tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47293042877687763112024-03-14T08:54:03.643-07:00BlaNicS WaypointsWaypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point in physical space. In our world, waypoints are sometimes abstract, often having no obvious relationship to any distinctive features of the real world...but references to a moment or an experience.The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-23910233408127114422020-05-29T20:37:00.000-07:002020-05-29T20:37:06.905-07:00Shelter In Place<br />
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<i>"The world is getting through a period of crisis, but whether we look at it as a crisis or as an opportunity to reshape our thinking, depends on us. So use this period as a lesson on how to live life with a concern for all of humankind."</i></div>
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<i>Abhijit Naskar</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect." But who would have known that news in the early months of 2020 would be dominated by the pandemic Covid-19 and a new term for all of us..."shelter in place?" And who would have known that our new fashion trends would be wearing gloves and a mask (Yes, we do believe in wearing our mask in public places) and that our preferred scent would be...that of hand sanitizers? Life as we knew it has been turned upside down by fears of the spreading disease, a tanking economy, record unemployment and the "novelty" of self isolation. The emotional tolls that all these issues have caused can be riveting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, in truth nothing is bringing people together in mass numbers like this invisible threat. We yearn more than ever to see and embrace family and friends. "I" is seemingly being supplanted with us. So now the model of what our way of life was like yesterday, is being changed with the question, how do we conceive and embrace our new world, these new uncharted waters? The natural beauty surrounding us can soothe our trials by providing peace to our inner turmoil. Being able to take outside walks close to "home" offer that therapy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately, so very fortunate, this terrible pandemic found us sheltered and alone on the beautiful central coast of California. </span><span style="font-size: large;">This Pacific coastline has been our home for almost 23 years, so it is not by accident that we are nestled here. As we have been community and State Park volunteers for over 20 years, deciding to serve a few months as Camp Hosts at Hearst San Simeon State Park was a natural fit when we became full-timers again last year. So yes, it was fortuitous indeed that this year's stint found us here at this time. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We've named our motorhome, WeBeGon, but for the the past 5 months it is WeBeHere. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owlets alert and vigil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owlets fed and asleep</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With our park being </span><span style="font-size: large;">temporarily closed and very empty of campers since March 25th, </span><span style="font-size: large;">wildlife is once again flourishing. Red Foxes and their family of kits have a new den close to us, quail can be seen at every turn, a Great Horned Owl and her two owlets live in the trees above, small herds of deer fearlessly stroll the roads and colonies of rabbits abound.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But even in our Camelot, we feel the fear, pain, suffering and the uncertainty of others. Many days our town looks like a ghost town, as restaurants and retail stores are all closed. We cannot ignore seeing the efforts of parents trying to provide their families with regular meals and shelter. Daily we see the unemployed, the hungry and homeless. More than any period in our lives, we live in a world of many trials and tribulations. We watch with trepidation as our little village tries to safely reopen and deal with the many that wish to visit. We hope for respect, kindness and compassion in this process but often find ourselves combing the trail with our litter picker and bucket.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a time where love, courage and commitment rises to the top of our communities. First responders, medical staff, grocery workers, delivery personnel, and mail carriers have become our heroes. So are all those who in every possible way, are finding new means to navigate. We are observing our small town band together to survive...by honoring the health directives of the state (as difficult as it is), providing services to the elderly, continuing to support restaurants via take out service and collecting donations to provide groceries to the less fortunate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are witnessing a huge shift in consciousness toward the once simple way of daily living. Over the next year we will need to be fluid, creative and in a mental platform to embrace change. And with thoughtful preparation we are convinced that we will be up to the challenge. As each day winds down, we retire for the evening optimistic that all our combined love, faith and determination will reach a critical mass, empowering all of us to know these hard times will indeed pass.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">At Waypoint 35.5836° N-121.1217° W</span></i></span>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-6840448869846871582020-01-02T20:22:00.001-08:002020-01-13T13:32:44.168-08:00Fire Mountains of the Cascades<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i>"Though broken by crags, bluff, and some deep canyons, the long swell of the </i><br />
<i>Cascades is generally seen as a green pedestal for majestic white volcanoes...</i><br />
<i>Viewed from certain vantage points, these giants start out in solitary splendor,</i><br />
<i>but they stand only slightly apart from a breathless company of mountain giants,</i><br />
<i>all looking romantically steep, unattainable and top heavy with ice." </i><br />
<i>Dorothy Krell</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Volcanoes...just another graphic description of Nature's wildness or just its beauty making love-beats of its heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Within the Cascades you will behold a range of exhausted volcanoes, not a flame on any majestic crest...but many a fire burns beneath the ground. A dormant fire mountain is only temporary, as proven in May 1980, when the most disastrous volcanic eruption in US history occurred. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mount St. Helens is located in the Cascade Range and is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiGFFC7HFwFmjMjAKV-UNXjDXhfiHJ1nCcbsINa7VMvVBZsTHNflNdpwRifqd0_P-yO7JdlK8QwJZTUATmv0VOTGj7PDtEulg4Xw-IqFczHFnYhxq07mgcgIkKi55RsGzdxPg6-KQkCo/s1600/IMG_4903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiGFFC7HFwFmjMjAKV-UNXjDXhfiHJ1nCcbsINa7VMvVBZsTHNflNdpwRifqd0_P-yO7JdlK8QwJZTUATmv0VOTGj7PDtEulg4Xw-IqFczHFnYhxq07mgcgIkKi55RsGzdxPg6-KQkCo/s640/IMG_4903.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The collapse of the northern flank of Mount St. Helens is still quite visible today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVmj_wU6LzaMHT-iBMc94_Ggsi8MU9C1YbsPSCLgnz81bIxdWC_CjZULyTqLlhNWV-OOIsSsPFpOxZxp-ibp8p04D2eHcozT2LuweN00x4UaIaWLuJeWoRjm3LzraRrcndYvcLRDhJbU/s1600/IMG_4887.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVmj_wU6LzaMHT-iBMc94_Ggsi8MU9C1YbsPSCLgnz81bIxdWC_CjZULyTqLlhNWV-OOIsSsPFpOxZxp-ibp8p04D2eHcozT2LuweN00x4UaIaWLuJeWoRjm3LzraRrcndYvcLRDhJbU/s640/IMG_4887.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life has returned to the valley surrounding the volcanoe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scars of landslide still exist.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A 5.1 earthquake at Mount St. Helens on Sunday, May 18th 1980 triggered the entire north face to slide away. In reducing the elevation of the mountain's summit by over 1,300 feet, the quake created the largest landslide ever recorded. Molten high pressure gas and steam rich gas in the volcano exploded northward and rose 80,000 feet into the atmosphere, depositing ash in 11 western states. When it was all over, approximately 57 people were killed directly from the lateral blast, mudslides or flooding.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoFZby9Xcrb_amWFXccoP8RrhFWFHu3qKqgsvlC2Oehp4u1V8Qv0MxoHEacbNoq7jpPo15QDdUPkcfKADFnG9Hg3Jl3N9DyQ9VrC0lQFIfJT5-8Do6Xv4OdWdEkb6MhEWhKrxrmq_pfA/s1600/IMG_4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoFZby9Xcrb_amWFXccoP8RrhFWFHu3qKqgsvlC2Oehp4u1V8Qv0MxoHEacbNoq7jpPo15QDdUPkcfKADFnG9Hg3Jl3N9DyQ9VrC0lQFIfJT5-8Do6Xv4OdWdEkb6MhEWhKrxrmq_pfA/s640/IMG_4943.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct5jwULFQ_ID30Y4BvMbNbkn5zCPjdsPRXpsORqwQU7YlVFcripl72Y5UGLKaC6XLlJf_mH5GJ6zoGnZSNlQRt8fybDnwaf2ygumVlJp0uIK7miLPrrEGIV_bo33-juTSzgPbG31cmAY/s1600/IMG_4990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct5jwULFQ_ID30Y4BvMbNbkn5zCPjdsPRXpsORqwQU7YlVFcripl72Y5UGLKaC6XLlJf_mH5GJ6zoGnZSNlQRt8fybDnwaf2ygumVlJp0uIK7miLPrrEGIV_bo33-juTSzgPbG31cmAY/s640/IMG_4990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">We camped at Seaquest State Park, a 475 acre forested park along the shoreline of Silver Lake. It was 47 miles to the </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31562" style="font-family: inherit;">Johnston Ridge Observatory</a>, <span style="font-family: inherit;">located in the heart of the blast zone, which is a wonderful interpretive center with spectacular views of the crater. Our site was surrounded by a thick canopy of moss filled trees and had "islands" of new </span>growth of grass, which kept Sydney and Kiah mud free (most of the time) between rain storms.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT1QcwEuClrB3TX0znb4CyyRBKN2VWRkGGo-lGJieFiUxyQT5n4p0VTP3nDU-gwWLpssMCKs9m4qcRKI54WdsskIM_-OYkFk5B5BJ5UfIpjFKJBvOgBmuhpFx0xBK2BhIddFzwL7f2yo/s1600/IMG_4957.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJT1QcwEuClrB3TX0znb4CyyRBKN2VWRkGGo-lGJieFiUxyQT5n4p0VTP3nDU-gwWLpssMCKs9m4qcRKI54WdsskIM_-OYkFk5B5BJ5UfIpjFKJBvOgBmuhpFx0xBK2BhIddFzwL7f2yo/s640/IMG_4957.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coldwater Lake Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2Im0uNRwBeOGphiLemtupMhVPyzjhishjzXv82nWQsm9CoUiAPy0JnxMkEZDD7KKbf0LcNgOinEJsyeZ6T72j_M6Y_XJSlhibJQg7YD_ruMp9LhRY4_91bftgL2yH9sgXUSPtocrYsI/s1600/IMG_4963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2Im0uNRwBeOGphiLemtupMhVPyzjhishjzXv82nWQsm9CoUiAPy0JnxMkEZDD7KKbf0LcNgOinEJsyeZ6T72j_M6Y_XJSlhibJQg7YD_ruMp9LhRY4_91bftgL2yH9sgXUSPtocrYsI/s640/IMG_4963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interpretive boardwalk at Coldwater Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9OlvJNbx21MJlIwbD83XfAhPamSgBrYFJkinS8Abh07HGGKBTbp9VPHieR95gaOQgsVWz1rNpjvPx4usKOCFFXt3zWGhttIOZKNS7uchT-z8JqTi3EwvORze8MvkEZLsVRDvVZPoKbo/s1600/IMG_4875.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9OlvJNbx21MJlIwbD83XfAhPamSgBrYFJkinS8Abh07HGGKBTbp9VPHieR95gaOQgsVWz1rNpjvPx4usKOCFFXt3zWGhttIOZKNS7uchT-z8JqTi3EwvORze8MvkEZLsVRDvVZPoKbo/s640/IMG_4875.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One mile boardwalk trail around Silver Lake Wetlands</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Coldwater Lake, Castle Lake, Spirit Lake and Silver Lake were all created by eruptions of Mount St. Helens. Imkelina and her loyal pack took every "dry" opportunity to explore off the beaten track the many w</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">etland and woodland trails. With the colors of fall creeping in throughout the forest canopy, these nature paths were even more spectacular. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Es7QVMt7MkuZgCqR-5Lt4Vgd8QC8k-hjeklBUbZb4RbOWP7eXRapJj0hf5jZUmcWBHQAajz9Up7Jva51JUiyBQQPB6vlXz5I1LX1lyPBny3aTqeKQx2xtO8yktQbxTkiXHGFr9bdKuk/s1600/IMG_5476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Es7QVMt7MkuZgCqR-5Lt4Vgd8QC8k-hjeklBUbZb4RbOWP7eXRapJj0hf5jZUmcWBHQAajz9Up7Jva51JUiyBQQPB6vlXz5I1LX1lyPBny3aTqeKQx2xtO8yktQbxTkiXHGFr9bdKuk/s640/IMG_5476.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds shroud the face of Mt. Rainer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ3biLNU6hCxrwpOGoX5E4nT12-UECILv7ZQH9pazi8RXWslrxc7qx2BD84FsltFM21ejDV1bh6S23F5i_8RxjmQ-zrHm1puvSxaDgQkkZ3laNliztrZwCaon9acCCOGgODBgXdjMLsc/s1600/IMG_2717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZ3biLNU6hCxrwpOGoX5E4nT12-UECILv7ZQH9pazi8RXWslrxc7qx2BD84FsltFM21ejDV1bh6S23F5i_8RxjmQ-zrHm1puvSxaDgQkkZ3laNliztrZwCaon9acCCOGgODBgXdjMLsc/s640/IMG_2717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and there are more clouds</td></tr>
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<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Of all the fire-mountains which, like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mount Rainier is the noblest." </span></i></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">John Muir</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We made attempt after attempt to gain an audience with majestic Mount Rainer in hopes of seeing magical views of brilliantly colored meadows, dazzling, roaring falls and mighty snow covered pinnacles. But alas, after four full days of going up to the mountain we only saw the veil of clouds that protected and blocked that breathtaking peak.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoU0_lxOUv1KSbRT3NV5TWcxKFgHP1hlLoxRfSgM5QwFALwPzMKnvIltHgU-mDJdpw0EgE4X41rPiiuv1aC-a90_6KMiPzJ_UvsXWdhfrYrkgASJlQ5Y3TpzkM9m92nK9x-T0Jk-NRgM/s1600/IMG_5448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoU0_lxOUv1KSbRT3NV5TWcxKFgHP1hlLoxRfSgM5QwFALwPzMKnvIltHgU-mDJdpw0EgE4X41rPiiuv1aC-a90_6KMiPzJ_UvsXWdhfrYrkgASJlQ5Y3TpzkM9m92nK9x-T0Jk-NRgM/s640/IMG_5448.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs9rlLCpTHWec2cAowOwq2A6YLPX3v3I-QnHashzwabZEiKNqSWc1syqmdEBAOFfDeQZlH2ykBbIyjINF67G1tVXR7Qs2Z8vtaQ4nmMijsPxaZcEEpYmyTN22z-LS-pvNnIyYH3meqb4/s1600/IMG_5494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRs9rlLCpTHWec2cAowOwq2A6YLPX3v3I-QnHashzwabZEiKNqSWc1syqmdEBAOFfDeQZlH2ykBbIyjINF67G1tVXR7Qs2Z8vtaQ4nmMijsPxaZcEEpYmyTN22z-LS-pvNnIyYH3meqb4/s640/IMG_5494.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grove of the Patriarchs Nature Trail </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqI6cBzLxqwdUAvwQ8CfQ3kGCpIyIRg_8R2o7g1ay0AjXVa47aMef_vqGVHrsL0vkVJZ2xUH9CXBR35hDvwnkVLUJ6rHt1MmfVHXxaoqhiCLGippYESRcazlTURxmuy956iGASmdqzF8/s1600/IMG_3962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqI6cBzLxqwdUAvwQ8CfQ3kGCpIyIRg_8R2o7g1ay0AjXVa47aMef_vqGVHrsL0vkVJZ2xUH9CXBR35hDvwnkVLUJ6rHt1MmfVHXxaoqhiCLGippYESRcazlTURxmuy956iGASmdqzF8/s640/IMG_3962.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myrtle Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51VDscidAz4z9TxFku95rexetrrJ72-uWNHiln79JAr7T7Lp6B-jdEBBLNHtRsYDU4mTO-Om6WPtqzZhkfApGqCztuS2vvCTs-VLjxodYCw48UcS_OSs0x8Etg6gXpDXAzbUcxMldLXM/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51VDscidAz4z9TxFku95rexetrrJ72-uWNHiln79JAr7T7Lp6B-jdEBBLNHtRsYDU4mTO-Om6WPtqzZhkfApGqCztuS2vvCTs-VLjxodYCw48UcS_OSs0x8Etg6gXpDXAzbUcxMldLXM/s640/IMG_2304.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflection Lake</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">At the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise, steps carved with a welcome from John Muir lead you to many trailheads, meadows and falls nestled throughout Mount Rainier. You will behold all the splendor and wonderment within this stunning National Park. </span><span style="font-size: large;">During our brief time at Rainer, meadows </span><span style="font-size: large;">upon meadows were just beginning to be filled with brilliant color.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> Wildflowers in every shade swayed in the breeze, bringing life to the hillside.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue Hole</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With its proximity to Mount Rainer, we camped at La Wis Wis Forest Service Campground during our stay. It turned out to be an excellent base to explore. Situated at the confluence of three waterways, the campground is nestled under a lush canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Our riverbank site in the Hatchery Loop accommodated our WeBeGone with room to spare, but the campground lets you know that roads through it are narrow with large trees lining it's boundary and before you cross the river bridge you best practice squeezing your butt cheeks. Turns are very, very tight. Many motorhome side panels have felt the teeth of the bridge as they tried to make the turn onto its ramp. </span><span style="font-size: large;">A short hike from our campsite was the Blue Hole, a beautiful pool located on the Ohanapecosh River that locals are bold enough to plunge into from the cliffs above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And than there is the wildlife...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While on the trail, we came upon Hoary Marmots posing on the hillsides. Huge piles of bear scat on the trail warned us to be on the lookout for foraging black bears. Our vigilance paid off as a short distance up the trail we came upon one of Mt. Rainier's largest carnivores. Based on the size of this bear, we assumed this was a huge male and we gave the big boy a wide berth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our Mount Rainer experience was incomplete, so a return visit is a must. Heck, this is THE mountain that's emblazoned on every Washington license plate and being the US fifth highest peak, is visible throughout much of the western state. Rainier is awe-inspiring and we are hooked. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXDZbbTUsmj2AIN6hWbzVWQptLBPnejxIN8jLAWEqrO8HZ3LkF8SXfuWmq6fFXpckzVIKIsCRodIvab2m3Yztzg0NGSejrdanWK84pNGvruSEMsyjIKmc4L9z7wnsuwdnyzkkFYcw3Nk/s1600/MountRainierDannySeidmanSTE+1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXDZbbTUsmj2AIN6hWbzVWQptLBPnejxIN8jLAWEqrO8HZ3LkF8SXfuWmq6fFXpckzVIKIsCRodIvab2m3Yztzg0NGSejrdanWK84pNGvruSEMsyjIKmc4L9z7wnsuwdnyzkkFYcw3Nk/s640/MountRainierDannySeidmanSTE+1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Rainier as captured by Danny Seldman</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>This photo represents what we envision seeing upon our return to Mount Rainer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heading south we decided to check out Cove Palisades State Park on Billy Chinook Reservoir in Culver, Oregon. The last time we stopped here, the lake was bustling with boaters, fisherman, campers and hikers. The hordes of people resembled and compared to stirring up an ant colony. Not a time for nourishment, quiet evenings and nature songs. As this was the off season, we decided it was a good time to try staying at one of their facilities, Crooked River Campground, encompassing the Deschutes and Crooked River Canyons. Perfect timing too...with over 200 campsites, we found only about a half dozen occupied. We secured the most awesome campsite that offered a magical view of the second highest mountain in Oregon, the stratovolcano Mount Jefferson. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvdCBaEzQ9ytPhB3QYUql8XVbxJO7CDbYwKJndSnK_HvXtbQshdxgNvrWljDnWj18bkhQykF1bmSE-7xcUx0PvuKE_1ojVJaGebO07qj78qLkW8f2B9HmTcyqbTTT_VgqytEGgqBRrWU/s1600/IMG_5631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvdCBaEzQ9ytPhB3QYUql8XVbxJO7CDbYwKJndSnK_HvXtbQshdxgNvrWljDnWj18bkhQykF1bmSE-7xcUx0PvuKE_1ojVJaGebO07qj78qLkW8f2B9HmTcyqbTTT_VgqytEGgqBRrWU/s640/IMG_5631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Jefferson</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And as history has proven, the awakening of a slumbering fire mountain can be so spectacular with its erupting...showing its raw destructive power capable of so much destruction. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There must be a connection between the mountains, forest and us...as we often gravitate to them. Imke and I crave for solace deep in our hearts and we find that in those natural wonderlands. And we find peace in the silence and beauty that these magical surroundings offer. We do love the PNW.