hdsfCygZEzjVuiFj1i77qKydc4O_qQTxdipt7h0g/s1600/P1040615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pbChVdXTeFJC8pyzIVbxujRouom-zK1JlXoW34Ti8NBtFSOvefoyaFEqAl7OCxW7DlE4vMItDt0NEMwrdmRK7oRWYhnXLzCDMin0hdsfCygZEzjVuiFj1i77qKydc4O_qQTxdipt7h0g/s320/P1040615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic Kirkwood Ranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
skies were overcast as we made our way toward Hells Canyon Dam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We passed through several smaller rapids, and
then we were ready for the big ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We donned
life jackets for the two biggest rapids, Wild Sheep and Granite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Powering through these Class IV rapids was
thrilling, and I was happy we were in a jet boat, not a raft.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3TEMLxFtAxbq6Jp7SCDmFip6A_wX8GjV4ZPSFQwvEZLcSvVIPePQKs9km7TWkTmkpwxnV74P0zdLTE_vzPbpM8G-DAjXWp0f6xj8pkktGDFQVUpw9cLgNP_2q5pX5yEvwH06zPC2znN7/s1600/P1040704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3TEMLxFtAxbq6Jp7SCDmFip6A_wX8GjV4ZPSFQwvEZLcSvVIPePQKs9km7TWkTmkpwxnV74P0zdLTE_vzPbpM8G-DAjXWp0f6xj8pkktGDFQVUpw9cLgNP_2q5pX5yEvwH06zPC2znN7/s320/P1040704.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the Rapids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvKjVzUjHGd7G6nKpOjo2T0e7MCjWIWmhJGZX672LdWR8noUMQVbrQaGb2jo-P7HRkt3JNfiIfSOxn6I40UnHsrKCmpuPocvoOzqZQu4Si2gHLEq3706_TZr3xyTgaD_58QIHq-tS34xV/s1600/P1040712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvKjVzUjHGd7G6nKpOjo2T0e7MCjWIWmhJGZX672LdWR8noUMQVbrQaGb2jo-P7HRkt3JNfiIfSOxn6I40UnHsrKCmpuPocvoOzqZQu4Si2gHLEq3706_TZr3xyTgaD_58QIHq-tS34xV/s320/P1040712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here We Go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaQKuj7hDCTl42xrIFgzL9OwLELXZwmfibuRwdSmK1P87oJHNIZjkT-Mo2JvFfK64dEPaW8CYY5xkC9jcENVL-4L66oNF8mPywXrt7n15q0ScONE-BF-XxcyIXmhJ7tylW769dxCyEjSn/s1600/P1040735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaQKuj7hDCTl42xrIFgzL9OwLELXZwmfibuRwdSmK1P87oJHNIZjkT-Mo2JvFfK64dEPaW8CYY5xkC9jcENVL-4L66oNF8mPywXrt7n15q0ScONE-BF-XxcyIXmhJ7tylW769dxCyEjSn/s320/P1040735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Class IV Rapids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
stopped at the dam for a delicious picnic lunch, and while we were eating a
mountain goat ran right past us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
was my camera when I needed it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride
back down the river was much wilder, and it seemed as though we were on a wet
bucking bronco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water poured into the
front of the boat as we went through the two big rapids, and it was hard to
stay dry, but we didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ride
was exhilarating and so much fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYSEPqM_I6Lqm2Zs_XFUXVhX2uNDoQ4Ltoz59lsVNtdHzRo8D8C9_uy_RrjW1yyCbvQ38Y5bFSQg6o5EoDjR6oYb8GrAwoai_gpgTVmSvr2i8iXOxZaL8xpiJpn79ILiZzq11xJgZqBGX/s1600/P1040740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYSEPqM_I6Lqm2Zs_XFUXVhX2uNDoQ4Ltoz59lsVNtdHzRo8D8C9_uy_RrjW1yyCbvQ38Y5bFSQg6o5EoDjR6oYb8GrAwoai_gpgTVmSvr2i8iXOxZaL8xpiJpn79ILiZzq11xJgZqBGX/s320/P1040740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Mountain Goat Is Hiding Behind the Trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNfIU0aQD893XIEmB5Q80WpFeo90jDrVu6I7FUoEm9LYBd1Tromk0p94jlE2YUhVkk3mwnw4n9FEnqvkrKJbkoqM_b8cGtq8U4GkeY9JuuuQUmqQXlJrCoeGHZfdZVvDD0zi87299HvP9/s1600/P1040747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNfIU0aQD893XIEmB5Q80WpFeo90jDrVu6I7FUoEm9LYBd1Tromk0p94jlE2YUhVkk3mwnw4n9FEnqvkrKJbkoqM_b8cGtq8U4GkeY9JuuuQUmqQXlJrCoeGHZfdZVvDD0zi87299HvP9/s320/P1040747.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Return Trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c3b1jSuqHmU8JQ7B-x64kHnA9wCffjHW1L2VFCT6JDOeHwxFqDNNEvWWez_pRYnB6KNCP4IueSKXoAsdBEKJ1aKuMHX9_BYOhb4QbZ5Ti7HbtTiwcHVlrkDSDdFpNnNOJcigPR47cWkp/s1600/P1040765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4c3b1jSuqHmU8JQ7B-x64kHnA9wCffjHW1L2VFCT6JDOeHwxFqDNNEvWWez_pRYnB6KNCP4IueSKXoAsdBEKJ1aKuMHX9_BYOhb4QbZ5Ti7HbtTiwcHVlrkDSDdFpNnNOJcigPR47cWkp/s320/P1040765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm Before the Rapids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcVYyJq01lMBYSpSz5QL0ueN6s4nSRYUc75LuVZaRKl6cHgcx6F1Fq5aQhhzk8xctuzlqj9Vupfhffs0Fbm66X5ql5vrfbj3V-4yjE7sUmYrVqqZi-qSQtXAW4_lutR12JR2mI9m4QvC/s1600/P1040787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlcVYyJq01lMBYSpSz5QL0ueN6s4nSRYUc75LuVZaRKl6cHgcx6F1Fq5aQhhzk8xctuzlqj9Vupfhffs0Fbm66X5ql5vrfbj3V-4yjE7sUmYrVqqZi-qSQtXAW4_lutR12JR2mI9m4QvC/s320/P1040787.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here We Go Again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdstm4bxA7ElF2QW8XjqShZC6csz__YL5oepMQYbFiYH5hnMbl1Uz-V-bwoWP7z65f756yv9CwxNlww5aGe5_Boj3Pk344ZMcprM2ONeLKKjwzMA4J-PeYm5o_fYDMqWQovIYYb2AjhDjD/s1600/P1040788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdstm4bxA7ElF2QW8XjqShZC6csz__YL5oepMQYbFiYH5hnMbl1Uz-V-bwoWP7z65f756yv9CwxNlww5aGe5_Boj3Pk344ZMcprM2ONeLKKjwzMA4J-PeYm5o_fYDMqWQovIYYb2AjhDjD/s320/P1040788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to Admire the Spectacular Scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseV6uvbPFxljrU8366LGHUNQ02J2LEi2RuEC1pHdOpm1f5K6LjIY9xqm7rmdnuFm8RRL9mP_V7-FnlD66P-jfAmjcJGoPnYjTDtsd2shJsRt8dRbmbxrN6onVHbFfWZ6fpmkOMqVGD3tk/s1600/P1040789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseV6uvbPFxljrU8366LGHUNQ02J2LEi2RuEC1pHdOpm1f5K6LjIY9xqm7rmdnuFm8RRL9mP_V7-FnlD66P-jfAmjcJGoPnYjTDtsd2shJsRt8dRbmbxrN6onVHbFfWZ6fpmkOMqVGD3tk/s320/P1040789.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wild and Scenic River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCuh33Ul0QFjgcNaHmjzkVSX-pfhW8IKLIjx69jm1O4wKSzBbaZXEbvqeQ-ajznc_RzRK2Fed4R4pmbkgv4C20f3EDk1vTcHNNHuoZMXOW6SWfippdSCrT_TsZSKPOzXyEpff1ASF6L9J/s1600/P1040790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCuh33Ul0QFjgcNaHmjzkVSX-pfhW8IKLIjx69jm1O4wKSzBbaZXEbvqeQ-ajznc_RzRK2Fed4R4pmbkgv4C20f3EDk1vTcHNNHuoZMXOW6SWfippdSCrT_TsZSKPOzXyEpff1ASF6L9J/s320/P1040790.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the Water Came Pouring In</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
mountain goat was not our only wildlife sighting on the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw more bald eagles today than I’ve seen
in one day since I was in Alaska, and we witnessed several Rocky Mountain big
horn sheep grazing beside the river.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrORr1O0V6Q27vrAMO_ZoyyoHoVUOJdk5rProXxJMs-voDDpwhQjooiyrunqTGsKTQMC1xdQMllM-Rah7iDT8K-AeWjjG2DUIzh_SU3IwI5akjy9pCo7oc-IN4aWRPRQK2UqfbQdjnlV9k/s1600/DSCN6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrORr1O0V6Q27vrAMO_ZoyyoHoVUOJdk5rProXxJMs-voDDpwhQjooiyrunqTGsKTQMC1xdQMllM-Rah7iDT8K-AeWjjG2DUIzh_SU3IwI5akjy9pCo7oc-IN4aWRPRQK2UqfbQdjnlV9k/s320/DSCN6244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Horn Sheep</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">People
often ask us to name our favorite places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think the jet boat ride through Hells Canyon will make the “top ten.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-44988372801190346322012-05-28T23:03:00.000-06:002012-05-30T00:09:27.699-06:00The Nez Perce Have Always Been Here<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We took advantage of our waterfront
campsite this morning when the sun came out again, and Kitty made good use of
the bike path that extends along the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We left the state of Washington behind today and crossed into
Idaho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really enjoyed our stay in the
Pacific Northwest, and it’s definitely on our list of places to return to.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmGcUe9UEqRng935zzusIVHCM3Swu-zwQT6SwQzBGx4BddnIp1tD_WaqdR5RbbxM-aFynQaB_CYXEVZEMWO-BJLYlQ3Fiz5GECpOsQB0u0GXZKYSKtn4YMJB66KqS3de-r6gTLHWxHl-S/s1600/DSCN1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTmGcUe9UEqRng935zzusIVHCM3Swu-zwQT6SwQzBGx4BddnIp1tD_WaqdR5RbbxM-aFynQaB_CYXEVZEMWO-BJLYlQ3Fiz5GECpOsQB0u0GXZKYSKtn4YMJB66KqS3de-r6gTLHWxHl-S/s320/DSCN1363.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Beautiful View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0bTsPk1bt-Zkm01krKj5HnzvVo_smKOuCszkcen5T8CQ-gp85g4qNqadDrF0Hu-5-t96z3oZcp-BJPgkboazbTrRsoCpTu5IEZNLjdMbOzXIu3usyRKfYFYS56PSZKrpYHrKHlpHslnB/s1600/DSCN1353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0bTsPk1bt-Zkm01krKj5HnzvVo_smKOuCszkcen5T8CQ-gp85g4qNqadDrF0Hu-5-t96z3oZcp-BJPgkboazbTrRsoCpTu5IEZNLjdMbOzXIu3usyRKfYFYS56PSZKrpYHrKHlpHslnB/s320/DSCN1353.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty and Tim Walking Along the River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our first stop in Idaho was the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/nepe" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #990000;">Nez Perce National Historical Park</span></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
