tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21967047159211269122024-03-13T11:36:30.118-06:00G's somewhat blah lifeGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-52877193364826596532014-08-24T11:21:00.001-06:002014-08-24T11:21:18.936-06:00Fungi and Moose<p>We backpacked the <a href="http://www.utahtrails.com/Colorado%20pages/RawahLakes.html" target="_blank">Rawah Lakes Loop</a> this past weekend. We walked with the pack for 21 miles in three days and two nights. It was gorgeous! But rainy for a small part of the time. I always prepare for rain but have hardly ever needed to use the rain gear here in Colorado. This was an exception. The lushness of the forest was worth it though. The woods were so green and moist and accented by the bits of rain on them. Another bonus, the riparian nature of this area is great for moose! We saw three moose – two at Twin Crater lakes and one near the West Branch trail head. Of course, there were many fungi. Love it. </p> <p><strong>Day 1: West Branch Trail Head to Twin Crater Lakes (7.3 miles)</strong></p> <p>It was slightly overcast when we started around 12:30pm at the West Branch Trail Head. About 90 minutes later it started drizzling, which felt pretty nice. About an hour after that it started raining. It stopped when we got to a campsite next to a meadow below Twin Crater Lakes. The rain ceased for the remainder of the evening and we hiked up to the lakes. These were the most beautiful lakes of all the lakes we saw on this trip. The alpine landscape was dotted with large- and medium-sized rocks and we saw our first moose (two actually)!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2oggbMehj4U/U_oeiLYh1MI/AAAAAAAAEfw/pEYCX6MRPXI/s1600-h/IMG_20140821_170507%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140821_170507" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140821_170507" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UjYEnT5M0cA/U_oei6xypSI/AAAAAAAAEf4/MJAkDLm1pdc/IMG_20140821_170507_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="476"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zDViqemrCng/U_oej8JEvRI/AAAAAAAAEgA/dwWElSUpO0A/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520007%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LcqfW-RGIuc/U_oekzvUGcI/AAAAAAAAEgE/okBcwUnIWiY/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="407"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cOImVMUF6t8/U_oele59UCI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/jq8CrViR6Ng/s1600-h/20140821_170115%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140821_170115" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140821_170115" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GBJUYbQ4glc/U_oelxEXJpI/AAAAAAAAEgY/mDBCgM3bAl4/20140821_170115_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="462"></a></p> <p align="left">As you can see from the photo, one of the moose arose and stared at us. We didn’t stick around that long. </p> <p align="left">The next morning we woke up to the pitter-patter of rain on the tent. It rained for the next hour and a half. Reluctantly, we exited the tent to have coffee and breakfast. It continued to rain. We were not pleased.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aB9lC-inwgw/U_oemj-urII/AAAAAAAAEgg/x6w_e46VA2o/s1600-h/20140822_083958%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140822_083958" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140822_083958" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JY7gefxSla4/U_oenYW0ZAI/AAAAAAAAEgk/2HGsLQhZPU4/20140822_083958_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="409"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-agOyX-TW2TU/U_oen0IphYI/AAAAAAAAEgs/l3syMXPn7mQ/s1600-h/20140822_083943%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140822_083943" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140822_083943" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e64gXOESJR0/U_oeodp7RwI/AAAAAAAAEg0/rONgYpwIjFw/20140822_083943_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="311"></a></p> <p align="left">Around 9:30 am the sun slowly came out and we noticed all the flowers in the meadow. Seth enjoyed the sun and I got a few flower shots.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sOE5scwKT0k/U_oepIssQrI/AAAAAAAAEhA/3fuDnqMjZik/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520027%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 027" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IjbGSIC79Bs/U_oep_f4jAI/AAAAAAAAEhI/5_nFqXI2UBU/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520027_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UC6_hFE9fv0/U_oeqcN2YbI/AAAAAAAAEhM/dFmtHY-b-sk/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520028%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tVn2kIMMCIc/U_oeqyrrKqI/AAAAAAAAEhU/PdCEd7n3nDE/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520028_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="346"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ISbhz5vTBog/U_oerWB28gI/AAAAAAAAEhg/4OAsvVrgdPQ/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520043%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ONOzQCN6DJ4/U_oesB-dHLI/AAAAAAAAEho/rR1-q_KoIJU/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520043_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="412"></a></p> <p align="left">Mostly with the encouragement of Seth, we continued on and risked more rain but hoped for little. We hiked a very gentle path to Grassy Pass where we could see Rawah Lake No. 3. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p3UWNzp7Oyc/U_oesonVpoI/AAAAAAAAEhs/hEYdVxecruQ/s1600-h/20140822_115247%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="20140822_115247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="20140822_115247" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r3tkNZ2R4Cs/U_oetIZoLKI/AAAAAAAAEh0/OcksO0YQI_Y/20140822_115247_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="596" height="339"></a></p> <p align="left">Grassy Pass had lovely views not only of the lake but also of the surrounding hills.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uThnp2L8Tg0/U_oetgQrhSI/AAAAAAAAEiA/Q0ydAsjO36I/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520058%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 058" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 058" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UN2bwl4tb1o/U_oeuLOV2BI/AAAAAAAAEiE/fsiaAQPEhOE/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="355"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KCMv2K3Ps4U/U_oeu7PyM2I/AAAAAAAAEiQ/N07qzs2_s_o/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520066%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j4X9OzU0EhM/U_oevM7ORbI/AAAAAAAAEiU/QHc-ZSbslEw/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520066_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="412"></a></p> <p align="left">After a few stream crossings, which Dempsey tackled very well, we made it to Camp Lake. We set up camp and then retired to the lakeside to watch the somewhat menacing clouds. I also took more flower photos.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PTdepvBkkuc/U_oev4OBMmI/AAAAAAAAEig/fRgCeE-sIUs/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520045%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 045" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7bcMDPL7_wI/U_oewBq4QJI/AAAAAAAAEik/MQkDQwWhDlY/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="396"></a></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NGK2aEstl4M/U_oew3TWGeI/AAAAAAAAEiw/9V5HeAs7RG4/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520073%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 073" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zYN9hCSWy14/U_oexdzKy-I/AAAAAAAAEi0/V33IwlQsHgo/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520073_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="369"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TZ55-TLEuRc/U_oexzTo_vI/AAAAAAAAEjA/hvoKjX7DRNQ/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520092%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 092" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 092" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c9OHDGVqPgM/U_oeyZrZciI/AAAAAAAAEjE/dAwFA9U2Ikg/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520092_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="365"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WT0eAbXiFWk/U_oey-0EuAI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/2JZNQ97PxN4/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520087%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 087" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 087" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2HZpraGsW_8/U_oezU4TDRI/AAAAAAAAEjU/wjXQM6RK6qU/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520087_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="334"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--a1FbELoQBc/U_oe0LjDhJI/AAAAAAAAEjg/tIKIIHTX5bw/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520095%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 095" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 095" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0N5KvMmOmVI/U_oe0x_xVrI/AAAAAAAAEjk/UIcGRVEL3aI/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520095_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="339"></a></p> <p align="left">Mac n Cheese (deluxe) with a poblano and sliced garlic brought us back to camp. While we prepped dinner Dempsey gave in to his tiredness.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a1kQ4CrIFIY/U_oe1WGtNkI/AAAAAAAAEjw/K360WMrroZo/s1600-h/IMG_20140822_163512%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140822_163512" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140822_163512" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LTleN0L85e8/U_oe1yUYyaI/AAAAAAAAEj0/C055zltaPRI/IMG_20140822_163512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="420"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x20pX4g3Srw/U_oe2iilqbI/AAAAAAAAEj8/u4VVpZP7XKQ/s1600-h/IMG_20140822_165427%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20140822_165427" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20140822_165427" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9pirEBeTAjY/U_oe3RApyaI/AAAAAAAAEkE/khhSTOfyaKI/IMG_20140822_165427_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="419"></a></p> <p align="left">The next day we packed out and only saw a little rain in the morning. The fungus was quite good on the hike out.</p> <p align="left">Yes, this is all fungus (perhaps a slime mold or two?).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zYBzK3lSU_0/U_oe38adjNI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/BTnkWmhgGPI/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oVV5xTl0j5g/U_oe4pR3gAI/AAAAAAAAEkU/SEZFcnG1vwE/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="298"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TkYlcpTxRx8/U_oe42BQwQI/AAAAAAAAEkg/kQoPZhQQKO8/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520054%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 054" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UQtgLj9PYVE/U_oe5piAzwI/AAAAAAAAEko/oAKnZYPC7lA/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520054_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="320"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pa7Yjgo8jto/U_oe6QlxtCI/AAAAAAAAEkw/Rh8c9Y0LaQs/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520074%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 074" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-49btnA2CJvo/U_oe66BoiII/AAAAAAAAEk0/Zg0xKZIb5sU/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520074_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="380"></a></p> <p align="left">Below is a close up of the tree fungus above.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pPw8Z7CvU_I/U_oe7eSeKCI/AAAAAAAAElA/g2U3Jq6s0H8/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520075%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 075" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 075" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QpCAnoiUnlM/U_oe7wvCtMI/AAAAAAAAElE/JBsVNseWZ-E/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520075_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="357"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-17NYOYatDZ0/U_oe8S4_HJI/AAAAAAAAElQ/LXDL3eZ0cO0/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 077" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R6CiPv6WBuY/U_oe8zGK6vI/AAAAAAAAElY/Qy0Q-t7fpgE/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="334"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BkWvg8s6Aag/U_oe90lhttI/AAAAAAAAElg/R7XdOtkTaHA/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520079%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 079" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 079" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AwatpEVkI5o/U_oe-dP0muI/AAAAAAAAElk/2AZ_Fzf1UmM/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520079_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cryFkbywBC4/U_oe-0Ve1gI/AAAAAAAAElw/PHeLOu60BX4/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520103%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FPcwRiHLoas/U_oe_gcPi0I/AAAAAAAAEl0/hr2qymUy0uc/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520103_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kD5xCx1NjVI/U_ofAKh3IYI/AAAAAAAAEl8/bNWPBhlVRFM/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520106%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 106" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vYVeKb4ufGU/U_ofAwIG8EI/AAAAAAAAEmI/FC2zutwQ2kU/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520106_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="312"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xwExA9oH7Ro/U_ofBXWFQ9I/AAAAAAAAEmQ/gRoA5dRBUJI/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520109%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 109" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6RA37C4NecI/U_ofB20rIzI/AAAAAAAAEmU/PJRyvBGr9WA/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520109_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="300"></a></p> <p align="left">Just about the last thing we saw was a large bull moose almost on the trail. Seth scared it away and we made it back to the car. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xC0pnmeYwig/U_ofCV6lSEI/AAAAAAAAEmg/psJwamLwgVk/s1600-h/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520108%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rawah Lakes Loop 108" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Rawah Lakes Loop 108" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LIKBo_azBQU/U_ofDK7qMVI/AAAAAAAAEmo/nPlnSlrgV6A/Rawah%252520Lakes%252520Loop%252520108_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="365"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-92203721448236462192014-08-10T12:51:00.001-06:002014-08-10T12:51:33.079-06:00Mt. Harvard<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--llFm_eA-aE/U-e_GI7mnZI/AAAAAAAAEeY/VGptT-INj_M/s1600-h/August%2525208%252520028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 8 028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="August 8 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nDD30a6NArI/U-e_G8KyzKI/AAAAAAAAEeg/5fW_lSa2igQ/August%2525208%252520028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="536" height="405"></a></p> <p>There it is, in the far right top corner of the photo above: Mt. Harvard 14,420’ tall. That is Seth and Dempsey preparing for the strenuous hike to the top. Strenuous for me anyway. I mean it is a 14 mile round trip hike if you start from the trailhead. We started hiking around 6:00 am and summited at about 10:15 am. </p> <p>The forest through which we hiked between the trailhead and tree line was lovely. We saw some fungus but not as much as I expected. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IsymjPFGi-E/U-e_Hgy8oCI/AAAAAAAAEeo/VUg3WKJIqEw/s1600-h/August%2525208%252520046%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 8 046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 8 046" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nKKSKl70mE0/U-e_Isib1JI/AAAAAAAAEew/jVvLMS99b8k/August%2525208%252520046_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="403"></a></p> <p>The weather was perfect. Lots of blue sky with harmless puffy white clouds. This is Seth just before the top. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1lDaPFtPzwE/U-e_JUUNakI/AAAAAAAAEe4/IaW2mZzc1xE/s1600-h/August%2525208%252520037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 8 037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 8 037" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mXD_5yvzoOU/U-e_J_hI_jI/AAAAAAAAEfA/osN7ZuK5WYI/August%2525208%252520037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="401"></a></p> <p>The hike back gave us views of the valley and the surrounding mountains, and Bear Lake for a while.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eAkU9HOjYTw/U-e_KpNbCLI/AAAAAAAAEfI/vMIaMEhS0CU/s1600-h/August%2525208%252520036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 8 036" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 8 036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XQ8nZTG73w0/U-e_LeMQOGI/AAAAAAAAEfM/H1TTVIIzDU8/August%2525208%252520036_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="561" height="424"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lE56nkWvHDs/U-e_L5v1EFI/AAAAAAAAEfY/L_wdFHXvAX4/s1600-h/August%2525208%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 8 042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 8 042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SOiEy-qvlcM/U-e_Mku8_VI/AAAAAAAAEfg/fkYjlA6p1GQ/August%2525208%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="553" height="418"></a></p> <p>After the long hike we went straight to Salida for Amica’s pizza and beer. My love affair with this state gets better with each year. </p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-78846872747445093582014-08-01T07:32:00.001-06:002014-08-01T07:32:14.169-06:00Backyard last day of July<p>By the time I deboarded the bus yesterday the sun was out. This is remarkable because It rained for nearly all of the previous 48 hours. This sort of weather is atypical for summer in Colorado. I was anxious to get into the backyard to explore and see how the garden was doing.</p> <p>The excess moisture yielded many mushrooms, some very small:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KxGcEeOrdkI/U9uWsTRrAcI/AAAAAAAAEcc/4Sytm3KCqBI/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="July 31 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lpjh3KVudAo/U9uWtO4xYdI/AAAAAAAAEcg/PG-IjLFmaxc/July%25252031%252520003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="360"></a></p> <p align="left">The succulents had slightly tightened up, perhaps due to the relative chill during the rain.