tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30670758717184086772024-03-05T17:53:46.884-08:00Jami's List...of places she wants to go and things she wants to doAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-44834596929930742622013-03-18T23:51:00.000-07:002013-03-18T23:51:50.462-07:00Almaden Quicksilver County Park - Santa Clara County, CA<b>March 16, 2013</b><br />
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Somehow my 31st birthday turned into a 3 weekend celebration that I got to spend with just about all of my favorite people. It started a week before my birthday with a hike at <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2013/03/henry-coe-state-park-morgan-hill-ca.html" target="_blank">Henry Coe State Park</a> with Ann. Then my actual birthday weekend was an excellent one spent hanging out in my hometown with my family and my extended non-blood "family." And then the following weekend Monica visited from Seattle and we spent the weekend hiking with her brother's dog and eating and drinking. I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate.</div>
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Since neither Monica nor I have spent much time exploring the south bay, we weren't sure where we should hike, so I spent a little time with Google maps searching for parks near her brother's house where we were staying for the weekend. I found Almaden Quicksilver County Park wasn't too far from the house and after doing a little research on the <a href="http://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/Pages/Welcome-to-Santa-Clara-County-Parks.aspx" target="_blank">Santa Clara County Parks website</a>, I decided this was the place to go. Not only could we take the dog on all of the trails, but the park also had lots of trail choices (the website says over 34 miles of trails), some interesting history, and a claim of spectacular wildflower displays. </div>
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We entered the park on the west side via the long and winding Hick's road, which took us past Guadalupe Reservoir and was the type of road I could spend the day stopping along here and there to take pictures. We then took the Wood Road Trail to the Hildalgo Cemetery Trail, which ended at the Hildalgo Cemetery. The trail wasn't too difficult and had moderate rolling hills with a few slightly steep parts, but plenty of flat areas to catch your breath on. The cemetery itself was a bit of a letdown. It was pretty much just an area surrounded by a white picket fence lined by planted juniper trees. There were no remaining headstones or anything else indicating it was a cemetery. But the views along the trail looked down into the valley below and across to even higher hillsides glowing bright green in the sun. We were still a little early for the peak of wildflower season, but there were still plenty of poppies and other early bloomers popping out. We also passed by the rotary furnace and a sign indicating the location of a former Spanish town. After having lunch in the shade near the cemetery (only slightly creepy since it didn't look much like a cemetery), we headed back and took a short loop around to check out some old buildings that unfortunately didn't have any signs as to what they were, and then had planned to hike out to the Catherine Tunnel, but read the map wrong and didn't take a right when we should have, so we just ended up back on the trail to the car.</div>
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We had a little more time to spend at the park, so we decided to drive down past Almaden Reservoir to one of the parking lots of the east side and do a little hiking from there. We parked in front of the cute little St Anthony church (which I had to get some shots of) and then decided to hike along the Deep Gulch Trail, which seemed slightly less steep than the Mine Hill Road Trail. Whether or not that was true, I don't know, but we hiked up for about half a mile before I decided my hips and knees were pissed off enough and we should head back down. We also checked out some of the old mining equipment that was on display near the park's parking lot and picnic area. </div>
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This is definitely a park I want to return to. There's still many more miles of trail to explore and more historical sites to check out. There is also a mining museum that may be interesting. And I think they might be right about the wildflowers, so I may have to come back sooner rather than later!<br />
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Rotary Furnace (actual)</div>
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Rotary Furnace (how I envision it...)</div>
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Views</div>
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Almaden Reservoir</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Hildalgo Cemetery </span></div>
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Unlabeled Buildings</div>
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One hot pup</div>
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Let me go, I'll save you from the fence lizard...</div>
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Clematis</div>
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Chestnut-backed chickadee (he was moving too fast to get a clear picture)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YGjHvnmOh0/UUgI-w6zkiI/AAAAAAAACM8/ubgijmFJZMI/s1600/IMG_5975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--YGjHvnmOh0/UUgI-w6zkiI/AAAAAAAACM8/ubgijmFJZMI/s400/IMG_5975.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mining Equipment</div>
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St. Anthony Church</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-47348929402333879482013-03-03T20:02:00.004-08:002013-03-03T20:02:49.028-08:00Henry Coe State Park - Morgan Hill, CAMarch 3, 2013<br />
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As an early birthday surprise Ann took me on a secret adventure to Henry Coe State Park. We escaped the Monterey fog mid-morning only to find overcast skies at the park, but sometime around lunch the clouds decided to break up and give us some sun and big puffy white clouds. Unfortunately the wind still stuck around, but it wasn't too bad and the day was still beautiful. </div>
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The road to Henry Coe twists and turns through the hills that flank Morgan Hill and the views of the valley below are quite lovely. Especially in March when the hills and trees are green and lush. Careful driving is recommended since a good part of the road is barely wider than one lane. Coming down the hill we almost ran over a motor cycle driving in the middle of the road and there were plenty of cyclists to watch out for, but the biggest surprise was when we turned a corner and 5 or 6 turkeys were standing in the middle of the road. Well, maybe not too big of a surprise since turkeys are pretty common in the region, but no one really expects to roll up one a bunch of turkeys... </div>
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Once we arrived, we paid the fee at the visitors center and ogled the nerdy science books, then started on our hike. Ann planned a loop hike for us along the Corral Trail, to the Springs trail, and then the Forest Trail that looped back to the Corral Trail. The Springs and Forest Trails meet at one of the park's roads, and we decided we weren't ready to loop back yet, so we took a quick walk down to Bass Pond, where we sat by the side of the water and had lunch. </div>
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Our total hike ended up being about 4.3 miles and not very difficult at all. There were a couple of small hills, but for the most part the trail is pretty flat. The Canyon and Springs Trails run mostly through grassland and valley oak savannah with some nice views of - believe it or not - the canyon below and the opposite hillsides. The Forest Trail is a narrow trail through mixed oak woodland (maybe it should be called woodland trail?) with huge tree-sized big berry manzanitas, madrones, and buckeye trees. March is a little early for peak wildflower bloom, but there were a few purple shooting starts and California buttercups poking up already. I can only imagine that in a month the hillsides will be filled with color, so there will definitely be a return trip soon - I only have 245.7 more miles to explore.<br />
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Turkeys!</div>
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Ann on the trail</div>
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Acorn Woodpecker</div>
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Canyon View</div>
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HUGE Madrone on the Forest Trail</div>
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Huge Big Berry Manzanita</div>
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Mistletoe tree</div>
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View from the road</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-88614504353268695882013-03-01T01:01:00.000-08:002013-03-01T23:24:10.498-08:00Coit Tower - San Francisco, CAMarch 9, 2012<br />
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The third stop on my 30th birthday tour of San Francisco was Coit Tower. I've been wanting to visit the tower ever since my senior prom when my brother told me that after his prom his limo driver took his group up to the top of Telegraph Hill. The tower wasn't open at the time, but the view is still pretty great. Unfortunately for me, our limo driver wouldn't take us up there, even though he owed us some time for being late picking us up. We had to instead settle for going home the long way by going over the Golden Gate Bridge, which was pretty cool as well, especially since I had never driven over it before.</div>
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My brother was totally right, the views from the parking lot are pretty incredible, but we decided to pay the $10 (or however much it is - my friends paid for me as part of my birthday gift) and ride the very cramped old elevator to the top. The cost is totally worth it in my opinion. You get the full 360-degree view of the city - The Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge, the Transamerica Building, Alcatraz, the Ferry Building - you get it all...if there's no fog. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to be in the city on one of those rare days when you can see all the way across the Bay. And the tower itself is such an interesting structure. It was built in 1933 as a monument in honor of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coit_Tower">Lillian Hitchcock Coit</a>, who was an eccentric wealthy socialite and honorary volunteer firefighter for the City. The top is open, but safety glass has been installed in all the windows. The number of people allowed at the top is regulated, thank goodness, but it can still get a little cramped. But most people were pretty nice about taking in the view and then moving back so others could see as well.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-84848135101859247712013-02-26T23:27:00.000-08:002013-02-26T23:37:51.912-08:00Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden - San Francisco, CAMarch 9, 2012<br />
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I decided to welcome 30 by spending a weekend in San Francisco checking things off of my places to visit/things to do list. After visiting the <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2012/09/san-francisco-conservatory-of-flowers.html">Conservatory of Flowers</a>, I headed over to the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, which is located at the edge of Golden Gate Park, on the ocean side. Since tulips are early bloomers, March was the perfect time to visit! The garden is full of variously colored tulips and large orange corn (I think) poppies. A large dutch windmill stands at the edge of the garden, which once served as the irrigation system to pump water to the plants in the park, but is no longer in use. Word on the street (or <a href="http://www.golden-gate-park.com/queen-wilhelmina-tulip-garden.html">here </a>on the internets) is that the garden is named after Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands because she donated the windmill in 1902. The garden is quite beautiful and I can imagine it would be a lovely place to sit a spell and read a book. My birthday shenanigan cohorts found the bench a suitable place to engage in serious conversation while I ran around and took pictures. I just couldn't help myself...tulips are my favorite!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-8292893523701356712013-02-24T17:41:00.001-08:002013-02-24T17:41:41.314-08:00Snoqualmie Falls - Snoqualmie, WASeptember 2, 2010<div>
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While staying in North Bend, Ann and I took a quick little trip over to Snoqualmie to check out Snoqualmie Falls. It is a 270-foot waterfall with easily accessible views from two viewing platforms. Unfortunately, while we were visiting, the hiking trail to the base of the falls was closed. Also there seemed to be some kind of construction going on just upstream of the falls. So there really wasn't much for us to do other than snap a few shots, check out the gift shop, eat our lunch and go. This is not to say it's not worth going, just don't plan a whole day around your visit. It's more like a stop on the way to do something else.</div>
