11/7-17/2010 Last leg of 5 month journey

The last leg of this wonderful journey took us from Las Vegas over to the coast in Santa Cruz, CA where the weather was "picture" perfect! From our vantage point on the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was framed in the most stunning colors of blue we'd seen in a long time. The Pacific Ocean was a sight to behold these last few days with temps in the mid 70's and visits with old friends it completed our 5 month journey.





Our vantage point on West Cliff Drive showcased the Santa Cruz Minicipal Wharf and Beach Boardwalk with Lili's beloved Santa Cruz Mountains visible in the background. During the summer months this area is mostly foggy and not all is visible at the same time. This is a mecca for folks from Fresno and Sacramento Valleys to escape the hot days in the summer months.








Along with beach combing the surfers provide entertainment at Cowell's Beach between West Cliff Drive and the Wharf. Some of those brave souls were out there without wetsuits on. Brrrrrr. Even though the air temps were in the mid 70's the water is still only 50 degrees. This was a pretty calm day so the waves were a bit wimpy. So, our journey comes to an end upon our arrival back home tomorrow. We'll have had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with family and wish all our friends, new and old, a very Happy Christmas season wrapped in the warmth of family, friends and love..............................

CHEERS, LILI & CARL

10/23-11/6/2010 St George, Utah/Las Vegas

Our favorite spot on the Las Vegas strip is the MGM Grand lion exhibit. Here is a pair of pooped out 16 months old lions enjoying their afternoon siesta.

Below are a couple of 37 day old cubbies learning how to chase not only each other but their trainers and this great big red ball. Can you imagine. They're not even steady on their feet yet and the trainers are rolling the ball around them to teach them to dodge it and when they don't move the ball pushes them over and down they go! They are still quite wobbly on their feet.

This little guy is anticipating a leap of faith into a pit only 6" deep! He did make it but not on all fours!..They were sooooooo cute........................These animals are raised on a ranch 12 miles out of Vegas and are rotated twice a day for the enjoyment of the viewing public, come see them.................and the journey continues

10/29/2010 more of Bryce Canyon

Rainbow Point, at left, is our first stop as we traverse the 18 mile Rim Trail from the south end back north.

Yovimpa Point or point of pines at right. Both of these points offer views of southern Utah. Most days Navajo Mountain and the Kaibab Plateau 90 miles away are visible. If we could we would show you but the camera battery is running out of life!

It hasn't warmed up yet but here we are at Agua Canyon and not a drop of water to be found, at least not up here but mother nature is at work in the canyon below. The Paria River and it's tributaries still carve plateau edges. Carrying dirt and gravel, rushing waters gully the edges of the Paunsaugunt Plateau on which lies the national park.

"Natural Bridge" was not formed by a stream like true natural bridges. More accurately an arch, it was carved by rain and frost erosion acting from the top of the rock. Our eyes are full, the camera battery is exhausted, we're cold so we're heading back to St George where it's warm and play golf.............................................and the journey continues

10/28/2010 Bryce Canyon

Hi all, we're back to Internet, photos and sharing more fun. While we stayed in St George, Utah for 5 days a trip to Bryce was on our schedule. 20 years ago we planned a visit to Bryce but it snowed, we had our old motor home and no tow vehicle. This time the weather was beautiful but verrrrrry cold and windy which made for spectacular views of the hoodoos.

We were lucky the Park could accomodate us in one the their lovely cabins just 100 yards from the canyon amphitheater. We pushed the "on" button and presto, we cozied up to the fire to peruse the Park map and stratigise the following days adventure.

Nanuke from the North decided it was time to brave the chill before dark so off we went and was sure glad we brought our down jackets along. So far it's the only time we've needed them.

After a 100 yard stroll through a pine forest from our cottage the canyon edge just dropped off into this valley. The rock formations are so different from Zion, it took our breath away but so did the cold wind! This view is called the "amphitheater". It's everything Bryce. Rock formations here are called hoodoos - a pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion. Hoodoo - to cast a spell. 10 million years ago forces within the Earth created and moved massive blocks known as the Table Cliff and Paunsaugun plateaus. Over time tall thin ridges called fins emerge. Fins erode into pinnacles and spires called hoodoos that, weakening and falling add their color to the Paria Valley below......................and the journey continues

Canyon de Chelly 10/18-10/21/2010

If these two pictures look similar, they are. The first is from the canyon floor while the second one

is from the canyon rim. It's Spider Rock, an 800' sandstone spire. We're standing at 1000' at the canyon rim looking down at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon. Legend has it that Spider Rock is where the Navajo indians learned to weave and make baskets.

We are standing in front White House Ruin built by ancestral Puebloan people and occupied about 1000 years ago. It is named for the long wall in the upper dwelling that is covered with white plaster.

This is Mummy Cave Ruin and was occupied to about 1300. The shaded alcoves are comprised of living and ceremonial. The tower complex resting on the cental ledge was built in the 1280s by people who migrated from Mesa Verde.

This is Cat Rock. See the resemblance to a cat's face? Way cool..................and the journey continues

Albuquerque, 10/8-10/18/2010

Here we are enjoying the Balloon Festival. What a scene to see these balloons fill, lift, fly and land! As you can see, there are some near misses here. We drove the Turquoise Trail around 10,000 ft Sandia Mt one day but forgot the camera! We did get to see the tavern featured in the movie "Wild Hogs", the one where the motorcycle gets torched. It was a Sunday and the town was packed with looky loos and lots of beer drinking and high fives going on so we just passed through. We stayed here for 10 days and relaxed and played golf. The weather is perfect and hard not to be outside....................and the journey continues

Oklahoma City 10/4-10/5/2010

These images are at the memorial site of the victims of the 1985 bombing of the Federal Building. The lighting at night on the reflection pond and lighted chairs in memory of those who lost their lives gives this space a beautiful and peaceful aura.













Lighted chairs of those lost in the blast

Reflection pond

One can only hope the 911 memorial is this well done.

On our way to the Cowboy Museum we stopped by the Okla State Capital to see the only pumping oil well on a state capital grounds to find it had been capped and moved down the street. As long as we were there we decided to take a look inside this beautiful building and as usual, our quick trip ended up spending half the day at the capital enjoying the art and history.................and the journey continues