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenticular Clouds over Mount St. Helens</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><i style="font-family: verdana, tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">At Waypoint 46.8523º N, 121.7603º W</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-87618817151698922732019-09-17T13:35:00.000-07:002019-09-30T22:24:12.379-07:00Rivers, Rivers and More Rivers<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"My favorite places on earth are the wild waterways where the forest opens its arms</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>and a silver curve of river folds the traveler into its embrace."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Rory Maclean</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I believe each one of us has to earn the right of passage, a passion to embrace...a stamp of of existence. If we don't earn that, we don't deserve the path...we forever live in the present or worse yet, we only live in the past. A river flows relentlessly and purposelessly, but it follows a path and when it tires of one journey it forges through the trials of life toward a new way. R</span><span style="font-size: large;">ivers...how I love them all. Rivers move, no matter the atmosphere. If it's raining, lightning or grey...it moves. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ah...like a life without a purpose.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mQ1fan3AxvCTYliyB_02nggth8ScXxoKBybaMazXRg4FkSQPuAW7hAlovNdl1c0h34jTI9f9GvTstDNMVVtcscV9whRe5fWsrI1RyEt0G_nyOSnId8MsxCb59YE5HnQMM54tsup00Z8/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mQ1fan3AxvCTYliyB_02nggth8ScXxoKBybaMazXRg4FkSQPuAW7hAlovNdl1c0h34jTI9f9GvTstDNMVVtcscV9whRe5fWsrI1RyEt0G_nyOSnId8MsxCb59YE5HnQMM54tsup00Z8/s400/IMG_3974.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Klamath River, a federally protected "Wild and Scenic River," is one of three rivers flowing from the Cascade Mountains and reaching the Pacific Ocean. The river, home to our Native Americans for thousands of years, still rely on and care for the river today. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The town of Klamath, on the California North Coast, is situated at the mouth of the river and is within the Yurok Indian Reservation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Klamath River salmon and steelhead runs were once the third-largest in the nation, but have fallen to just eight percent of their historic numbers as dams block over 300 miles of historic salmon habitat. Our fisherman neighbors shared that their success rate has been hit and miss, due to river's warm water temperatures. Although the Chinook salmon are staying off shore in the cooler water, they did score an occasional fish for the grill.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As our site at, Golden Bear RV Park, was right on the bank of the Klamath, we owned a perfect perch for wildlife viewing. We were told that the Klamath Basin is also home to mule deer, elk, cougar, black bears and river otters. We saw elk grazing on the side of the road, a family of river otters playing on the opposite bank and Osprey. And the neighbors spotted a black bear swimming across the river in front of the park the day before we arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The Rogue River, another river beginning in the Cascades and flowing to the Pacific at Gold Beach. This river became our next host for a few days. Just a few miles up the road from Gold Beach was Quosatana Campground, a very nice National Forest campground with large enough sites to accommodate our beast. It is situated in an Oregon myrtle grove with broad grass meadows on a rocky bank above the river.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Imkelina, Sydney and Kiah spent many hours on the banks of the river, swimming, wading and relaxing in the sun. We had a front row seat to observe the dozens of jet boats flying by with a full load of wannabe white water thrill seekers. Seeing all those jet boats full of passengers, the many kayakers and tubers floating down the rapids reminded us that we all can be on a similar journey, although everybody is in a different place at any given time, and that is to experience whatever and all we can in a natural setting. No pubs here, no recliner and channel changer in hand and no urban settings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although we saw a few Osprey soaring up and down the river, we had one particular show that was on our highlight reel. One morning Imkelina spotted about a half dozen turkey vultures on the opposite bank, apparently trying to feed on a large dead salmon. Then, quite suddenly, they all took flight. Just then a massive bald eagle dropped down from the forest canopy and became the new sheriff in town. He now owned the meal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The North Fork of the Middle Fork of the Willamette River was designated as a wild and scenic river in 1988. Water quality is one of the most outstanding attributes of the North Fork as its source, Waldo Lake, is considered one of the purest in the world. Located here at the confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork is <a href="http://www.caseysrvpark.com/">Casey's Riverside RV Park</a>, one of our favorite destinations over the years. Driving into the park after such a long hiatus brought a big smile to both of us for the setting was just as beautiful as years past and the park was perfectly groomed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Willamette River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The serenity of this river </span><span style="font-size: large;">provided us such </span><span style="font-size: large;">peaceful moments, soothed our mental aches and brought a world of joy, so it came easy to view it as a </span><span style="font-size: large;">metaphor of life. Akin to this <span style="font-family: inherit;">river, our thoughts and dreams are always in motion, never sure where true consciousness of our life began, let alone where it will finally end. And while we can sometimes see farther up stream or downstream, I find it difficult to see the vast scheme of our path. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we were our dogs, we wouldn't dwell on such silly thoughts...just frolic and get wet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This week was special as we shared this beautiful waypoint with old and new friends. Seven years ago at this same campground we met Jeff and Janice and have stayed in touch over the years. No sooner had we arrived, we get a text from Janice saying they were camped at Caseys in case we had plans to visit...what a mind blowing coincidence. During this brief reunion we noted that we both had gotten new travel mobiles and added a four-legged companion to our pack. We made time to have dinner at our favorite local Chinese restaurant and polish off few glasses of wine as we caught up on the years past lowlights and highlights.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Janice, Tacoma and Jeff</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen, Kayla and Orlena</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We also had our dear friends Stephen and Orlena share a vacation with us. As Orlena was recovering from a recent knee surgery, her mobility was reduced and cane assisted. But the river provided many nourishing moments for her to detach from the physical pain and </span><span style="font-size: large;">frustration of walking in SloMo. We did get a chance to share many meals, a few walks, had competitive game nights and each evening we listened to Stephen "fondle" his acoustic guitar. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce, Dennis and Tilley</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And by a synchronicity moment, we connected with Dennis and Joyce. It was weird...for Imkelina had more in common with Joyce than a pair of twins. Dennis and I just look alike...but he plays guitar far better than me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With two guitarists within our circle, we had a couple of jam nights hosted by Dennis and Stephen. Fun evenings for sure! Dennis also participated in an open mike night at Oregon's only real Ale House and Brewery, <a href="https://www.brewersunion.com/">Brewers Union Local 180</a>. He was definitely the highlight of the night.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If the Willamette National Forest draws you to visit the area, check out the Diamond Creek Falls Loop Trail to experience some beautiful falls, including the Salt Creek Falls, the second highest fall in Oregon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In 2015, our dear friends, <a href="https://stonyhill.com/rvtravels/">Dick and Melinda</a>, took us on a wonderful road trip of special waypoints near their then home base in Redmond. One of those places, the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=4375">McKenzie River</a>, sparked our desire to return and spend multiple days exploring. Well...we came back! We were pleasantly surprised to find McKenzie Bridge, a small US Forest Service campground on the bank of the river, with a couple of sites large enough for our motorhome. Granted we needed a shoehorn get positioned just right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This campground was special and a waypoint to which we will definitely return. Each morning mists rose above the water with the laziness of summer. Watching the river's ripples and rolls through the hazy light was meditating, while t</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">he rocky bank hypnotized us with its rainbow of colorful stones. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our sanctuary on this tiny beach was a very healing spot to give thanks, be in the moment and rest our body and soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Three thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption in Central Oregon pushed a giant flow of lava southwest toward the McKenzie River. The lava scorched the forest and redirected the flow of the river, creating this beautiful gem...Clear Lake. It is considered one of the clearest and coldest lakes in the Cascades. Ospreys filled the skies above the lake. We never seen so many in one place. The 4.6 mile Clear Lake Loop Trail winds through the lava beds and old growth forest and is pet friendly. As we were alone on the trail, Sydney and Kiah celebrated off leash. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKAK0jWnQQNbMSBIT-8ApHpUi-iq0RCZElOEsSD4UGorEUpJf30Ph4j-fSAO4jpvImJB03_fpjL93VoyoAqEfDGtdCXqet72B_RYNm4fwL6ybK9lwnH5PLu04EAVIKZxOR7nqf3jGnTQ/s1600/IMG_4686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKAK0jWnQQNbMSBIT-8ApHpUi-iq0RCZElOEsSD4UGorEUpJf30Ph4j-fSAO4jpvImJB03_fpjL93VoyoAqEfDGtdCXqet72B_RYNm4fwL6ybK9lwnH5PLu04EAVIKZxOR7nqf3jGnTQ/s640/IMG_4686.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The changing colors in the forest gave notice that fall was tugging away at summer...the year's last and loveliest smile signaled us, it was time to move on.</span><br />
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<i style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At Waypoint 44.175º N, 122.175º W</span></i></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-36309673533609337922019-08-27T09:20:00.003-07:002019-09-17T08:14:21.981-07:00Winterhavens in Arizona<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">"The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions;</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">could have, might have and should have."</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">Louis e. Boone</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona's Superstition Mountains </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Arizona...where summer spends the winter and hell spends the summer, where water is king and any shade tree is queen and where legions of snowbirds choose to do their sun dance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deciding to make a winter trip to Arizona became a total go when we learned that our goddaughter Ellie would be participating in a team volleyball tournament at the Arizona Cardinal's home turf, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. We also knew it may be months before we could travel again as we had accepted a spring hosting position at Hearst San Simeon State Park. So as the saying goes, "one who lives sees much, one who travels sees more."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After dry camping in the parking lot of one of our favorite eateries, Peggy Sue's Diner in Yermo, we pointed our noses toward Parker Arizona and Buckskin Mountain State Park. Buckskin is located right on the banks of the Colorado River. As we planned on staying only one night, we chose the lightly used overflow parking area. No hook ups were necessary as our solar panels were going bonkers with all the direct sunshine and we were right next to our own "private" bathroom and showers (no one else used them). The beach below us had a sparse lawn, but it was a great lounging pad for Sydney and Kiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Imkelina can be relentless at seeking out boon docking locations (thank you Denise Big Dog), so it was not a surprise that she scooped up Vulture Mine Road, in Wickenburg, AZ. As it was late afternoon, a number of rigs had already marked off their desert hideaway, leaving available a few less desirable pads. So rather than settle, we just moseyed down the road a block or so and found a perfect and very private campsite. A welcome home fire pit was already built and ready to be fueled. The desert has its holiness of silence, with landscape views being its voice... and our little piece of sand proved to be the perfect chapel. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Wrens surrounded our campsite</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We had read so many wonderful reviews of the camping experiences at Arizona's Maricopa County Parks that Imkelina set her sights on one of these parks to stimulate her always curious mind. She chose White Tank Mountain Regional Park as it was the closest to Ellie's volleyball tournament</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> venue. Nearly 30,000 acres </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">make this the largest regional park in Maricopa County. Most of the park is made up of the rugged and beautiful White Tank Mountains, a range deeply serrated with ridges and canyons. The park offers approximately 25 miles of groomed trails with difficulty ratings geared toward every hiker's experience level. We found a great site with a wonderful view of the mountains, had a grassy knoll that Sydney and Kiah loved...lizards were under every rock and we even had a coyote or two prance by. The desert was beautiful, as the flora was painted with an array on cactus flowers. And the trailheads of different hikes were scattered throughout the park, a few right from our campground loop. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WeBeGone found a stadium parking spot in an isolated lot walking distance to the entrance...close for "beer" breaks. Sydney and Kiah volunteered to "guard" our rig, but their comfy front seat beds guaranteed a nap was more alluring than guarding.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Stadium Floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Our Ellie in the center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We entered the stadium, walking down a number of floors to ground level and then entered a world of chaos, high pitch screams, loud cheers and it seemed like hundreds of airborne volleyballs. We had never been to a club volleyball tournament and we were shocked to see how grand of a production this was. First the stadium is huge, you have over 32 courts, a dozen athletes per team, coaches, vendors, family, friends and walk in spectators all integrated into a playing field...a human ant farm. What a blast to be part of a combination of madness, excitement and fun. Ellie's team did not come out on top, but she and her team played hard and we had a great time with family, Daryl, Kate and Charlotte. But after two days in the asphalt jungle pulsating with traffic and crowds, it was time to bid farewell to our loved ones and head out toward Lost Dutchman State Park.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WeBeGone's morning view of the west face of Superstition Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAvEf2s8UdWs-JTIRcDSywpzXNQEmowZLWzr2tPu77A8FsN-opcqhVDGevIY8fxwD15TLH4fdKD7umHh22Kxxt2IwzJhMU5py_TD_UtZKmBFcJHZKwqgp3j3bNBxYXeOEP9N5Twdlkho/s1600/IMG_2124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAvEf2s8UdWs-JTIRcDSywpzXNQEmowZLWzr2tPu77A8FsN-opcqhVDGevIY8fxwD15TLH4fdKD7umHh22Kxxt2IwzJhMU5py_TD_UtZKmBFcJHZKwqgp3j3bNBxYXeOEP9N5Twdlkho/s640/IMG_2124.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Propector's View Trail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Many years ago, when life was black and white, I realized that in order to accept the spectacular scenes that my eyes beheld, I had to “unleash” my mind…I had to surrender. Only then could I embrace and appreciate the gift and beauty of nature. </span>Well, Lost Dutchman State Park is a place where one can exercise that ability to be here now. This park was high on our list of “need to see Arizona State Parks.” Have you ever seen the photos used to illustrate the Superstition Mountains? Well we were parked right in that viewfinder's lane... awakening each morning to the views of that majestic rock face, in a position to see it, touch it and walk it's trails in real time. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gambel's Quail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs6beGDELT2ChstLJFMYs_K8AZF3iADJGL9vLEotGfpX2YlIqkje6rzDvDMnBrUzjR4A8KDjhCqHs880jP7MPDqS84dVbx3th1i5LkaxRjXkBtuMv6uMN7efNnfkMLj7eiT8eFPXDcCg/s1600/IMG_2145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs6beGDELT2ChstLJFMYs_K8AZF3iADJGL9vLEotGfpX2YlIqkje6rzDvDMnBrUzjR4A8KDjhCqHs880jP7MPDqS84dVbx3th1i5LkaxRjXkBtuMv6uMN7efNnfkMLj7eiT8eFPXDcCg/s640/IMG_2145.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javalina</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Along with the miles and miles of trails that traverse through this Sonoran Desert landscape, you also have a diverse number of wild characters surrounding you...using your campsite as their own personal trailhead.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rising moon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvejrR7egAXkUn4W9ez_Ywyx0Nb1dgVXuWADoiWOc9NGYsNwm6ztxfYHBmV8SmiiMwOjoQeh_rwF5KhyR2ijrqqTMjvHInAxk4dO6h06sV5os3CrngsZIxYbYIFbtSE6PaNqpH1jAvCXM/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvejrR7egAXkUn4W9ez_Ywyx0Nb1dgVXuWADoiWOc9NGYsNwm6ztxfYHBmV8SmiiMwOjoQeh_rwF5KhyR2ijrqqTMjvHInAxk4dO6h06sV5os3CrngsZIxYbYIFbtSE6PaNqpH1jAvCXM/s640/IMG_2204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Snow" Moon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">setting moon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And although we did not locate the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, we did find a bigger treasure, the Snow Super Moon. It bathed us with some beautiful moon beams each evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Arizona ventures would not be complete without finding a way to gather with a few of our favorite Oregonians ... snow birding or living in sunny, warm Arizona. Ha, no shorts and flip flops in the desert this time...snow, rain, blustery winds, cool temperatures. But we stayed warm and dry with a few Margaritas and growlers. We celebrated Mel and Carol's birthdays, spent a day taking in the outstanding Musical Instrument Museum and caught up on each other's ever changing lives. By the time we pointed West back to California, the warm, sunny days had returned.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route 66</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We found the perfect boon docking spot right off Old Highway Route 66...Amboy Crater. This 250 foot high volcanic cinder cone nestled within the Mojave Desert is said to be approximately 6,000 years old. A desolate and surreal landscape, but alive...Imke's trail walk to the cinder cone rewarded her with many surprising plots of wildflowers growing within the lava fields. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Unbeknownst to us at the time, this would turn out to be the final adventure in our "little" WeBeGone. During our stint of camp hosting at San Simeon State Park, we made an easy decision...let's full-time again. So in order to uphold our wedding vows it meant we needed a tad larger coach to co-exist...here she is below...nice ass, huh. More to come from the "big" WeBeGon.</span><br />