not your typical national park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park
consists of thirty-eight sites scattered throughout four states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a park about a people for all people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The park tells the story of the Nez Perce,
their history and culture and their interactions with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a noble story, but also a sad one that culminated
in the Nez Perce War of 1877.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jg91ns9BCLyCMaGF9gbpfjwpryRIddnu_jKskZ5K3L7IklOX6XG9-_JWO1UchyphenhyphenEdqm2s2Nkre3SJuLl0GYfc667y1x6-oJfVc9BIxCI7d95SkNuIURlP2kVGyuVGQkVQwoOT9EUOLLhq/s1600/DSCN1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jg91ns9BCLyCMaGF9gbpfjwpryRIddnu_jKskZ5K3L7IklOX6XG9-_JWO1UchyphenhyphenEdqm2s2Nkre3SJuLl0GYfc667y1x6-oJfVc9BIxCI7d95SkNuIURlP2kVGyuVGQkVQwoOT9EUOLLhq/s320/DSCN1379.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nez Perce National Historical Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The park contains a wonderful museum
with amazing art and artifacts, including the oldest known Nez Perce objects in
existence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After leaving the visitor
center we passed several sites on the Nez Perce Trail, including the Camus
Prairie, which was once covered with camas lilies, a major food source for the
Nez Perce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we saw no trace of camas
there, we did spy several fields of this pretty blue flower elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp4fEYW1UeIwOP98uKRjKXLoE7jCch_HH7ZJO6Mk-KZbEcesAjoa2k7WchEFi1QeRjWbHkti0tbUthvrqb8vgp197mKMzm02L7TTSu4Y9UWpJkH0flEu_8qTrynHwiBiByjA0MfBRaoJ6/s1600/DSCN1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLp4fEYW1UeIwOP98uKRjKXLoE7jCch_HH7ZJO6Mk-KZbEcesAjoa2k7WchEFi1QeRjWbHkti0tbUthvrqb8vgp197mKMzm02L7TTSu4Y9UWpJkH0flEu_8qTrynHwiBiByjA0MfBRaoJ6/s320/DSCN1425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camus Prairie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfW1Z8VB-NX3RXCo7uWit1SzxTSf4wjPEvWtfsviEHSmcKaNV85atV6ckqEfwq7ZqT-_cw7tFQeqMGK9lqnnXGVK52VfQjwu5ekYkX-j9xLSRGT3sC66ApldK-8N7qhO20GSljyppE6xi/s1600/DSCN1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfW1Z8VB-NX3RXCo7uWit1SzxTSf4wjPEvWtfsviEHSmcKaNV85atV6ckqEfwq7ZqT-_cw7tFQeqMGK9lqnnXGVK52VfQjwu5ekYkX-j9xLSRGT3sC66ApldK-8N7qhO20GSljyppE6xi/s320/DSCN1420.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camus Lilies in Bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We traveled south through beautiful
countryside and climbed in elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wheat fields covered much of the land, and I enjoyed that beautiful
green color for much of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
wheat might be my favorite spring crop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fields
of yellow mustard were also quite a sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y_JQgAsu1Gsej6dDENjtuXsv_hfniUfOhUVnBmonPc9TA9TchBd_GeN9mWzBFkfQ_c5PySCcqqJNx1GiIU0aFU5rzMldqo6hr7IegepygyUrgKT_RPT-93P_ghz6xKrP2d2gJr3Ip-7U/s1600/DSCN1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y_JQgAsu1Gsej6dDENjtuXsv_hfniUfOhUVnBmonPc9TA9TchBd_GeN9mWzBFkfQ_c5PySCcqqJNx1GiIU0aFU5rzMldqo6hr7IegepygyUrgKT_RPT-93P_ghz6xKrP2d2gJr3Ip-7U/s320/DSCN1405.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Countryside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5k_LxjSqW3LlxKmJcncSn778Whnk-gCbW33GwWfrtzgL8X_9fcY5k_PtX1mhkMe5KYit_xwRdulESsi59O-Tf0tDTelzuMmE0CFKQ6C5LNmgVXB7gqXkWE4mszgL-aDPPFex_bkzCsgi/s1600/DSCN1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5k_LxjSqW3LlxKmJcncSn778Whnk-gCbW33GwWfrtzgL8X_9fcY5k_PtX1mhkMe5KYit_xwRdulESsi59O-Tf0tDTelzuMmE0CFKQ6C5LNmgVXB7gqXkWE4mszgL-aDPPFex_bkzCsgi/s320/DSCN1410.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of Mustard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKKtd7VzIhoW3_ljP6_MxtHG_CYhejPP31R7HpAL-kOVfo7q2cPMsHVPLz5exhsRyf1xAOLyRbXndyy2Wi03hIo8Havq7hsqufWSPZ5FufUuzWd2LXIh30oc8XAnREoX8jMwm3CbMBbRX/s1600/DSCN1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKKtd7VzIhoW3_ljP6_MxtHG_CYhejPP31R7HpAL-kOVfo7q2cPMsHVPLz5exhsRyf1xAOLyRbXndyy2Wi03hIo8Havq7hsqufWSPZ5FufUuzWd2LXIh30oc8XAnREoX8jMwm3CbMBbRX/s320/DSCN1400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual Roadside Attractions - The Dog Is a Bed and Breakfast!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We descended the White Bird Grade, an
incredibly steep mountain road, and were amazed to see the old road which was
even steeper with dozens of switchbacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That road was an engineering feat when it was constructed in 1915 and served
as Idaho’s north-south highway until the current road was completed in
1975.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love mountain roads, but I was
glad we were driving the new road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">An overlook on the White Bird Grade provided
an expansive view of White Bird Battlefield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On June 17, 1877, the first battle of the Nez Perce War was fought
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the battle was a victory
for the Nez Perce, it was the start of a five-month journey in an effort to
elude the U.S. Army.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hopes of the
Nez Perce to find sanctuary in Canada fell short when the army defeated them at
Bear Paw in Montana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chief Joseph
surrendered and was sent into exile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSQCKaapQVAUR-gNVfqDX-xTlHA9vgfoqcNet16ZnXMwNXxh84kcVS_0Pu_wg_o3OrzBYgpuYTlwJbEc6ZIwH0VhWOruQdVge0YSS9n05HMTj1gFBWuCtZNH2zeQPWr4K35aqu0isHyCx/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSQCKaapQVAUR-gNVfqDX-xTlHA9vgfoqcNet16ZnXMwNXxh84kcVS_0Pu_wg_o3OrzBYgpuYTlwJbEc6ZIwH0VhWOruQdVge0YSS9n05HMTj1gFBWuCtZNH2zeQPWr4K35aqu0isHyCx/s320/DSCN1443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Bird Battlefield</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPCFGvZuYigaJamK-tI2yHHsO4VNVZokQUCc8SICVOXAzq7gSYo9Yexre4swwMx3wpy9lTI3BPFVv7gw7hucjpZYI41L7QMs2TTxMsBjatBsni3BnYWlPvUUdglFtP-kvOgHuCaKlvDZX/s1600/DSCN1447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPCFGvZuYigaJamK-tI2yHHsO4VNVZokQUCc8SICVOXAzq7gSYo9Yexre4swwMx3wpy9lTI3BPFVv7gw7hucjpZYI41L7QMs2TTxMsBjatBsni3BnYWlPvUUdglFtP-kvOgHuCaKlvDZX/s320/DSCN1447.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Down at White Bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-19640941908080779642012-05-27T23:16:00.000-06:002012-05-29T23:33:59.348-06:00The Palouse<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Have you ever heard of the
Palouse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither had I until about six
years ago when my friend Noreen and I visited western Idaho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember admiring the rolling, golden
hills, but I was totally blown away when I saw photographs of those same hills
when they were a vivid green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
it would be amazing to see the Palouse in the spring when the hills were green,
and I kept that idea filed away in the back of my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed that the timing might be right for
a visit to the Palouse on this trip, and for the last month or so I had been
hoping that our path might take us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s exactly where we ended up today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3Oq3FUiKiGge98q9JL70kIC5s0FwElyHME6vfplvhpsJu1r7BqprNIYtHcn6jfBj_VgyAPZZrjqDAL2zz-0YTJtknAVPRGdi8aiQozNl2gD4Qy0Fb8JpQ1jnGp-YUIomLqdXse1I9W0h/s1600/DSCN1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3Oq3FUiKiGge98q9JL70kIC5s0FwElyHME6vfplvhpsJu1r7BqprNIYtHcn6jfBj_VgyAPZZrjqDAL2zz-0YTJtknAVPRGdi8aiQozNl2gD4Qy0Fb8JpQ1jnGp-YUIomLqdXse1I9W0h/s400/DSCN1243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Palouse Scenic Byway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Palouse, which is noted for its