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Since we had some extra time to spare, we decided to walk around the cute little downtown and check out the shops, then poked around a bit at the Northwest Railway Museum. I'm not any kind of a train fanatic (and this was about two and a half years ago), so all I can say is... there were some neat trains there. I'm sure it's some place my nephew would have really enjoyed.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-19663104650282608222013-02-19T22:23:00.002-08:002013-02-19T22:23:41.610-08:00Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - Big Sur, CAFebruary 16, 2013<br />
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The past few days in Monterey have been incredible as far as weather goes. Sunny and warm with only a light breeze. Strange for Monterey, right? Well, it's winter, and in between those rainy days and cold spells, this is usually when we get our summer. I feel like it's our reward for putting up with the deep fog in the actual summer. According to the forecast it's supposed to start cooling down again, and hopefully even rain on Tuesday. So this was of course the best day to get out of the house for a little adventure.</div>
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I took the cousins along, and since the only waterfalls they had seen were when we visited <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2013/02/julia-pfeiffer-burns-state-park-big-sur.html">Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park</a> in September, I chose another waterfall hike. Everything I had read said this was an easy to moderate hike, about 3 miles round trip, including a small side trip to a vista point along the valley view trail. What I did not read about was the 400ft+ elevation gain. The entire trail is uphill with the exception of the last 0.2 mile. It's not terribly steep and completely doable. However, for those of us with asthma who forgot their inhaler (me) and those of us with bad backs (my cousin), it was a bit challenging. Plus, it's been a while since we've been on a good hike like that. So we just took it slow and took breaks when we needed it and we all made it to the top. </div>
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The day was great and the views at the vista point and along the way were spectacular. I always love hiking in the redwoods, with the huge trees and the sorrel growing underneath. The Pfeiffer Falls, however, was a little lackluster for me. Don't get me wrong, I love me some waterfalls in all shapes and sizes, but I was expecting something a little bit bigger. Granted, there hasn't been much rain since the end of December, so it's not surprising it wasn't so full. Also since so many others had also decided to get out an enjoy the day, the viewing platform was a bit cramped. There's not really much opportunity for people to spread out to see the falls, since it's somewhat recessed behind some rocks and there's trees framing it. So the only place to see the falls or get any good pictures is from the center, which places you directly in front of others trying to see and photograph them. </div>
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Being the courteous people we are, we snapped a few shots and moved on to the valley vista point to eat our lunches. There is pretty much the same situation going on there too. You come out of the trees to a small open area that looks out over the valley and highway far below and can see all the way to the Point Sur Lighthouse. But there's just room for a small bench and some other standing room. When we arrived no one else was up there, but as we ate our lunch many people came and went. Which was slightly awkward while you're shoving food in your face.</div>
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The trip back down the trail was great though. To quote my favorite line from the movie Medicine Man "Downhill. Yeah!" (if you haven't seen it, the way she says it is hilarious). Once at the bottom, we stopped in at the nature center and the store at the lodge, then decided to take a stroll along the river via the Buzzard's Roost Trail. We only did the flat part of this trail though, since it takes about a 700ft climb over a mile and we weren't up for it. But the river was wide and beautiful and it was a nice little cool down. I will definitely be coming back someday to finish this trail though, since there is a 360 view from the top of both the valley and the ocean!<br />
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Oh! And before I share some pictures, I must tell you of our fantastic experience with one of the park rangers. My cousin's husband is in the military, so we asked if they gave a military discount like so many places around Monterey. He said they didn't, but he would instead give us the senior's discount and then even threw in the trail guide for free. He was extremely friendly and just made our experience that much better!</div>
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Pfeiffer Falls:</div>
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Valley View vista point:</div>
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Point Sur Lighthouse!</div>
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Early bloomers:</div>
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Big Sur River:</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-16983979878156640052013-02-19T22:14:00.002-08:002013-02-19T22:14:06.896-08:00Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - Big Sur, CA<div style="text-align: left;">
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September 30, 2013</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I've made several trips down to Big Sur since living in Monterey for the past 12+ years. I haven't camped there since high school, but now being only 45 minutes away allows for easy day trips. I usually end up either just stopping at all the pullouts along the highway or heading to the Big Sur River Inn to hang out on the lawn by the river. I've taken a few other trails, but they have been few and far between. So I've decided it's high time to start exploring all of the different parks and trails the area has to offer, especially since I my cousin and her husband recently moved to the area and I get the pleasure of playing tour guide for them.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Not long before our trip, my cousin had informed me she had never seen a waterfall. I could hardly comprehend what she was saying. Growing up in California I've seen my fair share of waterfalls. But she grew up in Michigan, where they ski down what Californians would consider a "sorta big hill". I suppose if there's no place high enough for water to fall from, you're probably not very likely to see a waterfall, right. So I knew I had to take her to see McWay Falls for our Big Sur adventure. From what I hear, it's one of only two waterfalls in North America that fall into the ocean (the other the other I just learned is at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamere_Falls">Point Reyes National Seashore</a>). And it's gorgeous! </span><span style="text-align: justify;">We also took the short easy hike back to the Canyon Falls, which is pretty small, but you can walk right up to it. The trail to the Canyon Falls is a pretty easy, nearly half mile, hike that winds up through the redwoods. It was quite a peaceful hike, especially since there weren't many people on the trail.</span><br />
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On the Trail:<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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Her first waterfall:</div>
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Canyon Falls:</div>
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McWay Falls:<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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Big Sur Coast:</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-7864966096924211692013-01-15T00:27:00.000-08:002013-01-15T00:28:19.383-08:00Hearst's Hacienda - Fort Hunter Liggett, CA<b>November 2012</b><br />
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On a ridiculously hot day in November (I'm talking in the mid 90's people - for those of us adapted to Monterey weather, that's HOT!), after an expedited amount of field work at Fort Hunter Liggett, my coworkers and I stopped in at the Hearst Hacienda to check it out. We were informed on the way through the gates into the Cantonment Area that photos were not allowed and we were to proceed directly to the Hacienda. Yes sir. We did just that and asked the very nice receptionist if we could see one of the rooms. She was kind enough to show us a couple different rooms, which were all very simple and quaint, with nice views of the surrounding lawns. She then proceeded to take us around the property, showing us the old pool and a long lawn area that overlooked the grasslands and surrounding hillsides. The pool is empty, but the base has a pool that guests of the hacienda are allowed to use. She also showed us the bar, which is open to both the military and the public, and what I think was a conference room. They both had really beautiful murals about the history of the area. And that was pretty much it. No frills. The receptionist told us that Hearst never actually stayed at the Hacienda, but used it only when he would go hunting on his surrounding lands. I'm not really sure I would ever want to stay there, unless I had a reason for a secluded romantic getaway weekend or something. There's not really much to do and it's quite a ways away from everything, so not exactly a good spot to use as a base for exploring the area. But it is a really neat piece of history and I'm glad we took the time to stop in. We also took a bathroom break at the Mission San Antonio, which is somewhere I will definitely return to to explore!</div>
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Since we weren't allowed to take any photos, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hacienda_(Milpitas_Ranchhouse)" target="_blank">here's</a> the Wikipedia site for more info.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-71139578525460667782012-10-12T23:46:00.000-07:002012-10-12T23:55:25.151-07:00Theo Chocolate Factory Tour - Seattle, WA<b>June 14, 2012</b><br />
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Monica always has fun things planned when I visit her in Seattle. Well, truth be told we're both big on planning activities ahead of time and have a running list of things to do in Seattle when I get to head north. In the first few years we did all the typical Seattle stuff - the <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2008/09/fremont-troll-seattle-wa.html" target="_blank">Fremont Troll</a>, <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2008/09/gas-works-park.html" target="_blank">Gas Works Park</a>, <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2008/09/pikes-place-market-seattle-wa.html" target="_blank">Pike's Place Market</a>, the Underground Tour... There's still a few things to cross off the list, like the EMP and taking another trip up the space needle (which was something I did while in junior high before Monica and I became friends). But we've started to branch out and explore lesser known things. Like the <a href="http://www.theochocolate.com/" target="_blank">Theo Chocolate</a> factory.</div>
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The factory is located in the Fremont neighborhood. It's not all that big, but word on the street is that they are the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in North America. That means they buy sustainably grown beans directly from the farmers for a fair price, then process the beans in the factory to make the chocolate bars. And when you take the factory tour you get to learn all about the process starting at the farms, all-the-while tasting different types of chocolate. Then you get to walk through the factory and see how the beans are processed and wave to all the workers who will wave back at you. The confection room was probably my favorite though. Because who doesn't love confections?! I got to taste a mint one, which was a bit too minty for me, and a raspberry one, which was divine. The tour is then concluded and you're let loose into the store, where you can try all the different types of chocolate, and buy as much as you'd like (or that your bank account will allow). This is where I instantly fell in love with the <a href="http://www.theochocolate.com/product/9" target="_blank">Chai Tea Fantasy Bar</a>. I had to restrain myself and only buy one though so I could splurge a little on caramels and confections, like the <a href="http://www.theochocolate.com/product/59" target="_blank">Big Daddy</a>. I may have to beg Monica for a package of them for Christmas. They are amazingly delicious!</div>
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I almost forgot to tell you about the best part of the tour though! You get to sport very sexy blue shower caps, as modeled by Monica below. Unfortunately I didn't take very many photos during the tour because most of the time you're in a little glass room looking in on the factory, which just creates a reflection when you try to take a photo. They kinda push you through the actual factory into the confections room, so I wasn't able to take any pics while we walked through, and then there wasn't anything going on in the confections room while we were in there that was photo-worthy. So I suppose you'll just have to go check it out for yourself. And if you do....bring me some chocolate, k?<br />