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<i style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At Waypoint 33.4475º N, 111.1937º W</span></i>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-39925804652763864492019-07-26T08:30:00.000-07:002019-09-30T22:23:12.582-07:00Lassen Volcanic National Park...A Hidden Gem of California East<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote down 'happy'. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">They told me I didn't understand the assignment,</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>and I told them they </i><i>didn't</i><i> understand life".</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">John Lennon</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are catching up with some "pending" posts...for as many of you know, our lives experienced sudden and abrupt changes...but all for the best. There are times when shit needs to happen to bring awareness to stagnant circumstances. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The events and experiences during the last year set our creativity engine on idle for we needed to focus on other life priorities. They created an illusion of rearing their heads up every week and thus our mental and emotional platforms had to stay sharp, not to be distracted with "passions." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is awesome now, routines finding their lanes again, souls nourished daily and the juices of our zest for exploring running amok. Our hopes are to shortly catch everyone up with all our latest travels. In the meantime, enjoy this short piece fueled by the travels of last summer...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We love chasing the wind...it keeps the wild in us and mountains have always been my oxygen, so Lassen Volcanic National Park has always been on our short list of destinations. Though we tried to create and find a large enough window to visit the park and the surrounding wilderness over the years, life sometimes gets in the way...creating "pauses" to those intentions. Not this time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After a long drive from our beloved Central Coast, we officially began our maiden exploration of Lassen, entering at the north entrance via SR 44. And as soon as we passed the NPS entry kiosk, I realized the park would be providing Imkelina with an extravagant choice of "air pixels"...this park is beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As it was early in the season, only one campground was opened...Manzanita Lake Campground. We chose not to make any reservations, as our research noted that we would have no problem securing a campsite in the first come, first served B Loop. The information was spot on, as we had a multitude of nice sites to choose from, especially with our tiny WeBeGone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Created as a National Monument in 1907, Lassen is not a large park, only 106,372 acres. Compare that to Denali National Park in Alaska which boasts a massive 4,740,912 acres. It's no wonder that area is the home to the "Big Dogs." Even the Channel Islands have more mass than Lassen. But what drew us to Lassen other than the stunning ruggedness was the lack of crowds. The park draws approximately a half million visitors per year. Now give a shout out to the 6.2 million people, their cars and buses crowding the rim of the Grand Canyon. You definitely notice the difference on the roads, campgrounds and trailheads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet for a small park there is so much to do and explore. We barely got a taste of all the beauty this park has to offer. But we made sure we noted the activities, the campsites and the trails we would do on our return trip. During this initial visit we hung around Manzanita Lake entertaining ourselves with some fishing, a few short hikes and some well needed "us" time taking in the beauty of Lassen Peak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We did take a day to drive through the park, stopping at a handful of beautiful sites and spending some qualitative time exploring them. As we drove higher into the park we were amazed of how much snow still covered the mountainside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lake Helen is one of the only pure glacial lakes in the park. Although it remains frozen and covered in deep snow for most of the year, during late summer you will see it slowly shedding its frozen winter cap and displaying stunning iridescent hues of sapphire blue waters. </span><br />
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<h3 style="caret-color: rgb(95, 95, 95); color: #5f5f5f; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 7px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And then from a landscape of snow and ice, you come upon the Sulphur Works, a hydrothermal area that surrounded us with a symphony of of boiling mud pots and steam vents.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, Lassen Volcanic Park had far more things to see and do than we had time for. Reasons to return...and our pack had a very happy experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: black;">At Waypoint 40.5327º N, 121.5673º W</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-78958396340882446882018-08-13T07:30:00.000-07:002018-08-13T07:30:16.077-07:00The People We Meet On The Road<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than the miles."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Tim Cahill</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are on a short hiatus of travels as we assist our family during some trying times. But this respite gives us time to reflect on the treasures found during our life on the road over the last ten years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have been blessed with so many wonderful friends. And like the myriad of shades on a painter's palette, they have never stopped illuminating the strokes on our canvas of life. Their friendship has kept the "chills" away and their light breathes back life during those most needed times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Many of our dearest and lifelong friends are those who we have met during our stints as camp hosts, countless road trips and/or as Imkelina says "everywhere." So it is no wonder that "destiny" becomes such a powerful reason for us to create more experiences. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Synchronicity has embraced us and will forever change our lives. Our paths may yet cross, as it truly is a small world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have a very large "tribe" and our stories of friendship could be endless. These unique meetings that we have drawn to us have been without the typical parameters/judgements of our culture i.e, race, politics (this current administration provides many trials), financial wealth or religious beliefs. That is not to say that we have not had many a spirited conversation for which I have gone to bed pretty pissed, but our friendships are strong and everlasting, easily weathering the many tests through the years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We work our entire lives building friendships, childhood friends, school friends, neighborhood friends, college friends, work friends, best friends, boyfriends or girlfriends. Friendships make us who we are and offer something totally unique. They bring something new to our lives, inspiring us to see us and our world a totally different way. They give us a shoulder to lean on and a cheerleader to to root us on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">No friendship is an accident or who we have known the longest. Our friendships can be compared to a sprinkle...short, yet impactful and others like a downpour...heavy, continuous, never ending. Our needs change over time and thus, so do our friendships. We detach the old with love and embrace the new with the same. One constant though, our friendships must nourish and refresh our souls.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A heartfelt thank you to all of you within our beloved tribe. Over the years you have been our mentors, our inspiration and our storytellers of life. We look forward to a lifetime of being part of this wanderlust fellowship.</span><br />
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<i style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">At Waypoint: the West</span></i></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-77812508423966491722018-04-17T07:00:00.000-07:002018-04-17T07:00:01.810-07:00Tuttle Creek...Reluctant Homeward Bounders<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. </i><br />
<i>You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. </i><i>That way it will go with you wherever you journey."</i></div>
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<i>Tad Williams</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well we squeaked out a couple more days by convincing ourselves we need to dump our tanks after all these wonderful days of dry camping...a lame excuse (we have a full hook-up rv pad at our home). But we desired more magnificent</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> views, more moments to embrace the stillness that accompanies being and we wanted to bathe in that lingering capacity to pull in </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the power of these mountains peaks. So we let this High Sierra range seduce us and we drove a few miles south to Tuttle Creek Campground.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those of you that are part of our inner circle, know that our reluctance to head "home" is not because we live in an asphalt jungle studded with traffic jams, smog and mirages of natural landscapes. Our Central Coast Hidey Hole on the shores of the Pacific Ocean is our Camelot...beautiful, peaceful, protective and very nourishing...but it is no secret...the mountains are my narcotics.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owens Dry Lake Bed at dusk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inyo Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra Nevada view site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuttle Creek</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyLfrAyregtpMf3zlNS9dZc9nHTFeHP3eqU7tsYnqshgAw2vaJzgKQFGporR7mEckzwzlkrCOskHBPKA2qTtUvA41A8T_6qRZ749PHYl1HCxQH0hBwRwWtUm6KmBFJU3ZVcKKZ3AMs-c/s1600/IMG_8879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1600" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyLfrAyregtpMf3zlNS9dZc9nHTFeHP3eqU7tsYnqshgAw2vaJzgKQFGporR7mEckzwzlkrCOskHBPKA2qTtUvA41A8T_6qRZ749PHYl1HCxQH0hBwRwWtUm6KmBFJU3ZVcKKZ3AMs-c/s640/IMG_8879.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscV6HQljevoIGup07cunKoXM-0bNekKK6SZfOis1IgdTO0izVLWBGXx7mliuJHnG6HVstNhoW0InWhD6SApIfhtLZRn2zSX41wXQ_ZIEqbSvQ84K2qBH5vsNZcWcaw5InQD6fCJJo-fk/s1600/IMG_8874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscV6HQljevoIGup07cunKoXM-0bNekKK6SZfOis1IgdTO0izVLWBGXx7mliuJHnG6HVstNhoW0InWhD6SApIfhtLZRn2zSX41wXQ_ZIEqbSvQ84K2qBH5vsNZcWcaw5InQD6fCJJo-fk/s640/IMG_8874.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuttle Creek was the perfect farewell to our Getaway to the Gateway. Sydney and Kiah had plenty of game trails to follow and Imkelina had acres of high desert wilderness to create a new route to Whitney...she always tries. The campground features </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">spacious sites, endless views south toward Owens Dry Lake Bed, the Inyo Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada pinnacles to the west. The soothing sounds of Tuttle Creek could easily hypnotize you as it meanders through the campground, while the dark heavens cast spells of infinite universes while showcasing millions of bright starlights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although we had to "pause" this short getaway to return to family, we knew full well that the Hwy 395 Gateway will never stop </span><span style="font-size: large;">beckoning us to return. This wondrous corridor knows we will never stop inhaling the fragrance, emotions and power of the mountains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: black;">At Waypoint 36.5666, -118.1237</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-77283346057901167492018-04-12T13:00:00.000-07:002019-09-30T22:22:33.218-07:00Getaway to the Gateway-Alabama Hills<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>"And if these mountains had eyes, they would wake to find two strangers in their fences, standing in admiration as a breathing red pours its tinge upon the earth's shore. </i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>These mountains, which have seen untold sunrises, long to thunder praise but stand reverent,</i></span><i style="font-family: inherit;">silent so that man's weak praise should be given God's attention."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Donald Miller</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Being" has always offered so many textures and colors of living for us to experience...and those experiences have become portals to even more diverse sagas. But the true test that continues to present itself to us is, will we allow ourselves to embrace those opportunities when they materialize? Stay fluid, embrace change and visualize out of the box has been our mantra for many years now...has to be...one of us is a Gemini.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">driving on Movie Road through the Alabama Hills</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After Fossil Falls, we still were in the mood to see our real world...so we honored our desire to view our Sierra Nevada pinnacles. So onward north we headed to our treasured Alabama Hills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, for those who feel life is but a grind or that might define carpe diem as hope for tomorrow or wonderment as indifference, we highly recommend that you best get your butt out here and recharge. The views, the energy and the raw power that surround you will illuminate your soul and remind you that there is much more to life than the mundane. You need to be here before you go there!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WeBeGon trying to stay camouflaged</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove our WeBeGon miles on the many dirt roads zig zagging through the valley, a few with posted warning signs for only off road use, but we made sure not to bury our tires in the sand. We were relentless, yet patient, in our search for a campsite that provided some privacy and magical views. And we were rewarded for taking the time to search. Our two girls were also in heaven with lizard/rodent searches, fresh pee mail and endless boulders to scamper over or lounge around.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">You start out with</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"> "those" mornings! There are very few landscape murals more breathtaking than the alpenglow reflecting off those majestic pinnacles. And then you have those wondrous Alabama Hills which truly are a sharp contrast to the imposing crags of the Eastern Sierras. Massive boulders scattered throughout the hills have been chiseled by wind and water over time creating natural archways, magical spires, sculpted ledges, rock formations of whimsical shapes and figures and so many color spots tucked in among the boulders. Surreal indeed!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is fragility in all of us but the energy of our mother earth has the power to strengthen our life simply by us listening to the silence of nature and hearing the force of our inner voice.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As difficult as it was, it was time to leave. Maybe we could squeak out one more day...maybe. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: black;">At Waypoint 36.5958, -118.1092</i></span></span></span></div>
The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-10880493118230922302018-04-03T10:32:00.002-07:002019-09-30T22:18:41.989-07:00Getaway to the Gateway...Fossil Falls<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #181818; text-align: left;"><i>“The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyong reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need, if only we had the eyes to see.” </i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><i>Edward Abbey</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Over the course of the past year, extended travel adventures have been checked, thus limiting new posts for our readers' enjoyment. Time has been filled with trips to both the southern and northern part of the state offering love and support to our family. And sad to say our "Central Coast Hidey Hole" has been pretty lonely too. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fossil Falls with the Eastern Sierra backdrop</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">On short notice though, we have headed to a few surreal landscapes for brief </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">respites of soul charging, mental highs and emotional bliss. When the wind calls, I know that somewhere in the mountains there is the fortitude and tenacity we are looking for. The pull of the horizon overcomes our passivity and we must go...as the greeting the sun over the Eastern Sierra pinnacles is pure bliss for my own "Sun"...Imkelina. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Our recent trip was a short expedition to the "Gateway of the Eastern Sierras"...the southern part of Highway 395. Although this stretch of highway is not new to us, we wanted to explore a few camp spots that we have not been to. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">We have passed Fossil Falls, near Ridgecrest, hundreds of times while at full throttle heading north up Hwy 395...and not once did curiosity work it's way down to the brake pedal. But our dear friends, <a href="https://taylorbasecamp.com/">Tim and Denise</a>, shared their visit and it jacked up our interest. Well our intent was to just stay a night...turned into a multi-day rest stop. Pics tell the story why. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imke navigating a trail through the lava fields toward the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascading Lava Falls</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx07cWE6LJamyvPWc-QgNlS4u-PLni-UTAGwJM8zQJia4K0vF6jKMRg2RYtUPCP6ahJzvY9dJ-BlNe9Vz5MPvu77cNx3Jiug5jDqfnPpNgD5Fl8KnJ2PvY8jMUhdXSfP4t4yJ3lDZ1c2c/s1600/IMG_8589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1600" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx07cWE6LJamyvPWc-QgNlS4u-PLni-UTAGwJM8zQJia4K0vF6jKMRg2RYtUPCP6ahJzvY9dJ-BlNe9Vz5MPvu77cNx3Jiug5jDqfnPpNgD5Fl8KnJ2PvY8jMUhdXSfP4t4yJ3lDZ1c2c/s640/IMG_8589.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a close up of black bear scat...but just a huge lava boulder</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">The name Fossil Falls is a bit of a misnomer. There are neither fossils around to see, nor an active waterfall here. The highlight is...walking through this surreal land of convoluted chasms of shiny, sculpted black lava formations. From what we read, these fields were formed from the rushing water of the Owens River and lava pouring down from nearby volcanoes 20,000 years ago. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBtDd-PbhR2alcYvr8GQC1iJQ1pM08pBFcpix360dtZi53TOX1n9akb0hrY_Z8zk_EfDOXFvl2Z9h9ZNrjdRpdkbY79W0TdfMoum-oMHRXnIAAoTKEXGfqiCT2AdKgLTR7eBBEYSa6Pc/s1600/IMG_8542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1479" data-original-width="1600" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBtDd-PbhR2alcYvr8GQC1iJQ1pM08pBFcpix360dtZi53TOX1n9akb0hrY_Z8zk_EfDOXFvl2Z9h9ZNrjdRpdkbY79W0TdfMoum-oMHRXnIAAoTKEXGfqiCT2AdKgLTR7eBBEYSa6Pc/s640/IMG_8542.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thistle Sage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY49r0W1tIadQOIQsneLYP8xjUoz6P7dhkfoSLM4rv6_JU7ENoXzT01fKPoQCAgGIp_dHLtJUywrJqXNE-ZX0s-TvIIjttbljDEOhGZOxCbo2XIkPSw87dbR5XO-AkCL0o93i_MSJN2A/s1600/IMG_8502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguY49r0W1tIadQOIQsneLYP8xjUoz6P7dhkfoSLM4rv6_JU7ENoXzT01fKPoQCAgGIp_dHLtJUywrJqXNE-ZX0s-TvIIjttbljDEOhGZOxCbo2XIkPSw87dbR5XO-AkCL0o93i_MSJN2A/s640/IMG_8502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Hill cinder cone looking down on WeBeGone</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">We loved this spot so much that the daily 40 mph gusts did not deter us to say "sayonara". Dotted on and among the lava beds were a brilliant palette of colors...flowers, shrubs and lichen. The distant landscape views were beautiful, the night skies stunning...and then there was the <i><b>solitude.</b></i> It is only when we silence the blaring sounds of daily existence (Southern CA) that we can hear the whispers of our truth and what path forward we need to take. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCjXgyWBgI4ZL26ih38alEyq3yWZ7VrCWpb0kCmaSfra3HidbRKGTKuB74SITK6XGaj5yQ5IqDvGqpdmAcTLa8blCMYNtmnnQh5FW6p2eiLUrLoI5p-iSSltUo5j7LNV4NVhVEkKJDp4/s1600/IMG_8577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCjXgyWBgI4ZL26ih38alEyq3yWZ7VrCWpb0kCmaSfra3HidbRKGTKuB74SITK6XGaj5yQ5IqDvGqpdmAcTLa8blCMYNtmnnQh5FW6p2eiLUrLoI5p-iSSltUo5j7LNV4NVhVEkKJDp4/s640/IMG_8577.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: large;">Fossil Falls...a simple reminder of how ancient our mother earth is, the knowledge gathered within her and the messages stored within this lava of our past. We left only our footprints. We head north toward Lone Pine and them Alabama Hills. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">At Waypoint 35.9728, -117.9119</i></span></div>