unique topography, is located in rural, southeastern Washington, although a
similar landscape also spills over to western Idaho and northeastern
Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rolling hills rise and fall in
rapid succession, and resemble green dunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, the hills are silt dunes blown in as glacial ice melted during
the Ice Age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hills are planted
primarily with wheat, and that’s what gives the landscape its apple-green
color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lentils are also grown in the
rich soil that is found here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hills
are a patchwork quilt of varying shades of green this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Round roof barns added even more character to
the region.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB30-MJReZ2CGiQOA0c4AAK5I2CcZYFngBKmIx1Ri70C-WrUawfuhD5S99phnOiSNmmwuCtXju15nZ5rV_mWvH_JVLjow6CF_SHMcHmkqB1-FnV1CUd0vhnMVyHLWf8T3YgNvaOEpXiOJ/s1600/DSCN1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB30-MJReZ2CGiQOA0c4AAK5I2CcZYFngBKmIx1Ri70C-WrUawfuhD5S99phnOiSNmmwuCtXju15nZ5rV_mWvH_JVLjow6CF_SHMcHmkqB1-FnV1CUd0vhnMVyHLWf8T3YgNvaOEpXiOJ/s320/DSCN1295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lbsnckrtgv6dl6dzzQa44DWR3T-93_k_TvP2mIV7n9IOujYKKFWggJELVOLnP28N2XSbViQaRgxIPFmxZrIW81vMUXX5Kt9lKtWcEY0cgYIkTCr-wwkdjGOulCRMo9jNqBiSpnjEg9to/s1600/DSCN1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Lbsnckrtgv6dl6dzzQa44DWR3T-93_k_TvP2mIV7n9IOujYKKFWggJELVOLnP28N2XSbViQaRgxIPFmxZrIW81vMUXX5Kt9lKtWcEY0cgYIkTCr-wwkdjGOulCRMo9jNqBiSpnjEg9to/s320/DSCN1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque Barns and Farms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JcOod5eGL6KMXr2gYIG4RciTRhxxEuIsgBi2KqVXJI1dcop-KjrHJ5TiFThdpj154Fpl69Ml56An4nYjAx3y7OFOdX5XyBBBCfl1ySRPVTTVkF7BruNY8zqYNj1tpN2iLCbN9p5lKzp9/s1600/DSCN1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JcOod5eGL6KMXr2gYIG4RciTRhxxEuIsgBi2KqVXJI1dcop-KjrHJ5TiFThdpj154Fpl69Ml56An4nYjAx3y7OFOdX5XyBBBCfl1ySRPVTTVkF7BruNY8zqYNj1tpN2iLCbN9p5lKzp9/s320/DSCN1287.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique Topography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxYju1N-IG8IZEP8A67-YjasRw0nO9DBg0IBetqoLeII7OcNYdd41rJKH1oo8ELcDcwAjCGjeo6je9fO4WKHif4C0adVlQhzOEcLRxbpGUaUQu4WtDVC3i6vl5xNPXE2TFgCKvTnThLH8/s1600/DSCN1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxYju1N-IG8IZEP8A67-YjasRw0nO9DBg0IBetqoLeII7OcNYdd41rJKH1oo8ELcDcwAjCGjeo6je9fO4WKHif4C0adVlQhzOEcLRxbpGUaUQu4WtDVC3i6vl5xNPXE2TFgCKvTnThLH8/s320/DSCN1338.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of Wheat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We also visited Palouse Falls, another
site created during the Ice Age floods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here a waterfall appears to emerge from the rock and cascades almost 200
feet into a round, basalt plunge pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
state park provides spectacular viewpoints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZTdMCR81NzP4u5SScPQfTkoJ2wIBoYYAO9e42AgoSR4E85D9U0HHqRRSUdm8rwYSqae0s5yPwe7kBTZ5MlnrmnYm2jAm-op5D5tlCmumQMRO0DIq7mkV-lzc2_2RxMdwkF8J-0j8CiwO/s1600/DSCN1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZTdMCR81NzP4u5SScPQfTkoJ2wIBoYYAO9e42AgoSR4E85D9U0HHqRRSUdm8rwYSqae0s5yPwe7kBTZ5MlnrmnYm2jAm-op5D5tlCmumQMRO0DIq7mkV-lzc2_2RxMdwkF8J-0j8CiwO/s320/DSCN1207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palouse Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOD9ywGdtlEP8E7ILi5fljgrLgWRxRBYqIljqtYUxqKTWAaJyAzloyS3lKCuh7SioMsk-3M75shJfudTDVYYlagi-d3a54EOWPPQngIPlLuyP2U7c_rLlBPmalZqLIYb3ywAFXOWiT-a9/s1600/DSCN1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOD9ywGdtlEP8E7ILi5fljgrLgWRxRBYqIljqtYUxqKTWAaJyAzloyS3lKCuh7SioMsk-3M75shJfudTDVYYlagi-d3a54EOWPPQngIPlLuyP2U7c_rLlBPmalZqLIYb3ywAFXOWiT-a9/s320/DSCN1221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim at Palouse Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11_wsDFWJLCXMsBaf0tyqcOWszQBSqGLDuGEDT5ZGcHjBSL83xBVmOFzT_ZBj1774Va-O_FDYeMB5U7t2dDP91ZVX6d95qzq1-Sbyk9LBDmuvumlsvbPxHpR8YuxCSfinaop01SSQISMd/s1600/DSCN1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11_wsDFWJLCXMsBaf0tyqcOWszQBSqGLDuGEDT5ZGcHjBSL83xBVmOFzT_ZBj1774Va-O_FDYeMB5U7t2dDP91ZVX6d95qzq1-Sbyk9LBDmuvumlsvbPxHpR8YuxCSfinaop01SSQISMd/s320/DSCN1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palouse River Below the Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We happened upon the Dahmen Barn in
Uniontown with its iconic wheel fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This former dairy barn is now an artisan center designed to showcase the
work of local artists and to bring fine and folk art to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wheel fence was begun in the 1950s as a
folk art project and is still evolving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fence is now comprised of more than 1,000
wheels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited the artist’s studios
and couldn’t help but leave with a few small items.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3s6nI4oPM3sTj0xmSMXw_8QEkmjCHDaFS4ixjyXvUVaYQcha0O7WL-VzdcmySt8fZBznR-jqbbA7hg2lQxpbWb2WqUK02GfsHqx8swfM36G28NxWo90IciV8m-LeITHLmnHPu-tUATn7/s1600/DSCN1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3s6nI4oPM3sTj0xmSMXw_8QEkmjCHDaFS4ixjyXvUVaYQcha0O7WL-VzdcmySt8fZBznR-jqbbA7hg2lQxpbWb2WqUK02GfsHqx8swfM36G28NxWo90IciV8m-LeITHLmnHPu-tUATn7/s320/DSCN1337.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahmen Barn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cy7StsUigH6TQKeI8mAY_QAQOHQOUUym1ocLTVtZSGwxrTAHRELpQQe0Qgn18GTt4uGHqmAedBX6ajpdTblx0NCIKyy3YQ0bEY8RSVWj3Z42NPbZygMy9iJUcFVcpOAYO5UwRtMuLI3l/s1600/DSCN1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cy7StsUigH6TQKeI8mAY_QAQOHQOUUym1ocLTVtZSGwxrTAHRELpQQe0Qgn18GTt4uGHqmAedBX6ajpdTblx0NCIKyy3YQ0bEY8RSVWj3Z42NPbZygMy9iJUcFVcpOAYO5UwRtMuLI3l/s320/DSCN1334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheel Fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We arrived in Clarkston and checked
into a campground on the Snake River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
snagged a waterfront site that had just become available on the Memorial Day
weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately it started to
rain so we couldn’t enjoy the setting as much as we would have liked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JOjqy7v4g2ITdhEuCHUrLfeO_KhcxR5RDfD6kNn8DmETTeE_8hfLLiKXJtypGfcsUnLn5LBiHJu4ZoWueq0MntwxkCZHZ1sFyeK3r963EmZJpfJXlHivOt5lvdWSRNsk1LdO29Bpr4tM/s1600/DSCN1348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JOjqy7v4g2ITdhEuCHUrLfeO_KhcxR5RDfD6kNn8DmETTeE_8hfLLiKXJtypGfcsUnLn5LBiHJu4ZoWueq0MntwxkCZHZ1sFyeK3r963EmZJpfJXlHivOt5lvdWSRNsk1LdO29Bpr4tM/s320/DSCN1348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Down at Clarkston and Lewiston from Lewiston Hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-70242057433362140712012-05-25T22:07:00.000-06:002012-05-27T23:03:19.881-06:00Am I a Senior Citizen Now?<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Happy Birthday to me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How fun to celebrate my birthday while we’re
on this trip. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’m officially a
senior citizen now since I’m eligible to collect Social Security. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What a thought!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We’ve officially made the turn eastward
on our journey towards home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We crossed
the Snake River in southern Washington near its confluence with the Columbia
River and followed a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had one thing in mind when we stopped to
tour the Whitman Mission National Historic Site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to purchase my Senior Pass, formerly
called the Golden Age Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This pass is
one of the special benefits of turning this magical age. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the measly sum of $10.00, I will have
unlimited access to all national parks for the rest of my life, plus discounts
on camping fees at parks and other federal campgrounds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine my disappointment when I found out
that Whitman Mission is a no-fee park so they do not sell the pass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a bummer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Whitman Mission National Historic
