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Late
OCTOBER 2008
Driving trip from SC to WI to see Heidi's son
and family |
A fun Halloween pumpkin tent
![wi99.JPG (149459 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi99_small.JPG)
|
A
strange combination - a huge white cross and church, and an Adults Only
store, got a chuckle from us
![wi48.JPG (136720 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi48_small.JPG) |
The
bridges around Lexington Kentucky were a phenomenal photo op
![wi52.JPG (143658 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi52_small.JPG)
![wi58.JPG (147604 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi58_small.JPG) |
ELIZABETHTOWN,
KENTUCKY
New Albany and Salem Railroad (The Monon).
Fugitive slaves' use of this Railroad in escapes caused controversy in the
1850's.
![liz158.JPG (124708 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/liz158_small.JPG)
|
Natural
mountain stone walls, common when
driving through the mountains in Tennessee/ Kentucky, always
beautiful. The timing of the trip meant the beautiful autumn colors
were rampant, what a treat. Some photos looks like Impressionist
paintings, and still cannot capture what we saw and felt. We never
get tired of it.
![wi142.JPG (153150 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi142_small.JPG)
![wi145.JPG (151531 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi145_small.JPG)
|
We
enjoyed seeing this tank humorously painted like an ear of corn, you can
see how the Gutwein gourmet popcorn company www.gpopcorn.com
, 13 miles north of Indianapolis (Exit 141, Lafayette IN) processing the
corn right from the fields.
![wi101.JPG (161333 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi101_small.JPG)
![wi102.JPG (157509 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi102_small.JPG) |
BEREA,
KENTUCKY
KENTUCKY ARTISAN'S Center and town
Birthplace of Handicraft Revival
![wi128.JPG (168767 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi128_small.JPG)
An impressive store of Kentucky artisan crafts
is well worth the stop. The rest of the town has plenty of little
artsy shops to visit |
Lost
& Found, basketry and wood creation
![wi106.JPG (146837 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi106_small.JPG)
POSSUM gourd, great folk art piece
![wi110.JPG (149994 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi110_small.JPG)
Woven and wood basketry & vase
![wi113.JPG (123277 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi113_small.JPG)
|
Large
bentwood chair and bench in the entryway of the Center
|
Chris
Ramsey turned wooden HATS are world-famous
![wi118.JPG (125417 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi118_small.JPG)
![wi117.JPG (125971 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi117_small.JPG) |
Artists
decorated giant hands all around town |
On
the sidewalk leading to the Center
![wi127.JPG (158674 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi127_small.JPG)
|
OLD TOWN ARTISAN'S VILLAGE, where we found the
rest of the Hands |
The
Power of Make-Be-Leaf
![wi122.JPG (146564 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi122_small.JPG) |
Outside
the bank, "Headed Home"
![wi129.JPG (144239 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi129_small.JPG)
![wi130.JPG (157966 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi130_small.JPG)
|
![wi131.JPG (154438 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi131_small.JPG) |
Tin
Man
![wi132.JPG (156157 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi132_small.JPG)
![wi133.JPG (154487 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi133_small.JPG)
|
![wi135.JPG (156632 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi135_small.JPG) |
Yatsugatake
Hand
![wi137.JPG (151991 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/wi137_small.JPG)
|
Photo
tour of
LIZZADRO LAPIDARY MUSEUM of ART
Elmhurst IL - Link below to Rocks Page 7:
Lizzadro Lapidary Museum, Illinois Virtual Tour
|
Travel
is FATAL to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.
(Mark Twain) |
MAINE
July 26 through August 5, 2008
|
The
Washington Memorial in D.C.
![maine1.JPG (141357 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine1_small.JPG)
Daisies!
![maine2.JPG (171565 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine2_small.JPG)
|
Jerry's
Gemstones in Saco, Maine where we delivered 600 pounds of fossils &
crystals
![maine3.JPG (2299648 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine3_small.JPG)
![maine4.JPG (2416415 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine4_small.JPG)
Heidi with Mary in front of Mary's shop she
runs with her husband Jerry
![maine5.JPG (2408338 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine5_small.JPG)
|
LEN
LIBBY Chocolate House, Saco
Lenny, the world's only life-size chocolate
moose, 1700 pounds of milk chocolate, sculpted in 4 weeks, made in
1997. A life-size bear in milk chocolate is beside it.
![maine143.JPG (140693 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine143_small.JPG)
![maine142.JPG (145169 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine142_small.JPG)
![maine140.JPG (147982 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine140_small.JPG)
![maine141.JPG (137578 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine141_small.JPG)
|
Funtown,
Splashtown Adventure theme park in Saco, LOOK at the big cone slide.
I am a little unsure how it works, but it looks FUN!
![maine144.JPG (122479 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine144_small.JPG)
![maine145.JPG (134822 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine145_small.JPG)
![maine146.JPG (135020 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine146_small.JPG)
![maine147.JPG (143814 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine147_small.JPG)
|
Our
favorite coffee (Tim Horton's, a Canadian based company) has PLENTY of
cafes in Maine, what heaven!
![maine7.JPG (157782 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine7_small.JPG)
|
Adorable
rental cottages everywhere in Maine
![maine10.JPG (162479 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine10_small.JPG)
![maine8.JPG (156488 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine8_small.JPG)
![maine9.JPG (162839 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine9_small.JPG)
|
A
spillway behind the town Old Town, Maine. A refreshing place
![maine11.JPG (143599 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine11_small.JPG)
![maine12.JPG (151148 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine12_small.JPG)
![maine177.JPG (123348 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine177_small.JPG)
|
Maine
Indian Basket Weaver's Alliance co-op, a wonderful place to see unique
basket work and hunting clubs, but no photography allowed.
The Wabanaki Arts Center Gallery carries the
work of the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indians using
ash & sweetgrasses.
Old Town, ME
![maine13.JPG (138550 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine13_small.JPG)
|
Princess
Watahwaso's teepee (Bright Star of the Penobscot), a Family Museum, Indian
Island ME. Built in 1947, also called Chief Poolaw's Teepee.
It features Native crafts. A great place.
![maine178.JPG (122221 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine178_small.JPG)
![maine179.JPG (130392 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine179_small.JPG)
|
PENOBSCOT
NATION MUSEUM
OLD TOWN, MAINE
Root Clubs made from root bundles of immature
gray birch trees (not
war clubs, there was no word for war among this tribal nation) new &
old. Short clubs used to finish off a kill on an injured animal, longer clubs made later
to stave off soldiers that had spears as weapons. They believed they
were releasing the spirits of animals & birds from the wood they were
carving. The clubs were also carried in dances and religious
ceremonies.
Penobscot Native people in Maine sold off some of
their ancestor's clubs, then began making new ones, and re-purchasing the
ancient ones, to preserve their Penobscot & Wabanaki cultures.
Below is Museum Coordinator James Neptune
sharing these stories of the Penobscot Nation with us, as we viewed
thousands of years of their Native American history. Our thanks!
![maine23.JPG (146063 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine23_small.JPG)
This particular wood has unusual roots that
are sanded and sharpened to enhance the club's effect. A
fascinating find! |
Ancient
ceremonial root club
![maine15.JPG (157743 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine15_small.JPG)
![maine17.JPG (165190 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine17_small.JPG)
|
Assortment
of new root clubs
![maine19.JPG (146878 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine19_small.JPG)
![maine21.JPG (156039 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine21_small.JPG)
![maine24.JPG (155025 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine24_small.JPG)
![maine25.JPG (167247 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine25_small.JPG)
|
The
first COMPOUND BOW, pre-European
![maine14.JPG (146418 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine14_small.JPG)
|
Large,
ancient rootclub
![maine26.JPG (140470 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine26_small.JPG)
![maine27.JPG (148121 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine27_small.JPG)
|
New
walking sticks using old techniques & paint styles
![maine28.JPG (159320 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine28_small.JPG)
![maine29.JPG (148396 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine29_small.JPG)
![maine30.JPG (167801 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine30_small.JPG)
|
Folk
art wooden snake, we both fell in love with it!
![maine31.JPG (166144 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine31_small.JPG)
![maine32.JPG (158978 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine32_small.JPG)
![maine33.JPG (155499 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine33_small.JPG)
![maine34.JPG (170620 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine34_small.JPG)
|
New
Tomahawks
![maine35.JPG (166366 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine35_small.JPG)
![maine36.JPG (166732 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine36_small.JPG)
|
Art
using feathers and a bird, in a wooden bowl
![maine37.JPG (154977 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine37_small.JPG)
|
Unique
Eastern Woodland ash basketry
![maine38.JPG (144840 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine38_small.JPG)
|
|
|
UPDATE
August 2009 - guess what we found in an antique store in Vermont?
You guessed it - a ROOT CLUB from the Penobscot Indian tribe. AND
that night we checked online and found (and bought) two tiny ones on
eBay. Photos below. At an appropriate time when we go back to
Maine, we will present these as gifts to the museum, as these clubs must
come Home. |
Small
club #1 found on eBay, says "Omega in the Woods" and incomplete
name N.E. Con... dated 1935
![club1e.JPG (161697 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club1e_small.JPG)
![club1i.JPG (159749 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club1i_small.JPG)
|
Small
club #2 found on eBay
![club2e.JPG (150573 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club2e_small.JPG)
![club2g.JPG (163624 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club2g_small.JPG)
|
Large
club found in Vermont, the root top is decorated like a bird's head with
beak
![club3e.JPG (151953 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club3e_small.JPG)
![club3f.JPG (149277 bytes)](Photos3-Latest%20Travels/club3f_small.JPG)
|
OTHER
SIGHTS |
A
cemetery mausoleum grown over, wonderfully unique (Old Town ME)
![maine42.JPG (156423 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine42_small.JPG)
|
The
expected Moose Caution sign along the road in Maine
![maine43.JPG (124117 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine43_small.JPG)
|
Typical
Maine wild blueberries. Maine exports more wild blueberries than any
other state or country in the world. We ATE SO MANY BLUEBERRIES!
![maine44.JPG (139754 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine44_small.JPG)
|
Antiques,
Books & Wine
A memorable book store in Ellsworth ME.
