tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815196650162028422024-03-13T05:58:26.844-06:00The Road Less TraveledBarbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.comBlogger851125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-1447196421882087572018-05-13T14:54:00.000-06:002018-05-13T14:54:03.323-06:00Fun in PA<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>In
early April, I flew east to visit my father in Pennsylvania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, I had a nice time with him and, as
they often do, my daughters came from Florida for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no pictures of my father or daughters,
as they are even more camera shy than I am.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>On
Friday evening, we all met my only cousin’s only daughter at a restaurant for
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (As you can see, we have a small family.) </span>The only time we see Rebecca and
her husband Terry seems to be at my father’s birthday parties (his 90<sup>th</sup>
and 95<sup>th</sup>, so far) when they are busy handling the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are terrific people and it was so nice to
be able to sit and talk. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Rebecca
is quite an organizer and even had a suggestion for something for us to do on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mennonites were holding
their 62<sup>nd</sup> annual Relief Sale. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we had no idea what that was, the ‘girls’
and I went to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a
couple of craft booths, but they had two continuous auctions and lots of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laura and Christy enjoyed an authentic Philly
Cheese Steak.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIfK-iUX-WE/WviistlNMzI/AAAAAAAATTg/c2B1pVMcpK0dMqhZLEV9Ar-mhItTpTFBgCLcBGAs/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="812" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIfK-iUX-WE/WviistlNMzI/AAAAAAAATTg/c2B1pVMcpK0dMqhZLEV9Ar-mhItTpTFBgCLcBGAs/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The
quilt auction was fun to watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
beautiful quilts were donated and sold for hundreds to thousands of
dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked their website later
and found the quilt auction raised $115,635.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rnMuhxLfH0/WviiyeFj-KI/AAAAAAAATTk/KYDeZkpbSR89lxwBv25MrqUeST9fKIB-QCLcBGAs/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rnMuhxLfH0/WviiyeFj-KI/AAAAAAAATTk/KYDeZkpbSR89lxwBv25MrqUeST9fKIB-QCLcBGAs/s400/1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>We
laughed at the Country Auction where the items were rakes and hoes, but even
that raised $13,877.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(No pictures of the
rakes and hoes . . .)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Since
we were already in Harrisburg, we decided to tour the state capitol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we had previously done that, but it
had been a long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We parked
around back which gave us a different view of the building.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7S2xv9xdrQ/Wvii5uYEgJI/AAAAAAAATTo/cgkyMduKexMf52mzmazJ_OqVoV1dB8SkQCLcBGAs/s1600/1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="692" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7S2xv9xdrQ/Wvii5uYEgJI/AAAAAAAATTo/cgkyMduKexMf52mzmazJ_OqVoV1dB8SkQCLcBGAs/s400/1b.jpg" width="300" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The
building is spectacular and we were just in time to join a tour.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rD_L3BCSg4/WvijAVoepsI/AAAAAAAATTw/gaA88SKEmQINzrD3DnQeQ94RR5Fog0elQCLcBGAs/s1600/1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rD_L3BCSg4/WvijAVoepsI/AAAAAAAATTw/gaA88SKEmQINzrD3DnQeQ94RR5Fog0elQCLcBGAs/s400/1c.jpg" width="300" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><b> (The previous two pictures were taken by Christy.)</b></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Looking
down from the third floor, I remembered how our school choir stood on those
marble steps and sang Christmas carols one year.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMkxqSdW6SI/WvijOZjzThI/AAAAAAAATT4/94IdyuJkLEUjrlNxvR12dg5qio5ZiLkvQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1032" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMkxqSdW6SI/WvijOZjzThI/AAAAAAAATT4/94IdyuJkLEUjrlNxvR12dg5qio5ZiLkvQCLcBGAs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The
Senate . . .</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cRKbyThHGU/WvijVI3I4mI/AAAAAAAATUA/nPOpXoDdFI8BbksWjj1whWHkmf42Y_rwwCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5cRKbyThHGU/WvijVI3I4mI/AAAAAAAATUA/nPOpXoDdFI8BbksWjj1whWHkmf42Y_rwwCLcBGAs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And
House of Representatives are gorgeous.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBQ1J4qTvo0/Wvija36fH5I/AAAAAAAATUE/DEFVQz1svRgUIM3tD6P77N51UddSd7NbwCLcBGAs/s1600/3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBQ1J4qTvo0/Wvija36fH5I/AAAAAAAATUE/DEFVQz1svRgUIM3tD6P77N51UddSd7NbwCLcBGAs/s400/3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The
House has four priceless murals by Edwin Austin Abbey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The largest depicts explorers, pioneers,
scientists, industrialists, and military figures who shaped Pennsylvania’s
history.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohSv2aoMenE/WvijgusHfKI/AAAAAAAATUI/ms_4Obqovpkm8VF5tQj6MQFisMxD6vrtQCLcBGAs/s1600/3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="522" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohSv2aoMenE/WvijgusHfKI/AAAAAAAATUI/ms_4Obqovpkm8VF5tQj6MQFisMxD6vrtQCLcBGAs/s400/3b.jpg" width="248" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>The
Supreme Court chamber is more intimate than one might expect, but just as
impressive,</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqUfYnz2u6c/WvijlzwendI/AAAAAAAATUQ/VCv3K3xi_78j_nsT73RxV-sWutqaYVJuQCLcBGAs/s1600/4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="824" height="222" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sqUfYnz2u6c/WvijlzwendI/AAAAAAAATUQ/VCv3K3xi_78j_nsT73RxV-sWutqaYVJuQCLcBGAs/s400/4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>With
a stained glass dome,</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oD2z4Rg0D0/WvijrSfmKfI/AAAAAAAATUY/yCsN2qeMEzkwCSOCpSVLgmw-8CD3Js8WQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1032" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oD2z4Rg0D0/WvijrSfmKfI/AAAAAAAATUY/yCsN2qeMEzkwCSOCpSVLgmw-8CD3Js8WQCLcBGAs/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And
the fanciest thermometer I’ve ever seen.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgeVRwHIqUU/WvijwlSTLNI/AAAAAAAATUg/guAFhkkhr3UTTWuPa5Z1HBt-YsMiT87OQCLcBGAs/s1600/5b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgeVRwHIqUU/WvijwlSTLNI/AAAAAAAATUg/guAFhkkhr3UTTWuPa5Z1HBt-YsMiT87OQCLcBGAs/s320/5b.jpg" width="203" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>We
also stopped at the cute Appalachian Brewing Company where I had some of their
birch beer,</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_IKR8mcVNc/Wvij2P_RBUI/AAAAAAAATUo/V6RF7czka_ApmN0dfGUiyCjiiJka0vYKQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180407_160330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="465" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s_IKR8mcVNc/Wvij2P_RBUI/AAAAAAAATUo/V6RF7czka_ApmN0dfGUiyCjiiJka0vYKQCLcBGAs/s400/20180407_160330.jpg" width="225" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And
the girls had a flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not being a beer
drinker, I didn’t even know that a flight is a rack of samples.</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0M5rmDBQgQ/Wvij9bjp8GI/AAAAAAAATUs/kdh511_K9yAnvxalgoJNqUFGi1aBrki4gCLcBGAs/s1600/20180407_162527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="835" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N0M5rmDBQgQ/Wvij9bjp8GI/AAAAAAAATUs/kdh511_K9yAnvxalgoJNqUFGi1aBrki4gCLcBGAs/s400/20180407_162527.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>By
