tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54284963558425859272024-03-13T12:24:25.429-07:00leave before the lights come onBixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-29698086284415324032012-01-08T14:46:00.000-08:002012-01-08T14:46:11.788-08:00My top 25 songs of 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div>I decided to make a top 25 songs of 2011 list after reading what felt like 100 other people's lists and discovering that absolutely no one had chosen anything by the Arctic Monkeys, who came out with the best album of the year as far as I'm concerned. So here's my list. </div><div><br />
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25. Cass McCombs -- County Line<br />
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24. Metronomy -- The Bay<br />
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23. SBTRKT -- Wildfire<br />
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22. Blonds -- K.O.<br />
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</div><div>21. Eleanor Friedberger -- My Mistakes<br />
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20. Jay-Z and Kanye West (ft. Frank Ocean) -- No Church in the Wild<br />
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</div><div>19. Rostam -- Wood<br />
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</div><div>18. Lana del Rey -- Video Games<br />
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</div><div>17. Young Galaxy -- Cover Your Tracks<br />
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</div><div>16. Sóley -- I'll Drown<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6hlOZ9GouUk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">15. Bedouin Soundclash (ft. Couer de Pirate) -- Brutal Hearts</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/fm4Tr9Sy6pk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div><div>14. Handsome Furs -- Bury Me Standing<br />
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</div><div>13. The Weeknd -- High for This<br />
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</div><div>12. Ms. Mr. -- Bones<br />
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</div><div>11. Panda Su -- I Begin<br />
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</div><div>10. Bon Iver -- Calgary<br />
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</div><div>9. M83 -- Midnight City<br />
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</div><div>8. Lupe Fiasco -- Lightwork<br />
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</div><div>7. Florence + the Machine -- Shake it Out<br />
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</div><div>6. Woodkid -- Iron<br />
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</div><div>5. Air Review -- America's Son<br />
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</div><div>4. Youth Lagoon -- Montana<br />
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</div><div>3. Lupe Fiasco -- American Terrorist III <br />
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</div><div>2. Alex Turner --Piledriver Waltz <br />
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</div><div>1. Arctic Monkeys -- Suck it and See<br />
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What are your favorite songs of 2011? What am I missing? </div></div></div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-42000149797776241072012-01-08T11:15:00.000-08:002012-01-10T16:08:26.295-08:00Last Dollar Hut Trip near Telluride, Colorado<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For my surprise Christmas present, Nathan gave me a trip to the Last Dollar Hut, which is a backcountry hut that is part of the San Juan Hut system, located up the Last Dollar Road, just outside of Telluride. Before we left, Nathan had me sign a waiver without looking at it, and so I had developed a lot of ideas about what sort of crazy thing we were going to be doing. Turns out that you actually need to sign a waiver to stay in a backcountry hut. This was a fantastic surprise though, and wasn't going to involve skijouring or heliskiing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We parked the car at the trailhead after an initial foray up the road that resulted in temporarily sticking the car. The path to the trail took us up the snowy road, 3 miles and 2000 vertical feet to the hut. As we hiked, we passed by two curious sights. The first was a modified golf cart bearing an older man and a younger lady in a big fur hat, and two English sheepdogs. Tellurideans! The second was a large Ford SUV with Kansas plates that made it quite far up the road, backed into a ditch, and somehow got out and made its way back down the road. Flatlanders! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beyond those curiosities, the hike up was very beautiful. Here's a view about 1/3 of the way up: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DcpbrsMoffU/Tv9oi8Ip2DI/AAAAAAAABlE/6r5QHe-o-8k/s1600/100_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DcpbrsMoffU/Tv9oi8Ip2DI/AAAAAAAABlE/6r5QHe-o-8k/s320/100_0619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRacz8Z7Owg/Tv9oiOBpBNI/AAAAAAAABk4/WnJVzJBE7QY/s1600/100_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRacz8Z7Owg/Tv9oiOBpBNI/AAAAAAAABk4/WnJVzJBE7QY/s320/100_0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't normally like carvings on aspens, but this one struck me as very beautiful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwJJob-L6SU/Tv9onftTkmI/AAAAAAAABlM/CUvzngEHHYo/s1600/100_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwJJob-L6SU/Tv9onftTkmI/AAAAAAAABlM/CUvzngEHHYo/s320/100_0622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1BprgJLHKM/Tv9orA52pDI/AAAAAAAABlc/3TctTZaU1Dk/s1600/100_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K1BprgJLHKM/Tv9orA52pDI/AAAAAAAABlc/3TctTZaU1Dk/s320/100_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we got to the hut, this was the view from our front window. It was about four in the afternoon and the day was getting darker. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkSw6v7DgBo/Tv9orcIY5eI/AAAAAAAABlg/0qktoVk6yMU/s1600/100_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GkSw6v7DgBo/Tv9orcIY5eI/AAAAAAAABlg/0qktoVk6yMU/s320/100_0627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The light was incredible, and would eventually give way to one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen -- unfortunately I didn't get a picture, as I didn't think my little camera would handle it well! Nathan and I watched it together outside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09--XQc5LIc/Tv9osACkiaI/AAAAAAAABls/HMWrgb8oHAw/s1600/100_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09--XQc5LIc/Tv9osACkiaI/AAAAAAAABls/HMWrgb8oHAw/s320/100_0628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning, Nathan and I went out for a snowshoe hike. There was a trail up through the trees that would take us to somewhere called the "Lunch spot", at about 12,000 ft, which is located directly below Han Shan Peak, which is about 12,300 ft. Here's Nathan getting ready to go!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Adnrbro0c/Tv9oxx-enMI/AAAAAAAABl4/vQTLCf6h344/s1600/100_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Adnrbro0c/Tv9oxx-enMI/AAAAAAAABl4/vQTLCf6h344/s320/100_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we moved up, the aspens disappeared entirely and gave way to pines...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0t7GYCq691E/Tv9oxt2joiI/AAAAAAAABl0/UVLgh77Oip0/s1600/100_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0t7GYCq691E/Tv9oxt2joiI/AAAAAAAABl0/UVLgh77Oip0/s320/100_0631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlVaSG6jxh4/Tv9oycldduI/AAAAAAAABmE/8I_MDino9Ok/s1600/100_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlVaSG6jxh4/Tv9oycldduI/AAAAAAAABmE/8I_MDino9Ok/s320/100_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">... and then the trees started to shrink and thin. I love the small, sometimes gnarled pines that cling to treeline -- they're some of the most beautiful and interesting trees in the forest! The hike up was a bit too steep for my snowshoes to handle and at one point I found myself crawling up the path. There was lots of exhausting floundering in the snow. It was lots of fun though!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hk4bej67Zk/Tv9o05F9iVI/AAAAAAAABmM/ik97YcHVS4Q/s1600/100_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hk4bej67Zk/Tv9o05F9iVI/AAAAAAAABmM/ik97YcHVS4Q/s320/100_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The views from the top were magnificent. We could see mountain ranges in Utah -- the Abajos, the La Sals, and even the distant Henrys, <a href="http://leavebeforethelightscome.blogspot.com/2010/10/trip-to-wilds-of-southeastern.html">where we'd traveled in November 2010</a>, to the west... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3ycnYMefhQ/Tv9o5OIUFDI/AAAAAAAABmk/pmQ7MblrIs0/s1600/100_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3ycnYMefhQ/Tv9o5OIUFDI/AAAAAAAABmk/pmQ7MblrIs0/s320/100_0635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then towards Lizard Head Pass...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOY0LP-vfrs/Tv9o7Oe0h5I/AAAAAAAABms/OhNLxs0qzNs/s1600/100_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOY0LP-vfrs/Tv9o7Oe0h5I/AAAAAAAABms/OhNLxs0qzNs/s320/100_0638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Towards the Wilson Group and the Wilson Plateau...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cluSNisl1Y8/Tv9o7ui_JyI/AAAAAAAABmw/hZAi8RCzeA4/s1600/100_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cluSNisl1Y8/Tv9o7ui_JyI/AAAAAAAABmw/hZAi8RCzeA4/s320/100_0637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tia1HXZ8-Ms/Tv9pIwA1AMI/AAAAAAAABnM/4ZRVaed7Fn0/s1600/100_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tia1HXZ8-Ms/Tv9pIwA1AMI/AAAAAAAABnM/4ZRVaed7Fn0/s320/100_0643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaME1Ic4IGs/Tv9pLEAQ0UI/AAAAAAAABnc/PcECcahEaMk/s1600/100_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KaME1Ic4IGs/Tv9pLEAQ0UI/AAAAAAAABnc/PcECcahEaMk/s320/100_0644.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And to more mountains in Utah as well as the Grand Mesa in Colorado. Those two skiers in the foreground were two pilots from the Salt Lake City area who shared our hut with us the first night. Unfortunately for them, it's been a low snow year so far, and the ground cover was quite scarce. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_NxPlVqyhA/Tv9pPxCu_vI/AAAAAAAABn0/iBmmRgKaY5k/s1600/100_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_NxPlVqyhA/Tv9pPxCu_vI/AAAAAAAABn0/iBmmRgKaY5k/s320/100_0647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1FLmX6yyvqc/Tv9pVu8sDDI/AAAAAAAABoM/191udKIFGsI/s1600/100_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1FLmX6yyvqc/Tv9pVu8sDDI/AAAAAAAABoM/191udKIFGsI/s320/100_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Coming back through the trees was amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8kkaXHJ-Ew/Tv9pfiv_g4I/AAAAAAAABo0/SKHcmHO5TlA/s1600/100_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8kkaXHJ-Ew/Tv9pfiv_g4I/AAAAAAAABo0/SKHcmHO5TlA/s320/100_0655.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QblYbtslxds/Tv9pkfVmXqI/AAAAAAAABpE/MLeX7i6MhEc/s1600/100_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QblYbtslxds/Tv9pkfVmXqI/AAAAAAAABpE/MLeX7i6MhEc/s320/100_0658.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze7xJfdLi6E/Tv9pkWciLuI/AAAAAAAABpQ/bv2JyGdOy8w/s1600/100_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze7xJfdLi6E/Tv9pkWciLuI/AAAAAAAABpQ/bv2JyGdOy8w/s320/100_0659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later that day, Nathan and I split some wood. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4fJi0t_PtQ/Tv9puE5xNJI/AAAAAAAABv0/LsPlThGaxH8/s1600/100_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K4fJi0t_PtQ/Tv9puE5xNJI/AAAAAAAABv0/LsPlThGaxH8/s320/100_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Action!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1emL80WLvQ/Tv9pvQVm9gI/AAAAAAAABpo/ChNgvjrc3Yc/s1600/100_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1emL80WLvQ/Tv9pvQVm9gI/AAAAAAAABpo/ChNgvjrc3Yc/s320/100_0662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4nwM4ymBkw/Tv9pxAuBXOI/AAAAAAAABpw/m4KT6XJCDQs/s1600/100_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4nwM4ymBkw/Tv9pxAuBXOI/AAAAAAAABpw/m4KT6XJCDQs/s320/100_0663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our snowshoes leaning against the hut.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLPbmE9kcOo/Tv9pzx9a_aI/AAAAAAAABp4/b20dgQrXjh8/s1600/100_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLPbmE9kcOo/Tv9pzx9a_aI/AAAAAAAABp4/b20dgQrXjh8/s320/100_0664.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's the front of the hut, with the propane tanks. The hut was small, with bunk beds, and could get incredibly warm with its wood-burning stove (as I discovered after giving Nathan unfettered access to the fuel). It was also interesting to observe all the ways that we were living our lives with as little impact as possible in the hut -- but how we still had to carry out our rubbish, because there was no way for it to create a little impact, so it just had to be taken elsewhere (to create an impact there). Staying in the hut made me think about sustainable lifestyles and the problem all human societies have had to deal with, i.e., what to do with the contents of the midden.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMypUkv5xiE/Tv9p85dV70I/AAAAAAAABqY/Ct3eTMzeCt0/s1600/100_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fMypUkv5xiE/Tv9p85dV70I/AAAAAAAABqY/Ct3eTMzeCt0/s320/100_0668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the path to the composting toilet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOfbRXHMnLg/Tv9p7ZXjy2I/AAAAAAAABqI/rlKI3pnkNAU/s1600/100_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOfbRXHMnLg/Tv9p7ZXjy2I/AAAAAAAABqI/rlKI3pnkNAU/s320/100_0666.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's another view from the front of the hut.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TuMLrGoMom0/Tv9p3hv0dQI/AAAAAAAABqA/WXkRkYmdJIA/s1600/100_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TuMLrGoMom0/Tv9p3hv0dQI/AAAAAAAABqA/WXkRkYmdJIA/s320/100_0665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pine needles are so... well, I've said it a lot, but... beautiful!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kt1eQ0WNhzU/Tv9p8MECYxI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ov_G1dxl-e0/s1600/100_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kt1eQ0WNhzU/Tv9p8MECYxI/AAAAAAAABqQ/ov_G1dxl-e0/s320/100_0669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Friday, we hiked back down from the hut. The pine trees gave way to aspens as we descended.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSGqc2s9y9s/Tv9qEl9chpI/AAAAAAAABqo/19nCtmjo4nI/s1600/100_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSGqc2s9y9s/Tv9qEl9chpI/AAAAAAAABqo/19nCtmjo4nI/s320/100_0671.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOh7sK2lvw/Tv9qGozau9I/AAAAAAAABqw/OMrVcgK9rXY/s1600/100_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tiOh7sK2lvw/Tv9qGozau9I/AAAAAAAABqw/OMrVcgK9rXY/s320/100_0672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTO7Rcng2U/Tv9qLAmxpHI/AAAAAAAABv4/BcLpKnvzxwA/s1600/100_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHTO7Rcng2U/Tv9qLAmxpHI/AAAAAAAABv4/BcLpKnvzxwA/s320/100_0675.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After loading our stuff into the car, we drove into Telluride. Here's a view of the airport, which is full of fancy aircraft and had some limousines parked out front. Later we met some kids on the gondola who were from New Jersey but whose parents owned a place there and who flew in "three or four times a year". Just to give you an idea of the usual clientele of this airport.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yah1viKs9AY/Tv9qKzpSv6I/AAAAAAAABq4/Uolfqe51Hrk/s1600/100_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yah1viKs9AY/Tv9qKzpSv6I/AAAAAAAABq4/Uolfqe51Hrk/s320/100_0674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWX3Ixy0iW0/Tv9qL8EnblI/AAAAAAAABrI/3YzqrjGy60Y/s1600/100_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BWX3Ixy0iW0/Tv9qL8EnblI/AAAAAAAABrI/3YzqrjGy60Y/s320/100_0673.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We drove through Telluride and out its other side. Here it is!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0I6b-HJei40/Tv9qREQ_tUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/HJxoyq4TCUg/s1600/100_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0I6b-HJei40/Tv9qREQ_tUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/HJxoyq4TCUg/s320/100_0676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a close up of frozen Bridal Veil Falls.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax40KWYonaE/Tv9qRtKsqZI/AAAAAAAABrY/-XJI1w6bMvU/s1600/100_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax40KWYonaE/Tv9qRtKsqZI/AAAAAAAABrY/-XJI1w6bMvU/s320/100_0677.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The south-facing part of the canyon was basically snow-free.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhCC_vQiiIQ/Tv9qSOTt-KI/AAAAAAAABrg/UzwDi428WqQ/s1600/100_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NhCC_vQiiIQ/Tv9qSOTt-KI/AAAAAAAABrg/UzwDi428WqQ/s320/100_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then parked in the main part of Telluride and went in search of food. Telluride is an interesting place, and they have little parking areas to park your doggie. I love places that are dog friendly! This adorable doggie was just hanging out on Telluride's main street, observing everything silently. Hooray for doggies!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6grPHoWjBbg/Tv9qXYzHfzI/AAAAAAAABrw/DbxQPsseq7s/s1600/100_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6grPHoWjBbg/Tv9qXYzHfzI/AAAAAAAABrw/DbxQPsseq7s/s320/100_0682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's Telluride's incredibly picturesque main street.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWgjZYhBQbU/Tv9qYDzWMfI/AAAAAAAABr4/KbyOnAO5kqA/s1600/100_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cWgjZYhBQbU/Tv9qYDzWMfI/AAAAAAAABr4/KbyOnAO5kqA/s320/100_0681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the San Miguel County Courthouse. I imagine they've seen some interesting crimes related in there, from the mining and labor union days to now, when all they probably hear about is how much blow the rich people in town are doing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn-sirTC1uU/Tv9qWjrX13I/AAAAAAAABro/7rwdbrHAKGc/s1600/100_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn-sirTC1uU/Tv9qWjrX13I/AAAAAAAABro/7rwdbrHAKGc/s320/100_0680.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We ate some delicious pizza in town and then headed to the gondola. Much like there's always money in the banana stand, there's always beautiful views from the gondola, no matter the season.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Flv3iU4bSII/Tv9qceH4rYI/AAAAAAAABsI/I0hyFyDcbh8/s1600/100_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Flv3iU4bSII/Tv9qceH4rYI/AAAAAAAABsI/I0hyFyDcbh8/s320/100_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbj4_s-jx6E/Tv9qanbeJSI/AAAAAAAABsA/itv4bkn3fdQ/s1600/100_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbj4_s-jx6E/Tv9qanbeJSI/AAAAAAAABsA/itv4bkn3fdQ/s320/100_0684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEIAwGp9IVI/Tv9qg8PBmiI/AAAAAAAABsY/NU6H7I9a6Gk/s1600/100_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEIAwGp9IVI/Tv9qg8PBmiI/AAAAAAAABsY/NU6H7I9a6Gk/s320/100_0686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMqDu-B5hSQ/Tv9qeTJkidI/AAAAAAAABsQ/zUdCxnp9MUQ/s1600/100_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMqDu-B5hSQ/Tv9qeTJkidI/AAAAAAAABsQ/zUdCxnp9MUQ/s320/100_0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a little detour on the way back to Denver and drove over Lizard Head Pass, seeing some beautiful mountains and lakes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1jzJSy8sc/Tv9qjCyDJUI/AAAAAAAABso/YIca2Uupxus/s1600/100_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1jzJSy8sc/Tv9qjCyDJUI/AAAAAAAABso/YIca2Uupxus/s320/100_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR3Pb4j7-q8/Tv9qnLIMyXI/AAAAAAAABsw/50IZsTuaBKs/s1600/100_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bR3Pb4j7-q8/Tv9qnLIMyXI/AAAAAAAABsw/50IZsTuaBKs/s320/100_0692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the sun set, we went past Mt Sneffels. Here it is from Dallas Divide. As we drove north towards Grand Junction and I-70, there was another spectacular sunset, and we could see Mt Sneffels surrounded by the fiery sky for nearly an hour. Just as it faded, we crested over the Grand Mesa. We arrived back in Denver four hours later after a nighttime ride through the winding canyons and open valleys of the Colorado Rockies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98AMuPb0280/Tv9qqb_9zRI/AAAAAAAABtE/BW6rfsPfxNQ/s1600/100_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98AMuPb0280/Tv9qqb_9zRI/AAAAAAAABtE/BW6rfsPfxNQ/s320/100_0703.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trip was a fantastic Christmas present that let me play outside in the snow with my favorite person, in one of my favorite places in the whole world! </div><br />
</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-23360227055205439822011-09-22T14:31:00.000-07:002011-09-22T14:31:28.280-07:00Final 14er of the summer: Mt Evans via Mt Spaulding with my Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On my last Friday of my time in Denver (for now), my dad and I wanted to climb Mt Evans. As I previously blogged about, we had climbed Mt Bierstadt a few weeks previously. During that hike, I had hoped to do my first Class 3 and cross the Sawtooth to also climb Evans. In retrospect that would have been terrible because our truck's battery died and it wound up taking us about six hours to solve that problem, so adding in a lot of time to hike Evans would have been a mistake. However, we still wanted to hike Evans before I left, so, with only three days remaining before I moved back to the UK, we set off on Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It had snowed above 12,000 ft or so the night before, so there was patchy snow when we arrived at the quite chilly trailhead. We had chosen a fairly easy route, to go over unofficial 13er Mt Spalding (13,842 ft -- but not prominent enough to count as its own mountain) and then descend down the Northeast Face. This was a short round trip of 5.41 miles (thanks mytracks!), with an elevation gain of 2,229 ft. Not counting breaks, it took us about 2:30 to do the hike. We did take a break on the summit of Evans and also got badly off course at one point due to the snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the trailhead at Summit Lake, we saw some baby mountain sheep! Disturbingly the only other people in the parking lot were some bow hunters, and they were also eyeing the sheep, albeit with a less, "How cute!" look.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4GrIvTLvco/TntiFIF4jwI/AAAAAAAABT0/iv_OA51yrGw/s1600/100_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s4GrIvTLvco/TntiFIF4jwI/AAAAAAAABT0/iv_OA51yrGw/s320/100_0489.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the view from Summit Lake:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drCU4zy2PYY/TntiIkgJf_I/AAAAAAAABT4/2OwVAEwXyys/s1600/100_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-drCU4zy2PYY/TntiIkgJf_I/AAAAAAAABT4/2OwVAEwXyys/s320/100_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started off up the side of Mt Spalding. The hike was initially quite steep, pushing up about 1000 ft very rapidly from the lake. The trail was also surprisingly hard to find, as we had figured this was a well-travelled route on one of the most popular 14ers. Here's the view to our left about halfway up this push. The summit of Evans is in the centre of the picture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg7TIDP-DV0/TntiMXiRufI/AAAAAAAABT8/RT6HUI_0HwY/s1600/100_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg7TIDP-DV0/TntiMXiRufI/AAAAAAAABT8/RT6HUI_0HwY/s320/100_0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99y0S052hYI/TntiRXk9D7I/AAAAAAAABUA/urpxZ_WIpBY/s1600/100_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-99y0S052hYI/TntiRXk9D7I/AAAAAAAABUA/urpxZ_WIpBY/s320/100_0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Approaching the Mt Spalding summit, things became very rocky, and we got to climb over some of them:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfe8Xf-OMgI/TntiXg4fbiI/AAAAAAAABUE/chrqZNDCH7E/s1600/100_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfe8Xf-OMgI/TntiXg4fbiI/AAAAAAAABUE/chrqZNDCH7E/s320/100_0493.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was an interesting couloir that had gathered a lot of snow on the saddle between Spalding and Evans:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CB4w9I1hecI/Tnticmg4h7I/AAAAAAAABUI/oOcAbyZM1Hw/s1600/100_0495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CB4w9I1hecI/Tnticmg4h7I/AAAAAAAABUI/oOcAbyZM1Hw/s320/100_0495.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the view from the summit of Spalding. The peaks in the right are Grays and Torreys. The clouds were pretty cool!