A wine tasting area will eventually be located in the tower.
|
KISMA
Preserve, Ellsworth ME
Out front is a moose made of mixed media, benches made into
alligators, and a view of a llama. We do not prefer to see caged
animals, and do not recommend this..
![maine99.JPG (152370 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine99_small.JPG)
|
Glenn
and I enjoyed the WHALE WATCHING out of Bar Harbor, aboard the Catamaran
Friendship V. Here is the harbor and one of the Catamarans,
and a whale replica to enjoy.
![maine185.JPG (125783 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine185_small.JPG)
We viewed numerous Finback Whales that
surfaced to blow, breath and dive.
![maine52.JPG (144716 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine52_small.JPG)
![maine181.JPG (123231 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine181_small.JPG)
We relaxed in the comfort of the large cabin
when traveling out and back.
![maine184.JPG (121758 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine184_small.JPG)
The Bar Harbor dock, made with limestone, was
quite picturesque
![maine55.JPG (143399 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine55_small.JPG)
Tide is out, many enjoyed walking to the island and back during high
tide, collecting finds along the way
|
FINBACK WHALE SKULL,
at the College of the Atlantic Natural History Museum
![maine186.JPG (124116 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine186_small.JPG)
|
RINEHART
RESTAURANT
within the Wonderview Inn complex, overlooks
Bar Harbor from high above. A truly beautiful sight of the harbor,
lovely restaurant, superb dining and service, especially since we were
alone as we went early
![maine188.JPG (126879 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine188_small.JPG)
|
BAR
HARBOR WHALE MUSEUM, Maine
http://www.barharborwhalemuseum.org/
|
Ancient
Whale, Ambulocetus natans, 49 million years old
![maine56.JPG (149461 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine56_small.JPG)
![maine57.JPG (145334 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine57_small.JPG)
|
Minke Whale, stranded near South Harpswell ME
April of 1987
![maine59.JPG (134209 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine59_small.JPG)
![maine58.JPG (140456 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine58_small.JPG)
|
Atlantic
White-sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)
![maine61.JPG (139202 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine61_small.JPG)
![maine60.JPG (136163 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine60_small.JPG)
![maine78.JPG (141288 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine78_small.JPG)
|
Long-finned
pilot whale, Globicephala melaena
![maine63.JPG (152991 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine63_small.JPG)
![maine62.JPG (137576 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine62_small.JPG)
|
Pygmy
sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). This mature PREGNANT female stranded
& died on Dyer Island off Vinalhaven ME due to gut blockage from a
knotted plastic bag found in her intestines
![maine65.JPG (133951 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine65_small.JPG)
![maine64.JPG (156674 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine64_small.JPG)
|
True's
Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon mirus)
![maine66.JPG (137768 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine66_small.JPG)
![maine67.JPG (139532 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine67_small.JPG)
![maine68.JPG (160300 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine68_small.JPG)
|
Harbor
Seal (Phoca vitulina concolor)
![maine70.JPG (153831 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine70_small.JPG)
![maine69.JPG (144568 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine69_small.JPG)
|
Humpback whale skull (megaptera
novaeangliae), from whale named Incubus, stranded 1994 on Falmouth, Cape
Cod, cause of death unknown
![maine75.JPG (135783 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine75_small.JPG)
![maine71.JPG (128736 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine71_small.JPG)
![maine72.JPG (126978 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine72_small.JPG)
|
Harbor
seal mother and pup
![maine74.JPG (125072 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine74_small.JPG)
![maine73.JPG (153508 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine73_small.JPG)
|
Common
bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
![maine76.JPG (141587 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine76_small.JPG)
![maine77.JPG (146309 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine77_small.JPG)
|
Harbor
Porpoise (Phocoena Phocoena)
![maine80.JPG (138060 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine80_small.JPG)
![maine81.JPG (162120 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine81_small.JPG)
|
Harbor Seal (Phoca
vitulina)
![maine82.JPG (142665 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine82_small.JPG)
![maine83.JPG (149006 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine83_small.JPG)
|
Dolphin
& seal skulls in a row, individually photographed above |
Exploding
Harpoon gun, originates back to 1860's
![maine87.JPG (143983 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine87_small.JPG)
![maine85.JPG (120597 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine85_small.JPG)
|
Whale skeleton suspended
from ceiling
![maine88.JPG (135364 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine88_small.JPG)
![maine89.JPG (136333 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine89_small.JPG)
|
In
PROSPECT, Maine
FORT KNOX Historical Site, Seabreeze
Restaurant
and Penobscot Narrows Observatory & Bridge |
Looking
towards Fort Knox State Historical Site. "Protector of the
Penobscot", this fort was quarried from Mt. Waldo, 5 miles upriver
(last 2 photos). Note the bridge in the background.
The Penobscot Narrows Observatory & Bridge contains a tower on
one end that is actually an Observatory.
![maine113.JPG (130957 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine113_small.JPG)
The mine from which the stones for the Fort
were quarried
![maine190.JPG (123185 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine190_small.JPG) |
SEABREEZE
RESTAURANT
Verona Island, ME
A cozy place where we laughed when orders were switched, ate beans for breakfast
(among other things), a specialty in this area. Good people and good
food!
![maine106.JPG (150427 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine106_small.JPG)
Janica Danforth & Laurie Ames are the ladies that made the
restaurant memorable
![maine107.JPG (147605 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine107_small.JPG)
|
Unique
Rock Shop in Verona Island ME had painted the floor like a giant specimen
of amber with bugs. A great little place to stop!
![maine108.JPG (135820 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine108_small.JPG)
![maine109.JPG (143224 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine109_small.JPG)
|
Wood
carving, man & dog, Frankfort ME
![maine117.JPG (162467 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine117_small.JPG)
![maine116.JPG (156755 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine116_small.JPG)
|
Trunks
carved with faces, outside a sewing shop in Belfast, Maine
![maine118.JPG (131526 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine118_small.JPG)
![maine119.JPG (152720 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine119_small.JPG)
![maine121.JPG (143462 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine121_small.JPG)
|
Update
December 2009: A customer wrote us after finding our wooden totem photos
(above), trying to find the source to buy one. They had also visited
Belfast, found the garden faces, and he wanted to buy one for his wife for
Christmas. Here is Rudy's wife (Oct. 2009) in front of the same
artist's work in Belfast. He was able to get enough info to track
down the artist and buy the piece he wanted.
![BELFAST-totem.JPG (305787 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/BELFAST-totem_small.JPG)
|
Flowers
in Belfast
![maine123.JPG (148038 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine123_small.JPG)
|
Bronze
moose, outside Belfast ME
![maine191.JPG (126839 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine191_small.JPG)
|
Car
with torpedo on top, in Camden ME, advertising the Hope Jazz Festival
![maine125.JPG (146022 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine125_small.JPG)
|
MAINE
LOBSTER FESTIVAL
Harbor Park
ROCKLAND, MAINE
Huge metal lobster, and a giant red lobster,
at the fest
The lobster cookers
![maine129.JPG (139757 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine129_small.JPG)
We expected to taste lobster in many different
dishes. Instead, there was the lobster dinner, or lobster roll, clam
chowder, and a few other seafood places, but not the diversity of foods we
expected.
![maine194.JPG (117343 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine194_small.JPG)
We listened to the Lou Gramm musical concert
sponsored there at the Festival. We still find ways to enjoy, anywhere we are,
however, as this Pirate threatened to cut Glenn's throat, and Glenn is
actually laughing. It was a great moment..
![maine195.JPG (123337 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine195_small.JPG)
|
A
wooden alligator in a private yard, we spotted it from far away on the
road. Neat!
![maine132.JPG (159230 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine132_small.JPG)
|
Bees
and flowers in front of the Lie-Nielsen Toolworks in Warren, Maine, a
manufacturer & showroom of impressive hand made heirloom quality
tools.
www.lie-nielsen.com
![maine134.JPG (136842 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine134_small.JPG)
![maine135.JPG (132619 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine135_small.JPG)
|
Always
angling for another special photo, here is one of the remains of a pier on
a waterfront in Maine
![maine136.JPG (132164 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine136_small.JPG)
A really large, new CHOCOLATE HOUSE in
Freeport, Maine
![maine139.JPG (152328 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine139_small.JPG)
|
The
Udder Place Coffee hut (Brunswick Maine), charming!
![maine137.JPG (132001 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine137_small.JPG)
![maine138.JPG (132598 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine138_small.JPG)
|
We
overnighted with friends Rhode Island, meeting again after 7 years since
we had our shop in Boulder City Nevada. It was wonderful to see how
the kids had grown, and re-connect with Kevin & Kim. We will
never forget you.
![maine197.JPG (117659 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine197_small.JPG)
|
The
Zakim Bridge, completed in October 2002, the jewel of the Big Dig,
Boston's new cable stay bridge over the Charles River. It was a
challenge to figure out how to get the new highway across the Charles
River without disturbing the existing double-deck I-93 bridge or the
MBTA's underwater Orange Line subway tunnel. The
solution was provided by world-renowned Swiss bridge architect Christian
Menn. Read more!
http://www.boston.com/news/traffic/bigdig/special/galleries/bridge/intro.htm
![maine149.JPG (129360 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine149_small.JPG)
Named for Zakim, a man who built an impressive
resume as a social justice activist, serving for two decades as executive
director of the New England office of the Anti-Defamation League. |
Fortress
Storage, Boston, LOOK at the SIZE of the PADLOCK and CHAIN!
![maine150.JPG (149060 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine150_small.JPG)
![maine151.JPG (145678 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine151_small.JPG)
|
Heading
west from New York City to western NY, a bad storm was on its way into NYC
that downed trees and took down electrical grids
![maine153.JPG (153600 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine153_small.JPG)
![maine155.JPG (151483 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine155_small.JPG)
|
We
visited an old friend, Henry, near Buffalo NY, in his lakeside home.
He and Glenn posed for me, amazing to see two grumps smiling, AT THE SAME
TIME.