the time we returned home, I think my father was wondering if we got lost.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-89143664779581050792018-04-21T22:34:00.000-06:002018-04-21T22:34:01.972-06:00Winter<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For those of you
who have asked what we’ve been doing since Thanksgiving, here’s a condensed version
of our winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We spent
Christmas and New Years at our lot in the Escapees Park in Benson,
Arizona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ron sorted some material with
his homemade highbanker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found a
couple of specs of gold, but not enough to retire on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing he’s already retired.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukhEK2X072s/WtwOPTH7E9I/AAAAAAAATRo/vjPfUlb1zZYCVN7ihzcCh-k9AimtkrEDgCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="538" height="378" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukhEK2X072s/WtwOPTH7E9I/AAAAAAAATRo/vjPfUlb1zZYCVN7ihzcCh-k9AimtkrEDgCEwYBhgL/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The park had
seasonal activities including a wild gift exchange and a New Year’s Eve dance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody at our table happened to catch Ron
and me out on the dance floor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3XvHlDugU0/WtwOaYEVWVI/AAAAAAAATRs/FQ_vImxKPBIi6J2u9jPgU_XkKwP4c5yyQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="485" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3XvHlDugU0/WtwOaYEVWVI/AAAAAAAATRs/FQ_vImxKPBIi6J2u9jPgU_XkKwP4c5yyQCLcBGAs/s400/2.png" width="305" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We spent several
days in Yuma, known for the massive amount of lettuce grown there each winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s funny to see the green fields in a
desert landscape.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghZaEe9RtuQ/WtwOgCe256I/AAAAAAAATR0/9VB1MbguNzwAdBrIpeaWDqYQ-HwQbEhAACLcBGAs/s1600/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="959" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghZaEe9RtuQ/WtwOgCe256I/AAAAAAAATR0/9VB1MbguNzwAdBrIpeaWDqYQ-HwQbEhAACLcBGAs/s400/3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We walked over
the border to Los Algodones in Mexico, always an interesting experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrBGGpZAWHA/WtwOmCHFvpI/AAAAAAAATR4/9uDdWewNzwARZOoXX1j_6quwykbhzdmpACLcBGAs/s1600/4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="959" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrBGGpZAWHA/WtwOmCHFvpI/AAAAAAAATR4/9uDdWewNzwARZOoXX1j_6quwykbhzdmpACLcBGAs/s400/4.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had some
Mexican food (or since we were there, I guess it’s just food).</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2i89NRY_MOY/WtwOudxb0GI/AAAAAAAATSA/zacq7dLbSFMZGCFPwyPr8xhhXWTyqi4xQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="623" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2i89NRY_MOY/WtwOudxb0GI/AAAAAAAATSA/zacq7dLbSFMZGCFPwyPr8xhhXWTyqi4xQCLcBGAs/s320/5.png" width="227" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But our main
purpose was to buy a stained glass window for the RV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have hundreds to choose from, but we
settled on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a clear area
in the center so you can see who is outside and the color changes from almost
clear to pretty colorful depending on the light.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFbplgEH49E/WtwOzjtjpqI/AAAAAAAATSI/okdEgEvic3U06WpXVNTSWP7ZqqLPHB_xACLcBGAs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFbplgEH49E/WtwOzjtjpqI/AAAAAAAATSI/okdEgEvic3U06WpXVNTSWP7ZqqLPHB_xACLcBGAs/s400/6.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next we hit the
annual RV event in Quartzsite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
shamelessly stole this picture off of Facebook, but it's hysterical.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjKcutsTGAI/WtwO75y--UI/AAAAAAAATSQ/b8DAeJAUUEo9NRwuJeIjUqQexBx_Fiy0QCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="924" height="285" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjKcutsTGAI/WtwO75y--UI/AAAAAAAATSQ/b8DAeJAUUEo9NRwuJeIjUqQexBx_Fiy0QCLcBGAs/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then it was back
home for February and March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My flowers
were pretty this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still cracks
me up that you can grow them in the winter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yFGAp1aZcQ/WtwPHRrR20I/AAAAAAAATSY/FVLszz2DqXsTBEXDk4cJBNU5cvKndQt-QCLcBGAs/s1600/8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="758" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yFGAp1aZcQ/WtwPHRrR20I/AAAAAAAATSY/FVLszz2DqXsTBEXDk4cJBNU5cvKndQt-QCLcBGAs/s400/8.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We didn’t have
as much company as we usually do, but Ron’s brother and his wife came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have done a lot of things with them over
the years, but never took them to Goldfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s really just a tourist trap, but is kind of cute with the old
buildings . . .</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0K4rmzhelY/WtwPOTvdQmI/AAAAAAAATSg/ymtlh3MgYJEBl6VkGaBX9s7ezULUgdpGACLcBGAs/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="886" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0K4rmzhelY/WtwPOTvdQmI/AAAAAAAATSg/ymtlh3MgYJEBl6VkGaBX9s7ezULUgdpGACLcBGAs/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the little
train.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArbPvC4PPrY/WtwPVirg-bI/AAAAAAAATSk/8UEO2Swt6ksq-Dv4qeqGA6KNT79cRtjTACLcBGAs/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="885" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArbPvC4PPrY/WtwPVirg-bI/AAAAAAAATSk/8UEO2Swt6ksq-Dv4qeqGA6KNT79cRtjTACLcBGAs/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We took several
hikes over the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we were at
Silly Mountain with our next door neighbor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAd_Y9oiZTk/WtwPcscm7zI/AAAAAAAATSs/nrV911ccXrwbaL0KiBwXSvy05BNoKtnawCLcBGAs/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1239" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAd_Y9oiZTk/WtwPcscm7zI/AAAAAAAATSs/nrV911ccXrwbaL0KiBwXSvy05BNoKtnawCLcBGAs/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ron had a few
projects too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He switched out the kitchen
light that I hated . . .</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUaqBAI31vs/WtwPixow4WI/AAAAAAAATSw/gS5O11g25qgBLLfwv90KmJwTsaYMZ1mHwCLcBGAs/s1600/12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="501" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kUaqBAI31vs/WtwPixow4WI/AAAAAAAATSw/gS5O11g25qgBLLfwv90KmJwTsaYMZ1mHwCLcBGAs/s320/12.png" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For one I bought
for $5 at our community yard sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a lot of work, I know, but, hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was only $5!</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OggOzPlD5nA/WtwPoi63d2I/AAAAAAAATS4/vYrEvGMjUjUeQey9O54oq39_uPsZN7lIgCLcBGAs/s1600/13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="633" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OggOzPlD5nA/WtwPoi63d2I/AAAAAAAATS4/vYrEvGMjUjUeQey9O54oq39_uPsZN7lIgCLcBGAs/s320/13.png" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had an
outside leaky faucet that required digging into the concrete block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ron had to cut blocks to fit into the
hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot to get a final picture
after the caulking and painting, but, believe me, it was perfect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AU8cJXv_IA/WtwPvYN_89I/AAAAAAAATTA/_YAPVYh60ywp_064ghjuRLP_ZxlZa3HzwCLcBGAs/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="712" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AU8cJXv_IA/WtwPvYN_89I/AAAAAAAATTA/_YAPVYh60ywp_064ghjuRLP_ZxlZa3HzwCLcBGAs/s320/14.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He also made