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BS4KOIp_LMo/TntifpIzcpI/AAAAAAAABUM/X9N8OW2p4Yk/s1600/100_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BS4KOIp_LMo/TntifpIzcpI/AAAAAAAABUM/X9N8OW2p4Yk/s320/100_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking from Spalding back towards Evans:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGF_I86tJuM/TntilAQGD0I/AAAAAAAABUQ/sn7ew_SzHCw/s1600/100_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nGF_I86tJuM/TntilAQGD0I/AAAAAAAABUQ/sn7ew_SzHCw/s320/100_0498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking down at Summit Lake and towards the east (and Denver) as the sun rose:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5GztAd0M8/TntioQkK2pI/AAAAAAAABUU/mDI2gMeeShU/s1600/100_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ah5GztAd0M8/TntioQkK2pI/AAAAAAAABUU/mDI2gMeeShU/s320/100_0499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from the saddle between Spalding and Evans:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6R77q9kadMI/TntirpKRbTI/AAAAAAAABUY/J2V0PsF-Wx8/s1600/100_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6R77q9kadMI/TntirpKRbTI/AAAAAAAABUY/J2V0PsF-Wx8/s320/100_0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, there were a few inches of fresh snow on the ground. This was actually quite nice to walk on -- not deep enough to get the feet wet, but soft enough to cushion the rocks. Here's a view back towards the rocky summit of Spalding from the low point of the saddle:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2ioZe1pYLM/TntiyAoLDmI/AAAAAAAABUc/02Tr_7eZUl8/s1600/100_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2ioZe1pYLM/TntiyAoLDmI/AAAAAAAABUc/02Tr_7eZUl8/s320/100_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mountain on the left here is Mt Bierstadt. We saw about four people on its summit as we hiked past it, which was definitely a change from when we'd hiked it a few weeks ago, when we counted nearly 60 people up there with us. It seemed like the turn into September had ended many people's climbing seasons. We also only encountered two other people on Evans, who were doing the same route as we were. We passed them shortly after the saddle and then met them again on our way back down from the summit; they were a father and son team. You can also see part of the Sawtooth connecting Bierstadt and Evans to the right.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8paBwCHDHM/Tnti0oblCvI/AAAAAAAABUg/A-Ec7-WklNY/s1600/100_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8paBwCHDHM/Tnti0oblCvI/AAAAAAAABUg/A-Ec7-WklNY/s320/100_0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below is a snow-covered cairn. From the saddle, we had to cross a briefly exciting drop off and then start to actually climb our way over large boulders. The two hikers who had been in front of us were ahead, and higher up, but we saw some cairns indicating we shouldn't head up -- we should stick to the south side of the mountain and head along the trail there. The snow made finding and sticking to the trail somewhat more difficult than we might have liked, but after a while we found the footprints of some dog -- or coyote, maybe, because there were no accompanying human footprints -- and followed those for quite some time. They faithfully kept to the trail, so we figured our canine friend was taking the path of least resistance. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50tctxByZFM/Tnti3Ku7JkI/AAAAAAAABUk/BQ5L7wak-IM/s1600/100_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50tctxByZFM/Tnti3Ku7JkI/AAAAAAAABUk/BQ5L7wak-IM/s320/100_0505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a better view of the Sawtooth from higher up on Evans:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZF_0BhprRc/Tnti64m_C0I/AAAAAAAABUo/Eys20VS7cFM/s1600/100_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bZF_0BhprRc/Tnti64m_C0I/AAAAAAAABUo/Eys20VS7cFM/s320/100_0506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my dad on the summit of Evans! 14,264 ft! Note his stylish hiking attire.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WHXqH2SoDU/Tnti9Dex0fI/AAAAAAAABUs/JLqv6z_VNAI/s1600/100_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6WHXqH2SoDU/Tnti9Dex0fI/AAAAAAAABUs/JLqv6z_VNAI/s320/100_0507.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am, also wearing my stylish hiking attire (including purple Rockies hat over blue fleece hood):</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhBsYoroEtc/Tnti-9M7_AI/AAAAAAAABUw/xpLUqV1b4_o/s1600/100_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhBsYoroEtc/Tnti-9M7_AI/AAAAAAAABUw/xpLUqV1b4_o/s320/100_0508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's looking northeast from the summit, towards Longs Peak:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bSMmUaAau0/TntjB6irVeI/AAAAAAAABU0/8SkHT0mdVIM/s1600/100_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bSMmUaAau0/TntjB6irVeI/AAAAAAAABU0/8SkHT0mdVIM/s320/100_0510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we descended the Northeast Face, which was slippery, steep, and short. The snow melting was not helpful for us and we had to choose our steps very carefully. Finally, we made it back to Summit Lake:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yM5mhkeIzA/TntjFAO7alI/AAAAAAAABU4/tOpySgOHmIs/s1600/100_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yM5mhkeIzA/TntjFAO7alI/AAAAAAAABU4/tOpySgOHmIs/s320/100_0514.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSCxsfsKHAk/TntjHgWv1DI/AAAAAAAABU8/t6QgFuR2blI/s1600/100_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MSCxsfsKHAk/TntjHgWv1DI/AAAAAAAABU8/t6QgFuR2blI/s320/100_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d94kWyWNujE/TntjKji-fkI/AAAAAAAABVA/FPHU-bByiVs/s1600/100_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d94kWyWNujE/TntjKji-fkI/AAAAAAAABVA/FPHU-bByiVs/s320/100_0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the highest paved road in North America, now closed for the season from Summit Lake due to snow:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPr-XQMhzIc/TntjNvGpl2I/AAAAAAAABVE/I4KoUBEzwnE/s1600/100_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPr-XQMhzIc/TntjNvGpl2I/AAAAAAAABVE/I4KoUBEzwnE/s320/100_0518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the time we made it back to our truck, a number of people had arrived to take pictures and short hikes around the area. However, we did not encounter anyone else climbing up Mt Evans. It was interesting to have a 14er -- and a popular, in the Front Range one at that -- almost entirely to ourselves. All in all a really nice, short hike, with beautiful scenery and just enough challenge in finding the route to make it interesting.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkQPZBeWu3o/TntjR2JzA1I/AAAAAAAABVI/RekPs7S8k0k/s1600/100_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkQPZBeWu3o/TntjR2JzA1I/AAAAAAAABVI/RekPs7S8k0k/s320/100_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-76425781802803071422011-09-21T10:24:00.000-07:002011-09-21T15:24:40.652-07:00Mt Sneffels is a long hike, makes me cry like a child, remains the greatest mountain ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My single goal for this summer -- nay, this year, or this lifetime -- was to climb Mt Sneffels, the most beautiful, distinct mountain in the world. As you can see from the 10,000 pictures I took of it, which are displayed below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGDgkIFs5Z8/Tmg3s9kdCOI/AAAAAAAABQ0/yxTYl0ItoxE/s1600/100_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VGDgkIFs5Z8/Tmg3s9kdCOI/AAAAAAAABQ0/yxTYl0ItoxE/s320/100_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qqSP-ZbLqE/Tmg3wcnoOEI/AAAAAAAABQ4/2EVekp0-Dck/s1600/100_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8qqSP-ZbLqE/Tmg3wcnoOEI/AAAAAAAABQ4/2EVekp0-Dck/s320/100_0338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5wqBR4wLpI/Tmg3yjjrF2I/AAAAAAAABQ8/UpOcTdrRA48/s1600/100_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a5wqBR4wLpI/Tmg3yjjrF2I/AAAAAAAABQ8/UpOcTdrRA48/s320/100_0341.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Early on Sunday morning over the Labor Day weekend, we set off into the Mt Sneffels Wilderness. We were going up the Blue Lakes Trail and then up the Southwest Ridge, which was going to be my first Class 3 route. This path was longer than the usual Yankee Boy Basin approach, but, having been up the other to about 13,000 ft, I think that Blue Lakes was much prettier and well worth it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZIHXyOktQ0/Tmg32DqmQjI/AAAAAAAABRA/Vlgc7O9dDVo/s1600/100_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZIHXyOktQ0/Tmg32DqmQjI/AAAAAAAABRA/Vlgc7O9dDVo/s320/100_0348.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's some shots from the trail up.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbnRgFLamvs/Tmg36u40nqI/AAAAAAAABRE/WqEO4LhJpd8/s1600/100_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbnRgFLamvs/Tmg36u40nqI/AAAAAAAABRE/WqEO4LhJpd8/s320/100_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Summer was clearly on its way out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwbgBqfSEzs/Tmg3-P91s5I/AAAAAAAABRI/Q25MIzmFwP8/s1600/100_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwbgBqfSEzs/Tmg3-P91s5I/AAAAAAAABRI/Q25MIzmFwP8/s320/100_0370.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDb-imhjA_Q/Tmg4En_Cu6I/AAAAAAAABRM/ji-k3u-jmeo/s1600/100_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDb-imhjA_Q/Tmg4En_Cu6I/AAAAAAAABRM/ji-k3u-jmeo/s320/100_0371.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsKfi57gx5M/Tmg4MC2aCXI/AAAAAAAABRQ/HkWGfNRZrhA/s1600/100_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsKfi57gx5M/Tmg4MC2aCXI/AAAAAAAABRQ/HkWGfNRZrhA/s320/100_0374.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kT39q99PEbQ/Tmg4SRDyjSI/AAAAAAAABRU/aHRUOpJhbv0/s1600/100_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kT39q99PEbQ/Tmg4SRDyjSI/AAAAAAAABRU/aHRUOpJhbv0/s320/100_0375.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCkYisyosCM/Tmg4YZlHdHI/AAAAAAAABRY/fD-M37pl15c/s1600/100_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCkYisyosCM/Tmg4YZlHdHI/AAAAAAAABRY/fD-M37pl15c/s320/100_0377.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7bU7hh-6UpQ/Tmg4fFfMYlI/AAAAAAAABRc/fpzSfmzgBXQ/s1600/100_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7bU7hh-6UpQ/Tmg4fFfMYlI/AAAAAAAABRc/fpzSfmzgBXQ/s320/100_0385.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, there were still some wildflowers to be seen.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tW26I7-zsHM/Tmg4jVxtcLI/AAAAAAAABRg/g2dN5xLK3Ug/s1600/100_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tW26I7-zsHM/Tmg4jVxtcLI/AAAAAAAABRg/g2dN5xLK3Ug/s320/100_0391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's Lower Blue Lake, the bluest of the lakes by far.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXIsj9mkGsM/Tmg4nS83zSI/AAAAAAAABRk/qplv2ROyvlM/s1600/100_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXIsj9mkGsM/Tmg4nS83zSI/AAAAAAAABRk/qplv2ROyvlM/s320/100_0397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeDVlbejHE0/Tmg4uQslXeI/AAAAAAAABRo/XCHY1DcGFD4/s1600/100_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zeDVlbejHE0/Tmg4uQslXeI/AAAAAAAABRo/XCHY1DcGFD4/s320/100_0399.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the uppermost, where Nathan and I stopped to have some lunch.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsRmJJEUpBQ/Tmg4z24KXWI/AAAAAAAABRs/zbhT5u-yI9I/s1600/100_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CsRmJJEUpBQ/Tmg4z24KXWI/AAAAAAAABRs/zbhT5u-yI9I/s320/100_0400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hfZOaXUhhI/Tmg46u85tYI/AAAAAAAABRw/l_EiGbCYcNs/s1600/100_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hfZOaXUhhI/Tmg46u85tYI/AAAAAAAABRw/l_EiGbCYcNs/s320/100_0402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we began a switchback ascent up the side of the mountain, passing from a beautiful field of wildflowers into barren scree as we gained altitude.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qalvZqHcn-0/Tmg5CIIisSI/AAAAAAAABR0/1T4H09iNccE/s1600/100_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qalvZqHcn-0/Tmg5CIIisSI/AAAAAAAABR0/1T4H09iNccE/s320/100_0405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcJAAWlkM2E/Tmg5I8iwkBI/AAAAAAAABR4/X-IGd2PH7t8/s1600/100_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CcJAAWlkM2E/Tmg5I8iwkBI/AAAAAAAABR4/X-IGd2PH7t8/s320/100_0406.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRQI4ec9IHg/Tmg5QQRHxjI/AAAAAAAABR8/_39lXfh2owI/s1600/100_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wRQI4ec9IHg/Tmg5QQRHxjI/AAAAAAAABR8/_39lXfh2owI/s320/100_0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All around were views of the rugged Sneffels Range, which is an igneous intrusion into the western San Juans. These mountains are primarily made of crumbling rock.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKTcQy4Ou78/Tmg5VMIPlVI/AAAAAAAABSA/0ETf5pvJoK4/s1600/100_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKTcQy4Ou78/Tmg5VMIPlVI/AAAAAAAABSA/0ETf5pvJoK4/s320/100_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the saddle looking down in Yankee Boy Basin, this was our route up the Southwest Ridge. At this point I was feeling very good about the hike, having just made good time up from the Upper Blue Lake. I figured Class 3 couldn't be too hard, right? Or else they would have called it Class 4?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtzMmQNICRs/Tmg5cl81oKI/AAAAAAAABSE/HzaU9X-99xk/s1600/100_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtzMmQNICRs/Tmg5cl81oKI/AAAAAAAABSE/HzaU9X-99xk/s320/100_0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out I was wrong, and Class 3 was HARD. The rock was crumbling and prone to tumbling down the mountainside, and the slopes were steep. Class 3 means some actual climbing. One portion really freaked me out and I had to take a quick breather afterwards and calm down a bit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9pPeae5njk/Tmg5jGhUiPI/AAAAAAAABSI/fKcqt35peDM/s1600/100_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O9pPeae5njk/Tmg5jGhUiPI/AAAAAAAABSI/fKcqt35peDM/s320/100_0424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we came upon this formation, which is known as the kissing camels. I dunno if they really look like camels...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aj5gTSc2ag/Tmg5o-L0lVI/AAAAAAAABSM/slJoR5zuzbY/s1600/100_0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5aj5gTSc2ag/Tmg5o-L0lVI/AAAAAAAABSM/slJoR5zuzbY/s320/100_0426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nathan standing by the kissing camels.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1_JYaPRn4g/Tmg5uc0Mj-I/AAAAAAAABSQ/MZ7f653OZB0/s1600/100_0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u1_JYaPRn4g/Tmg5uc0Mj-I/AAAAAAAABSQ/MZ7f653OZB0/s320/100_0427.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next portion of the climb was very exposed, meaning that there was a big drop off behind me at all times. At one point we came to a small portion where there was a big drop off on either side, and I hit a huge psychological barrier. For a few minutes, I wasn't even sure if I could make myself go across it -- but as Nathan pointed out, it would be a lot harder to go back than to go on. Watching four other climbers go across this portion also helped. So by crawling on my hands and knees and clinging to this rock for dear life, I made it across, and after that nothing else about the climb seemed scary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's some views from the summit! Looking down to the Blue Lakes: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zeb65OQ3Goc/Tmg5zxeqDbI/AAAAAAAABSU/7iJihzaXusQ/s1600/100_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zeb65OQ3Goc/Tmg5zxeqDbI/AAAAAAAABSU/7iJihzaXusQ/s320/100_0428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking towards the Wilsons (other 14ers) to the right and the slopes of Telluride to the left:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POkIiowYnAc/Tmg54ZOs2uI/AAAAAAAABSY/Ddv3TUdPFtE/s1600/100_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POkIiowYnAc/Tmg54ZOs2uI/AAAAAAAABSY/Ddv3TUdPFtE/s320/100_0429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking north, towards 13ers Potosi and Teakettle:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MVZJg83s-o/Tmg596Je6LI/AAAAAAAABSc/J-h5oCDnGg0/s1600/100_0430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MVZJg83s-o/Tmg596Je6LI/AAAAAAAABSc/J-h5oCDnGg0/s320/100_0430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above the Blue Lakes, there is another 13er, this one being Dallas Peak:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMIrlIq4k5w/Tmg6DWhF0sI/AAAAAAAABSg/8IM0he3VBDQ/s1600/100_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IMIrlIq4k5w/Tmg6DWhF0sI/AAAAAAAABSg/8IM0he3VBDQ/s320/100_0432.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are at the top.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IGUrGCYVj4/Tmg6IyxxowI/AAAAAAAABSk/VeD9TX4DPSM/s1600/100_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3IGUrGCYVj4/Tmg6IyxxowI/AAAAAAAABSk/VeD9TX4DPSM/s320/100_0433.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, we started our descent. Here's Nathan about to go back down a Class 3 climb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fp4G1EfltEg/Tmg6UrK9g5I/AAAAAAAABSs/X09ikq0ni2A/s1600/100_0438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fp4G1EfltEg/Tmg6UrK9g5I/AAAAAAAABSs/X09ikq0ni2A/s320/100_0438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahdfpEpxhyw/Tmg6bAkjXLI/AAAAAAAABSw/rNEUIz4CiA8/s1600/100_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahdfpEpxhyw/Tmg6bAkjXLI/AAAAAAAABSw/rNEUIz4CiA8/s320/100_0440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking down the rocky couloir towards Lavender Col:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEwfwI7b5fo/Tmg6hCyIRHI/AAAAAAAABS0/Zq8J9z_WoBQ/s1600/100_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEwfwI7b5fo/Tmg6hCyIRHI/AAAAAAAABS0/Zq8J9z_WoBQ/s320/100_0442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from Lavender Col starting down into Blaine Basin:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9aiDcr-BTw/Tmg6npWDN2I/AAAAAAAABS4/5zHL3wiJpeI/s1600/100_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i9aiDcr-BTw/Tmg6npWDN2I/AAAAAAAABS4/5zHL3wiJpeI/s320/100_0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view back up the couloir:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvf9mB5alVo/Tmg6vEPzt4I/AAAAAAAABS8/JUt2qSXqLxs/s1600/100_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvf9mB5alVo/Tmg6vEPzt4I/AAAAAAAABS8/JUt2qSXqLxs/s320/100_0448.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The views descending into Blaine Basin were amazing, but descending was difficult due to shifting rocks and steep slopes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TPHg86IX74/Tmg61arWxMI/AAAAAAAABTA/5XCicragIVQ/s1600/100_0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TPHg86IX74/Tmg61arWxMI/AAAAAAAABTA/5XCicragIVQ/s320/100_0450.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM7J1Z_nBRs/Tmg67zFLpnI/AAAAAAAABTE/Cb7CeCmYiJg/s1600/100_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kM7J1Z_nBRs/Tmg67zFLpnI/AAAAAAAABTE/Cb7CeCmYiJg/s320/100_0452.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking back up the descent:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8euh5FSfbM/Tmg7EB8s3KI/AAAAAAAABTI/kkf1idK2eY0/s1600/100_0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8euh5FSfbM/Tmg7EB8s3KI/AAAAAAAABTI/kkf1idK2eY0/s320/100_0453.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once in Blaine Basin, we found ourselves on a rock glacier that also wasn't very much fun for walking. However, there were beautiful columbines, only a little bit tattered:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL7So53pUSk/Tmg7IatQZ0I/AAAAAAAABTM/XlMY7alDaiw/s1600/100_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OL7So53pUSk/Tmg7IatQZ0I/AAAAAAAABTM/XlMY7alDaiw/s320/100_0455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is looking back at the rock glacier:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BqVCKA-Ydc/Tmg7NyuQRNI/AAAAAAAABTQ/iiLfyQSHD6U/s1600/100_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7BqVCKA-Ydc/Tmg7NyuQRNI/AAAAAAAABTQ/iiLfyQSHD6U/s320/100_0459.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally we got off the rocks and descended back below treeline. It had taken us nearly 12 hours to go 11 miles. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pr83fT6Ax_o/Tmg7VkkSvaI/AAAAAAAABTU/Y9PrdkmagRI/s1600/100_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pr83fT6Ax_o/Tmg7VkkSvaI/AAAAAAAABTU/Y9PrdkmagRI/s320/100_0463.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was also a beautiful aspen grove.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J7uktIRHT0/Tmg7fQnSM2I/AAAAAAAABTY/b5PKHEYWiHw/s1600/100_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5J7uktIRHT0/Tmg7fQnSM2I/AAAAAAAABTY/b5PKHEYWiHw/s320/100_0473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGbCOy8JYZw/Tmg7lFkhswI/AAAAAAAABTc/t0sVUce5Z9I/s1600/100_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QGbCOy8JYZw/Tmg7lFkhswI/AAAAAAAABTc/t0sVUce5Z9I/s320/100_0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnRoIwAP3Uk/Tmg7pZIAVLI/AAAAAAAABTg/islCU1UmcjQ/s1600/100_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnRoIwAP3Uk/Tmg7pZIAVLI/AAAAAAAABTg/islCU1UmcjQ/s320/100_0476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We fell asleep almost immediately after returning from the hike. The next morning we took some photos of Mt Sneffels from different angles and then went to Telluride. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCHJaewvkGU/Tmg7vam3CLI/AAAAAAAABTk/bUZsbPA3iZU/s1600/100_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCHJaewvkGU/Tmg7vam3CLI/AAAAAAAABTk/bUZsbPA3iZU/s320/100_0479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ySAS7yfibU/Tmg716ZiynI/AAAAAAAABTo/rC03oaEMrEM/s1600/100_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0ySAS7yfibU/Tmg716ZiynI/AAAAAAAABTo/rC03oaEMrEM/s320/100_0484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The addendum to this story is that three weeks later, this is what this area looks like: <a href="http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=11051">http://14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=11051</a></div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-26662041642787483492011-08-27T12:17:00.000-07:002011-08-27T12:20:21.764-07:00Madison and Chi-Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our second, considerably less epic road trip of the year was to Madison, WI and then Chicago, IL. It was like 14 hours each way. No big.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh wait, that was 14 hours through the most boring scenery on the face of the planet, and the worst state in the entire Union. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The most notable topography on the entire journey was the disappearance of the Rockies somewhere around Ft Morgan and their reappearance, three days later, again somewhere around Ft Morgan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's some pretty industry in Julesberg, CO, just over the state line from Nebraska. We stopped here to get gas as the sun was starting to get into the sky.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRo9XtzQhE/Tlk9gGhCI9I/AAAAAAAABOk/AXnovCyrv5U/s1600/100_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRo9XtzQhE/Tlk9gGhCI9I/AAAAAAAABOk/AXnovCyrv5U/s320/100_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8PvDNPhkUk/Tlk9jD8NwXI/AAAAAAAABOo/NYZGiVoDVVI/s1600/100_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O8PvDNPhkUk/Tlk9jD8NwXI/AAAAAAAABOo/NYZGiVoDVVI/s320/100_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started off taking pictures of state signs but by the soul-crushing end of Nebraska, 300 miles later, I just didn't care, so this is the last state sign you'll see. And Nebraska = way nicer than anything that came after it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Much like on our last trip, we followed Louis and Clark, on this one we followed the Oregon Trail. Luckily, no one died of cholera. I did, however, get a speeding ticket in Iowa. God, what an awful state. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NabDSAQMYvM/Tlk9mg8DP8I/AAAAAAAABOs/TULO5LY23ag/s1600/100_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NabDSAQMYvM/Tlk9mg8DP8I/AAAAAAAABOs/TULO5LY23ag/s320/100_0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That evening we arrived in Madison. The town itself is very pretty, and reminded us a lot of Boulder -- college town, obviously liberal, lots of bicycles... Except unlike Boulder, it has some very pretty lakes.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1Z2bqyb0p8/Tlk9qrAVwSI/AAAAAAAABOw/JqLV8iW7DTU/s1600/100_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1Z2bqyb0p8/Tlk9qrAVwSI/AAAAAAAABOw/JqLV8iW7DTU/s320/100_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbZIReE98oo/Tlk9tr3RB3I/AAAAAAAABO0/t87LFVGNJuY/s1600/100_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbZIReE98oo/Tlk9tr3RB3I/AAAAAAAABO0/t87LFVGNJuY/s320/100_0297.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQFsC7Mqkog/Tlk9wu1mzDI/AAAAAAAABO4/HZIytRepHX4/s1600/100_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pQFsC7Mqkog/Tlk9wu1mzDI/AAAAAAAABO4/HZIytRepHX4/s320/100_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also unlike Boulder, it has crushing humidity.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5NRAZprAbc/Tlk90nh4yKI/AAAAAAAABO8/WABvcFlivFI/s1600/100_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5NRAZprAbc/Tlk90nh4yKI/AAAAAAAABO8/WABvcFlivFI/s320/100_0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This view is looking up State Street towards the capitol building, where Scott Walker was ensconced in his evil lair. Becca showed us around State Street and the University campus, including her office, and we saw many cool and cute shops and ate some Thai food. We also briefly lost the car keys, which would have been xdisastrousx, but luckily a nice couple found them on the beer terrace at the university and the day was saved. That night we went out for a bar crawl and enjoyed Wisconsin's famous beer. Or, I should say, I enjoyed it, and Nathan drank lots of rum and orange juice and Becca drank lots of gin and tonic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning, Nathan and I drove to Chicago. The drive should have been quite short, but traffic meant that it took forever. I was getting hungrier and hungrier and crankier and crankier and by the time we made it to Maeve's place (where, though she was out of town, she was very kindly letting us stay), my hunger was sitting right around "homicidal". This was our first view of Chicago, through a rainstorm.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFW8PZfoVHY/Tlk93XXIruI/AAAAAAAABPA/2i8ijlNhw-w/s1600/100_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wFW8PZfoVHY/Tlk93XXIruI/AAAAAAAABPA/2i8ijlNhw-w/s320/100_0300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We met up with Devin once we got there and he showed us around the city. Here we are about to take the "Loop" on the El. The "Loop" is very cool because, since it is elevated, you see all sorts of cool views of the big buildings of downtown. Chicago reminded me, more than any other city, of New York in terms of age, big buildings, and close space. Also: size. Chicago is HUGE!