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Monica's Sexy Hat</div>
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Bean Roaster (I think)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-78315289957075813872012-09-25T23:21:00.002-07:002013-02-21T23:42:22.080-08:00Rattlesnake Lake - North Bend, WA<b>September 4, 2009 & September 2 & 3, 2010</b><br />
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Rattlesnake Lake is a medium-sized lake just south of the town of North Bend in Washington. I've now been to the lake twice while visiting Monica. Both times we stayed at her co-workers house, just outside of town, so we could puppy-sit sweet Luna dog. Before I get to the lake, I must tell you how much I love that house! It's right on the Snoqualmie River with no neighbors on the opposite side of the water, so you can sit on the back porch and watch for osprey and hawks and other critters. nearly the entire back side of the house is windows or large sliding glass doors, so you can open it all up and still feel like you're outside even while you're in. There's also a little cottage with a living roof that hangs out over the water with just enough room for one people bed and one doggie bed. Unfortunately, Monica has claimed that as her own and doesn't like to share. Ok, so on to the lake. </div>
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We reached the lake in two ways, twice by car and once by biking up the Snoqualmie Valley Trail that runs right past the house. Ann joined us for one of the car trips and we brought along dinner and some light cocktails for an evening picnic. The biking trip wasn't too difficult, despite the fact that I hadn't ridden a bike in years and I have asthma. A few stops along the way and I was good to go. In 2010 we stayed on the shore and picnicked and hung out, but in 2009 we spread out on the beach and played in the water a little. The water was much lower in 2009 than it was in 2010, and we were able to see the stumps of old trees that had been cut. The water was even low enough to walk out to one of the larger stumps and climb around without getting too wet. We never ventured up the Rattlesnake Mountain trail, which leads to an awesome (as evidenced from pictures) overlook of the Lake; however, I did take a short walk up a tiny part of the Iron Horse Trail (which seems to go all the way to the eastern Cascades as far as I can tell from Google Maps) through the Iron Horse State Park, which was a nice little stroll. We never did see any rattlesnakes though. I'm not sure whether to be upset by that or glad...</div>
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<b>2009</b></div>
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Rattlesnake Lake</div>
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Rattlesnake Mountain</div>
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Luna says "Throw the ball Monica!"</div>
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Luna also says "Now YOU go get the ball Monica"</div>
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Total relaxation<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<b>2010</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Osprey</span></div>
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Luna likes the lake too<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-43772233272075712202012-09-24T21:29:00.002-07:002013-02-28T18:31:55.586-08:00Magnuson Park - Seattle, WA<b>September 3, 2008</b><br />
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This is yet another post from a long ago trip. My first trip to Seattle, in fact. The main mission of this adventure was to go check out the Sound Garden (for which the band is named, no lie), but we also strolled through the Fin Project. The sound garden is an installation of these tall modern weather vane-looking structures that play like an organ in the wind. Slightly eerie, but so incredibly cool! The Fin Project is an installation of the fins from decommissioned 1960's nuclear submarines that resemble a pod of orcas. A pretty clever way to recycle!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-21239880770744352952012-09-24T20:42:00.002-07:002013-03-04T21:09:33.942-08:00Natural Bridges State Park - Santa Cruz, CA<b>February 5, 2011</b><br />
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Since it's been more than a year since I went to Natural Bridges I can't remember what exactly inspired the trip. I think possibly Ann was visiting prior to moving back to the area and we took a day trip up to Santa Cruz. That seems plausible. But I suppose how I got there isn't really that important.</div>
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Because we visited in February it was a bit late to catch the Monarchs, but there were still a few there and we spent a bit watching them from the viewpoint at the end of the little boardwalk. Then we took the easy hike on the Monarch Trail to the Moore Creek trail down to the beach, where we checked out the tidepools and Ann dug for sand crabs. We didn't find many critters that day, but there were some spectacular anemones with their tentacles spread wide, a snowy egret, and a couple oyster catchers and it was a beautiful day with sailboats and surfers in the bay. Oh and the bridges! Sadly there's only one left, since the other two were worn away by the ocean and weather, but it's still pretty incredible sticking out of the water like it does.<br />
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Monarch</div>
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The Arch</div>
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Snowy egret</div>
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Oystercatchers</div>
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Anemones and hermit crabs</div>
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Surfers</div>
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Tidepools</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-66645173741546224842012-09-17T23:56:00.002-07:002013-02-28T19:25:14.370-08:00Chimineas Ranch - San Luis Obispo County, CA<b>April 20, 2012</b><br />
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You've never heard of Chimineas Ranch? Yeah, me neither. At least I hadn't before I had the opportunity to visit during a Flora of San Luis Obispo County workshop that I participated in through the Jepson Herbarium. Chimineas is waaay out in the middle of nowhere in SLO County. It's southwest-ish of Soda Lake, which is part of the Carrizo Plain (I was sooo close!). We were lucky to have THE Chimineas biotanist with us (whose name I simply CAN NOT remember at the moment, big surprise), and he led us along the main road through the ranch to some interesting spots with fun wildflowers. 2012 was unfortunately a "bad" wildflower year; however, we still got to see some beauties. While there we stopped for bathroom breaks and lunch at the ranch house, which I got the impression is available for retreats and the like. Would be a fun place to stay. There's a very inviting pool! And swallows! So many swallows! They were building their nests in the eaves of the house and flitting all around. We also saw a couple coyotes, a ton of meadow larks, and a pair of burrowing owls (proud to say that was my find on the way in). Unfortunately, I was unable to get any pictures of these critters since I was in a group setting and had no control over the stops that we took. Plus, we were on a mission for plants, not animals.<br />
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Ranch House</div>
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Ranch</div>
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Plant Nerds in their Element</div>
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Clarkia sp.</div>
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Delphinium sp.</div>
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Southern Chaparral</div>
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Ceanothus sp.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">That's a long road </span></div>
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The Carrizo Plain is out there...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-52299809589253781382012-09-16T22:39:00.003-07:002012-09-16T22:41:46.586-07:00Ride in a B-25 Bomber - Marina, CA<b>October 11, 2008</b><br />
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Merry and I decided to check out the Marina Air Fair that's held annually at the Marina Airport. There wasn't a lot going on while we were there, but there were some neat old planes and beautiful classic cars. The highlight, however, was getting a free ride in a B-25 Bomber. Merry had donated some signs and banners and negotiated getting us a two for one ride (which she kindly paid for, since rides were expensive!) with some other sponsors in the Bomber. They took us out over the bay on what happened to be a very clear day in Monterey. I rode in the middle, while Merry rode up front with the pilot. She was able to climb into the nose, while I climbed into the tail. There were even guns at all the seats! It was such an amazing experience! Especially since it's not something I thought I would ever have an opportunity to do. After the flight, Merry, true to her form, made friends with the owner and pilot of the plane and got us an invitation to the Sponsor's dinner at Kulah Ranch where we got a free buffet meal complete with complimentary wine. Not a bad way to spend a day!</div>
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Old Planes</div>
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Old Glory - B-25 Bomber</div>
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Takeoff!</div>
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Monterey Bay!</div>
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Salinas River</div>
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Pilot & Owner in the cockpit</div>
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Merry in the nose</div>
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From the nose</div>
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Tight squeeze to get into the tail</div>
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Check out my guns </div>
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Huge nerd</div>
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<a href="http://blog.alexbeutel.com/135/image-aliasing-of-plane-propellers-in-photos-and-video/" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Aliasing propeller</a></div>
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Huge nerd in the tail</div>
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Salinas</div>
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Fort Ord</div>
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The soldiers signed the plane</div>
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Merry in the nose</div>
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Merry and I with John the owner</div>
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Merry and the Corvette</div>
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Pretty Cars!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-8721199061873140452012-09-16T21:31:00.000-07:002012-09-16T21:54:44.846-07:00Conservatory of Flowers - San Francisco, CAMarch, 9, 2012<br />
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I decided to welcome 30 by spending a weekend in San Francisco checking things off of my places to visit/things to do list. And being the plant nerd that I am, the first item on the list was a trip to the <a href="http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/" target="_blank">Conservatory of Flowers</a> in Golden Gate park, a place I'd been longing to visit since at least high school. In 1995 it was closed for rehabilitation and didn't reopen until 2003, and then it took me nine more years to actually get there. Alison and Jenny were my faithful companions that day, patiently wandering and waiting while I got all science nerd with the plants and photography nerd with the camera. </div>
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First I must say the building and grounds are quite impressive; long rows of colorful flowerbeds lead you to the entrance of the glowing white Conservatory. There were five different rooms to visit, each exhibiting a different type of habitat, and we strolled slowly taking in all the different plants. There were so many interesting colors and forms that I can't even try pick one that was my favorite, but the orchids were particularly interesting and there were a lot of different kinds. The last exhibit we visited was a special exhibit dedicated to the old Playland at the Beach. There was a huge small scale model of Playland created by using recycled items, like old pencil sharpeners, Playdough cans, and board games. There were even funhouse mirrors, bumper cars (unfortunately not moving ones), and a fortune teller machine. Fun stuff!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-25210873601047882512012-09-10T23:30:00.002-07:002013-02-24T13:02:16.290-08:00Lassen National Park - Lassen, CA<b>September 8, 2012</b><br />