The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-55227176649903026422018-01-14T18:06:00.000-08:002018-01-14T18:06:52.026-08:002017...WeBeGon treks <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow".</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Melody </i></span><i>Beattie</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, Melody Beattie held my hand for many years...and I must again give thanks to her words, wisdom and faith for she was one of many </span>teachers<span style="font-family: inherit;"> who helped me free myself from my self imposed darkness to be the person I am today. I have come to realize that nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. And for us, now is the time to understand more, so that we all fear less.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year, 2017, seemed like a blur, but Imkelina reminded me that we had many celebrations with dear friends, experienced new adventures and gazed upon some of the most beautiful murals of our wondrous west.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although the year ended with our energy directed to a new life challenge, we still give many thanks to all the fortunes that have embraced us through life and feel confident that we are in a secure place to endure all trials and adversity. There is this old African proverb that comes to mind when I think of Imke and I..."if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together." And thus our friendship has enabled us to truly live life on our own terms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For thousands of miles we watched these wiggling hips of our little dashboard Hula Girl, who we fondly named Nainoa, after the famed navigator of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hōkūleʻa.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> She was gifted to us by Imke's "bruddah and sistah-in-law" who live in her beloved Hawaii. That "shak'n it" view brought us so much joy...for the more those little hips wiggled, the more adventures were being had. And Nainoa was such a perfect traveler...no fixed plans and no intent on arriving at any particular spot. Also traveling with Nainoa on the WeBeGon dash is one of our treasured Zuni Fetishes...the bear, guardian of the west, symbolizing strength, power, healing and self knowledge. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We are always excited at the views beyond them as we find our way to new or favorite Waypoints!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYIixDJby6gB_6Zv0DL6tbBtfJUO7wqzyIq31rUQEGRVsQyvht5tWnHcZqGvrrJF3HGKA0YZERKtnCdJ7sXReoN-vyfjRtJUSJ5OrNA8-k74narmrdDwRuCoIx9IyVmrxMV5F6NSK4WI/s1600/1+-+Hwy+1+headed+to+Pt+Magu%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYIixDJby6gB_6Zv0DL6tbBtfJUO7wqzyIq31rUQEGRVsQyvht5tWnHcZqGvrrJF3HGKA0YZERKtnCdJ7sXReoN-vyfjRtJUSJ5OrNA8-k74narmrdDwRuCoIx9IyVmrxMV5F6NSK4WI/s400/1+-+Hwy+1+headed+to+Pt+Magu%252C+CA.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 1 headed toward Pt. Magu</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0rJgR2287cvyxBbUeYWK4FkgJI38znwSNmVg7KhUGi0D_dMwU6BHIGm5bw6WuvDXJWeG-3Fb8OlPJnSnrZ77dH5-PBJVcRcTA1GP4ic_UxLJosXGkBfkYbOwNr7kXv62zJgyejsYnDI/s1600/2+-+crossing+into+Arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0rJgR2287cvyxBbUeYWK4FkgJI38znwSNmVg7KhUGi0D_dMwU6BHIGm5bw6WuvDXJWeG-3Fb8OlPJnSnrZ77dH5-PBJVcRcTA1GP4ic_UxLJosXGkBfkYbOwNr7kXv62zJgyejsYnDI/s400/2+-+crossing+into+Arizona.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona welcomes us</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXpAgKW4_SU5qUO8y6DLDVwtmHa0dQ9nHzRxv-rSTKmH85aZqwG8-wjDUHRkWnWuxbNeZVZ66fLqWQEVAs-hgkBIFQUNpK73Nqp6m58uBhsfHGEqnkBKuyVBuUJ2m3y7oAzY4Ryx_Kok/s1600/3+-+Darby+Wells+Road%252C+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXpAgKW4_SU5qUO8y6DLDVwtmHa0dQ9nHzRxv-rSTKmH85aZqwG8-wjDUHRkWnWuxbNeZVZ66fLqWQEVAs-hgkBIFQUNpK73Nqp6m58uBhsfHGEqnkBKuyVBuUJ2m3y7oAzY4Ryx_Kok/s400/3+-+Darby+Wells+Road%252C+AZ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boondocking at Darby Wells Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBDw130bL6lXnX-D6RkhE0BRgABtdNfmQo2XuTLLxtJlkLcj_QcPVTKpAxuma8jYGf5gzv7O5YpSXCeoHlQebXbLxWV3qiFrB2sUtRPszJIxuDVIbhugdt8tBq2U5vwlmuCtoI0giGps/s1600/4+-+Passing+through+Tucson%252C+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBDw130bL6lXnX-D6RkhE0BRgABtdNfmQo2XuTLLxtJlkLcj_QcPVTKpAxuma8jYGf5gzv7O5YpSXCeoHlQebXbLxWV3qiFrB2sUtRPszJIxuDVIbhugdt8tBq2U5vwlmuCtoI0giGps/s400/4+-+Passing+through+Tucson%252C+AZ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">passing through Tucson, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ34o8D1sucWuiwnt87jr8hvDBWeRKJQc0Pq3lAA1jXuFgkYpgewFO8oNVgSTwpg9quLJRPX8FDBGlXJLd4nWLrz77Fhi42zVxpmZYlqtr5_qzmBv6Yg652zq6w3RirHVbdMWAKIw9apg/s1600/6+-+Kartchner+Caverns+State+Park%252C+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ34o8D1sucWuiwnt87jr8hvDBWeRKJQc0Pq3lAA1jXuFgkYpgewFO8oNVgSTwpg9quLJRPX8FDBGlXJLd4nWLrz77Fhi42zVxpmZYlqtr5_qzmBv6Yg652zq6w3RirHVbdMWAKIw9apg/s640/6+-+Kartchner+Caverns+State+Park%252C+AZ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kartchner Caverns State Park, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQOxt9TrALzhEW7hB2ZBC_DkMw4y-bvIhqJdUmoMznhBeqc9THZqmKa_jlSJwwpc70RFyzGfKU76B7jZLX9hBfsypOxVUH6fcZCRzb07FtKrc2WsYEJJo8BKu2z12sUxRXPLFzjqEGY/s1600/7+-+Chiricahua+National+Monument%252C+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EQOxt9TrALzhEW7hB2ZBC_DkMw4y-bvIhqJdUmoMznhBeqc9THZqmKa_jlSJwwpc70RFyzGfKU76B7jZLX9hBfsypOxVUH6fcZCRzb07FtKrc2WsYEJJo8BKu2z12sUxRXPLFzjqEGY/s640/7+-+Chiricahua+National+Monument%252C+AZ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiricahua National Monument, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aFHTglA5prfsFQQAvLSf3wFqEfdpZ9lBGC4vr9CRnExhoBvQKGytI9rC-aEwEw-UiSrnpjvIbRkknwahjj_4FxzSfieGlXGXBD_JS_IZmKwnJ_Y1TPRR06WlIOKIpjqAC_7svxxpne4/s1600/8+-+Indian+Bread+Rocks%252C+AZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aFHTglA5prfsFQQAvLSf3wFqEfdpZ9lBGC4vr9CRnExhoBvQKGytI9rC-aEwEw-UiSrnpjvIbRkknwahjj_4FxzSfieGlXGXBD_JS_IZmKwnJ_Y1TPRR06WlIOKIpjqAC_7svxxpne4/s640/8+-+Indian+Bread+Rocks%252C+AZ.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian Bread Rocks, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq7zLid_5_pMop88UcR61OZ24hXIqIMtxEI8zpwy72xeFNIVekSuqUW63n7COUX8bPb7UZs7BVnIxPINO6q4ga-2yKsQ_ozXqcDXc0CrS3cTTSddfWKx3wAy6Ks1jL0E4Q2sCo9e4eX8/s1600/9+-+Tucson+Mountain+Park%252C+AZ+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkq7zLid_5_pMop88UcR61OZ24hXIqIMtxEI8zpwy72xeFNIVekSuqUW63n7COUX8bPb7UZs7BVnIxPINO6q4ga-2yKsQ_ozXqcDXc0CrS3cTTSddfWKx3wAy6Ks1jL0E4Q2sCo9e4eX8/s640/9+-+Tucson+Mountain+Park%252C+AZ+.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucson Mountain Park en route to Gilbert Ray Campground, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTUhHDwOjzgBBIswIgBX8cCcPvdT2XDkfU0-V86DFlRO9QuGEjpKqV-hv-g7-WZb3qkrA3gcBc2V9xhipDGSoamrVbg2D85BmXD3V5dhtxPnt5lv3QDd3omGYQQiofZzH3hRKLRBP7-s/s1600/10+-+Hwy+40%252C+across+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTUhHDwOjzgBBIswIgBX8cCcPvdT2XDkfU0-V86DFlRO9QuGEjpKqV-hv-g7-WZb3qkrA3gcBc2V9xhipDGSoamrVbg2D85BmXD3V5dhtxPnt5lv3QDd3omGYQQiofZzH3hRKLRBP7-s/s640/10+-+Hwy+40%252C+across+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 40 slog across California<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiYfRnuzvyp04ZY8t6S_YKuvzosKvd6UoimhVVrck_A4u-VdOjICdyfB323g8OhyphenhyphenEqmHNpyP_YYMuJVE0x6LNOgw5o4KGuR8yoaU5XtfFc9h29D8KJZ-hJkwwG4oBHIvxZX-ir4-7uUw/s1600/12+-+Spring+flowers+on+Scenic+Hwy+395%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiYfRnuzvyp04ZY8t6S_YKuvzosKvd6UoimhVVrck_A4u-VdOjICdyfB323g8OhyphenhyphenEqmHNpyP_YYMuJVE0x6LNOgw5o4KGuR8yoaU5XtfFc9h29D8KJZ-hJkwwG4oBHIvxZX-ir4-7uUw/s640/12+-+Spring+flowers+on+Scenic+Hwy+395%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hwy 395 spring flowers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmakKScxKXPc96xSSZIOJ1_0OCumtnJHKmPkF-QiXarrp6g7WuzCIN1ZX9-J7nboywtXmfNmsKAEw82tstoUSzaTicAAEJeE7YK0nMmDk0-7lWtUZ-R24h0BRTCgIVmKhoM19y_rWaTQ/s1600/13+-+Hwy+395%252C+Eastern+Sierras%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmakKScxKXPc96xSSZIOJ1_0OCumtnJHKmPkF-QiXarrp6g7WuzCIN1ZX9-J7nboywtXmfNmsKAEw82tstoUSzaTicAAEJeE7YK0nMmDk0-7lWtUZ-R24h0BRTCgIVmKhoM19y_rWaTQ/s640/13+-+Hwy+395%252C+Eastern+Sierras%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Sierra peaks off Hwy 395</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIb17RSEhoCIFFUjy2lfcCXa6flAuxLQ_Thtd0JcDaLOJ9w5flkOCzhbisRtp2C05YoVQmGZMMWccNhS4uA1EofaKQ7rUG1sPciiO4Ca2Keul9kyE4zqqeU01RNXHEk9gIBtG96Y8Jxc/s1600/14+-+Volcanic+Tablelands%252C+Bishop%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIb17RSEhoCIFFUjy2lfcCXa6flAuxLQ_Thtd0JcDaLOJ9w5flkOCzhbisRtp2C05YoVQmGZMMWccNhS4uA1EofaKQ7rUG1sPciiO4Ca2Keul9kyE4zqqeU01RNXHEk9gIBtG96Y8Jxc/s640/14+-+Volcanic+Tablelands%252C+Bishop%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcanic Tablelands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlvMHFDqnk8yawug54FlMHDjGAN7Oi2enNy5Q4ZTKWWuuMHN1wXxzg6MpdwlIsuI49SKTMtyRTjDzuIBmr1ePW9IdQWtQ1JoT8FJULgnq_g-mPxonorw4G1Dg4zrjKvy-S0vl8tkFhA/s1600/15+-+Another+departure+via+Hwy+46%252C++CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlvMHFDqnk8yawug54FlMHDjGAN7Oi2enNy5Q4ZTKWWuuMHN1wXxzg6MpdwlIsuI49SKTMtyRTjDzuIBmr1ePW9IdQWtQ1JoT8FJULgnq_g-mPxonorw4G1Dg4zrjKvy-S0vl8tkFhA/s640/15+-+Another+departure+via+Hwy+46%252C++CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">departing Cambria via Hwy 46</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qtc2c-EC8ZALLD1Pk6RiHB8vIm8Ml5FK1Nz6IJY854qBwtOO9HdXavawTamAXHNUVuzt0PeHDnYmilVUDYmB7YJSpJITPSrQjD8dk-knF72d5mjNvuHuWaHegZ3GSsH7eVnNHPHvV-0/s1600/16+-+Moochdocking+at+Mom+and+Dad%2527s%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qtc2c-EC8ZALLD1Pk6RiHB8vIm8Ml5FK1Nz6IJY854qBwtOO9HdXavawTamAXHNUVuzt0PeHDnYmilVUDYmB7YJSpJITPSrQjD8dk-knF72d5mjNvuHuWaHegZ3GSsH7eVnNHPHvV-0/s640/16+-+Moochdocking+at+Mom+and+Dad%2527s%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">moochdocking at mom and dad's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW74AR_DF61ayuVyq17wvAlQ-_afxtBhyphenhyphenHNT6fEG1bjGlxOjlydnKNLUM3cFIXrAlaUoQu4Y0xQxvKYX924RiMGd3bbKr7G5AJlbq33Z4lxJEp1A6UlrT5GT0PDLqdJ7KQVWAuMNfvxs/s1600/17+-++Hendy+Woods+State+Park%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW74AR_DF61ayuVyq17wvAlQ-_afxtBhyphenhyphenHNT6fEG1bjGlxOjlydnKNLUM3cFIXrAlaUoQu4Y0xQxvKYX924RiMGd3bbKr7G5AJlbq33Z4lxJEp1A6UlrT5GT0PDLqdJ7KQVWAuMNfvxs/s640/17+-++Hendy+Woods+State+Park%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hendy Woods State Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeIEhASPyZCbse15MCuHYIJx20hAA73HDsj7fSo0UEMwWS5sxJLLG0rE_MgUdi6qCcVt1j2DuLnitgmgkUWS_RcSHI5RYWwCECmbrc4_KXR1tW46h14n0oHbJMEGUuhK-1Fyu0i_csS4/s1600/19+-+Crossing+the+Navarro+River%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeIEhASPyZCbse15MCuHYIJx20hAA73HDsj7fSo0UEMwWS5sxJLLG0rE_MgUdi6qCcVt1j2DuLnitgmgkUWS_RcSHI5RYWwCECmbrc4_KXR1tW46h14n0oHbJMEGUuhK-1Fyu0i_csS4/s640/19+-+Crossing+the+Navarro+River%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navarro River crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFcRjQw3jlVpEc4lwVOck3_j7frLTuoLncRe4AwH1NfVrPvRJCqwisi9oTPgmZPAss4cW7ppdMl86lQ-UGrO7ClobXy2lvezSbKzRi813YP24RwxAkqxc_R46I-6umh-WzSV1X1RWLRM/s1600/20+-+Hwy+1+heading+to+Bodega+Bay%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFcRjQw3jlVpEc4lwVOck3_j7frLTuoLncRe4AwH1NfVrPvRJCqwisi9oTPgmZPAss4cW7ppdMl86lQ-UGrO7ClobXy2lvezSbKzRi813YP24RwxAkqxc_R46I-6umh-WzSV1X1RWLRM/s640/20+-+Hwy+1+heading+to+Bodega+Bay%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading south on Hwy 1 toward Bodega Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAqRK9GUkYb1Q91njN2MyWM6pGIaBdhCeFfVKgojzWv9mKB9dT8Wtp0BXzsmC7Ield-zJ9OtfxJ6gG3yuoAbB6FMbi54POxDqzb__YDwImKLCZMSgN2K3_ejTpZmU-Zbks9W4LRIb5cA/s1600/21+-+Smokey+Skies+in+Oregon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAqRK9GUkYb1Q91njN2MyWM6pGIaBdhCeFfVKgojzWv9mKB9dT8Wtp0BXzsmC7Ield-zJ9OtfxJ6gG3yuoAbB6FMbi54POxDqzb__YDwImKLCZMSgN2K3_ejTpZmU-Zbks9W4LRIb5cA/s640/21+-+Smokey+Skies+in+Oregon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregon smoky skies during 2017 fires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWSmaI03FBdPFbnm0UTgyr6zF7b5xOuGSTYCtnduYQ1Vg6c2oVPSzRIY5lRFX9qRjf051aRkdt3lIX7ptwYw-Uw8njsbn6K77QI4QFdv_mvf9K5Bp1YN07QW99kGztH5RVF1FUkzP2xk/s1600/22+-+Clatsop+National+Forest%252C+Or.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWSmaI03FBdPFbnm0UTgyr6zF7b5xOuGSTYCtnduYQ1Vg6c2oVPSzRIY5lRFX9qRjf051aRkdt3lIX7ptwYw-Uw8njsbn6K77QI4QFdv_mvf9K5Bp1YN07QW99kGztH5RVF1FUkzP2xk/s640/22+-+Clatsop+National+Forest%252C+Or.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clatsop National Forest drive, OR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdqLfiggDtdkXPZrjA-PZ4Na_1W88w3t601x8pxqI4H5L0axcHjHYxO8R5hVeyTY2YCYTht1ANfqMCS7gcW1LLdfFTetmQcaqgWyLWVOySK16ZT15d8DuILTXjAlfTmeo5BGeuY-okac/s1600/23+-+Three+Capes+Drive%252C+OR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdqLfiggDtdkXPZrjA-PZ4Na_1W88w3t601x8pxqI4H5L0axcHjHYxO8R5hVeyTY2YCYTht1ANfqMCS7gcW1LLdfFTetmQcaqgWyLWVOySK16ZT15d8DuILTXjAlfTmeo5BGeuY-okac/s640/23+-+Three+Capes+Drive%252C+OR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Capes Drive in Oregon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH1_ow0zAxEU7rmgphf_yiiQ-Gq2D_ezsqSO9j2r9guWp66iGkXvlb2azO05QBYB1-u7G9SV5IOYgAPnNi73i8mMH-WvusATIc9Q_d6bDse8F4Lu5Fdv6PH-Rl64T4XreTLlZmyra4Ao/s1600/24+-+Whitney+Portal+Road%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUH1_ow0zAxEU7rmgphf_yiiQ-Gq2D_ezsqSO9j2r9guWp66iGkXvlb2azO05QBYB1-u7G9SV5IOYgAPnNi73i8mMH-WvusATIc9Q_d6bDse8F4Lu5Fdv6PH-Rl64T4XreTLlZmyra4Ao/s640/24+-+Whitney+Portal+Road%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitney Portal Road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywrPuh3PjMxscF8NdXg4LNj8BzN80HP82UESxslD-msk-1MEn_arFUwztqmLW5CrWtw224mB9P-CJGCQr4B5_95Ifpi-q7ccgnwNHZL7qdhIo9Yc37Hyd-KX8b6N98wEFarhpVve03E/s1600/25+-+Lone+Pine+Campground%252C+CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywrPuh3PjMxscF8NdXg4LNj8BzN80HP82UESxslD-msk-1MEn_arFUwztqmLW5CrWtw224mB9P-CJGCQr4B5_95Ifpi-q7ccgnwNHZL7qdhIo9Yc37Hyd-KX8b6N98wEFarhpVve03E/s640/25+-+Lone+Pine+Campground%252C+CA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Pine Campground<br />
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Lake Sabrina Boat Landing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvejiEmMY0ZwuTGOcx9KsfLhHnHxkgN9MQfskeWdtdgKHOmhbQy9xfXxu1T4GOkCYZAswmqiTUuDLqtDopLyq6ZgsOoUc5fdYgvv7e8L7nX4DffUP2e1KjoHlIb6fbDvTJXJ-tMtTobw/s1600/IMG_6040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvejiEmMY0ZwuTGOcx9KsfLhHnHxkgN9MQfskeWdtdgKHOmhbQy9xfXxu1T4GOkCYZAswmqiTUuDLqtDopLyq6ZgsOoUc5fdYgvv7e8L7nX4DffUP2e1KjoHlIb6fbDvTJXJ-tMtTobw/s640/IMG_6040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Lake Sabrina Campground<br />
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Rock Creek Road<br />
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Toiga Pass, Hwy 120, Yosemite National Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">en route to Goodale Creek<br />
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Red Rock Canyon Ricardo Campground<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading home to Cambria via Hwy 46</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Cause as long as you're the driver, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm your hitchhiker, yeah, I'm your hitchhiker, yeah, yeah. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Don't ever know where we're going, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">you make me live in the moment, oh, keep driving us baby."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Demi Lovato</span></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-20529555679600008532017-12-20T15:20:00.000-08:002017-12-23T19:42:57.874-08:00Highway 395 Eastern Sierra Wonderland<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Let me drink from the waters where the mountain streams flood. </i></div>
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<i>Let the smell of the wildflowers flow free through my blood. </i></div>
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<i>Let me sleep in your meadows with the green grassy leaves. </i></div>
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<i>Let me walk down the highway with my brother in peace. </i></div>
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<i>Let me die in my footsteps before I go down under the ground."</i></div>