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KMYQ6b3fj4/Tlk97YF_HmI/AAAAAAAABPE/WehVW-CqR8U/s1600/100_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KMYQ6b3fj4/Tlk97YF_HmI/AAAAAAAABPE/WehVW-CqR8U/s320/100_0303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qe0ZYTUzLV0/Tlk9_65PX4I/AAAAAAAABPI/9vkTHFACUdw/s1600/100_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qe0ZYTUzLV0/Tlk9_65PX4I/AAAAAAAABPI/9vkTHFACUdw/s320/100_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took the El to a stop near downtown and then walked over to the Field Museum. Here's the view looking back towards town.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv6dBagXum8/Tlk-D5lftdI/AAAAAAAABPM/Eb8RTAABvgs/s1600/100_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uv6dBagXum8/Tlk-D5lftdI/AAAAAAAABPM/Eb8RTAABvgs/s320/100_0306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside the Field Museum, Devin and Nathan show off their best T-Rex poses with Sue, the famous T-Rex.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l13yks1XwPQ/Tlk-He2UDsI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Sy4igSIpOZc/s1600/100_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l13yks1XwPQ/Tlk-He2UDsI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Sy4igSIpOZc/s320/100_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the museum closed, we walked along the shore of Lake Michigan a bit and saw some absurd party boats before Devin took us to see The Bean, which sounds stupid -- it's a big reflective surface -- but actually... it's pretty awesome. I can't really explain why. Here's Devin in front of it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et78FQ9v8kw/Tlk-LFvo3vI/AAAAAAAABPU/OAjbQcgdiow/s1600/100_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Et78FQ9v8kw/Tlk-LFvo3vI/AAAAAAAABPU/OAjbQcgdiow/s320/100_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, we went to a bar and met Nathan's friend from college, Rachel. We hung out and they caught up for a while before parting ways. Devin took us to Hancock Tower. Here's the view from the base, a cool old church.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmeJ26BylqI/Tlk-NfN4RxI/AAAAAAAABPY/GYV8OAyNFOk/s1600/100_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zmeJ26BylqI/Tlk-NfN4RxI/AAAAAAAABPY/GYV8OAyNFOk/s320/100_0313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's the view from the top! I took this photo with my cell phone from the ladies' bathroom, which had really magnificent views. Apparently the mens' bathroom just has walls, no windows. Sad!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxVxqXUHwsc/Tlk-SV_e8YI/AAAAAAAABPg/_2x78nH4DCA/s1600/IMG_20110820_201720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxVxqXUHwsc/Tlk-SV_e8YI/AAAAAAAABPg/_2x78nH4DCA/s320/IMG_20110820_201720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After having cocktails there, we went and ate delicious pizza and bruschetta before Devin showed us the mansion (like, really, it's a mansion) where he and a lot of the other people working on the Obama campaign are temporarily living. We met the owner and her daughter and their various pets, including two incredibly cute golden retrievers, and then sadly had to leave. From there it was a taxi ride back to Maeve's apartment, where we fell asleep, exhausted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day, we drove back to Denver -- whirlwind trip! -- and the only thing I found notable to take a picture of in 14 hours of driving was the Mississippi River. Which was pretty big. But man, the Midwest is boring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QJz_P8wZzI/Tlk-PbLhGaI/AAAAAAAABPc/68yQZiOSA0w/s1600/100_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QJz_P8wZzI/Tlk-PbLhGaI/AAAAAAAABPc/68yQZiOSA0w/s1600/100_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QJz_P8wZzI/Tlk-PbLhGaI/AAAAAAAABPc/68yQZiOSA0w/s320/100_0315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, it was fantastic to see Becca and Devin, as well as to meet Rachel. I'm just sad Maeve wasn't there that weekend or things would have been perfect! Thanks to everyone who showed us around and gave us a place to stay. </div><br />
Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-18136853541971557202011-08-27T10:51:00.000-07:002011-08-27T10:51:53.558-07:00Mt Bierstadt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two weekends ago, my dad and I climbed Mt Bierstadt (14,060 ft), one of the easiest 14ers in the state. We had planned to climb the Bierstadt-Evans combo over a narrow ridge called the Sawtooth, but my dad took one look at it (which is a Class 3 hike), and said no way, so we just did Bierstadt. This turned out to be lucky because when we got back to the parking lot, our truck's battery was completely dead and trying to leave was quite an ordeal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is sunrise, as we started the hike from the parking lot at the top of Guanella Pass. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TEe4VDR9pI/TlkSdxMorHI/AAAAAAAABNg/xdHljFAe09M/s1600/100_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TEe4VDR9pI/TlkSdxMorHI/AAAAAAAABNg/xdHljFAe09M/s320/100_0264.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FcGRkppy88A/TlkShCMdfaI/AAAAAAAABNk/67X9e4792XY/s1600/100_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FcGRkppy88A/TlkShCMdfaI/AAAAAAAABNk/67X9e4792XY/s320/100_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we've already crossed the marshy area known as "The Willows", which some helpful people from the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative thoughtfully built a boardwalk over. This is very lucky, because we could see thick, deep mud everywhere that wasn't the boardwalk. We also were lucky enough to see a fairly large (seven-eight) group of moose, including a young one, drinking water in the lake down there. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HrSir7_YH_w/TlkSj8VujjI/AAAAAAAABNo/21Us3kax8wY/s1600/100_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HrSir7_YH_w/TlkSj8VujjI/AAAAAAAABNo/21Us3kax8wY/s320/100_0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here, the sun has fully come up and we are at about 12,750 ft. You can see lots of people on the trail -- it was a Saturday morning, Bierstadt is only an hour or so from Denver, and it's known as one of the very easiest 14ers. So naturally there were a ton of people there. There were also a lot of people who were very overweight, or who were dressed terribly for hiking, or who were clearly very out of shape. One woman who we passed was insisting that she was going to throw up and another woman who I would describe as almost certainly obese in terms of BMI who left the parking lot at the same time as us was still below this point coming up when we were on our way back down. We saw many examples of people hiking who absolutely should not have been. Even though the hike is easy, it seems as if people are unprepared for altitude or for the chance of some weather event happening. Luckily the day remained gorgeous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I should also note that we saw a ton of adorable dogs, including a very placid looking yellow lab retriever puppy in someone's backpack. ADORABLE.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMwVSsP6NQ0/TlkSoJzXSYI/AAAAAAAABNs/ms40EmcTikE/s1600/100_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OMwVSsP6NQ0/TlkSoJzXSYI/AAAAAAAABNs/ms40EmcTikE/s320/100_0271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the view towards Evans from the summit of Bierstadt. Mt Evans is the first 14er I was ever on top of, as the highest paved road in North America goes to the top and my family used to drive up there regularly. I still haven't hiked it, sadly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we were sitting on the summit, we saw a flight for life helicopter come from the west (to the left/behind us in this photo), swoop along the ridge of Evans, and then hop over the summit. It was awesome. Later I learned from 14ers.com that someone had gotten badly dehydrated on the Sawtooth and people had called the helicopter for him to be rescued, but that the rescuers never found him (and that he made it down safely). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PooJKlgtHOs/TlkSu1cT4MI/AAAAAAAABNw/CTs8CCGS5HE/s1600/100_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PooJKlgtHOs/TlkSu1cT4MI/AAAAAAAABNw/CTs8CCGS5HE/s320/100_0273.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a view to the south from the summit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QM9vUDK6lZU/TlkSzyON_bI/AAAAAAAABN0/JcplnmSCT2Y/s1600/100_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QM9vUDK6lZU/TlkSzyON_bI/AAAAAAAABN0/JcplnmSCT2Y/s320/100_0274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my dad on the summit, showing off the camelbak I gave him for Father's Day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2RnX2RVyHI/TlkS5xPw8rI/AAAAAAAABN4/7iw_TuatXVU/s1600/100_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2RnX2RVyHI/TlkS5xPw8rI/AAAAAAAABN4/7iw_TuatXVU/s320/100_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While on the summit we also overheard a really idiotic conversation from a group of guys who clearly fancied themselves tough and knowledgeable mountain men. First they talked about how they "totally could have cut off their arms" if they were in an Aron Rallston, 127 Hours-type situation. Uh huh. Then they started talking about tall mountains and one of them declared with absolute certainty that Mt Elbert is the highest mountain in America. First: Denali is 6000 ft taller. Second: Mt Elbert isn't even the highest mountain in the lower 48. Third: You're loud and dumb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here I am, laughing at them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeNPO6qt3e8/TlkS-UyrABI/AAAAAAAABN8/3osz5OwWMcU/s1600/100_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeNPO6qt3e8/TlkS-UyrABI/AAAAAAAABN8/3osz5OwWMcU/s320/100_0276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the view down the Sawtooth towards Evans. Everyone has told me that it looks a lot scarier than it really is. I was excited to do it as I found Bierstadt to be a REALLY easy hike and was looking for more of a challenge. However, my dad was eyeing the ridge and was absolutely not feeling it, so we headed back down Bierstadt.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fAlNn9k8RU/TlkTDOH9clI/AAAAAAAABOA/2ALfe7jqlyY/s1600/100_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fAlNn9k8RU/TlkTDOH9clI/AAAAAAAABOA/2ALfe7jqlyY/s320/100_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the view looking back towards the Sawtooth. Bierstadt summit is to the right. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27HLkoJZy7w/TlkTHS02tBI/AAAAAAAABOE/YminJ2goC5A/s1600/100_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27HLkoJZy7w/TlkTHS02tBI/AAAAAAAABOE/YminJ2goC5A/s320/100_0280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a better view of the Sawtooth.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrpsfF1J3U0/TlkTOfS9FuI/AAAAAAAABOI/309rYhQ7K5Y/s1600/100_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrpsfF1J3U0/TlkTOfS9FuI/AAAAAAAABOI/309rYhQ7K5Y/s320/100_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MCZ-dC-gLc/TlkTSFAutUI/AAAAAAAABOM/1PvPhrUWrV4/s1600/100_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7MCZ-dC-gLc/TlkTSFAutUI/AAAAAAAABOM/1PvPhrUWrV4/s320/100_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking north towards Longs Peak and Mt Meeker.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IpfW4bQ0QU/TlkTW-LTq9I/AAAAAAAABOQ/9ChQXzaVg-o/s1600/100_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1IpfW4bQ0QU/TlkTW-LTq9I/AAAAAAAABOQ/9ChQXzaVg-o/s320/100_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some cool rock in the parking lot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehvqp6eOBGU/TlkTcFgQQPI/AAAAAAAABOU/8Cj8ZGd8Z5U/s1600/100_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ehvqp6eOBGU/TlkTcFgQQPI/AAAAAAAABOU/8Cj8ZGd8Z5U/s320/100_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A close-up view of the Sawtooth.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XAnnMs9bw0/TlkTgzCb_3I/AAAAAAAABOY/wWEazd6NSLI/s1600/100_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--XAnnMs9bw0/TlkTgzCb_3I/AAAAAAAABOY/wWEazd6NSLI/s320/100_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And our sad Truckie, who was unfortunately not feeling well when we got back to him. It quickly became obvious that there was a problem with his battery. We tried to find tools, and then jumper cables, but no one had anything, and eventually we had to call my mom to come rescue us. Oops. I had to stand on the roof of the truck to get reception, but that didn't work well, and my mom didn't know how to get to where we were, so I had to hike a ways up to some high ground to get enough cell reception to tell her directions. After about an hour and a half, she arrived, and then we started a lengthy odyssey of using jumper cables, going to Bailey to buy new cables, coming back, new cables not working, and finally admitting that the battery was completely dead. My dad said that sometimes, when a battery is really old (as that one was), driving over a rough road -- like, oh, say, Guannella Pass on the southern side -- will destroy the inside of a battery so that it can't even be jumped. This seemed to be the problem, so, at that point, since it was 4:30 and we had gotten back from our hike at about 11, we elected to leave it overnight. My parents came back the next day with a new battery and installed it. After that, Truckie was perfectly happy and came back down the mountain to Denver just fine. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkq-N0f6qw/TlkTk-Hb9qI/AAAAAAAABOc/MzGs4J03eQM/s1600/100_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYkq-N0f6qw/TlkTk-Hb9qI/AAAAAAAABOc/MzGs4J03eQM/s320/100_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span id="goog_1693559495"></span><span id="goog_1693559496"></span>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-36766854770464826242011-08-27T10:21:00.000-07:002011-08-27T10:21:13.975-07:00Road trip to Seattle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Nathan decided that he was going to climb Mt Rainier with a few other guys, we decided that road tripping to Seattle was the best way to get there. We looked at google maps and scoffed: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"It's only 20 hours. We can totally do that in one day."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so we did this. We left Denver at 3 am MST and arrived in Seattle at about 10:30 pm PST. It was... a long drive. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=DEnver,+CO&daddr=45.7136228,-110.4053406+to:Seattle,+WA&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFdaIuQIdJFlr-SnXwomKX4JFUzFUbuOwqqB0Pw%3BFcJp1gIdWVy1-ClVM-iTLBCQVDGa1URpRmUlEA&sll=39.751366,-104.980747&sspn=0.009865,0.01929&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&via=1&ll=43.673355,-113.59063&spn=7.86825,17.48318&output=embed" width="425"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=DEnver,+CO&daddr=45.7136228,-110.4053406+to:Seattle,+WA&hl=en&geocode=FRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFdaIuQIdJFlr-SnXwomKX4JFUzFUbuOwqqB0Pw%3BFcJp1gIdWVy1-ClVM-iTLBCQVDGa1URpRmUlEA&sll=39.751366,-104.980747&sspn=0.009865,0.01929&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&via=1&ll=43.673355,-113.59063&spn=7.86825,17.48318" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the worst part: that's not ALL of Montana. There's more of it. Somewhere to the east.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The merits of the drive are that it goes through some very pretty country, with spectacular mountain and lake views, big skies, and notable western landmarks like the Anaconda silver mine. Another bonus is that there's very few cars on the road, and almost no cops, so, despite the disappointing fact that Montana now has a speed limit, doing 90-95mph there is totally cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even leaving Denver, the biggest city we would see by far until we got to Seattle, there were essentially no cars on the highway. Granted it was 3 am, but it was nice to drive up a completely deserted I-25 at whatever speed I wanted as Nathan slept in the passenger seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunrise over a reservoir in Wyoming. I also did not know that Wyoming had so much water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhyGakRd-rI/TlbBkvKwTdI/AAAAAAAABHw/kVQCBh3u3sY/s1600/100_9945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhyGakRd-rI/TlbBkvKwTdI/AAAAAAAABHw/kVQCBh3u3sY/s320/100_9945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I've skipped most of Montana to show you a very pretty section of the mountains near to Idaho. Eastern Montana is a huge section of grassland and Indian reservation, and I was asleep for a lot of it. The most notable thing we saw was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_Copper_Mine_(Montana)">Anaconda Copper Mine</a> outside of Butte, which has now been taken over by an ENORMOUS open pit mine. And I say enormous as someone who has toured the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bingham_Canyon_Mine">Bingham Canyon Mine</a>. This is probably the second largest mine I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of mines). It dominates the entire eastern side of Butte. I didn't take a picture, however, as I was driving. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I should also note that we followed Louis and Clark's trail almost perfectly. However, we did it faster. Take that, Louis and Clark! Way to waste government resources by taking forever to do a drive we did in a day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jgtl9hdDMFA/TlbBnNVhkcI/AAAAAAAABH0/hh0J7UynFjs/s1600/100_9947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jgtl9hdDMFA/TlbBnNVhkcI/AAAAAAAABH0/hh0J7UynFjs/s320/100_9947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the mountains, we entered Idaho, and they lowered the speed limit to 65. Jerks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCUAObDmFWM/TlbBqJa53GI/AAAAAAAABH4/fkaw9bCbdu4/s1600/100_9950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cCUAObDmFWM/TlbBqJa53GI/AAAAAAAABH4/fkaw9bCbdu4/s320/100_9950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We passed through <a href="http://www.idahobyways.gov/assets/images/lakeCDA/lake_cda.jpg">Coeur d'Alene, Idaho</a>, which is a town built on the shores of an enormous, beautiful mountain lake. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of it as I was driving. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we entered... Washington!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hK623EzVfnU/TlbBs23mlwI/AAAAAAAABH8/LqUyyJ709pA/s1600/100_9952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hK623EzVfnU/TlbBs23mlwI/AAAAAAAABH8/LqUyyJ709pA/s320/100_9952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out that lava flows from the Cascades have made eastern Washington flat flat flat. And farmy. At this point we were kind of going crazy, and we got super excited because the farmers had put the names of their crops on the side of the road surrounded by sparkly pieces of paper. Every few minutes we would shriek and point and scream, "Alfalfa!" "Potato!" Did you know that central Washington has a county that produces more potatoes than anywhere else in the US?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I254m9I2o6E/TlbBuo2qwuI/AAAAAAAABIA/Bz-lf2LyYlI/s1600/100_9955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I254m9I2o6E/TlbBuo2qwuI/AAAAAAAABIA/Bz-lf2LyYlI/s320/100_9955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally we came to the valley of the Columbia River. It's pretty big. Like, really big. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EanEBGEEDlY/TlbBywz9IoI/AAAAAAAABIE/rI3btpkk4mk/s1600/100_9957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EanEBGEEDlY/TlbBywz9IoI/AAAAAAAABIE/rI3btpkk4mk/s320/100_9957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the warning at the scenic overlook. We watched, but didn't see any, sadly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aka41CNa088/TlbB1-cMsWI/AAAAAAAABII/cBQT1M0FiL8/s1600/100_9961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aka41CNa088/TlbB1-cMsWI/AAAAAAAABII/cBQT1M0FiL8/s320/100_9961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we had to go over a very low pass to get to Seattle. At this point dusk was falling, but we could see beautiful, snow-capped mountains to our right and left. Then we got stopped while they did some blasting on the pass and we started freaking out. Eventually we came into downtown Seattle -- which is big! and bright! and has really steep streets! and made it to Leslie and Tim's condo in the University District. They had kindly made us the most delicious pasta ever, which we ate with total enthusiasm. Then we crashed. In the morning, Nathan left to go climb Rainier, and I headed into work with Leslie. She works in an architecture office with gorgeous views of Lake Washington and downtown Seattle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G7S4_Q-BFc/TlbB4X3PltI/AAAAAAAABIM/VXoaVEj9I-s/s1600/100_9974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G7S4_Q-BFc/TlbB4X3PltI/AAAAAAAABIM/VXoaVEj9I-s/s320/100_9974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we worked for a few hours, we walked over to Gasworks Park, which is next to her office and a very pretty re-use of urban space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlEpqO8nloQ/TlbB8X6cEgI/AAAAAAAABIQ/nUOGK2IRcLc/s1600/100_9982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlEpqO8nloQ/TlbB8X6cEgI/AAAAAAAABIQ/nUOGK2IRcLc/s320/100_9982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg9MmF_hbUA/TlbCBl6RDVI/AAAAAAAABIU/ZGP3d5HPHuE/s1600/100_9986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg9MmF_hbUA/TlbCBl6RDVI/AAAAAAAABIU/ZGP3d5HPHuE/s320/100_9986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here Lesl contemplates being a human sundial. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGobMSxB6iA/TlbCGMH9qZI/AAAAAAAABIY/XUF0sCGbRL8/s1600/100_9988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JGobMSxB6iA/TlbCGMH9qZI/AAAAAAAABIY/XUF0sCGbRL8/s320/100_9988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-j1RVpb1h0/TlbCK9PU5mI/AAAAAAAABIc/6dw-b9Wdu0E/s1600/100_9992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-j1RVpb1h0/TlbCK9PU5mI/AAAAAAAABIc/6dw-b9Wdu0E/s320/100_9992.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we headed into downtown Seattle. First stop: the REI flagship store. She bought a Camelbak and I got a nice new base layer. We couldn't resist the allure of nice outdoor gear!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9aDFQVnLZc/TlbCPEIOagI/AAAAAAAABIg/KGIliXXkQwE/s1600/100_9995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9aDFQVnLZc/TlbCPEIOagI/AAAAAAAABIg/KGIliXXkQwE/s320/100_9995.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Seattle has really cool manhole covers. I always appreciate it when these are decorated. I also love this style of Northwestern art. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXo9jxERe30/TlbCTcmeEOI/AAAAAAAABIk/Vi1FuLSUGfc/s1600/100_9996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXo9jxERe30/TlbCTcmeEOI/AAAAAAAABIk/Vi1FuLSUGfc/s320/100_9996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then walked to the famous Pike Street Market. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygkv2aBX5J4/TlbCWL6a-xI/AAAAAAAABIo/RAfFUc7N7p0/s1600/100_9998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ygkv2aBX5J4/TlbCWL6a-xI/AAAAAAAABIo/RAfFUc7N7p0/s320/100_9998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First we went into a truffle shop where the skilled shopkeeper managed to sell us some truffle oil after giving us a ton of free taste samples. Nom nom nom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JHj_UAsaLVg/TlbCadC46wI/AAAAAAAABIs/6HHdBK8jkY4/s1600/100_9999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JHj_UAsaLVg/TlbCadC46wI/AAAAAAAABIs/6HHdBK8jkY4/s320/100_9999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnqd6a7sLM8/TlbCeEa7IgI/AAAAAAAABIw/Qwxn5-9DFo0/s1600/101_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mnqd6a7sLM8/TlbCeEa7IgI/AAAAAAAABIw/Qwxn5-9DFo0/s320/101_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we saw the fish markets, which had enormous fish for sale!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6h_8TLEH9Qc/TlbChjVEGKI/AAAAAAAABI0/y5aZjLHnVJc/s1600/101_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6h_8TLEH9Qc/TlbChjVEGKI/AAAAAAAABI0/y5aZjLHnVJc/s320/101_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There was also a shop selling different kinds of pasta, including delicious chocolate flavored pasta that I decided to buy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---miSgsCSNY/TlbCln11hNI/AAAAAAAABI4/vjcTMiSitgU/s1600/101_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/---miSgsCSNY/TlbCln11hNI/AAAAAAAABI4/vjcTMiSitgU/s320/101_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, we continued walking around downtown Seattle. I told you the streets were steep! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aA6qeeAISf8/TlbCp4z_9YI/AAAAAAAABI8/P7FiKlNCSvQ/s1600/101_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aA6qeeAISf8/TlbCp4z_9YI/AAAAAAAABI8/P7FiKlNCSvQ/s320/101_0012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNfR8alkHVY/TlbCthvC1II/AAAAAAAABJA/-kCRobD_Cu8/s1600/101_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RNfR8alkHVY/TlbCthvC1II/AAAAAAAABJA/-kCRobD_Cu8/s320/101_0017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This cool statue is outside of the Art Museum... he moves his arm and hammers. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovMXpSvkU2s/TlbCyP0wRjI/AAAAAAAABJE/bc438i_SldA/s1600/101_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovMXpSvkU2s/TlbCyP0wRjI/AAAAAAAABJE/bc438i_SldA/s320/101_0020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXdc6jfl4dU/TlbC3I9NXnI/AAAAAAAABJI/cfnsTJwcVSM/s1600/101_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXdc6jfl4dU/TlbC3I9NXnI/AAAAAAAABJI/cfnsTJwcVSM/s320/101_0024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, the Space Needle came into view. I completely fell in love with the Space Needle. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair. I later learned that it was built to withstand 200 mph winds and a 9.0 earthquake. So even though a huge earthquake will do a lot of damage to the rest of Seattle, the Space Needle will just whip around harmonically and still be awesome. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GE954gxAMCY/TlbC6KN2iNI/AAAAAAAABJM/OOQ2nRmpCGg/s1600/101_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GE954gxAMCY/TlbC6KN2iNI/AAAAAAAABJM/OOQ2nRmpCGg/s320/101_0025.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lesl and I enjoyed some public art.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm1wZPVpLJA/TlbC9L5dgfI/AAAAAAAABJQ/___OVHxWcpw/s1600/101_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm1wZPVpLJA/TlbC9L5dgfI/AAAAAAAABJQ/___OVHxWcpw/s320/101_0026.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnlRf2CeP0Q/TlbC_peVilI/AAAAAAAABJU/FCFzm4K3ETo/s1600/101_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnlRf2CeP0Q/TlbC_peVilI/AAAAAAAABJU/FCFzm4K3ETo/s320/101_0028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the Space Needle, we met Tim for some sushi and then walked to a outdoor art museum. This tree made of metal was really beautiful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65lpE_zxjAU/TlbDCYozgVI/AAAAAAAABJY/gGPwoI5eSAA/s1600/101_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-65lpE_zxjAU/TlbDCYozgVI/AAAAAAAABJY/gGPwoI5eSAA/s320/101_0036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I <3 the Space Needle! (I am sparing you the literally 20 pictures I took of it from different angles around Seattle.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shHWfJ6HKwI/TlbDFVfKmCI/AAAAAAAABJc/XvqeVJ7U45Q/s1600/101_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shHWfJ6HKwI/TlbDFVfKmCI/AAAAAAAABJc/XvqeVJ7U45Q/s320/101_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As sunset came, we were overlooking beautiful Puget Sound.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twA_F69Sv3o/TlbDIwwg6XI/AAAAAAAABJg/o-y4jcFn2xE/s1600/101_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twA_F69Sv3o/TlbDIwwg6XI/AAAAAAAABJg/o-y4jcFn2xE/s320/101_0062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The sunset on train tracks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgwnlX4Vd-Y/TlbDLVq4_ZI/AAAAAAAABJk/_wgjJeOKLRQ/s1600/101_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hgwnlX4Vd-Y/TlbDLVq4_ZI/AAAAAAAABJk/_wgjJeOKLRQ/s320/101_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tim and Lesl hang out on some public art.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vado86SW-4c/TlbDPdSKx9I/AAAAAAAABJo/jLAmPJGogbM/s1600/101_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vado86SW-4c/TlbDPdSKx9I/AAAAAAAABJo/jLAmPJGogbM/s320/101_0070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am getting my feet into Puget Sound. I haven't been in waters touching the Pacific Ocean since Mexico in 2005! Pro-tip: Mexico was warmer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXZAziD7EUM/TlbDSMkUV2I/AAAAAAAABJs/S1qFUAatEOQ/s1600/101_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXZAziD7EUM/TlbDSMkUV2I/AAAAAAAABJs/S1qFUAatEOQ/s320/101_0079.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day, we tried to go to the San Juan Islands. Unfortunately, through some random circumstances, we were unable to take the ferry out to Orcas Island, so we wound up staying around the town of Anacortes. Lesl and I took a little hike from this beach around a headland while Tim slept in the car after pulling an all-nighter for work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZwRjxjeTHc/TlbDWw53-LI/AAAAAAAABJw/DK2i-ySypPk/s1600/101_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZwRjxjeTHc/TlbDWw53-LI/AAAAAAAABJw/DK2i-ySypPk/s320/101_0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The headland was beautiful and had enormous trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Me_x-RKyj8w/TlbDcgwJuKI/AAAAAAAABJ0/WtOTDLH-KQE/s1600/101_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Me_x-RKyj8w/TlbDcgwJuKI/AAAAAAAABJ0/WtOTDLH-KQE/s320/101_0084.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWSBIV90HVQ/TlbDgxO1PSI/AAAAAAAABJ4/iv_nZ5MDOD0/s1600/101_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWSBIV90HVQ/TlbDgxO1PSI/AAAAAAAABJ4/iv_nZ5MDOD0/s320/101_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRINEuoZxEU/TlbDlUXcMiI/AAAAAAAABJ8/AKywSN2hmwA/s1600/101_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LRINEuoZxEU/TlbDlUXcMiI/AAAAAAAABJ8/AKywSN2hmwA/s320/101_0099.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It also had these bizarre trail markers that I originally interpreted as a Myst-style logic puzzle. Turns out that the colored lines correspond to a black and white map that labels trails as colors... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1g_fFdjlJM/TlbDq58wBRI/AAAAAAAABKA/DCfTgbk9H-Q/s1600/101_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1g_fFdjlJM/TlbDq58wBRI/AAAAAAAABKA/DCfTgbk9H-Q/s320/101_0101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onlEAKw7udk/TlbDtQrFvGI/AAAAAAAABKE/hWDBl0K3VXk/s1600/101_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-onlEAKw7udk/TlbDtQrFvGI/AAAAAAAABKE/hWDBl0K3VXk/s320/101_0105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is where a glacial erratic scraped out the side of the cliff during the last de-glaciation. Everywhere in this landscape you can see dramatic evidence of the geomorphology and geology that shaped it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJK1-9wiVU/TlbDyt1Fi9I/AAAAAAAABKI/jXCP0fakw7U/s1600/101_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rrJK1-9wiVU/TlbDyt1Fi9I/AAAAAAAABKI/jXCP0fakw7U/s320/101_0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Anacortes, on the suggestion of the woman at the tourism office, we went to the town of La Conner, where there was supposed to be some sort of festival happening. When we got there, we weren't sure what or where it would be, so we stopped for some food. We also decided to model some of Seattle's architecture (hanging out with two architects...) with various table implements. The salt is the Space Needle, the knife the monorail, and the crumpled napkin is the <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dlkAw43cLC0/SS1GnY4vwbI/AAAAAAAABEg/rW1KSqC0QNM/Experience-Music-Project-Seattle-WA-USA-2.jp">Experience Music Project</a>. What an ugly building (and the architects concur). The water glass is... not supposed to be in the picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkCeseFizm0/TlbD2EnAoLI/AAAAAAAABKM/-oKWCPjmH9g/s1600/101_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkCeseFizm0/TlbD2EnAoLI/AAAAAAAABKM/-oKWCPjmH9g/s320/101_0117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the river (channel?) that cuts La Conner off from the mainland. It was a very cute little town.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7wvRDmyGRo/TlbD5eDpC_I/AAAAAAAABKQ/zNB3JejZauo/s1600/101_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7wvRDmyGRo/TlbD5eDpC_I/AAAAAAAABKQ/zNB3JejZauo/s320/101_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was indeed a festival going on, and it turned out to be very cool. La Conner is on the Swinomish Reservation, and they were having a meeting of all the tribes from the entire Pacific Northwest, including people from Canada and Alaska. They had all travelled down the coast in their canoes, some of which had amazing artwork.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jVwF2NgjxI/TlbD9_JeXQI/AAAAAAAABKU/b1abFzi0fcY/s1600/101_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2jVwF2NgjxI/TlbD9_JeXQI/AAAAAAAABKU/b1abFzi0fcY/s320/101_0120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i5_bg17NX4/TlbECDbKzPI/AAAAAAAABKY/YFAncIXsW3I/s1600/101_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i5_bg17NX4/TlbECDbKzPI/AAAAAAAABKY/YFAncIXsW3I/s320/101_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZoC_EVu4RI/TlbEGAkxXsI/AAAAAAAABKc/5QB0_eNn1lI/s1600/101_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zZoC_EVu4RI/TlbEGAkxXsI/AAAAAAAABKc/5QB0_eNn1lI/s320/101_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7dloG1NBtU/TlbEJRMh7oI/AAAAAAAABKg/auk68TidB4A/s1600/101_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7dloG1NBtU/TlbEJRMh7oI/AAAAAAAABKg/auk68TidB4A/s320/101_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0FKOXFfJgw/TlbENkAje9I/AAAAAAAABKk/J6DYh4WflmI/s1600/101_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a0FKOXFfJgw/TlbENkAje9I/AAAAAAAABKk/J6DYh4WflmI/s320/101_0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a lot of free food and stalls selling craftwork. Also, as someone used to the barren landscapes of the southwestern reservations, it was a REALLY nice, prosperous-looking reservation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That night, Tim went into work and Leslie and I attempted to create a delicious pasta meal with our new pasta and truffle oil. About four hours later, we finally called Tim and told him he should come eat it because... the sauce that we had been stirring constantly was NEVER going to become thicker. But it was all good, because it was delicious in the end anyway (Though as Lesl repeatedly said, "Sorry it's a bit runny..."). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day, with still no word from Nathan, I started to feel a bit worried, as I'd expected him home the previous night. Leslie had to go to work again, so I went to the Burke Museum, which is the University of Washington's museum. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnSTDp0qRsU/TlbERYaY7EI/AAAAAAAABKo/ExaeJSDdTdc/s1600/101_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnSTDp0qRsU/TlbERYaY7EI/AAAAAAAABKo/ExaeJSDdTdc/s320/101_0140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First I walked through a section on the geology of Washington state that was both informative and included this adorable illustration of what you (as a baby dinosaur) can do in an earthquake. Unfortunately it also included the obligatory "Evolution is real because..." section that all US museums seem obligated to have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMikb6j2w7M/TlbEU3zcA-I/AAAAAAAABKs/Y_L1nhz6DwE/s1600/101_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sMikb6j2w7M/TlbEU3zcA-I/AAAAAAAABKs/Y_L1nhz6DwE/s320/101_0147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I went downstairs to see what I had really wanted to see, which was the native art. I love this style.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-349mWgcer-c/TlbEYuIQ33I/AAAAAAAABKw/_OfQBsg6Ovo/s1600/101_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-349mWgcer-c/TlbEYuIQ33I/AAAAAAAABKw/_OfQBsg6Ovo/s320/101_0150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__8mn6upWw/TlbEbmLsxQI/AAAAAAAABK0/JHGq1hcG9uY/s1600/101_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K__8mn6upWw/TlbEbmLsxQI/AAAAAAAABK0/JHGq1hcG9uY/s320/101_0151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLna-C3IVT4/TlbEe3jY8MI/AAAAAAAABK4/X7cVub4KG7A/s1600/101_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLna-C3IVT4/TlbEe3jY8MI/AAAAAAAABK4/X7cVub4KG7A/s320/101_0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-etSL9lyhiZk/TlbEhmuhsyI/AAAAAAAABK8/2w_TIkMNG9o/s1600/101_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-etSL9lyhiZk/TlbEhmuhsyI/AAAAAAAABK8/2w_TIkMNG9o/s320/101_0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlRnNp7nHIU/TlbEk8iYHoI/AAAAAAAABLA/Go-ROQGFJV8/s1600/101_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlRnNp7nHIU/TlbEk8iYHoI/AAAAAAAABLA/Go-ROQGFJV8/s320/101_0160.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psR783bUUXU/TlbEoK_PAWI/AAAAAAAABLE/WRVQSkZzoBM/s1600/101_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psR783bUUXU/TlbEoK_PAWI/AAAAAAAABLE/WRVQSkZzoBM/s320/101_0161.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lloDZQ967lw/TlbErqqJYPI/AAAAAAAABLI/JBY-AVu6wGI/s1600/101_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lloDZQ967lw/TlbErqqJYPI/AAAAAAAABLI/JBY-AVu6wGI/s320/101_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz3OQFBuVlY/TlbEyOnsyzI/AAAAAAAABLM/FtpUzpGEgOw/s1600/101_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz3OQFBuVlY/TlbEyOnsyzI/AAAAAAAABLM/FtpUzpGEgOw/s320/101_0168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, Nathan came back! Hooray! They successfully summitted Rainier but were too tired to come down the night before, so slept at Camp Muir and then had to hike down further that morning. On the plus side, when he got to Lesl and Tim's, he was well enough rested that all he needed was a shower and then we headed off with Lesl and Tim to see the Ballard Locks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The coolest thing there was the salmon steps, built to help spawning salmon return through the Lock. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmmOpOwng_M/TlbE2ZNGTlI/AAAAAAAABLQ/9v-44FK6mgo/s1600/101_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NmmOpOwng_M/TlbE2ZNGTlI/AAAAAAAABLQ/9v-44FK6mgo/s320/101_0170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODaV9IE0y94/TlbE5aYd6hI/AAAAAAAABLU/ZJy8BtTbMus/s1600/101_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ODaV9IE0y94/TlbE5aYd6hI/AAAAAAAABLU/ZJy8BtTbMus/s320/101_0171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEMwFu0JK7M/TlbE-ukBCmI/AAAAAAAABLY/JfKrJjA2ye0/s1600/101_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEMwFu0JK7M/TlbE-ukBCmI/AAAAAAAABLY/JfKrJjA2ye0/s320/101_0173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some blurry fish attempting to scale the ladder...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlFv6CVloU4/TlbFBVjyIlI/AAAAAAAABLc/0lRLL4_RCAg/s1600/101_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlFv6CVloU4/TlbFBVjyIlI/AAAAAAAABLc/0lRLL4_RCAg/s320/101_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I liked this poster, which advised me that killer whales will indeed kill me. As if I needed further proof that cetaceans are man's greatest natural predator.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6maJsB2-FA/TlbFFhMxM2I/AAAAAAAABLg/TnKQTJ7Y2vw/s1600/101_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6maJsB2-FA/TlbFFhMxM2I/AAAAAAAABLg/TnKQTJ7Y2vw/s320/101_0179.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After dinner at a delicious pizza restaurant, we then went back to Gasworks Park and saw the view of downtown Seattle. Sans tripod, I managed to take a pretty good picture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ju_QPfTsSU4/TlbFHAzK-jI/AAAAAAAABLk/TpM1P1PLpwc/s1600/101_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ju_QPfTsSU4/TlbFHAzK-jI/AAAAAAAABLk/TpM1P1PLpwc/s320/101_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning was our last in Seattle. Nathan, Lesl, and I walked around the University of Washington campus. Here were some baby seagulls squatting on baby duck territory. Not too cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8sPRJZw_xs/TlbFKxRLueI/AAAAAAAABLo/GQWRZGmqr9o/s1600/101_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8sPRJZw_xs/TlbFKxRLueI/AAAAAAAABLo/GQWRZGmqr9o/s320/101_0200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is one of Leslie's old dorms, done in "College Gothic" architecture.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E1d3Jv-K2Q/TlbFQj6FCTI/AAAAAAAABLs/JdZyAh5NMLg/s1600/101_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E1d3Jv-K2Q/TlbFQj6FCTI/AAAAAAAABLs/JdZyAh5NMLg/s320/101_0206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that we went for the infamous bubble teas. They were surprisingly good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmPr5BZX9mE/TlbFTteEPtI/AAAAAAAABLw/EM_Kw5J2qCQ/s1600/101_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmPr5BZX9mE/TlbFTteEPtI/AAAAAAAABLw/EM_Kw5J2qCQ/s320/101_0208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our final stop in Seattle was the Museum of Flight, which is located next to the Boeing factory. As we pulled into the factory, we had the surprise experience of a 787 with "787" painted on it landing right in front of us. It was awesome!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Museum of Flight has an outdoor area with a Concorde (shown below), an old Air Force One, a 747, and various other aircraft. We could walk onto the Concorde and the Air Force One. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHHxFJYldTM/TlbFWtS7ypI/AAAAAAAABL0/uqTlM6_rEYs/s1600/101_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHHxFJYldTM/TlbFWtS7ypI/AAAAAAAABL0/uqTlM6_rEYs/s320/101_0219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But naturally my heart was reserved for the 747, the greatest airplane of all time (passenger edition). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xd0ohmadD8/TlbFZUVPqCI/AAAAAAAABL4/Kj2bKYjO9T8/s1600/101_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xd0ohmadD8/TlbFZUVPqCI/AAAAAAAABL4/Kj2bKYjO9T8/s320/101_0226.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJFFl_xolUw/TlbFb-EYB1I/AAAAAAAABL8/86I6mK9X9oo/s1600/101_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJFFl_xolUw/TlbFb-EYB1I/AAAAAAAABL8/86I6mK9X9oo/s320/101_0227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you know the nose cone of the Concorde could be rotated? Isn't that awesome?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzjK9onAyVA/TlbFfROtOaI/AAAAAAAABMA/OOZLzzm5Bfg/s1600/101_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzjK9onAyVA/TlbFfROtOaI/AAAAAAAABMA/OOZLzzm5Bfg/s320/101_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the sad things about the Museum of Flight is that they had a hall entirely built to put in one of the retired space shuttles, but they weren't awarded one, so they have posters up asking people to vote for them to receive one as well as this huge, empty space. Sad! I wish there were enough space shuttles for everyone to have one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside, they had a big hall dedicated to space exploration. Something I learned that in retrospect I probably could have guessed: lunar (and presumably Mars too) rovers can't have normal Earth tires, because of air pressure, so they have mesh tires. Cool,<i> nón</i>?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUMcyxdgH_c/TlbFjGgx34I/AAAAAAAABME/mHeT_6rP-So/s1600/101_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUMcyxdgH_c/TlbFjGgx34I/AAAAAAAABME/mHeT_6rP-So/s320/101_0232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the Boeing runway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFpF86QIr7E/TlbFmlHsU8I/AAAAAAAABMI/Tzi5DQuu1P4/s1600/101_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nFpF86QIr7E/TlbFmlHsU8I/AAAAAAAABMI/Tzi5DQuu1P4/s320/101_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's a view of Mt Rainier from the Museum's control tower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8VWLTTbChI/TlbFp56FQ7I/AAAAAAAABMM/W8YHmS7l_K8/s1600/101_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U8VWLTTbChI/TlbFp56FQ7I/AAAAAAAABMM/W8YHmS7l_K8/s320/101_0238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, at about 4 pm, we left Seattle, and Lesl and Tim behind. I had a great time with those two and hope to visit them again soon -- they're so much fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We drove a different route this time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Seattle,+WA,+United+States&daddr=42.5450402,-113.4730203+to:Denver,+CO,+United+States&hl=en&geocode=FcJp1gIdWVy1-ClVM-iTLBCQVDGa1URpRmUlEA%3BFZAviQIdBIo8-SkV2w80QiurVDF6_qRL5d9AyA%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ&sll=43.72622,-113.56247&sspn=9.494848,19.753418&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&via=1&ll=43.72622,-113.56247&spn=7.97556,17.54216&output=embed" width="425"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Seattle,+WA,+United+States&daddr=42.5450402,-113.4730203+to:Denver,+CO,+United+States&hl=en&geocode=FcJp1gIdWVy1-ClVM-iTLBCQVDGa1URpRmUlEA%3BFZAviQIdBIo8-SkV2w80QiurVDF6_qRL5d9AyA%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ&sll=43.72622,-113.56247&sspn=9.494848,19.753418&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=h&via=1&ll=43.72622,-113.56247&spn=7.97556,17.54216" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here was sunset over Oregon.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aks9emUjRrM/TlbFrxdiOdI/AAAAAAAABMQ/1cc7cBYjFd4/s1600/101_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aks9emUjRrM/TlbFrxdiOdI/AAAAAAAABMQ/1cc7cBYjFd4/s320/101_0244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent the night in a very sketchy motel on the Oregon-Idaho border, after nearly running out of gas in the absolute middle of nowhere due to small Western towns having old-fashioned, non-credit-card-taking gas pumps and it being late at night. The next day, we drove from Idaho into Utah.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1uHOeRQysc/TlbFtuMM0UI/AAAAAAAABMU/I6CwLmeBV0o/s1600/101_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1uHOeRQysc/TlbFtuMM0UI/AAAAAAAABMU/I6CwLmeBV0o/s320/101_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Utah is a beautiful state. Here's the Wasatch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36U_KIPlGSU/TlbFvfk4ZsI/AAAAAAAABMY/-RS-qv5h22s/s1600/101_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36U_KIPlGSU/TlbFvfk4ZsI/AAAAAAAABMY/-RS-qv5h22s/s320/101_0257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there, it was just a long, long way across Wyoming until... we entered Colorado. Welcome home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7yQMCYT7I8/TlbFx8mvSHI/AAAAAAAABMc/1IxmGElegEo/s1600/101_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7yQMCYT7I8/TlbFx8mvSHI/AAAAAAAABMc/1IxmGElegEo/s320/101_0260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-86401355097930659572011-08-03T21:25:00.000-07:002011-08-03T21:27:07.948-07:00Handies Peak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two weekends ago, N and myself, along with newlyweds J and C, drove down to Lake City and then American Basin to climb Handies Peak (14,048 ft). Fans of <i>Cannibal! The Musical</i> should know that Lake City is where Alferd Packer turned up after his gruesome winter picnic. This was my first 14er from the San Juan Range. Unfortunately my camera's batteries were dead, so these pictures are from either N's camera or my phone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our approach was from American Basin, which, like nearby Yankee Boy Basin, is a big open area ringed in by mountains. Here it is with the sun rising: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UC0Cn67BUSM/TjoUGaH1WII/AAAAAAAABGo/e4PuHdqb7Es/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UC0Cn67BUSM/TjoUGaH1WII/AAAAAAAABGo/e4PuHdqb7Es/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qg89X02aejU/TjoUVKvLClI/AAAAAAAABGs/tzlNX8iQIME/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qg89X02aejU/TjoUVKvLClI/AAAAAAAABGs/tzlNX8iQIME/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As the sun came up, we were reminded of R's immortal description of Iceland: "It reminds me of Brecon." However, it reminded us of Iceland!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbX3gEw8Jfo/TjoUoxl2FiI/AAAAAAAABGw/bXlokL8Wfrc/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbX3gEw8Jfo/TjoUoxl2FiI/AAAAAAAABGw/bXlokL8Wfrc/s320/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's a pretty glacial lake called Sloan's Lake at the base of American Peak. It looked pretty cold.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26INd5ocf30/TjoU6X5XhcI/AAAAAAAABG0/pfQxItqE9Co/s1600/091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-26INd5ocf30/TjoU6X5XhcI/AAAAAAAABG0/pfQxItqE9Co/s320/091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We hiked from there up to a saddle and sat to have a snack. There were lots and lots of flies.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rU_vnc8-H8/TjoVO_4rzpI/AAAAAAAABG4/-04-VTVyRzM/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rU_vnc8-H8/TjoVO_4rzpI/AAAAAAAABG4/-04-VTVyRzM/s320/101.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N and I at the saddle.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j680t2Y2Ogc/TjoVjmAK3KI/AAAAAAAABG8/ZRVT2Tm5Qmg/s1600/108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j680t2Y2Ogc/TjoVjmAK3KI/AAAAAAAABG8/ZRVT2Tm5Qmg/s320/108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the saddle it was quite a short and quick climb up to the summit. C and I stopped halfway to talk about geology and then carried on, arriving a few minutes after N and J. There we met a friendly puppy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvADN908cy4/TjoV1uVDLCI/AAAAAAAABHA/7IY5bi40bjQ/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fvADN908cy4/TjoV1uVDLCI/AAAAAAAABHA/7IY5bi40bjQ/s320/121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">J and N on the top, with canine friend.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiU9C0FkGkk/TjoWGrrNRxI/AAAAAAAABHE/9jH7aT6bq9A/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KiU9C0FkGkk/TjoWGrrNRxI/AAAAAAAABHE/9jH7aT6bq9A/s320/122.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aww, N makes a friend.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zA8I35uiWsY/TjoWXoUhEuI/AAAAAAAABHI/C1IDSrQA67s/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zA8I35uiWsY/TjoWXoUhEuI/AAAAAAAABHI/C1IDSrQA67s/s320/123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Views from the top... it was a beautiful day.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVx2qZZozD4/TjoWpoCBDiI/AAAAAAAABHM/ELEU3jk2QrE/s1600/127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VVx2qZZozD4/TjoWpoCBDiI/AAAAAAAABHM/ELEU3jk2QrE/s320/127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXH4xmANod8/TjoW4A8FG4I/AAAAAAAABHQ/Dy7xMlVjb1M/s1600/128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXH4xmANod8/TjoW4A8FG4I/AAAAAAAABHQ/Dy7xMlVjb1M/s320/128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6stEziu3FG4/TjoXEatX_WI/AAAAAAAABHU/twnrtmdFi3A/s1600/129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6stEziu3FG4/TjoXEatX_WI/AAAAAAAABHU/twnrtmdFi3A/s320/129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trying to cover the horrible red line left by N's hat.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM5Avdfrah0/TjoXONEhAvI/AAAAAAAABHY/sR54B-VPi58/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MM5Avdfrah0/TjoXONEhAvI/AAAAAAAABHY/sR54B-VPi58/s320/134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back down into the basin, there were tons of gorgeous wildflowers. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bmQGFPWOqM/TjoXczFatFI/AAAAAAAABHc/VCYVRi33ApU/s1600/165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5bmQGFPWOqM/TjoXczFatFI/AAAAAAAABHc/VCYVRi33ApU/s320/165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8qG8vahfU0/TjoXrPHPfSI/AAAAAAAABHg/hsY0X9qUzA4/s1600/182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S8qG8vahfU0/TjoXrPHPfSI/AAAAAAAABHg/hsY0X9qUzA4/s320/182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ferklC5pMcs/TjoX3l-ZFLI/AAAAAAAABHk/nnPQzEdapgY/s1600/185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ferklC5pMcs/TjoX3l-ZFLI/AAAAAAAABHk/nnPQzEdapgY/s320/185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7GkCMbe6H4/TjoYFyYMvXI/AAAAAAAABHo/T1U0W3asPfA/s1600/200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O7GkCMbe6H4/TjoYFyYMvXI/AAAAAAAABHo/T1U0W3asPfA/s320/200.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that was our Handies Peak trip. It took much longer to drive there than to climb it -- it was probably the easiest 14er I've ever climbed and the hike was very quick and easy. I started off thinking I should pace myself and was surprised when we got to the saddle and were so close to the top. However, despite the ease of the hike, we were rewarded with amazing views and all of these incredible wildflowers. All in all, a fun day!</div><span id="goog_1440160634"></span><span id="goog_1440160635"></span>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-54694683349217042202011-07-11T21:19:00.000-07:002011-07-11T21:19:58.011-07:00Climbing Mt Shavano and Tabeguache Peak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past Saturday, N and I hiked two 14ers, Mt Shavano and Tabeguache Peak. For N, this was his 4th ascent of Mt Shavano and 2nd ascent of Tabeguache. It was my first for both.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We camped that night and started early the next morning. The wake-up wasn't too good for two reasons. First, I woke up around 3 or so with one side of my body -- the side most inside my sleeping bag -- drenched. Being mostly asleep, I decided that I was just too hot in the sleeping bag and was sweating and so for the next 30 minutes or so tried variations on not waking up/moving the sleeping bag around. Then at some point I woke up enough to realize that if I was actually sweating that much, then something was wrong... as my sleeping bag and pillow were also soaked on that side. Some very tired investigation later, I realized that I had fallen asleep on my open camelbak hose, which had subsequently leaked. So that wasn't cool. I managed to shift around to get somewhat comfortable and away from the water, but then about 10 minutes later, some of the other people camping at the trailhead got up, including an incredibly loud group of girls who started shrieking at top volume. So at 4:30 am or thereabouts we got up and headed up the trail.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like every hike I have been on in the Sawatch Range, there is a long portion of the hike below treeline. These two mountains are the furthest south in the Sawatch, and we were starting from the south/east, so the treeline extended very high up the mountain -- perhaps to 12,000 ft or so. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trees started to thin as the sun rose fully, giving us spectacular views. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ni3uEsqHJ4/ThvB6E6cvKI/AAAAAAAAA48/sVAgWSJCaUc/s1600/100_9898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ni3uEsqHJ4/ThvB6E6cvKI/AAAAAAAAA48/sVAgWSJCaUc/s320/100_9898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaPsxbU3a-w/ThvCAWkgzqI/AAAAAAAAA5A/Ndx8Z8kF5p0/s1600/100_9899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IaPsxbU3a-w/ThvCAWkgzqI/AAAAAAAAA5A/Ndx8Z8kF5p0/s320/100_9899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swfko2lHpug/ThvCFvDE5PI/AAAAAAAAA5E/qSGvzAHGxaE/s1600/100_9900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-swfko2lHpug/ThvCFvDE5PI/AAAAAAAAA5E/qSGvzAHGxaE/s320/100_9900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We stopped at treeline for a snack and I took a picture of these lovely pine cones and flowers. I think that the yellow ones are <a href="http://wildflowersofcolorado.com/html/yellow.html">hollygrape flowers.</a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57cXpjITabg/ThvCLd11oQI/AAAAAAAAA5I/eqn_zOKNTeI/s1600/100_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57cXpjITabg/ThvCLd11oQI/AAAAAAAAA5I/eqn_zOKNTeI/s320/100_9903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After clearing treeline, it was a slow and steady hike up to a saddle before the final summit push.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxoeLMEoEH0/ThvCQ_yP0TI/AAAAAAAAA5M/n64TuzUCvx0/s1600/100_9904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxoeLMEoEH0/ThvCQ_yP0TI/AAAAAAAAA5M/n64TuzUCvx0/s320/100_9904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Up on the summit of Mt Shavano, we got to see some nice wildlife. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJ7YDbhRYE/ThvCT8flAII/AAAAAAAAA5Q/8htB8jFzKIA/s1600/100_9905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJ7YDbhRYE/ThvCT8flAII/AAAAAAAAA5Q/8htB8jFzKIA/s320/100_9905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little pika was terribly friendly and climbed up on my boot in search of my crackers. But we didn't feed him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wxsahzNo-zU/ThvCW4Bl0SI/AAAAAAAAA5U/21c2zcMhspU/s1600/100_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wxsahzNo-zU/ThvCW4Bl0SI/AAAAAAAAA5U/21c2zcMhspU/s320/100_9907.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N on the summit of Shavano. Achievement?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sGu5hJ5mec/ThvCZemposI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/nQJHNvFG8UQ/s1600/100_9909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sGu5hJ5mec/ThvCZemposI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/nQJHNvFG8UQ/s320/100_9909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lovely view from the summit.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7JTy1I8mCo/ThvCdgsyU6I/AAAAAAAAA5c/aP_QskmehC8/s1600/100_9910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7JTy1I8mCo/ThvCdgsyU6I/AAAAAAAAA5c/aP_QskmehC8/s320/100_9910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am on the summit of Shavano (14,229 ft).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d79xALHTx_E/ThvCjo8LLfI/AAAAAAAAA5g/1zalH0-MH0s/s1600/100_9911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d79xALHTx_E/ThvCjo8LLfI/AAAAAAAAA5g/1zalH0-MH0s/s320/100_9911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwxpzAd0G-8/ThvCoPiU0cI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gx-Kru5tvV4/s1600/100_9914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwxpzAd0G-8/ThvCoPiU0cI/AAAAAAAAA5k/gx-Kru5tvV4/s320/100_9914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left Shavano and hiked slightly to the north/west, down a boulder field and to a saddle, before turning and heading up Tabeguache Peak (14,155 ft). Here we are on the summit of that. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5wDAvUVag/ThvCsCAK6rI/AAAAAAAAA5o/mlvyjkGsgU0/s1600/100_9915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5wDAvUVag/ThvCsCAK6rI/AAAAAAAAA5o/mlvyjkGsgU0/s320/100_9915.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent a long time on the summit of Tabeguache. We met several friendly people and ate some lunch. As we were eating, I asked N about his <a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.wyeknot.fourteeners&feature=search_result">14ers.com app</a>, and the one guy left on the summit overheard us and started fanboying all over N, to the point that he had me take a picture of them. It was pretty adorable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The views from Tabeguache remind me of the Arcade Fire song, "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)":</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Mountains beyond mountains/and there's no end in sight</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A storm to the south.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnL5Zmwjr4s/ThvCw6Z94uI/AAAAAAAAA5s/vy15mGwoi_g/s1600/100_9918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UnL5Zmwjr4s/ThvCw6Z94uI/AAAAAAAAA5s/vy15mGwoi_g/s320/100_9918.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking towards nearby 14er, Mt Antero (14,269 ft).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lvu2CQ2nkM/ThvC2IFnVzI/AAAAAAAAA5w/9-pQ8dXMr6E/s1600/100_9919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Lvu2CQ2nkM/ThvC2IFnVzI/AAAAAAAAA5w/9-pQ8dXMr6E/s320/100_9919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking back towards the summit of Shavano.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guodi5FT77g/ThvC7skXhmI/AAAAAAAAA50/9I6T5hSxTJE/s1600/100_9920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guodi5FT77g/ThvC7skXhmI/AAAAAAAAA50/9I6T5hSxTJE/s320/100_9920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The return from Tabeguache on this particular route takes you back over the summit of Shavano. I was pretty tired at this point, but once we got to the top it was great to see how once people left (we were the only ones on both summits for some time), animals came back. Here's a juvenile mountain goat. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PNrSkPbjqQ/ThvDBkZTzrI/AAAAAAAAA54/qcD0lQjLZAE/s1600/100_9922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PNrSkPbjqQ/ThvDBkZTzrI/AAAAAAAAA54/qcD0lQjLZAE/s320/100_9922.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This fat creature is a marmot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVHSJW6VHn4/ThvDEzXScRI/AAAAAAAAA58/m5VdsYVyO2g/s1600/100_9923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VVHSJW6VHn4/ThvDEzXScRI/AAAAAAAAA58/m5VdsYVyO2g/s320/100_9923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we saw the storms that had been threatening all day start to look more serious and decided to get down from the summit, where we were forming natural lightning rods. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAdLXpa7Ew/ThvDIey9heI/AAAAAAAAA6A/4j3bzHmHaTM/s1600/100_9925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FAdLXpa7Ew/ThvDIey9heI/AAAAAAAAA6A/4j3bzHmHaTM/s320/100_9925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNWWZdpTj2I/ThvDL4-FIOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/W9Q-E0lWdOE/s1600/100_9926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNWWZdpTj2I/ThvDL4-FIOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/W9Q-E0lWdOE/s320/100_9926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But first I took a picture of this marmot as he cocked his head at us in wonder.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQGw1joJHVw/ThvDQ6HFpKI/AAAAAAAAA6I/051SvDw5FKs/s1600/100_9929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQGw1joJHVw/ThvDQ6HFpKI/AAAAAAAAA6I/051SvDw5FKs/s320/100_9929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjXCoubONUU/ThvDtW2ZNpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/qBC0E9RPKDk/s1600/100_9930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pjXCoubONUU/ThvDtW2ZNpI/AAAAAAAAA6M/qBC0E9RPKDk/s320/100_9930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We descended to treeline just as it started to rain. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBO8kIN9s-c/ThvDwuJ9qQI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/49PfGVA5Rxw/s1600/100_9931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBO8kIN9s-c/ThvDwuJ9qQI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/49PfGVA5Rxw/s320/100_9931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rain is good for the forest though, and the forest was full of beautiful flowers.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DM659J0Nwyo/ThvDz4my7LI/AAAAAAAAA6U/l7wxn0_GaC0/s1600/100_9933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DM659J0Nwyo/ThvDz4my7LI/AAAAAAAAA6U/l7wxn0_GaC0/s320/100_9933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Colorado state flower, the columbine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImvopB9SHac/ThvD2kAjImI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/kuToUqfCPcw/s1600/100_9935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImvopB9SHac/ThvD2kAjImI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/kuToUqfCPcw/s320/100_9935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New buds on a pine tree.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8cfHN3e4O2s/ThvD6pexL_I/AAAAAAAAA6c/kdc6PvXX8h4/s1600/100_9937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8cfHN3e4O2s/ThvD6pexL_I/AAAAAAAAA6c/kdc6PvXX8h4/s320/100_9937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lush waterfalls (and overly-friendly mosquito inhabitants).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag9tuq9Va4Y/ThvEA5ZsvfI/AAAAAAAAA6g/d7PfbnTTOP0/s1600/100_9938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ag9tuq9Va4Y/ThvEA5ZsvfI/AAAAAAAAA6g/d7PfbnTTOP0/s320/100_9938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-20579778410916417772011-07-03T20:11:00.000-07:002011-07-03T20:11:44.684-07:00Saturday, July 2 -- St Mary's Glacier again, and J and C's wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just a few pictures from our time on St Mary's Glacier -- I got a chance to try out using <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prusik">prusiks</a> to try to rescue myself from our "crevasse", ie, from hanging over the cornice of the glacier. They are a system of ropes, one at your waist and one each for your feet, that you use to step and pull yourself up a rope and hopefully out of trouble. In practice it is quite tiring to do, especially on the hands as you twist the ropes and pull yourself up, but it is remarkably efficient and also pretty satisfying to be able to pull yourself up. The major problem is that the rope itself, with the weight of the climber and the movement on the rope, sinks down into the surface of the snow very badly, so that as you near the top it becomes quite difficult to get those final few feet up the ledge. Luckily B and R wanted to try pulling me up the ledge, so I got to prusik up the easier part twice and then they pulled me up the final few feet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-N6fHR4a6w/ThEl8650I9I/AAAAAAAAA3E/XolofUaGF1g/s1600/DSC00097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-N6fHR4a6w/ThEl8650I9I/AAAAAAAAA3E/XolofUaGF1g/s320/DSC00097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ0McC4nMUY/ThEmIuwUC_I/AAAAAAAAA3I/nYdAfHsanO0/s1600/DSC00098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ0McC4nMUY/ThEmIuwUC_I/AAAAAAAAA3I/nYdAfHsanO0/s320/DSC00098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After that we rushed home and got read for J and C's wedding. We were super excited for the wedding because we totally love weddings (mostly the dancing). Here's N being super excited!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwcU3hgjbP0/ThEmUkq-oXI/AAAAAAAAA3M/wLgaOirKhys/s1600/DSC00101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RwcU3hgjbP0/ThEmUkq-oXI/AAAAAAAAA3M/wLgaOirKhys/s320/DSC00101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wedding was on a farm outside of Boulder. The farm provided us with a marvelous sense of isolation -- the only reminder of civilization was a small plane towing a glider that for some reason buzzed the wedding a few times. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_Xsc7C5u-4/ThEmgWPEYeI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/JLoyUgGm8xA/s1600/DSC00102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_Xsc7C5u-4/ThEmgWPEYeI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/JLoyUgGm8xA/s320/DSC00102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4F6d4MzHIUA/ThEmtPBIOyI/AAAAAAAAA3U/r86qiUYWtNQ/s1600/DSC00109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4F6d4MzHIUA/ThEmtPBIOyI/AAAAAAAAA3U/r86qiUYWtNQ/s320/DSC00109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwVuzevM4uI/ThEm6Ne7HJI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/fJ1oK8zhYeI/s1600/DSC00110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GwVuzevM4uI/ThEm6Ne7HJI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/fJ1oK8zhYeI/s320/DSC00110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The farm also had some occupants, notably some really weird looking chickens (not these guys, but some other ones), and some pygmy goats. We went to have a look at them but that was where we first started encountering mosquitoes, so we got out of there. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM8vVWEAAeg/ThEnHrt6HXI/AAAAAAAAA3c/ecvrk51LGxc/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XM8vVWEAAeg/ThEnHrt6HXI/AAAAAAAAA3c/ecvrk51LGxc/s320/DSC00114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3r9A0TCFog/ThEnUxosvlI/AAAAAAAAA3g/GbusWKagbUk/s1600/DSC00115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3r9A0TCFog/ThEnUxosvlI/AAAAAAAAA3g/GbusWKagbUk/s320/DSC00115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRsVokZ8Vq4/ThEniHKN3jI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bKzFWauAWjg/s1600/DSC00118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRsVokZ8Vq4/ThEniHKN3jI/AAAAAAAAA3k/bKzFWauAWjg/s320/DSC00118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some big thunderheads rolled out to the east, but they never threatened rain on the wedding.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC9sQBCCQOA/ThEnrkSOZZI/AAAAAAAAA3o/sfufPEmmE1Y/s1600/DSC00123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hC9sQBCCQOA/ThEnrkSOZZI/AAAAAAAAA3o/sfufPEmmE1Y/s320/DSC00123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Team Awesome at our table.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7--tXVX3to/ThEn2_GQLnI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_azx5APjKjw/s1600/DSC00124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p7--tXVX3to/ThEn2_GQLnI/AAAAAAAAA3s/_azx5APjKjw/s320/DSC00124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wedding was very beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, I must say. Unfortunately 1 million mosquitoes crashed the party and around dusk it became nearly unbearable for about a half hour. Everyone was in a frenzied search for Off! and when that ran out there was some terrible organic shit that didn't really work but everyone went for that too. Luckily once it got dark things were fine.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk_kTfZNgKs/ThEoDLbfLJI/AAAAAAAAA3w/aKLLUMIejMU/s1600/DSC00126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pk_kTfZNgKs/ThEoDLbfLJI/AAAAAAAAA3w/aKLLUMIejMU/s320/DSC00126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, there were fake mustaches.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5r5qOQWWYAU/ThEoOOJ5TyI/AAAAAAAAA30/LnGA7Dwk5DY/s1600/DSC00131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5r5qOQWWYAU/ThEoOOJ5TyI/AAAAAAAAA30/LnGA7Dwk5DY/s320/DSC00131.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRrVjSvWlBs/ThEoZahB2kI/AAAAAAAAA34/BpwkYQbbdMM/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oRrVjSvWlBs/ThEoZahB2kI/AAAAAAAAA34/BpwkYQbbdMM/s320/DSC00132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Following the usual eating and drinking festivities, the drinking continued, with dancing, natch. The playlist was great and a great time was had by all (or at least, both of us).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpJ8WUIVT1c/ThEol6_q0jI/AAAAAAAAA38/cY-coGsP0gw/s1600/DSC00137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpJ8WUIVT1c/ThEol6_q0jI/AAAAAAAAA38/cY-coGsP0gw/s320/DSC00137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1Xc2JPuycg/ThEowAlkRrI/AAAAAAAAA4A/h38kJqP5k4I/s1600/DSC00138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g1Xc2JPuycg/ThEowAlkRrI/AAAAAAAAA4A/h38kJqP5k4I/s320/DSC00138.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More of our friends should get married so we can do this more often. Just saying.</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-31610855417377753132011-06-21T21:18:00.000-07:002011-06-21T21:18:15.525-07:00Learning glacier stuff on St Mary's Glacier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">St Mary's Glacier may not be a particularly big or awesome glacier -- in fact I think it's probably smaller than Sólheimajökull, the most tourist-friendly tongue of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in Iceland -- but it's our (Denver's) glacier by god and so this past Saturday I headed out there with four (eventually five) guys to learn some stuff about glacier climbing and rescue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Standing at the base of the glacier, looking south towards Mt Evans, it was a beautiful Colorado day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5LAWEHxXbY/TgFm0P73a8I/AAAAAAAAAvg/9XNWuAcS8u4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s5LAWEHxXbY/TgFm0P73a8I/AAAAAAAAAvg/9XNWuAcS8u4/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We roped up and started hiking across the face of the glacier, split into two teams. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZsffkuETWM/TgFm_Qo7hFI/AAAAAAAAAvk/hrtEIcFVpNs/s1600/DSC00090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZsffkuETWM/TgFm_Qo7hFI/AAAAAAAAAvk/hrtEIcFVpNs/s320/DSC00090.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am all roped up! One of the most interesting things I learned was how to tie various knots for various activities.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OZ-F4EhVC8/TgFnKjOSRkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/3YvkRPJUNO0/s1600/DSC00091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7OZ-F4EhVC8/TgFnKjOSRkI/AAAAAAAAAvo/3YvkRPJUNO0/s320/DSC00091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is S, my team leader. He would later warn me he was going to fall and I needed to save him, but I still would struggle to get us stopped as we fell down the glacier. I need to practice those ice axe self-arrests.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdxp9kdhSZQ/TgFnVJSYyII/AAAAAAAAAvs/Yw5lRz8zY-c/s1600/DSC00092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rdxp9kdhSZQ/TgFnVJSYyII/AAAAAAAAAvs/Yw5lRz8zY-c/s320/DSC00092.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's B and R, B is trying to warm his hands up in R's hat after a long struggle up a glacier face.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YenEbt8OxoM/TgFniVNc6nI/AAAAAAAAAvw/tO3sPsI86Os/s1600/DSC00093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YenEbt8OxoM/TgFniVNc6nI/AAAAAAAAAvw/tO3sPsI86Os/s320/DSC00093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N took this picture as he was dangling off our "crevasse" -- just the steep, corniced side of the glacier -- waiting to be rescued by R and me.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bP5BdSpkB0/TgFnuPR0BmI/AAAAAAAAAv0/gyZow72BlR0/s1600/DSC00095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bP5BdSpkB0/TgFnuPR0BmI/AAAAAAAAAv0/gyZow72BlR0/s320/DSC00095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another view looking towards Mt Evans from higher up on the glacier.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mipqGozC7TM/TgFn6JpEKdI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ARaAZ9_vDh0/s1600/DSC00096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mipqGozC7TM/TgFn6JpEKdI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ARaAZ9_vDh0/s320/DSC00096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where the cornice was cleaving off from the glacial face, it formed these deep holes which were surprisingly solid. I saw N stagger over the side of one and flump down into the hole with no noticeable problems. It was also hilarious.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k3325zvZgc/TgFn9vCnIOI/AAAAAAAAAv8/8jPCDnojQaM/s1600/IMG_20110618_141012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0k3325zvZgc/TgFn9vCnIOI/AAAAAAAAAv8/8jPCDnojQaM/s320/IMG_20110618_141012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here our fifth man has joined the team. He spent the morning running 14 miles (one way) up and down Mt Evans and then came to join us. His core is hard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were at this point practicing belaying people over the side of the glacier, so everyone is huddled around as one person does the belaying. This is also hard work, as was demonstrated when I was belaying people who weigh significantly more than I do.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZtkCaIcXz0/TgFoA3cGaII/AAAAAAAAAwA/PAabYQ2jVtA/s1600/IMG_20110618_141026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZtkCaIcXz0/TgFoA3cGaII/AAAAAAAAAwA/PAabYQ2jVtA/s320/IMG_20110618_141026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPAaWk6t29Q/TgFoWW95X_I/AAAAAAAAAwE/Vbcc5ojHYFY/s1600/IMG_20110618_141044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HPAaWk6t29Q/TgFoWW95X_I/AAAAAAAAAwE/Vbcc5ojHYFY/s320/IMG_20110618_141044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, here's a picture of N peeking over the side of the glacier. At this point he had been struggling for about a half hour to get himself over the side using just rope and an ice axe. He eventually did make it after a second try -- the only person to be able to do so! However, in this picture, he looks like a pesky marmot come to beg for food.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u26IC5EXWkg/TgFoZpwCA3I/AAAAAAAAAwI/EZmD2kQ8f3U/s1600/IMG_20110618_141729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u26IC5EXWkg/TgFoZpwCA3I/AAAAAAAAAwI/EZmD2kQ8f3U/s320/IMG_20110618_141729.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm really looking forward to more learning about glacier climbing techniques!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also saw some people having classic St Mary's glacier fun -- lots of kids sliding down it, people skiing down it, a guy who said he had taken some friends visiting from Hawaii out for the day to show them snow/skiing... and one guy who we got to watch... and watch and watch... as he debated jumping off the side of the glacier and sliding down. He eventually did so, after many false starts and much cheering from us. Then he came back for more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-5998226738703642972011-06-14T21:42:00.000-07:002011-06-14T21:42:19.396-07:00Mt Dyer and Mt ShermanThanks to N for the majority of these pictures, because my camera batteries died before we made it up the first mountain.<br />