Site preserves the site of a mission founded among the Cayuse Indians in 1836 by
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission
was known as Waiilatpu, meaning “place of the people of the rye grass” was also
an important station on the Oregon Trail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission operated until its violent end in 1847.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That year a measles epidemic decimated the
Cayuse, and Dr. Whitman’s medicine failed to help them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A band of Cayuse attacked the mission and
killed Whitman, his wife and several others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tragedy ended Protestant missions in the
Oregon country and led Congress to create the Oregon Territory, the first
formal territorial government west of the Rockies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrZhcgb8EruJYah0Zwb1nIbU0kpzhhslBB-JhaDQ1saQ10iypWOxFzy56N3L9_W6qV0tMvg3gnIn-EuSJnMYNzHwg13T6BFnVE0j1Y50YzJGxV0w4LNaLINAjOyVk_9oDcW-dNwCTdKCg/s1600/DSCN1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrZhcgb8EruJYah0Zwb1nIbU0kpzhhslBB-JhaDQ1saQ10iypWOxFzy56N3L9_W6qV0tMvg3gnIn-EuSJnMYNzHwg13T6BFnVE0j1Y50YzJGxV0w4LNaLINAjOyVk_9oDcW-dNwCTdKCg/s320/DSCN1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitman Mission from Above</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25brFk65eMhRBUWr-WJqbJ4mMdZD59y__ceULa3-p9e6fyOED5FQEClzWZxWc0VhyphenhyphenJlz5Qg-302A-fd8zEG3YNZ_gObKCIooZPSUg4D3HzIajgDsilFQFXbIPq86czHEdicNKVrdyeDQy/s1600/DSCN1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25brFk65eMhRBUWr-WJqbJ4mMdZD59y__ceULa3-p9e6fyOED5FQEClzWZxWc0VhyphenhyphenJlz5Qg-302A-fd8zEG3YNZ_gObKCIooZPSUg4D3HzIajgDsilFQFXbIPq86czHEdicNKVrdyeDQy/s320/DSCN1115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oregon Trail Ran through the Mission</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrnNx40KeQm15K06lE7euRTmxu5Gs-L2T33UM6_STo8BNpzqCrMGOcPQI4hODUzqzEYnj5jpGGiINWOxY03NHp95mPtTDrGgL_MMe2I2xdc_4X7Msb1uadCcXr18GsUxl7L1FW0DVdb8r/s1600/DSCN1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrnNx40KeQm15K06lE7euRTmxu5Gs-L2T33UM6_STo8BNpzqCrMGOcPQI4hODUzqzEYnj5jpGGiINWOxY03NHp95mPtTDrGgL_MMe2I2xdc_4X7Msb1uadCcXr18GsUxl7L1FW0DVdb8r/s320/DSCN1124.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitman Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCirlduAkQbf38j2V5zmjweKYSxyXY_d8PCkzhgbBYpEvWmswPT24-CZZSgRRPD2XH-tHtE_Lj64H4uun4weyBlFSNQDY9IL-Bv7E0QO5xT8-5x49N7Ggrbhbgd8sjjirC602OoqPc4i-W/s1600/DSCN1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCirlduAkQbf38j2V5zmjweKYSxyXY_d8PCkzhgbBYpEvWmswPT24-CZZSgRRPD2XH-tHtE_Lj64H4uun4weyBlFSNQDY9IL-Bv7E0QO5xT8-5x49N7Ggrbhbgd8sjjirC602OoqPc4i-W/s320/DSCN1144.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Grave Where the Victims Were Buried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We walked the trail which winds its way
through the mission site and climbed the hill to the Whitman Memorial where we rewarded
with expansive views of the surrounding countryside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">For quite some time I had heard wonderful
things about Walla Walla, one of the Washington State’s best-known wine tourism
regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, the city was on my
list of places to check out, and we headed that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through the downtown area and around
Whitman College and were impressed with what we saw – a lively downtown with
restored historic buildings and a beautiful campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plan was to stop, walk around, have lunch
and do a little wine tasting. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly,
we never could find a place to park the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re not that big, but there seemed to be no legal place for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so frustrated that we left town without
stopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh7iWJnMiK0cmC1dDIfEowrjwssZsc2eM7EoTfU4PPIRahZ5aWJcr5P3dUjVWnRhzzxB8_Yv-_x-99-k82CyMAJUxe8W0fjgFMtX5O_9kKqlPSFiM5EU8HlXKhNFFVOCqPNliCC64E5io/s1600/DSCN1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh7iWJnMiK0cmC1dDIfEowrjwssZsc2eM7EoTfU4PPIRahZ5aWJcr5P3dUjVWnRhzzxB8_Yv-_x-99-k82CyMAJUxe8W0fjgFMtX5O_9kKqlPSFiM5EU8HlXKhNFFVOCqPNliCC64E5io/s320/DSCN1146.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walla Walla Looked Like a Great Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7sh1QOV77DqYSBMmPsOKCMKSeV4Idao8IwiJFWLi3IXPRR_dB39y_bFwabTEYeSk1qcGQcd5aL4hFynMP-IWj4LoUVs9WLCU6N4z5HmKXnAF0CVZuZKKQjZ8lu5PEq3XwANb65wUZxP8/s1600/DSCN1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7sh1QOV77DqYSBMmPsOKCMKSeV4Idao8IwiJFWLi3IXPRR_dB39y_bFwabTEYeSk1qcGQcd5aL4hFynMP-IWj4LoUVs9WLCU6N4z5HmKXnAF0CVZuZKKQjZ8lu5PEq3XwANb65wUZxP8/s320/DSCN1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting Downtown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2djLKVwrsmxrkkGomjiQrS_QuhtNmSgKm5qSy8omemXYIWUpb-zJ0O8ml0-VkcD6Vmn44fAj6720akbh0dVJIud7hxEEXuW-ISBrY7luCb-j_beALnug3dI6JxMJlh04vzEvIxcT-hQU/s1600/DSCN1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2djLKVwrsmxrkkGomjiQrS_QuhtNmSgKm5qSy8omemXYIWUpb-zJ0O8ml0-VkcD6Vmn44fAj6720akbh0dVJIud7hxEEXuW-ISBrY7luCb-j_beALnug3dI6JxMJlh04vzEvIxcT-hQU/s320/DSCN1148.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Art </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We drove on to Waitsfield, another
quaint and up-and-coming town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Waitsfield
was much friendlier to us, and this is where we stopped for lunch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even found a bottle of Walla Walla wine at a
market in town to take with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
just do my own wine tasting at the campground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhorBbZ2BrMO9TUbz-dwMqRVUWOIGdNbdgOacTB2pEoCaOZk6ovVhVNFsZ81Z3nmdXN-Byq7XXTpqBh174EIgij_lc7fRPKm2AZy-okCIKRmW0CCRqirW5Oei4jFCKSA_89AwlXkqlq88/s1600/DSCN1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhorBbZ2BrMO9TUbz-dwMqRVUWOIGdNbdgOacTB2pEoCaOZk6ovVhVNFsZ81Z3nmdXN-Byq7XXTpqBh174EIgij_lc7fRPKm2AZy-okCIKRmW0CCRqirW5Oei4jFCKSA_89AwlXkqlq88/s320/DSCN1178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Waitsfield</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwBYxSnxXXNJm2pHyEqtTmRIZVcHW9HGydpvY6LQKXmkwBBuelgp0tjSUu01MUmaGCZsnaUEVQ56iWdfrg2PEcs6aHIjL2PJ4Z2TzPFOzrvEyzHXLQ42t7zKSNGT-NZN1NUR1DB4A3NGb/s1600/DSCN1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwBYxSnxXXNJm2pHyEqtTmRIZVcHW9HGydpvY6LQKXmkwBBuelgp0tjSUu01MUmaGCZsnaUEVQ56iWdfrg2PEcs6aHIjL2PJ4Z2TzPFOzrvEyzHXLQ42t7zKSNGT-NZN1NUR1DB4A3NGb/s320/DSCN1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recent Rehabilitations of Downtown Buildings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Our drive through southeastern
Washington was beautiful, particularly its fertile, rolling hills planted with
wheat and other crops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The various
shades of green painted a wonderful picture on the hillsides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraN6XVoRSKnkMlyJNPyganIflwGg1hJHc6JrT1gFfkHrvLmavuNaSFx_jnNPa3m1qtgY-RQfvPd4-WBlIp-loEC_A3vbr09dmeKJHnhlJxcEWsqvSzw8U3PuibE-QX9nCbQjrHBLprwT_/s1600/DSCN1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraN6XVoRSKnkMlyJNPyganIflwGg1hJHc6JrT1gFfkHrvLmavuNaSFx_jnNPa3m1qtgY-RQfvPd4-WBlIp-loEC_A3vbr09dmeKJHnhlJxcEWsqvSzw8U3PuibE-QX9nCbQjrHBLprwT_/s320/DSCN1157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Rolling Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nia4e5qch5JDgh7_T8uH6aNbR3oUlRS5DxCiCHghOppVeyrVe0TKIGc-ujrWwgB-FWxOZceazP5KK7kXlrKq0CbqgNNvuoZJnxW6Mp1CMYjw6XKyPq3iAW1y43EmZhyphenhyphenZgGSiYxAZNXXE/s1600/DSCN1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nia4e5qch5JDgh7_T8uH6aNbR3oUlRS5DxCiCHghOppVeyrVe0TKIGc-ujrWwgB-FWxOZceazP5KK7kXlrKq0CbqgNNvuoZJnxW6Mp1CMYjw6XKyPq3iAW1y43EmZhyphenhyphenZgGSiYxAZNXXE/s320/DSCN1163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's So Green Here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGxYSz2UqxJRCoCSuaR0EbQZoB7Zj84-_PIlr74iNupKN3vyTtkqcAdyeD6UauB_eOOODf2B3oAJD47EayuY7zDqaXdv4z_WM6R1_jQDX66cPdvEFprBkx67z8uye_sMNsP8JCJwe-a9_/s1600/DSCN1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGxYSz2UqxJRCoCSuaR0EbQZoB7Zj84-_PIlr74iNupKN3vyTtkqcAdyeD6UauB_eOOODf2B3oAJD47EayuY7zDqaXdv4z_WM6R1_jQDX66cPdvEFprBkx67z8uye_sMNsP8JCJwe-a9_/s320/DSCN1173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Many Shades of Green Can There Be?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We found a nice campground for the