![maine199.JPG (127276 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine199_small.JPG)
Henry's geraniums
![maine161.JPG (141374 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine161_small.JPG) |
LETCHWORTH
STATE PARK
The Grand Canyon of the East, along the
Genesee River, just 35 miles from Rochester NY. A refreshing visit,
though some scenic views were somewhat overgrown with foliage. The
Wolf Creek drops
![maine164.JPG (141431 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine164_small.JPG)
Flowers left by a visitor on the rock barrier,
on Tea Table Rock
![maine204.JPG (117846 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine204_small.JPG)
![maine168.JPG (161848 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine168_small.JPG)
A kayaker far below
![maine200.JPG (123929 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine200_small.JPG)
A buzzard on the ledge
![maine207.JPG (118412 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine207_small.JPG)
First of three major waterfalls, this one is
on the Wolf Creek that cascades 225 feet
Second
![maine208.JPG (110778 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine208_small.JPG)
|
A
wind farm energy project in upstate New York State, seen off Hwy 14 built
along a mountain ridge, a real surprise!
![maine209.JPG (113031 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine209_small.JPG)
|
The
first familiar view of kudzu (we adore the formations of kudzu), in
Virginia, on our way back home. Our alien antenna ball adds a
surreal vision.
![maine176.JPG (150074 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine176_small.JPG)
|
A
doe and fawn in our own yard, we're really HOME!
![maine211.JPG (129210 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine211_small.JPG)
![maine213.JPG (117602 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/maine213_small.JPG)
|
JUNE
2008 LOUISIANA & MISSISSIPPI
New Orleans, Gulfport, Biloxi |
One
of the split bridges we crossed in Alabama on the way to New Orleans
(called the Crescent City because of its location at the bend of the
Mississippi. We were here shortly after the major Mississippi River
flooding in Iowa and other Midwestern states bordering the river, though
it did not affect New Orleans
![la91.JPG (121828 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la91_small.JPG)
View of Lake Pontchartrain showing the new
bridge (left) and the old bridge never fixed (right), and the view through
the reeds of the sunset
Going back over the new bridge, note the
destroyed road through the slats of the bridge railing, and the railroad
bridge further in the distance, it was nice to be able to make an art form
of the view:
![la9.JPG (156618 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la9_small.JPG)
Plenty of other road and bridge building going
on close to New Orleans:
Canal Street, some original buildings, some
demolished, some being remodeled. It looked better than I had
expected though I am not kidding myself on the work going on behind closed
doors and the frustrating delays. Here is a grand building on Canal
Street, street cars, a horse wearing a hat, pulling a carriage crossing
the street
![la97.JPG (121050 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la97_small.JPG)
Downtown New Orleans, near Harrah's Casino,
the Mardi Gras theme is evident
![la98.JPG (124175 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la98_small.JPG)
Downtown New Orleans, still beautiful, music
in the air, horse or mule drawn carriages. Here was an unusual white
mule we saw:
![la34.JPG (139074 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la34_small.JPG)
We're on Decatur Street in New Orleans in the
French Market area. Here's a Joan of Arc statue at the
beginning of the Market
![la115.JPG (119281 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la115_small.JPG)
We spotted a wonderfully strange van embellished
with glass dinner plates, saucers, stained glass, glass nuggets, etc. what
a sight! The Motto: "It's better to go somewhere slow,
than nowhere fast". Note the top of the van that has a glass
chess set glued to it, and many drinking glasses.
![la114.JPG (114039 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la114_small.JPG)
This man painted silver uses a special powder
that breathes so it is not harmful to skin, he shows us the jar. He
is part of the "Silver Alliance", a group that paint themselves
silver and walk or ride through New Orleans. Others paint themselves
gold. This is a growing group that do this
![la20a.JPG (152662 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la20a_small.JPG)
A restaurant was boiling crawfish by the
handful from this cooler, the hostess showed us how to break them apart
and suck out the meat.
![la23.JPG (146454 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la23_small.JPG)
Many original buildings showed evidences of
humidity (grass growing from the bricks) as well as permanent damage from
Katrina, though the charm was surprisingly intact. We were
saddened and proud at the same time, very conflicted feelings. Those
who live here and remember the Way it Was will never be fully reconciled
with this New Normal, as many historical buildings & homes are gone
forever.
![la26.JPG (152866 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la26_small.JPG)
![la31.JPG (147469 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la31_small.JPG)
Note the interesting piano keyboard railing,
and armored knights:
One store (Auntie Sally's) making chocolate
pralines, we couldn't resist buying a box after seeing so many throughout
the French Market. They were delicious.
![la27.JPG (132037 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la27_small.JPG)
Music evident everywhere, here is a musician
pulling his specialized guitar in a rolling cart
![la32.JPG (125116 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la32_small.JPG)
Colorful tile mural and sculptures
![la35.JPG (146703 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la35_small.JPG)
A donut with no hole, covered in powdered
sugar called a "Beignet" is popular everywhere in New
Orleans. This is a typical "post-Beignet table".
They taste much like Spanish Sopapillas but with powdered sugar instead of
honey:
![la36.JPG (137583 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la36_small.JPG)
We heard jazz music and followed it to an art
center with a terrific band, Glen Andrews and the Lazy Six, music to heal
the soul and bring laughter back:
![la39.JPG (149546 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la39_small.JPG)
A sampling of the beautiful flowers in the
French Market
![la47.JPG (142287 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la47_small.JPG)
|
We
had a panoramic view from our Hilton Hotel room, overlooking the
Mississippi River, the bridge, the tugboats pushing barges, the cruise
ships, plenty of activity to appreciate
![la102.JPG (124155 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la102_small.JPG)
Oops - a SPIDER on the window outside, looks
like the Monster Spider that Ate New Orleans:
![la106.JPG (117388 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la106_small.JPG)
In a Mardi Gras store, an appropriate T-shirt
statement we could agree with..."Make Levees Not War".
There's Heidi, masking for the camera
|
IRISH
BAYOU
Here we are in Irish Bayou, a tiny town
virtually untouched since Katrina. Here a unique castle home is
leaning into the bayou, damaged from Katrina. Note the steps to
nowhere beside the castle
![la51.JPG (151066 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la51_small.JPG)
|
BAY
ST. LOUIS/GULF SHORES/BILOXI
Mississippi
This beautiful new marker is on Lake
Pontchartrain on Highway 10 at the beginning of the bridge
![la52.JPG (134425 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la52_small.JPG)
GULFPORT
Evidence of many piers that used to dot the
Crescent coastline, now just the supports remain, though one or two of the
piers have been rebuilt, along with a marina. The beaches were
scraped clean. We saw hardly any tourists walking the beach, as the
infrastructure is still scanty though you can drive to hotels and casinos
not far away. The one beach where we saw umbrellas and flying
American flags was like an oasis
![la90.JPG (116699 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la90_small.JPG)
A historic beachfront property with Spanish
style buildings that comprised the VETERAN'S HOME in Gulfport was
uninhabitable. It was more than sad to see the empty
buildings. A whole lot of work to rebuild.
![la66.JPG (162916 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la66_small.JPG)
This "Gator's Souvenir City"
structure is being re-created as it was before, a welcome sight along the
coast:
Post Katrina
Another destroyed structure, very typical of
almost endless work yet to be done. I could not possibly document
more than a tiny bit, but I hope this gives you an idea.
![la70.JPG (146663 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la70_small.JPG)
|
The
rebuilding of the casinos has been the first order of business, and though
the residents are grateful for the money & tourism it brings to the
area, they don't always appreciate how the casino money has taken over the
coastal towns. The hotel owners on Highway 90 are 100% booked most
of the time, just with construction workers for the casinos, road
building, bridge building, etc.
![la86.JPG (143506 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la86_small.JPG)
|
CARVINGS
OF DEAD TREES
by the Mississippi Master Gardener
Association,
Operation Rejuvenation Project
![la124.JPG (122837 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la124_small.JPG)
One of the most heartening sights we
documented were the dead trees along Highway 90 (in the median and on the
north side of the road) on the coast between Bay St. Louis, Gulfport and
Biloxi that have been transformed into animal carvings of dolphins,
pelicans, sailfish, shark, sea turtles, cranes, eagles, parrots and
seahorses. The sight of these lifted our spirits as I am sure they
do to thousands of others every single day. Making lemonade from
lemons. Bravo.
![la119.JPG (112109 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la119_small.JPG)
![la121.JPG (109114 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la121_small.JPG)
![la123.JPG (118273 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la123_small.JPG)
|
CAMILLE
MEMORIAL
On Highway 90 in Biloxi, we found the Camille
Memorial, a beautiful hurricane shaped mosaic, surrounded by black marble
tablets with the names of the victims. The bent flagpole is the
intentional message of the impact of Camille.
![la81.JPG (159175 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la81_small.JPG)
Unfortunately, we did not learn about the
Katrina Memorial built by the Extreme Makeover folks in Biloxi (and the
same mosaic artist that did the Camille hurricane swirl did the Katrina
wave) until we returned home and did some research:
http://www.gulf-coast.com/Attractions/KatrinaMemorialBiloxi.html
One of the beautiful live oaks, many did
survive the onslaught of Katrina, a welcome sight:
![la126.JPG (125160 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la126_small.JPG)
A link to view some of the significant damage
documented by the Gulf Coast News and some of the progress. A lot of
these landmarks and certain areas mean a lot more to us after being there:
http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/KatrinaPhotos1.htm
|
OHR-O'KEEFE
MUSEUMS OF ART, Highway 90, Biloxi
![la128.JPG (127843 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la128_small.JPG)
This was under construction at the time
Katrina hit, there has not been a lot of progress to rebuild this as yet,
but it looks like there are plans in the making. They are operating
out of another transitional building elsewhere in the meantime.
Great simple art hanging on the fencing too, bright and cheerful
![la131.JPG (116079 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la131_small.JPG)
|
Welcome
humor with this toy caterpillar road grader bungied into place on
this big flatbed trailer, spotted in Alabama on the way home. Or it
shrunk!