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Late on Friday night, we drove up past Leadville to a place called Iowa Gulch, going past the remains of a lot of dead mines. Downstream from this area is a classic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superfund">Superfund-looking site</a> with very unnaturally red water. We stopped about 1.5 miles from the end of the road due to snow blocking it and slept in the car, getting up at 5:45 to start our hike. This was the view with the sunrise:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haFKbkVHtXc/TfgwkWDiMlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/WheWck0lN0o/s1600/100_9893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-haFKbkVHtXc/TfgwkWDiMlI/AAAAAAAAAuo/WheWck0lN0o/s320/100_9893.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And walking up the road.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC36TjT31uI/TfgwoOEm8EI/AAAAAAAAAus/zUMxSrQx2qw/s1600/100_9894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC36TjT31uI/TfgwoOEm8EI/AAAAAAAAAus/zUMxSrQx2qw/s320/100_9894.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mt Sherman is the large, flat-looking mountain in centre of the picture. Mt Sherman (14,036 ft) has an enormous, broad summit (though in my opinion it isn't as flat as nearby other-14er-I-have-climbed Mt Bross) and in the 1960s a plane had an emergency landing on the summit in a snowstorm. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjaJaSMuZQg/TfgwytUe8SI/AAAAAAAAAuw/-BpvgCQuv1A/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hjaJaSMuZQg/TfgwytUe8SI/AAAAAAAAAuw/-BpvgCQuv1A/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As we started our hike, a snowsquall blew towards us across the valley below from the Sawatch Range (which you can see below). </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkG2lbCbmFQ/Tfgw8jcrfFI/AAAAAAAAAu0/B4h6onSGgPE/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkG2lbCbmFQ/Tfgw8jcrfFI/AAAAAAAAAu0/B4h6onSGgPE/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eventually we came to the end of the road and turned towards Mt Dyer (13,855 ft). We had to climb up some steep, snow-covered slopes, which you can see to the left in this picture.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs5mxjBfBxE/TfgxI71K7uI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NjrYES7QPAI/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs5mxjBfBxE/TfgxI71K7uI/AAAAAAAAAu4/NjrYES7QPAI/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once we were up the steep snowfields, we neared the summit, which was marked by unstable rocky outcrops and more snow. After stepping on one shaky outcrop, I elected to proceed up the snow. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nYJy3LbP_c/TfgxUwa2KeI/AAAAAAAAAu8/asAMWO3bNmY/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_nYJy3LbP_c/TfgxUwa2KeI/AAAAAAAAAu8/asAMWO3bNmY/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The views to the west of the Sawatch Range -- and Mt Elbert and Mt Massive -- were gorgeous. Unfortunately the views to the East, which would have shown Mt Evans and Pikes Peak, were mostly obscured by smoke from the wildfires burning in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Colorado. At points we could taste the smoke and ash in the air.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yP2K3atn-Uw/TfgxecfTJpI/AAAAAAAAAvA/pqcaU7vZ-io/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yP2K3atn-Uw/TfgxecfTJpI/AAAAAAAAAvA/pqcaU7vZ-io/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is N on the summit of Mt Dyer, enjoying a PB&J.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0WCBEnOp_s/TfgxraxYJBI/AAAAAAAAAvE/K1Y55f8tdX4/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0WCBEnOp_s/TfgxraxYJBI/AAAAAAAAAvE/K1Y55f8tdX4/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And another view from the summit, towards Mosquito Pass, which is a 4 wheel drive road to the north. It seems unlikely that the road will open this year given the enormous snowpack.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ikLltQSvA/Tfgx5qc9EqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Tt3QV6tqc8Y/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3ikLltQSvA/Tfgx5qc9EqI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Tt3QV6tqc8Y/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am on the summit of Dyer. It was cold!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tcu4aEZTb4/TfgyErqE46I/AAAAAAAAAvM/MnbOBtK7bI8/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9tcu4aEZTb4/TfgyErqE46I/AAAAAAAAAvM/MnbOBtK7bI8/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we hiked along a ridge and up to Mt Sherman. There are no pictures from this portion of the hike, sadly. The ridge had one side with, at places, a sharp drop off and was covered in snow. I stopped to take a pee break and so was far behind N, trying to step in his footprints, but found that I weigh more than he does because where he floated over the snow I post holed -- i.e., sank into the snow. Crossing the ridge was tough and then I had to head up a boulder field with very little in the way of a marked trail. From there, gaining the summit of Sherman was an easy walk up some snow which I luckily did not sink into, despite following N's path again. On the summit of Sherman, I got to demonstrate how incredibly badass my new ice axe looks.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LB2Sb8X_wtA/TfgyQMsiTcI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/_rlve_Bp-9Y/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LB2Sb8X_wtA/TfgyQMsiTcI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/_rlve_Bp-9Y/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we headed down from Sherman to what I found to be one of the most frustrating/hardest parts of the hike. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nMjL_0MgCI/TfgycY7iSwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/DWdf5i1yVGg/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7nMjL_0MgCI/TfgycY7iSwI/AAAAAAAAAvU/DWdf5i1yVGg/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, though, we got to do some glissading (sliding down the snow on our butts) and I learned to self-arrest with my ice axe. Which is super fun.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Yff6LTz5I/Tfgyqu1fEhI/AAAAAAAAAvY/P_oyHrHZwXM/s1600/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Yff6LTz5I/Tfgyqu1fEhI/AAAAAAAAAvY/P_oyHrHZwXM/s320/Dyer+Mountain+and+Mt+Sherman+-+2011-06-11+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we had to cross several snowfields that were constant post holing minefields. By this point were nearing the end of our hike and I was hungry and also both of my gaiters had broken so there was water sloshing around in my boots. We crossed a stream and then had to go up a short but steep snow slope. Luckily after that we got onto the road and it was just a gentle downhill walk back to the car.</div><br />
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</span>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-49811387090391377612011-06-06T22:12:00.000-07:002011-06-06T22:12:24.960-07:00Now THIS is the tale of the Memorial Day Road Trip 2k11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">N and I opted to head south for this one, taking in scenic Colorado and then heading down to see the archaeology at Chaco Canyon and whatever there was at Taos (some hot springs?). Then we headed back north as fast as possible so we could see the Arctic Monkeys play the Ogden on Monday night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left early (like, 5am) on Saturday morning and headed into the mountains. As we exited the Eisenhower Tunnel and came down towards Lake Dillon, the hillsides were covered in mist.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgQTFTOEqDw/Te2bha4vaII/AAAAAAAAAqU/yDEg_D9iPfw/s1600/100_9669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgQTFTOEqDw/Te2bha4vaII/AAAAAAAAAqU/yDEg_D9iPfw/s320/100_9669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one below is taken looking towards the town of Dillon.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYGwMIy3p3E/Te2bjvT9QHI/AAAAAAAAAqY/N6AiaeqMcKM/s1600/100_9672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYGwMIy3p3E/Te2bjvT9QHI/AAAAAAAAAqY/N6AiaeqMcKM/s320/100_9672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we turned and drove through Leadville and then started our ascent up Independence Pass. Looming, very snow-covered mountains rose up in front of us...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRCjTyG0jg0/Te2bnB843aI/AAAAAAAAAqc/fxs4Pf55ipU/s1600/100_9674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRCjTyG0jg0/Te2bnB843aI/AAAAAAAAAqc/fxs4Pf55ipU/s320/100_9674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Coming to the top, we had just passed between enormous walls of snow. The Colorado Department of Transportation had worked very hard to get the road open for the holiday weekend and when we got to the top it was obvious how much snow there was.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbaqInfeHkA/Te2cSTAtJhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/lgB6Cb-lAz4/s1600/100_9681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbaqInfeHkA/Te2cSTAtJhI/AAAAAAAAAqk/lgB6Cb-lAz4/s320/100_9681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESB32Zqn0Dk/Te2cYDXY_tI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cxl9v4XzTpw/s1600/100_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ESB32Zqn0Dk/Te2cYDXY_tI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cxl9v4XzTpw/s320/100_9684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh my gosh, SO. MUCH. SNOW. A few days later, some of these snow walls collapsed and re-covered the road. This is really a massive amount of snow here for the end of May.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rHstfVsv6pk/Te2chbJzD4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/ebBPIgQmhF4/s1600/100_9685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rHstfVsv6pk/Te2chbJzD4I/AAAAAAAAAqw/ebBPIgQmhF4/s320/100_9685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we drove down into Aspen, passing a lot of very fabulous houses, and then continued onto 133, where we passed some beautiful scenery. These trees were growing into the rocks beside a waterfall and I loved their roots.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz_qNo614C0/Te2c4dIWqiI/AAAAAAAAArI/gy0L8hchGBk/s1600/100_9697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz_qNo614C0/Te2c4dIWqiI/AAAAAAAAArI/gy0L8hchGBk/s320/100_9697.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uv7iHEidEE/Te2c9D5bewI/AAAAAAAAArM/G7IQQAoC934/s1600/100_9698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Uv7iHEidEE/Te2c9D5bewI/AAAAAAAAArM/G7IQQAoC934/s320/100_9698.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was also the clear reminder that spring was finally arriving in the high country, with aspens and other deciduous trees starting to bloom.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWzdZ2Xea2Q/Te2czAma7mI/AAAAAAAAArE/ggXatKKsa8M/s1600/100_9693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWzdZ2Xea2Q/Te2czAma7mI/AAAAAAAAArE/ggXatKKsa8M/s320/100_9693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0CzQkHOxi0/Te2dL5z3NWI/AAAAAAAAArY/tWMPKkdJDEY/s1600/100_9709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0CzQkHOxi0/Te2dL5z3NWI/AAAAAAAAArY/tWMPKkdJDEY/s320/100_9709.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we passed over McClure Pass and down into the rugged San Juans. Below is a view of my favorite mountain, Mt Sneffels, peeking out over some fertile ranchland.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MN1MKlHvjvY/Te2dVdyfl6I/AAAAAAAAArk/XUPs85F4BdY/s1600/100_9719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MN1MKlHvjvY/Te2dVdyfl6I/AAAAAAAAArk/XUPs85F4BdY/s320/100_9719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We ate lunch in Ouray. This is the area that Theodore Roosevelt called "the Switzerland of America".</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZhG3pm-1jg/Te2daR8mb7I/AAAAAAAAAro/7TNN5E7dID4/s1600/100_9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZhG3pm-1jg/Te2daR8mb7I/AAAAAAAAAro/7TNN5E7dID4/s320/100_9723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B52kvagTAe8/Te2gcrmnR5I/AAAAAAAAArw/-UBo2TSY9Yo/s1600/100_9726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B52kvagTAe8/Te2gcrmnR5I/AAAAAAAAArw/-UBo2TSY9Yo/s320/100_9726.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From there we drove on the Million Dollar Highway -- where spring melt was in full flow, the hillsides were covered with waterfalls that unfortunately did not photograph well -- and then into Silverton, over Red Mountain Pass -- where the below photo was taken, and then began the long descent out of the mountains and into the desert.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_ma4PHB6rc/Te2gg4dSVuI/AAAAAAAAAr0/z8WdzG9lrnQ/s1600/100_9730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a_ma4PHB6rc/Te2gg4dSVuI/AAAAAAAAAr0/z8WdzG9lrnQ/s320/100_9730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That evening we reached <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_Canyon">Chaco Canyon</a> in northern New Mexico. Although I think <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa_Verde">Mesa Verde</a> is prettier, in my opinion (I started to write professional opinion and then realized that it is actually my profession), Chaco Canyon is the most impressive archaeological site in the United States. And, unlike Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon is somewhat undiscovered. To get there we had to drive down a long dirt road. We arrived about an hour before sunset after listening to a wild Rockies victory on a whining and fading AM broadcast and discovered that the campsite was entirely full. As we were talking to a ranger about possible places to stay -- all many miles away -- a very kind lady with several children offered us a share of her campsite. We set up the tent with the help of her kids (who were EXTREMELY helpful -- fastest tent set-up ever!) and then drove to the largest ruin, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_Bonito">Pueblo Bonito</a>, to take some photographs in the softer light of evening. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXanpQfTQ5M/Te2gmKpBaZI/AAAAAAAAAr4/u3fIf5zsTTI/s1600/100_9733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXanpQfTQ5M/Te2gmKpBaZI/AAAAAAAAAr4/u3fIf5zsTTI/s320/100_9733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stonework here is beautiful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKnTfvZQugU/Te2gxldOLNI/AAAAAAAAAsA/MGPyB07gwSc/s1600/100_9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKnTfvZQugU/Te2gxldOLNI/AAAAAAAAAsA/MGPyB07gwSc/s320/100_9745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wZE7tHfJCE/Te2g60y-8SI/AAAAAAAAAsE/lhO3R8xz5iI/s1600/100_9749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wZE7tHfJCE/Te2g60y-8SI/AAAAAAAAAsE/lhO3R8xz5iI/s320/100_9749.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3biyiBeVhs/Te2hMgZnWwI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/wQk01c6eGyw/s1600/100_9762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3biyiBeVhs/Te2hMgZnWwI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/wQk01c6eGyw/s320/100_9762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pueblo Bonito consists of a many small rooms connected by tiny doorways that you have to crouch to walk through. The rooms originally would have had timbered roofs and all of the stonework and roofs were plastered over to give the walls a much more uniform appearance, but based on the room that they have done up this way to show visitors what it would have been like, the rooms would have been incredibly claustrophobic. Chaco is an archaeological mystery, and why the rooms were like that -- were they store rooms? Did anyone live in them? etc. -- remain an open question despite over a century of archaeological study. (If you're interested, Stephen Lekson's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chaco-Meridian-Centers-Political-Southwest/dp/0761991816/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1307422019&sr=8-1">The Chaco Meridian</a> </i>is the best book I've read on the subject, though it's getting a bit old now.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djrEQIV-hpY/Te2hRd6JkaI/AAAAAAAAAsU/S5bSphIkon4/s1600/100_9782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-djrEQIV-hpY/Te2hRd6JkaI/AAAAAAAAAsU/S5bSphIkon4/s320/100_9782.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_vcMkUGmLc/Te2hWMuu5WI/AAAAAAAAAsY/kh_-J9rdBAU/s1600/100_9794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_vcMkUGmLc/Te2hWMuu5WI/AAAAAAAAAsY/kh_-J9rdBAU/s320/100_9794.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was a beautiful flower in our campsite. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEH2YRITwdE/Te2hZZ_GjBI/AAAAAAAAAsc/9sYhJFk7XRk/s1600/100_9798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEH2YRITwdE/Te2hZZ_GjBI/AAAAAAAAAsc/9sYhJFk7XRk/s320/100_9798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That evening, there was an archaeological talk and then a chance to look through three high-powered telescopes at various sights down at the ranger station. The archaeological talk was by Patricia Crown, who is a professor at the University of New Mexico. When one of the little girls we were sharing our campsite with told us that the talk was about "chocolate" I guessed that the talk would be about some recent papers I'd seen about finding cacao traces in ceramics from the site. I was right! I was also really excited to hear Professor Crown speak, and she gave a really entertaining lecture. If you're interested in her research, <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/106/7/2110.short">here's the abstract for her paper</a>, and <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440311000689">another on the topic</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The astronomy was also very cool. Chaco is really out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no moon, so we were able to see some amazing things in the little observatory there. We saw Saturn (which seriously looks fake), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globular_cluster">a globular cluster</a>, and then some galaxies beyond our own! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning we went back to explore the site more. Part of the site was destroyed by falling sandstone in the 20th century, and looking at the wall of the canyon, you can see why. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsb8BcWzDA/Te2hdww472I/AAAAAAAAAsg/zRbnXFN1GzA/s1600/100_9804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmsb8BcWzDA/Te2hdww472I/AAAAAAAAAsg/zRbnXFN1GzA/s320/100_9804.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back inside of Pueblo Bonito...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WMFWoYVdcA/Te2hibG5PbI/AAAAAAAAAsk/AOhy9tPkl48/s1600/100_9811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WMFWoYVdcA/Te2hibG5PbI/AAAAAAAAAsk/AOhy9tPkl48/s320/100_9811.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another interesting archaeological fact about Chaco is that this and other sites in the southwest were the first sites to be dated by dendrochronology. The desert environment has preserved timbers that travelled hundreds of miles when Chaco was under construction. These are some timbers above a doorway, beautifully preserved.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrQMN4G75YQ/Te2hnF6g86I/AAAAAAAAAso/Tje2nfOadEY/s1600/100_9812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrQMN4G75YQ/Te2hnF6g86I/AAAAAAAAAso/Tje2nfOadEY/s320/100_9812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the cooler features of Pueblo Bonito is its windows. Those two on the sides were added into the structure later in its construction history. I kind of want windows like that in my own house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PyzYwqv9wo/Te2hs9VEwcI/AAAAAAAAAss/yTDM44SnNo4/s1600/100_9814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6PyzYwqv9wo/Te2hs9VEwcI/AAAAAAAAAss/yTDM44SnNo4/s320/100_9814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really loved this little bird hanging out atop this wall.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpoxOOh8dPA/Te2hxamVKAI/AAAAAAAAAsw/fCfLQcdrY4E/s1600/100_9815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpoxOOh8dPA/Te2hxamVKAI/AAAAAAAAAsw/fCfLQcdrY4E/s320/100_9815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left Pueblo Bonito and went on a hike up onto the canyon rim. To get there we had to go between some narrow sandstone walls, as this man with the fine ass shows us.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkEC5BbyMe8/Te2h8XkiTOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/Lw5c2csothE/s1600/100_9821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkEC5BbyMe8/Te2h8XkiTOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/Lw5c2csothE/s320/100_9821.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Atop the canyon walls, there are shrimp fossils embedded in the sandstone -- this sandstone, like that near to Denver, was once the seabed part of the inland ocean that covered the middle of North America in the Jurassic/Cretaceous. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JZrqvJ_gJM/Te2iFUcW-ZI/AAAAAAAAAs8/tfLrh0evLbQ/s1600/100_9825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JZrqvJ_gJM/Te2iFUcW-ZI/AAAAAAAAAs8/tfLrh0evLbQ/s320/100_9825.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking down on Pueblo Bonito.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sKic0zk6TU/Te2iPGJdDmI/AAAAAAAAAtA/EOCq_gXmjDA/s1600/100_9826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3sKic0zk6TU/Te2iPGJdDmI/AAAAAAAAAtA/EOCq_gXmjDA/s320/100_9826.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking across the canyon to another part of the site.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikz1r6z2MYc/Te2ib3UN62I/AAAAAAAAAtI/xCKV_J3YtIw/s1600/100_9833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikz1r6z2MYc/Te2ib3UN62I/AAAAAAAAAtI/xCKV_J3YtIw/s320/100_9833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A yucca flower.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klHgZl3vOno/Te2ifYt9UaI/AAAAAAAAAtM/V_9FTq8-zHA/s1600/100_9836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-klHgZl3vOno/Te2ifYt9UaI/AAAAAAAAAtM/V_9FTq8-zHA/s320/100_9836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of the features of Chaco are kivas, which are circular rooms found throughout the Southwest. The ones at Chaco are "great" -- in many cases, really really big.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PWtpo5zJ8Y/Te2ilyjaLLI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/e-7kC_GrdYs/s1600/100_9841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PWtpo5zJ8Y/Te2ilyjaLLI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/e-7kC_GrdYs/s320/100_9841.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4JLm9nagKw/Te2iomRcQKI/AAAAAAAAAtU/xzsWnxJdZZA/s1600/100_9847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4JLm9nagKw/Te2iomRcQKI/AAAAAAAAAtU/xzsWnxJdZZA/s320/100_9847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We left Chaco in mid-morning and drove towards Taos. Northern New Mexico provided us with some beautiful sandstone-based scenery as we entered the Rio Grande's drainage area.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ovHPlPbYho/Te2iu6AAulI/AAAAAAAAAtY/YAidJlmAZkU/s1600/100_9848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ovHPlPbYho/Te2iu6AAulI/AAAAAAAAAtY/YAidJlmAZkU/s320/100_9848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A reservoir...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmBPWNWpCd0/Te2i0odV5II/AAAAAAAAAtc/Ffq3p1fxX04/s1600/100_9849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmBPWNWpCd0/Te2i0odV5II/AAAAAAAAAtc/Ffq3p1fxX04/s320/100_9849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The valley of the Rio Grande where we dipped our toes in the icy cold water. The Rio Grande, of course, comes from those snow-covered mountains in Colorado, and this was pure meltwater.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDHb9uf4BYI/Te2i6VBgKiI/AAAAAAAAAtg/DNp9TAONDG0/s1600/100_9852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDHb9uf4BYI/Te2i6VBgKiI/AAAAAAAAAtg/DNp9TAONDG0/s320/100_9852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6e0L95zz-0/Te2jARcUo5I/AAAAAAAAAtk/kPYoMDtM4cA/s1600/100_9853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l6e0L95zz-0/Te2jARcUo5I/AAAAAAAAAtk/kPYoMDtM4cA/s320/100_9853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The impressive gorge of the Rio Grande cutting across northern New Mexico.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il0tuRM0dxk/Te2jD8l1w1I/AAAAAAAAAto/Iz7M87bx_pg/s1600/100_9860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il0tuRM0dxk/Te2jD8l1w1I/AAAAAAAAAto/Iz7M87bx_pg/s320/100_9860.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We rolled into Taos around dinnertime and, though we were unimpressed by the town itself (why do our parents love this place?), we did enjoy some delicious Mexican food and some even more delicious margaritas that were just strong enough to make us super earnest and truthful.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UTua2aiJh9M/Te2jF8v6XaI/AAAAAAAAAts/4m9PTcNw6Rw/s1600/100_9861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UTua2aiJh9M/Te2jF8v6XaI/AAAAAAAAAts/4m9PTcNw6Rw/s320/100_9861.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we drove on to a campsite in Carson National Forest. It was a terribly windy night and I didn't sleep well for all the flapping of the tent and the fact that I was burning hot in my made-for-the-mountains sleeping bag, but when I woke up I felt perfectly refreshed, as I always do when I camp. I walked out onto the dirt road and took a picture of the sunrise over the mountains.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBWE8tWWm50/Te2jJI6789I/AAAAAAAAAtw/lzriDKZeUYs/s1600/100_9863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBWE8tWWm50/Te2jJI6789I/AAAAAAAAAtw/lzriDKZeUYs/s320/100_9863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then we hiked down into that gorge of the Rio Grande to go to some natural hot springs. Driving to get to the rim, we passed some gorgeous -- and some crazy -- low impact "earthdome" type houses and a lot of adobe houses. We hiked down to what was apparently an old stagecoach stop -- there were some ruined buildings there -- and took a dip in the delightful hot springs pools. It seemed crazy to us that a stagecoach could make it down into the gorge, but we weren't complaining too much as we relaxed in the hot water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjmY06uxEXI/Te2jOuzZ-vI/AAAAAAAAAt0/AR0nZziz7rA/s1600/100_9874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjmY06uxEXI/Te2jOuzZ-vI/AAAAAAAAAt0/AR0nZziz7rA/s320/100_9874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z26_GMfWDlQ/Te2jWN225WI/AAAAAAAAAt4/rMWwKWXueSU/s1600/100_9883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z26_GMfWDlQ/Te2jWN225WI/AAAAAAAAAt4/rMWwKWXueSU/s320/100_9883.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We picked up some hippie girl hitchhikers on our way back up the road and left them at the highway to go to Taos and continue their spiritual journey. It was time for us to turn back north into Colorado and head to Denver.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We passed through the San Luis Valley and had a good long look at my favorite mountain range, Sangre de Cristos.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U09xmRLM8DA/Te2jZnozsHI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jmLMRT-gLic/s1600/100_9888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U09xmRLM8DA/Te2jZnozsHI/AAAAAAAAAt8/jmLMRT-gLic/s320/100_9888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIYAIuoeUgg/Te2jdfDZW6I/AAAAAAAAAuA/tfuhXmvV5lY/s1600/100_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIYAIuoeUgg/Te2jdfDZW6I/AAAAAAAAAuA/tfuhXmvV5lY/s320/100_9890.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then we went to see the Arctic Monkeys. Don't believe the 'ype*.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THE END</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">*Sheffield accent translation: "hype"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-49107272917291422862011-06-01T10:30:00.000-07:002011-06-01T10:30:53.620-07:00Vindicated.Over Memorial Day, N and I took a road trip, but that's not the point of this story.<br />