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cwmK03ETebs/U9uWuMpoq6I/AAAAAAAAEcs/IFL6canMpAg/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="July 31 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dAoWVUz-tQQ/U9uWuojccuI/AAAAAAAAEc0/PIO6UQ3DO6o/July%25252031%252520004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="592" height="447"></a></p> <p align="left">One of our pepper plants has beautiful white flowers dripping from its limbs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7lNis6wmVNY/U9uWvhmpLPI/AAAAAAAAEc8/4R_JIRi5RIY/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 31 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tze6xHxebDg/U9uWxOFuR8I/AAAAAAAAEdE/sgWFlfMzbZ8/July%25252031%252520006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="395"></a></p> <p>the yellow pear tomato plant is full of little veiny fruits.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YkInnp7waxU/U9uWxxgPEXI/AAAAAAAAEdM/4H2uKENYLEs/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 31 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y8WLaCZT99k/U9uWygs-dpI/AAAAAAAAEdU/Rmj4bi-j55s/July%25252031%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="571" height="433"></a></p> <p>The sunflowers are almost as tall as Seth and they are forming flower buds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z7XHMlzPQxA/U9uWzXucifI/AAAAAAAAEdc/mk4fhDLyKVk/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 014" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 31 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hlvTNHDmmyU/U9uW0Kiu_wI/AAAAAAAAEdk/SA4RdkDuqnY/July%25252031%252520014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="383"></a></p> <p>Even the raspberries are coming in. The bees are hard at work on them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XWacT4LrP8I/U9uW048DZeI/AAAAAAAAEds/tPOJ7Cd_Csw/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 31 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qacX_D2D0qw/U9uW1j58q8I/AAAAAAAAEd0/cPSeD57ApI8/July%25252031%252520016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" height="370"></a></p> <p>We are happy about the garden progress!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i3z8zF5eeLw/U9uW2VeOuFI/AAAAAAAAEd8/OFTLH2FLgRo/s1600-h/July%25252031%252520019%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 31 019" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 31 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GU14vTjqy00/U9uW3LXCoSI/AAAAAAAAEeE/Ict0dvGFyk8/July%25252031%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="368"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-71716701748512859732014-07-30T07:30:00.001-06:002014-07-30T07:30:24.962-06:00St. Kitts!<p> </p> <p> </p> <div id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:dc9ca13b-fd5a-4e65-b56f-86603ac686d0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:400px;border-collapse:collapse;' > <tr> <td colspan=2 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:5px 0px 5px 5px;width:157px;vertical-align:bottom;' > <a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!126&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" target="_blank" border="0" style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;"> <img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" alt="View album" title="View album" width="157" height="157" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0QAx-Ss9VTk/U9jy_U4v6kI/AAAAAAAAEXI/sRrqTQXquUA/-20737431061152D3FC.png?imgmax=800" /></a> </td> <td colspan=3 style='vertical-align:middle;margin:0px;padding:5px 5px 5px 0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:223px' > <div style="margin-left:10px;top:-3%;" > <div style='width:223px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=browse&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!125&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!121&type=5&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:223px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">St. Kitts!</span></a></div> <div style="padding:10px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;width:auto;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:10px 15px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!125&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!121&type=5&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=downloadphotos&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!125&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!121&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!127&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rgxEak0NsVo/U9jzAMPafnI/AAAAAAAAEXM/ZvkGVxX52hY/-175707100500BAD90E.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!128&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AndDML793pM/U9jzBH3JvII/AAAAAAAAEXY/8DpwlVgYzPw/-206764825819B6A953.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!129&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L7WF27g3Atk/U9jzBpoxKGI/AAAAAAAAEXc/y2Dt1R0ZK-E/-207092505847A3FC0B.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!130&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dd2qp7KlLIc/U9jzCV5VBPI/AAAAAAAAEXo/fcAz33hEx68/-206889340932B27998.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!131&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nq82s2GHolQ/U9jzDGISpVI/AAAAAAAAEXw/kLdyijfTAgo/6871303430E8D1F09.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!132&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vcCwW-D8LVc/U9jzDyjY2iI/AAAAAAAAEX4/R7_lXNb41_I/677955172799B9C95.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!133&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kKZWBqth1yc/U9jzEidnx8I/AAAAAAAAEYA/UCAqCyRuPs0/32799306312976CDB.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!134&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Koj8yAlZmBo/U9jzFJdaNfI/AAAAAAAAEYE/yC1QxwR_EAE/3188178924084BF93.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!135&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NfOTeWks4B8/U9jzF2ez7XI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/cGb-3fALrwE/-3619735426E72124B.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!136&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nw8urNYp7NQ/U9jzGWPkw-I/AAAAAAAAEYY/5wHD4JJE238/-2058473123076DE291.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!137&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zD7gCVC8Ejg/U9jzHGjShGI/AAAAAAAAEYg/242LJRRH0aI/-1559968156727C601D.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!138&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bttbPM_CZic/U9jzH7ja08I/AAAAAAAAEYk/-2C34plcWTw/-10979209514E57058E.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!139&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-noS76n11G1I/U9jzI7SHF-I/AAAAAAAAEYw/Hz3isO87aQg/-10909087303965831B.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!140&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DRBUVCTJ4KU/U9jzJTFcpEI/AAAAAAAAEY4/AoR-fcbYBwg/-9900706666752D5D3.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!141&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nw_wqnr6sas/U9jzJ8siSbI/AAAAAAAAEY8/4HYaQB5gm4Q/-1994406106004EA619.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!142&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nOvBwsPHluw/U9jzKoOPQ3I/AAAAAAAAEZI/efW6Lp4e7LQ/-20068579462E3BF8D1.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!143&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UdOjYKmFZUA/U9jzLMN2JmI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/Zs1N462qj4g/9886735364737C916.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!144&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9TnT8RuBUZE/U9jzL9wlmyI/AAAAAAAAEZY/q6aqngLlROo/1791495816324646A3.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!145&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pD7wPzRNEFo/U9jzMtsucdI/AAAAAAAAEZc/uCHaVwCO-hI/-20757745896033995B.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!146&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w33gmvPkfZ4/U9jzNeYUE9I/AAAAAAAAEZo/Pr0WSKxgySw/-2078068349792F69A0.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!147&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PztmATd-mck/U9jzNw7vnAI/AAAAAAAAEZw/8EN4mPpJvSQ/-945419482271CBC59.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!148&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KBgZM9pXetw/U9jzPVNMO2I/AAAAAAAAEZ4/rW6ctsAODGw/1255148395122B39E6.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!149&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b4pJXA7XMEc/U9jzQJJhzGI/AAAAAAAAEaA/-KjsFLErYx8/-20564414696E05DF56.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!150&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m_hhKNkPk-A/U9jzQiplUjI/AAAAAAAAEaI/LE1YDYpickY/-207577456059145CE3.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!151&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQdYVj2RUy0/U9jzRVoF0qI/AAAAAAAAEaM/PqrF1UHENw0/-20800999360701AF9C.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!152&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z4GAJaHefP8/U9jzR6lLY2I/AAAAAAAAEaY/3C8hfQ25i6E/-20676480961FFD7FE1.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!153&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wtrs--bEJNc/U9jzSlrJoKI/AAAAAAAAEag/Nlbf9h_IaPs/-20688932804DEAD299.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!154&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-odxEjNsnY_U/U9jzTkw0EqI/AAAAAAAAEak/7cQh971NUz4/-206889324738F95026.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!155&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3gLMps7xGZs/U9jzULg456I/AAAAAAAAEaw/NCxK61RhBPA/26876099651F5206B.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!156&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y7aslhnaTsE/U9jzUiX06XI/AAAAAAAAEa4/-57TlD51Dck/-20737433707FE27323.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!157&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H5s8gteCkzE/U9jzVl-OzbI/AAAAAAAAEa8/u-Y4JTKgObs/-20780687462DCFC5DC.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!158&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MCF9iCJoXjI/U9jzWfp_mmI/AAAAAAAAEbI/i6BpBplMHTM/-206764852246CB9621.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!159&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kC9bXPPpA5A/U9jzW7st6mI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/gPY5MBBEMaA/-207806871331DA13AE.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!160&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uI4EbavRLXo/U9jzXqynRrI/AAAAAAAAEbY/cFsiMNC0t-I/-20676484895FC76666.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!161&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l-hIf-bIhd4/U9jzYNXsTZI/AAAAAAAAEbg/oomwoRC1uWI/-22714373678C336AB.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!162&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l84hdWJ4jR0/U9jzY2TxNvI/AAAAAAAAEbo/c2YFCCFxklk/92746320111BF06F1.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!163&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yFiyXFARcoo/U9jzZoGNkHI/AAAAAAAAEbs/As6Z-hcMcvY/9171739863FAC59A9.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!164&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qZmpzxAWvzs/U9jzaBB1SdI/AAAAAAAAEb4/YoKlb5zbnnk/-90637194358A829EE.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!165&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-28XBeiMc1RY/U9jza6WbgQI/AAAAAAAAEcA/alFVYwteOZU/-167410457806957CA7.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=5c1393c774b77c31&page=play&resid=5C1393C774B77C31!166&parId=5C1393C774B77C31!125&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AE8kWLteV2Py-ng" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LsC6A0sv0R4/U9jzbu-vPiI/AAAAAAAAEcE/A3BrNxmHuvA/-167842995471A3FA33.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr></table></div> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-70059063803364026892014-03-26T20:03:00.001-06:002014-03-26T20:03:13.385-06:00Microblogging<p>That’s what I’ve been doing all this time. I’m on the various things these days – twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc. But mostly I’ve been on Tumblr: <a title="http://www.tumblr.com/blog/gblahlife" href="http://www.tumblr.com/blog/gblahlife">http://www.tumblr.com/blog/gblahlife</a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-14724286418787385012014-01-01T13:00:00.001-07:002014-01-01T13:00:30.527-07:00Goodbye 2013<p>The last day of the year and the first day of the year inspire looking back over the time that has passed. In thinking back on my 2013, I realize that I spent a lot of time in the backyard gardening and on the couch reading, knitting, and viewing TV shows and movies. </p> <p>I didn’t really blog too much this year. In fact I had the fewest posts in 2013 than I have in the past five years of blogging. But when I did post things, I covered hiking, some running, making pasta, knitting (hats mostly), the garden (of course), and travel to both the east and west coasts.</p> <p>You might be asking yourself, “What’s left to review?” Well, I’ll tell you:</p> <p>Hanging out with Emily and Archer. I have spent several happy Saturdays or Sundays in the company of these two and 2013 wouldn’t have been the same without them!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qa0MI8Mftko/UsRzoqz2MAI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/ZaRlijpzCvo/s1600-h/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="jan 2013 4 018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jan 2013 4 018" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NKK9ASaxSm0/UsRzpewvJOI/AAAAAAAAEOU/1q0TLlWiwps/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="355"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fsJCVqefEwo/UsRzp80BdfI/AAAAAAAAEOc/2FAQuJ1X120/s1600-h/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="jan 2013 4 017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jan 2013 4 017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mag1_dzoGII/UsRzqpy77qI/AAAAAAAAEOk/zjeqE4gdJ6A/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="394"></a></p> <p align="left">Cookie day with Lisa. While we traveled to California and had several dinners and a few drinks this year, “cookie day” with Lisa was a pretty memorable time. Only one photo from that day though.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CPvkdrvUC3g/UsRzq1IF_sI/AAAAAAAAEOs/3CXm7q0DPXo/s1600-h/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="jan 2013 4 019" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jan 2013 4 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N1LOI09rIQ4/UsRzrp7f2nI/AAAAAAAAEO0/YDxQdHQ26bY/jan%2525202013%2525204%252520019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="356"></a></p> <p align="left">Knife skills class at <a href="http://cookstreet15.reachlocal.net/" target="_blank">Cook Street</a>. Seth and I spent a cold February evening learning how to hold knives and cut various things uniformly. They also wanted us to debone a whole chicken. I had to draw the line there. I know, I eat chicken, but I’m one of those hypocritical meat eaters – I sincerely dislike handling raw meats of any kind. And dismembering a chicken carcass is completely out of the question. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lRu_ZdUHlAg/UsRzsFm0DDI/AAAAAAAAEPA/nyz7BAkAfhA/s1600-h/late%252520feb%2525202013%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="late feb 2013 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="late feb 2013 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T2Kwe6wUCAY/UsRzsul9LnI/AAAAAAAAEPE/kS2a_jxMjPw/late%252520feb%2525202013%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="454"></a></p> <p>We ate dim sum in Denver. There may be no better way to spend a snowy morning than to get Asian food off of roaming carts. We usually go to <a href="http://www.superstardenver.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Superstar Asian</a> and love it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7W8blXiJAAo/UsRztIWLfAI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/XEB5B7jZGJM/s1600-h/late%252520feb%2525202013%252520045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="late feb 2013 045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="late feb 2013 045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kg188yEmIBw/UsRztgKeudI/AAAAAAAAEPU/G-CBRIDEB1Q/late%252520feb%2525202013%252520045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="352"></a></p> <p>We (mostly Seth) fixed up the back room. This involved all kinds of work – framing windows, hanging drywall, picking colors and painting, making a counter top, laying the floor, finding furniture, etc. But it turned out quite well!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nHePTSdhQ8o/UsRzuB67rlI/AAAAAAAAEPc/EqX5TPn7QS8/s1600-h/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="apr may 2013 045" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="apr may 2013 045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zzd5VGbpdU0/UsRzugkWknI/AAAAAAAAEPk/BJrudFcgDw0/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="395"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YgryxtmifA8/UsRzvXoJHuI/AAAAAAAAEPw/H7O_KTcm4X0/s1600-h/May%2525204%252520007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="May 4 007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="May 4 007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dr0870bBIAo/UsRzvxgX6AI/AAAAAAAAEP0/DhjyNym-W2E/May%2525204%252520007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="343"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ajSOpAkReHY/UsRzwbAtUGI/AAAAAAAAEQA/i329qte9Rp4/s1600-h/June%2525203%252520016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="June 3 016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="June 3 016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RZZdMZ5zEs4/UsRzw-rp2hI/AAAAAAAAEQE/Ttr40ibceXg/June%2525203%252520016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" height="353"></a></p> <p>I ran my first half marathon – the <a href="http://www.runcolfax.org/half-marathon/" target="_blank">Colfax Half Marathon</a>. It wasn’t too bad. The training was a 14-week program that eased me into the longer and longer distances. It does take a bit of discipline and perseverance to get there but in the end I ran the entire event – no walking, which was my goal (not to walk). While Seth was hanging around at various spots on the course, I never saw him and we didn’t really get any photos. I did poach one from the race site though! I’m bottom center in the orange shorts. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V-vWXwQ6QWE/UsRzxioOaII/AAAAAAAAEQQ/ATolfDhGPgU/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ab26zfpLVYA/UsRzyTCIe2I/AAAAAAAAEQY/axwOLSX_PMU/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="476" height="360"></a></p> <p>In September we got engaged! So, part of the last portion of the year was spent looking for a wedding dress, visiting ceremony/reception venues, and picking out invitations. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sxkc9Il9Ih0/UsRzy0TSZhI/AAAAAAAAEQc/aDNeGqMKrvg/s1600-h/late%252520sept%252520037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="late sept 037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="late sept 037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-drvAqJRETeU/UsRzzoALOoI/AAAAAAAAEQo/JYBL3TubZ2Q/late%252520sept%252520037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="383"></a></p> <p align="left">We celebrated my birthday by having tea at the Brown Palace. Pricey but a cool experience with the ritual of tea and the little tea sandwiches and desserts and so on. We got the kir royale tea program (comes with champagne!).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fk29nToFVJU/UsRz0Jq3nwI/AAAAAAAAEQw/0XRp6BcBeCg/s1600-h/Novem2ber%252520017%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Novem2ber 017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Novem2ber 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2UOVeIiGIgw/UsRz008bH6I/AAAAAAAAEQ0/uqxCROUKg3U/Novem2ber%252520017_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="463"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bDWK9NHVZSU/UsRz1V6euII/AAAAAAAAERA/v27fXB-AWhM/s1600-h/Novem2ber%252520022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Novem2ber 022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Novem2ber 022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ejK4Ab3q4_Y/UsRz2BTIsUI/AAAAAAAAERE/2vfbGXDvxr4/Novem2ber%252520022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307"></a></p> <p align="left">Otherwise, we did a lot of regular and not-very-exciting things. One Sunday that I documented shows the Costco shopping, the thrift store searching, the having coffee, and the search for couch pillows.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jQLOJhpHlYY/UsRz2oL2gYI/AAAAAAAAERM/T8WA82KpZLw/s1600-h/oct%2525207%2525202013%252520028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="oct 7 2013 028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="oct 7 2013 028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pKEX8S4A4vs/UsRz3H2K3lI/AAAAAAAAERU/Z2ibCDFD6yw/oct%2525207%2525202013%252520028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="482"></a></p> <p>Happy New Year!!</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-82747526425663804112013-11-24T11:52:00.001-07:002013-11-24T11:52:13.578-07:00August in the blah life<p>I already had a post about the most fun thing I did in August (the <a href="http://g-life-blah.blogspot.com/2013/08/4-pass-loop.html" target="_blank">4 Pass Loop</a>). So, what else did I do?</p> <p>We made the pasta – well, mostly Seth made the pasta. He crafted a seriously beautiful Italian parsley-filled hand-cut pasta:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kHO2tVrgYyk/UpJKg2WvuEI/AAAAAAAAEKY/4_KRZfU-bj8/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="August 2013 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CNpzAKtbcdg/UpJKhkHiFqI/AAAAAAAAEKc/zR8RKcsdNSI/August%2525202013%252520005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="344"></a></p> <p>I ran the zombie run 5k with Lacy. This is an event where volunteers dress up like zombies (their makeup is professionally done) and they try to grab the three balloons you have secured to a belt around your waist. If the zombies successfully get all three of your balloons then you have not survived the zombie apocalypse. We did not survive…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zfv8bhxlolE/UpJKiDnTZ2I/AAAAAAAAEKk/vfk6M0J8afE/s1600-h/1004802_10151757429679696_469776350_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1004802_10151757429679696_469776350_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1004802_10151757429679696_469776350_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SlwLwtefUPI/UpJKjKn27_I/AAAAAAAAEKw/bYksfaF0jnE/1004802_10151757429679696_469776350_n_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="395"></a></p> <p>The zombie run was actually pretty fun and I did run faster than usual as some of the zombies gave good chase. Some were very aggressive and others were just run-of-the-mill zombies. If you run it in the future, don’t be afraid to bat away their hands.</p> <p>We saw <a href="http://www.rodgab.com/" target="_blank">Rodrigo y Gabriela</a> at Red Rocks Amphitheater. They played part of the show with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. It was a lovely and surprisingly energetic show. Here is Seth doing the parking lot thing prior to the show:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eX8OpKOzCA8/UpJKjxlqalI/AAAAAAAAEK0/dzzro3EKXRA/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O2t5ThdX9dY/UpJKknIcGuI/AAAAAAAAEK8/nuD2i5WBWBc/August%2525202013%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="341"></a></p> <p align="left">Of course, we had many a garden harvest in August, which was actually pretty fun. Every time we went out to the garden there seemed to be more and more vegetable and fruit bounty. Here are shots of two such evening garden runs:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iUQY2tFBBbM/UpJKlldmuxI/AAAAAAAAELE/N_XfqXD3Pl8/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 009" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vx6_ufz5GKY/UpJKmLRy8LI/AAAAAAAAELQ/9s-lMmK5ZAM/August%2525202013%252520009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="387"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TLvEvmg9GRA/UpJKnZB2LII/AAAAAAAAELY/rOuFHuq2ZDE/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kZ75uU3ceus/UpJKoGsgY1I/AAAAAAAAELc/HAtY6wPpkSk/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520005_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="407"></a></p> <p align="left">We made the good foods with some of the garden products too! <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/grilled-scallops-and-nectarines-with-corn-and-tomato-salad" target="_blank">One evening we had grilled scallops and nectarines with corn and tomato salad</a>. Grilled nectarines are surprisingly tasty, especially on a fork with a bit of scallop drizzled with basil sauce and fresh garden tomato.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LNACk1iACMg/UpJKo9Q7lFI/AAAAAAAAELo/E2Wwm0TVxbQ/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520046%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="August 2013 046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3dF2c6GX_Z8/UpJKpnUZ7bI/AAAAAAAAELs/4qBFplwLBro/August%2525202013%252520046_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="426"></a></p> <p>There was also hiking! The night before hiking <a href="http://www.14ers.com/photos/peakmain.php?peak=Mt.+Princeton" target="_blank">Mt. Princeton</a> (14,197’), we camped at ~12,000 feet. It was pretty chilly but dry and clear and we were surrounded by mountains. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-98y2SDh5Urs/UpJKq_OIXNI/AAAAAAAAEL4/xfBUiATA85g/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_1rqIzGyqqI/UpJKrazga1I/AAAAAAAAEL8/iaB4fVMrM5k/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" height="368"></a></p> <p align="left">We rose to a rosy sunset and those mountains lit up amazingly:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PhX7OdN0mwc/UpJKsKOQlII/AAAAAAAAEMI/yf-nECc2acA/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520051%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 051" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RfkA7I5UqFQ/UpJKs9aUXpI/AAAAAAAAEMM/c4lnD4buuj8/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520051_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="559" height="423"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dIfkrT_7H5k/UpJKtpuRTGI/AAAAAAAAEMU/y0PqxfZvS7M/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520050%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 050" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uS-CfD1q0tA/UpJKuFZRl2I/AAAAAAAAEMc/_aHxtdMsm0Y/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520050_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="413"></a></p> <p>The hike to Mt. Princeton wasn’t 100% dog-friendly with all the boulders and some scree, but Dempsey powered through and eventually was more nimble than we were.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-esVHGteQl7s/UpJKuyQH0qI/AAAAAAAAEMo/sb5t8GxWtr8/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520053%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 053" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 053" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L_RC8WD334o/UpJKvtj_ErI/AAAAAAAAEMs/QtA3EdYanSg/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520053_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="556" height="421"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ut6huL04Srg/UpJKwO_JIfI/AAAAAAAAEM0/2BHBkMMzjwI/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520057%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YD93DVcNSPs/UpJKw8G18KI/AAAAAAAAEM8/qCxE0OIjvWU/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520057_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="522"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-flal_mp1BAE/UpJKxwc75UI/AAAAAAAAENI/FVW3Se1guJw/s1600-h/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aug sept 2013 059" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Aug sept 2013 059" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-an25_lstCZM/UpJKy8aKEmI/AAAAAAAAENM/p9KdpBN1wkY/Aug%252520sept%2525202013%252520059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="508"></a></p> <p>We also got some hiking in at Vail when we were there for a wedding. We hiked <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110215&ttype=recarea&recid=41389&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110410000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Vail+Area+-+Notch+Mountain+Trail+%232000" target="_blank">Notch Mountain,</a> which has a wonderful view of Mount of the Holy Cross. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-anF0AcKhMx4/UpJKz9gxqFI/AAAAAAAAENY/TL7x6RLqVp4/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520060%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 060" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 060" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5cJ6JewjACA/UpJK0-qIAtI/AAAAAAAAENc/E6JYUQEBs7c/August%2525202013%252520060_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="426"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--zIqwARHHrI/UpJK1jvnFFI/AAAAAAAAENo/7PDMrBAlXb0/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520064%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 064" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F_zi7u5msjM/UpJK2-KDUfI/AAAAAAAAENs/FMnq0ZrEFxw/August%2525202013%252520064_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="500"></a></p> <p>So, August was actually pretty full of activity and ripe fruits and vegetables and wonderful dinners and maybe not as blah as I at first thought…</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-61273507708243997042013-09-21T20:54:00.001-06:002013-09-21T20:54:08.383-06:00Garden and growth<p>We planted our garden May 4th and by September 21st it has grown wildly. We even tried an experiment with ground cover plants (plants that grow low to the ground). We planted chicks and hens, pink chintz thyme, old man’s bones, “Heidi” moss, and “ruby stars." Below is a shot of the planting in action. As you can see, the plants were pretty small and compact at the start.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XxaG3dnqOzw/Uj5bt__P83I/AAAAAAAAEEc/18WEENiJ9kA/s1600-h/IMG_9987%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9987" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_9987" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MBigEHMXZPc/Uj5buY8w1FI/AAAAAAAAEEg/1PH-HpqHMQw/IMG_9987_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="373"></a></p> <p align="left">Here’s a shot from above of the same plants several months later. The thyme (bushy plant on the right) has grown to be full and lush with little white flowers (and kind of in the shape of a heart – I hadn’t noticed that previously). The “ruby stars” (sort of top left) grew quite a bit as well and developed lots of purple flowers. The “heidi” moss really struggled (you can barely see it in the far left of the photo). The chicks and hens didn’t grow a ton but three new chicks appeared from the two we originally planted!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IShKYHubAIY/Uj5bvBOYK4I/AAAAAAAAEEs/NyUmxnrwCiw/s1600-h/Sept%252520garden%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sept garden 015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sept garden 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WzFA2LbRN1A/Uj5bvyIXWhI/AAAAAAAAEE0/h3lnAeUEWYI/Sept%252520garden%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="380"></a></p> <p align="left">Then there are the garden boxes. The beginning days were captured in a <a href="http://g-life-blah.blogspot.com/2013/05/gardenthe-beginning.html" target="_blank">previous blog</a>. However, I have provided a shot of what we started with back in May:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FsL714mk9Gg/Uj5bwacNMYI/AAAAAAAAEE8/LW9kWamp9GY/s1600-h/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="apr may 2013 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="apr may 2013 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o6u3Bdnru-Y/Uj5bxK06XTI/AAAAAAAAEFA/gITkGXDXW8c/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="381"></a></p> <p align="left">By late September the tomatoes have taken over and the serrano plant is producing overtime. Here is a shot of the tomatoes and hot peppers (basically one garden box):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QbtQ2kv4eHU/Uj5bxhp84iI/AAAAAAAAEFM/iO96RkARffM/s1600-h/Sept%252520garden%252520024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sept garden 024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sept garden 024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3iKv2NLUawk/Uj5byRrx2iI/AAAAAAAAEFU/S-fIxJmBvC0/Sept%252520garden%252520024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" height="394"></a></p> <p align="left">Here’s a shot of the other garden box with the brussel sprouts and green and red bell peppers (it had snap peas, lettuce, radishes, and carrots, but those have come and gone).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rDFX2019vv0/Uj5by_a-zXI/AAAAAAAAEFc/_6UEkNpWKjo/s1600-h/Sept%252520garden%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sept garden 026" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Sept garden 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ckkjfSMSK_A/Uj5bzbggtjI/AAAAAAAAEFg/56R70m3bU3g/Sept%252520garden%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="389"></a></p> <p align="left">I wish I could say that I also grew as a person over the summer, but, alas, I don’t think that happened much. I worked and rode my bike and hiked and knitted and visited towns in Colorado and spent a good amount of time in the car, but I can’t say I know myself better now than in May. It was still a good time though and I thoroughly enjoyed the garden and watching it grow and change and produce over the months. </p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-13158850416769997172013-09-02T09:01:00.001-06:002013-09-02T09:01:46.863-06:002013 July Outdoors summary<p>My blogging has taken a back seat to other summer activities – tending the garden, making yummy foods, getting together with friends, and, of course, hiking! I haven’t gotten out quite as much as I had hoped but I’m generally satisfied with what I’ve been able to do – as far as hiking goes. Here are a few photos from some hiking trips.</p> <p><strong>Mt. Audubon</strong></p> <p>Jess and I hiked <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110210&ttype=recarea&recid=28302&actid=50&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110290000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Boulder+RD+%28West+of+Boulder%252C+CO%29+-+Mount+Audubon+Trail" target="_blank">Mt. Audubon</a> (13,223’) mid-July and had perfect weather and a great time. Even though the hike starts from the Brainard Lake recreation area, we were able to get a parking spot near the trailhead. Also, for a 13er, the hike is of reasonable length (about 8 miles) and isn’t super steep. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JUq0KIvB1sY/UiSoE4vxEKI/AAAAAAAAEA4/seYI_-bYvic/s1600-h/July%2525206%252520028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 6 028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 6 028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7O8TGjDsV2k/UiSoFj1FVUI/AAAAAAAAEA8/epgovhjvN50/July%2525206%252520028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="464"></a></p> <p align="left">The hike up was stunning as the “diamond” on Longs Peak became more and more visible the higher up you got:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZoK6gEi55kY/UiSoGEqGgSI/AAAAAAAAEBI/AWLD7V7jf78/s1600-h/July%2525206%252520031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 6 031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 6 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mZTOaavECrk/UiSoGqK-FAI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/4echcIMqaW0/July%2525206%252520031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="379"></a></p> <p align="left">These are some shots from the top:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w49AKjnm1n8/UiSoHdRjwQI/AAAAAAAAEBY/9vjVGBJj_UQ/s1600-h/July%2525206%252520037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 6 037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 6 037" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mqOzwRKiabw/UiSoIA0Dq3I/AAAAAAAAEBg/OeOAFkud99k/July%2525206%252520037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="388"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NE0bPeXcuG8/UiSoIqQvmzI/AAAAAAAAEBo/PewmXlyjCTQ/s1600-h/July%2525206%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 6 042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 6 042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a48rzhNPNOk/UiSoJJOKaKI/AAAAAAAAEBs/aiLK_t0ATEY/July%2525206%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="590" height="446"></a></p> <p align="left">It was pretty windy at the top, so we got a few shots and headed back down.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nB32FcJQxHU/UiSoJ4geJLI/AAAAAAAAEB4/mBgUb_NE04Q/s1600-h/July%2525206%252520048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 6 048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 6 048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eHin0hld408/UiSoKR4iWJI/AAAAAAAAECA/UR7aMYLs-cM/July%2525206%252520048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="402"></a></p> <p align="left"><strong>Telluride</strong></p> <p>We spent a 3-day weekend in Telluride, CO and were able to do two hikes! </p> <p>First was the relatively short (4.5 miles) Eider Creek Trail Loop, which didn’t take us above tree line but did take us through some fairly mature Aspen forests.