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I visited Lassen National Park while on a school camping trip in college and have wanted to go back ever since. While on a family camping trip at <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2012/09/mcarthur-burney-falls-state-park.html" target="_blank">McArthur-Burney Falls State Park</a> this year I was able to do just so when we took a day trip to do some hiking. And you know what, I still want to go back! There's so much to do and see there that a day trip is not nearly enough! </div>
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Last time around I visited in June and there were walls of snow taller than our 15 passenger van. The roads were all open though and we made it to the summit trail parking lot. We also did a short hike to some sulphur springs right off the road. This year it was probably somewhere in the high 70's-80's and we hiked down to Bumpass Hell, another set of sulphur springs. We also stopped at the visitors center and checked out the cool junior ranger gear and bought some pins for our backpacks. I also picked up some nerdy scientist books, 'cause it's just what I do. Then we watched the little video the show on how the area was formed. It was pretty interesting stuff, but with a group as big as our with the big personalities we have, I'm a little surprised we didn't get kicked out. I'm pretty sure at one point I yelled out "oh look a chicken" when a picture of some weird bird came up on the screen. But it was Katie's dad who lost the "lets see who can stay quiet for a whole minute game," of course.</div>
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Bumpass Hell trail was a lot of fun. Almost 2 miles long one way, with a sorta steep hill at the end, which doesn't mix well at that altitude with asthma, but I made it back alive so it's all good! There were some great vistas along the way and a beautiful lupine field, where Katie and Vicki showed off their gymnastics. Once you get down to the sulphur springs there are wooden boardwalks that take you near the different pools, but even before you get there you'll smell the rotten eggs, which can almost knock you on your butt if the wind's blowing the right way! STINK-Y!</div>
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So I will have to go back and spend more time there in the future. I want to try the summit trail, although I don't know how long it is. I've heard going up isn't so bad, but the loose rock and steep trail make it a bit scary going back down. Also, kayaking on Manzanita Lake is high on the to-do list. It was just beautiful as we drove by! I'll also be requesting a bear sighting for next time. Not quite the sighting I had while at Kings Canyon National Park, but a sighting nonetheless.</div>
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"Gymnastics"</div>
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Lake Helen</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-662540745806135472012-09-10T22:58:00.002-07:002013-02-24T12:45:59.834-08:00McArthur-Burney Falls State Park - Burney, CA<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>September 9-11, 2011 & September 7-9, 2012</b><br />
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I'm a little behind on this post (as well as so many others) since this year marked my second trip to McArthur-Burney Falls State Park. A few years ago my parents and Katie's parents started the tradition of camping at Burney Falls the weekend after Labor Day, which has since turned into a two week trip for them. Last year was the first time some of us "kids" were able to join them; just three of us that year - Katie, Patrick, and I. For some reason after that trip the parents came up with the rule that "children are only allowed to visit on one weekend." I'm not sure why we're limited...I mean we're a TON of fun! This year the group expanded a bit and Patrick's dad joined the adults for about a week and Vicki, Kelly, and Ashley came along for the weekend. We had to leave Patrick at home this year because he had school, Diana had to work, and my Brother and his family are dealing with an upcoming move to Mississippi, so we missed them all. But since it's likely you don't know any of these people, I'll stop rambling about them.</div>
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Burney Falls State Park is a great campground. The campsites are pretty big - we reserve two adjacent ones and have a screen room, canopied "kitchen", campfire ring, two tents, and room to spare. The moms even set up a little solar light path to the road for nighttime bathroom trips. And speaking of bathrooms, they're so clean! Like barely any bugs even clean. As are the coin-operated showers. It feels a little bit like luxury camping sometimes. There's also a nice little visitor's center, which word on the street is getting a makeover soon, and a general store with delicious soft serve ice cream. The best part is that it's quiet when we're there and very uncrowded. I feel like I'm giving away a secret, but it's such a great time to be there!</div>
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But of course the showstopper are the falls. Beautiful! And they're so easy to get to; right near the entrance with a short path that leads to a great viewpoint. Then there's also a trail that leads down to a bridge and then back up above the falls to another bridge. Or you can branch off and head down towards Lake Britton, or to Canada or Mexico. No lie - the Pacific Coast Trail runs right through the park. As for the lake, it's gorgeous! Especially in the morning in a kayak. My dad has a friend who lives in the area and he took some of us out in his kayaks on Friday and Sunday. We paddled over to the opposite side of the lake and took a short hike to a secluded little waterfall. I can just imagine packing a picnic and spending an afternoon there. The only challenge would be getting back across the lake, which was a little bit more difficult than the paddle there once the wind picked up a bit. This year some of us also took a short hike to the cemetery. There were a few old headstones, but Kay thinks there were more before and that they may have taken some out and replaced it with a large memorial headstone at the entrance. I think there's probably even more trails in the park, but since we are only allowed to visit on the weekends, and usually take a day trip out of the park (<a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2012/09/lassen-national-park-lassen-ca.html" target="_blank">Lassen National Park</a> this year, McCloud Falls last year), I'm not sure what they are. I guess I'll just have to keep going back to explore!</div>
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2011</div>
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[PICTURES COMING SOON]</div>
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<b>2012</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"> Lake Britton</span></div>
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Morning kayaking</div>
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Falls across the lake</div>
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Burney Falls Cemetery</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-22671510728437733442010-05-17T23:34:00.000-07:002012-09-10T23:02:50.732-07:00Milestones of Flight Air Museum - Lancaster, CA<b>April 18, 2010</b><br />
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With a little time left in our last day in the So. Cal desert, my parents and I took the recommendation of my brother to find Apollo Park in Lancaster and check out the Apollo 11 space capsule. But as you can see, there are no pictures of the capsule because they moved it! So after a nice little walk in the park, we headed out for the campground, but stopped when we saw the sign for this little museum. We weren't sure if it was open, but the sign said it was open until sunset and the gate was sorta open. After convincing my parents that the worst that could happen is they would ask us to leave, we decided to take the chance. We had no clue what we were in for...<br />
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As we walked into the little museum, we were greeted by a guy wearing a pair of cutoff shorts and a mechanic's shirt. He told us he usually takes people on a half hour tour starting in the museum, but since the large hangar was only natural lighting we would start there. Um...ok then... So we went through the large hangar, then outside to see the larger planes and helicopters, then through the museum, and finally through the smaller hangar. An hour and 15 minutes later I had heard more about airplane engines than I could ever have imagined...Our tour guide had been working as an engine mechanic since the 60's and had pretty much worked on every military plane built since then. He had an incredible recollection of dates and models and all sorts of things I couldn't remember 10 seconds after he told me about it. I have nearly zero knowledge about planes and mechanics, so it was a bit much for me, but would have been fun with someone who could have actually engaged him a conversation. But some of the planes were pretty cool, especially the big ones outside. And it gave me an excuse to play with my new fisheye lens!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8ZQZOhprN7_DKR_nvyGbceORnqVK_ICTpOLvZx4Lmx7oY_Y9f_hkt6ubIdMfOc2_0o947_6TnO5DvNcoH2Qyw6UVkClfRSF0WAFY93x2393Tk2vV4qqwdS_OkYcm4jJYIc4tMI5RK4xy/s1600/IMG_1759.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472493654313787586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8ZQZOhprN7_DKR_nvyGbceORnqVK_ICTpOLvZx4Lmx7oY_Y9f_hkt6ubIdMfOc2_0o947_6TnO5DvNcoH2Qyw6UVkClfRSF0WAFY93x2393Tk2vV4qqwdS_OkYcm4jJYIc4tMI5RK4xy/s320/IMG_1759.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjcXGha9I/AAAAAAAAA38/uM1qCwz_PSI/s1600/IMG_1762.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475467353254866" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjcXGha9I/AAAAAAAAA38/uM1qCwz_PSI/s320/IMG_1762.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Inside the helicoper</span></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_Iz_0FMU5I/AAAAAAAAA4U/06i8cv4sTCc/s1600/IMG_1760.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472493668613772178" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_Iz_0FMU5I/AAAAAAAAA4U/06i8cv4sTCc/s320/IMG_1760.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">Howard Hughes' modified B-52 Bomber...something missing??</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjStlhI-I/AAAAAAAAA30/-r-48RY8xko/s1600/IMG_1757.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475301590148066" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjStlhI-I/AAAAAAAAA30/-r-48RY8xko/s320/IMG_1757.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjSHQG4jI/AAAAAAAAA3s/FuBe11GjNGg/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475291299799602" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjSHQG4jI/AAAAAAAAA3s/FuBe11GjNGg/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjRiAqmcI/AAAAAAAAA3k/Sk8w48ib3Vw/s1600/IMG_1747.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475281302919618" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjRiAqmcI/AAAAAAAAA3k/Sk8w48ib3Vw/s320/IMG_1747.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">I think this was an Australian plane</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCqtyRV6ELtuHjBWIvDUvqawuveLtpfFvVUgf9ggAn6aSD2PJrMYO3fdcf2PorX0QIxfUmEwLiEO5h0V8c7uoCI2NSVwWiHUVT_jmUcNsK9wN7sWeP89TUkyzrY3xJpDUSDItO0J5p2fD/s1600/IMG_1744.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472493091094579650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCqtyRV6ELtuHjBWIvDUvqawuveLtpfFvVUgf9ggAn6aSD2PJrMYO3fdcf2PorX0QIxfUmEwLiEO5h0V8c7uoCI2NSVwWiHUVT_jmUcNsK9wN7sWeP89TUkyzrY3xJpDUSDItO0J5p2fD/s320/IMG_1744.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjQ3wcUuI/AAAAAAAAA3c/HgXe1HgxVe0/s1600/IMG_1746.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475269960585954" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjQ3wcUuI/AAAAAAAAA3c/HgXe1HgxVe0/s320/IMG_1746.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjQYHSxgI/AAAAAAAAA3U/zYKr87fHsMY/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472475261466494466" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_IjQYHSxgI/AAAAAAAAA3U/zYKr87fHsMY/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_I0sVpNWOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/HYUS83xuaAc/s1600/IMG_1764.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472494433537448162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S_I0sVpNWOI/AAAAAAAAA4c/HYUS83xuaAc/s320/IMG_1764.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-7217130393626014032010-04-10T22:21:00.000-07:002012-09-16T22:03:42.521-07:00Fremont Peak State Park - San Juan Bautista, CA<span style="font-weight: bold;">April 10, 2010</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">It was a cold, cloudy, windy day. But there was no way I was staying inside when I had a brand new camera that needed to be broken in. So I layered up and headed out to Fremont Peak. The road up to the park is about 11 miles of narrow twists and and blind curves through grassy hills, oak woodland, and chaparral. Wildflowers dot the walls of the roadcuts and oaks and Madrones arch over the road creating tunnels. I took my time getting to the park, stopping to take pictures where pullouts made it safe to stop. Once I finally reached the top, I took the road up past the radio towers and scrambled up the rocks to the summit. The view was amazing despite the ominous gray clouds above my head. I could just see Monterey Bay and the Salinas River catching what little sun was able to break through. The wind wasn't as bad as I expected and I sat on the rocks and ate what might have been the most delicious apple in the world. Not a bad day after all. I will definitely go back on a clear day, hopefully in the spring so the wildflowers that covered the hillsides will actually be open.