<br />
We listened to and talked about a lot of music. One song that came up, as we were driving up Independence Pass between Leadville and Aspen, Colorado, was "All My Friends" by LCD Soundsystem. This is one of my favourite songs ever. Why?<br />
1. I identify with the feelings in it a lot.<br />
2. It employs a musical technique that I think of as "building", where the song starts off slow and fills the listener with anticipation for the payoff. And I'm a huge sucker for songs that do this.<br />
<br />
Have a listen:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NXp1TQPf2pY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
As we were driving up the pass, N and I got into an argument about whether or not that song actually employs the technique of "building" as he seems to think that the song carries on in exactly the same way throughout, presumably because he is actually deaf and/or has no appreciation for music. On the off-chance that you suffer from the same problem(s) and agree with him, I direct you to <a href="http://www.nathan-hale.com/">his blog</a>, which has better pictures than mine. I'm sure you'll find a safe place there.<br />
<br />
HOWEVER. Cue today, when he and I were reading a number of articles about our mutual obsession, the Arctic Monkeys, and their new album "Suck it and See", and he came upon <a href="http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&title=arctic_monkeys_alex_turner_s_guide_to_su&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1">this one</a>, where lead singer Alex Turner explains each song on the new album. This is what Alex has to say about the last track on that album:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;">It’s a bit like <a href="http://www.nme.com/artists/arctic-monkeys/album/favourite-worst-nightmare/438/track/505" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">'505’</a> – that tune on the second album, where it’s just two chords all the way through and we’d wanted to do a tune like that again for a while. There’s loads of good examples of that like that LCD Soundsystem <a href="http://www.nme.com/artists/lcd-soundsystem/album/all-my-friends/5319" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline;">'All My Friends’</a> tune.</div><div style="font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><b>It’s just the two chords that build and build.</b> </div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-46010514344531077702011-05-20T14:06:00.000-07:002011-05-20T14:06:14.800-07:00Funniest, most creative thing I've read in a whileDo you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories?<br />
<br />
Do you enjoy baseball?<br />
<br />
Are you awesome and enjoy both?<br />
<br />
Then you will absolutely enjoy reading this, which would make an amazing post-apocalyptic comedy:<br />
<a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/20/2177721/interleague-play-2011">http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/5/20/2177721/interleague-play-2011</a>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-10900601111648552262011-05-18T17:35:00.000-07:002011-05-18T17:35:56.620-07:00Jack Horner's theory of the Torosaurus, the four-legged stance of ceratopsids, and the Colorado Rockies' mascot, DingerSome of you may be familiar with <a href="http://www.museumoftherockies.org/Home/EXPLORE/Dinosaurs/PeopleinPaleo/JackHorner/tabid/389/Default.aspx">Dr Jack Horner</a>, who is one of the rock stars of palaeontology (alongside my childhood crush -- pre-Ewan McGregor -- <a href="http://news.uchicago.edu/profile/paul-sereno">Dr Paul Serreno</a>). Dr Horner recently made headlines by saying that, well, I'll let him explain it here:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sP9S2Mk4ZiQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br />
</div><div>Basically, according to his theory, triceratops is a juvenile form of another species, the torosaurus. Now don't get into one of those "Pluto was a planet when I was a kid" panics -- because the species was named triceratops first, that's the name that will stick. </div><div><br />
</div><div>In case you're completely lost, here's a triceratops on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fossilmuseum.net/DinosaurFossils/triceratops/triceratops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.fossilmuseum.net/DinosaurFossils/triceratops/triceratops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And here's a torosaurus at the Peabody: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.planetdinosaur.com/dinosaur_list/images/torosaurus_skeleton_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.planetdinosaur.com/dinosaur_list/images/torosaurus_skeleton_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>So, as I said, Horner's idea is that the Torosaurus is the grown-up version of the Triceratops. So think of Triceratops more like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.pcp001.com/g/Kota%20the%20triceratops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://i.pcp001.com/g/Kota%20the%20triceratops.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Upon hearing Dr Horner's theory, my mind immediately turned to Denver's most famous triceratops, Colorado Rockies' mascot, Dinger:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/234327498_125f0e317f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/234327498_125f0e317f.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Dinger's origins as a living triceratops in the late 20th century are somewhat murky, but news stories from around the time mention that, during the construction of Coors Field (where the Rockies play), a number of dinosaur skeletons were found and subsequently excavated. My best guess, therefore, is that Dinger is the result of that excavation -- a clone of some dino DNA from a skeleton found there, mixed not with West African frog DNA, but with the blood of the Blake Street Bombers...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2009/0715/20090715__20090716_C04_SP16BOMB~p1_200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site36/2009/0715/20090715__20090716_C04_SP16BOMB~p1_200.JPG" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://threadfiction.com/images/Dino-DNA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://threadfiction.com/images/Dino-DNA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">=</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop.sportsworldcards.com/ekmps/shops/sportsworld/images/colorado-rockies-dinger-m8-topps-2010-opening-day-mlb-baseball-trading-card-39863-p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://shop.sportsworldcards.com/ekmps/shops/sportsworld/images/colorado-rockies-dinger-m8-topps-2010-opening-day-mlb-baseball-trading-card-39863-p.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">So here's Dinger, and in the words of Alan Grant, he's out of his time and confused. And yet he still goes out there and does a great job every day, even though some fans seem to really dislike him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://friscofastball.com/files/2009/09/DingerFire2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://friscofastball.com/files/2009/09/DingerFire2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Poor Dinger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-GckXqvg4yg/SkBazrRlGzI/AAAAAAAAAHE/bqknIER6c8w/s400/dinger-mascot3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-GckXqvg4yg/SkBazrRlGzI/AAAAAAAAAHE/bqknIER6c8w/s320/dinger-mascot3.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now what does all this have to do with Dr Horner's theory? Well here's my concern: why hasn't Dinger, who is almost 20 years old now, grown into a torosaurus and lost his third horn? Why hasn't his frill elongated and developed those characteristic holes? And here's MY theory: remember how I said people don't like Dinger? Well one of the charges leveled against him is that he's fat, and therefore a bad example to kids. My concern is that the reason why he hasn't aged into a torosaurus -- and the reason why he's kind of chubby -- is that the Rockies organization is concerned about him reaching sexual maturity and going on a violent dinosaur mating rampage (since many palaeontologists have theorized that those head frills were for clashing over mates) and therefore is feeding Dinger hormones in order to stop his growth. A side effect of the hormones is weight gain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a theory of mine. </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Non-sequitur: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinger">Wikipedia claims</a> that "Dinger" is the ancient Sumerian word for God. Citation needed.</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-5662049717684020062011-05-11T09:16:00.000-07:002011-05-11T09:16:26.599-07:00Ghosts of Jamies (plural, not possessive) pastThis is my amazon.com profile, just rediscovered, 11 years later:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em;"><b>In My Own Words:</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px;">Well hi! If you read this, it would be really cool if you would e-mail me cause I figure that there's nobody who's really going to read it and I'd like to know. I live in Denver, Colorado, I'm 16, I love Ewan McGregor!! and... ummmm... right</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px;">Eloquent, wasn't I?</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-68993175146808093852011-05-07T19:48:00.000-07:002011-05-07T19:48:43.359-07:00Climbing Mt SilverheelsToday S, N, and I climbed Mt Silverheels, named for the distinctive shoes of a beloved mining town dance hall girl from Colorado's colorful late-19th century history. The mountain is the 96th highest in Colorado, one of the "Centennial 13ers" (of Colorado's over 500 mountains over 13,000 ft, the "Centennials" are the 100 highest), with an elevation of 13,822 ft above sea level. We climbed it from the Hoosier Pass trailhead, which in retrospect may have been setting ourselves up for a harder time than we could have had with a different route...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzfonkTuJtk/TcX8I6Ke6kI/AAAAAAAAApY/1a4BRGKEG7w/s1600/100_9632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzfonkTuJtk/TcX8I6Ke6kI/AAAAAAAAApY/1a4BRGKEG7w/s320/100_9632.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn light on nearby Quandary Peak (14,265 ft). I stood on top of that one in 2006.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A number of 14ers (mountains over 14,000 ft) are in the area, most of which I have climbed, but one of my favorites is Quandary Peak, which was the dominant mountain in our northwestern view for much of the day. Quandary has a very long ridge (which you can see there) that leads up to the summit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-wsXjIOpxE/TcX8Nc9X6_I/AAAAAAAAApc/0wMf2tl82f4/s1600/100_9635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F-wsXjIOpxE/TcX8Nc9X6_I/AAAAAAAAApc/0wMf2tl82f4/s320/100_9635.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S and N show love for each other the only way they know how: with unexpected violence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Since this was an early May climb, we had to contend with snow, in some places deep. We opted to leave our snowshoes in the car, which meant that it was somewhat more treacherous than it might have been, but luckily in the morning much of the snow was quite hard, and we were able to walk on top of it and only sink in a bit. This made the going much easier than it would have been if we had had to sink in with every step.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrQ5pSPAZ2c/TcX8QoQ02jI/AAAAAAAAApg/nLZJ-8g_mw4/s1600/100_9640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BrQ5pSPAZ2c/TcX8QoQ02jI/AAAAAAAAApg/nLZJ-8g_mw4/s320/100_9640.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks in the snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Part of the problem with the route we chose was that it wasn't a simple up and down the mountain route -- it involved a lot of going up slopes of varying steepness and then going back down again. This was especially true on the way back.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCWviT_WrWE/TcX8U6xGxaI/AAAAAAAAApk/WM1t_L3Pwu0/s1600/100_9641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCWviT_WrWE/TcX8U6xGxaI/AAAAAAAAApk/WM1t_L3Pwu0/s320/100_9641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> S and N crossing a snowfield, with the goal of Mt Silverheels ahead of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpc4pZs0w7A/TcX8WxylGDI/AAAAAAAAApo/5Uvcqfbuba4/s1600/100_9643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hpc4pZs0w7A/TcX8WxylGDI/AAAAAAAAApo/5Uvcqfbuba4/s320/100_9643.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We seemed to spend a lot of time going up and down things that looked like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Case in point above there. However, eventually we came to the steady uphill that led to the summit and all three of us settled in and made the final 1000 ft push in about 40 minutes. I arrived at the summit not far behind the other two and we sat for a few minutes eating snacks and resting. However, there was a gusting, freezing cold wind that drove us off the summit, as there was no sheltered place to sit (the cairn at the top was completely filled with snow), so we didn't spend long there.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwHwJXrzwRk/TcX8ZtFaaVI/AAAAAAAAAps/fmNLHv6enYE/s1600/100_9653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JwHwJXrzwRk/TcX8ZtFaaVI/AAAAAAAAAps/fmNLHv6enYE/s320/100_9653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top looking to the southeast. Pikes Peak (14,110 ft) is the lone mountain in the far distance, with South Park spread out in between.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Mt Silverheels sticks out in the relatively flat, high-altitude valley known as South Park (which is not a town), and so the significant features you can see to the east from the summit are the rolling hills in the valley and then, far across the valley, the mountains of the Front Range (which is what you can see from Denver), including the lone prominence of Pikes Peak, which is the snow-capped peak you can just see in the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hy5iLGmVHcE/TcX8b2pqq6I/AAAAAAAAApw/Zg7K422Wfps/s1600/100_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hy5iLGmVHcE/TcX8b2pqq6I/AAAAAAAAApw/Zg7K422Wfps/s320/100_9658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S teabags N on the summit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=39.341533,-106.012402&spn=0.038434,0.077162&t=p&z=14&output=embed" width="425"></iframe></div><small><a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=39.341533,-106.012402&spn=0.038434,0.077162&t=p&z=14&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyCG9pbQ0zo/TcX8fo4p4CI/AAAAAAAAAp0/14RdvG1hdyY/s1600/100_9659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyCG9pbQ0zo/TcX8fo4p4CI/AAAAAAAAAp0/14RdvG1hdyY/s320/100_9659.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way down, skirting that enormous cornice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Setting off down from the summit, we first came down a steep talus slope (broken up rocks that slip and slide as you walk on them; they are old deposits that fell from the glaciers that once covered the Rockies), and then to a series of ridges and hills that we had to surmount to get back to Hoosier Pass (and the car). We took a different route from that morning in the hopes of avoiding too much snowfield crossing, as it was quite a warm day and we were concerned that the snow would be soft and we would punch through it as we walked. However, that route proved to involve a lot of uphill after we had summited, which just felt wrong to me (and my legs, which are very sore as I write this). This included having to get on top of something that was 12,800 ft high.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXei_kzto54/TcX8jUIjzlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/7e8SXh3box8/s1600/100_9666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXei_kzto54/TcX8jUIjzlI/AAAAAAAAAp4/7e8SXh3box8/s320/100_9666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, coming down into the trees again. My old friend Quandary Peak is to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Eventually, however, we made it down to treeline, which meant we were close to the car. However, we had to traverse the deep snow through the trees to make it to the road. The sun had softened the snow and all three of us would periodically sink down into the snow up to our hips and have to dig ourselves out. In one notable instance, I fell in so far that I almost lost a boot pulling myself out. Eventually we made it to the car and then ate some much-deserved barbecue in Conifer on the way home.<br />
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In all, the hike was about 10 miles round trip and we gained 3400 vertical feet. I had a great day and am really looking forward to a lot more hiking this summer!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-16298866279310436692011-04-17T20:42:00.000-07:002011-04-17T20:42:05.299-07:00LoDo picture tourThis weekend was Doors Open Denver, which is a weekend (same as in many other cities) when various buildings open their doors and let people in for free, and there are lots of other free activities around the city. In addition to seeing a number of buildings, N and I went on a photography walking tour around the LoDo/Union Station area. The walking tour started around 5:45 and the sky got very dramatic in the background, making for some great photography light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDN6S-PcJ_c/Tautyxi-JwI/AAAAAAAAAmg/aWbkSERqHkQ/s1600/100_9539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDN6S-PcJ_c/Tautyxi-JwI/AAAAAAAAAmg/aWbkSERqHkQ/s320/100_9539.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N waiting in the big seats at Union Station for the tour to start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkNY3elDH3k/TauuCDsGu0I/AAAAAAAAAmk/8J90hjFt3lg/s1600/100_9541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkNY3elDH3k/TauuCDsGu0I/AAAAAAAAAmk/8J90hjFt3lg/s320/100_9541.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Rockies fan on the way to the game got right in the way of my picture of the Oxford Hotel sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiwWu1rHYd0/TauuFzgyUXI/AAAAAAAAAmo/VphmUAMa5ls/s1600/100_9543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiwWu1rHYd0/TauuFzgyUXI/AAAAAAAAAmo/VphmUAMa5ls/s320/100_9543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denver's B-cycles, which are bikes you can check out (like the Boris Bikes in London). We get really excited whenever we see someone using them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqNgq9ZPpt0/TauuJGITkvI/AAAAAAAAAms/soZFO0Ipy2c/s1600/100_9544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eqNgq9ZPpt0/TauuJGITkvI/AAAAAAAAAms/soZFO0Ipy2c/s320/100_9544.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front of Union Station, one of Denver's oldest buildings, which first opened in 1881.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soqFHzr2n6I/TauuXgTOF9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/ux7UNw4CFd4/s1600/100_9559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-soqFHzr2n6I/TauuXgTOF9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/ux7UNw4CFd4/s320/100_9559.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I quite liked this building. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YB4eUYkLZA8/TauuT1exdvI/AAAAAAAAAm4/zisVK6rrhkA/s1600/100_9556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YB4eUYkLZA8/TauuT1exdvI/AAAAAAAAAm4/zisVK6rrhkA/s320/100_9556.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up 15th Street -- an interesting architectural mix.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL5wkSqJP4Q/TauuQlD59-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/YQaGGa9SRMs/s1600/100_9554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TL5wkSqJP4Q/TauuQlD59-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/YQaGGa9SRMs/s320/100_9554.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections in the Gates Building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw7ocE5Oy3E/TauuMrqTVaI/AAAAAAAAAmw/m5Me21lurK8/s1600/100_9549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cw7ocE5Oy3E/TauuMrqTVaI/AAAAAAAAAmw/m5Me21lurK8/s320/100_9549.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A building on 15th St, I just liked the name :).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Juq-71JoF0/Tauub4t_0eI/AAAAAAAAAnA/AyFD-ln3CWI/s1600/100_9561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Juq-71JoF0/Tauub4t_0eI/AAAAAAAAAnA/AyFD-ln3CWI/s320/100_9561.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork and meters on that same black brick building from before.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD4ZHtJm_L8/TauugC6HBbI/AAAAAAAAAnE/xeogjpy2DEQ/s1600/100_9563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aD4ZHtJm_L8/TauugC6HBbI/AAAAAAAAAnE/xeogjpy2DEQ/s320/100_9563.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more artwork.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AHixdtVtNk/Tauuiec5X9I/AAAAAAAAAnI/SfVueAYUIzc/s1600/100_9564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--AHixdtVtNk/Tauuiec5X9I/AAAAAAAAAnI/SfVueAYUIzc/s320/100_9564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Museum of Contemporary Art.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymTwcrSSlJY/TauumowzSUI/AAAAAAAAAnM/zYoTNYJ26Ls/s1600/100_9565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymTwcrSSlJY/TauumowzSUI/AAAAAAAAAnM/zYoTNYJ26Ls/s320/100_9565.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminds me of Carhenge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQWLBk56Jbo/TauurOzBTSI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/-e6mO_-vohA/s1600/100_9566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQWLBk56Jbo/TauurOzBTSI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/-e6mO_-vohA/s320/100_9566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was considering flipping this on its side...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9YWTUOwChI/TauuvTb9z-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/PfvHTaDzjcc/s1600/100_9573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9YWTUOwChI/TauuvTb9z-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/PfvHTaDzjcc/s320/100_9573.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked the different textures in this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqtCJyG_Vco/Tauu2t4qhWI/AAAAAAAAAnc/B_sdGkW_B4w/s1600/100_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqtCJyG_Vco/Tauu2t4qhWI/AAAAAAAAAnc/B_sdGkW_B4w/s320/100_9585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old railroad bridge over Cherry Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0MRpqqPy5Y/TauuyWANhqI/AAAAAAAAAnY/S8cr-So1xqU/s1600/100_9580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0MRpqqPy5Y/TauuyWANhqI/AAAAAAAAAnY/S8cr-So1xqU/s320/100_9580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers in bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRIk5MSHEAo/Tauu7LhQ-XI/AAAAAAAAAng/FV71iFxje58/s1600/100_9587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRIk5MSHEAo/Tauu7LhQ-XI/AAAAAAAAAng/FV71iFxje58/s320/100_9587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rust texture on the bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtr8teqtZLo/Tauu-8iFLeI/AAAAAAAAAnk/RRhsXd72i3o/s1600/100_9588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtr8teqtZLo/Tauu-8iFLeI/AAAAAAAAAnk/RRhsXd72i3o/s320/100_9588.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up Cherry Creek.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DQz85PJ5uY/TauvCCwFZcI/AAAAAAAAAno/oYnkOe-hNio/s1600/100_9600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DQz85PJ5uY/TauvCCwFZcI/AAAAAAAAAno/oYnkOe-hNio/s320/100_9600.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public art and another bridge over 15th Street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BP27_NGMGcI/TauvG6BpfMI/AAAAAAAAAns/XoWd-OylE1w/s1600/100_9602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BP27_NGMGcI/TauvG6BpfMI/AAAAAAAAAns/XoWd-OylE1w/s320/100_9602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This particular mural reminded me of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danse_macabre">Danse Macabre</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBiWHvp7MN8/TauvW5IfX7I/AAAAAAAAAn8/yraGmoVD560/s1600/100_9611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KBiWHvp7MN8/TauvW5IfX7I/AAAAAAAAAn8/yraGmoVD560/s320/100_9611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big white doggy and his friend outside a restaurant near the Millennium Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lSZjXSiGig/TauvTs3nGnI/AAAAAAAAAn4/BEh8Dsb10L0/s1600/100_9609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lSZjXSiGig/TauvTs3nGnI/AAAAAAAAAn4/BEh8Dsb10L0/s320/100_9609.