himself a trommel to help with his gold mining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s made out of a couple of five-gallon buckets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found the directions on the internet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1iZocGRz3A/WtwP0vvShlI/AAAAAAAATTE/HJqIEcNyzksLjE2BI4t9nONH2EchQiWrQCLcBGAs/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E1iZocGRz3A/WtwP0vvShlI/AAAAAAAATTE/HJqIEcNyzksLjE2BI4t9nONH2EchQiWrQCLcBGAs/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m sure we did
other things, but if I don’t have a picture, I don’t remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>:-D</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN62AXjJC8o/WtwP9w9_lKI/AAAAAAAATTM/NBk5LT0TXUUqalyUGPxXnlcWJbwyxxMJQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180130_180008.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uN62AXjJC8o/WtwP9w9_lKI/AAAAAAAATTM/NBk5LT0TXUUqalyUGPxXnlcWJbwyxxMJQCLcBGAs/s320/20180130_180008.png" width="234" /></a></div>
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<br />Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-68163747158191249942017-12-16T19:31:00.000-07:002017-12-16T19:31:31.414-07:00Thanksgiving<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alright, I know
it is way past Thanksgiving, but it’s never too late to showcase family. This year we were thrilled to have all of Ron’s
descendants (and spouses) come to Mesa. You’re
probably picturing people sacked out all over our little 2-bedroom house, but
the reality is that only Ron’s son stayed with us. The others rented a large house only about 5
miles from our house. It worked out
beautifully.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Their house had
a pool and hot tub which were a big hit for all the Denverites. However we did drag them out for a couple of
hikes. After all, we had to counteract
all the good meals we ate.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first was an
out and back along Saguaro Lake and everybody participated. Here are the two youngest with Grandpa. All three are wearing Ron’s hats.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaeE37t4tkQ/Wi3uQiUJGOI/AAAAAAAATQc/vHzH7_tr9C0DJW5QkqFd83a1ZewQPgwBQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_111844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1140" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaeE37t4tkQ/Wi3uQiUJGOI/AAAAAAAATQc/vHzH7_tr9C0DJW5QkqFd83a1ZewQPgwBQCLcBGAs/s400/20171120_111844.jpg" width="285" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s Ron with
all four of his grandchildren – Adam, Shannon, Harper, and Elsie.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eigP36mqYo/Wi3uY6X94sI/AAAAAAAATQg/skgSRNXafmAhsC0hiHKQbuAVR9f3SfR6wCLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_111858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="939" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8eigP36mqYo/Wi3uY6X94sI/AAAAAAAATQg/skgSRNXafmAhsC0hiHKQbuAVR9f3SfR6wCLcBGAs/s400/20171120_111858.jpg" width="233" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Elsie got tired
(translation – bored) after going just a short distance, but Harper led us the
whole way. He even came upon a snake
which made his day.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNd4dMtBDG0/Wi3v6Oh1lVI/AAAAAAAATRQ/yoVawBj2iUkAsuCgykDkp7nDmAzCPThRQCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1511" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNd4dMtBDG0/Wi3v6Oh1lVI/AAAAAAAATRQ/yoVawBj2iUkAsuCgykDkp7nDmAzCPThRQCLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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</div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It really is a
pretty hike along the lake.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxxs55diqmI/Wi3unIADpJI/AAAAAAAATQo/rDN2E0ip6nEo0q8Ril9qWmaplKEBSL-XgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_120734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxxs55diqmI/Wi3unIADpJI/AAAAAAAATQo/rDN2E0ip6nEo0q8Ril9qWmaplKEBSL-XgCLcBGAs/s400/20171120_120734.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Harper enjoyed
looking through the monocular that I brought along. After about ¾ mile, he turned around and led
us back.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3rr8hZi3hM/Wi3uuH5CNkI/AAAAAAAATQs/gJ1hPgDugRAj25z8GHAG9ibZl2z_cu7XACLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_121714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3rr8hZi3hM/Wi3uuH5CNkI/AAAAAAAATQs/gJ1hPgDugRAj25z8GHAG9ibZl2z_cu7XACLcBGAs/s400/20171120_121714.jpg" width="298" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We went to Organ
Stop Pizza one evening for dinner. Both Harper</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6XBPRqH7lk/Wi3u1lWCD8I/AAAAAAAATQw/nB8BAxGYYdIObJGLHz2ubeC62R4x2-pVACLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_180900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6XBPRqH7lk/Wi3u1lWCD8I/AAAAAAAATQw/nB8BAxGYYdIObJGLHz2ubeC62R4x2-pVACLcBGAs/s320/20171120_180900.jpg" width="216" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And Elsie really
got into the organ music.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J37xgIwZmLk/Wi3u8IAPpII/AAAAAAAATQ0/-YJOjq23SI4z41_HCU4-oNOYDKXQbSlSwCLcBGAs/s1600/20171120_180912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J37xgIwZmLk/Wi3u8IAPpII/AAAAAAAATQ0/-YJOjq23SI4z41_HCU4-oNOYDKXQbSlSwCLcBGAs/s320/20171120_180912.jpg" width="229" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We did one more
hike with just four of us. It made me
happy to see three generations enjoying the same thing.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9ZqfHJUHzE/Wi3vDStv-vI/AAAAAAAATQ8/zRlPq7XyvEoX831BlGlkXhT-sAu_TFYdwCLcBGAs/s1600/20171121_110815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9ZqfHJUHzE/Wi3vDStv-vI/AAAAAAAATQ8/zRlPq7XyvEoX831BlGlkXhT-sAu_TFYdwCLcBGAs/s400/20171121_110815.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As for the big
day, we ordered a turkey from Safeway and had dinner at the rental house. So other than a couple of sides, I didn’t do
anything! My sister Diana joined us and
took the group picture, leaving me with no excuse for not being in it.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ckQ8h6XsTQ/Wi3vKthXq0I/AAAAAAAATRA/R1L948CK53cGSOVDEVFW3KmfXHIlxgv6QCLcBGAs/s1600/card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ckQ8h6XsTQ/Wi3vKthXq0I/AAAAAAAATRA/R1L948CK53cGSOVDEVFW3KmfXHIlxgv6QCLcBGAs/s400/card.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was impressed
when sons-in-law Tom and Sean (with some supervision from Kim) did all the
cleanup.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCgossLGG4k/Wi3vR_ixL7I/AAAAAAAATRE/BVAoDtuOdd4ujNt_XNk-1loPOJlCsikvgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171123_184637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCgossLGG4k/Wi3vR_ixL7I/AAAAAAAATRE/BVAoDtuOdd4ujNt_XNk-1loPOJlCsikvgCLcBGAs/s400/20171123_184637.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But I had to
laugh a little later when I snapped this ‘after’ picture.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSZQ5xbuDqM/Wi3vZ9BGfhI/AAAAAAAATRI/ghxr3MtjEuE0Rp-3EvcHG_zhk3FhARxhgCLcBGAs/s1600/20171123_194628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MSZQ5xbuDqM/Wi3vZ9BGfhI/AAAAAAAATRI/ghxr3MtjEuE0Rp-3EvcHG_zhk3FhARxhgCLcBGAs/s400/20171123_194628.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-21129519980929284842017-12-14T18:29:00.000-07:002017-12-14T18:29:01.794-07:00Lovely Sedona<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When the weather
cooled down a bit, we moved to our favorite boondocking spot between Cottonwood
and Sedona. Man, do I love Sedona! Even driving into town is a picture.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc5dHOR4rwg/Wi3fuw2Dy0I/AAAAAAAATPo/cxw45IzCO-oBB9nBlEYtqVaT0AJz_7GqgCLcBGAs/s1600/img_5458.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="990" height="215" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yc5dHOR4rwg/Wi3fuw2Dy0I/AAAAAAAATPo/cxw45IzCO-oBB9nBlEYtqVaT0AJz_7GqgCLcBGAs/s400/img_5458.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As promised in
the last post, here’s the story of the third drive we took that we’ll never do
again. I’ve always wanted to drive up Schnebly
Hill Road as it climbs 2000 feet from Sedona to the top of the Mogollon Rim. It’s, at minimum, a high clearance road, but
we had tried it in our Ford Escape and didn’t feel comfortable. Now that we have a 4-wheel-drive truck, we
knew it was time to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I made Ron let
me out so I could take a picture of the road.