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<i>Bob Dylan</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When you are a mountain man you understand the brilliance and beauty of contradiction. These granite peaks can be my greatest teachers. How can these magnificent pinnacles be so grounding, yet so elevating, intoxicating, yet so soothing, wild, yet serene, primal, yet patient during their shifts and rhythms? These mountains always keep me on edge, but also provides me a sensation of safety. </span><span style="font-size: large;">How many times have I heard the wind call and know that somewhere within these mountains I have found my answers that I was looking for? The pull of the horizon overcomes the paralysis of reason...and you just have to go. I now have a partner who never wants to stop seeking new horizons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A short rewind here, as we skipped a travel experience in lieu of the previous post. It was the evening we returned from this particular trip that Kiah decided to attempt her "Super Dog" stunt.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bishop Creek</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For a few months, we had tentatively planned to spend a couple weeks exploring one of our favorite routes, the Highway 395 corridor, immerse ourselves in the rugged scenery, be mesmerized by the brilliant fall colors and float a few flies down our favorite streams. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I love landscapes that make me realize how small, yet significant, my life is in relation to the vastness of nature. Raw...with no filters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On this particular trip we decided to try an expedition without the toad, our Honda CRV, and see how comfortable a trip would be with only WeBeGon. Our rig is so small and easy to drive, handle, and park, that we felt it would be no hassle at all leaving our campground to do some exploring. We were right!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our perfect campsite perch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our first stop was Lone Pine Campground. During previous camping trips among the Alabama Hills, we had driven through this campground a few times and loved the location and spectacular views. And now that we have such a short rig, we were able to park in almost any site. The Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail begins at the west end of the campground. Every morning and evening Imkelina was up on the trailhead admiring the spectacular sunrises and sunsets...while I watched over our campsite from the "perch"...which offered some pretty fair mountain views. The hike up to Whitney Portal would be a fun goal for a future trip!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Vsjla2rHoxJENHWfkd5yr0ceYNK0gYUbajA_CNpgWVqEEmIHrZpjO2HHC95rf0xGmKaIXkKldLLOvtJM5kU325FxsJQ5hA8WjUj-eKsLbuBeRhn3iMYALj_rY8Q5tTvA8fyUzzKmlc/s1600/IMG_6050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7Vsjla2rHoxJENHWfkd5yr0ceYNK0gYUbajA_CNpgWVqEEmIHrZpjO2HHC95rf0xGmKaIXkKldLLOvtJM5kU325FxsJQ5hA8WjUj-eKsLbuBeRhn3iMYALj_rY8Q5tTvA8fyUzzKmlc/s640/IMG_6050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful Lake Sabrina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2t2NkTwBk7p_1aExMguZ6cFwLEfmB81MKuzHKLqzhNMossIbonbkUc8NbXZnvo51_cPPBEnX2Jzc36cOHWajjt9S0wz1boDso9S9k_MQk8G8EXZI5uLLrNQpzbR47HL2W1phpxVDZWQ/s1600/IMG_5938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2t2NkTwBk7p_1aExMguZ6cFwLEfmB81MKuzHKLqzhNMossIbonbkUc8NbXZnvo51_cPPBEnX2Jzc36cOHWajjt9S0wz1boDso9S9k_MQk8G8EXZI5uLLrNQpzbR47HL2W1phpxVDZWQ/s640/IMG_5938.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trout stream flowing through Bishop Park Campground</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We next headed to one of our favorite areas in the John Muir Wilderness, the Sabrina Basin. We had no plans this trip to hike the trail up to a wonderland of gorgeous lakes, but we have many times in the past, and they are as stunning as they are beautiful. How can they not? Lake Sabrina, Blue Lake, Dingleberry and Midnight Lake sit amid glacial scoured basins, reflecting off their clear surface, a sea of jagged granite peaks that surround them. We stopped here to fish Bishop Creek.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have been fishing Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek and Intake 2 for the last 50 years, but each homecoming to these </span><span style="font-size: large;">mountains brings the same amount of joy and excitement as it was the first time. This visit would be the first time to experiment with my new Tenkara fly rod. And a successful tryout it was, as I caught and released some beautiful pan size rainbows with this special rod. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tenkara is a traditional type of fishing practiced in Japan using<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">only a rod, line and a fly<i> (</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">s</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">imilar to using the long bamboo pole my dad gave me </span><span style="font-size: large;">when</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> I was a kid). Tenkara has been used for hundreds of years to fish for trout and char in small, high mountain streams. Tenkara was largely unknown outside Japan until 2009, when this style of fishing was introduced in the United States. My appeal of Tenkara is it's elegant simplicity, the lightness of the line, the need for delicate presentations and the precise control you have to manipulate your fly. My rod (now Imkelina's) is a beautiful piece of art and the entire fishing outfit will fit easily into our day pack. I also choose to use only the traditional Japanese made fly lines and flies. And for </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Imkelina, fly fishing this way appeals to the meditative feeling of quietly dropping into the stream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And over the course of the last twenty years, Imkelina has embraced the Sierras...or their power and magnificence have slowly bewitched her to be one with them. She often tells me that her love of the ocean is due to the expansive energy she feels when she's by the sea. But the mountains bring her a feeling of limitless power as they reach for the sky. I'd say that she'd be quite content living between the two. One of her favorite treats is eating a piece of Patty's homemade pie on the deck of the <a href="http://www.lakesabrinaboatlanding.com/">Lake Sabrina Boat Landing and Cafe</a>. We love the glittering views of the lake and how the imposing peaks reflect upon it's clear blue water. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pull-through site at Sabrina Campground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bishop Park Campground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">early morning freeze</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We camped at two </span><span style="font-size: large;">campgrounds located right on the banks of Bishop Creek, Sabrina Campground and Bishop Park Campground. Normally both these small campgrounds can be pretty popular due to their location and very hard to secure any site. But not this time of year. We had pretty cold evenings during our stay, with a couple of nights getting down to a brisk 17º. And the location of our campsites, were optimal. Being so close to the creek, we had our choice of access points to some pretty nice water...and over most of our stay, our campsite were pretty isolated, offering privacy and some quiet evenings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Only the mountains beckon me to walk deeper and deeper into their magical kingdoms of beauty, as I want to know, feel and become more. These peaks have alway been my cathedrals, it is where I practice my religion of existence. Over the years, I have chased angels among their pinnacles and fled my demons through their valleys. Today, as I share the </span>mountains with Imkelina, I <span style="font-family: inherit;">find only comfort, peace and nourishment. I yearn for them now...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="background-color: white;">At Waypoint 37.2072689 -118.6186</i></span></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-70252526123243161562017-11-10T14:15:00.000-08:002017-11-10T14:15:05.323-08:00Temporarily Grounded...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Normally at this time of year we are planning, packing and surveying daily our travel checklist for our fall desert trip. The warmer climate beckons us...plus the fact that I don't want to put on a pair of pants yet. But this year, that all changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First, let us introduce you to the newest member of our pack...Kiah (pronounced Keey-ah). The word Kiah is an Aboriginal word meaning "beautiful place". We rescued her from Woods Humane Society, an awesome no-kill shelter in our county. We found out later, that they had rescued Kiah from the Animal Shelter in the hot and barren town of Avenal. She was a runaway with no tags or an embedded chip and had been kenneled for over two months before she embraced our arms. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kiah at Woods Humane Society...eyes say it all...please adopt me</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kiah returns to Woods Humane Society as a student</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We love Australian Cattle Dogs, so we when we decided to rescue another pup we were seeking either Blue Heelers or a Heeler/Mix. We saw of her availability the first evening it was advertised. Imkelina drove down to Woods the next morning, spent some time with her and immediately fell in love with the 2 year old. But our adoption was held up as another family had put a hold on her and was coming in later in the day to claim her. All Imkelina could do was commit to being the "backup" if they chose not to adopt. She came home crushed, but optimistic that this puppy was meant to be part of our pack. Well long story short, destiny prevailed...the other family baled on the adoption and we celebrated for Kiah was ours!!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The look of joy on her face the first time her toes touched the beach was priceless!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of her favorite beaches...San Simeon Cove</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She has to personally choose which ball to fetch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over the last 5 months, Kiah slowly adapted to a new home offering a property full of trees, cooler weather, indoor living, multiple choices of comfy beds, wonderful food and daily outings on our local trails, dog parks and beaches. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-Pe-OC_ILVriSlWH_ePptE3qtwZCD2xLjH7mzSlijuJSltGJYnm51H_luGxAAxuovetfoYiL-uhaWaBxvzjUL5JGK44I8YYuCHGeNcM3ZBZGdd2xxasZ75ejS0_7GMoDKTAUFSjZkM/s1600/img_3546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx-Pe-OC_ILVriSlWH_ePptE3qtwZCD2xLjH7mzSlijuJSltGJYnm51H_luGxAAxuovetfoYiL-uhaWaBxvzjUL5JGK44I8YYuCHGeNcM3ZBZGdd2xxasZ75ejS0_7GMoDKTAUFSjZkM/s640/img_3546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Volcanic Tablelands</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH3EAFZNdTAuZmwKpIm3qYyylY04f4fzoLzC4Xu_JsrJQph1eIKcvbEyljlKbvg5Lp3eJvpdM-H53lJDUWNJxaC4hRqmXnA3LTJog0brMNKn6kuJ21IN1n_pPiTyizvASfgB-v4wciXk/s1600/IMG_3709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH3EAFZNdTAuZmwKpIm3qYyylY04f4fzoLzC4Xu_JsrJQph1eIKcvbEyljlKbvg5Lp3eJvpdM-H53lJDUWNJxaC4hRqmXnA3LTJog0brMNKn6kuJ21IN1n_pPiTyizvASfgB-v4wciXk/s640/IMG_3709.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She loves staring beyond the horizon</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDNL1TnAUeAsDnkc0N0xmrzHzRf_35xW_6qCHzfdqSR7S1q-_rZ-q5uhd9IUH0abfC_SlpQ5sGOmhhFgE6ejJlYKIdpQN-Fkq40yQ7h5VC4gYusVpXfn7Vwk3StNi671Yjglk8Z8jmII/s1600/IMG_4242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDNL1TnAUeAsDnkc0N0xmrzHzRf_35xW_6qCHzfdqSR7S1q-_rZ-q5uhd9IUH0abfC_SlpQ5sGOmhhFgE6ejJlYKIdpQN-Fkq40yQ7h5VC4gYusVpXfn7Vwk3StNi671Yjglk8Z8jmII/s640/IMG_4242.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">As mighty as a Redwood...at Henry Woods State Park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXNo5bmlnY6sSphuUj6FOekenTd7xzpH5pC3G9QiHcwUFjXITk-kMR4I-zo35g2YitJE1nRbPZs-Zwpvbb8lkS-e3G9oHbmcbQo_cm4KBXZrizUZLDxl2E5CHyFpnmQQPJmiA04xSc6c/s1600/IMG_5313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXNo5bmlnY6sSphuUj6FOekenTd7xzpH5pC3G9QiHcwUFjXITk-kMR4I-zo35g2YitJE1nRbPZs-Zwpvbb8lkS-e3G9oHbmcbQo_cm4KBXZrizUZLDxl2E5CHyFpnmQQPJmiA04xSc6c/s640/IMG_5313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She really does know how to relax...sometimes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plus all the new adventures and wonders she gets to experience via our motorhome getaways. Kiah is our pack's new baby...loved and spoiled rotten, all deservedly so. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZHXMK53G0T314YVT7hvyCeHxo5lRoj5zaQLHTK_FT6EZWfPyZBWrElbFkAsedKuBix8w0iNh9YyzSVS-eSFvM90LE8dS1ATNRmvp_rFRkN-6y-3Zkhs2_6OtncPZDA5K4up6pHDzu6E/s1600/IMG_3413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZHXMK53G0T314YVT7hvyCeHxo5lRoj5zaQLHTK_FT6EZWfPyZBWrElbFkAsedKuBix8w0iNh9YyzSVS-eSFvM90LE8dS1ATNRmvp_rFRkN-6y-3Zkhs2_6OtncPZDA5K4up6pHDzu6E/s640/IMG_3413.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of our favorite benches at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmkTigmxXM0Su8QcOJQ3Iz_G0ZroIhdY6SyeFE0skkkrdcYQA3v5t6WcRyRyGp5UnMXnymf_R5C-03nl8ouKpztgV_4CEIRZKfcRZF6uyvB2nxAf7-6_cT2xwe1cf2E7K9uJ6X_R1HpU/s1600/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmkTigmxXM0Su8QcOJQ3Iz_G0ZroIhdY6SyeFE0skkkrdcYQA3v5t6WcRyRyGp5UnMXnymf_R5C-03nl8ouKpztgV_4CEIRZKfcRZF6uyvB2nxAf7-6_cT2xwe1cf2E7K9uJ6X_R1HpU/s640/IMG_4067.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every sunny day is a beach day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznAeHIaZk2RVnbiqaHXJ-JnptQdpkDzfTVvl3AxQoKA145lxz2TLAGCppLnXsmi1BMUC14h4kweV_LZyS6awfNnoYWaLRmsm9i8gdvyRGV7-kTnzKaGdYBcw7O4BtlzAovQPkhmZIGk0/s1600/IMG_4647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1600" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznAeHIaZk2RVnbiqaHXJ-JnptQdpkDzfTVvl3AxQoKA145lxz2TLAGCppLnXsmi1BMUC14h4kweV_LZyS6awfNnoYWaLRmsm9i8gdvyRGV7-kTnzKaGdYBcw7O4BtlzAovQPkhmZIGk0/s640/IMG_4647.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the bluffs at San Simeon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She tries to embrace Sydney as her new step-sister during all the time they spend time together day after day. But this relationship still needs more time to ferment as there are many times Kiah wants to be the Alpha Female in her pack and Sydney has not forgotten that she was once the only "child". So with that, the bonding process of our two girls has progressed at a snail's pace, although the other day we did catch Sydney licking Kiah's ear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now back to the story...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The same day we returned from our late summer fishing safari up in the Eastern Sierras, Kiah decided to go after a plump gray squirrel in a nearby oak tree. Unfortunately, that "mix" terrier blood was stronger than the common sense of a heeler and "forced" her to jump over a 4 foot high patio railing, onto the overhang 14 feet above un-level ground. Naturally the squirrel easily got away, as gravity aided it's escape. Kiah, unable to stop her momentum plummeted straight down upon a rock lined landscape stream bed and bounced upon the hard walkway pavers. We believe that the bark wood chips surrounding the stream bed softened her fall, preventing more extensive damage, but her front legs, which took the brunt of the fall, could not withstand the massive compression upon her wrists. Bones snapped and ligaments were torn. Surgery, metal plates, screws and dual leg casting has been required...and then up to 3 months of recuperation time to get this little girl back to critter chasing form.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3EEYrDzsDJMgPKgp7LDCcfFQNKmM2cbLpt_q2TYIj4Ht75lyyzn9iNY-DPeWVc5o2OxVnlDf0VgBuakVj7n7d8BmXcw_Y3j76F9VItktLMzXwbdl2LIw9uOaGFMmupzb_SOifkBDerg/s1600/IMG_6916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3EEYrDzsDJMgPKgp7LDCcfFQNKmM2cbLpt_q2TYIj4Ht75lyyzn9iNY-DPeWVc5o2OxVnlDf0VgBuakVj7n7d8BmXcw_Y3j76F9VItktLMzXwbdl2LIw9uOaGFMmupzb_SOifkBDerg/s640/IMG_6916.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A "you can't lick it" bonnet</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Post surgery healing nap</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But our Kiah is pretty damn fierce...a "rez" dog for sure. We are confident it will be only a short while before she once again enjoys the spacious queen rv bed and snags her preferred space in the cab of WeBeGone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This legendary girl will see many more of those spots that her namesake inspires. She certainly has made our world a more beautiful place!</span></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-16879071716688639162017-10-27T07:48:00.000-07:002017-10-27T07:48:02.586-07:00Cape Lookout State Park...the trail home.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the </i></span><i>shoreline,</i></div>
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<i>no matter how many times it's sent away"</i></div>
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<i>Sarah Kay</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Along with <a href="http://rvtravels.net/">Dick and Melinda,</a> we departed Henry Rierson Spruce Run Campground, and headed southwest toward Tillamook, Oregon and Cape Lookout State Park. The park is nestled in a very lush coastal forest on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, offering terrific views </span>of<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the ocean while at the same time easy access to it's beautiful beach.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This park proved to be a wonderful destination for sightseers, campers, hikers, beachcombers and of course "Lifedancers" who appreciate the harmonious blend of nature and recreation. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imkelina and her "girls" never grew tired of walking the miles of open beach. It seems her day is different at the beach as her passage doesn't move hour to hour. Her adventures are guided</span><span style="font-size: large;"> by the currents, planned around the tides and follow the rise and setting of the sun. Her day seems timeless...and they are as she never wears a watch. As I watch her stand before this beautiful beach, I can hear the waves whispering to her...continue to choose the simple things and find the joy in nature's simple treasures...life and living need not be so hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is also a short walking trail, The Nature Trail, through the campground which is pretty tame. The Cape Lookout Trail, a five mile round trip hike, is also located nearby. During World War II, a B-17 bomber was flying north along the Oregon coast on a transit run. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On that day in 1943 Cape Lookout was shrouded with fog. The pilots mistook the cape for a cloudbank and flew straight into its 800-foot cliffs. There were no survivors. Although the trail passes just above the crash site, the wreckage is no longer visible.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Maria Ribs and grilled veggies</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We enjoyed our last day here, savoring weather that stimulated Weber time and a vivid sunset that provided an opening act to our campfire talks. Soon it would be time to head south and home to our "Central Coast Hidey Hole." Driving south along the coastal headlands, soaring sand dunes, massive rock formations, mile long beaches and old growth forests always leaves a lasting remembrance of this beloved state.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;"><i style="color: black;">At Waypoint 45.366820, -123.962148</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-43292541652461079692017-10-15T19:54:00.000-07:002017-10-26T19:25:06.354-07:00Nehalem River<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Mother Nature is always speaking. She speaks in a language understood </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>within </i></span><i style="font-family: inherit;">the peaceful mind of the sincere observer."</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: inherit;">Radhanath Swami</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nehalem River</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had never heard of Clatsop State Forest. But our wish was honored for this beautiful wilderness area provided welcomed reprieve from the smoke of the countless fires within the state. We later learned, this northwest corner of Oregon is very historical as it was the terminus of the continental Lewis and Clark expedition two centuries ago. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Established in 1947, Henry R</span>ierson Spruce Run Campground is one of the oldest established campgrounds in Clatsop County, Oregon. Located on the Lower Nehalem River, with Spruce Run Creek winding it's way through the camping area, it was a stunning backdrop for a reunion of friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All our grassy campsites provided some filtered shade and were choice waterfront locations. A short walk to the river's edge offered us some nice rifts to float a fly or a serene deep pool for "water boy and girl" to take a brisk dip (Patrick and Imkelina). Camp life was pretty blissful and relaxing. Abundant quality time to catch up, reflect our blessed offerings and solve the trials of the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUA18N2OIFPzzmf1tWF-ZmE0vxjMDmKK7FZEJtU_M_P_SmCiH-YVxj_gcNKyDGTG7uTt0u2doxr1vXPr0Gfff_3RyrVYmff2dtiAlgXrD17WaZvtBSQmcxxho5ZOAPfg93buAek7x1Xo/s1600/IMG_5422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUA18N2OIFPzzmf1tWF-ZmE0vxjMDmKK7FZEJtU_M_P_SmCiH-YVxj_gcNKyDGTG7uTt0u2doxr1vXPr0Gfff_3RyrVYmff2dtiAlgXrD17WaZvtBSQmcxxho5ZOAPfg93buAek7x1Xo/s640/IMG_5422.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Spruce Run Creek Trail</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASu6HGbSO51NsDtLnildcCW5-QliZNu6l4rUgq0ts7eWvfqjcKLnn6-KUGv-IUHQ3wSI2zQT73RrYjlhSecJZ2fHh_hvt76t1sQ7R0dpmJGTmOMZPUFR4NZoSwUHpzxviVOPUTWbtI9w/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASu6HGbSO51NsDtLnildcCW5-QliZNu6l4rUgq0ts7eWvfqjcKLnn6-KUGv-IUHQ3wSI2zQT73RrYjlhSecJZ2fHh_hvt76t1sQ7R0dpmJGTmOMZPUFR4NZoSwUHpzxviVOPUTWbtI9w/s640/IMG_5434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost Lake </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The trailhead for the Spruce Run Creek Trail is located right at the campground, teasing all of us to attempt this difficult two-mile climb over the Coast Range ridges. We did take a "snapshot" of this heavily wooded trail, before deciding we prefer the sanctuary of the river and a cool drink. Sydney and Kiah were </span><span style="font-size: large;">disappointed as the trail scents and sights were way too alluring to turn back. Imkelina, Cheryl and Melinda did find the time though to hike around Lost Lake, a 14-acre natural forest lake. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Patrick for your enduring and devoted efforts toward the discovery of this natural jewel...it was perfect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thick healthy forest canopies, a steelhead rich river and a canyon skyway for mighty eagles to soar...a perfect tripod to create a snapshot of my thoughts. I imagined a drop of water flowing steadily along the upper part of the river, tumbling over hidden rocks, swirling through the soft rapids and riding the current downstream. I thought, a true metaphor of my life. I am like a drop of water in this river. Life has moved me along, occasionally banging me against some hard, sharp rocks, tumbling me over an unknown edge and offering deep, blind fall, but that is not the end. I swirl around awhile, once again gain momentum and pick up the current once more, continuing on my life journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As we gathered for our last fire, we pondered what new talking points we would have during our next </span><span style="font-size: large;">rendezvous. It seems our world is at the will of who has the largest ego and alienation is the trend. Times are frail indeed and there may be a high cost for those of us seeking only peace, compassion and understanding. Sydney and Kiah just don't see why swim time had to end. Until then, we head west to the coast and the Pacific Ocean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "minionpro"; font-size: 10.000000pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "minionpro"; font-size: 10.000000pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>At Waypoint 45.811876, -123.61111</i></span></span></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-88680217879717664862017-09-27T07:30:00.000-07:002017-10-12T20:13:45.476-07:00If Not Now, When?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #232d33; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"Oregon is an inspiration. Whether you come to it, or are born to it, you become entranced by the state's beauty, the opportunity she affords, and the independent spirit of her citizens."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #232d33; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Address to the 1973 State Legislator</i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road Warrior of Interstate 5</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We made some grandiose plans for our trip to Oregon, catching up with some dear friends, taking a few "meditation" breaks along a few of those famous blue ribbon trout streams and by chance finding that perfect blue water Shangri-La.. Well holy shit...Oregon was in flames with no relief in the forecast. We felt for all the Oregonians as this abnormal diet of intense smoke was so unhealthy. Don't know how much of the state we will be able to explore, but connecting with our friends will not be detoured.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We began our time in Oregon with a stopover at <a href="http://www.armitagepark.com/">Armitage Park</a> in Eugene. Nestled on the shores of the McKenzie River, the park featured a very nice walking trail and a huge dog park for Sydney and Kiah to kick up their heels. The park was beautiful. We had a beautiful campsite to relax and do some grilling, but the air quality was bad at best. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This park is centered in "Duck" country, so with some of their fan base residing here for the weekend, tailgate parties and Oregon Green was prevalent in almost every site. Good outcome as the Ducks creamed their opponent this game...everyone was festive and in a happy mood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We next made a brief visit to our beloved friends Pat and Michael in McMinnville, Oregon. We spent a night of "moochdocking" in front of Pat's beautiful "green" home. And leave it to Pat to know which local eateries will offer the most scrumptious samplers to test my astute taste buds. <a href="http://www.puravidamac.com/">Pura Vida Cocina</a> and <a href="http://www.babicahencafe.com/">Babica Hen Cafe</a> were perfect choices. Hard to grasp that it has been almost 10 years since we called this small town home during our exploratory trial of living full time in a motorhome...many of you may remember our beautiful Country Coach diesel pusher <a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fjc5czYBR5Xyy6m53">"Hannah"</a>. But time is but a river of passing events and for us the current is always strong...no sooner is a memorable moment is caught, than it is swept away and another has taken its place. Change nothing and nothing changes, so we listen to our inner voice and know when it is time to start something new, trusting the magic of new beginnings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Curiosity forced us to check out a "dispensary" while in the state. As it is legal and no marijuana medical card is required, stores are everywhere. We stopped into a <a href="http://chalicefarms.com/">Chalice Farms</a> store and were more than impressed with the quality of the store and the knowledgeable, forthcoming staff. Very first class with so many choices of medical grade cannabis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A decade ago we were part of the camphosting team here at Champoeg State Heritage Park</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> And then one year later we were invited back for a return hosting gig. So seeing the entrance sign to this wonderful Oregon State Park was a welcoming sight as it brought back so many fond memories. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Situated on the south bank of the scenic Willamette River, Champoeg is the site where Oregon's first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This latest visit has brought us back to see dear friends, John and Christina, who are currently hosting here in "B" Loop. Champoeg is extremely fortunate to have recruited this superstar pair to their hosting team, as they are wonderful stewards to our natural wonderlands. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Imkelina, Sydney and Kiah explored every part of the park during our brief stay. Champoeg is very pet friendly, featuring two dog training fields for pet owners to unleash their active and athletic companions. We did stroll down memory lane by walking down the River Trail to the historic Butteville Store. This lush and paved trail above the Willamette river is favored by campers and locals alike, as it offers miles and miles of scenic views.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We were told in advance that all sites at Champoeg are booked throughout the month of September. And it was the truth, for by late afternoon each day, all sites were occupied. But even with all this activity, the park did not compete with the craziness offered by our local Hearst San Simeon Campground during the summer. Call these Oregonian campers tame and docile...but we see their respect to fellow campers quite refreshing. We bid farewell once again to Champoeg and head west, hopefully to the smoke free <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Documents/Recreation/ClatsopStateForestRecreationGuide.pdf">Clatsop State Forest</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>At Waypoint 45.2483ºN, -122.8942ºW</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-44916507944749979882017-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:002017-08-23T21:40:06.611-07:00carpe diem...not memento mori<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"<span style="font-family: inherit;">Believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is going to </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">stop breathing, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">turn cold and die."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society</span></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life without Chris & Pitts?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have been ref</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">lecting back on individ</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">uals that we have lost over the years and vividly remember a few discussions of their wistful desires. I was sad then, but it has since been replaced with disappointment. Conversations would include "if only we would have more time, if only we could afford it, if only we could enjoy vacations, if only we were not so fearful"... we could do this, that or whatever. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All in slowwww motion...this sea star is dancin with joy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even this Banana Slug is celebrating.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Well, what "if only" never came and our life was unexpectedly extinguished? Most likely we would leave many acquaintances, friends and loved ones we left behind dwelling on what they could have done to bring to us the awareness of celebrating life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So...what good would living do us if we chose not to experience it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been told that there are far better things ahead than what we will leave behind. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And if you don't know it, experiencing living does not mean having money, being free of a career or being able to travel in a motorhome. Most of the lifedancers we know still work hard, have responsibilities to consider, have their own trials and tribulations, but...could celebrate life in a wheelchair. They imagine...they never stop dreaming and they have taken the first step. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Imagine a place where you become lulled by the rhythm of a river, which in my realm of reality is defined as rhythmless or nothing less. Now i</span><span style="font-size: large;">magine a place where time is irrelevant, no reasons to get up at the "regular" time, no reason to change out (or in) of your pjs, no reason to have an </span><span style="font-size: large;">itinerary</span><span style="font-size: large;">, no reason to ask what am I doing today, no reason to do anything but allow a moment of existence to play out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this place your life is being broadcasted NOW...calm and serene, real and alive, beckoning, calling, luring you to see, feel and experience everything. Do we need something called a "vacation" or a winning lotto ticket to show up at this place? Do we even want to be in this space of existence? It is definitely not scripted in our current paradigm or culture...it's too decadent, too mindless. Time is money and no energy used is wasted energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have been on many trails where we have noticed some huge and once mighty trees that had toppled over due to butt rot, a fungi that attacks under the surface of a tree's thickest core where it meets the soil. This can be a metaphor of one's life today. No matter how strong, how abundant or how successful we are, the self, the body, the mind will topple without a desire to take moments to imagine...</span></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-73357062999995497282017-07-19T08:30:00.000-07:002017-08-10T22:25:14.142-07:00Volcanic Tablelands<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"The ground on which we stand is sacred ground. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It is the dust and blood of our ancestors.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chief Plenty Coups</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Volcanic Tablelands</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The southern migrations of our dear friends, Denise and Tim, were coming to an end...time to head back home to Alaska. But one last rendezvous was yet to be had. When pigeon post dropped off a cryptic message to us, "Zephyr and WeBegone tryst at The Volcanic Tablelands"...we were there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have to believe the Paiute came to literally offer homage to these volcanic bluffs and hidden canyons. I have concluded this as I sit upon their revered ground with the feeling of being close to a mothering power. It must have been soothing for their skin to touch the warm earth and for the elders to remove their moccasins and walk with bare feet upon their sacred earth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I imagine their dwellings were built among the canyon walls and their altars were made upon the "Bishop Tuff". And as the Tablelands have inspired me, I am sure these lands soothed, strengthened, cleansed and healed their souls. Standing upon this hallowed ground, embracing the life-giving forces of our earth, I can see more clearly the mysteries of life and have a closer understanding to the kinship of the lives that surround me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Formed over 700,000 years ago by the Long Valley caldera, the Volcanic Tablelands lies just north of Bishop, CA. A rock climbing paradise, this vast volcanic landscape is a dazzling high desert jewel showcasing the imposing Eastern Sierra Mountain Range, a grandiose landscape reflecting a history of extremes. For a select few, it is also a magical collection of perfectly chiseled Paiute-Shoshone Indian petroglyphs...Native American rock art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With over 12,000 acres to explore...you can easily find a secluded boulder to bathe yourself with solitude and mountain panoramas. Campsites, an empty turnout, are aplenty and very free for 14 days. But no water, dump or trash bins...so pack it in, bring it out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our neighborhood offered boundless waypoints to hike to, </span><span style="font-size: large;">immeasurable time to relax, endless reasons to celebrate and best of all, vast appetites to feast.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of our favorite grilling choices is a California Cut Tri-Tip bathed in "Brenda's Hawaiian inspired marinade" for two days. It has such a distinctive taste, many are tempted to slice a piece right off my grill...and they do. Here is the simple recipe for those of you who yearn to join the "Sear and Burn Club".</span></span></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">2/3 cup soy sauce (preferably "Aloha" Shoyu)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">6 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 cup olive oil</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">6 diced garlic gloves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">coarse black pepper</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">3 lbs of Tri-Tip</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Put your tri-tip in a ziplock bag, add all the ingredients, shake well and refrigerate. Turn bag over every morning for 2-3 days until ready to grill. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; text-align: center;">I prefer to trim my own tri-tip...leaving a thin fat cap as it will baste the meat and adds some extra flavor. I pull my roast off the grill rare, at about 120º, let it rest for about 10 minutes, slice it thin and serve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Courtesy of Tim and Denise, you can stimulate your senses even more by perusing this wonderful piece, <a href="https://taylorbasecamp.com/2017/05/14/east-of-the-crest/">East of the Cres</a>t. They are awesome mountaineers, shutterbugs, videographers and Templars of the Order of the Tin Cup! Although we were sad to bid goodbye to these folks and their two huggie bears, Tuks and Lulu, we will always reflect on the many wondrous moments we had together and look forward to saying hello on our next rendezvous.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZPNWoYEMzBP2lIfGbm-zK6pCHIJl1fC6XwF8bivylfqCGHIA7V0NaBUxc3soGaCwwVOd3H8X6BR6dGnSFAeuQZk8rl3nTxFh_XhKzjwGspbiYG9-0Ac_PQr7ZlIzMG_IhPG_pztKnEM/s1600/img_3546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZPNWoYEMzBP2lIfGbm-zK6pCHIJl1fC6XwF8bivylfqCGHIA7V0NaBUxc3soGaCwwVOd3H8X6BR6dGnSFAeuQZk8rl3nTxFh_XhKzjwGspbiYG9-0Ac_PQr7ZlIzMG_IhPG_pztKnEM/s640/img_3546.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice our new pack member? Welcome our new little girl...Kiah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks Tim and Denise for the header, footer and the tri tip photos....masterfully done.</span><br />
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<i>At Waypoint....Find It!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-80880666232163684062017-06-21T07:30:00.000-07:002017-10-15T22:48:11.023-07:00Saguaro National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Together We Will"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tohono O"odham Nation</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is no symbol more emblematic of the American southwest than the monarch of the Sonoran Desert, the saguaro </span>cactus. Standing tall, their arms point to the heavens, as if in prayer to the universe for the light and moisture which they receive. The saguaro is renowned for the variety of fluky, all too human shapes it assumes...shapes that inspire wild and whimsical perceptions. The Tohono O'odham </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">culture passed down beliefs that the saguaro cactus are </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">actually the spirits of their ancestors, s</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">tanding in the desert as watchful guardians, providing shade and protecting life-giving water. As I compare our own "fixed" paradigm of assumptions and rationale...I prefer the beliefs of the ancient ones, that all things are alive and spirituality is sought through intimate communion with the natural world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We found that these monarchs of the Sonoran Desert are living monuments and a mirror of the past and examples for the future. In our walks through life, they remain steadfast and immoveable. And they truly are a reminder of the influence of our ancestors and that our true strength comes from the powers that reside within each of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We spent a few days at a beautiful campground within the Tucson Mountain Park, Gilbert Ray Campground. After savoring the remoteness and peacefulness of the dispersed camping we experienced at Indian Bread Rocks, being part of an rv "neighborhood" created a brief jolt. But as we were surrounded by lush desert vegetation, a plethora of wildlife (each night we were serenaded by the local saguaro coyote tribe). Also, as there were countless distractions to explore within the Tucson Mountain Park, our tolerance level toward crowds was raised. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwGCDtbA5LludUX9AF69pRJp6TPT9UNkbHL6lSQdgiEUxtIjwYrEs4UkL3YdOc8BWYzfE0p5WUyIASRzMEilopQ3sa7UU0mh2L-sPoVIKJ9qDzg6dj9etgFxkhsXDTnP0Gd42lfU5ea8/s1600/Broasted+Chicken+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwGCDtbA5LludUX9AF69pRJp6TPT9UNkbHL6lSQdgiEUxtIjwYrEs4UkL3YdOc8BWYzfE0p5WUyIASRzMEilopQ3sa7UU0mh2L-sPoVIKJ9qDzg6dj9etgFxkhsXDTnP0Gd42lfU5ea8/s640/Broasted+Chicken+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One of our many highlights was actually a dream come true. Two of my favorite cravings in life broasted chicken and donuts, were found under one roof, behind one magical counter. When Imkelina first saw Queens Broaster Chicken and Donuts, I though she was joking...or it must be a mirage...or maybe I am on Candid Camera? But there it was and it turned out to be heavenly and worth multiple trips...surely a tease and brief glimpse of my afterlife. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp2Mpvc4XFwq8X5L72cGXFiXw6F-lptljmYiWaWNNMBnGST-99Z0qAAwvVOP6Rith1LAYl_ZX-6m27qf8qF24R8unASnyXSQ83_MrHMstr89YsLwXFigkJMggvChssWhrJPm53796S0w/s1600/IMG_2444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp2Mpvc4XFwq8X5L72cGXFiXw6F-lptljmYiWaWNNMBnGST-99Z0qAAwvVOP6Rith1LAYl_ZX-6m27qf8qF24R8unASnyXSQ83_MrHMstr89YsLwXFigkJMggvChssWhrJPm53796S0w/s640/IMG_2444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRHJibehJkpxHMzky6w0lYOLOW3_lMF0O8PJjcp5BnEstHZdqQaDT2loSWmuW7WuUgGdOTuKUIoQFTj8YZMedkjdG6AWj4XksuqiH-kEnvJO604P1Sa_85jabOOuYObLYuTMDLIqAspk/s1600/Saguaro+National+Park+Visitor+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRHJibehJkpxHMzky6w0lYOLOW3_lMF0O8PJjcp5BnEstHZdqQaDT2loSWmuW7WuUgGdOTuKUIoQFTj8YZMedkjdG6AWj4XksuqiH-kEnvJO604P1Sa_85jabOOuYObLYuTMDLIqAspk/s640/Saguaro+National+Park+Visitor+center.