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvmuVtRZI/AAAAAAAAA3M/TuICaVEPYbo/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458766934414542226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvmuVtRZI/AAAAAAAAA3M/TuICaVEPYbo/s320/IMG_0775.JPG" style="display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvmO8uxKI/AAAAAAAAA3E/0qzeCzV1nOk/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458766925988283554" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvmO8uxKI/AAAAAAAAA3E/0qzeCzV1nOk/s320/IMG_0783.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Clematis</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fvlj7TtCI/AAAAAAAAA28/wDKcFOsHpHo/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458766914439590946" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fvlj7TtCI/AAAAAAAAA28/wDKcFOsHpHo/s320/IMG_0799.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Creeping sage</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvlPeBUAI/AAAAAAAAA20/dux0FvJRQl0/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458766908948041730" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FvlPeBUAI/AAAAAAAAA20/dux0FvJRQl0/s320/IMG_0818.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fvk-NUJMI/AAAAAAAAA2s/waoIRNLCrWg/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458766904314569922" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fvk-NUJMI/AAAAAAAAA2s/waoIRNLCrWg/s320/IMG_0811.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Mini Mushrooms</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuJElg6TI/AAAAAAAAA2k/TrD6RzFY6Z4/s1600/IMG_0846.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458765325478717746" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuJElg6TI/AAAAAAAAA2k/TrD6RzFY6Z4/s320/IMG_0846.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Wallflower</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY8NxM58-9ohojvQYxm8BlI1vml7_mTZl-WtsGJYTb6iFHILIg5IR9Wbn0htxzv2JWfMLRpsQYwH1EAKaJPz-A19HaFUiWUHtpJ1bEbK7Jli9h4HFpZFm7zb0UJyd1eP_4FUhp8UAi0zS/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458765319766575154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLY8NxM58-9ohojvQYxm8BlI1vml7_mTZl-WtsGJYTb6iFHILIg5IR9Wbn0htxzv2JWfMLRpsQYwH1EAKaJPz-A19HaFUiWUHtpJ1bEbK7Jli9h4HFpZFm7zb0UJyd1eP_4FUhp8UAi0zS/s320/IMG_0854.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Star Lily</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuIK6hR_I/AAAAAAAAA2U/65f-K5HB_Y0/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458765309997565938" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuIK6hR_I/AAAAAAAAA2U/65f-K5HB_Y0/s320/IMG_0863.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuHo_aQvI/AAAAAAAAA2M/_bAV_3-JsBc/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458765300891271922" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuHo_aQvI/AAAAAAAAA2M/_bAV_3-JsBc/s320/IMG_0871.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Monterey Bay through sun rays</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuHNaR7JI/AAAAAAAAA2E/aLpJ7OMgbPQ/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458765293487778962" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FuHNaR7JI/AAAAAAAAA2E/aLpJ7OMgbPQ/s320/IMG_0891.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Hanging out at the summit</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fr7ZT4clI/AAAAAAAAA18/loqUolEfzmM/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458762891500483154" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fr7ZT4clI/AAAAAAAAA18/loqUolEfzmM/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Marker at the summit of Fremont Peak</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqgMmIoSI/AAAAAAAAA10/a0Q83BU0k0E/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458761324719284514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqgMmIoSI/AAAAAAAAA10/a0Q83BU0k0E/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The light part underneath the dark clouds is Monterey Bay, I promise</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fqft8UPFI/AAAAAAAAA1s/uqj09xQoyOc/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458761316490820690" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fqft8UPFI/AAAAAAAAA1s/uqj09xQoyOc/s320/IMG_0915.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">And the Salinas Valley is out there somewhere</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqfB7dFAI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LM0mOiCM4BY/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458761304676045826" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqfB7dFAI/AAAAAAAAA1k/LM0mOiCM4BY/s320/IMG_0918.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqelPwj1I/AAAAAAAAA1c/oeMEiHq6Al0/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458761296976580434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FqelPwj1I/AAAAAAAAA1c/oeMEiHq6Al0/s320/IMG_0925.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhXAPMk-Auam45zrUGv14iQgXrcd2U24gkclFUhPszGHrrJPlrklFxwbVgv7kJoDE6-884D0Mn6RAwnybF1Xeq_SI9poUCcek8FVvWywizDG7cYEvO0MvKfkFpaytqfqfYbzmsOySDLxs/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458761293902501874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhXAPMk-Auam45zrUGv14iQgXrcd2U24gkclFUhPszGHrrJPlrklFxwbVgv7kJoDE6-884D0Mn6RAwnybF1Xeq_SI9poUCcek8FVvWywizDG7cYEvO0MvKfkFpaytqfqfYbzmsOySDLxs/s320/IMG_0935.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg_X4PiBI/AAAAAAAAA1M/udjbtzHYg7o/s1600/IMG_0975.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750865207691282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg_X4PiBI/AAAAAAAAA1M/udjbtzHYg7o/s320/IMG_0975.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Phacelia</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV60otM69h-VibHas1spbivrbAsv8ISMIYCZ8QbL2a7uPalBASmMx2MEyiDFPRi6tHVMum-e00mzaVRvEwR_fM8ldk_1ip_tWNfV0LWt_eQDm269ofpUb1Gyu2V0kIHYbuGOmOr_T3liz-/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750858061835954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV60otM69h-VibHas1spbivrbAsv8ISMIYCZ8QbL2a7uPalBASmMx2MEyiDFPRi6tHVMum-e00mzaVRvEwR_fM8ldk_1ip_tWNfV0LWt_eQDm269ofpUb1Gyu2V0kIHYbuGOmOr_T3liz-/s320/IMG_0981.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg-lCYcQI/AAAAAAAAA08/0dKpJtWTqqc/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750851560009986" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg-lCYcQI/AAAAAAAAA08/0dKpJtWTqqc/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg95P5VkI/AAAAAAAAA00/NS6wJMoKirc/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750839805531714" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8Fg95P5VkI/AAAAAAAAA00/NS6wJMoKirc/s320/IMG_0991.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">False Lupine</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgVUsapGI/AAAAAAAAA0s/vLhZLzv1jyE/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750142798275682" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgVUsapGI/AAAAAAAAA0s/vLhZLzv1jyE/s320/IMG_1005.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgU7RibiI/AAAAAAAAA0k/b7zMidJtOjU/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458750135974653474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgU7RibiI/AAAAAAAAA0k/b7zMidJtOjU/s320/IMG_1009.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 214px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Shooting Star</span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgDvCv0_I/AAAAAAAAA0c/8GetNSrjZLA/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458749840633615346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S8FgDvCv0_I/AAAAAAAAA0c/8GetNSrjZLA/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-59684866019382098492010-04-08T21:53:00.000-07:002012-09-10T23:05:55.887-07:00The National Mall - Washington D.C.<span style="font-size: 85%; font-weight: bold;">June 13, 2009</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">About 10 minutes into our drive to the Washington D.C. from Annapolis, I realized that in our hurry to leave the hotel, I slipped on my flip flops and left my walking shoes in the room. It was going to be a long day. We started by the Jefferson memorial, then headed over to the Washington Monument. Next was the WWII Memorial with the wall of 4,000 gold stars, each representing 100 lives lost during the war. It left me speechless. Then across the Reflecting Pool (which is very shallow and filled with duck poop...gross) to the Lincoln Memorial. Next was the Vietnam Memorial, which was amazing, but for me lost some of it's impact due to the number of people there at the time. Waiting in a long line and being herded through doesn't really give you the appreciation for incredible number of names on the wall. I definitely want to go back at a less busy time. Then we took a long loop around past several buildings I don't remember the names of to the White House. Unfortunately we couldn't get very close to it at all because of the security regulations. Pretty cool to see the snipers on the roof though. After separating from Ann's parents, we headed on to the <a href="http://jamislist.blogspot.com/2009/06/smithsonian-national-museum-of-natural.html">Smithsonian Natural History Museum</a>. After the museum her parents picked us up and we stopped by the Capitol Building. It was about this point I thought my feet were actually going to fall off. But thankfully after short rest the burning went away and I was able to walk again. So the lesson in this story is that if you're going to be dumb enough to wear flip flops while walking all day around the National Mall, make sure you're wearing Teva flip flops or you might not survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">Jefferson Memorial</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S7610iJ3T1I/AAAAAAAAAt8/WjsPQgnGt5A/s1600/PICT0004.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457999712545623890" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S7610iJ3T1I/AAAAAAAAAt8/WjsPQgnGt5A/s320/PICT0004.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S763bXPVsXI/AAAAAAAAAuE/Z-gR7-iZCdI/s1600/PICT0006.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458001479142322546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S763bXPVsXI/AAAAAAAAAuE/Z-gR7-iZCdI/s320/PICT0006.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S763juqmwKI/AAAAAAAAAuM/AkMrC8g5Gns/s1600/PICT0007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458001622869655714" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S763juqmwKI/AAAAAAAAAuM/AkMrC8g5Gns/s320/PICT0007.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Washington Monument</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvm2eB3uirtqCeIKrM2cLoT5iDvbOVSXys-bYb9Kc5U8MoQ9tcwDvQeT2GrBHYqgRvFmt2y7dig_6FEqTUK6jzS2xZ0jeNDsxSvQB3m1PN_a6aHehXjKgdeBtkOPcVWZJiB7GiqsVFaoq/s1600/PICT0001.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457996837719650466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvm2eB3uirtqCeIKrM2cLoT5iDvbOVSXys-bYb9Kc5U8MoQ9tcwDvQeT2GrBHYqgRvFmt2y7dig_6FEqTUK6jzS2xZ0jeNDsxSvQB3m1PN_a6aHehXjKgdeBtkOPcVWZJiB7GiqsVFaoq/s320/PICT0001.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S76-PiskUtI/AAAAAAAAAuU/VAjGVvyetp0/s1600/PICT0015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458008972640670418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S76-PiskUtI/AAAAAAAAAuU/VAjGVvyetp0/s320/PICT0015.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Washington Monument from across the Reflecting Pool</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S76-jkhj22I/AAAAAAAAAuc/cQyUtOP9qzw/s1600/PICT0056.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458009316728757090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S76-jkhj22I/AAAAAAAAAuc/cQyUtOP9qzw/s320/PICT0056.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">World War II Memorial</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77AMNEf7II/AAAAAAAAAus/pygmaG5QuoM/s1600/PICT0023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458011114319113346" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77AMNEf7II/AAAAAAAAAus/pygmaG5QuoM/s320/PICT0023.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Bm8_tZKI/AAAAAAAAAvE/wSi9aA-idsQ/s1600/PICT0033.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458012673372152994" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Bm8_tZKI/AAAAAAAAAvE/wSi9aA-idsQ/s320/PICT0033.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77E7KkdYlI/AAAAAAAAAwU/GfZgZtINkpk/s1600/PICT0047.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458016319148221010" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77E7KkdYlI/AAAAAAAAAwU/GfZgZtINkpk/s320/PICT0047.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Each column in the memorial represents a state or territory of the US. Bronze ropes tie the columns together and bronze oak and wheat wreathes represent the nation’s industrial and agricultural strengths</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77E6lVEayI/AAAAAAAAAwM/_rYf6jCcCa4/s1600/PICT0044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458016309151558434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77E6lVEayI/AAAAAAAAAwM/_rYf6jCcCa4/s320/PICT0044.