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DPMZpg_A-SQ/UiSoMaklUkI/AAAAAAAAECI/G2FS-rE5-Ko/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 7 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aTgzzf9QJvA/UiSoNEpYzyI/AAAAAAAAECQ/GTfI-TAIV3o/July%2525207%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="557" height="421"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zGfBiIEjHyk/UiSoN8yhZoI/AAAAAAAAECY/kL7RWKIv_g0/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 7 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IouiU2RxUlk/UiSoOaGaHuI/AAAAAAAAECg/VLOxAVYuSg0/July%2525207%252520014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="413"></a></p> <p>It was nice and short for a late afternoon hiking effort, and it did open up to give views of the surrounding mountains.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RdZEsue-SIE/UiSoPTktz-I/AAAAAAAAECo/4PbYfHdSXwE/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 020" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 7 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nsHJdtFzC7w/UiSoP6Gs6gI/AAAAAAAAECw/Hyf7BGg-KRM/July%2525207%252520020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="407"></a></p> <p>The second hike was to Navajo Lake. This one was a bit longer (about 10 miles) and did take us above tree line for some stunning alpine meadow hiking. It was one of those perfect hikes where you get a good amount of forest hiking as well as wide open sky alpine hiking.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vSN1aKNIiyQ/UiSoQp0bGGI/AAAAAAAAEC4/ONRmyqT30D4/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="July 7 030" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iUfjvyGQZ0g/UiSoRXc14hI/AAAAAAAAEDA/AojRPOgpCzU/July%2525207%252520030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="503"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sVYfMoV0HDM/UiSoSSixU3I/AAAAAAAAEDI/8uscdlEqPdM/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 7 032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FM7OafPob14/UiSoS-KuSNI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/U0lRjjrfjT0/July%2525207%252520032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="571" height="432"></a></p> <p align="left">The destination, Navajo Lake, sits at the foot of three 14ers, Wilson Peak, Mt. Wilson, and El Diente. It was humbling to sit by the lake and take it in. Unfortunately the clouds didn’t lend to great pictures while we were there, but here is one shot from the lake:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LQm29mOxBns/UiSoTg0okYI/AAAAAAAAEDY/B3-suw3y-s0/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520036%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 036" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 7 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gkKzMqjkmXk/UiSoUBomndI/AAAAAAAAEDg/aLj2ujaCcr8/July%2525207%252520036_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="418"></a></p> <p>Our post-hike meal was tasty pasta and a bottle of red wine at the <a href="http://www.telluridebistro.com/ordereze/default.aspx" target="_blank">Telluride Bistro</a>. Food seems to always taste better after a good outdoor effort and this was no exception. We sat outside and listened to the hummingbirds and watched a dog who peeked out of a window over the restaurant and generally enjoyed ourselves.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1N1UExzse8/UiSoUiIFbWI/AAAAAAAAEDo/GIvjBpN6fy4/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520038%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 7 038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yNT9VXHYm1I/UiSoVOXwwgI/AAAAAAAAEDw/kolez9LEi4I/July%2525207%252520038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="359"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TeQlzHjsehE/UiSoV_YD6xI/AAAAAAAAED4/NQwadEVvsuY/s1600-h/July%2525207%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 7 041" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 7 041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dA07M_JsfRU/UiSoWR-38LI/AAAAAAAAEEA/NJhouVdX764/July%2525207%252520041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="499"></a></p> <p>Next up – August hiking – stay tuned!</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-44209835711938202402013-08-29T20:14:00.001-06:002013-08-29T20:14:19.781-06:004-Pass Loop!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mu7yEdI6epY/Uh_9gff4vkI/AAAAAAAAD6s/ze9mpdZUuV0/s1600-h/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 027" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-64btBK46N7c/Uh_9g5kNexI/AAAAAAAAD60/5UORi9cFGOg/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="287"></a></p> <p>It took three days and two nights, but we successfully completed Colorado’s stunning, 26-mile long 4-Pass Loop. The trip was about 50 hours total and, get this, we had almost *no rain* (it sort of sputtered for three minutes one morning). It was really amazing!</p> <p>Before I get into the photos, I want to give some basic information about the route and logistics. There are some useful links below. Note that you’ll need to decide if you want to go clockwise or counterclockwise. Many of the descriptions in the links are for the clockwise route, but we did it counterclockwise, which I recommend (most of the passes are less steep to go up and I think the views are better in terms of what you look up to while hiking).</p> <p>Forest Service: <a title="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=40555" href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=40555">http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=40555</a></p> <p>Trimble: <a title="http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/256394" href="http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/256394">http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/256394</a></p> <p>Backpacker: <a title="http://www.backpacker.com/january-2011-readers-choice-rockies-colorado-four_pass_loop/destinations/15036" href="http://www.backpacker.com/january-2011-readers-choice-rockies-colorado-four_pass_loop/destinations/15036">http://www.backpacker.com/january-2011-readers-choice-rockies-colorado-four_pass_loop/destinations/15036</a></p> <p>It’s important to know that unless you arrive between 7:00-9:00am and there is a parking space, you will likely have to shuttle in from Aspen Highlands. The Ranger said this was a better option anyway because “critters” had been chewing the wiring of cars parked at the Maroon Bells Recreation Area parking lot. We actually saw a car parked that had chicken wire wrapped around the bottom of the car. </p> <p>The shuttle ticket is $6 each (dogs are free) and it takes about 30 minutes. Also, even though the parking lot says “no overnight parking,” you can park overnight if you give them you vehicle information when you buy a bus ticket.</p> <p><strong>DAY 1: West Maroon Portal to Snowmass Lake (about 8 miles)</strong></p> <p>We started hiking right around 11:00 am on Friday morning from the West Maroon Portal and set out for Buckskin Pass</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w7dnyv9NnDE/Uh_9hRuia0I/AAAAAAAAD64/pSXuVemTZ0w/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520099%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 099" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="August 2013 099" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ueD98Okn_HE/Uh_9iMkEUdI/AAAAAAAAD7E/UnTcC_WVdlU/August%2525202013%252520099_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="392"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6S4_x1fobEU/Uh_9jHRPI0I/AAAAAAAAD7I/ONF94kNfLpk/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520102%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 102" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 102" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mGI6HpTsoUw/Uh_9jmRbZuI/AAAAAAAAD7U/XsP5z9XqVhE/August%2525202013%252520102_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="484"></a></p> <p align="left">We were visually pleased by the quantity and variety of mushrooms adorning the trail’s edge. Here are just a few:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5RGYky9dHhA/Uh_9ob4SAPI/AAAAAAAAD7c/Fkuw1YU_z74/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520089%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 089" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 089" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qf35RuNyjyg/Uh_9oweFWdI/AAAAAAAAD7k/1TsHGlFU_3Y/August%2525202013%252520089_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="379"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GQ5kN0LymWM/Uh_9pkwFw0I/AAAAAAAAD7s/ww6-LyJNJ-4/s1600-h/August%2525202013%252520090%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="August 2013 090" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 090" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8bPY_WatFPw/Uh_9qCrlibI/AAAAAAAAD7w/21OyregV-Zs/August%2525202013%252520090_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="379"></a></p> <p align="left">One of the fantastic things about this trip is that you get such a diversity of ecosystems. For an hour you’ll be hiking on the soft ground of the forest floor, shaded by tall trees, then, a bit later, you’ll be above tree line hiking up a steeper slope listening to the screeching of pika and the chirping of marmots. Next you may be treated to an alpine meadow full of wildflowers and trickling streams. You get all of that with this trip!</p> <p align="left">After hiking for about 5.5 hours we arrived at Snowmass Lake and found a camping spot. This is a beautiful lake at the base of Snowmass Peak but is pretty impacted and doesn’t have much privacy – lots of other backpackers camped all around. However, the stunning view that we had mere feet from our tent of the peak across the lake was hard to resist. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0fbYF-eG2c4/Uh_9qu996HI/AAAAAAAAD78/ap6EUpKdvqI/s1600-h/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ITFONjKdbNE/Uh_9rkIuvCI/AAAAAAAAD8E/8E2oeG3aB6Y/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="608" height="460"></a></p> <p align="left">After the requisite pumping of the water and setting up of the tent, we got to cooking the food! Now, while backpacking nearly anything tastes good but we did think our dinner was super tasty. We had ramen noodles with sliced mushrooms, diced shallot (from the garden) and a serrano pepper (from the garden). The oniony, mushroomy, super spicy concoction was seriously satisfying. We actually started avoiding the serranos after a while because of the mouth burn. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fKW3ay5j7NA/Uh_9sCGvfAI/AAAAAAAAD8M/LYwYqF03LSs/s1600-h/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qCJbiRS-11A/Uh_9sq31DDI/AAAAAAAAD8U/YUsp2M1RHzo/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="358"></a></p> <p align="left"><strong>Day 2: Snowmass Lake to Frigid Air Pass</strong></p> <p align="left">We were hiking by about 8:00 am the next morning. I had a feeling this would be a big day. On the drive into Aspen, we realized that the US Pro Cycling Challenge was going to start in Aspen on the day we originally planned on finishing (Monday). This would cause road closures between noon and 4pm, which would very likely cause us to have to wait all that time to start the 3+ hour journey back to Denver on Monday. So, we’d all but made the decision to do the loop in 2 nights/3 days as opposed to the originally-planned 3 nights/4 days. To achieve this, we would have to make Day 2 a long day and get some serious mileage in. </p> <p align="left">We made our way up and around Snowmass Lake towards Trail Rider Pass.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g12M6n7icNA/Uh_9tON_HyI/AAAAAAAAD8c/-LS586RTw1U/s1600-h/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 015" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtyAEGFcmm4/Uh_9tjoFrMI/AAAAAAAAD8k/X0x7bDRMBaA/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="452"></a></p> <p align="left">Here are some shots from the top of Trail Rider Pass (12,420’):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ewECJU8Q8g/Uh_9ucboIZI/AAAAAAAAD8o/RHEbKK0Gzg4/s1600-h/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 035" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sblhfTzx6L8/Uh_9u3oPwEI/AAAAAAAAD8w/RZ2qgk6Tp5Y/4%252520pass%252520loop%252520035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="414"></a></p> <p align="left">In this one you can see the trail that we would take to descend the pass off to the left:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QCBAJ_QDb1w/Uh__uMlhM_I/AAAAAAAAD9A/PPJpSgCW5DY/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0385.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 038" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 038" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oEXhkxi21wM/Uh__uy2cEPI/AAAAAAAAD9I/vCczeU3WuWo/4-pass-loop-038_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="456"></a></p> <p align="left">The trail leads down below tree line to a valley that follows a meandering creek.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYjSPxENQ2I/Uh__vePTzpI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/FCSCpJEjf-s/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0434.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 043" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MhxwGBBNNus/Uh__v18Ig5I/AAAAAAAAD9Y/TkNAFYMN1tk/4-pass-loop-043_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="426"></a></p> <p align="left">Here is a view of the valley once we reached the other end:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WFmI3VP1gOc/Uh__wW4AxrI/AAAAAAAAD9g/PEKMXME49Ic/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0494.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 049" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 049" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oX8JZgMV1_I/Uh__w3vDc9I/AAAAAAAAD9o/1tTm2gq-YF0/4-pass-loop-049_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" height="392"></a></p> <p align="left">The entire hike leading up to Frigid Air Pass was bittersweet. My heels started to rub in my boots earlier in the day and I had stopped to tape them up, but every step pretty much hurt and felt like something was trying to saw through my heel. However, every time I looked up and noticed what was all around me, my pain was mitigated somewhat. It was a stunning view! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-io7ouuDAWLs/Uh__xgu2gEI/AAAAAAAAD9w/il4btoCg3tg/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0595.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 059" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 059" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cdq8ZWhyltI/Uh__yH3HuVI/AAAAAAAAD94/4RhTiOFQv4c/4-pass-loop-059_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="666" height="504"></a></p> <p align="left">What you can’t see from the photo directly above is that there were *lots* of wildflowers. I got this shot of an elephantella in its prime:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cc23ADi01yg/Uh__yk1YjKI/AAAAAAAAD-A/m-EhfHMVE7g/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0564.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 056" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 056" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lrMv9DHrezU/Uh__zGG9xyI/AAAAAAAAD-I/WZvi-GnSrco/4-pass-loop-056_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="436"></a></p> <p align="left">We were pretty excited to reach the summit of Frigid Air Pass (12,415’) and took a break to enjoy the scenery and lovely sunny summer afternoon.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mXSYDbro3Ro/Uh__zubIenI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/X3U5vMSKccQ/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0604.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 060" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TmivzqPPNPk/Uh__0XQC9EI/AAAAAAAAD-Y/x-lcAYlrpd4/4-pass-loop-060_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="387"></a></p> <p align="left">As we descended the other side of Frigid Air Pass, we started to look for a camping spot. We had hiked over 10 miles at that point and were ready to stop! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5IGf-ZcWh4A/Uh__07yXHdI/AAAAAAAAD-g/_b1JCiOvrEE/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0644.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 064" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FLH7Fdyq5KA/Uh__1U2EmrI/AAAAAAAAD-o/KI3PWF1rD8U/4-pass-loop-064_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="586" height="443"></a></p> <p align="left">The descent was rife with bright orange explosions of flowers – they were like little fireworks:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xKWyQhfHAY0/Uh__2IfculI/AAAAAAAAD-w/aaaZjBk6Px4/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0664.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 066" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6rn1G3Av84k/Uh__2rKr3QI/AAAAAAAAD-4/dWH3uRQ73wE/4-pass-loop-066_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" height="395"></a></p> <p align="left">We found a camp site in the alpine meadow between Frigid Air Pass and West Maroon Pass. We stopped hiking around 4:30pm and immediately pumped water. We drank *all* of our water during the day. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZSBEb-xz1w4/Uh__3BCQ5AI/AAAAAAAAD_A/E_dso8Aqm70/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0674.