Across from the Creek Poarch Casino right off
the freeway near Atmore, Alabama was a little gas station with R. J's
Hickory House, Barbecue & Grill inside, the best barbecue we'd had in
quite awhile, strange but true
![la134.JPG (130120 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la134_small.JPG)
|
THE
VARSITY Restaurant, Atlanta
![la142.JPG (128912 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la142_small.JPG)
We couldn't resist a stop in downtown Atlanta,
right off the freeway, to our favorite hot dog joint. "What'll ya
have?" is their favorite phrase to keep the lines moving with placing
their orders. It is ALWAYS busy but seldom a long wait. Three
levels - the main level where the food is made & served, another level
with tables, a third area of parking with roller-skate servers to your
cars. Generations of customers continue to come for all the obvious
reasons, the food and the atmosphere.
![la139.JPG (130330 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la139_small.JPG)
We looked for long-time employee Erby
Walker to serve us, it turned out he had passed away the week
before. A wonderful tribute was displayed in
appreciation.
![la137.JPG (118019 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/la137_small.JPG)
|
Alaska
trip posted on its own pages |
AURORA
FOSSIL FESTIVAL
We added plenty of great photos of the
Festival, Museum and the Fossil Club's displays, posted to Fossils page 9,
link below:
Fossils Page 9
|
A
truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour |
MAY
24-26, 2008
Immediately after the Aurora Fossil Festival,
we felt time for a walkabout, and struck out for the
OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA
all the way from the south end, Okracoke
Island, taking the car ferries between islands north to Roanoke Island
(staying overnight at Cedar Island) |
On
the Okracoke Ferry
Pelicans and cormorants on the pilings, and
seagulls:
![out53.JPG (143992 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out53_small.JPG)
|
On
Okracoke Island, you can see how close the road is to the beach, though
there is always a dune between them. The snow fencing makes for
postcard photography
![out75.JPG (149756 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out75_small.JPG)
![out73.JPG (157999 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out73_small.JPG)
Gas prices, we did not know they would spiral
DOWN shortly after this trip
![out54.JPG (150446 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out54_small.JPG)
|
The
architecture of the Outer Banks is distinctive in height, as most homes
must be this high to see the ocean beyond the dunes near the ocean shores
![out65.JPG (149359 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out65_small.JPG)
In contrast, the tiny Salyo NC Post office is
primitively tiny:
![out69.JPG (142967 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out69_small.JPG)
A surprise Space ship House on Cape Hatteras,
near the Shore Birds & More store. It is an uninhabited
residence
![out60.JPG (150141 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out60_small.JPG)
|
Another
surprise, a cactus blooming outside an ice cream shop
![out61b.JPG (157367 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out61b_small.JPG)
![out62.JPG (150644 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out62_small.JPG)
|
ELIZABETHAN
GARDENS
Manteo, Roanoke Island
![out77.JPG (160232 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out77_small.JPG)
The Elizabethan Gardens is a glorious living memorial to the men and
women of the Roanoke Voyages (1584-1587) who tried to carve out a living
in a strange new world. Over 500 different plant species are found in the
10-acre site on the north end of Roanoke Island, adjacent to Waterside
Theater (where the Lost Colony play is re-enacted).
The bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth I , the largest of its kind in
the world:
![out12.JPG (126079 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out12_small.JPG)
|
Pansies
& violets abounded
![out81.JPG (146467 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out81_small.JPG)
|
![out8.JPG (122691 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out8_small.JPG)
|
![out98.JPG (157013 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out98_small.JPG)
![out91.JPG (145655 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out91_small.JPG)
|
Heidi
is enjoying herself, guaranteed when she is among trees and flowers:
![out9.JPG (123005 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out9_small.JPG)
|
![out87.JPG (142768 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out87_small.JPG) |
Unforgettable
trees and vines
![out99.JPG (156823 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out99_small.JPG)
|
A
gorgeous form of Begonia(?)
![out90.JPG (152161 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out90_small.JPG)
|
|
Marble
statue of Virginia Dare, one of the vanished members of the Lost
Colony. Chiseled in 1859, it was lost in a shipwreck off the coast
of Spain, recovered 2 years later to complete its journey to the U.S.
![out94.JPG (155070 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out94_small.JPG)
|
The
Sea Gypsy IV, a PIRATE SHIP that takes on tourists, Manteo harbor, Roanoke
Island
![out76.JPG (164237 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/out76_small.JPG)
|
If
you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the
people, YOU MIGHT BETTER STAY HOME.
(James Michener) |
Thanks
to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the
country from COAST TO COAST without seeing ANYTHING
(Charles Kuralt) |
APRIL
26-28, 2008
A walk on the beach,
Myrtle Beach SC |
Fun watching the birds run from the waves,
finding shells, fossils and sharks teeth. Always a relaxing time for
both of us:
![mb17.JPG (121670 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mb17_small.JPG)
![mb20.JPG (116464 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mb20_small.JPG)
Jellyfish on the shore this particular week,
we attempted to make an art form of it through our photography.
There is beauty even in death.
|
ART
SHOW, MYRTLE BEACH SC
We found a single artist to feature from this
show, as he was so outstanding.
Nnamdi Okonkwo is based in Atlanta,
Georgia. He created these huge bronze sculptures of women.
They are phenomenal. He has a workshop and gallery in Atlanta, visit
his site at:
www.nnamdiart.com
Here he is, sitting beside one of his Ladies
![mb21.JPG (115503 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mb21_small.JPG)
Here is a setting of 3 of his bronze ladies in
various poses. It stops every single person in amazement at the
sheer size and grace of them, here are five angles of the same
grouping. This is one of those things that must be felt in person to
be understood, though we attempted to capture the mood with our
photography.
Mother and child, two different sculptures
![mb13.JPG (145896 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mb13_small.JPG)
Three other small sculptures, just as
beautiful and moving as the larger ones:
![mb22.JPG (124365 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mb22_small.JPG)
|
APRIL
2008
ALLIGATOR ADVENTURE, Myrtle Beach, SC
Featuring UTAN, the largest croc in captivity
in the United States
Link to Gators page 7 to view the Virtual
Tour:
Gators Page 7
|
MARCH
2008
AURORA, NORTH CAROLINA |
An
unexpected stop on the way back from NYC in Aurora, NC at the AURORA
MUSEUM to see the new fossil Toothed Whale on display. View that
visit on
Fossils Page 9 |
MARCH
13-17, 2008
NEW YORK CITY |
We
left for a slingshot trip to the City Thursday night & Friday to
deliver our 10 foot gator taxidermy mount to a buyer there. We
delivered it at 1:30 p.m. right in the heart of the Theater District on
46th Street on Good Friday, the New Orleans themed restaurant is
called
BOURBON STREET
We drew quite a crowd to see all the OTHER
gator items we had brought. But since we were parked in a
cockeyed position (no parking spaces, of course)
![ny32.jpg (123157 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny32_small.jpg)
we spent just a few minutes inside. I'm
sure once they position him at his best, he will be quite
impressive! The restaurant is beautiful, two stories high, with
wrought iron railings, a huge wooden mantel behind the bar, Mr. Gator on
the right hand side. A real re-creation of the flavor of New
Orleans.
![ny20.jpg (116407 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny20_small.jpg)
![ny23.jpg (112944 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny23_small.jpg)
|
We
"Toured the City" from the car for less than an hour
before shooting back through the Lincoln Tunnel and heading home on a more
leisurely drive. As everyone knows, you can't expect to take your
car to NYC and expect to actually park. You need to park it at an
Auto Train Parking Lot and take the train in to do any serious sightseeing
and enjoy the restaurants and shopping. But Glenn adapted to driving
like the best of 'em, you can be sure, weaving across traffic as they all
do. It IS as crazy as they say. |
Approaching
NYC from the South
![ny1.jpg (148579 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny1_small.jpg)
![ny2.jpg (148797 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny2_small.jpg)
Through the Lincoln Tunnel:
![ny16.jpg (123772 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny16_small.jpg)
![ny17.jpg (115436 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny17_small.jpg)
|
Broadway
& 7th
![ny3.jpg (160266 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny3_small.jpg)
A sandwich board ad for a barber shop on a
street corner
![ny4.jpg (154252 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny4_small.jpg)
|
A
Clydesdale & trailer statue for kids, at the entrance to Central Park
![ny24.jpg (118001 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny24_small.jpg)
|
O
![ny7.jpg (139836 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny7_small.jpg)
![ny25.jpg (118305 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny25_small.jpg)
![ny8.jpg (142067 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny8_small.jpg)
|
A
Statue of Liberty on the edge of Central Park (not THE Statue,
however). This wasn't an ad for a Tax Prep company, maybe someone
else knows what it was for (?)
![ny9.jpg (136259 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny9_small.jpg)
|
Times
Square
![ny10.jpg (98273 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny10_small.jpg)
![ny12.jpg (111144 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny12_small.jpg)
![ny13.jpg (155663 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny13_small.jpg)
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Double
decker bus
![ny11.jpg (158529 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny11_small.jpg)
|
The
Fashion District (a/k/a The Garment District), a giant button on top of a
kiosk, and a common sight of fabric rolls being unloaded:
![ny14.jpg (152592 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny14_small.jpg)
![ny26.jpg (121585 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny26_small.jpg)
|
Leaving
NYC, through the Lincoln Tunnel "No Honking $350 Fine" (right)
![ny27.jpg (128861 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny27_small.jpg)
![ny28.jpg (123245 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny28_small.jpg)
|
Leaving
the City behind
![ny15.jpg (154832 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny15_small.jpg)
|
A
beautiful place we saw on our way out
![ny29.jpg (121951 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny29_small.jpg)
|
Entering
New Jersey, already the pace has decreased. Whew! Of course,
then a plane landing at Newark airport flew overhead less than 100 feet
above us. But that was awesome.
![ny30.jpg (130777 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/ny30_small.jpg)
|
NOVEMBER
2007
PHOENIX, BENSON Arizona trip
The fact that this was a dual birthday for
both Glenn's brother Frank and Frank's wife Diane made this a special trip
from the start. Here's Frank & Glenn in front of Glenn's
birthday gift to him last year, a big jasper rock for their yard ![2az6.JPG (155068 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az6_small.JPG)
|
KARTCHNER
CAVERNS
Benson, Arizona |
We went to the Kartchner Caverns in Benson
Arizona, though no cameras, purses, anything carried or in your pockets
are allowed in. A mist sprayed at the entrance kept lint attached to
our clothing for the duration, we went on tours through two different
caverns (The Rotunda Room, and the Throne Room where we saw the
Xanadu Kubla Khan throne). We were impressed at the policies and
care taken to keep this growing, virgin cave alive and as pristine as
possible for future generations to enjoy. It is closed part of the
year, as it is a bat habitat, during the breeding season.