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Bronze reliefs on the entrance walls into the Memorial</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77AMmDrH4I/AAAAAAAAAu0/CY2VeXvl08o/s1600/PICT0024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458011121026539394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77AMmDrH4I/AAAAAAAAAu0/CY2VeXvl08o/s320/PICT0024.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Pacific and Atlantic pavilions representing American victory on both fronts</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU42Zy4ynCrczw0FtqRkRFWbG_qAxSF7RnrERx6MEbRR3FFQ9vlEpM0i5lii3Ol5ve3yoOKyauSwR8OjP2unTn_4ZtfKCpm4W8E6VrSddkhyX3ZoPTcNuJQcinEN5CaYEjX13IL1QF14el/s1600/PICT0034.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458012682096980770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU42Zy4ynCrczw0FtqRkRFWbG_qAxSF7RnrERx6MEbRR3FFQ9vlEpM0i5lii3Ol5ve3yoOKyauSwR8OjP2unTn_4ZtfKCpm4W8E6VrSddkhyX3ZoPTcNuJQcinEN5CaYEjX13IL1QF14el/s320/PICT0034.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D9ijyMrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/LRLtgjbrAng/s1600/PICT0042.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458015260435952306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D9ijyMrI/AAAAAAAAAvs/LRLtgjbrAng/s320/PICT0042.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D9J1OuII/AAAAAAAAAvk/tidYu8hdrDs/s1600/PICT0045.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458015253798238338" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D9J1OuII/AAAAAAAAAvk/tidYu8hdrDs/s320/PICT0045.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D-EromwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/PCFMwT-DAnk/s1600/PICT0046.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458015269595683586" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D-EromwI/AAAAAAAAAv0/PCFMwT-DAnk/s320/PICT0046.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">4,000 Gold Stars each representing the lives of 100 soldiers killed during the war</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq_JYWlA-sF-NZzoqpFuU1INdJLU0ws5LDmxXVTm4WotC93I_amZD59YH6LmACqJUCKIAYIsQzNFQGH9pk0O9aAtcKKbHOzpV6I7T1aSy73MbHh_kifaGzlU0NXXB83Djj1S60ofM4YWH/s1600/PICT0035.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458012687557943682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq_JYWlA-sF-NZzoqpFuU1INdJLU0ws5LDmxXVTm4WotC93I_amZD59YH6LmACqJUCKIAYIsQzNFQGH9pk0O9aAtcKKbHOzpV6I7T1aSy73MbHh_kifaGzlU0NXXB83Djj1S60ofM4YWH/s320/PICT0035.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77BoY4bP6I/AAAAAAAAAvc/K7FuzlZ1p20/s1600/PICT0036.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458012698037665698" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77BoY4bP6I/AAAAAAAAAvc/K7FuzlZ1p20/s320/PICT0036.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Quotation Engravings</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77BmV2FM_I/AAAAAAAAAu8/WaP8ANkxahg/s1600/PICT0027.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458012662862787570" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77BmV2FM_I/AAAAAAAAAu8/WaP8ANkxahg/s320/PICT0027.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D_D_v_QI/AAAAAAAAAwE/41E1PIy7K6E/s1600/PICT0043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458015286591487234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D_D_v_QI/AAAAAAAAAwE/41E1PIy7K6E/s320/PICT0043.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D_D_v_QI/AAAAAAAAAwE/41E1PIy7K6E/s1600/PICT0043.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458015286591487234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77D_D_v_QI/AAAAAAAAAwE/41E1PIy7K6E/s320/PICT0043.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Lincoln Memorial from across the Reflecting Pool</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77ALfj6c3I/AAAAAAAAAuk/lALYUc3vYH0/s1600/PICT0049.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458011102102844274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77ALfj6c3I/AAAAAAAAAuk/lALYUc3vYH0/s320/PICT0049.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Lincoln Memorial</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GuMHT2cI/AAAAAAAAAwc/45KuWj_KOzI/s1600/PICT0057.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458018295247788482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GuMHT2cI/AAAAAAAAAwc/45KuWj_KOzI/s320/PICT0057.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Gu-5QF1I/AAAAAAAAAwk/6VNU5NuRLOc/s1600/PICT0067.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458018308879030098" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Gu-5QF1I/AAAAAAAAAwk/6VNU5NuRLOc/s320/PICT0067.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The Gettysburg Address engraved in the memorial wall</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Gvq1a4qI/AAAAAAAAAws/gsKGHIE94PY/s1600/PICT0065.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458018320674120354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77Gvq1a4qI/AAAAAAAAAws/gsKGHIE94PY/s320/PICT0065.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Me and my cousin (16 times removed that is)</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GwBMTFvI/AAAAAAAAAw0/2-EA09yyCOE/s1600/PICT0066.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458018326675658482" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GwBMTFvI/AAAAAAAAAw0/2-EA09yyCOE/s320/PICT0066.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>Vietnam Memorial<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKmkLig_YV-EGCkVpp2f1ls4uYnAs9w0f05WsDnJcXGQvGwkczE3av70ZRj4X_CcvM3bzemAk-M5x3A2KhSFfTPH7vMtCSVTxIO19y4z5U4vKRqrGlwOlwrOdMeebK0wSvPwIHjJAv_B1/s1600/PICT0078.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458020130177519042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKmkLig_YV-EGCkVpp2f1ls4uYnAs9w0f05WsDnJcXGQvGwkczE3av70ZRj4X_CcvM3bzemAk-M5x3A2KhSFfTPH7vMtCSVTxIO19y4z5U4vKRqrGlwOlwrOdMeebK0wSvPwIHjJAv_B1/s320/PICT0078.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IYR84IhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/XbZ0MZOyFsk/s1600/PICT0074.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458020117880775186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IYR84IhI/AAAAAAAAAxM/XbZ0MZOyFsk/s320/PICT0074.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Ann & the Wall<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IX-FdRWI/AAAAAAAAAxE/nOQtn1kGH5c/s1600/PICT0076.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458020112548054370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IX-FdRWI/AAAAAAAAAxE/nOQtn1kGH5c/s320/PICT0076.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Bronze statues at the entrance to the wall</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GwjCYCgI/AAAAAAAAAw8/_DSNwRvzehA/s1600/PICT0072.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458018335760845314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77GwjCYCgI/AAAAAAAAAw8/_DSNwRvzehA/s320/PICT0072.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The White House</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PaDFzG-I/AAAAAAAAAzk/daprrkDdtt0/s1600/PICT0095.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458027844832795618" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PaDFzG-I/AAAAAAAAAzk/daprrkDdtt0/s320/PICT0095.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Our first glimpse was of the back</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PavHAPgI/AAAAAAAAAzs/So1V4_uN3fc/s1600/PICT0092.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458027856649010690" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PavHAPgI/AAAAAAAAAzs/So1V4_uN3fc/s320/PICT0092.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Then we saw the front</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PbQIBZDI/AAAAAAAAAz0/4nWhn2wNq14/s1600/PICT0111.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458027865511650354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PbQIBZDI/AAAAAAAAAz0/4nWhn2wNq14/s320/PICT0111.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">But this was the closest we could get</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PcFkWF9I/AAAAAAAAAz8/2I7in_uFOJQ/s1600/PICT0112.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458027879857526738" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77PcFkWF9I/AAAAAAAAAz8/2I7in_uFOJQ/s320/PICT0112.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The Capitol Building</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgphxsOzS2F-Lo1IF_VvKgwJYqyzh6de9E1iiR1t80cBM8U4KkEEoJeri8Pkfmpk-T4cyMN7nwACRvWbdXLmwrlXwJiMadNu91dHXifa30fZrXjsamIcHDJhsF4JLV_SZjJQMuf17s3Br_/s1600/PICT0145.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458027887938663058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgphxsOzS2F-Lo1IF_VvKgwJYqyzh6de9E1iiR1t80cBM8U4KkEEoJeri8Pkfmpk-T4cyMN7nwACRvWbdXLmwrlXwJiMadNu91dHXifa30fZrXjsamIcHDJhsF4JLV_SZjJQMuf17s3Br_/s320/PICT0145.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKevvRqSEEG7HVeUNxCAZq2YZXGOvu8AVtKmQwwvonA1ujfsJSC6RzMSadV8lJ5V5QgPDNPearxJNW2Hzp8fYW_3hTeRMM_OXIaUhkOp44JgErhxvrKKkL41fVhXuQxJo13lldQtR5y_R/s1600/PICT0146.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458028047725790690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKevvRqSEEG7HVeUNxCAZq2YZXGOvu8AVtKmQwwvonA1ujfsJSC6RzMSadV8lJ5V5QgPDNPearxJNW2Hzp8fYW_3hTeRMM_OXIaUhkOp44JgErhxvrKKkL41fVhXuQxJo13lldQtR5y_R/s320/PICT0146.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Other Cool Buildings and Things:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 85%;">The Eisenhower Building (State, War, and Navy Building)</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IZ3wDHPI/AAAAAAAAAxk/B_c1QsoGU4E/s1600/PICT0089.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458020145207385330" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IZ3wDHPI/AAAAAAAAAxk/B_c1QsoGU4E/s320/PICT0089.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Incredible intricate detail</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IZlN1mjI/AAAAAAAAAxc/PYBWhyVOaRo/s1600/PICT0084.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458020140232055346" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77IZlN1mjI/AAAAAAAAAxc/PYBWhyVOaRo/s320/PICT0084.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KUxmFGgI/AAAAAAAAAxs/ukFGRMHwvnM/s1600/PICT0082.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458022256678869506" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KUxmFGgI/AAAAAAAAAxs/ukFGRMHwvnM/s320/PICT0082.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KW4bxD2I/AAAAAAAAAyM/x7gr8aUGDLI/s1600/PICT0090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458022292874399586" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KW4bxD2I/AAAAAAAAAyM/x7gr8aUGDLI/s320/PICT0090.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KVAPjxbI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aqfqz-aPSGk/s1600/PICT0094.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458022260610942386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KVAPjxbI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aqfqz-aPSGk/s320/PICT0094.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The Treasury Department Building</span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KWWF2OTI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AWu2IYihXGA/s1600/PICT0098.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458022283655657778" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KWWF2OTI/AAAAAAAAAyE/AWu2IYihXGA/s320/PICT0098.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L0qycKII/AAAAAAAAAyU/qHspCveUvkM/s1600/PICT0105.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458023904119105666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L0qycKII/AAAAAAAAAyU/qHspCveUvkM/s320/PICT0105.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KVjsv3gI/AAAAAAAAAx8/2W05AaKh9LY/s1600/PICT0101.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458022270128610818" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77KVjsv3gI/AAAAAAAAAx8/2W05AaKh9LY/s320/PICT0101.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L2K7KRYI/AAAAAAAAAyk/3lUGkhzI1bI/s1600/PICT0110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458023929925485954" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L2K7KRYI/AAAAAAAAAyk/3lUGkhzI1bI/s320/PICT0110.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The Hotel Washington</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWpMo9DbxFYJP0oP3E8DcLkFyJs4-1PsuUMQiUcKN6EK8MzeYnzo5AOhMZDVuYiOuqloVTGyl84ZUEoew_DWRq1TJ9TM6fs5nIXf_9vZVUgylrQQjL2RGzqQOW5dNPal2YTgYfFBSjI3T/s1600/PICT0106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458023918166198162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWpMo9DbxFYJP0oP3E8DcLkFyJs4-1PsuUMQiUcKN6EK8MzeYnzo5AOhMZDVuYiOuqloVTGyl84ZUEoew_DWRq1TJ9TM6fs5nIXf_9vZVUgylrQQjL2RGzqQOW5dNPal2YTgYfFBSjI3T/s320/PICT0106.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>Yea!!<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NAQKldXI/AAAAAAAAAzE/WoSiImrG670/s1600/PICT0118.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458025202642679154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NAQKldXI/AAAAAAAAAzE/WoSiImrG670/s320/PICT0118.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L4YznQbI/AAAAAAAAAy0/RivxHs3f8Zk/s1600/PICT0154.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458023968011665842" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77L4YznQbI/AAAAAAAAAy0/RivxHs3f8Zk/s320/PICT0154.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NBaV0e9I/AAAAAAAAAzU/MXmYai4h8cw/s1600/PICT0157.