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign directing you to important Denver locations near the Millennium Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkJQRY3mFIg/TauvKI-Du2I/AAAAAAAAAnw/b-8U2a3WYj8/s1600/100_9604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkJQRY3mFIg/TauvKI-Du2I/AAAAAAAAAnw/b-8U2a3WYj8/s320/100_9604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light rail train!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-H36y8koVw/TauvQVyAwjI/AAAAAAAAAn0/UFBZjEqLDYA/s1600/100_9606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-H36y8koVw/TauvQVyAwjI/AAAAAAAAAn0/UFBZjEqLDYA/s320/100_9606.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ominous skies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PnaTIEpZnw/TauvaGBT11I/AAAAAAAAAoA/YzCvRRouz1w/s1600/100_9613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9PnaTIEpZnw/TauvaGBT11I/AAAAAAAAAoA/YzCvRRouz1w/s320/100_9613.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction near Millennium Bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OHsohDq0ho/TauvdM-59MI/AAAAAAAAAoE/xBFJ8GmNkSo/s1600/100_9617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OHsohDq0ho/TauvdM-59MI/AAAAAAAAAoE/xBFJ8GmNkSo/s320/100_9617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across the construction for the renovation of Union Station to Coors Field, where a Rockies game versus the Cubs was in progress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JBlpAVtSaE/Tauvg3Q0QKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Q1VxoQEg1kQ/s1600/100_9621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JBlpAVtSaE/Tauvg3Q0QKI/AAAAAAAAAoI/Q1VxoQEg1kQ/s320/100_9621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards Downtown Denver from the Millennium Bridge (with construction and a light rail train in the foreground). The building in the back left with the curving top is where N and I worked in the summer of 2k4.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqMAIQz3aGU/Tauvl1Qs2DI/AAAAAAAAAoM/mSwJFnfCp0I/s1600/100_9622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqMAIQz3aGU/Tauvl1Qs2DI/AAAAAAAAAoM/mSwJFnfCp0I/s320/100_9622.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some random urban knitting by the Union Station construction site.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-23973387603310918042011-04-14T15:25:00.001-07:002011-04-14T15:25:46.432-07:00Rockies Calendar<div class="IEC" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="E0B" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 9px; position: relative; text-align: left; zoom: 1;"><div class="J4B H0B" style="cursor: default; display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><div class="K3B N4B" dc="contributors" style="float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 31px; margin-right: 6px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; top: 2px;"><div class="M3 BQ" style="-webkit-user-drag: element !important; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-right: 3px; text-decoration: none;"><div class="K3 A4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; cursor: pointer; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</div><div style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img class="L3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_MslpD46GdN4/Sw1d6ctqZMI/AAAAAAAAABU/otMZQS2N6oo/s104-c/100_7538.JPG" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; height: 27px; width: 27px;" /></div><div class="I3 C3" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; bottom: -3px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 9px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; right: -4px; width: 9px;"></div></div></div></div><div class="K4B" dc="names" style="color: grey; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 0.5em;">Me:</div></div><div class="editor oldBlipUi" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; min-height: 33px; position: relative; text-align: left; z-index: 0;"><div class="document wave-editor-off" editabledocmarker="true" spellcheck="false" style="-webkit-user-modify: read-only; direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And various other things. Velocity graphs and such. </div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Johnny Herrera has to get on base... right?</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH I LOVE YOU JOHNNY HERRERA!!!!</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I kind of feel like the Rockies are doing that thing right now where they literally cannot lose.</div></ul></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div class="G0B" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"></div><div class="J0B" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 300ms; -webkit-transition-property: opacity; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; background-color: #99bb00; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px 2px; bottom: 3px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 5px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; top: 3px; width: 3px;"></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="A3B" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div class="M2B" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.1s; -webkit-transition-property: opacity; -webkit-transition-timing-function: linear; bottom: -9px; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 0px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: -9px; z-index: 1;" title="Insert reply here"><div class="B3B" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 18px; left: 36px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; top: -3px; width: 17px;"></div><div class="C3B" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; bottom: 6px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 51px; position: absolute; right: 12px; top: 5px;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="IEC" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="E0B" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 9px; position: relative; text-align: left; zoom: 1;"><div class="F0B" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(179, 179, 179); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 0px; left: 13px; position: absolute; right: 13px; top: -1px; z-index: 0;"></div><div class="J4B H0B" style="cursor: default; display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><div class="button C0B G4B up cat enabled menu off" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: grey; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 16px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; width: 17px;" title="More actions"></div><div class="P4B" dc="time" style="color: grey; float: right; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; padding-left: 0.5em; position: relative;" title="4/14/11 4:15 pm">4:15 pm</div><div class="K3B N4B" dc="contributors" style="float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 31px; margin-right: 6px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; top: 2px;"><div class="M3 BQ" style="-webkit-user-drag: element !important; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-right: 3px; text-decoration: none;"><div class="K3 A4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; cursor: pointer; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div class="I3 C3" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; bottom: -3px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 9px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; right: -4px; width: 9px;"></div></div></div></div><div class="K4B" dc="names" style="color: grey; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 0.5em;">Nathan:</div></div><div class="editor oldBlipUi" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; min-height: 33px; position: relative; text-align: left; z-index: 0;"><div class="document wave-editor-off" editabledocmarker="true" spellcheck="false" style="-webkit-user-modify: read-only; direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How did Johnny Herrera hit a home run? What is going on? I feel like someone changed the calendars that the Rockies use so that they say September.</div></ul></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div class="G0B" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"></div><div class="J0B K0B" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 300ms; -webkit-transition-property: opacity; -webkit-transition-timing-function: ease-in-out; background-color: #99bb00; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px 2px; bottom: 3px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 5px; opacity: 1; position: absolute; top: 3px; width: 3px;"></div></div></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="A3B" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; overflow-x: visible; overflow-y: visible; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div class="M2B" style="-webkit-transition-delay: initial; -webkit-transition-duration: 0.1s; -webkit-transition-property: opacity; -webkit-transition-timing-function: linear; bottom: -9px; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 0px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: -9px; z-index: 1;" title="Insert reply here"><div class="B3B" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 18px; left: 36px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; top: -3px; width: 17px;"></div><div class="C3B" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-left-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 2px; border-right-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 2px; border-top-color: rgb(85, 144, 210); border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; bottom: 6px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; left: 51px; position: absolute; right: 12px; top: 5px;"></div></div></div></div></div><div class="IEC" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div class="E0B" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 13px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 9px; position: relative; text-align: left; zoom: 1;"><div class="F0B" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(179, 179, 179); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 0px; left: 13px; position: absolute; right: 13px; top: -1px; z-index: 0;"></div><div class="J4B H0B" style="cursor: default; display: inline; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><div class="button C0B G4B up cat enabled menu off" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: grey; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 16px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; width: 17px;" title="More actions"></div><div class="P4B" dc="time" style="color: grey; float: right; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; padding-left: 0.5em; position: relative;" title="4/14/11 4:16 pm">4:16 pm</div><div class="K3B N4B" dc="contributors" style="float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 31px; margin-right: 6px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: relative; top: 2px;"><div class="M3 BQ" style="-webkit-user-drag: element !important; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-right: 3px; text-decoration: none;"><div class="K3 A4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; cursor: pointer; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div class="I3 C3" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(data:image/png; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; bottom: -3px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; height: 9px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; position: absolute; right: -4px; width: 9px;"></div></div></div></div><div class="K4B" dc="names" style="color: grey; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 0.5em;">Me:</div></div><div class="editor oldBlipUi" style="direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 1.35; min-height: 33px; position: relative; text-align: left; z-index: 0;"><div class="document wave-editor-off" editabledocmarker="true" spellcheck="false" style="-webkit-user-modify: read-only; direction: ltr; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Yeah I have no idea what to tell you. Even Trenck is baffled. And yes, I agree that it feels like someone flipped the calendar, but hopefully the calendar is just six months of September. And then a Rocktober.</div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I want to make and market that Rockies-themed calendar, hahahaha.</div></ul></div></div></div></div><br />
This is my new business plan.Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-12411777339968694612011-03-31T15:04:00.000-07:002011-03-31T15:04:25.430-07:00My life as Lando CalrissianI'm currently talking to E about the sticky situation of a new punt agreement that has split the MCR from the JCR in Hertford and he is reminding me of my old position as MCR president, and after that MCR treasurer, and how much time I seemed to spend making devil's bargains between various parts of the common rooms and various offices in college, and that in turn has me hearing Lando Calrissian's voice in my head over and over again:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/106lando_calrissian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/106lando_calrissian.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of here forever."</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cfPzRYTDRII/S7tCSEUYwCI/AAAAAAAABao/M4KofDB5DmY/s400/lando_calrissian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cfPzRYTDRII/S7tCSEUYwCI/AAAAAAAABao/M4KofDB5DmY/s400/lando_calrissian.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Followed shortly thereafter by, "This deal keeps getting worse all the time!"</div><br />
<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think that I might like to be involved in local politics and I've considered (someday) running for positions like city councilperson or state representative. This idea came up again when I learned about<a href="http://emilyslist.org/splash/signup/splash01/"> Emily's List</a>, a non-profit dedicated to training pro-choice, female candidates to run in local elections. But then I hear Darth Vader's voice in my head and I remember the devil's deals and terrible compromises that seemed to have to constantly happen in something so petty as Oxford college common room politics, and I'm not sure if I could do it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.galacticbinder.com/images/vaderbespin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.galacticbinder.com/images/vaderbespin1.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"I am altering the deal, pray I do not alter it any further."</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-78775706427080667952011-03-04T03:58:00.000-08:002011-03-04T03:58:07.620-08:007th week Hilary Radio ClashThis week's is in two parts as the file was too large for yousendit. The link to download <a href="https://www.yousendit.com/download/T2pFZHlpd0l1Yk0wTVE9PQ">Part I is here</a>, and <a href="https://www.yousendit.com/download/T2pFZHlucVhUWUR2Wmc9PQ">Part II is here</a>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for listening!<br />
<br />
Here's the playlist:<br />
<i>Caesars - Spirit</i><br />
<i>The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All</i><br />
<i>Boat - Prince of Tacoma</i><br />
<i>Computer Magic - Grand Junction</i><br />
<i>An Horse - Trains and Tracks</i><br />
<i>Interpol - Public Pervert</i><br />
<i>Villagers - Twenty Seven Strangers</i><br />
<i>Spoon - Got Nuffin</i><br />
<i>Jesca Hoop - Money</i><br />
<i>Dinosaur Bones - Royalty</i><br />
<i>Jimmy Eat World - Gotta Be Somebody's Blues</i><br />
<i>Cocoon - Chupee</i><br />
<i>Union of Knives - Evil Has Never</i><br />
<i>VHS or Beta - Burn it all Down</i><br />
<i>Pearl Jam - Man of the Hour</i><br />
<i>Bishop Allen - Little Black Ache</i><br />
<i>Buffalo Tom - Late at Night</i><br />
<i>Reverie - Get to Know Me</i><br />
<i>Les Savy Fav - Patty Lee</i><br />
<i>The Starlight Mints - Seventeen Devils</i><br />
<i>Stupid White Men - Walk and Slaughter</i><br />
<i>The Enemy - You're Not Alone</i><br />
<i>Florence and the Machine - Blinding</i>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-66258621329546266112011-02-25T17:25:00.000-08:002011-02-25T17:25:32.406-08:00Discovery<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12573413">This is a particularly good place</a> to read about/watch the final launch of the space shuttle Discovery. I've said it about a thousand times to everyone, but the space shuttle program is one of the most amazing human endeavors I can think of and every time I watch one launch I find myself glued to the screen, as if just by the force of watching it I could somehow help will it into the sky. I've never been able to see one of them launch in person and it isn't looking promising but maybe when I'm an old lady they'll have launches at air shows or something and I'll get to see it then, though at that point it'll be totally commonplace and everyone will be like, Wow, but look at the interstellar space planes, and Oh, Great Great Aunt Jamie, those space shuttles were so quaint! They look just like old passenger planes!<br />
<br />
I think half of the appeal of space shuttles to me lies in the fact that they do look just like passenger planes -- except bigger and therefore more awesome. I have always been of the Executor school of thought in terms of Most Awesome Star Wars ships: the more Star Destroyer, the better (insert your own size queen joke here). Similarly, 747s are my favorite airplane. And in fact I can admit to having looked at airplane porn of the modified 747 that carries the space shuttle (whilst thinking "YO DAWG" in all caps).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Atlantis_on_Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft.jpg/770px-Atlantis_on_Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Atlantis_on_Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft.jpg/770px-Atlantis_on_Shuttle_Carrier_Aircraft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From Wikipedia. OMG awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>But in addition to my own totally platonic feelings about huge airplanes, the space shuttles are just all around amazing. And I'm very sad to be seeing them go. So if you haven't had a chance yet, enjoy watching the video of the shuttle launch and reading about how amazing these craft really are.Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-81915677979683838592011-02-24T15:12:00.000-08:002011-02-24T15:12:24.121-08:00Radio Clash 6th week Hilary 2011If you missed out on this week's Radio Clash, have a listen by downloading this mp3 <a href="https://www.yousendit.com/download/T2pHaklqb0J1Yk0wTVE9PQ">right here</a>! (For a limited time only.)Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5428496355842585927.post-57116576262381669372011-02-23T16:20:00.000-08:002011-02-23T16:20:51.840-08:00A visitor in the Ox.Let's break this one down by the stats:<br />
7 (almost 8) museums<br />
5 episodes of Arrested Development<br />
3 dedicated Wii sessions<br />
3 Oxford colleges<br />
2 train rides<br />
2 country churches<br />
1 world capital<br />
1 radio show<br />
Literally 1000s of <a href="http://xkcd.com/856/">trochees</a><br />
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As you can see, it was a productive time, especially if you love museums and old stuff. And if you're a fan of this blog (all six of you), I think you do.<br />
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N came to visit me, landing on Thursday morning. In order to prevent jetlag, we dropped off his suitcase and set off on a long walk around the town, eventually taking in the Museum of the History of Science, Exeter College, and then going to see the College's off-site housing. From there we headed back to town, cooked some curry, and then went to the radio station to rock out on Radio Clash. We played a jetlagged set and then walked back to the flat -- N made a valiant effort and stayed awake until 11pm!<br />
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On Friday we saw the ComLab and then I had to head off to do some work. After, we had a fairly quiet evening, with the notable exception of getting tea in Blackwells when N discovered that he is capable of drinking tea! and went to bed fairly early in preparation for leaving for London at early o'clock the next morning. We were going to see G and M, who recently moved to the town of Crawley.<br />
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Our train departed Oxford at 7:30 in the morning, and so we set off from the flat at 7am, walking through drizzle. Our train was late, so we spent a half hour waiting to depart, but afterwards the journey into London was warm and crowded. We arrived at Paddington and took the tube from there to Westminster. We decided to get out there and head to the National Gallery to wait to meet with G and M, but when we exited the tube we received word that we didn't have time to make it to the NG. Instead we walked up Whitehall to the Strand and then to Aldwych, taking the old Anglo-Saxon route into the City of London. At St Paul's, we turned onto the Millennium Bridge and spent some soggy time waiting on the southern side of it for G and M before opting to sit inside the Tate Modern. We huddled together on a bench and tried to get warm/dry.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keTPB8g0XXI/TWWGpNgwUjI/AAAAAAAAAlo/daI7QQJRUek/s1600/IMG_20110219_111908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keTPB8g0XXI/TWWGpNgwUjI/AAAAAAAAAlo/daI7QQJRUek/s320/IMG_20110219_111908.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we met up with our friends, we wandered around the Tate Mods and then headed over to Borough Market, walking along the South Bank of the Thames. I can't tell you how many times I've made that walk, but I still enjoy it -- even in the pouring rain. I love passing under Southwark Bridge and seeing the murals about the time the Thames froze and passing the Golden Hind and the Bishops' Palace. Borough Market was absurdly crowded but we introduced N to meat pies and he seemed to like it. I wanted to go to get coffee/tea at Monmouth Coffee but apparently my trendy knowledge got out and is now so trendy that the queue, even in the pouring rain, stretched around the building. We skipped the hot drinks and, at N's request, took the tube over to the British Library. We got out at Kings Cross/St Pancras and got to see the new station, which I think is one of the most impressive buildings in London. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The library had <a href="http://www.bl.uk/evolvingenglish/">a fascinating exhibit on about the history of the English language</a>, which just happened to coincide with one of N's current research interests, so we spent a lot of time going through the exhibit. One of the coolest things about it was a large interactive map of the UK with recordings of different accents. We listened to that for quite some time. Then N recorded his accent so that the BL can store it for posterity. Based on a map of results, he was the only one from anywhere even near Colorado...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After that we went to the British Museum to see the cat mummies. It was incredibly crowded due to being a Saturday, so we and 1000s of other people saw the mummies together. The mummies were disgusting and creepy, as per usual. N described his desire to put cat mummies in sarcophagi as suggested by Kanye West repeatedly. Then we left and ducked into a pub near Paddington to catch the Man U vs. Crawley game. N and I left halfway through to catch a train back to Oxford, from whence A kindly swooped in with her new drivers' license and took us to Cowley, where we had curry and fun discussion for MahW's birthday. After that we went to the Turf, and then onwards to the flat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Sunday we had a nice lie-in and then spent several hours wandering around Oxford without any coherent plans materializing. We discovered that N genuinely likes chai tea lattes at Combibos and checked out the vast array of pottery at the Ashmolean. Following that we headed home to watch the Top Gear Christmas Special with A, Ai, T, and J. N and I then decamped to the Duke of Cambridge for some excellent half price cocktails and fantastic conversation before heading home to some delicious soup and sticky toffee pudding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Monday, N and I took E's bike and went for a ride around some of the sights of nearby Oxfordshire. I had originally intended for us to go up to Woodstock but the weather was somewhat awful. Instead, we got very muddy on the towpath and saw two country churches. Luckily we had our rain suits on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That evening, T and J took us to Oriel's formal hall. We had an excellent time despite some questionable food and then I attempted to lure N into the PT at 9:30pm but with no luck after he saw that the entrance was a dank basement down a narrow alley. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday was N's last full day in Oxford, but I spent much of it doing work. I attended a class in the morning and then we went to Hertford for lunch, followed by the Pitt Rivers to see what he didn't get to see in August. After that we went to the American Institute to work before I had to teach until 6. Then "Sir No-Bikes-A-Lot", E, and I went to Tesco to pick up some pizzas and dessert. We ate those at the flat before N, T, J, and I went to the Bookbinders, where we met McG, and had a poor showing at the pub quiz (after reading some hilariously British Trivial Pursuit cards from the 1980s). I could recount the pub quiz at length but all those who were there need to remember is: " 'ousewiffery".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">N left this morning at 10, thus concluding his first British foray of 2k11 (but certainly not his last). And lo, the soothsayers shall sooth to the bards so that they might recount this true tale for years to come.</div>Bixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10708475709612256751noreply@blogger.com0