Discovered in 1974, it was kept a secret for
14 years until laws and plans were in place to protect it from vandalism,
exploitation and ensure the survival of its delicate ecosystem.
http://www.explorethecaverns.com/cave.html
Flowing Rock (calcium
deposits from flowing water)
![2az45.JPG (147474 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az45_small.JPG)
And an angel wings "Shield Rock"
that is not on the public tour..
![2az44.JPG (134637 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az44_small.JPG)
Due to a malfunction, the entire cave was lit,
rather than the lights shutting off behind us, so we had a rare panoramic
view of the caverns that even some of the guides had never seen before.
Heidi was even "Cave-Kissed" by a
drop of water falling from the roof to what would have been a developing
stalagmite that was now a walkway. |
We
learned about Fried Egg Stalagmites
![2az46.JPG (136652 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az46_small.JPG)
|
Bacon
drapery Stalactites
![2az43.JPG (133368 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az43_small.JPG)
|
Soda
straw stalactites
![2az47.JPG (155206 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az47_small.JPG)
|
Also
Popcorn Stalactites, and Helictites (stalactites that grow every which
way) |
Photos
compliments of the Kartchner Caverns State Park booklet purchased at their
gift shop |
GARDENS
outside the Kartchner Caverns Visitor Center
A restful area to relax and talk, photos of
Glenn with his brother Frank, special people in a
special place. |
![2az25.JPG (165726 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az25_small.JPG)
![2az18.JPG (165839 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az18_small.JPG)
|
OTHER
TRAVELS IN ARIZONA |
Herds
of steer are grazing on this STEEP hillside, what a chuckle we had seeing
this!
![2az26.JPG (144276 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az26_small.JPG)
|
The
Salt River Valley, a panoramic view enjoyed by all
![2az33.JPG (155419 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az33_small.JPG)
![2az29.JPG (161055 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az29_small.JPG)
Note the crashed car halfway down the slope,
we saw quite a few of these unfortunate vehicles, not to mention their
former occupants
|
How
did they manage to stack this wood this high on this truck?
An imponderable! We saw this at a small
town on the way to Frank and Diane's property where they will eventually
build a home
![2az5.JPG (162912 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az5_small.JPG)
|
On
their property I found a "Pretzel Tree" I promptly dubbed with
that name. Frank & Diane are looking forward to building here,
it is beautiful country.
![2az38.JPG (165850 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/2az38_small.JPG)
|
We
had a casual dinner at the
Apple Tree Restaurant in Benson, Arizona
our quirky waitress made us laugh at her
antics and forgetfulness, the rest of the staff joined in the fun.
We haven't had such a great time in years. What an appropriate
end to a cheerful trip! |
NOVEMBER
2007
MCLELLANVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
On our way home from the Charleston Airport,
after returning from Arizona, on a whim we drove into McLellanville after
seeing a billboard for a new seafood restaurant - T W Graham & Co. |
Glenn opted for the baby clams for which he
was glad, I had the home made coconut custard pie that was like no other,
I took another piece with me of that and the Charleston chocolate
pie. Wow!
Inside we found a gigantic wooden head, there
on display from a local artist.
![mclel3.JPG (156207 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mclel3_small.JPG)
The owner has such a sense of humor, we saw a
fantasy creature made of a deer skull, (gator or dolphin, unidentified but
assuredly legal) skeleton and a horned tail.
![mclel5.JPG (153606 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mclel5_small.JPG)
A giant shrimp that kids & adults would
pull a string to make it "swim" through the air
![mclel6.JPG (141198 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mclel6_small.JPG)
And a Crab from Hell (keep your sense of humor
and your fingers to yourself!)
![mclel7.JPG (149250 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/mclel7_small.JPG)
They also had an impressive array of found
fossils on display, we helped identify a few for the owner. Another
pleasant experience. We will be back! |
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
2007
|
Atlantic City, NEW JERSEY SHORE Trip
The Visitor's Center near Atlantic City is a
real landmark:
![nj12.JPG (149520 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj12_small.JPG)
The
Jersey Shore is memorable, especially the 5+mile boardwalk. Here we
are at the beach
A side trip to a craft show brought us to
Smithville NJ, where there was a great row of shops including this
wonderful carousel:
At
the Noyes Museum of Art (Absecon/Oceanville), we were more intrigued with
the wood marquetry flooring. I'm sure they thought we were nuts...
![nj9.JPG (170406 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj9_small.JPG)
Of
course, photos of Trump's Taj Mahal could not be avoided:
![nj11.JPG (144139 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj11_small.JPG)
Surprisingly,
they have wind generators here (this is the view from Absecon NJ), they
are amazing structures.
![nj14.JPG (169074 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj14_small.JPG) |
November
1-2, 2007
another visit to New Jersey, though not so
warm this time. |
Ocean
City, a beautiful mural on a building wall, downtown
![nj15.jpg (130961 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj15_small.jpg)
A hurricane worked its way up the coast, we
left Myrtle Beach after it had passed, only to land in New Jersey, drive
to Ocean City, and see the hurricane causing enormous waves for brave
surfers. Wave runners pulled divers out far enough to ride the
waves. What a spectacle! We shot some photos from the
beautiful pavilion, due to the cold wind & spray:
![nj95.JPG (113324 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj95_small.JPG)
![nj21.JPG (130242 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj21_small.JPG)
![nj25.JPG (145554 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj25_small.JPG)
The ocean & sky made for postcard
pictures:
![nj30.JPG (152647 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj30_small.JPG)
The boardwalk in Ocean City was just as
special as that in Atlantic City. Most of the vendors were open,
brave souls! Of course Heidi always orders the custard wherever she
can find it.
![nj92.JPG (130447 bytes)](Latest%20Travels%20Photos/nj92_small.JPG)
![nj93.JPG (126175 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj93_small.JPG)
![nj60.jpg (91656 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj60_small.jpg)
|
SHRIVER'S
FUDGE & TAFFY STORE
Then we came upon the taffy store... they've
been here since 1898 (109 YEARS!)
![nj40.jpg (113724 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj40_small.jpg)
Notice the beautiful wood showcases, the
stained glass windows, the store has delicious products and so much
character, it invited us to linger...
![nj39.JPG (138503 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj39_small.JPG)
The candy train, and the gorgeous, huge
Victorian mirror:
![nj51.JPG (151105 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj51_small.JPG)
And the white chocolate figures such as
horses, stagecoaches, flowers, and man & woman figures that can be
ordered for weddings, etc.:
![nj45.JPG (143267 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj45_small.JPG)
![nj48.JPG (136193 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj48_small.JPG)
![nj44.jpg (93822 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj44_small.jpg)
And all the chocolate, pralines & taffy
choices to make, it was AWFULLY HARD (smile)
The fudge, pralines and taffy for which they
are famous, are made right on site:
![nj37.JPG (132418 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj37_small.JPG)
|
A
terrific great white shark model display, and a goofy fish at the mini
golf:
|
FREE
PIZZA if you can eat one in an hour or less. The record time?
NINE MINUTES!! Look at the SIZE of these pizza pies!
![nj98.JPG (121292 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj98_small.JPG)
|
While
driving through the area, we found this alcove with beautiful homes.
In fact, the architecture on the Jersey shore is unique, enough as a
destination just for the viewing
![nj64.jpg (95704 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj64_small.jpg)
|
LANE'S
GARDEN MARKET
Linwood, New Jersey
ROCK stone FACES! Not just a great garden & landscaping
company. The owner carves huge boulders into faces, and has an eye
for growing & arranging beautiful flowers and vegetables into a
cornucopia of art.
![nj89.jpg (183977 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj89_small.jpg)
![nj77.jpg (183765 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj77_small.jpg)
![nj88.jpg (198875 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj88_small.jpg)
Here are some examples of the face boulders:
![nj84.jpg (201144 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj84_small.jpg)
![nj86.jpg (188566 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj86_small.jpg)
And a boulder pile waiting for him to
create more faces:
![nj85.jpg (182694 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj85_small.jpg)
A picturesque and soothing koi pond,
beautifully landscaped with bamboo trees
![nj101.JPG (119064 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj101_small.JPG)
An unusual draping tree
![nj87.jpg (198862 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj87_small.jpg)
And an incredible mural of a hand in nature
![nj102.JPG (129930 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nj102_small.JPG)
|
OCTOBER 2007
SEATTLE, WA |
Overpasses and concrete highway walls in the Seattle area often have hanging
vines and growing things naturally adorning them
![sea3.JPG (142480 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea3_small.JPG)
First view of the Space Needle
![sea4.JPG (132583 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea4_small.JPG)
|
Pike
Place Market
Home of the Flying Fish
The fishmongers there found they attracted a
crowd when they threw big salmon from person to person behind the counter,
with plenty of shouting and hoop-la. It helped their business,
that's for sure! We watched the fun as the did this several times
while we observed, then they would throw a fish into the crowd who
screamed and backed away, only to find out that a plush salmon toy
(looking like the real thing) had actually been thrown. The joke was
on them!
![sea113.JPG (118424 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea113_small.JPG)
![sea63.JPG (147964 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea63_small.JPG) |
The
first thing that struck us was the incredibly colorful FLOWER MARKET
area. Not only were the blooms huge, the flowers appeared exotic but
were actually local (dahlias, kale flowers, etc) and the prices were more
than reasonable. IF we lived here, we'd be getting an armful every
few days. I apologize for the volume of photos, we couldn't decide
which to leave out!
