So far we have been in 2 countries, 21 (US political) states, and 2 provinces.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
National Parks of the Southwest
The Grand Canyon from the south rim.
A couple Elk from a large herd. The guy above was
trying to hide his massive antlers behind the bushes.
Grand Canyon from Desert View.
A couple towers in Sedona
Mountain Goats in Zion
The Spires of Bryce
And an interesting roadside attraction.
We debated, but didn't try any of their pies!
Someone else well have to try them and report back.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Las Vegas!
We decided to stop in Vegas to see a show or two, but as we both already knew, Las Vegas is about as far from who we are as possible. We are not into gambling at all, we don't really drink and there were people smoking just about everywhere which made us sick. However, we made the best of it, walking the strip and seeing 2 shows. The first was Defending the Caveman, a PAX-like comedy about the differences between men and women. The second was a FABULOUS female impersonator show, Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas.
"Pee Wee Herman"
"Joan Rivers"
"Madonna"
"Whitney Houston"
"Lady Gaga"
"Bette Midler"
"Diana Ross"
"Dolly Parton"
"Cher"
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Yosemite
We got to Yosemite on Friday. Yosemite is one of my favorite places in the world. Driving in on highway 120 we saw a small amount of the destruction left by the "Yosemite Rim Fire." There were still smoldering trees here and there, but we didn't see any real fire.
The most noticeable fact here was the lack of water coming over the falls. Yosemite Falls was completely dry and Bridalveil Falls had just a bit of a mist at the very top. We could tell Nevada and Vernal Falls had a little water by the outlet stream flow, but just as we were going to hike in to Vernal Falls it started raining.
As we were leaving we noticed a number of climbers on El Capitan, a couple of which were in tents hanging from the wall thousands of feet up.
Though it rained all the way to Glacier Point, the sun did come out for a few minutes for us to see the valley and take some pictures. We did get to see the Nevada and Vernal falls from high above the valley floor. As we left there the rain/snow/sleet/hail returned to make driving very slow. We also saw numerous Deer and a fox, all of which were not to scared of us humans.
The most noticeable fact here was the lack of water coming over the falls. Yosemite Falls was completely dry and Bridalveil Falls had just a bit of a mist at the very top. We could tell Nevada and Vernal Falls had a little water by the outlet stream flow, but just as we were going to hike in to Vernal Falls it started raining.
As we were leaving we noticed a number of climbers on El Capitan, a couple of which were in tents hanging from the wall thousands of feet up.
Though it rained all the way to Glacier Point, the sun did come out for a few minutes for us to see the valley and take some pictures. We did get to see the Nevada and Vernal falls from high above the valley floor. As we left there the rain/snow/sleet/hail returned to make driving very slow. We also saw numerous Deer and a fox, all of which were not to scared of us humans.
Four climbers about 1/2 way up El Capitan
Half Dome with a cloud against it's face
Nevada and Vernal Falls
A fox at a pullout waiting for a handout
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Leaving the Bay Area
We spent a week wandering the Bay Area and were itchy to get back on the road. It was very nice leaving the heavy traffic.
We spent the week with my brother Marty, his wife Marina, son Ilya, their wonderful dog Sky, and their energetic puppy Loki. It was very nice spending time with my family and seeing what a great (and very tall) kid Ilya is turning into.
Before leaving we stopped at the Gtar headquarters to see Ashara's son Josh. The Gtar is sort of an Electronic guitar run by an Iphone which can be used for among other things, to teach you how to play a guitar using LED lights in the neck. Un-musical Terry picked up one of the Gtar's, selected "Blackbird" by the Beatles, and started playing. Though Ashara couldn't tell what I was playing, I was sure if you recorded me and played it back 3 times faster, she might have guessed the song. It was far more fun than looking at a book and trying to match finger positions.
We spent the week with my brother Marty, his wife Marina, son Ilya, their wonderful dog Sky, and their energetic puppy Loki. It was very nice spending time with my family and seeing what a great (and very tall) kid Ilya is turning into.
Before leaving we stopped at the Gtar headquarters to see Ashara's son Josh. The Gtar is sort of an Electronic guitar run by an Iphone which can be used for among other things, to teach you how to play a guitar using LED lights in the neck. Un-musical Terry picked up one of the Gtar's, selected "Blackbird" by the Beatles, and started playing. Though Ashara couldn't tell what I was playing, I was sure if you recorded me and played it back 3 times faster, she might have guessed the song. It was far more fun than looking at a book and trying to match finger positions.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Dougie MacLean!!
Tuesday night found us in Berkeley at the famous Freight and Salvage coffeehouse to see Dougie MacLean, a fabulous singer songwriter from Scotland. I was SO excited to see him in concert! He doesn't widely tour the US, but when he does do US gigs they are few and far between.
Friends and Relatives
A busy week with Terry's extended family! First, a Saturday lunch with Aunt Diane and Uncle Howard who live in San Jose.
Later, back to Santa Cruz with Aunt Diane and Howard to visit their daughter Suzy (Terry's cousin) and her husband Steve. Before going out to dinner we walked along the water looking at boats and sea lions!
Dinner outside at the Crow's Nest
Later, back to Santa Cruz with Aunt Diane and Howard to visit their daughter Suzy (Terry's cousin) and her husband Steve. Before going out to dinner we walked along the water looking at boats and sea lions!
Dinner outside at the Crow's Nest
Then back to Suzy and Steve's for a birthday celebration!
Sunday morning we picked up my son Josh and his girlfriend at his apartment in San Francisco, then on to visit friends Geoff and Sean at their Sonoma house. We spent most of the day eating out and relaxing by the pool. Not a bad way to spend the day at all!
Tuesday we met with Terry's cousin Jerry (Suzy's brother) and his girlfriend Kate. They live in a very cool yurt on Steve Wozniak's ex wife's property. She has alpacas, llamas, chickens and a winery. We got a tour of the winery and they put us to work pressing the grapes.
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