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458025222554024914" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NBaV0e9I/AAAAAAAAAzU/MXmYai4h8cw/s320/PICT0157.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NB9YzLCI/AAAAAAAAAzc/XBMeUpfr9LI/s1600/PICT0163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458025231961762850" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NB9YzLCI/AAAAAAAAAzc/XBMeUpfr9LI/s320/PICT0163.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></span><span style="font-size: 85%;">Grant </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NAzQStrI/AAAAAAAAAzM/RR24HqrEWWM/s1600/PICT0155.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458025212061857458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77NAzQStrI/AAAAAAAAAzM/RR24HqrEWWM/s320/PICT0155.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Me & Ann by the Reflecting Pool. Happy travelers despite the humidity and our aching feet.</span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77RdPJsN7I/AAAAAAAAA0U/S292mjxkCBs/s1600/PICT0052.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458030098633209778" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/S77RdPJsN7I/AAAAAAAAA0U/S292mjxkCBs/s320/PICT0052.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-81488642630098894542009-09-13T21:23:00.000-07:002012-09-10T23:06:12.910-07:00Badlands National Park - South Dakota<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 8, 2009</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">This was my third trip to the Badlands and thankfully, this time we didn't almost run out of gas driving through in the dark! We got to spend a LITTLE bit more time there, even though it was still a quick drive through. Such and awesome awesome place. Geology at its best! Out of miles and miles of empty grasslands (which I never knew were National Grasslands!) banded sandstone mountains reach towards the sky. The layers, the patterns, and the colors can make anyone want to go dig in the dirt. For me, this trip was especially cool 'cause every other time I had been to the Badlands it was summer or fall and everything was really dry. Visiting this time in the spring was a completely different experience. I never knew there was so much green there! And some beautiful wildflowers! The first picture I took was of a flower! (yeah, I know, I'm a botany dork) We didn't have enough time to stop and see them all though, so I will have to return again another spring, and probably catch a sunrise or sunset as well...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">What you don't know is the camera is balancing on the tripod 'cause I forgot the clip...oops!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3ROBQkhrI/AAAAAAAAAts/iSran0oN7c4/s1600-h/PICT0358.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381187168563922610" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3ROBQkhrI/AAAAAAAAAts/iSran0oN7c4/s400/PICT0358.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Ann's first time in the Badlands</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3QySoacnI/AAAAAAAAAtk/P14SyB34BQk/s1600-h/PICT0253.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381186692190990962" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3QySoacnI/AAAAAAAAAtk/P14SyB34BQk/s400/PICT0253.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Lunchtime!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3P9rlkChI/AAAAAAAAAtc/wT8kjSMlvKY/s1600-h/PICT0312.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381185788356856338" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3P9rlkChI/AAAAAAAAAtc/wT8kjSMlvKY/s400/PICT0312.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Meeeee!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3PkS2rr3I/AAAAAAAAAtU/RcO2yJNVPo4/s1600-h/PICT0285.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381185352221044594" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3PkS2rr3I/AAAAAAAAAtU/RcO2yJNVPo4/s400/PICT0285.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Our ride in the Badlands</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3PQKz46VI/AAAAAAAAAtM/n2GaZ-KSwCw/s1600-h/PICT0268.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381185006464461138" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3PQKz46VI/AAAAAAAAAtM/n2GaZ-KSwCw/s400/PICT0268.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The first picture I took in the Badlands! haha!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3OZfzJtoI/AAAAAAAAAtE/VDYLYDVF3lk/s1600-h/PICT0240.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381184067205707394" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3OZfzJtoI/AAAAAAAAAtE/VDYLYDVF3lk/s400/PICT0240.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3N9vAmaHI/AAAAAAAAAs8/PnxpAGsStOs/s1600-h/PICT0248.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381183590252308594" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3N9vAmaHI/AAAAAAAAAs8/PnxpAGsStOs/s400/PICT0248.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">National grasslands</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Na_6alaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/yhxN0Jg3N_k/s1600-h/PICT0327.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182993494349218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Na_6alaI/AAAAAAAAAs0/yhxN0Jg3N_k/s400/PICT0327.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Pretty lily</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3M9IhEBFI/AAAAAAAAAss/pAxbLyVNsfI/s1600-h/PICT0266.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381182480407856210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3M9IhEBFI/AAAAAAAAAss/pAxbLyVNsfI/s400/PICT0266.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Colored soils from marine fossils and ancient forests</span></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3L3uYogOI/AAAAAAAAAsk/uaps198J2_o/s1600-h/PICT0280.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381181287982203106" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3L3uYogOI/AAAAAAAAAsk/uaps198J2_o/s400/PICT0280.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3J01oQgqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/1sFY-uNZOjY/s1600-h/PICT0279.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381179039363924642" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3J01oQgqI/AAAAAAAAAsc/1sFY-uNZOjY/s400/PICT0279.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;">Prairie dogs!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3JHh4en0I/AAAAAAAAAsU/84Miajg965I/s1600-h/PICT0321.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381178260969135938" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3JHh4en0I/AAAAAAAAAsU/84Miajg965I/s400/PICT0321.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Horned lark (I think)</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9ltRNvR08R9Hsg-DczHc1TWiuj6a6p6n2SEwyRExuZ5vc-yiEbzLIF8A8cChoVE3TfTaElDhjKTOOmXBM3CIfTqKFw0NxwQjfaW0sWD58CiedQbyKxiTtg1ZabQpnz8QlSYV1tKaA0yr/s1600-h/PICT0315.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381177909865302290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9ltRNvR08R9Hsg-DczHc1TWiuj6a6p6n2SEwyRExuZ5vc-yiEbzLIF8A8cChoVE3TfTaElDhjKTOOmXBM3CIfTqKFw0NxwQjfaW0sWD58CiedQbyKxiTtg1ZabQpnz8QlSYV1tKaA0yr/s400/PICT0315.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Ht6vYoxI/AAAAAAAAAr8/F5JeqrJowEE/s1600-h/PICT0406.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381176721453654802" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Ht6vYoxI/AAAAAAAAAr8/F5JeqrJowEE/s400/PICT0406.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3ISZrYwxI/AAAAAAAAAsE/IK6oqBQaH0M/s1600-h/PICT0331.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381177348233675538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3ISZrYwxI/AAAAAAAAAsE/IK6oqBQaH0M/s400/PICT0331.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3HL8AKVYI/AAAAAAAAAr0/FVY9lw3dOv8/s1600-h/PICT0427.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381176137676903810" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3HL8AKVYI/AAAAAAAAAr0/FVY9lw3dOv8/s400/PICT0427.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Gnw1MCzI/AAAAAAAAArs/4nSP9H53JlY/s1600-h/PICT0431.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381175516202797874" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3Gnw1MCzI/AAAAAAAAArs/4nSP9H53JlY/s400/PICT0431.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">Bunny next to the boardwalk...let us get really close</span></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3F_gXJ5bI/AAAAAAAAArk/ZqIwyU084BA/s1600-h/PICT0448.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381174824587093426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sq3F_gXJ5bI/AAAAAAAAArk/ZqIwyU084BA/s400/PICT0448.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-45812356820407285172009-06-18T23:05:00.000-07:002010-04-10T22:17:50.167-07:00Utah Salt Flats<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 6, 2009</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So we didn't really GO to the Utah salt flats so much as we just drove through them, but still cool to see. A whole lot of flat white nothing with mountains all around the rim. There's a weird mirage effect going on near the base of the mountains as you look out across the flats. Looks like there's water reflecting the mountains and sky even though there's really nothing there. It's a trip! And of course there's the 'Tree of Life' sticking out like a sore thumb in the middle of it all. How tennis ball looking orbs on a giant antenna represent the tree of life, I will never understand, but there it is... I must apologize for the quality of pictures though...they were taken from the car...some through the window. Maybe someday I'll have time to get out and explore the area.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjst0WJH6PI/AAAAAAAAArU/Ybxf_nRa9hI/s1600-h/Tree+of+Life+Crop.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjst0WJH6PI/AAAAAAAAArU/Ybxf_nRa9hI/s400/Tree+of+Life+Crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348919359752890610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">'Tree of Life'</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsuX6-PjOI/AAAAAAAAArc/7GZf_D5_I-Q/s1600-h/PICT0756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsuX6-PjOI/AAAAAAAAArc/7GZf_D5_I-Q/s400/PICT0756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348919970934787298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjstqnJhZAI/AAAAAAAAArM/vSstB36aXbA/s1600-h/PICT0758.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjstqnJhZAI/AAAAAAAAArM/vSstB36aXbA/s400/PICT0758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348919192519271426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Stormy</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjstSWo8DjI/AAAAAAAAArE/_dljqMZiJRk/s1600-h/PICT0767.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjstSWo8DjI/AAAAAAAAArE/_dljqMZiJRk/s400/PICT0767.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348918775770779186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsss65YfMI/AAAAAAAAAq8/uVc8iI_TChw/s1600-h/PICT0774.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsss65YfMI/AAAAAAAAAq8/uVc8iI_TChw/s400/PICT0774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348918132668398786" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsrk8zJW3I/AAAAAAAAAq0/4hgwm02P65U/s1600-h/PICT0759.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsrk8zJW3I/AAAAAAAAAq0/4hgwm02P65U/s400/PICT0759.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348916896228531058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">That's a loooong straight road</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsrCcdykEI/AAAAAAAAAqs/GbKRjVQdr3A/s1600-h/PICT0780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsrCcdykEI/AAAAAAAAAqs/GbKRjVQdr3A/s400/PICT0780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348916303433470018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Just before hitting Salt Lake City</span><br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-25422943276918770622009-06-18T22:44:00.000-07:002010-04-10T22:16:06.871-07:00'A Christmas Story House' - Cleveland, OH<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 10, 2009</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">roadsideamerica.com has got to be the best website ever! I would have never known about this place without it! The story is that big fans of the movie bought the house with profits from recreating the leg lamp and selling them. They then replicated the inside and started giving tours. From those profits they also bought two houses across the street and turned them into a giftshop, ticket booth, and museum with memorabilia from the movie. Unfortunately, we didn't get there until after it was closed, but we of course had to snap some shots with the house and the lamp anyways. My aunt says they also rent out the house on Christmas and you can spend your whole holiday there! I wonder if they even supply the neighbor's dogs....</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsnf7kSUAI/AAAAAAAAAqk/D-hOlgI9ZXM/s1600-h/PICT0147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjsnf7kSUAI/AAAAAAAAAqk/D-hOlgI9ZXM/s400/PICT0147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348912411951910914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Just the house</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsnJfUMA3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/_QxUG7Pef_0/s1600-h/PICT0149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsnJfUMA3I/AAAAAAAAAqc/_QxUG7Pef_0/s400/PICT0149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348912026411074418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm so excited to be here!