This was pretty typical, although there were a few worse sections.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzW1c5fqRy0/Wi3f3tZTjzI/AAAAAAAATPs/JdI_Iv3qJxYGdnWKhFn-rB-4tCqHdH3owCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzW1c5fqRy0/Wi3f3tZTjzI/AAAAAAAATPs/JdI_Iv3qJxYGdnWKhFn-rB-4tCqHdH3owCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5464.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Beautiful views all the way up.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIMLJKNGQ9o/Wi3f-1hYaCI/AAAAAAAATPw/0oU5j9sNrpQp_oY8OWpifDweHmNco4TPgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="805" height="287" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIMLJKNGQ9o/Wi3f-1hYaCI/AAAAAAAATPw/0oU5j9sNrpQp_oY8OWpifDweHmNco4TPgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5467.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And after the
longest and slowest 5 miles imaginable, we made it to the top. In the distance, you can see route 89A, which
is the easy way to climb up the rim through Oak Creek Canyon.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uTzZJErlok/Wi3gI_t881I/AAAAAAAATP0/L4WVATsmklgfZbOVNFOUb_jlVZ75GcTVQCLcBGAs/s1600/img_5468b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uTzZJErlok/Wi3gI_t881I/AAAAAAAATP0/L4WVATsmklgfZbOVNFOUb_jlVZ75GcTVQCLcBGAs/s400/img_5468b.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> Needless to say, we took an easier route back
down.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We also did the
Chimney Rock loop, hiking among all those gorgeous red rocks. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jYOo-IUoIJ0/Wi3gPxqeCGI/AAAAAAAATP8/TXACAyU93y0h93XHUy60LcJGmE5DUxCEQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jYOo-IUoIJ0/Wi3gPxqeCGI/AAAAAAAATP8/TXACAyU93y0h93XHUy60LcJGmE5DUxCEQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5475.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Chimney Rock is
actually a double, but looks single from this angle.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OqWTtSd2OI/Wi3gU79oSUI/AAAAAAAATQA/PvkcTXnSMmkQW60od9ADkz8_0P9aCXHgwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="573" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6OqWTtSd2OI/Wi3gU79oSUI/AAAAAAAATQA/PvkcTXnSMmkQW60od9ADkz8_0P9aCXHgwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5477.JPG" width="234" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We passed Lizard
Head Rock.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LWHNpqMALA/Wi3gZn7CQYI/AAAAAAAATQE/dG8iPoO9HUYiPuk43Q-qx1vBDCAvzQHPACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="852" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6LWHNpqMALA/Wi3gZn7CQYI/AAAAAAAATQE/dG8iPoO9HUYiPuk43Q-qx1vBDCAvzQHPACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5480.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, really,
doesn’t this look more like a lizard? In
fact, I see two lizards.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf9Q8CGhJWo/Wi3ge7PprFI/AAAAAAAATQI/0KSYghVfRAocKIEinioI-LYIMBD9eqCFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vf9Q8CGhJWo/Wi3ge7PprFI/AAAAAAAATQI/0KSYghVfRAocKIEinioI-LYIMBD9eqCFgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5484.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking back, in the distance we
could see the Mogollon Rim that we drove up the day before. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC0cXp1V0yg/Wi3gks9mFjI/AAAAAAAATQM/2RicCVBY_wcW4gm_aKFzpgDl2IRxkt5yQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="852" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AC0cXp1V0yg/Wi3gks9mFjI/AAAAAAAATQM/2RicCVBY_wcW4gm_aKFzpgDl2IRxkt5yQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5485.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-29375110471340824762017-12-12T15:15:00.000-07:002017-12-12T15:15:08.768-07:00Fossil Creek<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One day we
decided to check out Fossil Creek Wild & Scenic River outside of Camp
Verde. It’s hard to imagine that Arizona
would have wild and scenic rivers, but this is one of two! Fossil Creek originates from artesian springs
and has a constant year-round flow of nearly 30 million gallons per day. To ensure that everyone has a place to park,
a permit is required from April 1<sup>st</sup> to October 1<sup>st</sup>. We went on October 2<sup>nd</sup> and didn’t
have a problem with parking.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This was the
second of three drives we took this year that we decided we were glad we did,
but would not do again. <a href="http://roamingbarbara.blogspot.com/2017/07/mills-canyon.html">Mills Canyon</a>,
which we drove in July, was very scary, but at least it was short. The third will be in the next blog post. This one, Fossil Creek Road, was 14 miles of
He__! (That was ‘Heck’, of course.) Alright, it was just washboard, but, after a
couple of miles, it really became annoying and, by mile 14, we were ready to
scream!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We were so
thankful when we crossed the pretty river at the bottom of the canyon.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G66dF8fXRW4/Wi2yZkJICzI/AAAAAAAATO8/J_ThlCDLs-UC1GSmIm_ARSUNIae2MVhvACLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="761" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G66dF8fXRW4/Wi2yZkJICzI/AAAAAAAATO8/J_ThlCDLs-UC1GSmIm_ARSUNIae2MVhvACLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The hike to the
waterfall is only 2 miles round trip, with some pretty ripples along the way.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B7BJj3WonMA/Wi2yhqHzBhI/AAAAAAAATPA/dzJtk3OEGdUAV6lHLH49-bHnjDDayXZ2gCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B7BJj3WonMA/Wi2yhqHzBhI/AAAAAAAATPA/dzJtk3OEGdUAV6lHLH49-bHnjDDayXZ2gCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Look how clear
the water is and filled with so many fish!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LOPaoN__5w/Wi2ynt-FgNI/AAAAAAAATPE/jzE37YotMmAmRJODXA2Fty9CqDNBaU2cACLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LOPaoN__5w/Wi2ynt-FgNI/AAAAAAAATPE/jzE37YotMmAmRJODXA2Fty9CqDNBaU2cACLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The waterfall
was worth the short walk, but what’s that speck at the top of the falls?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWpq8f0sL5E/Wi2ytxh_YhI/AAAAAAAATPI/N5L0fIOTVqAKeeUyYMk6xlCGq22EJAaZACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5445%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="568" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWpq8f0sL5E/Wi2ytxh_YhI/AAAAAAAATPI/N5L0fIOTVqAKeeUyYMk6xlCGq22EJAaZACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5445%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="233" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Watching the
jumpers definitely added to the fun.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J__BiOp1DkM/Wi2yzbLfYbI/AAAAAAAATPM/sgR_9wXiwjgpOrAWsWUyjHDLqwl0lrYwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="777" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J__BiOp1DkM/Wi2yzbLfYbI/AAAAAAAATPM/sgR_9wXiwjgpOrAWsWUyjHDLqwl0lrYwgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5445.JPG" width="286" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In order to get