first part of the Memorial Day weekend, and our plan is to stay here for two
nights. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, we are out of cell
phone range, and although the campground has wi-fi, my computer is not picking
it up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll just have to wait to post
our adventures from the last few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-71259665269199131032012-05-24T21:39:00.000-06:002012-05-26T21:58:35.906-06:00Another Seaplane Adventure<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After visiting North Cascades National
Park earlier in the week, we had decided that a visit to Lake Chelan National
Recreation Area, which abuts the park, should be on our list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lake Chelan extends approximately fifty miles
into the heart of the Cascade Mountain Range and is the third deepest lake in
the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to get to the national
recreation area is by boat or seaplane, or on foot or horseback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No roads reach the remote community of Stehekin,
located on the northern shore of Lake Chelan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The boat ride would have taken all day, so we decided to take a
seaplane. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flight on Chelan Seaplanes
is a fabulous way to get to Stehekin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
much quicker, provides stunning views and is simply more fun.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">It was slightly overcast as we took off
from the town of Chelan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
volunteered to sit in the co-pilot’s seat and had a marvelous view for the
entire journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweeping views of the
lake unfolded in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We admired
the deep blue color of the glacier-carved lake and saw just how steep the mountains
are that rise from the lakeshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-t9h6ru0HGnRScHQbLdd5NzT6Wui2usuvxhPRpbwTYcJah_anNNqzxBJdAptgavBPnLE1DjyewTpeEKWVQ8XCUS4XuL-xKUlI3Ht1WZRb6JT_md2XGCu0cIsRAID16iib-s1XM5IFaqp/s1600/DSCN0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-t9h6ru0HGnRScHQbLdd5NzT6Wui2usuvxhPRpbwTYcJah_anNNqzxBJdAptgavBPnLE1DjyewTpeEKWVQ8XCUS4XuL-xKUlI3Ht1WZRb6JT_md2XGCu0cIsRAID16iib-s1XM5IFaqp/s320/DSCN0828.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the Wild Blue Yonder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlvnJJYFgtllwkspYJNKQtfXaPLy1MXG-DxqjyMu_Y829p09uWP7sGjOxE7Pgy3nyMSYNgaPcDNTnhZjdn6jZdk2BCkhUmoSu4Exah9q-GNYokCT9AtTwaif42MECHS8kYcSstngDNUti/s1600/DSCN0852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlvnJJYFgtllwkspYJNKQtfXaPLy1MXG-DxqjyMu_Y829p09uWP7sGjOxE7Pgy3nyMSYNgaPcDNTnhZjdn6jZdk2BCkhUmoSu4Exah9q-GNYokCT9AtTwaif42MECHS8kYcSstngDNUti/s320/DSCN0852.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Snow-Capped Cascade Range Rises in the Distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMemLI13jNwPwez354P2dCTcShQEunsGWOxg8CZlgueHsXKm-GziL-ZDhYEvwhdPgagLUjHMDiLw-WNQljcdkQoHInYwvupQq9Rubtlnv3qrCEFWUhoTA1yaXgV4Fa9AFokHbb59RoTohR/s1600/DSCN0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMemLI13jNwPwez354P2dCTcShQEunsGWOxg8CZlgueHsXKm-GziL-ZDhYEvwhdPgagLUjHMDiLw-WNQljcdkQoHInYwvupQq9Rubtlnv3qrCEFWUhoTA1yaXgV4Fa9AFokHbb59RoTohR/s320/DSCN0859.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Bird's Eye View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOQuv_pG5FuI7VaU-NLYMVPNAuWeh1pkVTJBP2n3-U9TMFV11fl2Jng7c494r2RDhyphenhyphenG4LpSM9epMkMfPUuj_LpT0UE4yMdz16c9Zp6UNpPCClG1Zvhb_rXyzH-s8AXTbOZpiuz8cd2lev/s1600/DSCN0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOQuv_pG5FuI7VaU-NLYMVPNAuWeh1pkVTJBP2n3-U9TMFV11fl2Jng7c494r2RDhyphenhyphenG4LpSM9epMkMfPUuj_LpT0UE4yMdz16c9Zp6UNpPCClG1Zvhb_rXyzH-s8AXTbOZpiuz8cd2lev/s320/DSCN0870.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Northern End of Lake Chelan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZuU0-72yCn2SNXUupFiM7lIqtVsFYZD6Y2C7GQryDEnOCvu6ek8Ji-3GS0X0XUhzMnNyoATEmgmI61BIFyHZfiw_aHrIhcc4jgpTRCkVYFuyA6suI89UyDGBv59MRdauQ85giulX-Hkm/s1600/DSCN0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZuU0-72yCn2SNXUupFiM7lIqtVsFYZD6Y2C7GQryDEnOCvu6ek8Ji-3GS0X0XUhzMnNyoATEmgmI61BIFyHZfiw_aHrIhcc4jgpTRCkVYFuyA6suI89UyDGBv59MRdauQ85giulX-Hkm/s320/DSCN0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping Off the Seaplane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We arrived at Stehekin Landing and ran
into several National Park rangers who were readying the visitor center for the
upcoming season opening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so
informative and helpful in explaining where we could go, since most of the
facilities were not yet open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
able to tour the 1921 schoolhouse, Rainbow Falls and the Buckner Orchard before
returning for our flight back to Chelan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although we only got a taste of what the area has to offer, we
thoroughly enjoyed our brief visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was feeling generous and let Tim have the co-pilot’s seat on the return flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweG0C1_iQI7PpIhonZ5Uk3-y-6K88mEi8bwNIDFCtnPwDiWpxUbgec0HT-Ut6tNnY9dQGCxSyGI83VD_dLK6d3Yfjuxqg7-60yCy-LovsYWdtl8jLhFy9Ajuu2IA90fMKGTHhUKtb34ib/s1600/DSCN0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweG0C1_iQI7PpIhonZ5Uk3-y-6K88mEi8bwNIDFCtnPwDiWpxUbgec0HT-Ut6tNnY9dQGCxSyGI83VD_dLK6d3Yfjuxqg7-60yCy-LovsYWdtl8jLhFy9Ajuu2IA90fMKGTHhUKtb34ib/s320/DSCN0888.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1921 Schoolhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXPGmDVCREOZozpX9wcwhy4Ei7W0qqpl-u2Kc9mldBqVkxB7dmQPrYWRuhzFjkjnZI0_1tfDH_WoU5gANTzfYvbm6PPSIf12heHPmRzJVNBtS7pGMG3etPUJsZ9R6sRhWKPMJZTreJYAR/s1600/DSCN0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXPGmDVCREOZozpX9wcwhy4Ei7W0qqpl-u2Kc9mldBqVkxB7dmQPrYWRuhzFjkjnZI0_1tfDH_WoU5gANTzfYvbm6PPSIf12heHPmRzJVNBtS7pGMG3etPUJsZ9R6sRhWKPMJZTreJYAR/s320/DSCN0891.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVp16CiXV8xNriTvzgO1kS3I9xTxMCFXs6czfvVzUOwn4FR5-U1WGaK5BOSO3CL8gvC_TNCsDGvakk4YziX-0xMsb62aULBQBHiaYjUxR3X_ffNyJr-DyCT-ICxCJ-mEVret6X3B6rwZB/s1600/DSCN0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVp16CiXV8xNriTvzgO1kS3I9xTxMCFXs6czfvVzUOwn4FR5-U1WGaK5BOSO3CL8gvC_TNCsDGvakk4YziX-0xMsb62aULBQBHiaYjUxR3X_ffNyJr-DyCT-ICxCJ-mEVret6X3B6rwZB/s320/DSCN0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckner Orchard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlEWwokYlDCWNICCuGKmCY3H6GjuTFX_HRldrLqR95lt4r2yNOpXFGT5VmJfsR9jrrchUgoT0Tyq3-eP03xDxR4dPPg_QQXl7ymQ4FAtUH_XTf8PXW3cj6mqCGerzEpJ-TuZdRiexmCNx/s1600/DSCN0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlEWwokYlDCWNICCuGKmCY3H6GjuTFX_HRldrLqR95lt4r2yNOpXFGT5VmJfsR9jrrchUgoT0Tyq3-eP03xDxR4dPPg_QQXl7ymQ4FAtUH_XTf8PXW3cj6mqCGerzEpJ-TuZdRiexmCNx/s320/DSCN0916.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the Return Flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV9gxUMJXp7Ak8gpBSK8zWVBDwiHtQsql5lYBs1N-vDlbyfj1o0TPp1GqZ0QPBjLNpxXL1gQ97HhPqkXXd9bWT6gTgpgnaeDd5HzwXu-e_olXEfN3WR8-3JQlPETerY7_scN7E8FBsys1/s1600/DSCN0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnV9gxUMJXp7Ak8gpBSK8zWVBDwiHtQsql5lYBs1N-vDlbyfj1o0TPp1GqZ0QPBjLNpxXL1gQ97HhPqkXXd9bWT6gTgpgnaeDd5HzwXu-e_olXEfN3WR8-3JQlPETerY7_scN7E8FBsys1/s320/DSCN0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections in the Gorgeous Blue Waters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQT5MsnPHwBkoxW24XZMoriRtxjV-NncdsqTUiVV5R1l3UV5mIxf1iIygIUmaFhpRFgLSjUnDNwry4kYRMU0mDiftUPwvbyObKVkXbn2rXBD5c1ltvLhlgcxt62uAISEyQXUpjBOkEqUa/s1600/DSCN0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQT5MsnPHwBkoxW24XZMoriRtxjV-NncdsqTUiVV5R1l3UV5mIxf1iIygIUmaFhpRFgLSjUnDNwry4kYRMU0mDiftUPwvbyObKVkXbn2rXBD5c1ltvLhlgcxt62uAISEyQXUpjBOkEqUa/s320/DSCN0962.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Roads Extend to Stehekin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After landing in Chelan, we traveled
south through the Columbia River Valley and saw even more dams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped in Wenatchee, the self-proclaimed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apple Capital of the World</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe how many orchards we’ve seen
in the last few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, the
semi-arid flatlands and canyons combine with hot and rich water to make the