![sea111.JPG (119720 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea111_small.JPG)
![sea8.JPG (144500 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea8_small.JPG)
![sea12.JPG (147410 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea12_small.JPG)
![sea16.JPG (137509 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea16_small.JPG)
![sea20.JPG (139619 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea20_small.JPG)
![sea76.JPG (140175 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea76_small.JPG)
|
The hanging flowers and roof shrubs across from the
Pike
![sea75.JPG (152028 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea75_small.JPG)
![sea26.JPG (161095 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea26_small.JPG)
![sea43.jpg (145805 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea43_small.jpg)
|
Also
outside, a decorative chili tent, WOW
![sea27.JPG (138564 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea27_small.JPG)
![sea28.JPG (132101 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea28_small.JPG)
![sea29.JPG (144418 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea29_small.JPG)
![sea30.JPG (128078 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea30_small.JPG) |
MUSHROOMS
-
![sea31.JPG (142779 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea31_small.JPG)
![sea32.JPG (137668 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea32_small.JPG)
![sea34.JPG (144793 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea34_small.JPG)
|
Tiny
Patti pan squash
![sea33.JPG (129920 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea33_small.JPG)
|
Specialty
colorful PASTA at the Pappardelle's
![sea36.JPG (129974 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea36_small.JPG)
![sea35.JPG (142700 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea35_small.JPG) |
Halibut
cheeks, shrimp, jumbo scampi, Alaska king crab, Dungeness crab
![sea37.JPG (140667 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea37_small.JPG)
|
Jumbo
scallops and HUGE lobster tails
![sea38.JPG (139682 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea38_small.JPG)
|
Asian
musician just inside the market
![sea39.JPG (121092 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea39_small.JPG)
|
A slightly scary balloon maker
![sea41.JPG (136095 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea41_small.JPG) |
A
Puget Sound wolf fish (a type of eel), a truly fearsome critter
![sea46.JPG (142295 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea46_small.JPG)
![sea45.JPG (133539 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea45_small.JPG)
![sea47.JPG (139817 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea47_small.JPG)
|
A
wooden box carver, nothing ordinary!! Of course I purchased one of
these unique gnarly boxes
![sea48.JPG (137901 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea48_small.JPG) |
Piroshky
(pirogies) a wonderful ethnic Polish food, across from the Market
![sea55.JPG (140530 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea55_small.JPG)
|
Across the street from the Market was a Starbucks
Coffee (remember, Starbucks was BORN here), there was a country band playing,
accompanied by two patient dogs
![sea52.JPG (139204 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea52_small.JPG)
|
Slate
& brass art, these are embedded right in the concrete of the sidewalks
near the Market. This one reads:
I have always known that at last I would take this road. But
yesterday, i did not know it would be today. Narihira (9th century,
Japan)
![sea56.JPG (156552 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea56_small.JPG) |
Roses
at a shop in the blocks near the Market
![sea57.JPG (133462 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea57_small.JPG)
![sea58.JPG (124373 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea58_small.JPG)
|
Decorative
sewer piping on the side of a brick building, near the Market. An
art form can be ANYTHING!
![sea59.JPG (140025 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea59_small.JPG)
![sea60.JPG (131419 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea60_small.JPG)
|
A
crow broadcasts his opinion from the roof of a store near the water's edge
(Puget Sound)
![sea61.JPG (152223 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea61_small.JPG)
![sea62.JPG (142299 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea62_small.JPG)
|
YE
OLDE CURIOSITY SHOP
Downtown Seattle, water's edge, Puget Sound
![sea116.JPG (117587 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea116_small.JPG)
Just about as interesting as our OWN store was
(and our website now is), we reveled in the wonderful dusty weirdness of
this unique store |
A
fantasy creature created from several critters put together, yeeks!
![sea64.JPG (136421 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea64_small.JPG)
|
A
gnarly mako shark jaw with a float ball in its mouth
![sea65.JPG (143764 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea65_small.JPG)
|
Wolf
fish head
![sea66.JPG (167321 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea66_small.JPG)
|
Real
shrunken heads
![sea67.JPG (141595 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea67_small.JPG)
|
A
rare shrunken TORSO of a Jivaro Ecudorian head hunter
|
Smallest
shrunken head
![sea69.JPG (134274 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea69_small.JPG)
|
A
walrus skull with THREE tusks
![sea71.JPG (149034 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea71_small.JPG)
|
Shoulder blade of
a whale, and a vintage harpoon gun
![sea114.JPG (129764 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea114_small.JPG)
|
A view of Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier (between
the bridge spans)
![sea117.JPG (118791 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea117_small.JPG) |
DALE
CHIHULY GLASS BOWLS
at an Art Gallery, near the waterfront,
Seattle
Since we love glass and Dale Chihuly's work,
stopping here was not an option. A few photos show comparisons of
the same glass art piece, as seen through Glenn's and Heidi's camera
lenses |
![sea121.JPG (109614 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea121_small.JPG)
![sea83.JPG (140484 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea83_small.JPG)
![sea85.JPG (135770 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea85_small.JPG)
![sea118.JPG (125215 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea118_small.JPG)
![sea98.JPG (134445 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea98_small.JPG)
![sea120.JPG (121572 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea120_small.JPG)
![sea119.JPG (119413 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea119_small.JPG)
![sea123.JPG (120297 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea123_small.JPG)
|
FREMONT
OPEN AIR MARKET (suburb of Seattle) |
Photos
of the Space Needle at night, and from the top
![sea99.JPG (150986 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea99_small.JPG) |
At a weekly outdoor market in , a wood fired stove where they make
pizza - yum!
![sea100.JPG (132255 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea100_small.JPG)
|
It looks like a hybrid of cauliflower & broccoli, I am unsure, but it was
just fascinating
![sea101.jpg (132564 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea101_small.jpg)
|
THE
Fremont TROLL UNDER THE BRIDGE
A truly amazing sight, this huge troll created
of concrete lurks under the north end of the Aurora bridge in Fremont (a
suburb of Seattle) is a MUST SEE if you are in the Seattle area. He
is "crushing" a VW bug in his hand. His one eye is a car's
hubcap. |
![sea107.JPG (143429 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/sea107_small.JPG)
Other attractions in Fremont include: a
20' statue of Lenin (no one knows why), an old rocket mounted on the side
of a building that blows smoke every hour, and dinosaurs carved of living
hedges. We'll catch photos of that NEXT TIME! |
PADUCAH,
KENTUCKY
October 2007 |
Quilt
Museum |
A "quilt" tile
An exquisite quilt done with puffins:
![pad16.JPG (116070 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad16_small.JPG)
The gift shop itself was worth the trip to the
Quilt Museum, though we thoroughly enjoyed both. |
Barges
on the Ohio River, Port of Paducah |
You can get a sense of the size of the barge
from the car on shore
![pad18.JPG (151332 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad18_small.JPG)
A birdhouse near the river's edge, bent no
doubt from the wind
![pad20.JPG (137911 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad20_small.JPG)
|
A
Train on display near the Port of Paducah
Illinois Central |
![pad24.JPG (146007 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad24_small.JPG)
And close up photos of some of its working
parts
|
Hancock
Fabrics, Paducah
(not affiliated with the chain) a HUGE store
we had looked forward to visiting again. Here are quilts hanging
from the ceiling |
![pad6.JPG (127170 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad6_small.JPG)
|
Flowers that would be a raffle award at a Farmer's market near the Quilt
Museum
![pad25.JPG (137879 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad25_small.JPG) |
A
friendly cat at the motel where we stayed, of course Glenn couldn't resist
feeding & petting it
![pad17.JPG (142832 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad17_small.JPG)
Flowers blooming along the highway
![pad26.JPG (155252 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/pad26_small.JPG)
|
JULY
2007 |
The
work of a skilled sculptor?
![jpipe2.JPG (164694 bytes)](Latest%20Travels%20Photos/jpipe2_small.JPG)
Actually this is exhaust pipe from a Loris salvage shop! |
MAY
2007
FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA Gem Show
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Here's
an example of the crystals from Brazil you can see at the show
![fr2.JPG (135591 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr2_small.JPG)
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One
booth showing the calcite display items available
![fr3.JPG (154679 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr3_small.JPG)
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Uncut
LAPIS LAZULI gemstone from Afghanistan
![fr4.JPG (145291 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr4_small.JPG)
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The
nearby town of Sylva, NC was displaying their Confederate Flags on the
Courthouse, not your typical choice for a patriotic statement
![fr7.JPG (143712 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr7_small.JPG)
![fr8.JPG (137489 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr8_small.JPG)
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Our
friends Renee & Dale bought a carved moose from wood carvers "The
Bear Necessity", as a symbol of their new business "Outside the
Norm". They sure bought enough inventory to get a good start!
![fr17.JPG (130170 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr17_small.JPG)
Renee and Heidi in the parking lot of the
Whistle Stop Mall, having a light-hearted girly moment
![fr5a.JPG (152297 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr5a_small.JPG)
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We
visited our favorite furniture store in the Whistle Stop Mall, Amish-made
log furniture. We will own one of these beds one day, if we can ever
get it home and have a ceiling high enough!
![fr12.JPG (137661 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr12_small.JPG)
![fr14.JPG (153490 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr14_small.JPG)
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A
baby miniature pony, along with its mother, our "Awwww" photo of
the moment
![fr22.JPG (170047 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr22_small.JPG)
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Across
the street from the miniature horses was this wolf-dog on the porch (I
shot the photo from a distance, for safety sake!)
![fr23.JPG (133507 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/fr23_small.JPG)
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MAY
18-28, 2007
EL PASO, Texas
We actually went to El Paso to cross to Juarez
to get dental work done (American-trained dentists that do terrific work
on crowns & root canals for a fraction of the American prices).