the trees out of the picture, wading was required. Since I didn’t want to take off my shoes and
socks, I asked a nice young person to take a picture for me.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1zuz76hRy4/Wi2y4vGuCZI/AAAAAAAATPQ/NqJB6C1VBawwerzyNkoytmbKNFBGKHUTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="870" height="292" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1zuz76hRy4/Wi2y4vGuCZI/AAAAAAAATPQ/NqJB6C1VBawwerzyNkoytmbKNFBGKHUTQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5441.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Is it me or are
there two faces in the waterfall?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWHdDTAEBZQ/Wi2y-c9SY6I/AAAAAAAATPY/B5Ugpd3nn2sIr5_rufyEscv8Neqd9kdgwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="625" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dWHdDTAEBZQ/Wi2y-c9SY6I/AAAAAAAATPY/B5Ugpd3nn2sIr5_rufyEscv8Neqd9kdgwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5447.JPG" width="254" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-76212884217946866542017-12-10T13:50:00.000-07:002017-12-10T13:50:23.227-07:00My Bad<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Although we have
been back in our Mesa house for quite a while, I have yet to finish blogging about
the remainder of our travels. I figure I’m
about four posts behind, so here goes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After leaving
Show Low, we parked for a while in the national forest outside of Payson. We checked out RV parks in the area with the
thought that we might want to summer there sometime. We didn’t see anywhere that tempted us to
stay, although it is a very pretty area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We rarely go to
museums, but we made an exception for the Rim Country Museum in Payson. Surprisingly, a docent takes you through the
museum rather than wandering on your own, but she was very knowledgeable. There is also a reproduction of Zane Grey’s
cabin which he inhabited while writing some of his famous western novels. The docent for that part of the tour was a
rabid Zane Grey fan from England. Very interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We also took a
couple of hikes. The first was Horton
Creek Trail which is a lovely walk through the woods along the creek. It seems to be a dangerous place for kids’
shoes.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cnf1LbgAn4I/Wi2ckK_2DMI/AAAAAAAATOE/vNbyhcZ-RAI_2ROSr2wW9XW7bW0oWQx2wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cnf1LbgAn4I/Wi2ckK_2DMI/AAAAAAAATOE/vNbyhcZ-RAI_2ROSr2wW9XW7bW0oWQx2wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5397.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was surprised
to see what I thought was a Kaibab squirrel, which is only supposed to be in
the Kaibab Forest along the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Upon further study, I think it’s not, but it
still is very pretty.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cU4ja8aPbn4/Wi2csHNl3yI/AAAAAAAATOI/VeeIojKOoVUzV9QCL9HsestPV1aWvpLYACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="958" height="335" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cU4ja8aPbn4/Wi2csHNl3yI/AAAAAAAATOI/VeeIojKOoVUzV9QCL9HsestPV1aWvpLYACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5407.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It does have big
ears like the Kaibab, though. Maybe it’s
a mutant.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEwiW2YMgSU/Wi2cxSk34QI/AAAAAAAATOM/Eam5ymszQFg1aUnQtWXXRezcS06FQzRgACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="676" height="287" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bEwiW2YMgSU/Wi2cxSk34QI/AAAAAAAATOM/Eam5ymszQFg1aUnQtWXXRezcS06FQzRgACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5406.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you go far
enough on the trail, I believe there is a nice waterfall, but after a couple of
miles, I turned around at this pretty spot.
(Ron had given up a little earlier.)</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_WD7ej1Zfs/Wi2c2-_SV-I/AAAAAAAATOQ/gOLtdoa8G8o7C3miHfaIA_lM6fbumGyVwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_WD7ej1Zfs/Wi2c2-_SV-I/AAAAAAAATOQ/gOLtdoa8G8o7C3miHfaIA_lM6fbumGyVwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5413.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We also did the
Monument Peak Trail, which loops around Monument Peak.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG-Lo92mAKo/Wi2c8F7h05I/AAAAAAAATOU/GcKDbD2EZG0HGBpOXVzIVBMuiuz7ZnKRgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG-Lo92mAKo/Wi2c8F7h05I/AAAAAAAATOU/GcKDbD2EZG0HGBpOXVzIVBMuiuz7ZnKRgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5426.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It used to be a
nice trail, but now that ATVs are using it, it is really rutted.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edEtYW0--7U/Wi2dCn9MEHI/AAAAAAAATOY/QM4PwSiATLYi_k-_hlqvifAXNPbYQDYrQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edEtYW0--7U/Wi2dCn9MEHI/AAAAAAAATOY/QM4PwSiATLYi_k-_hlqvifAXNPbYQDYrQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5431.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After Payson, we
moved to another National Forest spot above the Camp Verde/Cottonwood/Sedona
area. It was still hot, so we stayed at
altitude.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmb4Fo7As_k/Wi2dJGc76GI/AAAAAAAATOg/C-vHCCfn4WcQPF6lGUiG2KXFdSrOi-sMgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xmb4Fo7As_k/Wi2dJGc76GI/AAAAAAAATOg/C-vHCCfn4WcQPF6lGUiG2KXFdSrOi-sMgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5452.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s the view
out our dinette window. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Myw9MTlhotw/Wi2dOC2B_AI/AAAAAAAATOk/gkVdNVCiQJcV0NDULpmXxChztZ5xiYkLwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Myw9MTlhotw/Wi2dOC2B_AI/AAAAAAAATOk/gkVdNVCiQJcV0NDULpmXxChztZ5xiYkLwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5455.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wandering around
the area, we found a lot of grinding holes that the natives had used long
ago. Here’s Ron demonstrating.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em4XalUis0I/Wi2dUOpVLVI/AAAAAAAATOo/mPfe-FfRMX8EA20NwmxJ1wwtOrW-7diTQCLcBGAs/s1600/img_5457.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="732" height="308" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Em4XalUis0I/Wi2dUOpVLVI/AAAAAAAATOo/mPfe-FfRMX8EA20NwmxJ1wwtOrW-7diTQCLcBGAs/s400/img_5457.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s hard to
imagine finding enough seeds and grinding them.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9j7Mfwo1K8/Wi2dbAL22LI/AAAAAAAATOs/caKSY86nSAgya2HBHTNL7US3A2bX0ryGACLcBGAs/s1600/img_5457a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="811" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9j7Mfwo1K8/Wi2dbAL22LI/AAAAAAAATOs/caKSY86nSAgya2HBHTNL7US3A2bX0ryGACLcBGAs/s400/img_5457a.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scary
story. One evening we were driving back
up hill from Camp Verde and passed a fifth wheel RV on the other side of the
road that was on fire! The driver was
very smart and stopped right on the road, instead of pulling over to the side
which would be the instinctive thing to do.