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 067" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 067" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XQuETe3Vmms/Uh__3t6RT7I/AAAAAAAAD_I/TFigtGuddzQ/4-pass-loop-067_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="387"></a></p> <p align="left">Once we pumped water we started water boiling for mac n cheese with jalapeno peppers. I think that might have been the best mac and cheese I’ve ever tasted – so cheesy and creamy with chunks of deep red jalapenos (our jalapeno plant is a purple jalapeno plant and the peppers ripen to red from a deep eggplant purple). </p> <p align="left">While the water was boiling Seth indulged in the comfort of the soft ground and grass – he laid back and closed his eyes briefly. Dempsey, being very tired also from carrying his doggie backpack, indulged by his side. It was so cute:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TmYGnrfiQrs/Uh__4UBVEuI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/92OEbtymKUg/s1600-h/4-pass-loop-0735.jpg"><img title="4 pass loop 073" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="4 pass loop 073" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k9Rhw3WLtug/Uh__44laHiI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/RwSzfDTX3yM/4-pass-loop-073_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="378"></a></p> <p align="left">We got in the tent early and left off the rain fly so that we had a good view of the night sky. In fact, we woke up to clear skies and a bright moon at some point. Having no rainfly and lots of mesh on the tent allowed us to see the sunrise from the warmth of our sleeping bags:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9TE_Q1ynViw/Uh__5c-FU9I/AAAAAAAAD_g/LBFDuxK1Aes/s1600-h/August-2013-1144.jpg"><img title="August 2013 114" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sBcB9W-Dku4/Uh__55KTZ0I/AAAAAAAAD_o/6kME_P-iD-A/August-2013-114_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="388"></a></p> <p align="left"><strong>Day 3: West Maroon Pass to Maroon Lake</strong></p> <p align="left">Of course, at sunrise Dempsey was ready to get up and at ‘em and greeted me face-to-face:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2pBVf4nsMF8/Uh__6Z4rgcI/AAAAAAAAD_w/SClgQ30eBbM/s1600-h/August-2013-1174.jpg"><img title="August 2013 117" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 117" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CiihPHdpVRc/Uh__69edtaI/AAAAAAAAD_4/2w3Io9Pgb2Q/August-2013-117_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="348"></a></p> <p align="left">Here’s a different perspective of our camp site from a small rise nearby:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_8FnNAPggbk/Uh__7jirjmI/AAAAAAAAEAA/0j9N0aQ558w/s1600-h/August-2013-1194.jpg"><img title="August 2013 119" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 119" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5eV7kvlwu1s/Uh__8GCEY2I/AAAAAAAAEAI/-5XK3eVbd0o/August-2013-119_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="376"></a></p> <p align="left">The first effort of the day was pretty much immediately ascending West Maroon Pass. Seth assured me that the marmots were singing to cheer me on and encourage me up. It was a bit of a challenge with my tender heels and tired legs. But we did it and reached the pass (12,500’) at around 9:00am.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FuuZG-gW8ow/Uh__8vlCAUI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/7J_usNL7UsU/s1600-h/August-2013-1244.jpg"><img title="August 2013 124" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 124" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jh6XlAp0A3I/Uh__9ZzxIOI/AAAAAAAAEAY/ooui0ATrVps/August-2013-124_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="607" height="459"></a></p> <p align="left">We were very satisfied with our efforts and looked forward to the mostly downhill hike back to the start/finish. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v5GArInSJZo/Uh__940pdJI/AAAAAAAAEAg/2RzMKK6D5gk/s1600-h/August-2013-1275.jpg"><img title="August 2013 127" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="August 2013 127" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J5M6AuuEPE0/Uh__-UJ_KsI/AAAAAAAAEAo/GraNTiBPDLw/August-2013-127_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="597" height="453"></a></p> <p>I highly recommend this trip. Many times during the trip I felt like this is what it means to live in Colorado - to be able to experience this kind of outdoors and see the fungus and the flowers and the sunshine and the mountains and the happy dog. </p> <p>The blah life was a little less blah as a result of this endeavor.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-90746620054666305942013-07-24T07:27:00.001-06:002013-07-24T07:27:52.306-06:00Little things<p>It really is the little things in life that make every day worthwhile. This summer I’ve taken great pleasure in perusing the garden in the evening and it seems every visit there is something new to see.</p> <p>Just last week the raspberries and blackberries started to fruit, turning from light green globules to pink to purple. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_yxbv-8jWhM/Ue_WK309HAI/AAAAAAAAD3E/ZD9UreHHJ6U/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gs3WjyK_3Ks/Ue_WLaJUXEI/AAAAAAAAD3M/8y_k94AmTAk/July%2525202013%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="426"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HKb5pt20dLY/Ue_WLwa2m5I/AAAAAAAAD3U/xvcG9IVU0b8/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520030%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-apw5njB8jDc/Ue_WMdKow4I/AAAAAAAAD3c/WrVtf7gfiNY/July%2525202013%252520030_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="414"></a></p> <p align="left">The wee Serrano plant is practically raining peppers. Every time we inspect the plant there are more little green nubs forming a new spicy package.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2BXOdhUbvAM/Ue_WM-_KNzI/AAAAAAAAD3k/XSV4pxugbEs/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VPKI4_xhw9E/Ue_WNPNgPgI/AAAAAAAAD3s/DABPn4iTUiw/July%2525202013%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="362"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZxBrJtg0Emg/Ue_WNsHKqKI/AAAAAAAAD30/7Dz5CaveOLA/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w7_duK_ZEO8/Ue_WOTDjYGI/AAAAAAAAD38/1RMwPBW2Hxw/July%2525202013%252520016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="468"></a></p> <p align="left">The watermelon plants that had until recently been modest little guys have recently exploded in every direction and flowered. I find the tendrils of these plants fascinating as they form perfect curlicues and grab everything within their reach.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9eC2yaYh9RE/Ue_WOio5jMI/AAAAAAAAD4E/CRDOqI6AQj8/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aBZ8Yot6QHQ/Ue_WPDVbtwI/AAAAAAAAD4M/L5DGWa3jSKQ/July%2525202013%252520024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="391"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xX1cFO2MeV8/Ue_WPm8QyrI/AAAAAAAAD4U/6c4vsZsVUZo/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n8-BHl8Qylo/Ue_WQBOf5_I/AAAAAAAAD4c/W_dV4x9Fjn4/July%2525202013%252520029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="397"></a></p> <p align="left">And the tomato plants! All five of our plants are growing nearly out of control. The most picturesque are the chocolate stripe tomatoes with their light and dark green markings that will soon turn red and brown.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3_j54HGpT_g/Ue_WQsCQccI/AAAAAAAAD4k/zwbLEOSi6rw/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520033%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 033" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lIfTiuF63Go/Ue_WRCiaCzI/AAAAAAAAD4s/vbbPzH9gHMQ/July%2525202013%252520033_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="358"></a></p> <p align="left">Our cherry tomato plants have been slowly producing little reddish fruits. This is the most recent harvest (that avoided Seth’s mouth):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-npNFENtvt44/Ue_WRd4w88I/AAAAAAAAD40/5cOSrUxo9Eg/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520047%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 047" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 047" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2QUXQsf4aBE/Ue_WR6ETbsI/AAAAAAAAD48/a7aIYIDjlnI/July%2525202013%252520047_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="377"></a></p> <p align="left">Not a recent discovery, but we have been seeing more and more aphids on the tomatoes and brussel sprouts. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AhCgldPXCMs/Ue_WSRybH3I/AAAAAAAAD5E/ZPyY3_byXMI/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520028%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kTbVRzlKtnU/Ue_WS5o-dlI/AAAAAAAAD5M/humqWPTl-rE/July%2525202013%252520028_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="319"></a></p> <p align="left">Seth did a little spraying of soapy water on the plants but we finally brought in the biological weapon – the ladybugs! We bought a little sack of about 1,500 squirmy ladybugs and set them free in the late evening. Some of them immediately found little puddles in leaves and nearly drowned themselves, others roamed around seemingly aimlessly, others got right to coupling, and a few did locate and start a little insect dinner. In the next few days their numbers dwindled and we seem to only have a small group that remained. Oh well. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3cW9W4KsFkw/Ue_WTd5TP_I/AAAAAAAAD5U/iYtU5_1QxUw/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 044" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 044" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0AXThbBbHGw/Ue_WTzBwZxI/AAAAAAAAD5c/Kc9rjQJn_1E/July%2525202013%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="380"></a></p> <p align="left">While pulling off some flower buds from our sage plant I came across the cutest little praying mantises! As you can see in the photos below they are quite small and adorable.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g32W2JsQtps/Ue_WUTVIw1I/AAAAAAAAD5k/3D7Kneb2Pqk/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520062%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 062" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 062" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-auulzUqDn_g/Ue_WUxoj7tI/AAAAAAAAD5s/SvAGKRlBnsk/July%2525202013%252520062_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="443"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eJO4K2rx3oI/Ue_WVXGKCeI/AAAAAAAAD50/_41q_oJiECI/s1600-h/July%2525202013%252520002%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="July 2013 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="July 2013 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m_2xwIQ--Ps/Ue_WV80JruI/AAAAAAAAD54/TvaHwPiuBL0/July%2525202013%252520002_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" height="399"></a></p> <p align="left">Anyways, the backyard is proving to be a pleasant surprise every evening. Who knows what will happen next!</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-76914537206226193912013-07-12T17:17:00.000-06:002013-07-12T17:17:00.444-06:00Being in the water may not be for me<p>Day three of the Lisa-G California weekend was a trip to the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm" target="_blank">Channel Islands – a National Park</a>. We had a half day of sea kayaking planned and possibly some hiking. </p> <p>I knew that I wasn’t a natural in the water, in fact I am a bit nervous about being in the water. I put that behind me and thought the sea kayaking would be no problem when we booked the trip. Oh was I wrong. After not many tips on how the sea kayak and paddle worked, we were launched onto the water. Literally within two minutes I had flipped my kayak and was flopping around in the cold water. Thankfully we were wearing wet suits but it was still pretty cold. About 15 minutes later we were paddling through a cave and while I was in the narrow part of the cave, I flipped <em>again. </em>Not only was I feeling cold, but now I was really starting to feel embarrassed and incompetent. Not one other person flipped their kayak for the entire trip. </p> <p>To make it worse, I wear glasses and had on my prescription sunglasses. I had not brought my actual glasses with me on the kayak. The sunglasses were covered in salt water and one lens never quite cleared. So, I couldn’t see very well unless I closed one eye. If you are nervous around water, trying to paddle a sea kayak around and not fall in while keeping one eye closed isn’t the easiest task. I decided to bag it half way through. Such a feeling of relief in stripping off the wet suit and retreating to a picnic table in the shade to read my book for an hour or so. It was soooo nice. </p> <p>So, the good parts of the day included seeing sea lions on the ferry ride out to the islands: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gHoZr1cCPA4/UeAEFt-ZuSI/AAAAAAAADzQ/Z5524u1vMAg/s1600-h/IMG_00315.jpg"><img title="IMG_0031" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L2p-qypybnk/UeAEGPI0x_I/AAAAAAAADzY/ZQ1Sqj6AB3M/IMG_0031_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="371"></a></p> <p align="left">When Lisa finished the kayaking trip, we went on a short hike to an overlook. Here are some shots of the islands and the trail along the way:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PeWnC2XBSJI/UeAEGgXJHDI/AAAAAAAADzg/-XiABrZDqf0/s1600-h/IMG_00454.jpg"><img title="IMG_0045" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0045" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KQb4sGgBEEM/UeAEHD3fOsI/AAAAAAAADzo/bKxCm9MHIiQ/IMG_0045_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="382"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y5uWFiD5NVU/UeAEHvXo4kI/AAAAAAAADzw/3QcoDIXaW0k/s1600-h/IMG_00474.jpg"><img title="IMG_0047" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0047" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KCdPl7NE2zA/UeAEIHhHqsI/AAAAAAAADz4/8Czfny9HI7I/IMG_0047_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="389"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nXKmd45w8hs/UeAEIllz1yI/AAAAAAAAD0A/Oq21wPJbxgI/s1600-h/IMG_00484.jpg"><img title="IMG_0048" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1WrwStKR7Fk/UeAEJdk1zqI/AAAAAAAAD0I/CuxrSe9zObI/IMG_0048_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DUivDR1k5zY/UeAEJ3WLTQI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/lsyePKQa1CI/s1600-h/IMG_00544.jpg"><img title="IMG_0054" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0054" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HpCWa7GQ1_4/UeAEKcRluDI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/Lzr4k59gwf4/IMG_0054_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="403"></a></p> <p align="left">While we waited for the return ferry we sat on the rocks at the shore and I examined the flora and fauna there – basically seaweed and snails:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mnGC9o2J2zw/UeAEKmE0j9I/AAAAAAAAD0g/TXyMXl5Ugb8/s1600-h/IMG_00765.jpg"><img title="IMG_0076" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0076" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nAaOtnnE2io/UeAELWfs4dI/AAAAAAAAD0o/Uw-ple16Opw/IMG_0076_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="313"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VvK3NBPZDkc/UeAEL-JMXAI/AAAAAAAAD0w/4ZKSiDYSn04/s1600-h/IMG_00824.jpg"><img title="IMG_0082" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C7DL4GkRe0U/UeAEMqlTUbI/AAAAAAAAD04/xAKq26knxtg/IMG_0082_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="442"></a></p> <p align="left">Day four was our final day and we got in a bit more beach time at Carpinteria State Beach. I basically spent the entire time crawling around on rocks during low tide taking macros of more anemones, crabs, limpets, and more. This guy (a green-lined shore crab) was hard to capture in photographic evidence but I got him! This macro makes him look big but he’s a little bit bigger than the size of a quarter:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H4Kfta6iniU/UeAENbIUMUI/AAAAAAAAD1A/HpPtUTjTNgg/s1600-h/IMG_0099%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0099" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0099" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oXTHSjeBi_U/UeAEN3fOW9I/AAAAAAAAD1I/WIaOCo9qo8Q/IMG_0099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="611" height="385"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kqS8vP2lPps/UeAEOeTbPAI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/vHJZLHbfSU8/s1600-h/IMG_01034.jpg"><img title="IMG_0103" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0v9CXIqV89c/UeAEO8bs5QI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/8bJ9Upc-xmc/IMG_0103_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="444"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ReyGP0urld4/UeAEPssr-2I/AAAAAAAAD1g/7jZgOdT2biE/s1600-h/IMG_01054.jpg"><img title="IMG_0105" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0105" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CAo5ptKZgUo/UeAEP66TS-I/AAAAAAAAD1o/LSXF5P_eV3w/IMG_0105_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="398"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FpNKcd7uCsQ/UeAEQR2hb9I/AAAAAAAAD1w/u-WAgbJbwOM/s1600-h/IMG_01284.jpg"><img title="IMG_0128" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0128" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YljfwmS-tYY/UeAEQ4fDnLI/AAAAAAAAD10/nrE_Qtl3VX8/IMG_0128_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="325"></a></p> <p align="left">The beach is so relaxing and soothing, it was hard to leave, but we eventually continued our drive on Highway 1 back to the LA area for our return trip to Colorado. Until next time California…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cahFjNO3l2k/UeAERlUgvuI/AAAAAAAAD2A/mqzioTlTUzg/s1600-h/cali%252520174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 174" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 174" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BARpKXhVRDQ/UeAESEVWbxI/AAAAAAAAD2I/AtEy97OCmjo/cali%252520174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="372"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-1899777252241917302013-07-11T17:05:00.000-06:002013-07-11T17:05:00.250-06:00Beach, wine, beach<p>Day two of our California trip included 5 wine tastings sandwiched between two beach trips. Wonderful! </p> <p>We hit <a href="http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=601" target="_blank">El Capitan State Beach</a>, north of Santa Barbara, by 9:30 am. Here I spied a clump of rocks, which meant one thing – tide pools! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yd5P1ZXRdEE/Ud4Ha38QY9I/AAAAAAAADxI/sKCptEJkWmo/s1600-h/cali%252520108%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 108" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 108" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2fC2XNz8Fnw/Ud4HbkzgM6I/AAAAAAAADxM/5qgxLqROk6g/cali%252520108_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="414"></a></p> <p>Lisa and I walked among the rocks looking at the pebble-covered anemones and barnacles and caught glimpses of the mini crabs as they scurried under mussels and rocks to hide themselves from us. I couldn’t get enough – I loved all of it! We even spotted a few starfish!