We, of course, explored the surroundings and have much to share!
|
STATUE
at EL PASO AIRPORT
The Don Juan de Onate Salazar (holding the La
Toma Declaration in his hand), riding on an Andalusian horse unveiled in
April of 2007 (the month before we arrived) is the largest & heaviest
equestrian statue in the world at 34 feet tall, 18 tons. |
|
POST
OFFICE, EL PASO TX
At the post office near the airport, there was
a LONG line...it turned out this was a designated day to file your
passport papers for the new regulations. This is a big deal for a
border state such as El Paso. Here is Glenn with Margie, the postal
clerk who explained it to us. Thankfully for us, the SHORT line was
for postage. A great and friendly post office!
|
![nm0e.JPG (152746 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm0e_small.JPG) |
EL
PASO SADDLE BLANKET STORE
A place everyone must visit when coming to El
Paso, it retains the flavor of the Old West, and the colorful Mexican
history as well
![nm1a.JPG (135568 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1a_small.JPG)
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Great
vintage cars in the parking lot
![nm1b.JPG (130102 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1b_small.JPG)
![nm1c.JPG (138419 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1c_small.JPG)
![nm1d.JPG (136205 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1d_small.JPG)
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The
traditional Wooden Indian near the entrance
![nm1e.JPG (152203 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1e_small.JPG)
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A
view of the main showroom, there are so many rugs and blankets it will
boggle the mind
![nm1f.JPG (147163 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1f_small.JPG)
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The
front desk, flanked by colorful Great Danes
![nm1g.JPG (146395 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1g_small.JPG)
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The
pottery & artifacts room
![nm1k.JPG (147593 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1k_small.JPG)
![nm1t.JPG (128154 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1t_small.JPG)
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Dream
catchers made of jaws, and religious crosses
![nm1u.JPG (121939 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1u_small.JPG)
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Lots
of cow horns to choose from
![nm1v.JPG (139442 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1v_small.JPG)
![nm1w.JPG (142577 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1w_small.JPG)
![nm1y.JPG (133876 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1y_small.JPG)
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Artifact
costumes & pottery for the Day of the Dead parades
![nm1j.JPG (130015 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1j_small.JPG)
![nm1n.JPG (135288 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1n_small.JPG)
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Other
incredibly colorful pottery of roosters, bulls etc.
![nm1q.JPG (139516 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1q_small.JPG)
![nm1t.JPG (128154 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1t_small.JPG)
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Leather
saddles galore
![nm1z3.JPG (126847 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1z3_small.JPG)
![nm1x.JPG (142942 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1x_small.JPG)
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Hand
painting work-in-progress on a cow skull
![nm1z2.JPG (128629 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1z2_small.JPG)
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GROCERY
STORE
Local foods always interest us, here in El
Paso was an endless selection of hot peppers, rice, beans, big cinnamon
sticks, and pickled pork skins |
![nm9f.JPG (144589 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm9f_small.JPG)
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El
Paso...a walkabout the town |
Tradicione's
furniture store on Gateway Blvd. with unique wrought iron animal
figures on the fence, and a beautiful mural:
![nm40.JPG (145129 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm40_small.JPG)
![nm38.JPG (143942 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm38_small.JPG)
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Right
next to that, the "YES" store with Tropical Colorful prom
dresses that were such a treat to the eye! A number of designers
display in this store, see the link below for even more. Wow!
![nm44.JPG (138684 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm44_small.JPG)
http://www.yesboutique.com/index.html
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An
Oriental Imports store that had a huge vase with crystalline glaze (the
glaze has real quartz crystals within it that GROW when they are put in
the kiln to fire. Heidi has a collection of them, but none this
big! If only we knew how to get it home...
![nm49.JPG (131859 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm49_small.JPG)
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The
stone used in many buildings, fences, garages and other structures made
the architecture of El Paso interesting, we drove many miles to view the
handiwork in stone:
![tx30h.JPG (154671 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx30h_small.JPG)
![tx65d.JPG (152784 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx65d_small.JPG)
Then an unusual kiosk
![nm60.JPG (136380 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm60_small.JPG)
The famous Rosa's Cantina from the song
"El Paso" by Marty Robbins:
Another colorful restaurant:
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Floral
delivery trucks - what a great idea!
![tx55.JPG (137138 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx55_small.JPG) |
This
private residence was full of what appeared to be Hindu goddesses or
gargoyles or both:
![nm52.JPG (160965 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm52_small.JPG)
![nm54.JPG (148022 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm54_small.JPG)
![nm56.JPG (137387 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm56_small.JPG)
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Many
of the overpasses were made into art forms with mosaics of brick &
colors
![nm61b.JPG (153980 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm61b_small.JPG)
![nm61c.JPG (152190 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm61c_small.JPG)
![nm61d.JPG (140411 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm61d_small.JPG)
![nm61e.JPG (137554 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm61e_small.JPG)
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Just
outside of the Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino entrance, an
enterprising three-some created shade and seats to fish in the
canal. We met Buddy, Irma and Sam
![nm63.JPG (159058 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm63_small.JPG)
![nm62.JPG (143344 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm62_small.JPG)
![nm64.JPG (150715 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm64_small.JPG)
![nm65.JPG (147575 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm65_small.JPG)
![nm66.JPG (146318 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm66_small.JPG)
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Beautiful
blooms right in El Paso
![tx59c.JPG (156461 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx59c_small.JPG)
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WHOOPEE
BOWL ANTIQUES
Outside of El Paso, this eclectic store took
up some of our time to explore. Cast animal figures of ram, cow,
gator, horse, bear, gargoyles, cactus, wrought iron gates, dinosaurs,
buffalo, bulldogs, pigs, Indians, cats, elephants, elk, hippo - and that
was just OUTSIDE |
![tx11.JPG (145285 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx11_small.JPG)
Even live koi in a large pond:
![tx16.JPG (149087 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx16_small.JPG)
Mariachi band of musicians in iron..
INSIDE - a taxidermy raccoon that was
hilarious--who scared him? And a llama made of shag carpet?
A silver belt buckle just for
"Diane", what a story that must have been...
|
THE
PASTRY CHEF (A European Bakery & Restaurant)
Turtle Cove Shopping Center, El Paso
A wonderful surprise to find, especially the
gifted Polish pastry chef Kazimiera Helinski that we complimented on her
delicious & beautiful hard work. How can you resist the ladybug
& butterfly cookies? And so many other pastries to choose
from. She came here in 1981 at the age of 41 as a refugee from the
Polish Revolution. We are glad you came! |
![tx28.JPG (154605 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx28_small.JPG)
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EL
PASO MUSEUM OF ART |
a
HUGE horse head at the entryway
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Elegy
on the death of Cesar Chavez
![tx31.JPG (134962 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx31_small.JPG)
![tx30a.JPG (129469 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx30a_small.JPG)
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An
upended boat sculpture
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Hmmm,
a shapely form, but a but cold for Glenn's taste:
![tx30c.JPG (142175 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx30c_small.JPG)
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The
Fireman
![tx30e.JPG (142559 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx30e_small.JPG)
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EL
PASO MUNICIPAL ROSE GARDEN
Right in El Paso, another pleasant surprise
was a beautifully well-kept rose garden, that included a ball park
too. Just enjoy the variety and exquisite formation of the roses...
![tx32a.JPG (159531 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx32a_small.JPG)
To comfort man--to whisper hope, when
e'er his faith is dim, for who so careth for the flowers will care much
more for him.
![tx37.JPG (150096 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx37_small.JPG)
|
![tx35.JPG (144068 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx35_small.JPG)
![tx40.JPG (138585 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx40_small.JPG)
![tx47.JPG (142012 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx47_small.JPG)
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We
drove by the office of, a
one-armed man handy with a gun! Glenn tells of his Corvette fitted
with cuffs for knives, guns, etc. that he could switch his artificial arm
over in a jiffy.
![tx55b.JPG (135970 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx55b_small.JPG)
http://www.spymall.com/investigators/ |
A
patriotic flower flag at the Wal-Mart store
![tx55c.JPG (160886 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx55c_small.JPG)
An unforgettable view from Rim Road on
Memorial Day, of the Wells Fargo Bank in El Paso displaying an American
flag on its building
![tx68.JPG (176231 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx68_small.JPG)
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Glenn's
old friend and neighbor Darlene, a fellow horse lover, is still thriving
in her home and enjoying her horses out back
![tx55d.JPG (153200 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx55d_small.JPG)
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BALLOON
FEST at the Water Park
An extravaganza of balloons launching, we saw
it all from the bluff at the Water Park, starting at dawn (free, the bluff
road runs alongside the water park). What an experience! You
will see the progress from a field of cars to an explosion of color.
The sound of the propane heaters, the colors growing, then rising,
multiplying. Everyone's a kid at heart when you see something like
this. An uplifting experience! |
![tx57.JPG (151838 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx57_small.JPG)
![tx59b.JPG (149682 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx59b_small.JPG)
![tx59h.JPG (152085 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx59h_small.JPG)
![tx59m.JPG (148886 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx59m_small.JPG)
![tx59q.JPG (153798 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx59q_small.JPG)
![tx61b.JPG (148166 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx61b_small.JPG)
![tx61h.JPG (59805 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx61h_small.JPG)
![tx61o.JPG (150715 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx61o_small.JPG)
![tx62d.JPG (147781 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx62d_small.JPG)
![tx62j.JPG (169278 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx62j_small.JPG)
![tx65.JPG (156994 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx65_small.JPG)
Tweety Bird!
The winds had begun to change, becoming
dangerous for one balloon that landed near the road
An ENORMOUS Rain Forest Tree balloon with
parrots & toucans, it took a long time to fill, then due to the wind
change, it never took off.
![tx62.JPG (133901 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx62_small.JPG)
This balloon also never had time to inflate
before the winds changed a different direction and they had to deflate.
A Huge Purple People Eater balloon, another
unusual balloon!
![tx64.JPG (148144 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx64_small.JPG)
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CATTLEMAN'S
STEAK HOUSE RESTAURANT
Not to be confused with other Cattleman's
Restaurant Chains, this is a single entity, at Indian Cliffs Ranch, 35
minutes from El Paso. Started & continued by proud German Dieter
Gerzymisch, first to accommodate the dining needs and horse rental for the
soldiers at Fort Bliss, it kept growing to the entertainment destination
you see today. It has also been a movie location for numerous films
shot here.
http://www.cattlemanssteakhouse.com/
Always a dining experience, it was a pleasure
to re-visit. |
An
extensive array of bronze animals scattered throughout the spacious
acreage
![tx66a.JPG (156358 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66a_small.JPG)
![tx66c.JPG (164451 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66c_small.JPG)
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The
entryway carport was alive with the noise of small birds
![tx66d.JPG (146638 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66d_small.JPG)
![tx66e.JPG (153483 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66e_small.JPG)
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Cannons
& bells adorn the entry
![tx66f.JPG (145811 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66f_small.JPG)
![tx66g.JPG (152547 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66g_small.JPG)
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Glenn was already planning to have the "Dinosaur Ribs" from the
longhorn cattle famous in the area
![tx66h.JPG (129452 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66h_small.JPG)
![tx66i.JPG (136672 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66i_small.JPG)
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Plenty
of ambience of the Wild West, with memorabilia and Western saddles
everywhere
![tx66j.JPG (139692 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66j_small.JPG)
![tx66l.JPG (150200 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66l_small.JPG)
![tx66k.JPG (145069 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx66k_small.JPG)
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Is
this a happy man or what?