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">garden path of the Red Hills Visitor Center</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Saguaro </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHwT4QzRnBp7POm6VfrmlcbT_42li7x3E77HCT1DGL97unfj9LXl_2o4kJ6FAll2X3RMIRkXbTc4F9unQ_wV1HvrIBNy8WS9iwwNCk4otgGdoM3NrFCeOdHEtjCPi5Yuxoy7QKr8XSWU/s1600/IMG_2424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHwT4QzRnBp7POm6VfrmlcbT_42li7x3E77HCT1DGL97unfj9LXl_2o4kJ6FAll2X3RMIRkXbTc4F9unQ_wV1HvrIBNy8WS9iwwNCk4otgGdoM3NrFCeOdHEtjCPi5Yuxoy7QKr8XSWU/s640/IMG_2424.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV6E2plSUwKPHPXEXXeV0XSTOAo6TMa3SY7Et_-5SW5KfWfXPP1vwbNAhN-eoHr1cTDotoJPZH-kvpsGo0LVDRcNCn1wxWRMeN6pHIGleNOyBaVNsFS0WXXW5nixN4K1CamVRk8vUbbM/s1600/IMG_2428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV6E2plSUwKPHPXEXXeV0XSTOAo6TMa3SY7Et_-5SW5KfWfXPP1vwbNAhN-eoHr1cTDotoJPZH-kvpsGo0LVDRcNCn1wxWRMeN6pHIGleNOyBaVNsFS0WXXW5nixN4K1CamVRk8vUbbM/s640/IMG_2428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We enjoyed another priceless national treasure. Saguaro National Park preserves over 91,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert. The park consists of two districts Saguaro West and Saguaro East, separated by the city of Tucson. Being camped close by, we were able to enjoy the scenic drives, trails and the beautiful Red Hills Visitors Center of the west district. We drove the scenic unpaved Bajada Loop Drive through the dense saguaro forest being treated to some very unique cactus and beautiful desert vistas. Prior to the heat blanketing the desert floor, we hiked the short Signal Hill Trail. The trailhead features a a historic CCC built picnic area that you would be hard pressed to find a duplicate. The short climb takes you to dozens of ancient petroglyphs more than 800 years old. As we were quite alone, we had un-intterupted time to observe with fascination and reverence these ancient carvings. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcnz7NiKO5envram2UsvG-W0C9CdDMjo0GVymoFU3hZJ15sXzRLows-MAworVr7-DZfAebtBF0S353mIrzrzLCAjRB9cifQaPrKh2EBVMW8YppdYX1ov7xxJ6hfaN9TbtDKndzYOr2n4/s1600/IMG_1640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEcnz7NiKO5envram2UsvG-W0C9CdDMjo0GVymoFU3hZJ15sXzRLows-MAworVr7-DZfAebtBF0S353mIrzrzLCAjRB9cifQaPrKh2EBVMW8YppdYX1ov7xxJ6hfaN9TbtDKndzYOr2n4/s640/IMG_1640.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nesting hummingbird in the Hummingbird Aviary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr_PmdDmO40Ego8ev9mR5scFFYpqquJhMS4m9KX2t9mJAi7GvDlMViT4xpNHr1-IM5pZRkpyiuoaEvuIBtA3qP0S4NP0P3xArAvRsD4foCqHpOMXk3Ho_sJe7FJzTgnaP0WqUODZwE5I/s1600/cactus+wren+nest+in+palo+verde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr_PmdDmO40Ego8ev9mR5scFFYpqquJhMS4m9KX2t9mJAi7GvDlMViT4xpNHr1-IM5pZRkpyiuoaEvuIBtA3qP0S4NP0P3xArAvRsD4foCqHpOMXk3Ho_sJe7FJzTgnaP0WqUODZwE5I/s640/cactus+wren+nest+in+palo+verde.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus Wren nest in a Palo Verder cactus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwVIVU-q5MBL7Cv3p_9CZHZWv2BuVwkuYeqOowga2EYnIAN7dvIQSh1jHuytH7YnVuwNZyb-WhhbCyTPF_vFdzAzGvyTEik6CBsBC_NcnIbB4MEiG-C8XrMthxV4cDd9OYlXdao-wYsc/s1600/IMG_1614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwVIVU-q5MBL7Cv3p_9CZHZWv2BuVwkuYeqOowga2EYnIAN7dvIQSh1jHuytH7YnVuwNZyb-WhhbCyTPF_vFdzAzGvyTEik6CBsBC_NcnIbB4MEiG-C8XrMthxV4cDd9OYlXdao-wYsc/s640/IMG_1614.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yearning to be free</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofzY9wUx8TkmCqEdRjoe8zjiHgbvFeFOqk1nFxnxQH_Rf1EVwcqhDE1l3Lf8Q4EvPsxgJ8rxyTW6pAvR152nVz0M5MZWboVE10SVeZSoo5ieYOQhNepTIi1m89fim-qfUv33R0xZxZjU/s1600/IMG_1622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofzY9wUx8TkmCqEdRjoe8zjiHgbvFeFOqk1nFxnxQH_Rf1EVwcqhDE1l3Lf8Q4EvPsxgJ8rxyTW6pAvR152nVz0M5MZWboVE10SVeZSoo5ieYOQhNepTIi1m89fim-qfUv33R0xZxZjU/s640/IMG_1622.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burrowing Owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfWCPHg7VFy8ZgBw1Jw6V2ta5d0X-vUc0IoD-ghNa6NLiEaXR9TyumCOu-hDLx-9t0tTShhuwQZ-qykoy7ygt4_YyR2Rzqs9Ab2J_X4AenA7auaLeoNZzWF0Y7Tc68BdrP5AgsZvumN0/s1600/IMG_1629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfWCPHg7VFy8ZgBw1Jw6V2ta5d0X-vUc0IoD-ghNa6NLiEaXR9TyumCOu-hDLx-9t0tTShhuwQZ-qykoy7ygt4_YyR2Rzqs9Ab2J_X4AenA7auaLeoNZzWF0Y7Tc68BdrP5AgsZvumN0/s640/IMG_1629.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tailed Prairie Dog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfZLUUlKz7gr24Jy-GDhMVfXG9h6nSHI7_DrzaV_-8HQnvguz9OlLaR079g5getNC0YOmH_Gvpgv1bJ2qgLdl0gqULnfwejnOKsYfpgAnZBikEF6AF-R7ONjhcyj_KfyblVaRjCJPOy8/s1600/IMG_3014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfZLUUlKz7gr24Jy-GDhMVfXG9h6nSHI7_DrzaV_-8HQnvguz9OlLaR079g5getNC0YOmH_Gvpgv1bJ2qgLdl0gqULnfwejnOKsYfpgAnZBikEF6AF-R7ONjhcyj_KfyblVaRjCJPOy8/s640/IMG_3014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambria Dog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPuyZA0HuaP7qTvX4MgF7SzSi08gJKjICcCl4Ek9s7HSXbo47g_KlkX1M3jHdvJ5rTg9Sh4j-tRImj1BMDccbGiwFtmQXpFcjrqzWuiad8QIlb270IMmUQ2ZKHQL_wg8styWoj3WeadM/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPuyZA0HuaP7qTvX4MgF7SzSi08gJKjICcCl4Ek9s7HSXbo47g_KlkX1M3jHdvJ5rTg9Sh4j-tRImj1BMDccbGiwFtmQXpFcjrqzWuiad8QIlb270IMmUQ2ZKHQL_wg8styWoj3WeadM/s640/IMG_1636.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Loop Trail within the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And finally, we did glance into the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I say glance, as we </span><span style="font-size: large;">only spent the early morning to stroll the grounds before the heat and large crowds engulfed the grounds. Although we are not fans of contained wildlife in pens, we were told the Desert Museum rescued the majority of the animals they featured. The Hummingbird Aviary was our favorite. The trail system throughout the museum was well done, provided a complete description of the Sonora Desert habitat and highlighted endless desert vistas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although it was time to press the pause button on our little trip through the deserts of Southeastern Arizona, we coveted to end our trip with some "organic" </span><span style="font-size: large;">boon-docking. So we headed to a waypoint that we had heard of from a fellow blogger, <a href="http://www.technomadia.com/2016/02/boondocking-nirvana-at-saddle-mountain-blm-tonopah-az/">Technomadia</a>, aptly named Saddle Mountain. Saddle Mountain is a landmark peak west of Phoenix in the town of Tonopah. The mountain peak which has a distinct saddle shape, summits at 3,037 feet with a few trails leading to a small saddle high on the ridge. The views from up there were spectacular. The whole area clearly showed evidence of volcanic activity. This was a perfect spot to end...and then begin our last leg to the Central Coast Hidey Hole.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>At Waypoints 32.21999, -111.14129</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-64102738506990846872017-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:002017-05-11T07:00:13.801-07:00Indian Bread Rocks Recreation Area<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance;</i></div>
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<i>they make the latitudes and longitudes."</i></div>
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<i>Henry David Thoreau</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We left Chiricahua National Monument with the excitement of reuniting with Tim and Denise who were making their way back west from Austin, Texas. On this post, we will leave it to</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <a href="https://taylorbasecamp.com/2017/03/25/indian-bread-rendezvous/">"Gone with the Dogs"</a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">to share the details of our rendezvous. The fun we had enjoying each other's company and exploring this unique area can only be brightened by their story, photos and video. To see our time together click on the link above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Indian Bread Rocks Recreation area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, is the </span>access point<span style="font-family: inherit;"> into 11,700 acres of the Dos Cabezas Mountain Wilderness (geologically, the northern most extension of the Chiricahuas). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sculpted with steep slopes and granite outcroppings, this rugged, remote and scenic wilderness proved to be a perfect waypoint for rock scrambling, hiking and no leash dog exploration.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And camouflaged within this backcountry are vibrant desert gardens on hidden terraces fed by natural springs seeping out of fissures in the rock wall. As we gingerly walked along trace trails, each oasis seemed like it was protected by multi-layers of rock and thick patches of prickly pear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although we experienced some fierce 50+ mph wind gusts and some heavy rains, our happy times were never threatened. Our tag along companions, Weber, Tin Cup and Iconoclast, made sure we never missed a bluesy beat...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friendships bring something new to our lives, inspiring us to see our world from another perspective, provide wisdom to embrace, a shoulder to lean on or a new cheerleader team to root us on. These friendships offer something totally unique and are irreplaceable for they have contributed to who we are. These are but a short list of reasons of why we choose to spend whatever time we can cultivating these relationships and showing up for these memorable rendezvous...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"The people who are meant to be in your life will always gravitate back towards you, no matter how far they wander."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>unknown author</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>At Waypoint 32.24072, -109.50611</i></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-20847954953951837362017-04-30T21:36:00.000-07:002017-04-30T21:36:00.634-07:00Chiricahua National Monument<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I am alone in the world. I want to live in these mountains;</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> I do not want to go to Tularosa. </i><i>That is a long way off. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have drunk of the waters of the Dragoon Mountains and hey have cooled me; </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I do not want to leave here.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nobody wants peace more than I do. Why shut me up on a reservation?</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We will make peace; we will keep it </i><i>faithfully. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>But let us go around free as Americans do. </i><i>Let us go wherever we please."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cochise-Chief of the Chokonen Band of the Chiricahua Apache</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a kid growing up in the 50's, my favorite tv shows or movies were never the cartoon shows of that time...but the old westerns. I rarely missed an episode of my favorite television shows...Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Death Valley Days and The Lone Ranger. And I can honestly say I have watched the greatest westerns of all time...The Searchers, Red River, High Noon, Shane and Stagecoach over 20 times each. I idolized those fictional and historical </span>heroes. The <span style="font-family: inherit;">lawmen, cowboys, mountain men and Native American warriors were always in my dreams. And as an adult I became fascinated and "addicted" with the mountain man era, 1820 to 1840, and the sixteen Rocky Mountain R</span>endezvous (I visited the actual sites of 13 Rendezvous). Hovering at the top of my list though was my fascination and reverence of the Apache Native Americans especially, the fiercest band of Apache, the legendary Chiricahuas of Arizona and New Mexico. Who has not heard the names of Geronimo, Magnus Colorado, Victorio or Cochise? These were some of the most famous and feared Native American chiefs and warriors. And all were Chiricahua Apache.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Tim and Denise, <a href="https://taylorbasecamp.com/">Gone With The Dogs</a>, had expressed to us their desire to explore the Chiricahuas and that is when the monument entered our radar. Then our friends, Susan and Kevin, shared how the Chiricahua National Monument was one of their favorite places in southern Arizona to visit. Well, we made sure that if we were within a days drive, the monument would be a new BlaNicS Waypoint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">As you enter Chiricahua National Monument you are climbing into an isolated mountain range rising above the surrounding sea of grassland. Meadows dotted with cactus and mesquite begin to fill with sycamore, juniper and oak, landscape typical of this part of the Southwest. It is the expansive canvas of rock pinnacles looming over like guardians of the forest that announce you have entered Chiricahua country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Chiricahua Apache called these pinnacles "standing up rocks' and from the early 1400's, the Chokonen band made these mountains their home. Nomads and superb warriors, the Apaches fiercely resisted colonization and were at a state of war with all neighboring tribes and emigrants until they surrendered to the U.S. government in 1886.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Established in 1924, Chiricahua National Monument comprises 12,025 acres and there are 17 miles of trails featured within the park. The NPS offers free shuttle service to the top of Bonita Canyon Drive to different trailheads. We hiked from the Massai Point trailhead and made a big loop, using four different trails, allowing us to see much of outer rim and inner canyons of this "sky island."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Each day during our stay we tried, but could not spot the elusive coatimundi native to this area. They were there though, as fellow campers and hikers did catch a glimpse of them running across the road. Bonita Canyon Campground offered many scenic views of the canyon and trails to the visitor center and along side the creek to Faraway Ranch. This historic ranch tells the story of how a family of Swedish immigrants turned their homestead within Bonita Canyon into a guest ranch for 56 years, sharing this wonderland of rocks with guests, photographers and birders from all over the world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I have no doubt the Chiricahua Apache believed their land was more valuable than money...that it would last forever and not even perish by the flames of fire. And so it will be, that as long as the the sun shines and the waters flow, this land will continue to give life to men, animals, memories and dreams.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>At Waypoint 32.01071, -109.35528</i></span></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-66877312907478292792017-04-02T10:13:00.000-07:002017-04-02T10:13:10.456-07:00Kartchner Caverns State Park<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>source of what you are looking for."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Joseph Campbell</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tombstone storefront prop</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Powerful quote! It reminds me of my own past...of when I had to stop searching for <i>Who I Am</i> and begin searching for <i>Who I Want To Be. </i>It took 43 years dotted with fear, suffering, challenges and deficiency to find the courage to do so. I smile now, surreal, when I think about all those trials and tribulations...how can I not...they were my portals of discovery. Today, the most stress I have is following Imkelina's directions to Kartchner Caverns. And truth to be told...I still don't know who I want to be...but I am no longer fleeing, I found myself and I know what I am looking for.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kartchner Caverns located under hill mounds on right, visitor center in background on left</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOULD YOU TRY THIS?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The story of Kartchner Caverns started in 1974, with Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts </span>never-ending<span style="font-family: inherit;"> quest for adventure. And they knew what they were seeking...to find a cave that no one had ever found. Well they found it and the rest is history. Spelunking, is an extreme sport and the cavers that partake are definitely a unique breed of explorers. I quiver just thinking of my own claustrophobia, but I now know why those t-shirts say "Cavers Rescue Spelunkers".</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kartchner Caverns, was voted the best cave in the United States in a 2016 USA Today poll. The caverns feature an incredible cluster of formations that when illuminated offer a beautiful kaleidoscope of reflections, patterns, shapes and colors. As I am not a "cave boy" with my phobia...I have no doubt the cavern would be far more dazzling than I have just described to individuals who are fans of caves. Great measures are taken to protect the fragile formations and level of humidity inside the caverns and as such, no dazzling inside shots of "the Throne Room" and Kubla Kahn or the 45,000 year-old bat guano.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragoon Mountains</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For me, the true attraction for was the wonderful interpretive visitor center and the desert landscape encircling the caves. The campground offered many panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges, the Whetstone, Dragoon and Chiricahuas. One afternoon, we were greeted with the foreboding signs of wild storm. And sure enough, that night</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> we became engrossed in a wondrous display of lightning strikes, hail and ground shaking thunder, which freaked out Sydney, who spent the storm shuddering on Imkelina's lap. These snakelike strikes danced all around us for better than an hour. Quite impressive!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of visitor center from Foothills Loop Trail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As usual, Imkelina found a hike, the 2.4 mile long Foothills Loop Trail. The trail yielded some impressive views of the mountain ranges and valleys as it meandered around the campground, the cavern site and visitor center.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 "Gunslingers" with cell phones and bic lighters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for you history buffs or old west groupies that always had a yearning to visit Tombstone and the O.K. Corral, curb your eagerness. This "film set" is extremely commercialized, not historically accurate and for my taste buds, few opportunities to excite them. The actual shootout took place in a narrow lot six doors west of the Corral's rear entrance and lasted only <i><u>30 seconds</u></i>. Tombstone and the O.K Corral only became famous after Wyatt Earp died. However, Imkelina did find a cool shop that sold some tasty Killer Bee Honey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I definitely have no desire to go crawl around in caves, but I really like the word "spelunking" and may use it in future conversations...per the Urban Dictionary there are <i>many</i> nuances for the word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>At Waypoint 31.83414, -110.35003</i></span></div>