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5REkCwR7eDE/Ud4HcGi01pI/AAAAAAAADxY/SpV9Nrehbgc/s1600-h/cali%252520115%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 115" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 115" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PzmBGqgnH5Q/Ud4HclR-o7I/AAAAAAAADxg/xtThr8jrN0o/cali%252520115_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="377"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPqs6AkBJPE/Ud4HdEskwfI/AAAAAAAADxo/sAVuHqUcv2w/s1600-h/cali%252520124%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 124" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 124" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uqbZXWWoVLI/Ud4HdlSHNwI/AAAAAAAADxw/njeBNQ8fyuw/cali%252520124_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="380"></a></p> <p>We eventually wandered back to the towels and took in the sounds of the ocean and the relatively quiet beach (not too many people), we read our books and Lisa got in the water. Next we headed out for our wine tastings! </p> <p>First stop: <a href="http://www.cityofsolvang.com/" target="_blank">Solvang</a>, which is a small town in the Ynez Valley with a strong Danish influence. Here wineries are nestled among the Disney-like Danish windmills and authentic bakeries and tee shirt shops and other cute places. Our favorite spot was the <a href="http://www.dascombcellars.com/" target="_blank">Dascomb winery</a> – they had good wine *and* they paired it with micro-cubes of amazing cheese. Here are a few shots from our wine tasting times in Solvang:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OloDpvtZwuY/Ud4HeH7PQcI/AAAAAAAADx4/sQieqX_0eD8/s1600-h/cali%252520133%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 133" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F6JQrkUbp8I/Ud4HepwC2KI/AAAAAAAADyA/bCv1N5momaA/cali%252520133_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="441"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lYNZbkGFtoA/Ud4HfJf_p3I/AAAAAAAADyI/hB9IjbspaDw/s1600-h/cali%252520136%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 136" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 136" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tyMW9cWWT90/Ud4HfhDEFbI/AAAAAAAADyQ/oDOp5DM34H8/cali%252520136_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="297"></a></p> <p>After lunch we moved on to Los Olivos – a town that is just about all wine tasting rooms. We were challenged with how to choose among all the different wineries. We were lured into <a href="http://saarloosandsons.com/" target="_blank">Saarloos + sons</a> by the attached cupcake case. The wine was ok and I didn’t turn out to be attracted to any of the cupcakes, but we did enjoy this little photo booth thing they had. Here is one of the photo outcomes:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_ZwrdhlQj_M/Ud4HgMb-gNI/AAAAAAAADyY/AsMqFG-vByA/s1600-h/ssco-photo-30985%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="ssco-photo-30985" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="ssco-photo-30985" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LYCF80W1tDU/Ud4HgrObRCI/AAAAAAAADyg/e1ktz8-53HA/ssco-photo-30985_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="402"></a></p> <p>By far, our favorite stop was <a href="http://www.refugioranch.com/home/" target="_blank">Refugio Ranch</a>. The wine was good and the feel was laid back. If I could have wine from one place again, it would be here.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XCyCJgU9AuM/Ud4HhB6LDfI/AAAAAAAADyo/ftsBf5Vzu4U/s1600-h/cali%252520150%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 150" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 150" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gDJyLVhTcmI/Ud4HhqaMRTI/AAAAAAAADyw/v0gK2Oav3CY/cali%252520150_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="495" height="374"></a></p> <p>After this last wine stop, we grabbed some jalapeno-cheddar popcorn and a pellegrino and headed back to El Capitan State Beach. This time it was just playing in the water and laying on the beach as the sun retreated. It was so nice…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mdXzXRJytto/Ud4HiB7redI/AAAAAAAADy4/3oRXXFLvEXQ/s1600-h/cali%252520158%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 158" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 158" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wI_U0dwNsMw/Ud4Hi25vH7I/AAAAAAAADzA/LqKsNDdo9Qk/cali%252520158_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="404"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-35453497200581948842013-07-10T18:03:00.001-06:002013-07-10T18:03:17.055-06:00Santa Barbara (not the soap opera)<p>It all started with a discussion of Lisa’s upcoming 40th birthday and a failed attempt to get away together in May when her agency canceled travel due to “the sequester.” We decided that Santa Barbara, California, would be a lovely place to spend a few days. It has the beach, wineries, good weather, the Channel Islands, and more. Perfect – we booked it for the last weekend in June!</p> <p>So, one sweltering June morning we boarded a plane for the west coast. For those of you who may not have enjoyed a plane ride from Colorado to Southern California during the day, if you have a window seat, there is plenty to see. First you go over the Rocky Mountains and then you get to see the Grand Canyon! Here’s what the big canyon it looks like from this perspective:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NyOnIk_HiAM/Ud32KYYvVMI/AAAAAAAADvQ/lAL0OuQLD78/s1600-h/cali%252520050%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 050" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SiXlrVyd7Y0/Ud32K_5iW8I/AAAAAAAADvY/c2XukhlqJhY/cali%252520050_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="459"></a></p> <p>We did arrive and safely made it to our lovely <a href="http://www.lavenderinnbythesea.com/" target="_blank">Lavender Inn</a> room, just blocks from the coast in Santa Barbara. We were giddy to find that the hotel provides a complimentary bottle of bubbly with real champagne flutes! I recommend this hotel – not only did we get the free bubbly and, of course, a continental breakfast, but there is also an evening wine and cheese service (complimentary) as well as tasty cookies at night. I was also impressed by the well-kept grounds full of flowers and succulents and other climate-appropriate plants. </p> <p>Anyways, we spent the rest of the evening perusing State Street in Santa Barbara, getting dinner at <a href="http://www.pierrelafond.com/" target="_blank">Pierre Lafond</a>, and watching the sunset on the beach. Here are some photos to give you a feel for our experience:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MwW3yfECt-I/Ud32LY4M8WI/AAAAAAAADvg/JjKSTObIUVY/s1600-h/cali%252520065%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 065" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--6iDp_HdI94/Ud32L-mmWWI/AAAAAAAADvo/0stZ7UvLjkc/cali%252520065_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EXtx5ruSMYc/Ud32MVZRnZI/AAAAAAAADvw/feFEBdVV4Rs/s1600-h/cali%252520066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 066" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JKUBdSIZjf0/Ud32M88C7mI/AAAAAAAADv4/IO14oE75Ea0/cali%252520066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="350"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qge862AvLUE/Ud32NVCp86I/AAAAAAAADwA/gPEWpyXfeio/s1600-h/cali%252520067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 067" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 067" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OZ9DviG5gIA/Ud32N0mBm0I/AAAAAAAADwI/wu_TttSZKcA/cali%252520067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="351"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LQNYEVhS8K0/Ud32OcklAQI/AAAAAAAADwQ/-nKO07nShHo/s1600-h/cali%252520071%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 071" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 071" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KrSuaWrf0Y4/Ud32OnoWnbI/AAAAAAAADwY/zMH0Ie6cALU/cali%252520071_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="352"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T5cdKlFz8cg/Ud32PTL4oII/AAAAAAAADwg/HEtNQhay1SQ/s1600-h/cali%252520073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QaRktt31Gco/Ud32PhGTQHI/AAAAAAAADwo/f5fEOuP7_XY/cali%252520073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="352"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k6MBizo0_jQ/Ud32QR1LfSI/AAAAAAAADww/-bntdnyErcA/s1600-h/cali%252520083%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="cali 083" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="cali 083" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FRP8i6Ma3gY/Ud32Q3VTq2I/AAAAAAAADw4/jfCvJOKorUI/cali%252520083_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="478"></a></p> <p>Stay tuned for the second installment of the California trip!</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-44245765585823021252013-06-08T10:54:00.001-06:002013-06-08T10:54:21.269-06:00Our nation’s capitol<p>Washington DC the first week of June was hot! And don’t even talk to me about the humidity that caused us to change our clothes in the middle of the day and feel sticky and smelly most of the time. We managed to do quite a bit and get around town and have fun despite the heat though. </p> <p>We spent last weekend in DC for no other reason than to be a tourist and enjoy the city. And enjoy we did! </p> <p>First, transportation. I had assumed we’d spend most of our travel around on the Metro or on foot, but we actually ended up mostly using <a href="http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/" target="_blank">Capital Bikeshare</a> and it was awesome. We bought a three-day pass for $15 each and away we went. It’s the perfect way to see the city. You get to cruise by grand museums, through old neighborhoods with big trees, and through lively business districts all from the seat of a bike. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YTBmCzGHvfY/UbNhe9G6OQI/AAAAAAAADpk/vixGZKZK85I/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520122%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 122" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 122" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mZy2zHxkMTE/UbNhfQQqmCI/AAAAAAAADps/bP42DIRJFPs/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520122_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="470"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U5L7g7KYIBo/UbNhfvCiwKI/AAAAAAAADp0/5y6_VpfkQpw/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520079%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 079" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 079" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LAalj3MRv5c/UbNhgBIXiQI/AAAAAAAADp8/x1g22tpvOTA/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520079_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="523"></a></p> <p>It has been a while since I’ve been to DC and I never really spent much time on the street on a bike. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the plentiful and innovative bike lanes throughout the city. In addition to the typical striped bike lanes, there were two way bikeways between the parking lane and the sidewalk with vertical buffers. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EtiASru1f8A/UbNhgZD7rDI/AAAAAAAADqE/PE6sFtZ91eo/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AhkYdKvGXlU/UbNhg8EWWCI/AAAAAAAADqI/7rikp7XOdaI/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="538"></a></p> <p>There were some green bike lanes and bike boxes. Most interesting were the lanes in the middle of a busy street in downtown DC. Yep, right between buses and cars whizzing by was an ample bike lane! Despite the traffic, I felt pretty safe – especially because there were so many cyclists and many of them using bikeshare bikes. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6U070XMtnvQ/UbNhhLWIrII/AAAAAAAADqU/3jGQHkLNWEw/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520011%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LSgOQMwR7EM/UbNhhepAiII/AAAAAAAADqc/NN2BTOnIJXU/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="543"></a></p> <p>Speaking of bikes, we happened to be in town during the <a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/washington-dc.aspx" target="_blank">DC Tour de Fat</a>. We couldn’t resist the Colorado-based New Belgium event. We were particularly drawn by the main stage having an hour of <a href="http://themoth.org/" target="_blank">The Moth</a>! Not only did we get to drink a Ranger beer and see people ride ridiculous bikes (see below), but we also got to see true stories told live on stage without notes – The Moth (I highly recommend the podcast!). </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xvWWVupTiyg/UbNhh2a61VI/AAAAAAAADqk/LR5IArGkrqY/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520058%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 058" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 058" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2kht5Ybg65o/UbNhiU3ztFI/AAAAAAAADqs/iy98FJvy7ss/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="446"></a></p> <p>The first night in DC we took advantage of free <a href="http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/calendar/jazz.html?category=Jazz&pageNumber=1" target="_blank">jazz in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden</a>. It was a relaxing way to end a day of walking and biking around the city. We sat at the edge of a pool, watched people, drank sangria, and soaked our hot feet in the cool water all while listening to Chopteeth (“afrofunk big band” music).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YjpGjzMtAqk/UbNhirDIMUI/AAAAAAAADqw/-DDuOwcYIjE/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520017%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p1CRXvZ16LM/UbNhjBQHnUI/AAAAAAAADq8/kx-Uheji3Qw/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="426"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4KWJJmgnSr4/UbNhjcfiTgI/AAAAAAAADrE/1wUTNGIErFA/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520014%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RFktt6WR4Qo/UbNhj2mQj4I/AAAAAAAADrI/jiLQsj6Rsig/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="477" height="361"></a></p> <p align="left">Our trip was definitely fueled by snacks and coffee! We visited <a href="http://www.filtercoffeehouse.com/" target="_blank">Filter coffee</a> near Dupont Circle (they had a <a href="http://www.salvagetti.com/" target="_blank">Salvagetti</a> sticker on their grinder), which was quite good and had this amusing but hilarious sign on their wall:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aOneGNRKJro/UbNhkLupJII/AAAAAAAADrU/UOoQwLLaD4I/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 026" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TzgcQhwTp8k/UbNhkqun70I/AAAAAAAADrY/8qRMgKRYwc4/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="274"></a></p> <p align="left">We ate red velvet cupcakes from a cupcake truck and thick blueberry pie from <a href="http://www.dangerouspiesdc.com/" target="_blank">Dangerously Delicious</a>. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9crWXLjcWWQ/UbNhk-a4fbI/AAAAAAAADrk/5azUucz0bp4/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pykVlhQ6_N8/UbNhlFJcPDI/AAAAAAAADrs/AwJrcpxEFQE/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="418"></a></p> <p>I want to make note of a fabulous place that had the <a href="http://www.katsuostudio.com/ckdc/sites/default/files/ONLINE-DRAFT-LIST-8-6-2012.pdf" target="_blank">most eclectic list of beers on tap</a> – <a href="http://www.churchkeydc.com/" target="_blank">Churchkey</a>. I started with a New Zealand IPA called Epic Armageddon, but we quickly moved on to share a sampler of beers and get a sense of the variety. We had a tripel from Belgium – Dulle Teve, a farmhouse ale from Belgium – Saison Dupont, a coffee-infused imperial stout from Canada – Peche Mortel, and a Belgian strong pale ale from Switzerland that was brewed with pinot noir wort – L’ Amoureuse No. 2. So good…</p> <p>We visited <a href="http://www.easternmarket-dc.org/" target="_blank">Eastern Market</a> on Saturday morning. The market is part farmers market, part urban flea market, and part indoor artisan food market. While we enjoyed perusing the various flea market items and outdoor plants and jewelry, I think our favorite part was the indoor market. It was well-lit with overhead skylights and full of fantastic looking foods – fresh meats, cheeses, seafood, fresh pasta, pastries and pies, and more! Here are some shots from both the indoor and outdoor portions:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p_2_8IiI3Os/UbNhlUUOJEI/AAAAAAAADr0/kgKW4bpy4cQ/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--vDKfXKeGwY/UbNhlve4LlI/AAAAAAAADr4/3ngZV3OekRc/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="417"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3n34KmmWj4A/UbNhmKdLSaI/AAAAAAAADsE/BcisydhRPg8/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 034" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KBHCl1tmunM/UbNhmeVh4RI/AAAAAAAADsI/jTdGW_vTiok/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520034_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="333"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fVpZ8GeK_kY/UbNhm8fGatI/AAAAAAAADsU/7qrrObQO3Nk/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-usAlREuqme8/UbNhnMFCOvI/AAAAAAAADsc/tLu1mjL9fqY/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520040_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="396"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oj6g6Mgj2Gs/UbNhntrx5XI/AAAAAAAADsk/0_529TGUVpM/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 041" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZrT2z_QH9F4/UbNhnzjN13I/AAAAAAAADss/COuXXtt1dmo/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="329"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NLQtJn8-BPc/UbNhovnQvmI/AAAAAAAADs0/sStwpHatUsY/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ADBuGVu6g5c/UbNho4oFPxI/AAAAAAAADs4/rLHVMgEi4IQ/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="331"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G0wYglUHgZg/UbNhpFChz4I/AAAAAAAADtE/Ig4jVDv_1tw/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 044" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 044" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8OtZsq4BsLg/UbNhpmqgedI/AAAAAAAADtI/hXMTTSFgOCs/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="343"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YJ3dH246wmo/UbNhpzFI2RI/AAAAAAAADtU/J_WDv3uOxk8/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o0aGjwMzWxE/UbNhqMBT9mI/AAAAAAAADtc/bXh7wEgFirM/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="450"></a></p> <p>Of course, we took in a few museums. The only two we spent any real time at were the <a href="http://www.nbm.org/" target="_blank">National Building Museum</a> and the <a href="http://www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home/" target="_blank">Hirshorn</a> (modern art). We popped into the Museum of Natural History and a few others but found that the crowds were a bit too much for us. Here are some shots from the museum portion of the trip:</p> <p align="center">National Building Museum</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nsqsoIyIG8Q/UbNhqUq_OPI/AAAAAAAADtk/NvniyNu5McU/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 075" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 075" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UVG91Hf2X3g/UbNhq6klp2I/AAAAAAAADts/ueAVAPkipUo/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520075_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="375"></a></p> <p align="center">National Museum of the American Indian</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hDQFFrDjSrE/UbNhrcrwv3I/AAAAAAAADt0/JvqS4csFt_4/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520104%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xy7p5_Og1ns/UbNhrxQWudI/AAAAAAAADt8/8CUUfQ2V5Ag/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520104_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="292"></a></p> <p align="center">The Hirshorn</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--TiFC3g90IQ/UbNhsNAjR6I/AAAAAAAADuE/pzlXsCYSPqQ/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520110%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 110" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 110" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xm_070k8bGc/UbNhsmEMlzI/AAAAAAAADuM/wtfScqN1AaU/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520110_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="303"></a></p> <p align="center">Seth adding to the art at the Hirshorn.