With the dry grass, that would have set the whole forest on fire. Since several people had already stopped, we
continued uphill. I feel we did our part
by stopping twice to put out little fires in the road about a half mile
back. Luckily, we had water in the
truck.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-30661083676563335502017-10-13T13:35:00.000-06:002017-10-13T13:35:09.223-06:00Happy 90th!<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After my flights
across the country, we hurried to attend our friend John’s 90<sup>th</sup>
birthday party. He and several other
RVing friends own large lots between Show Low and Concho, Arizona. At 7000 feet, the weather was perfect in mid-September
and we happily settled in on Roy’s lot, who unfortunately wasn’t there. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsgNwNtpNzg/WeER_DjZ3tI/AAAAAAAATLI/kLHHcfzRjUIRiT0l4xt8dxJqW0scALFzwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsgNwNtpNzg/WeER_DjZ3tI/AAAAAAAATLI/kLHHcfzRjUIRiT0l4xt8dxJqW0scALFzwCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had requested
that John put us away from the main group because we assumed they would have nightly
campfires. Here’s a picture from the
roof.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lon446Ldekw/WeESG1xtCnI/AAAAAAAATLM/odj4eRqXSXMBd6ALhEmqhu0OTCbqARrqACLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lon446Ldekw/WeESG1xtCnI/AAAAAAAATLM/odj4eRqXSXMBd6ALhEmqhu0OTCbqARrqACLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">These lots were
sold to unsuspecting out-of-staters who didn’t realize the problems associated
with building there. To dig a well, it
would have to be over 1100 feet deep.
The ground is very rocky and a septic is either difficult and expensive
or nearly impossible. A few lots have
electric, but it’s thousands of dollars to have brought in. But it’s a beautiful place to boondock with
an RV.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The celebration
was five days of fun and reconnecting with old WIN friends. Here’s John snuggling up to Corrinne.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz3wuCJ-ayg/WeESNh1ioLI/AAAAAAAATLQ/4uXNsVswHQMDItwaF3zHN7SvN6Jgz224gCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz3wuCJ-ayg/WeESNh1ioLI/AAAAAAAATLQ/4uXNsVswHQMDItwaF3zHN7SvN6Jgz224gCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And here he is
with the shirt that Ron and I bought him.
I can’t take credit for the idea since Diana bought one like it for our
father’s 90<sup>th</sup> and Ron’s girls both bought similar ones for his 80<sup>th</sup>. (I know, I know, it’s hard to imagine that
Ron is 80, but all who know John find it just as hard to believe that he is 90.)</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNY5xDtC7M4/WeESTmU9J3I/AAAAAAAATLU/SzPoU1oi27sv8xZbn_buIhnEv78U67ZsQCLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="554" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JNY5xDtC7M4/WeESTmU9J3I/AAAAAAAATLU/SzPoU1oi27sv8xZbn_buIhnEv78U67ZsQCLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="280" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were daily
activities planned, both onsite as part of the celebration and off site. One day we joined several other vehicles for
a rough trip through the national forest to the top of Greens Peak. On the way up, we had some excitement when
Sue had a flat tire. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibQeRhI5kLU/WeESZn4lJKI/AAAAAAAATLY/9yDScAb0UFwb0kt5yBFOFA_RXkZ9hLmSQCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="852" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibQeRhI5kLU/WeESZn4lJKI/AAAAAAAATLY/9yDScAb0UFwb0kt5yBFOFA_RXkZ9hLmSQCLcBGAs/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ron to the
rescue with our can of Fix-a-flat. He used up the whole can which only brought it up to about 20 psi (which might have been because it
was a really old can), then he got out the 12-volt air compressor to finish it
off. I was sure I got a picture of him
at work, but it seems to be gone. Sue is
certainly braver than I. Instead of
turning around at that point, she just continued to the top with the rest of
us. However, days later, we heard that
the tire was remaining fully inflated. Amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The view from
the top was quite impressive.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NG1_THS1qBQ/WeESjTasOzI/AAAAAAAATLg/J1LYZRQD_EgCe9wxKnU8G7t9GRyvfqrXQCLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="775" height="290" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NG1_THS1qBQ/WeESjTasOzI/AAAAAAAATLg/J1LYZRQD_EgCe9wxKnU8G7t9GRyvfqrXQCLcBGAs/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But it was also
very windy as demonstrated by Larry and his ‘stay puft’ jacket.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7f580hXFfrA/WeESq19fXAI/AAAAAAAATLk/jRSv2ChdVl82xGp-RHN6KCBf8_egZWy3gCLcBGAs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="788" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7f580hXFfrA/WeESq19fXAI/AAAAAAAATLk/jRSv2ChdVl82xGp-RHN6KCBf8_egZWy3gCLcBGAs/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later that day,
we found out that Carol also had a flat caused by this giant metal spike that
was so far in her tire that the end was level with the tread. She’s smiling because she made it home before
it went flat.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XolRL_McqQw/WeESw-xJ4dI/AAAAAAAATLo/m__6q_DxXm4ukTjzyuJXX9ba8e8dWSqFACLcBGAs/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XolRL_McqQw/WeESw-xJ4dI/AAAAAAAATLo/m__6q_DxXm4ukTjzyuJXX9ba8e8dWSqFACLcBGAs/s400/8.JPG" width="298" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The actual
birthday party was on Saturday and what a shindig it was! His children had ordered unbelievable party
favors, including can cozies, cups, </span>name tags<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, and in the bag . . .</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bs9KoDha9S4/WeES90paVlI/AAAAAAAATLs/I3SzRmFypMU0dGGQPzuKVbjipHI3lLsLQCLcBGAs/s1600/9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="782" height="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bs9KoDha9S4/WeES90paVlI/AAAAAAAATLs/I3SzRmFypMU0dGGQPzuKVbjipHI3lLsLQCLcBGAs/s400/9.png" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Personalized
cookies that really did resemble John.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ4gEEkZMOQ/WeETE5Z6_UI/AAAAAAAATLw/uh7gjJ8qR8ENU_vCFQOxQCvTPF4N7LT7gCLcBGAs/s1600/10a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ4gEEkZMOQ/WeETE5Z6_UI/AAAAAAAATLw/uh7gjJ8qR8ENU_vCFQOxQCvTPF4N7LT7gCLcBGAs/s320/10a.JPG" width="249" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">John even got
the Mountain Saddle Band to entertain and they were terrific!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AU7_SJjkAw/WeETLCV6eZI/AAAAAAAATL4/nh6jArM8l4Yl3FsNWtAL6x2C4YLC-CkrQCLcBGAs/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="816" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6AU7_SJjkAw/WeETLCV6eZI/AAAAAAAATL4/nh6jArM8l4Yl3FsNWtAL6x2C4YLC-CkrQCLcBGAs/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">They had lots of
pictures of John as a young stud,</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zx03923vUA/WeETRiGSatI/AAAAAAAATL8/xwDl3GIfb0we1fAZHp85pZwupGC4uZ64ACLcBGAs/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zx03923vUA/WeETRiGSatI/AAAAAAAATL8/xwDl3GIfb0we1fAZHp85pZwupGC4uZ64ACLcBGAs/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But he </span>demonstrated<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> that he still has it when he and Sally ‘pole danced’ on top of the
storage container. Sally was a real
sport – even wearing his Budweiser shorts for our amusement.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ZFSVWAEI8/WeETXynbHZI/AAAAAAAATMA/1OkEmSA3C80qOMak7hDx826lGx7BLLH8ACLcBGAs/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h6ZFSVWAEI8/WeETXynbHZI/AAAAAAAATMA/1OkEmSA3C80qOMak7hDx826lGx7BLLH8ACLcBGAs/s400/13.JPG" width="298" /></a></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This last
picture was posted and reposted so many times on FaceBook that I don’t know who
to credit for taking it. It’s most, but
probably not all of John’s well-wishers who attended this very happy
event. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73TrNQt_GaQ/WeETg1M9MNI/AAAAAAAATME/udbaXArwOf0IlkUKOlT2bUr5CK7oAIoUwCLcBGAs/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1204" height="178" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73TrNQt_GaQ/WeETg1M9MNI/AAAAAAAATME/udbaXArwOf0IlkUKOlT2bUr5CK7oAIoUwCLcBGAs/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> </b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We love you, John! </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-60149366585254103842017-10-08T16:12:00.000-06:002017-10-08T16:12:25.347-06:00Long Overdue<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I know it’s been a
really long time since I posted, especially considering we’re still on our
summer travels. But we did have a break
in routine which always throws me off my blogging. About two months ago, my father had a stone
in his pancreatic duct. He had
previously had the same situation eight years ago, so he knew when the
debilitating pain began, he had to get to the hospital. His gastroenterologist again went in down his esophagus, through his
stomach, into his pancreatic duct, and pulled out the stone. Pretty amazing, huh? All seemed to be fine when they released him
from the hospital. Unfortunately, all
the antibiotics that they prescribed didn’t agree with him causing him to end
up back in the hospital with dehydration.