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The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-15618791591486958892017-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:002017-03-23T06:00:19.153-07:00Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"Borders are scratched across the hearts of men,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>by strangers with a calm, judicial pen,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>and then the borders bleed as we watch with dread the lines</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>of ink along the map turn red."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Maryn Mannes</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pedestrian fencing dividing Sonora, Mexico and Organ Pipes National Monument</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkdbPcVmGhtCUsz5CfphbGJZtkeespYTUUDCasxz1JlT1U6ebRYA1ef3FfQ3hY6gOxRd9VTaK-Wg5wUu5XziHfXbiHozH88lzDPx6YflOvK7HEN1x8ram7u6QO0qg4R75S-lBDS23iNI/s1600/IMG_2158+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkdbPcVmGhtCUsz5CfphbGJZtkeespYTUUDCasxz1JlT1U6ebRYA1ef3FfQ3hY6gOxRd9VTaK-Wg5wUu5XziHfXbiHozH88lzDPx6YflOvK7HEN1x8ram7u6QO0qg4R75S-lBDS23iNI/s400/IMG_2158+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While at San Simeon State Park, a full time RV'er inquired if we had ever been to Organ Pipe Cactus? "Where I asked?" "Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Southern Arizona...right on the border of Mexico. The park is awe-inspiring and features a beautiful campground." Wow I thought...we gotta go there while we are in that part of the state...sounds like a perfect side trip to amplify one's experience...and with us having middle names of "InspireMe"...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ugfs54mnWGj3ukAOhTqz9MQPYaeVHeyzA2jk1Q0I4hHxe_rrFQBg7WRfT0bz8EdxKiPMJuZR9bQLR9vnaJn3dqc1gXnypQY1jrRufliGLCrBfi1W56IJY9Ce9WUrms8Gs4G1zwOFXJY/s1600/IMG_2361+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ugfs54mnWGj3ukAOhTqz9MQPYaeVHeyzA2jk1Q0I4hHxe_rrFQBg7WRfT0bz8EdxKiPMJuZR9bQLR9vnaJn3dqc1gXnypQY1jrRufliGLCrBfi1W56IJY9Ce9WUrms8Gs4G1zwOFXJY/s400/IMG_2361+%25281%2529.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the story he shared with me sealed the deal. While he was camping there, the host woke up one morning to find an old man, fragile and thin, sitting on his patio chair. "The man was kind and polite...just needing a safe place to rest. He was from Guatemala, (a beloved country to Imkelina and her family), seeking a better life for him and his family. As there were so many US Border Agent patrolling the roads, this camper was surprised he had made it to Organ Pipe Cactus undiscovered." As of the result of this brief conversation, I knew I wanted to see this place, to help me grasp the risks and hardships that these "illegal refugees" endure to behold a glimmer of hope. When we were there, seeing the borderland, which in reality is a very daunting landscape, we were able to comprehend the desperation and despair that forces one to survive...for this great migration to see OZ is anything but painless and safe</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBINgGhOQ7auaYkEJPs6JlvlVFDfQfu-s89qzyHSKW2tmByf8R_Hef7Q_kQ40pFvu7Kz-mW4Wr6j2b8nlE35rT-kGnsCNz_NEK6bg0p0CDHRPP58lZ7wR6XCbjP_0cpuOX8Zwmq0dDuY/s1600/Cactus+wren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBINgGhOQ7auaYkEJPs6JlvlVFDfQfu-s89qzyHSKW2tmByf8R_Hef7Q_kQ40pFvu7Kz-mW4Wr6j2b8nlE35rT-kGnsCNz_NEK6bg0p0CDHRPP58lZ7wR6XCbjP_0cpuOX8Zwmq0dDuY/s400/Cactus+wren.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cactus Wren</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX_WHUOmiBCX-KLlEiUcTEPwabA7eI2C9XpTqKrmDK4xs5HH5L6oYaFjEI-ZnAsZT2AQb7id6OWIdJpmKssC6LA8_v_bl0C-a6Mhbb6zkB01O7K-95qUHxBYawKenIJf9O6W97gaQtyQ/s1600/Phainopepla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX_WHUOmiBCX-KLlEiUcTEPwabA7eI2C9XpTqKrmDK4xs5HH5L6oYaFjEI-ZnAsZT2AQb7id6OWIdJpmKssC6LA8_v_bl0C-a6Mhbb6zkB01O7K-95qUHxBYawKenIJf9O6W97gaQtyQ/s400/Phainopepla.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phainopepla</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgVxUaPBt5NaFKSIM9ZN9TbngVNNPfqN_UBf1vfgisrDdM1VvrGWwHJWYa0lJ-FJCQHMbiTYQy5ZtIjeJL5oNsL2O8ETSssLwt8abR9tPIjj7RNYmP1bnBxBAgnhIGN3zUoo6xqsgI5U/s1600/Crested+Organ+Pipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgVxUaPBt5NaFKSIM9ZN9TbngVNNPfqN_UBf1vfgisrDdM1VvrGWwHJWYa0lJ-FJCQHMbiTYQy5ZtIjeJL5oNsL2O8ETSssLwt8abR9tPIjj7RNYmP1bnBxBAgnhIGN3zUoo6xqsgI5U/s400/Crested+Organ+Pipe.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Crested Organ Pipe</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ust a short drive from Ajo, AZ, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is just a dazzling desert jewel. It is also an International Biosphere Reserve. Located in the extreme part of the state which shares a border with the Mexican state of Sonora, you have 330,800 stunning acres that celebrate life and landscape by showcasing the most pristine tract to the great Sonoran Desert of this American Southwest. The monument exhibits an extraordinary collection of wildlife, birds and plants, including the Saguaro, Ocotillo and it's namesake, the Organ Pipe Cactus rarely found in the United States. Here you can grasp that every seed is awakened and so is animal life...so we yield to all the flora and fauna the same right we give ourselves...to inhabit this land. The monument is a true desert experience.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ab3D5w9UDSy1G0uipE4UH0ia0Z0FQCGYh2yzZVvajru3tCZ6Jr__JwzEvYp4n-WZwGxazPd8qZI69MV1Hz-nUgckNb0yd0x5PpGGlbcZ6WGiCmXVEbQ08UvHAVMpMjBuAsirXosbmYc/s1600/Palo+Verde+Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ab3D5w9UDSy1G0uipE4UH0ia0Z0FQCGYh2yzZVvajru3tCZ6Jr__JwzEvYp4n-WZwGxazPd8qZI69MV1Hz-nUgckNb0yd0x5PpGGlbcZ6WGiCmXVEbQ08UvHAVMpMjBuAsirXosbmYc/s400/Palo+Verde+Trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.6 mile Palo Verde Trail to Visitor Center</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJP0PTSfrdrWBPSIC8s-LNIUxY14ZeYzeLMyTUbQ3xgvNGGxLNl2V1uOZzI0eysSKFitTW0M0LOX7gOazgWWHNp5UffmEvWeYNkr1o2sUx7uY0UqNtdBL57OWZjIRzdMJTvmCPrCLgOU/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJP0PTSfrdrWBPSIC8s-LNIUxY14ZeYzeLMyTUbQ3xgvNGGxLNl2V1uOZzI0eysSKFitTW0M0LOX7gOazgWWHNp5UffmEvWeYNkr1o2sUx7uY0UqNtdBL57OWZjIRzdMJTvmCPrCLgOU/s400/IMG_2265.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1.2 mile Desert View Nature Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Va_NWv_mkQTYQkktDdfz_B1DWylqCWdQ2JUK8RrUnKiPGS2wUb0kgYPRkA3efDNp3JPug8NK5MmfctfBMGknkSdVGlTVflk1t302hFOy6tIQqCtTNhVqnWQOb8VosvV_hKl6Swz5N-E/s1600/IMG_2269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Va_NWv_mkQTYQkktDdfz_B1DWylqCWdQ2JUK8RrUnKiPGS2wUb0kgYPRkA3efDNp3JPug8NK5MmfctfBMGknkSdVGlTVflk1t302hFOy6tIQqCtTNhVqnWQOb8VosvV_hKl6Swz5N-E/s400/IMG_2269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vista of Desert View Nature Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCY2YUCvRk6ls8jPnAtSouGZ1PDA6ti9L5V1TeyGLNSm0aYnHRPai31pr7e2Kq2RVyt610VajVnEEvuuvSZaF0LDb0zHZJH6nnh-c71zupU6xLemvMxMu9YbDXxhnv271-fUq1ZqY3iE/s1600/IMG_2344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCY2YUCvRk6ls8jPnAtSouGZ1PDA6ti9L5V1TeyGLNSm0aYnHRPai31pr7e2Kq2RVyt610VajVnEEvuuvSZaF0LDb0zHZJH6nnh-c71zupU6xLemvMxMu9YbDXxhnv271-fUq1ZqY3iE/s400/IMG_2344.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alamo Canyon Trail Views</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQd4rQq917sHM8xfBAQ5_a7MIIjlZ5FPDuu2z0LqiwkZFFrYT1-Q9BFWikO3C4uMD71tKag3gpIPv4BaE2jcQ7_ksLfc_HY0Kv2zrcdC3t6iNrZ4SPr1gs2FsclRr1u3t0flSxG8ZQ8U/s1600/IMG_2341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQd4rQq917sHM8xfBAQ5_a7MIIjlZ5FPDuu2z0LqiwkZFFrYT1-Q9BFWikO3C4uMD71tKag3gpIPv4BaE2jcQ7_ksLfc_HY0Kv2zrcdC3t6iNrZ4SPr1gs2FsclRr1u3t0flSxG8ZQ8U/s400/IMG_2341.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.8 mile Alamo Canyon Trail</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY0j_b_QBHUn4bk8AGmXp0jNK7bw2bpRD_2fQPGJtWvOp8UYDM0uk8lcA45qPH_DaPnaLuHPNYhO24KadXZdZGV73aMy5yQxt9YZGUXVeBVgqdV7wiaArC9Qf4x-TaP0sLMui82hB19c/s1600/IMG_2342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY0j_b_QBHUn4bk8AGmXp0jNK7bw2bpRD_2fQPGJtWvOp8UYDM0uk8lcA45qPH_DaPnaLuHPNYhO24KadXZdZGV73aMy5yQxt9YZGUXVeBVgqdV7wiaArC9Qf4x-TaP0sLMui82hB19c/s400/IMG_2342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">historic corral Alamo Canyon Trail</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Twin Peaks is a perfectly designed campground that allows everyone here to intertwine with the Sonoran Desert. And to assist you toward embracing your beautiful surroundings, the NPS offers daily interpretive talks at the Kriss EggleVisitor Center (named after a Law Enforcement Park Ranger killed by members of a drug cartel), ranger led hikes and tours throughout the Park and evening interpretive programs offered in the campground amphitheater. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During one of these interpretive talks at the visitor center, we had the pleasure of connecting with a gifted photographer, a seasonal ranger at our beloved North Rim and a dedicated steward of our west, Gaelyn, <a href="http://geogypsytraveler.com/">the Geogypsy</a>. And as we found out later, we actually were mirroring each other's adventure, i.e. stops at Kofa, Ajo and here. Imkelina and Sydney had a collection of hikes to enjoy...and if we would have stayed another week, she could have crossed each one off her list.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We experienced some beautiful sunsets and remarkable silhouettes through the moonlit nights. And although we had a little too much moonlight, they say the night skies here offer a true spectacle...you will witness the stars at peace, drifting slowly through the darkness and into our deepest being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Alas, there may be a day when the human race will be able to hear the pleas of our land...to cherish, protect and share. No boundaries, No Wall, no rules, no violations</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: inherit;">At Waypoint 31.94205, -112.81207</i>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-24827615717048510292017-03-15T18:25:00.000-07:002017-03-15T18:25:15.986-07:00Darby Well Road Boondockers<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I hope someday you'll join us. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the world will live as one."</span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">John Lennon</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Friends Dick and Melinda have shared many a conversation with us of camping on the BLM land around Ajo, Arizona. So it was an easy decision to rendezvous with them there for a few days to have that experience for ourselves. Deserts have always attracted nomads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dick and Melinda had found a perfect camping spot large enough to easily fit two rigs, pretty flat and some awesome views. Imkelina</span> just needed to drive a few miles in on a washboard, rut filled, sandy road to get there. We enjoyed many beautiful hikes, had some fun happy hours and many energetic campfire conversations...sister and brothers forever! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But we did have a hilarious take away during a brief tutorial on how to prepare "Chorizo"...you know, the soft and spongy Mexican sausage roll. If you want to try a dish way ahead of it's time, ask Dick and Melinda about their Chorizo grilling recipe. Melinda says the "one eye monster" will never feel the same...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although I have never been a "desert rat", I gotta admit the seams of these desert horizons have intrigued me...much like a brown maiden basking in the sun. Oh those desert vistas! B</span>rilliant sunrises to awaken to and stunning sunsets to introduce those luminous starry nights. We have become fascinated with this region of land. This is a land of extremes, a land of contrast and definitely a land of many surprises.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not a day passed that Imkelina and her loyal sidekick Sydney were able to leave their tracks on miles of desert washes, game trails and rock strewn ridges. Imkelina's unlimited photo opportunities were only exceeded by Sydney's treasure of critter scents. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As each new day unfolded, the crisp, fresh morning air acted as an immediate tonic, sending a charge of life through me. Below us were the beautiful vistas of rocky gorges and on the desert floor, a mosaic of shapes and colors created by cacti with wrist-less arms and their desert blooms. Enchanting, inspiring and awe bled from my mind as it tried to comprehend this wonderful medley of sights...I have discovered the West of my imagination.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>At Waypoint 32.34592, -112.89218</i></span></span></span>The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-1895602633084493932017-03-02T22:10:00.000-08:002017-03-02T22:10:46.787-08:00Kofa National Wildlife Refuge<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>"The desert takes our dreams away from us, and they don't always return...Those who don't return become a part of the clouds, a part of the animals that hide in the ravines and of the water that comes from the earth. They become part of everything...They become the Soul of the World."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our destination upon leaving Point Mugu State Park was </span>Cottonwood Springs Rd just a mile north of Interstate 10, which is the south overflow camping area of Joshua Tree National Park. But 40-50 mile per hour gusts that were pounding the I-10 corridor and a inoperative fridge made us head toward a sheltered harbor and 30 amp service...so we headed to Desert Hot Springs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But we did have a wonderful surprise on our detour. <a href="http://rvtravels.net/">the Rauschers</a> were also headed north on I-10 toward Lancaster for some repair work themselves. With some coordination of time, speed and miles, we were able to connect for a nice lunch at the Chiriaco Summit Cafe. The grilled food smelled so good, it permeated all around our table, drawing the scrutiny of the local feral cats.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQIlNN0lRpm6XfrbzK6lf7_GLQtke2oYDqIvr-j2zqr2QcNVXfDaYAAGSekLIzSkBCC6r_7XALQ9DYhLe9gC4u3bmwpN50qbDIIpdiyUxSDZ-n_KdTrylpppDqOhQr89OtUA_Kx3rAak/s1600/FullSizeRender+c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQIlNN0lRpm6XfrbzK6lf7_GLQtke2oYDqIvr-j2zqr2QcNVXfDaYAAGSekLIzSkBCC6r_7XALQ9DYhLe9gC4u3bmwpN50qbDIIpdiyUxSDZ-n_KdTrylpppDqOhQr89OtUA_Kx3rAak/s400/FullSizeRender+c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dome Rock Boondocking</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After a brief stay in Desert Hot Springs to try to cool our refrigerator, we headed toward Quartzite, AZ to see if we could find our dear friend Frank Roberts. Once we found a campsite on Dome Rock Road, we scurried off to locate Frank among the horde of rigs at La Posa South Long Term Visitor Area. Although we initially thought Frank's directions to his rig were "spotty" to say the least, we were quite shocked that we actually found him. As this was our first time to embrace the Quartzite Experience (and quickly we realized it would also be our last), we were amazed by the number and type of recreational vehicles scattered throughout the desert. Truly mind boggling...and w</span></span><span style="font-family: "\22 verdana\22 " , sans-serif;">e were only witnessing a partial gathering of campers.</span><span style="font-family: "\22 verdana\22 " , sans-serif;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">his was the last day of the show, thus the mass exodus had already begun. The next morning, we bid a 'see you later' to Frank and headed south to Palm Canyon Drive and the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The name Kofa comes from a former area gold mine: the King of Arizona mine, with Kofa a contraction of the name. In 1936, the Arizona Boy Scouts mounted a statewide campaign to protect the bighorn sheep, leading to the creation of this refuge. Encompassing over 665,400 acres, Kofa was officially established in 1939 and the desert bighorn sheep is now the official mascot for the Arizona Boy Scouts. We drove the gravel road for about 7 miles looking for a campsite that was accessible, flat and had some great views. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We found the ideal spot within this tiny morsel of the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by miles of cactus laden plains and mountain peaks, a wonderful place to relax. Oh how I love the the solitude and isolation...it intoxicates me with the freedom of others, offering the peacefulness for my inner thoughts to dance free and see nature's beauty without filters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the road is a short hike up through Palm Canyon...the palms are quite hidden, but there. Scanning down toward the valley floor points out just how isolated this hidden paradise is...although we did see two of our fellow bloggers camped here <a href="http://geogypsytraveler.com/">Gaeylyn of GeoGypsy</a> and <a href="http://www.loveyourrv.com/">Ray of Love Your RV</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Imke and Sydney walked many of the sandy washes near our campsite, marveling at the beauty of the diverse desert gardens. And poor Sydney, never having experience those dreaded barbs from the Teddy Bear Cholla, certainly let us know when she had her first encounter with one. It only took that one time for us to learn that you never hike in the desert without your trusty Leatherman or are least a pair of needle nose pliers in your back pocket. Aaaaaaah, and then there were those spectacular sunsets...the sun and the earth in desert sunsets always seem brighter, wilder...more demanding, more silent...somehow more certain. Kofa is beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>At Waypoint 33.35876, -114.13633</i></span><br />
<br />The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729304287768776311.post-15794635372194630482017-02-26T20:05:00.001-08:002017-02-26T20:05:55.711-08:00Sycamore Canyon Campground<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>“The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>primeval wood and the sound of outer ocean on a beach“</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Henry Beston</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When looking at the extended radar forecast, we decided to pack up the Webegon and planned a month-long escape to the warm desert breezes of Southern Arizona. We began our desert safari with a stop at Point Mugu State Park to visit our new tribe members and fellow camphosts, John and Christina. As the most recent camphosts at Sycamore Canyon Campground, they had invited us to stop by for a visit during our ramble down Hwy 101. This is a lovely campground offering some nice campsites and miles of hiking/biking trails. It was a surprise to find such a sanctuary amongst the urban sprawl that is Southern California...homes, asphalt and concrete. As it turns out, it is but a small part of Santa Monica Mountains National Preserve which Congress established as a part of the National Park System in 1978.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Located in the Santa Monica Mountains, Point Mugu features miles of rugged shoreline, narrow sandy beaches and some chaparral covered hills offering miles of hiking trails. With the park being devoid of campers, not only did we have our choice of campsite, but our friends were able to break away from their hosting duties to give us that perfect nickel tour of the surrounding area, hiking trails, their private beach and John’s never-ending “tide trash’.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We did venture out to hike the 3.5 mile Grotto Trail…although an unimproved streambed prevented us from touching the goal post. But the trail offered some wonderful views of the hillsides and winter waterfalls as it led us down to the west fork of the Arroyo Sequit. And the biggest takeaway of our short hike was an <i>edit </i>of “Webster’s description of a lap dance”….with visuals. We were smiling like monkeys with new bananas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although our stay was short, we had some wonderful quality time with our friends…great food, conversations and warm hugs…we definitely look forward to our next reunion in Oregon. Ahh...the sweetness of friendship...laughter and the sharing of pleasures<i>. </i>We now point our snout south to the surrounding area of Joshua Tree National Park.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>At Waypoint 34.072853, -119.014599</i></span></span></div>
The BlaNicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439113997893259241noreply@blogger.com0