perfect fruit growing conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept
thinking how beautiful this area must be in the spring when all of the trees
are blooming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55P5kLDb6g5AZLIogkm00nYM4nulbO_48VL3cYH8bYyHxGQlHRZFndrLvQdSTRpGvB3MqBWF9pfPTW8W03DOZTpQwcbXNajVxgqIctKr_nGGi7zFX07vcEMmdPHWYMVd_w243Wy61BBdJ/s1600/DSCN1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55P5kLDb6g5AZLIogkm00nYM4nulbO_48VL3cYH8bYyHxGQlHRZFndrLvQdSTRpGvB3MqBWF9pfPTW8W03DOZTpQwcbXNajVxgqIctKr_nGGi7zFX07vcEMmdPHWYMVd_w243Wy61BBdJ/s320/DSCN1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchards Against a Colorful Hillside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJtGLlblgRB4teGHrGXLXA4gSaxA1qVcjxgT-_7nhDBAj6gfXbHl5IHql2ISr9ZkLixuZ4NBLK0IThm8s-ozYxAOxXJJDo3QXnxqGs-WmwZMKMHC-RBr1UoisUNTh5Y_q5tIuH9QsFDEz/s1600/DSCN1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJtGLlblgRB4teGHrGXLXA4gSaxA1qVcjxgT-_7nhDBAj6gfXbHl5IHql2ISr9ZkLixuZ4NBLK0IThm8s-ozYxAOxXJJDo3QXnxqGs-WmwZMKMHC-RBr1UoisUNTh5Y_q5tIuH9QsFDEz/s320/DSCN1015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful Floral Displays Abound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We crossed the Columbia River once
again and made our way through the Columbia Basin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Columbia Basin Irrigation Project
provides the water for over seventy-five types of farm crops, and Grant County
provides much of the food for the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The town of Quincy regularly promotes its agricultural industry by
sponsoring tours of farms, orchards and packing plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite, however, was the program to
place small signs beside the highway identifying the crops or trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many times have I wondered what’s growing
in the fields?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this is a brilliant
idea, and I’d love to see other agricultural regions copy this idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWIQVQeYaUI84Es9GOmn3zkHnpYk5-qnoRh5VkIRS5BtO738lTaaIQ56rDiiSYvzmQV019m_9l_p4zcqJZ52WEfG3ravPw20rCEZw_ZqH0bv4q3pLg3Pwp4pPcdmiNNEJAUKaoV-Pd6Sr/s1600/DSCN1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWIQVQeYaUI84Es9GOmn3zkHnpYk5-qnoRh5VkIRS5BtO738lTaaIQ56rDiiSYvzmQV019m_9l_p4zcqJZ52WEfG3ravPw20rCEZw_ZqH0bv4q3pLg3Pwp4pPcdmiNNEJAUKaoV-Pd6Sr/s320/DSCN1059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timothy Hay Is Planted in this Field<br />
(I Didn't Know Tim Had His Own Hay!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As the highway returned to the Columbia
River, we were treated to sweeping views of the majestic and wild Columbia
River Gorge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farther south we entered
the Hanford Reach National Monument, the only free-flowing, non-tidal stretch
of the Columbia River unaffected by the river’s vast dam system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanford Reach was designated in 2000 and is
another wild section of the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sweeping vistas and towering bluffs characterize the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdCKuYBefwqaZhoITSFfxoj7vHadusKnpZjSQBsfvrpsddbGzKQNx_a0vD1WPTQK6uQct5O5FT9ZYKq-TfM23xFR_KMEcwQWtWRyJmx8bkPlMTe-9I8yN6PgVqxzCSuKJzpP5GhODzbqy/s1600/DSCN1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdCKuYBefwqaZhoITSFfxoj7vHadusKnpZjSQBsfvrpsddbGzKQNx_a0vD1WPTQK6uQct5O5FT9ZYKq-TfM23xFR_KMEcwQWtWRyJmx8bkPlMTe-9I8yN6PgVqxzCSuKJzpP5GhODzbqy/s320/DSCN1068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweeping Vista of the Columbia River Gorge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Adjacent to the Monument is the Hanford
Nuclear Reservation, a stark reminder of our history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plutonium reactors, now mothballed, were once
instrumental in the government’s Manhattan Project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the plutonium produced here was used
in the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki during World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanford is now one of the country’s most
notorious superfund sites, and it will take years to clean up the land and
water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-71812191606145383452012-05-23T22:56:00.000-06:002012-05-25T00:04:50.763-06:00A Dam Day<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">No, the title is not a typo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really did have a Dam Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that’s an appropriate description for
visiting three dams in one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
another of those days where we had no expectations for what we might see, but
were blown away by both the dams and the stunning scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out that central Washington has a
lot to offer.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">After spending two nights in the quaint
town of Winthrop so we could catch up on a few things, we discovered that we
still had a day to “kill.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had set
our sights on a seaplane adventure in Chelan, and there were no departures
until Thursday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked at a map and decided
to drive to the Grand Coulee Dam in central Washington. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That seemed to be good choice for a day trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The drive through the Methow Valley was
absolutely beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The road followed
the Methow River and was lined with fruit orchards and vineyards. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught glimpses of Wild West heritage that
towns like Winthrop are known for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we
turned eastward and crossed the beautiful Columbia River, the landscape
abruptly changed, and the arid, desert region of the state came into view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hills, however, were still green from the
winter moisture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNkCghQGhnOzLoOOjpkEvrlCJuaU1RqML4MFDC6bY1ZEjwV6JLMGzVTGsWQ4k8JyC4SyU1CNpnpKww4MYCltyIG3Ud-eiJV0eTVgIhPvn0xHRWAfhyH_f_ueTXXhryiMsJLhZZNF638q/s1600/DSCN0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZNkCghQGhnOzLoOOjpkEvrlCJuaU1RqML4MFDC6bY1ZEjwV6JLMGzVTGsWQ4k8JyC4SyU1CNpnpKww4MYCltyIG3Ud-eiJV0eTVgIhPvn0xHRWAfhyH_f_ueTXXhryiMsJLhZZNF638q/s320/DSCN0670.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Methow Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0rv73i3Uz3h9Kno8M0u8hji_DhWIAGa-m6UmOgKcHYJHtTqzqYR73qN2U5pEch5ijGYHUHyVWoefy4f1SsUenpypBs6tv82x9fzNXHm1RLJJBLt8xJqcHGnnRLuowErVhKLEV64N8puC/s1600/DSCN0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0rv73i3Uz3h9Kno8M0u8hji_DhWIAGa-m6UmOgKcHYJHtTqzqYR73qN2U5pEch5ijGYHUHyVWoefy4f1SsUenpypBs6tv82x9fzNXHm1RLJJBLt8xJqcHGnnRLuowErVhKLEV64N8puC/s320/DSCN0692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherries, or Apples?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloRKkVtyDONm280-mEnZnDsyZTIG58MTbJBwPzqr-3v4GjFsmjk5UluepnK4Ggz0ccfjrwKJ0sq-wqsgaNWrWo6wFuJ-MnajmKt6AYp7ho6_g6uY6QS-o5vZRCyfavoaI0Hj357fx9YLA/s1600/DSCN0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloRKkVtyDONm280-mEnZnDsyZTIG58MTbJBwPzqr-3v4GjFsmjk5UluepnK4Ggz0ccfjrwKJ0sq-wqsgaNWrWo6wFuJ-MnajmKt6AYp7ho6_g6uY6QS-o5vZRCyfavoaI0Hj357fx9YLA/s320/DSCN0695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Columbia River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3mf_5gK5RsXemkglFs_IiUqVjvvWw1CYN_AhAUKxPCPJUSVXkf-SwJZN8DazN_O4BMVrCjtFezMOOVsl4jTYhg3EpOYkDX6evx2UIcP_NYfJJIL-aTpW8LDuPRIYqTvmxgFpEtViwz7P/s1600/DSCN0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3mf_5gK5RsXemkglFs_IiUqVjvvWw1CYN_AhAUKxPCPJUSVXkf-SwJZN8DazN_O4BMVrCjtFezMOOVsl4jTYhg3EpOYkDX6evx2UIcP_NYfJJIL-aTpW8LDuPRIYqTvmxgFpEtViwz7P/s320/DSCN0701.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Back toward the Cascade Range</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We stopped at the viewpoint for Chief
Joseph Dam on the Columbia River. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
nothing about this dam and was surprised to learn that it is the </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">second-largest
hydropower producer in the United States, second only to Grand Coulee Dam. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dam</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">