![tx67.JPG (144475 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67_small.JPG)
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Movies
shot on location here
![tx67a.JPG (113133 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67a_small.JPG)
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An
exotic animal zoo, including ostriches (with eggs)
![tx67b.JPG (156582 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67b_small.JPG)
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Quail
![tx67c.JPG (133601 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67c_small.JPG)
![tx67d.JPG (150445 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67d_small.JPG) |
Peacock
![tx67e.JPG (140481 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67e_small.JPG)
![tx67n.JPG (152359 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67n_small.JPG) |
Llama
![tx67f.JPG (147431 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67f_small.JPG)
![tx67m.JPG (157955 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67m_small.JPG) |
Buffalo
![tx67g.JPG (153705 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67g_small.JPG)
![tx67l.JPG (140842 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67l_small.JPG) |
Sicilian
burro
![tx67h.JPG (169834 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67h_small.JPG)
![tx67k.JPG (167957 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67k_small.JPG) |
Brahman
bull
![tx67j.JPG (135554 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67j_small.JPG)
![tx67i.JPG (138844 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67i_small.JPG) |
|
Fascinating
El Paso fashion is for the young women to wear high heels with Capri
pants, I snapped this picture in the parking lot, but we saw this often
during our stay in El Paso.
![tx67p.JPG (133845 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/tx67p_small.JPG)
|
NEW
MEXICO (May 18-28, 2007) |
LOCAL
FLORA & FAUNA, New Mexico
Since it had rained recently, we experienced
the wonderful bonus of seeing the desert bloom as never before |
Soapstone
yucca
![nm5.JPG (151843 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm5_small.JPG)
Of course, while taking this photo, I picked
up this little friend on the hem of my pants, ouch!
![nm3b.JPG (147826 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm3b_small.JPG)
|
Prickly pear cactus in bloom
![nm13d.JPG (186349 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm13d_small.JPG)
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Other
wondrous desert blooms
![nm14c.JPG (148694 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14c_small.JPG)
|
Two-Room
School House, Hwy 54 (on the way from El Paso to Alamagordo), Oro
Grande NM
We saw a sign for a "Beggar's Festival
& Hobo Convention" and turned in out of
curiosity.
We found an interesting gentleman caretaker
who explained the unique roof water collection, and how he continues to
raise money to restore the school house. He also told how the school
bell had been shot at and eventually stolen.
|
Turtle
race! This was for the festival
![nm2.JPG (147534 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2_small.JPG)
|
Post
office, across the street, for Oro Grande NM
![nm2a.JPG (144019 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2a_small.JPG)
|
Bird
of Paradise bushes
![nm1.JPG (154890 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm1_small.JPG)
![nm2c.JPG (174251 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2c_small.JPG)
![nm2r.JPG (181255 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2r_small.JPG)
|
Purple
& yellow flowers near the school house
![nm2f.JPG (186633 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2f_small.JPG)
![nm2q.JPG (178542 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2q_small.JPG)
|
Hobosaurus
- a new species of dinosaur!
![nm2g.JPG (142421 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2g_small.JPG)
|
Inside
the schoolhouse, it was a re-sale shop
![nm2n.JPG (140751 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2n_small.JPG)
|
"All
hoboes & beggars must leave town after festivities concluded"
![nm2o.JPG (138835 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2o_small.JPG) |
Hand
made wooden cars & trucks, made by a retired colonel turned cowboy
![nm2p.JPG (144487 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2p_small.JPG)
|
The
Wishing Well (a toilet full of rocks, inside a truck tire)
The Wishing Well Token you get for
making a donation:
![nm2m.JPG (152379 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm2m_small.JPG)
|
RATTLESNAKE
PIT, MOORE'S TRADING POST
![nm8.JPG (146901 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm8_small.JPG)
Outside of Alamagordo approaching Cloudcroft,
we saw this quonset building and had to stop. They did indeed have a
rattlesnake pit, folks would reach a fishing pole with a balloon down
there for the snakes to bite & pop the balloon. |
Inside was a big re-sale store, in the back
room was a REALLY LARGE rattlesnake, though without a size reference this
will not impact you as it did us:
![nm6k.jpg (109777 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm6k_small.jpg)
What we did find of interest was a LARGE zebra
skin in pristine condition, which we bought and kept till we chose to sell
it in December of '07:
|
WHITE
SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Alamagordo, New Mexico
![nm13a.JPG (142480 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm13a_small.JPG)
A unique 275 square miles of PURE WHITE GYPSUM
SAND, the world's largest. To the north is the White Sands
Missile Testing Range. The dunes grow and change by the minute,
though due to the surrounding hills (the Tularosa Basin), the gypsum never
escapes. So it dissolves when it rains, grows beautiful gypsum
crystal formations, then the wind breaks them back down to sand again. |
Changing
from desert to what appears to be snow but it is just the white sand
![nm14a.JPG (145959 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14a_small.JPG)
|
Selenite,
satin spar, desert rose, and gypsum flowers are the four crystalline
varieties of gypsum
![nm14e.JPG (142940 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14e_small.JPG)
|
Examples
of gypsum, selenite rosettes, gypsum made into wallboard, and into plaster
of paris
![nm14f.JPG (167593 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14f_small.JPG)
|
Examples
of river sand, Hawaii volcanic sand, Florida coquina shell sand, and the
gypsum white sand
![nm14g.JPG (158583 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14g_small.JPG)
|
The
shapes of the dunes: dome, ripple transverse, crescent barchun, and
hairpin parabolic
![nm14h.JPG (141213 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14h_small.JPG)
|
The
view of the entire Tularosa Basin showing the white sands and dry
"playa" Lake Lucero
![nm14i.JPG (168310 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14i_small.JPG)
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Some
vegetation can survive rooted in the sand
![nm14j.JPG (149553 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14j_small.JPG)
![nm14l.JPG (154743 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm14l_small.JPG)
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Heidi
squinting at the bright white of the sand
![nm15.JPG (140070 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm15_small.JPG)
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You
would swear you were driving in a snow covered region. The
appearance of a "snow plow" did nothing to dispel this thought.
![nm17.JPG (139181 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm17_small.JPG)
![nm22.JPG (132199 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm22_small.JPG)
![nm25d.JPG (179615 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm25d_small.JPG)
![nm29.JPG (181883 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm29_small.JPG)
Some vegetation has to have long roots to
withstand the shifting sands
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An
area with covered picnic tables where we wrote up postcards to mail, one
of the more unusual picnic spots we've been!
![nm25.JPG (132297 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm25_small.JPG) |
More
of the succulent cactus flowers in the landscaped area of the Visitor's
Center. A colorful ending to a highly unusual experience
![nm32.JPG (143564 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm32_small.JPG)
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NEW
MEXICO MUSEUM OF SPACE HISTORY
(previously known as the International Space
Hall of Fame). 28 countries furnished artifacts and other exhibits
of man's conquest of space.
Alamagordo NM (we did not go in, but here are
a few photos of the space capsule and the John Stapp Space Park).
There is also an Astronaut Memorial Garden, dedicated to the memory of the
7 astronauts who perished when the Shuttle Challenger exploded on 1/28/86
as we can all never forget. There is an observatory in the
background. |
![nm36.JPG (141507 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm36_small.JPG) |
McGINN'S
PISTACHIO TREE RANCH
Ever see where pistachios grow? We
did. They even produce WINE! One miles NE of Alamogordo on Hwy
82 towards Cloudcroft, we came upon this lovely log store.
They even sold koi fish in a pond out front. Yummy pistachios in
flavors you never even imagined (hot hot hot)
www.PistachioTreeRanch.com |
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LAS
CRUCES - Farmer's Market |
We
found a lady (Chris Crafts) making hats from plastic bags (30 in each hat,
machine washable, it takes her 8 hours to make one. She uses bags
from: Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes Target, IGA, Walgreen's, Hobby Lobby,
Best Buy, Unravel Yarn Shop, and Albertson's, also Hefty and Ruffies bags.
to get the variety of colors she sells. Of course, Heidi bought one.
![nm71.JPG (145941 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/nm71_small.JPG)
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March
2007
COLORADO
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The
town of Cripple Creek, 9,494 foot altitude - we flew here from Myrtle
Beach (sea level, -0- altitude), to almost 10,000 feet - no WONDER we were
short of breath when viewing this quaint gold-mining themed Casino area
![co-2.JPG (132704 bytes)](Latest%20Travels%20Photos/co-2_small.JPG)
Burros bronze statue, near the visitor's
center, which was an old railroad car, the inside was very cozy:
![co29.JPG (147565 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/co29_small.JPG)
![co32.JPG (141041 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/co32_small.JPG)
On the road from Woodland Park to Cripple
Creek, a hilarious Roadside Americana scene of the Flintstones and
dinosaurs. Note the blowing snow on the last statue, we were missing the
mild temperatures of South Carolina!
![co-8.JPG (84307 bytes)](Latest%20Travels%20Photos/co-8_small.JPG)
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Gorgeous
views of many mountain peaks, including Pike's Peak
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On
the road from Denver to Trinidad, Colorado, a herd of antelope blend with
the best of camouflage into the surrounding fields:
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A huge wooden carved ostrich at a Pottery Shop
we found between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park
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A
beautiful lodge home for sale in a Woodland Hills neighborhood
![co37.JPG (158105 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/co37_small.JPG)
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Deer are comfortable walking through a residential
neighborhood in Woodland Park
![co36.JPG (147315 bytes)](Photos%202-Latest%20Travels/co36_small.JPG)
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