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OLGeLFEiTJg/UbNhtOYr8PI/AAAAAAAADuU/Cyk9qh_Y114/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520115%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 115" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 115" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5L4MJJwvqFU/UbNhtRdxnBI/AAAAAAAADuc/MUHB4HhRjoc/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520115_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="300"></a></p> <p>One of the highlights of the trip and something I was very much looking forward to was the journey to Arlington, VA, for food at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/ravi-kabob-house-arlington-3" target="_blank">Ravi Kabob</a>! Their kabobs and bread and chickpea sauce are my all time favorite foods. If you ever get a chance to go there – do not hesitate! Not sure my photo does it justice, but this photo represents a little bit of heaven for me. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R2JjfAtvjkE/UbNhtxPoH6I/AAAAAAAADuk/PLcJDRc1-xU/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520098%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 098" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 098" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZGu4Aaojmuw/UbNhuRLISRI/AAAAAAAADuo/TfdDwF_HbyE/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520098_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="314"></a></p> <p>After a sweaty but enjoyable few days in DC, we headed out for National airport on the beautiful Metro (hard to ride a bike with luggage…).</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AyHMmUWyMxw/UbNhukJkhII/AAAAAAAADu0/u8CgsMMwcMw/s1600-h/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520130%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Washington DC 2013 130" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Washington DC 2013 130" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Aqkq2k0v8sE/UbNhuxk7UdI/AAAAAAAADu8/JRFdXHJeeKc/Washington%252520DC%2525202013%252520130_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="391"></a></p>That was our weekend in DC. That is all. Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-43424500541124988492013-05-13T08:13:00.001-06:002013-05-13T08:13:32.309-06:00Backyard after evening watering<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YRuKIPvnDMc/UZD09cqUGMI/AAAAAAAADn4/JnfWjNFwphg/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 001" border="0" alt="garden may 2 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Djy2JKC1JVM/UZD0-PIIDvI/AAAAAAAADoA/JbfEdZ4AiVs/garden%252520may%2525202%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="413"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N3-f_K2Sm2E/UZD0-mnor6I/AAAAAAAADoI/Ir9M2d-BpWo/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 012" border="0" alt="garden may 2 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-00OBxXRJbJI/UZD0_KJispI/AAAAAAAADoQ/f6ZyYkeCbOA/garden%252520may%2525202%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="415"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C0IzUXT_LMQ/UZD0_vLrzqI/AAAAAAAADoY/NQIDcRXTDJY/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 023" border="0" alt="garden may 2 023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tNgdibM2t38/UZD0_0DD0eI/AAAAAAAADog/DKhvVpOHmfo/garden%252520may%2525202%252520023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="415"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RsderZ4A45U/UZD1Ab_SLmI/AAAAAAAADoo/OlcVD97deHc/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 034" border="0" alt="garden may 2 034" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fs85m9kNiig/UZD1A6RT8LI/AAAAAAAADow/7LUEg8XfYTA/garden%252520may%2525202%252520034_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="546" height="413"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TQt8yRk4r_M/UZD1Bb_gGjI/AAAAAAAADo4/F1BTlQlwW3c/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 026" border="0" alt="garden may 2 026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6fRVebeP-eY/UZD1B_wByGI/AAAAAAAADpA/i0G0qmA2YU0/garden%252520may%2525202%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="415"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fvlzy05OltI/UZD1CWEBIgI/AAAAAAAADpI/m-p_QPp4A_E/s1600-h/garden%252520may%2525202%252520032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden may 2 032" border="0" alt="garden may 2 032" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VQVoNo4PyIs/UZD1Cwa2YeI/AAAAAAAADpQ/5uwBmGzTV0U/garden%252520may%2525202%252520032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="499"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-9102526118071051792013-05-11T12:31:00.001-06:002013-05-11T12:31:14.518-06:00Garden–The Beginning<p>For most of my adult life I’ve either lived in a condo or an apartment, with no balcony nor backyard. I’d yearned for one of these but never really wanted to deal with the maintenance of mowing and weeding or the cost of buying plants and so on. Last year (2012) moved into a house with a backyard <strong>and</strong> a garden. </p> <p>At first I didn’t take much interest in the garden, I mean, I don’t really like vegetables and didn’t know much about gardening to really talk about the plants and such. However, when things like cucumbers and watermelons started to grow into real edible things I began to notice and became fascinated. I bought <em>Gardening for Dummies</em> and started to plan for 2013. </p> <p>Last weekend we planted the garden! We have a salsa garden (hot peppers, tomatoes, garlic) and lettuces, cucumbers, pumpkins, radishes, shallots, carrots, brussel sprouts, peas, and bell peppers. There are also strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries but these were here before me. </p> <p>Set did the majority of the planting, while I dealt with the window box flowers and did fertilizing of the newly planted garden. Here are some action shots:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sph77MANfig/UY6OVgktlLI/AAAAAAAADmA/aMDdaDsqz_c/s1600-h/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="apr may 2013 012" border="0" alt="apr may 2013 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DxP-L3uNKiE/UY6OWaaxFGI/AAAAAAAADmI/sYO_crdjcu8/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="346"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-afIh5kvgCkY/UY6OW3CBkPI/AAAAAAAADmQ/Kk_dQMev2gY/s1600-h/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="apr may 2013 019" border="0" alt="apr may 2013 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Uph8eGeBEUo/UY6OXd1WHHI/AAAAAAAADmY/viVNrqmXYwo/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="391"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h5LwJT21caQ/UY6OYEqfAoI/AAAAAAAADmg/ViCD2727v_Y/s1600-h/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="apr may 2013 021" border="0" alt="apr may 2013 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eFnZuo2FagA/UY6OYYRK2VI/AAAAAAAADmo/FASG-ld-UdI/apr%252520may%2525202013%252520021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="502"></a></p> <p>A week later most things are doing well. We lost one of three pumpkin plants and the cucumbers are struggling to adapt to their sunny spot, but the radishes sprouted last night and the peas are starting to send out tendrils!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X4EVrSmoPQ8/UY6OYzdvRZI/AAAAAAAADmw/GDNxAOdxyqs/s1600-h/garden%252520early%252520may%252520015%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden early may 015" border="0" alt="garden early may 015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5HTPEC99eI0/UY6OZuU9mZI/AAAAAAAADm4/CilMW1HsT6I/garden%252520early%252520may%252520015_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="343"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-azMF-Ak__p0/UY6OaIoy7TI/AAAAAAAADnA/VRnkVzCQt70/s1600-h/garden%252520early%252520may%252520002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden early may 002" border="0" alt="garden early may 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mv2f8qIq7gM/UY6OaZXMvbI/AAAAAAAADnI/btk3Qx4yFRw/garden%252520early%252520may%252520002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="511"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vjjo43MnxQk/UY6Oa50wn0I/AAAAAAAADnQ/tpTx0XdvocM/s1600-h/garden%252520early%252520may%252520007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden early may 007" border="0" alt="garden early may 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z_heoI1JStk/UY6ObWAltjI/AAAAAAAADnY/NpwG5NwBQl0/garden%252520early%252520may%252520007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="340"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7XXXAhBnFJo/UY6Ob8_jrZI/AAAAAAAADng/OeEcAjJinIA/s1600-h/garden%252520early%252520may%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="garden early may 012" border="0" alt="garden early may 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QWbZ-8DkYXw/UY6OcS_88GI/AAAAAAAADno/wjoaXfxZMMI/garden%252520early%252520may%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="432"></a></p> <p align="left">It’s all far more exciting than I would have expected but there is a little nervousness that we’re just going to kill stuff because we don’t *really* know what we’re doing…we’ll see.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-39495640083005445712013-05-01T08:08:00.001-06:002013-05-01T08:08:27.865-06:00Dog<p>Plenty of people have done writings, drawings, and art of various kinds about the animals in their lives – dogs specifically. I haven’t paid much attention in my adult years to these things since I’ve been mostly with cats. However, now I am with dog. Big. Black. Flat-coat retriever dog. He is named Dempsey. He likes food. </p> <p>He will eat anything – including lettuce and sticks. One time he ate about a dozen maple bacon biscuits in less than an hour. Another time he climbed up onto the dinner table to get at a higher spot in order to eat four sticks of butter (those came back up). Food must be kept at a safe distance. </p> <p>After I had been living with this dog for a month or so, I became aware of the musings on dog companionship when a friend forwarded the link to The Oatmeal’s amazing and <strong>hilarious</strong> “<a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox" target="_blank">My dog: the paradox</a>.” Here are the first two panels:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ugylXzE5U10/UYEhyoXCNGI/AAAAAAAADj8/AaYG12bKMss/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fmCFXUtAp9A/UYEhzCa1FqI/AAAAAAAADkE/4Vae2I3uYYE/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="452" height="668"></a></p> <p>I highly recommend you read the entire cartoon, particularly if you have dog experience – it rings true and elicits chuckles. </p> <p>I also heard recently on one of my new favorite podcasts – <a href="http://www.badornotbad.com/" target="_blank">Bad or Not Bad</a> – that <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/04/george-w-bush-painting-has-changed-my-life/" target="_blank">George W. Bush has become an artist</a> and one of his favorite subjects is his dog. On the podcast, I think the verdict was “bad” on this topic because, well, it’s <em>George W. Bush</em>…but here’s what W’s dog looks like painted by W:</p> <p align="center"><img title="George W. Bush: Painting Has Changed My Life" alt="ht barney bush portrait nt 130201 blog George W. Bush: Painting Has Changed My Life" src="http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/ht_barney_bush_portrait_nt_130201_blog.jpg" width="222" height="278"></p> <p align="left">Though I have a canine around regularly as a subject, I have no artistic endeavors outside of knitting. And I’m not knitting a big doggie sweater (how embarrassing for Dempsey that would be) and I’m not knitting his likeness onto any article of yarn (mostly because that would be weird). What I have done is take photos of the sweet and needy beast. I have even arranged them in frames:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lK_ncg-b6ew/UYEhzaQr-TI/AAAAAAAADkM/iK9fWzOLMkQ/s1600-h/t%252520008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="t 008" border="0" alt="t 008" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DqWtLpauUBM/UYEhz5wvxxI/AAAAAAAADkU/KEo04ORjZPc/t%252520008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="440"></a></p> <p align="left">I have Instagrammed photos of the tennis ball-loving creature:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z87NEDAWuN0/UYEh0WVPXoI/AAAAAAAADkc/b35iKTZaso0/s1600-h/may%252520misc%2525202012%252520078%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="may misc 2012 078" border="0" alt="may misc 2012 078" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6i9tDPLQl3c/UYEh0-0QpxI/AAAAAAAADkk/75VDqKTTmgE/may%252520misc%2525202012%252520078_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="439"></a></p> <p align="left">We have used Dempsey as a model for my ski helmet:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6qcyqDVEWZA/UYEh1U8hxCI/AAAAAAAADks/KuYlC4GaWW4/s1600-h/jan%2525202013%252520003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="jan 2013 003" border="0" alt="jan 2013 003" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F9V_DJuj3AQ/UYEh1zKWbQI/AAAAAAAADk0/n65Wk58pyKg/jan%2525202013%252520003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" height="358"></a></p> <p align="left">But mostly, I just enjoy having such a loveable though stinky-breathed being in my life – and I mean Dempsey. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RMHHDIMeqe0/UYEh2WlHP0I/AAAAAAAADk8/TmA7nCAG8ss/s1600-h/misc%252520july%252520135%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="misc july 135" border="0" alt="misc july 135" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oZ_ZTyBdeVY/UYEh2qi4dgI/AAAAAAAADlE/RojUnOtNkTE/misc%252520july%252520135_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="372"></a></p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-68679702572416092642013-04-16T08:51:00.001-06:002013-04-16T08:51:04.358-06:00grumpy cat<p>This is grumpy cat:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mnLplleH8QQ/UW1lSm4wClI/AAAAAAAADi0/ofjGhRz5NRo/s1600-h/Tardar%25252BSauce%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Tardar Sauce" border="0" alt="Tardar Sauce" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-30bafQYIg5o/UW1lTNHJcvI/AAAAAAAADi8/Y_Gn0k-5_cc/Tardar%25252BSauce_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="608" height="321"></a></p> <p align="left">Some of you (probably many of you) have seen this gloomy feline on the interwebs. I personally can’t get enough of this pint-sized sourpuss. Of course, the denizens of the online realm have created lots of memes with grumpy cat. Here are just a few:</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jcIuLPXykmc/UW1lTuNfQwI/AAAAAAAADjE/N555DlwEQmE/s1600-h/81lT139364%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="81lT139364" border="0" alt="81lT139364" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pDshRveZRtg/UW1lUH9MB5I/AAAAAAAADjM/2Q6ikKon7mY/81lT139364_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="533"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RI_GPyuHyw4/UW1lUTGPZ_I/AAAAAAAADjU/6lmqcPNe9dA/s1600-h/grumpy-cat-luke-i-dont-care%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="grumpy-cat-luke-i-dont-care" border="0" alt="grumpy-cat-luke-i-dont-care" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t7PaotD9W4E/UW1lUj1O2oI/AAAAAAAADjc/JIkrB2n8qUA/grumpy-cat-luke-i-dont-care_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="409"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1AAw-lQupjY/UW1lVOb0gKI/AAAAAAAADjk/0GnMWdDJCjk/s1600-h/images%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="images" border="0" alt="images" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EzN6VCvmcl0/UW1lVq0o6LI/AAAAAAAADjs/w-eK13b0vig/images_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="358"></a></p> <p align="left">Now, with that, go and have a day.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-2752820431400002572013-04-13T08:53:00.001-06:002013-04-13T08:53:49.560-06:00Good will<p>Last month I was killing time at a thrift store on West Colfax. Perusing the offerings can often be contemplative. I mean, one starts to wonder where these orphaned items came from and who will possibly take them in? This particular visit happened to be around Easter, so the brick-a-brack shelves were rife with rabbits, eggs, and pastel items.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tyq4wlClPt8/UWlxYBnkGPI/AAAAAAAADgs/LYvnMLTXbxk/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 018" border="0" alt="march 2013 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0uQ4_0k_BB8/UWlxYqWmi7I/AAAAAAAADg0/ozbIq8gko5Y/march%2525202013%252520018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="397"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zf6fI3OtO5M/UWlxZAg-ppI/AAAAAAAADg8/BZw4Z6STyPQ/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 030" border="0" alt="march 2013 030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DlzlSqC2QnM/UWlxZpJGCfI/AAAAAAAADhE/RGeigxCNY2E/march%2525202013%252520030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="400"></a></p> <p align="left">Someone must have let go of their entire collection of these odd little people, as you can see in the background – there were plenty to choose from.