was an impressive sight, and was even more so when water was released from the
spillway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Ov83TgMrQ5eOUpGtLbOunY212q84NgaIcZ38JTwB32VQFeTROizK8XGOIjWjf6q5qHMLAI68qOS4CTHpu9YlMhCnnRIOpfkd1v8Dx_6gkaFFaRQh7y2boTb2wtSDZi4zgz-PV-bIG7D/s1600/DSCN0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Ov83TgMrQ5eOUpGtLbOunY212q84NgaIcZ38JTwB32VQFeTROizK8XGOIjWjf6q5qHMLAI68qOS4CTHpu9YlMhCnnRIOpfkd1v8Dx_6gkaFFaRQh7y2boTb2wtSDZi4zgz-PV-bIG7D/s320/DSCN0707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chief Joseph Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We soon arrived at the viewpoint for
the Grand Coulee Dam and could not get over the magnitude of this structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The size was overwhelming, and we were lucky
enough to see it from afar, as well as up close. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned that the Grand Coulee Dam was the
largest concrete structure in the world until just recently. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Three Gorges Dam in China now holds that
record. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The construction of the Grand
Coulee Dam was begun during the Great Depression to harness the waters of the
Columbia River to bring irrigation, power, flood control and recreation to this
arid region<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uuo1kfq6if_mKZ6anFlBPp-flCKGR-xmA9XOIM89zq1NZATuWSlSkyTxU4P3gyV32NSYd1NtCRz6DFZscSoGZJJ4uJdtfEsiy2Hrf_yUU6mGaWGG02A7BxjzxsFu2X2f-l-eAJxvSj4z/s1600/DSCN0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Uuo1kfq6if_mKZ6anFlBPp-flCKGR-xmA9XOIM89zq1NZATuWSlSkyTxU4P3gyV32NSYd1NtCRz6DFZscSoGZJJ4uJdtfEsiy2Hrf_yUU6mGaWGG02A7BxjzxsFu2X2f-l-eAJxvSj4z/s400/DSCN0729.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Coulee Dam from Afar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_V5xMcBxQffY5WzRBWxw1bNETrwgUX2iAv2ceTwxH6hVtvW3pbxpZWyLQYIay9sUTrC-XaVWm_OxpE8RVggUDVHGDmgO7Vne4NoPmI9mYQDO99TRLjxNWf0KrjALgJj7VE9bCO3yaZDe/s1600/DSCN0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_V5xMcBxQffY5WzRBWxw1bNETrwgUX2iAv2ceTwxH6hVtvW3pbxpZWyLQYIay9sUTrC-XaVWm_OxpE8RVggUDVHGDmgO7Vne4NoPmI9mYQDO99TRLjxNWf0KrjALgJj7VE9bCO3yaZDe/s320/DSCN0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Roosevelt Was Created by Grand Coulee Dam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YBVFUswiNqFprOJgtncPB39l1TzoVdrXnQbwW1iPpgPLaOOgau81DwVlR-4Ny0UA4SJUGLWfk0oLoyQXxmEL5N1Nq6jHQVnLsspE0d2Jgd9OQlNbH_yarcrOgQyOO3fLngodoJSp_DbL/s1600/DSCN0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YBVFUswiNqFprOJgtncPB39l1TzoVdrXnQbwW1iPpgPLaOOgau81DwVlR-4Ny0UA4SJUGLWfk0oLoyQXxmEL5N1Nq6jHQVnLsspE0d2Jgd9OQlNbH_yarcrOgQyOO3fLngodoJSp_DbL/s320/DSCN0748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Coulee Dam Up Close</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The dam has been expanded over the years,
and I later found out that the Bureau of Reclamation hired Marcel Breuer, one of
the leading architects of the twentieth century, to design the third
powerplant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breuer also designed the
Visitor Center, a wonderful modernist structure that is said to resemble a
generator rotor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How amazing that an
architect of his stature was hired by the Bureau of Reclamation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmABYVYQrj4jdfEHoJ8RoZtCS8kUIjy6haR-Y_Dw-LXXqrXyZGSPo78jKcf20mMls9GbQbe993xa7levvW8XGpzspixSXicvdwxla7r6Btyx62LH5wKjkygLdOhBA2TNTcn_KSrXNs8u2/s1600/DSCN0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmABYVYQrj4jdfEHoJ8RoZtCS8kUIjy6haR-Y_Dw-LXXqrXyZGSPo78jKcf20mMls9GbQbe993xa7levvW8XGpzspixSXicvdwxla7r6Btyx62LH5wKjkygLdOhBA2TNTcn_KSrXNs8u2/s320/DSCN0758.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We made our way south along the Coulee
Corridor Scenic Byway and were astounded to find ourselves in a marvelous canyon
alongside Banks Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I later learned
that canyons in this part of Washington are called coulees, and this one is the
upper Grand Coulee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never
questioned how the dam got its name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Grand Coulee is a geologic marvel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a huge, fifty mile-long canyon that was
carved at the end of the last Ice Age by massive floods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ice dams repeatedly formed and collapsed,
sending walls of water 1,000 feet high down the ancient bed of the Columbia River.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Banks Lake now fills the canyon of the
upper Grand Coulee. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steep walls and wondrous
rock formations add to the scenic beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the most impressive was Steamboat Rock, a massive butte that rises
1,000 feet above Banks Lake and was a landmark to both Indians and settlers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfvdw9Jycy3KVbqzdW7fLF9nxExiFzkdVB6ifa6Hc8I-sh9yLtH8ZcFpkgzSQaSm7yyvUq8_gav4IwXM3PEVPoww_IYXl8EQGkYK-Q-ehzn_TekLF9QNRk3ex4UIn_7UlqJtJQ9Flz-lP/s1600/DSCN0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfvdw9Jycy3KVbqzdW7fLF9nxExiFzkdVB6ifa6Hc8I-sh9yLtH8ZcFpkgzSQaSm7yyvUq8_gav4IwXM3PEVPoww_IYXl8EQGkYK-Q-ehzn_TekLF9QNRk3ex4UIn_7UlqJtJQ9Flz-lP/s320/DSCN0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz3_G8HzME5AcsRUda9k1gKT0-eCwypdsf_kwa6s2OIZ1XoSZpSLaxX9dDkh-EhOx7vCMO4dQ2pnDSwOOGler0FEITW2kquR9_JWACoy6Ce_VaUiecQu96oJDo0NEh4Pm8fa7xr10Py70/s1600/DSCN0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisz3_G8HzME5AcsRUda9k1gKT0-eCwypdsf_kwa6s2OIZ1XoSZpSLaxX9dDkh-EhOx7vCMO4dQ2pnDSwOOGler0FEITW2kquR9_JWACoy6Ce_VaUiecQu96oJDo0NEh4Pm8fa7xr10Py70/s320/DSCN0765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamboat Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVVMPzkrLrRKmdfJGFmi0B7T5sCL7E9UYFs6xKqSdrY2nZ6pilASDGxBPGHP1q-vTSxGBdNpuiFOLO9E6phU6bDaCye19z7g74XZl7TVpJpHyR2YO6CSsaePGPJ80Fs8znslBDVAHhKAj/s1600/DSCN0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVVMPzkrLrRKmdfJGFmi0B7T5sCL7E9UYFs6xKqSdrY2nZ6pilASDGxBPGHP1q-vTSxGBdNpuiFOLO9E6phU6bDaCye19z7g74XZl7TVpJpHyR2YO6CSsaePGPJ80Fs8znslBDVAHhKAj/s320/DSCN0785.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Great Drive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">We crossed over Dry Falls Dam as we
left the Coulee Corridor, one more dam on the Columbia River. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was a Dam Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">When we left Winthrop this morning, I
was totally unprepared for what lay before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scenery was spectacular, and the dams were engineering feats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we settled into our campsite this
afternoon, I wanted to learn a little bit about what we had just seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent much of the evening researching the
area and learned about coulees, dam engineering and architects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is just so much to see and so much to
learn, and I know we are only scratching the surface on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be wonderful to have more time to
learn about what we are seeing before and during our visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sometimes feel we are not always getting
the full picture about some of the areas we visit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, sometimes ignorance is bliss, and it
can be fun to simply enjoy the scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4629269107298804485.post-52202798512579304822012-05-21T22:36:00.000-06:002012-05-22T23:58:39.054-06:00North American Alps<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The weather forecast for the next few
days in Washington State was lousy – rain, much colder temperatures and snow at
higher elevations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve had amazing
weather for more than a week, so we really shouldn’t complain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to begin our climb over the
Cascade Range to outrun the worst of the predicted weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really didn’t want to be caught in the
snow as we crossed the mountains.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Before we headed east, we detoured
through the small town of La Conner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Known for its Rainbow Bridge, Victorian buildings and arts community, La