Upon his release from the second stay in the hospital in a very weakened
condition, I flew to PA to play nurse. Although
I am not the best caregiver, he is amazing, and by the time I left two weeks
later, he was remarkably improved. Whew!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Then, less than two
weeks after my return, I left Ron again to visit my darling daughters in
Florida. I was on a roll. We enjoyed our time together, and found time
to visit historic St. Augustine. The
girls are even more camera shy than I am, so no pictures of them, but I do have
a few of St. Augustine. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>According to the plaque,
this gate, opened in 1739, provided the only access through the defense line on
the north side of Spanish St. Augustine. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4R8AcOdsFI/WdqgzBBSv8I/AAAAAAAATJ4/wn0R0-C00Bo2QSmQYPPEmlCw9PMh5WV8ACLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="664" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y4R8AcOdsFI/WdqgzBBSv8I/AAAAAAAATJ4/wn0R0-C00Bo2QSmQYPPEmlCw9PMh5WV8ACLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b>
<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>St. George Street is pedestrian
only and filled with fun shops and eateries in the heart of the city’s historic
district,</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WtTSXc0OoQ/Wdqg5eqAACI/AAAAAAAATJ8/DJeTS9xqXnYVIAk_Lrg9QD8Q4IhuYddAgCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1005" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6WtTSXc0OoQ/Wdqg5eqAACI/AAAAAAAATJ8/DJeTS9xqXnYVIAk_Lrg9QD8Q4IhuYddAgCLcBGAs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And home to the
oldest wooden schoolhouse in the U.S. The
exact date of construction is unknown, but it first appears on tax records in
1716. It’s not often you see something in
the United States that’s 300 years old.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFgLv43v9u8/Wdqg_3jJ-bI/AAAAAAAATKA/NlVskhNbE3QJbqn9l2VS7i0q3StqOvehQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="929" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFgLv43v9u8/Wdqg_3jJ-bI/AAAAAAAATKA/NlVskhNbE3QJbqn9l2VS7i0q3StqOvehQCLcBGAs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Beautiful Flagler College
is a 4-year liberal arts college.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSbaWRkeq4/WdqhGFQKOwI/AAAAAAAATKE/DIidpZthVOc85fkkDOCRxnFYMPoz1fGuwCLcBGAs/s1600/3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="929" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSbaWRkeq4/WdqhGFQKOwI/AAAAAAAATKE/DIidpZthVOc85fkkDOCRxnFYMPoz1fGuwCLcBGAs/s400/3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We were awed by the
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCSK4YO-mHg/WdqhM_eDhxI/AAAAAAAATKI/RJCVriuSt6If4J51PnIMYdtQHRfpH9l0ACLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCSK4YO-mHg/WdqhM_eDhxI/AAAAAAAATKI/RJCVriuSt6If4J51PnIMYdtQHRfpH9l0ACLcBGAs/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>This was America’s
first parish, founded in 1565, but the cathedral was built between 1793 and
1797.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuVjQIT4mKY/WdqhS7em6MI/AAAAAAAATKM/5KLESV1WkQYanBcWh5ZoqQTkZO8L7GTtACLcBGAs/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uuVjQIT4mKY/WdqhS7em6MI/AAAAAAAATKM/5KLESV1WkQYanBcWh5ZoqQTkZO8L7GTtACLcBGAs/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>We also toured the
St. Augustine Distillery.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kTEr7BQ9Qk/WdqhYv_XUNI/AAAAAAAATKQ/B1SqnzuyGa4AcmTk9LpaHeMRayPAp_7iwCLcBGAs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kTEr7BQ9Qk/WdqhYv_XUNI/AAAAAAAATKQ/B1SqnzuyGa4AcmTk9LpaHeMRayPAp_7iwCLcBGAs/s400/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>It was an interesting
tour, but the best part was the tour guide’s appearance. He looked the picture of an old-time
distiller. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLlEr-5MS4Y/WdqheF-d-_I/AAAAAAAATKU/EV9-Zl0_tQkuJ5ktw-R4idYXgHeIApIsQCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLlEr-5MS4Y/WdqheF-d-_I/AAAAAAAATKU/EV9-Zl0_tQkuJ5ktw-R4idYXgHeIApIsQCLcBGAs/s320/7.jpg" width="251" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>My daughter had free
tickets for Potter’s Wax Museum or we probably wouldn’t have gone, but we were
all very impressed. The wax figures are
remarkable and the displays are set up beautifully.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Here are some former
U.S. presidents and first ladies . . .</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnusVbwOQZU/WdqhlC8pVhI/AAAAAAAATKY/z1H8Pea6fPYsKod8h7cMiNtvb2_9uawNACLcBGAs/s1600/20170904_113231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="826" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vnusVbwOQZU/WdqhlC8pVhI/AAAAAAAATKY/z1H8Pea6fPYsKod8h7cMiNtvb2_9uawNACLcBGAs/s400/20170904_113231.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>And some signers of
the Declaration of Independence.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yiue9HL82jo/WdqhrPCXuSI/AAAAAAAATKc/BTGwxvKH-AwqKjmKriHF3m1nLG68zphGwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170904_113237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="945" height="245" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yiue9HL82jo/WdqhrPCXuSI/AAAAAAAATKc/BTGwxvKH-AwqKjmKriHF3m1nLG68zphGwCLcBGAs/s400/20170904_113237.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Look at the
detail. It looks like Albert Einstein is
looking right at me! His eyes seemed to
follow me. Alright, it was a little
creepy.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6yqUaQL8VM/Wdqhxir8DpI/AAAAAAAATKg/1Kj1TunX2lQgNa6gcNEj0j7kKNrLIPq4ACLcBGAs/s1600/20170904_113337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="697" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6yqUaQL8VM/Wdqhxir8DpI/AAAAAAAATKg/1Kj1TunX2lQgNa6gcNEj0j7kKNrLIPq4ACLcBGAs/s320/20170904_113337.jpg" width="252" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But speaking of
creepy, there was a room with characters from horror movies. None of us wanted to be first (or last) going
through that room. I really thought
Freddy Krueger was going to leap out at me.