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P5V-3uHGsuk/UWlxaCfgmeI/AAAAAAAADhM/h0LyhMIBJN4/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520019%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 019" border="0" alt="march 2013 019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4iq_s1Fxhmg/UWlxabzwU0I/AAAAAAAADhU/LLQSZTvr3WM/march%2525202013%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="437"></a></p> <p align="left">I’m kind of kicking myself for not snapping up the cat/clock below…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_R7f10LpbSE/UWlxa-QwLdI/AAAAAAAADhc/VR9g7sbP8Y0/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520020%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 020" border="0" alt="march 2013 020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tHbQCetlAak/UWlxbTbrGhI/AAAAAAAADhk/SafCWlpDWWU/march%2525202013%252520020_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="left">My musings and wonderings about from whence these items came abruptly stopped when I reached the frames area. It seems that donators don’t feel the need to remove the real photos from the frames before shuffling them off to the good will. And these are definitely *not* the kind of photos that come with a frame when you buy it in a store. Here are some examples: </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C5q77_qobS8/UWlxcA8QsPI/AAAAAAAADhs/YWQXy3SrXKI/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 027" border="0" alt="march 2013 027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s32e8LJowl4/UWlxcYg43OI/AAAAAAAADh0/iP5FiWj0lzA/march%2525202013%252520027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" height="521"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QV83ddWvR4I/UWlxc3BvyKI/AAAAAAAADh8/1FBpuGkopTA/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520025%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 025" border="0" alt="march 2013 025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fVX3Uc-hw0U/UWlxdTyzCjI/AAAAAAAADiE/KaDbe1-v7Gk/march%2525202013%252520025_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="515"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-exuhTDlerw0/UWlxdrBN2kI/AAAAAAAADiM/HtYWB_sxG0w/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 026" border="0" alt="march 2013 026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E-t5L_jZESM/UWlxeAOtCGI/AAAAAAAADiU/eIIXv4ZKZ84/march%2525202013%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="353"></a></p> <p align="left">Then, there are always the humorous finds at the thrift store…lost among the frames was this bit of art:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9BS4g2a5GhA/UWlxehklWFI/AAAAAAAADic/JeL_PYukrV8/s1600-h/march%2525202013%252520023%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="march 2013 023" border="0" alt="march 2013 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VMgRP_s2Ng0/UWlxfIPEEBI/AAAAAAAADik/6rhSQ152wBc/march%2525202013%252520023_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="448"></a></p> <p align="left">Thus concludes my photo journey of the good will on West Colfax.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-35382598236979244712013-03-28T11:08:00.000-06:002013-03-28T11:08:00.695-06:00Golden hats<p>This may be the last of the hats. I haven’t started anything new so perhaps I’m getting control of the knitting addiction. More yarn did arrive in the mail last week, so…who knows. </p> <p>Anyway, I want to share two hats I knitted using a yellow, gold-ish yarn: Berroco Lustra in #3163/Bergamot color. </p> <p>First: <a href="http://devinlikestoknit.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/marigold-slouch/" target="_blank">The Marigold Slouch</a></p> <p>My version doesn’t look exactly like the one in the pattern’s photos, but the photos below are pre-blocking:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZR7iXr7F9nY/UVHZAzOKU4I/AAAAAAAADf0/3uNIflzlDjw/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xL1dSTJvHV0/UVHZBJinRfI/AAAAAAAADf8/YD0B2D1R8Yo/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="478"></a></p> <p align="left">The back is pretty interesting looking:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V9HkvS63eQY/UVHZBpSR0YI/AAAAAAAADgE/fyvukdzA-VQ/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AexVYDeVFr0/UVHZBzLgpxI/AAAAAAAADgM/ge4B4vBvBBo/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="388"></a></p> <p align="left">The second knit with this same yarn is a <a href="http://fabricolage.blogspot.com/2011/08/heart-vines-beret.html" target="_blank">Heart Vines Beret</a>. You can kind of see how the cables form hearts in the photo below. I knit this using US 8 and US 9 circular (16”) needles as well as US 8 dpns. CO 80 st.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O3WFcMkJwss/UVHZCYcLXgI/AAAAAAAADgU/6PF0mdVjIxQ/s1600-h/photo%2525205%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 5" border="0" alt="photo 5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sw2Q5L8go-A/UVHZC7ve9pI/AAAAAAAADgc/UCe-H_H-yow/photo%2525205_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="323"></a></p> <p align="left">I’m not sure what the heck I’m going to do with all these hats, but they sure are fun to make!</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-2578468324285224222013-03-27T10:45:00.000-06:002013-03-27T10:45:00.083-06:00“Fenced In”– more knitting hats…<p>This “<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fenced-in" target="_blank">fenced in</a>” pattern hat didn’t turn out perfectly and was a little challenging, but I have done it:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-joaKbvODSh4/UVHTfGpuuRI/AAAAAAAADfU/Gvcy5wyAP3E/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yF4uVWSu0K8/UVHTfVpzA7I/AAAAAAAADfc/4gW4fjh6-NY/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="420"></a></p> <p align="left">The top is particularly cool – it looks a bit like a snowflake:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xGa4r6z2Zqo/UVHTfrusxeI/AAAAAAAADfk/DYEtHvm3dp8/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3lkNOliCTxs/UVHTgCRO98I/AAAAAAAADfs/nxIh_lhjjhc/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="451"></a></p> <p>I knit this using less than 1 skein of Malabrigo worsted in Olive. </p> <p>The instructions are linked above but I’ve written out the instructions from the chart and am including them below. The instructions are also adjusted for the gauge appropriate for the yarn noted above.</p> <p>Fits adult 21” head</p> <p>Needles: US 8 circular (16”) needles and US 8 dpns</p> <p>Stitches: </p> <p>CL (cable left) - place first stitch on cable needle and hold to front, purl 1, knit 1 from cable needle <p>CR (cable right) - place first stitch on cable needle and hold to back, knit 1, purl 1 from cable needle <p>CLk (cable left over knit) - place first stitch on cable needle and hold to front, knit 1, knit 1 from cable needle <p>CLp2tog (cable left over purl 2 together) - place first stitch on cable needle and hold to front, purl 2 together, knit 1 from cable needle <p>CO 80 st onto circular needles – join to knit in the round and pm.</p> <p>Ribbing: 8 round of ribbing following the following A – B patterns <p>A = p1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k1, p1 <p>B = p1, k1, p1, CLk, p1, k1, p1 <p>R1-5: As row A <p>R6: As row B <p>R7: As row A <p>R8: As row B <p> <p>Set up: 2 rounds as follows <p>R1: p1, k1, CR, CL, k1, p1 <p>R2: p1, k2, p2, k2, p1 <p> <p>Hat: 18 rounds – 16 rounds following rows 1-16 below and another 2 rounds as rows 1-2 <p>*Row 3: for the last 2 stitches in rnd: place the second to last stitch on a cn and hold in front, p1, slip marker, k1, k1 from cn – continue rnd as row 4, <p>*Row 6: after the last stitch in rnd: remove marker, k1, place marker, the next stitch is now the first stitch of chart row 7 <p>R1: p1, CR, p2, CL, p1 <p>R2: p1, k1, p4, k1, p1 <p>R3: CR, p4, CL <p>R4: p6, CLk <p>R5: P6, k2 <p>R6: P6, CLk <p>R7: CL, p4, CR <p>R8: P1, k1, p4, k1, p1 <p>R9: p1, CL, p2, CR, p1 <p>R10: p2, k1, p2, k1, p2 <p>R11: P2, CL, CR, p2 <p>R12: p3, CLk, p3 <p>R13: p3, k2, p3 <p>R14: p3, CLk, p3 <p>R15: p2, CR, CL, p2 <p>R16: p2, k1, p2, k1, p2 <p>Cut yarn, leaving 6” tail. Thread through the remaining<br>9 stitches and pull tight. Weave in ends.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-78867228483323510772013-03-26T22:35:00.000-06:002013-03-26T22:35:00.268-06:00“Foliage” hat<p>Yes, more knitting. It’s still “knitting season” – meaning it’s still chilly outside and we even got some snow this weekend. Based on the depth of snow on the backyard table, we received about 8.5” of snow!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JWdXvvdXAz8/UVHOWoJhcYI/AAAAAAAADek/9wxeJsnJaEo/s1600-h/photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E2CpzTnS-nw/UVHOXKao9EI/AAAAAAAADes/0V9JOOcAZ4s/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="424"></a></p> <p>So, I’m still knitting and in a hat phase. </p> <p>The pattern for the hat I finished last night is titled “<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTfoliage.html" target="_blank">Foliage</a>” and the instructions are linked but I’m going to include the instructions for just one version in a more understandable order. Here is my finished product:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hLVmEt9_u4U/UVHOXottkyI/AAAAAAAADew/Ew_za-QsA_Q/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 2" border="0" alt="photo 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ZXrVR4DPKQ/UVHOXx06RRI/AAAAAAAADe4/4ubOuyW_8xY/photo%2525202_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="451"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ckREDNUXOyA/UVHOYB4bWdI/AAAAAAAADfA/SmFGs069Jw8/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Au7m6vyiMbU/UVHOYlUuUvI/AAAAAAAADfI/JLh9WyzU85Q/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="357"></a></p> <p>It’s important to note that this hat is knit from the top down. </p> <p>Materials: Malabrigo worsted in Burgundy – less than 1 skein</p> <p>Finished measurements: Circumference, unstretched: 17 inches but will stretch to comfortably fit up to 24 inches.</p> <p>Stitches:</p> <p><strong>SKP:</strong> Slip 1 knitwise, knit next st, pass slipped st over. 1 st decreased.<br><strong>SK2P:</strong> Slip 1 knitwise, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 2 sts decreased. <p>PATTERN <p>Using double-point needle, CO 4 sts, leaving a 6-inch tail. Work back and forth on 2 needles as follows:<br><em>Row 1 </em>[WS]: P4.<br><em>Row 2</em> [RS]: [Kfb] 4 times. 8 sts.</p> <p>Divide sts evenly between 4 needles (2 sts on each needle) and join to begin working in the round.<br>K 1 round, place a safety pin or split ring marker in the work to indicate the beginning of the round.</p> <p>Work Rounds 1-19 below. 100 sts.<br><br><em>Round 1</em>: [K1, yo, k1] 4 times. 12 sts.<br>Even numbered<em> Rounds </em>2-18: K all sts.<br><em>Round 3:</em> [K1, yo, k1, yo, k1] 4 times. 20 sts.<br><em>Round 5:</em> [K1, yo, k3, yo, k1] 4 times. 28 sts.<br><em>Round 7</em>: [K1, yo, k5, yo, k1] 4 times. 36 sts.<br><em>Round 9:</em> [K1, yo, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1, yo, k1] 4 times. 52 sts.<br><em>Round 11</em>: [K1, yo, k3, yo, k1, SK2P, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1] 4 times. 60 sts.<br><em>Round 13:</em> [K1, yo, k5, yo, SK2P, yo, k5, yo, k1] 4 times. 68 sts.<br><em>Round 15</em>: [K1, yo, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, SKP, k2, yo, k1, yo, k1] 4 times. 84 sts.<br><em>Round 17</em>: [K1, (yo, k3, yo, k1, SK2P, k1) twice, yo, k3, yo, k1] 4 times. 92 sts.<br><em>Round 19:</em> [K1, (yo, k5, yo, SK2P) twice, yo, k5, yo, k1] 4 times. 100 sts.</p> <p>Hat Body<br>Work all sts onto larger circular needle as follows:<br><em>Next Round:</em> [K to last st on needle, k this st together with first st of next needle] 4 times. The last st of the round will be worked together with the first st of the round. Place a st marker after this st to indicate beginning of round.<br>96 sts remain</p> <p>Work Rounds 1-12 of Leaf Lace pattern 3 times</p> <p><strong>Leaf Lace</strong> (Worked over a multiple of 8 sts):<br><em>Round 1</em>: [K2, SK2P, k2, yo, k1, yo] to end.<br>Even-numbered <em>Rounds 2-12</em>: K all sts.<br><em>Round 3</em>: [K1, SK2P, k1, yo, k3, yo] to end.<br><em>Round 5: </em>[SK2P, yo, k5, yo] to end.<br><em>Round 7:</em> [Yo, k1, yo, k2, SK2P, k2] to end.<br><em>Round 9:</em> [Yo, k3, yo, k1, SK2P, k1] to end.<br><em>Round 11:</em> [Yo, k5, yo, SK2P] to end.<br>Repeat these 12 rounds for Leaf Lace Pattern. <p>Ribbed Brim<br><em>Next Round</em>: Using smaller circular needle, [p1, k1] to end.<br>Repeat this round 7 times more<br>Loosely BO all sts in pattern. </p> <p>FINISHING :Use tail at CO end to sew up small hole in top of hat. Weave in ends.</p> <p>Block gently, or do not block at all. The unblocked lace gives a more rustic texture, and the lace pattern will open up when the hat is worn.</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-30725103341591157202013-03-12T17:06:00.000-06:002013-03-12T17:06:00.310-06:00People sell these things…<p>Recently, a “Harriet Carter” catalog arrived via the US mail for me. I have no idea why I am the recipient of such a catalog. It looked amusing so I spent some time perusing it and found loads of “as seen on TV” items that I have never seen. A few of these items had hilarious illustrations or were generally weird. I want to share. </p> <p>First, the curtains. Who hasn’t wanted to block out the backyard or the world in general and replace it with a beach scene or a garden path…?? Well, now you can by purchasing these curtains that show a faux outdoor scene. Classy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vwj7vpIe-1g/UT-Ca8mFbdI/AAAAAAAADc8/s0fE611fPpQ/s1600-h/photo%2525202%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 2" border="0" alt="photo 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bLCaQE1GPJA/UT-CbPecK3I/AAAAAAAADdE/oSVQHJYmeTU/photo%2525202_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" height="449"></a></p> <p align="left">Speaking of classy, this “fanny” bank is just what every home needs. It actually makes a farting sound when you drop coins into it’s anus. As the witty catalog copy writers point out – it’s a “real gas.” This item is just the first of a few butt-centric things for sale.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j2hQbduQIeA/UT-CbQ_ToNI/AAAAAAAADdM/P1LHZz_sdoA/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n_Hnew0svEk/UT-CbwNqXuI/AAAAAAAADdU/RQfQL5Mddvw/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="388"></a></p> <p align="left">Perhaps I’m not being very sympathetic or just don’t spend enough time on the toilet, but the toilet footrest caught me by surprise. Particularly the use of the illustration; could we not figure it out otherwise? However, I was thrilled to see that the copy writers did work the word “stool” into the item’s description. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JSCkLLAiSxE/UT-CcFxMyII/AAAAAAAADdc/AE0x8XhDrvM/s1600-h/photo%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 1" border="0" alt="photo 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5tTcOBvLPB0/UT-CcQE52FI/AAAAAAAADdk/lzAnvPNnjaM/photo%2525201_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="579"></a></p> <p align="left">I truly hope my range of motion doesn’t ever prevent me from wiping myself on my own. If it does, I’m relieved to know that there is an “ergonomically-designed bathroom aid” that can extend my TP reach. *AND* I can get two for $18.50!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sCOUvudEDrs/UT-Ccx2_uGI/AAAAAAAADds/zySgwNRcdAw/s1600-h/photo%2525204%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 4" border="0" alt="photo 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r8yEV1eSMxY/UT-CdFLRvYI/AAAAAAAADd0/t_f-rVEzLjc/photo%2525204_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="264"></a></p> <p align="left">After one has wiped, why not whip out the “portable, easy-to-use hand bidet”? How European…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Es3kHwEtPiA/UT-CduNHXYI/AAAAAAAADd8/mzoa-0GHnmw/s1600-h/photo%25252022%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 22" border="0" alt="photo 22" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--koeta6pOJg/UT-Cd611syI/AAAAAAAADeE/46eWpQXs484/photo%25252022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="480"></a></p> <p align="left">Finally, as proof that Harriet Carter has its finger on the pulse of modern society, the catalog offers a cassette tape carrier! I don’t know about you, but most of my cassette tapes have long been sent to good will or have otherwise moved on. I don’t even keep CDs anymore now that I think about it. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MfP7EDiqBho/UT-CeJ0mseI/AAAAAAAADeM/N3EukCfKNFg/s1600-h/photo%25252012%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 12" border="0" alt="photo 12" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UwI7PGdHt8Q/UT-CeRa3nfI/AAAAAAAADeU/NpHG9FwXzfQ/photo%25252012_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="433"></a></p> <p>Anyway, go ahead and check out the <a href="http://www.harrietcarter.com/" target="_blank">Harriet Carter website</a> for more useful, mostly as-seen-on-TV items. </p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2196704715921126912.post-63154664836043071352013-03-10T10:20:00.001-06:002013-03-10T10:20:23.048-06:00Quickie<p>Knitting hats is so satisfying. This is because, like coffee cup cozies, they knit up pretty quickly. I’ve made three hats in the last two weeks and am working on a fourth! Hats are perfect for when you have a small amount of yarn, say one or two balls of something that you bought because you loved it but weren’t sure what to do with it. </p> <p>I will share these hats with you now.</p> <p><strong><a href="http://picnicknits.com/free-patterns/" target="_blank">Snappy Hat</a></strong></p> <p>As with just about everything in my life, I found this pattern online (see link above). It’s basically a cabled hat. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PLUCd_lDd4w/UTyywF-OoII/AAAAAAAADcE/MhTilFO-vwE/s1600-h/photo%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo 3" border="0" alt="photo 3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zQDxyU2ZhpA/UTyyweXlvVI/AAAAAAAADcM/JHJ1rETY7ME/photo%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="334"></a></p> <p>I knit it using a blue color (#04) of Studio Tricot Cedrone yarn – 100% merino wool – so soft and chunky. </p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.dianemulholland.com/Patterns/Head%20Cosy.pdf" target="_blank">Head Cosy</a></strong></p> <p>You’ll notice that this one is similar in that it’s cabled also, however this was knit with a slightly different pattern (see link above). </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hRnVMhGTZSU/UTyywpJhfWI/AAAAAAAADcU/2KiO_dzOU0M/s1600-h/IMAG0821%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0821" border="0" alt="IMAG0821" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NserZFEs8rA/UTyyw4jr9II/AAAAAAAADcc/0y-8WDE-z2w/IMAG0821_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="488"></a></p> <p>This one was knitted with Malabrigo Wool Clasica Naturals in color #705.</p> <p>Both were knit on US 8 circular needles (16”).</p> <p>This is the third hat:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6iFcWd7ZF_Y/UTyyxKgsrGI/AAAAAAAADck/fHxddw28yso/s1600-h/IMAG0820%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMAG0820" border="0" alt="IMAG0820" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4ve4tFmEsVU/UTyyxvaNYHI/AAAAAAAADcs/mm8czjKd-L8/IMAG0820_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="404"></a></p> <p>It turned out a little bit larger than I planned…so Dempsey is modeling. I used it as a nap hat yesterday, meaning it is so large it goes over my eyes and, thus, blocks the light. I’m washing it right now to see if it will felt up and shrink. If so, you can look forward to seeing it more clearly in a future post. That’s a reason to live…</p> Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01835341700160043692noreply@blogger.com0