Conner seemed to be a charming place and one to return to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through the downtown area and passed
by some of the fields that had been carpeted with glorious tulips just last
month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Skagit Valley is home to the
largest commercial bulb industry outside of Holland, and it must be a sight to
behold when the tulips are blooming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyrQD3pg3wLi58mI72WmtP4w9wA16O2D4l8o7SscGHeJvZv4u9VFU8Pix3IqCagbVTd9_HD0_cMTxeP0ph_DEtCQ2FTL8k9sYwn64uJCdgHVM5u4Av5N94ENvN2DyD7O1DsTvPFfHJVCi/s1600/DSCN0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyrQD3pg3wLi58mI72WmtP4w9wA16O2D4l8o7SscGHeJvZv4u9VFU8Pix3IqCagbVTd9_HD0_cMTxeP0ph_DEtCQ2FTL8k9sYwn64uJCdgHVM5u4Av5N94ENvN2DyD7O1DsTvPFfHJVCi/s320/DSCN0566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFxSOFmU8Xqh3hXTR_TZY5I5peFIt9e2IpoJYXNNrtI7ycRYs7FSB3nPWGAOqETYT-C9a8uJFqorucJ0ocjqOYPsyLe_D8pUAzI8YeIU8fn1YO6rBTe8PeMkU9HKbHF5H3MToPFBnVPjL/s1600/DSCN0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFxSOFmU8Xqh3hXTR_TZY5I5peFIt9e2IpoJYXNNrtI7ycRYs7FSB3nPWGAOqETYT-C9a8uJFqorucJ0ocjqOYPsyLe_D8pUAzI8YeIU8fn1YO6rBTe8PeMkU9HKbHF5H3MToPFBnVPjL/s320/DSCN0573.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown La Conner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOHl2WAN_gu28Od3g8FJcVnnixQgBDV9JMwl8MUv7fB0JyH145vcxY2fjNH7qkVREVS9HObtRwmSqn1gSEQ-hH1i29LFGlXVP-u-dOlZQJFnHVlLu9OKFs9eUkLS8Asu7iA4uxUPQCwFS/s1600/DSCN0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOHl2WAN_gu28Od3g8FJcVnnixQgBDV9JMwl8MUv7fB0JyH145vcxY2fjNH7qkVREVS9HObtRwmSqn1gSEQ-hH1i29LFGlXVP-u-dOlZQJFnHVlLu9OKFs9eUkLS8Asu7iA4uxUPQCwFS/s320/DSCN0570.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Victorian Architecture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">The North Cascades Scenic Highway, one
of the nation’s most spectacular mountain drives, was our route today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive was magnificent, even though the mountains
were mostly obscured by rain, fog and low-hanging clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The North Cascades have long been known as
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">North American Alps</i>, a fitting
description for this rugged, wild and steep mountain range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are more glaciers here than anywhere outside
Alaska.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Most of these mountains are included
within North Cascades National Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
park is primarily wilderness, and the highway doesn’t actually go through the
park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it is almost impossible
to drive to the park. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main highway actually
passes through the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, which encompasses three beautiful
lakes that were created when dams were constructed here before the national
park was established in 1968.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not
even sure we touched the park, although we learned about it through the excellent
interpretive exhibits at the Visitor Center.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Ipx0ZCzhx4LPmXTCjHixgbECkwpxMYinrCN6FqG_jVIB3GOQfi460V3x3IWt35jCTduGiaLUq0ocuoTx62xCt-ZFz_ruydoTfX8U-Bvz_vfXrS6GEJtRCVQl6XPAIm3ra0BK1M1-Bbz/s1600/DSCN0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_Ipx0ZCzhx4LPmXTCjHixgbECkwpxMYinrCN6FqG_jVIB3GOQfi460V3x3IWt35jCTduGiaLUq0ocuoTx62xCt-ZFz_ruydoTfX8U-Bvz_vfXrS6GEJtRCVQl6XPAIm3ra0BK1M1-Bbz/s320/DSCN0592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Picket Range Is Usually Visible from the Visitor Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BiuIRSREECaUmKcQ_gpmpPLXF5xpaZxYABY9hn6tNz8P2wgky0Z1mdUD4K3YmqDJturRIiiV3ur_zMmNoVdrvHNVm-EMkBg3n_dv6GVVhKMhpYgy-8FMA6WhE7O2kOwWJz_E0zqWTDRx/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BiuIRSREECaUmKcQ_gpmpPLXF5xpaZxYABY9hn6tNz8P2wgky0Z1mdUD4K3YmqDJturRIiiV3ur_zMmNoVdrvHNVm-EMkBg3n_dv6GVVhKMhpYgy-8FMA6WhE7O2kOwWJz_E0zqWTDRx/s320/DSCN0636.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Snow Never Melts on Some of the Peaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Through the fog, we were able to catch
glimpses of the rugged peaks, the Skagit River and oodles of rushing waterfalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s weather didn’t lend itself to a hike,
but we took advantage of the many viewpoints and admired Diablo Lake from
above.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDzYPBBvcH3e9fsuIjOIymKsFoZdSrWGusARaFTd6OUxB_WqBI74846_K_ksCTj_VfelNawouLKJi9tEgks4R7WsxI3dwgShwMi1wXiT_1GRqJk78OuRZHQT4h1U9rzJsjAxVp5p4c6tP/s1600/DSCN0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDzYPBBvcH3e9fsuIjOIymKsFoZdSrWGusARaFTd6OUxB_WqBI74846_K_ksCTj_VfelNawouLKJi9tEgks4R7WsxI3dwgShwMi1wXiT_1GRqJk78OuRZHQT4h1U9rzJsjAxVp5p4c6tP/s320/DSCN0598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skagit River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9dI7s6G5yJzSBd8xtoeTks2VWkJPV01k7Ot4xtFHjGTySJWOtVrxYmipz6wn1dlbj7OwaI60-jdF1HS2Usn-CjHzNB8TXEec52a4ZNNN58-I0T6GUDFg52OCZzqBkGciOQyDVJecIvT/s1600/DSCN0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJA9dI7s6G5yJzSBd8xtoeTks2VWkJPV01k7Ot4xtFHjGTySJWOtVrxYmipz6wn1dlbj7OwaI60-jdF1HS2Usn-CjHzNB8TXEec52a4ZNNN58-I0T6GUDFg52OCZzqBkGciOQyDVJecIvT/s320/DSCN0632.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfalls Were Flowing Freely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GQy9hlY3ZBS9Ztv4roTi9-XHWCHaCyTYDfuKY-iT-APCohncVdcpQLc9T9dxNvT4NpozYPSHa74N2D_niLcc9C3wadwr7RdXp7b1YN_p8m2JrXt8QbkORqrwHdxk8sv5SNGxv0nj2q4V/s1600/DSCN0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GQy9hlY3ZBS9Ztv4roTi9-XHWCHaCyTYDfuKY-iT-APCohncVdcpQLc9T9dxNvT4NpozYPSHa74N2D_niLcc9C3wadwr7RdXp7b1YN_p8m2JrXt8QbkORqrwHdxk8sv5SNGxv0nj2q4V/s320/DSCN0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diablo Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MkPSJxiuzzwdbZrdoY85oZwmQH0YoM1BbPTsm-MCAwvxRZCQmLZyl7Br3PtYvXxZlEIUKAjPMIOx9ZDdl2ycI28kZZAxKYlT19sde_6VtXlUadFr6XDREM9AETKgAKyTTOWYQ_9-dqqV/s1600/DSCN0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MkPSJxiuzzwdbZrdoY85oZwmQH0YoM1BbPTsm-MCAwvxRZCQmLZyl7Br3PtYvXxZlEIUKAjPMIOx9ZDdl2ycI28kZZAxKYlT19sde_6VtXlUadFr6XDREM9AETKgAKyTTOWYQ_9-dqqV/s320/DSCN0625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Color of Diable Lake Is Beautiful</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">As we climbed higher in elevation, we
once more encountered snowbanks along the sides of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highway is closed in the winter and had
only reopened ten days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We descended
into a lovely valley on the dry side of the Cascade Range, and almost
immediately, the rain began to lessen and the sun soon peeked out from behind
the clouds. I think I like the dry side
of the Cascades.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4YraVe6uFlxpD2j3eOZ_WEjJEU7Y8dKg4R0O88ftpmdMV7fYmj6h4xJSyCZSwTX_6bJBI7eBFHKBr8mINEaEBVJVRHgFYImWuQ8sYee8CFiJyVaLKxKdp3plmaivdRN3JDI5CpWzcooj/s1600/DSCN0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4YraVe6uFlxpD2j3eOZ_WEjJEU7Y8dKg4R0O88ftpmdMV7fYmj6h4xJSyCZSwTX_6bJBI7eBFHKBr8mINEaEBVJVRHgFYImWuQ8sYee8CFiJyVaLKxKdp3plmaivdRN3JDI5CpWzcooj/s320/DSCN0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the High Point on the Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb3I0T7lc1xuyEkF7MLuCa-FFTlleiyQgU8NeLCyzXBXEIjFYuBdziacDM2wktaqawyVT-b2H98dJVxkgnRIHqyZ-SYuFR26bFJFnGYYBp8i2qN5-eVgriGxSDmMc8iPGDtRBI6HhjPvz/s1600/DSCN0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheb3I0T7lc1xuyEkF7MLuCa-FFTlleiyQgU8NeLCyzXBXEIjFYuBdziacDM2wktaqawyVT-b2H98dJVxkgnRIHqyZ-SYuFR26bFJFnGYYBp8i2qN5-eVgriGxSDmMc8iPGDtRBI6HhjPvz/s320/DSCN0646.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, Where Do We Go?<br />
(Most of the Viewpoints and Trailheads Are Still Snowbound)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWyWPocCR_DpFgJqFLnXOcrNh4Yd57yaAps8GgEWCrK0-iwJYZkoshBBWMTZF-YTXVXuxEqDgyL7LFlIWLFo6G7KzYQqSbDuWCe_lm7Yfetrcxvidc-WjtATUI8PxSZBZWSAsqfb4avUW/s1600/DSCN0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWyWPocCR_DpFgJqFLnXOcrNh4Yd57yaAps8GgEWCrK0-iwJYZkoshBBWMTZF-YTXVXuxEqDgyL7LFlIWLFo6G7KzYQqSbDuWCe_lm7Yfetrcxvidc-WjtATUI8PxSZBZWSAsqfb4avUW/s320/DSCN0660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Wild and Rugged Part of the Country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: right 6.5in; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17665701986189929016noreply@blogger.com6