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmzAyYKHI/AAAAAAAAAqU/RzJDReUp_QQ/s1600-h/PICT0148.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmzAyYKHI/AAAAAAAAAqU/RzJDReUp_QQ/s400/PICT0148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348911640259078258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ann and the House</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmiaC09BI/AAAAAAAAAqM/eLMiN2NDe5g/s1600-h/PICT0150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmiaC09BI/AAAAAAAAAqM/eLMiN2NDe5g/s400/PICT0150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348911354981184530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Look! It's really the leg!!</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmR8T4h_I/AAAAAAAAAqE/KAdsU7DiV1o/s1600-h/PICT0151.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjsmR8T4h_I/AAAAAAAAAqE/KAdsU7DiV1o/s400/PICT0151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348911072121751538" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-17090723120384994652009-06-17T18:42:00.000-07:002010-04-10T22:18:24.131-07:00Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, OH<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 10, 2009</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So much cool stuff in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!! Seven floors of stuff in fact. Unfortunately, no cameras allowed except at the entrance...lame... Ann and I spent about 4 hours there and that didn't even feel like enough time! We started by having lunch (because we were starving after our drive from Indiana) and we knew it was going to be a good day as we ate and listened to Freebird playing over the museum speakers! Then we headed out to explore.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">They had tons of old outfits from the Beatles, Temptations, Michael Jackson, etc. It was interesting to see the quality of the clothes 'stars' used to wear back in the day; most of it looked like it was hand sewn by their mom! Quite a contrast to the designer label wear of today.I really liked the two walls covered by old Rolling Stone magazines, which included letters to the magazine by artists an others featured in the magazine. A really interesting one was a letter from Charles Manson regarding a story that was written about him; he offered to do a short interview in exchange for a free subscription to the magazine. The 'Video Killed the Radio Star' exhibit was also a favorite 'cause it was basically a bunch of different size TVs with clips from classic music videos. It was the only part that was like a flashback to my childhood! Other cool stuff included: Jim Morrison's death certificate and boy scout uniform, drawings by Bob Marley when he was a kid, the Evolution of Audiotechonology, 500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll (interactive kiosks...could have played with that all day!), and all the Beatles stuff. The one thing that I'm really sad wasn't there was Janis Joplin's car. It was on loan to the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan....I couldn't convince Ann to go up there though...</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmeFfZHoxI/AAAAAAAAAp8/_Deedix6gcg/s1600-h/PICT0133.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmeFfZHoxI/AAAAAAAAAp8/_Deedix6gcg/s400/PICT0133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348479849642566418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The museum</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjmdco1s6eI/AAAAAAAAAp0/pYlVNrfm-VE/s1600-h/PICT0146.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjmdco1s6eI/AAAAAAAAAp0/pYlVNrfm-VE/s400/PICT0146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348479147803732450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcrLS9uKI/AAAAAAAAApk/Ua94WhxOTcQ/s1600-h/PICT0132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcrLS9uKI/AAAAAAAAApk/Ua94WhxOTcQ/s400/PICT0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348478298059815074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmdE8ASSpI/AAAAAAAAAps/X5Cm0WTDUl8/s1600-h/PICT0145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmdE8ASSpI/AAAAAAAAAps/X5Cm0WTDUl8/s400/PICT0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348478740631538322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The only pictures I could take inside the museum</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcUacmEdI/AAAAAAAAApc/12fwWXl-rng/s1600-h/PICT0135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcUacmEdI/AAAAAAAAApc/12fwWXl-rng/s400/PICT0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477906989748690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcDvF-lfI/AAAAAAAAApU/I7M4fNJ3HWY/s1600-h/PICT0136.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjmcDvF-lfI/AAAAAAAAApU/I7M4fNJ3HWY/s400/PICT0136.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477620474254834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoU81DVaPB8DF9oqKUm0D8rRlsOqHJeHBQkDhf2NGF-8q1GYyAXOeYcIyJiN8pZYcvV4EHbN1bkq0auTJJbc8o_2aEFSEeJmLS3zLmNWJWVwYLr00-1RNaUi8LyRnR_2gZ96CU0NwLNxY/s1600-h/PICT0137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoU81DVaPB8DF9oqKUm0D8rRlsOqHJeHBQkDhf2NGF-8q1GYyAXOeYcIyJiN8pZYcvV4EHbN1bkq0auTJJbc8o_2aEFSEeJmLS3zLmNWJWVwYLr00-1RNaUi8LyRnR_2gZ96CU0NwLNxY/s400/PICT0137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348477272632522674" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3067075871718408677.post-34889865480369375172009-06-16T22:04:00.000-07:002010-04-10T22:18:44.784-07:00Mount Rushmore - South Dakota<span style="font-weight: bold;">June 8, 2009</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;">On the second day of our cross-country road trip, Ann and I hit the Black Hills around 5:30. And at the same time we hit a nice wall of fog. Our plans to see the mountain that night were foiled and things looked bleak when we talked to a lady at the hotel who told us the weather had been like that for 3 days. But when we woke the next day the sun was shining through the clouds, so we headed back to see if we could get a glimpse. Lucky us it was bright and shining and in full view! This was my third visit to the monument, but Ann's first, so she was extra excited. After taking a few fun pictures, we walked the trail around the amphitheater at the base of the mountain where we got to see a mama and baby mountain goat, which made me extra excited since I've never seen one before! As with everything on this road trip, our visit was quick, but as always the monument was an amazing sight!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiFfNUMz1I/AAAAAAAAAo0/WH7vxzyS0xs/s1600-h/PICT0169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiFfNUMz1I/AAAAAAAAAo0/WH7vxzyS0xs/s400/PICT0169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348171328699289426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">First glimpse of the mountain<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiF2z2cy6I/AAAAAAAAAo8/R-diIk9lCfs/s1600-h/PICT0214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiF2z2cy6I/AAAAAAAAAo8/R-diIk9lCfs/s400/PICT0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348171734180481954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Walking into the park</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiFD7ndVEI/AAAAAAAAAos/mVq8QLBVLOg/s1600-h/PICT0171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiFD7ndVEI/AAAAAAAAAos/mVq8QLBVLOg/s400/PICT0171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348170860091757634" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiErVI5YoI/AAAAAAAAAok/v0QfNowQXcE/s1600-h/PICT0178.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiErVI5YoI/AAAAAAAAAok/v0QfNowQXcE/s400/PICT0178.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348170437446165122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Me and the mountain</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiEFyrs3SI/AAAAAAAAAoc/tWaVccF-1nc/s1600-h/PICT0176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiEFyrs3SI/AAAAAAAAAoc/tWaVccF-1nc/s400/PICT0176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348169792541744418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ann and the mountain</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiDjKQgtuI/AAAAAAAAAoU/qjYz9kETc_Y/s1600-h/PICT0179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiDjKQgtuI/AAAAAAAAAoU/qjYz9kETc_Y/s400/PICT0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348169197574731490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Giving my cousin bunny ears<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiDRhDT2EI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_WTs8IieAhI/s1600-h/PICT0177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiDRhDT2EI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_WTs8IieAhI/s400/PICT0177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348168894455732290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Picking Lincoln's nose</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiGazO3vhI/AAAAAAAAApE/FLOQyAWiEAE/s1600-h/PICT0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiGazO3vhI/AAAAAAAAApE/FLOQyAWiEAE/s400/PICT0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348172352489766418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A sculpture of the sculptor</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiCt4cHA-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/FauOY0rQZxc/s1600-h/PICT0210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiCt4cHA-I/AAAAAAAAAoE/FauOY0rQZxc/s400/PICT0210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348168282258473954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A6eHnqRtJKE5-0oQRwGzFZ6wYYPfr0WedFYLKcQsHqoN6QcPBu7rEaeIRYFoNKsR8wcGsfX_zdfiCjNaw9iNQR1bgI574VEPbWT0v32QZTIN8ddlbkBt94pOoI0HiILdQ-WlzRmAJpcB/s1600-h/PICT0173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A6eHnqRtJKE5-0oQRwGzFZ6wYYPfr0WedFYLKcQsHqoN6QcPBu7rEaeIRYFoNKsR8wcGsfX_zdfiCjNaw9iNQR1bgI574VEPbWT0v32QZTIN8ddlbkBt94pOoI0HiILdQ-WlzRmAJpcB/s400/PICT0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348167988932056162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiB7BKUbnI/AAAAAAAAAn0/7qtNKf_kdA8/s1600-h/PICT0181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiB7BKUbnI/AAAAAAAAAn0/7qtNKf_kdA8/s400/PICT0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348167408426446450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiBdsyeXCI/AAAAAAAAAns/q2Icv-hnQoA/s1600-h/PICT0187.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiBdsyeXCI/AAAAAAAAAns/q2Icv-hnQoA/s400/PICT0187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348166904741518370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">From the cave</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiA6KtqlKI/AAAAAAAAAnk/houFDyrIplI/s1600-h/PICT0190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiA6KtqlKI/AAAAAAAAAnk/houFDyrIplI/s400/PICT0190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348166294299120802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Washington and Lincoln<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiAeXAj1cI/AAAAAAAAAnc/SKOgNAuOs48/s1600-h/PICT0209.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/SjiAeXAj1cI/AAAAAAAAAnc/SKOgNAuOs48/s400/PICT0209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348165816563258818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Roosevelt and Jefferson</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh_0gsGoyI/AAAAAAAAAnU/idotYG9HBnU/s1600-h/PICT0197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh_0gsGoyI/AAAAAAAAAnU/idotYG9HBnU/s400/PICT0197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348165097607308066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Mountain goats!!!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh_Z0T-zbI/AAAAAAAAAnM/iiGh6_lVGHk/s1600-h/PICT0184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh_Z0T-zbI/AAAAAAAAAnM/iiGh6_lVGHk/s400/PICT0184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348164639018372530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh73bESYlI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pecEgMpbRlI/s1600-h/PICT0185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh73bESYlI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pecEgMpbRlI/s400/PICT0185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348160749591224914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tee Pees</span></span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh692j5KaI/AAAAAAAAAm8/3kOirCeACpM/s1600-h/PICT0205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P-lrMWoVquo/Sjh692j5KaI/AAAAAAAAAm8/3kOirCeACpM/s400/PICT0205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348159760539134370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUWURkvB4yQOlXIEVIR1h247FgGI2KPNJTpYJi06EUtsV6nNVqrfcRL38ai2vbolfuBvaVB2bXBsjkUlnPcEiLKeldsmUXR3PZRdwx03rFSxYthlzbVLmRUXt1l0XIwWtXmBcE-RN500y/s1600-h/PICT0202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUWURkvB4yQOlXIEVIR1h247FgGI2KPNJTpYJi06EUtsV6nNVqrfcRL38ai2vbolfuBvaVB2bXBsjkUlnPcEiLKeldsmUXR3PZRdwx03rFSxYthlzbVLmRUXt1l0XIwWtXmBcE-RN500y/s400/PICT0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348158938659821682" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16123614966521651137noreply@blogger.com0