Yikes!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJk5IQxEOUU/Wdqh3IhLGzI/AAAAAAAATKk/jf9Ow5iqdEworIMPEQWnVNy9RXWLzlfbgCLcBGAs/s1600/20170904_113735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="697" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJk5IQxEOUU/Wdqh3IhLGzI/AAAAAAAATKk/jf9Ow5iqdEworIMPEQWnVNy9RXWLzlfbgCLcBGAs/s320/20170904_113735.jpg" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>But General MacArthur
gave me back my confidence.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQZ2gifa3tA/Wdqh75CXJ2I/AAAAAAAATKo/M4m2YmlLjbUsLa3Zl-ULkIdaTPdb3UvvQCLcBGAs/s1600/20170904_114222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="628" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQZ2gifa3tA/Wdqh75CXJ2I/AAAAAAAATKo/M4m2YmlLjbUsLa3Zl-ULkIdaTPdb3UvvQCLcBGAs/s320/20170904_114222.jpg" width="226" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I did have a bit of excitement
when hurricane Irma decided to hit Florida right when I was due to fly
home. I was lucky enough to get the last
seat on a flight two days earlier for no extra charge. Thank you, American Airlines. I did feel like I was deserting a sinking
ship, but luckily my daughters didn’t even lose electric. We were all very thankful.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-69072163084437386072017-08-12T21:12:00.000-06:002017-08-12T21:12:24.828-06:00Abiquiu (part 2)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think the
highlight of our time in the Abiquiu area was a trip to a little known area
just north of town. We actually went
twice because I didn’t like the way my pictures turned out the first time with
the gloomy skies.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So we picked a
day when the clouds weren’t too oppressive and tried again. On the way, we stopped at a pullout for a
shot of Rio Chama.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftAtzvCwyBQ/WYp9_6ENngI/AAAAAAAATJM/50JeQ96IrOstufX_QQ4DvvNAS010SaKFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftAtzvCwyBQ/WYp9_6ENngI/AAAAAAAATJM/50JeQ96IrOstufX_QQ4DvvNAS010SaKFgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But this was our
goal – Plaza Blanca. These spectacular
white sandstone formations are on land owned by the Dar al Islam mosque, but
luckily they don’t mind respectful tourists.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah4dvZCg6ck/WYp-G8Du66I/AAAAAAAATJQ/PAQn2moDsmYIhg_NI-qtplhJ5PLkk3vggCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah4dvZCg6ck/WYp-G8Du66I/AAAAAAAATJQ/PAQn2moDsmYIhg_NI-qtplhJ5PLkk3vggCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5322.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At first glance,
the formations reminded me of Tent Rocks NM outside of Santa Fe.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atRK5BnCxis/WYp-OgMxlbI/AAAAAAAATJU/6Ix5YObGfcgxRIc76Cf6jOjrpDoOGBBRQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atRK5BnCxis/WYp-OgMxlbI/AAAAAAAATJU/6Ix5YObGfcgxRIc76Cf6jOjrpDoOGBBRQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5325.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But these also
had some color in places.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIRuL0eYraU/WYp-WGsvVWI/AAAAAAAATJY/xZ4pZ4TXyjMWc6GhNahlNTcA64mgcZLPACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="813" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIRuL0eYraU/WYp-WGsvVWI/AAAAAAAATJY/xZ4pZ4TXyjMWc6GhNahlNTcA64mgcZLPACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5328.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And some of the
cliffs had interesting crisscross features.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig_CYFPSxg4/WYp-gHwTfYI/AAAAAAAATJc/aiL1yVtPbBQg-LaPOhcmJf6CldG4w57MQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ig_CYFPSxg4/WYp-gHwTfYI/AAAAAAAATJc/aiL1yVtPbBQg-LaPOhcmJf6CldG4w57MQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5333.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We walked along
the arroyo admiring the towering rock walls.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HBfcjg3gLQ/WYp-o_uG8DI/AAAAAAAATJg/hF3Bvo4xMQY9_GqwRkZUhck0zVKEtCDkACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HBfcjg3gLQ/WYp-o_uG8DI/AAAAAAAATJg/hF3Bvo4xMQY9_GqwRkZUhck0zVKEtCDkACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5336.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Some of the tops
had red caprock.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqeh30wxHIM/WYp-zj_N-BI/AAAAAAAATJk/ZP3O-k1GhnU-1hwPqbprKxxTY1owqdVTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqeh30wxHIM/WYp-zj_N-BI/AAAAAAAATJk/ZP3O-k1GhnU-1hwPqbprKxxTY1owqdVTQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5341.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It really is a
special place and well worth a second visit.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7KHcvsgD78/WYp-74MEc0I/AAAAAAAATJo/Ju6rpRwBQZ8cWnT94SYObsfSfJzc1Me4gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="817" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7KHcvsgD78/WYp-74MEc0I/AAAAAAAATJo/Ju6rpRwBQZ8cWnT94SYObsfSfJzc1Me4gCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5347.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-82458435300699808342017-08-10T20:29:00.000-06:002017-08-10T20:29:02.884-06:00Abiquiu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last year we really enjoyed our time at the Corps of Engineers campground at Abiquiu Lake. Of course all the COE campgrounds are nice, but this one has especially lovely scenery.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp5wlBU3hiM/WYp0Y1Ae6MI/AAAAAAAATIY/YRycx-4lSsYbVhzHwAG4pRBIB6WcPO6_ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp5wlBU3hiM/WYp0Y1Ae6MI/AAAAAAAATIY/YRycx-4lSsYbVhzHwAG4pRBIB6WcPO6_ACK4BGAYYCw/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Each site has a view of Abiquiu Lake, although this was taken from an overlook.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZlaorYFBwY/WYp0FtAI_TI/AAAAAAAATIQ/f1X2tgqv5PwYfN5SyVyASOhGKUEbrj6MwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZlaorYFBwY/WYp0FtAI_TI/AAAAAAAATIQ/f1X2tgqv5PwYfN5SyVyASOhGKUEbrj6MwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since we had
already embraced the area last year, we went to the visitors center for additional
adventures. She suggested taking the
dirt road from the dam to town for some colorful scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzp6mP4xMdI/WYp0x8d0gcI/AAAAAAAATIg/1eEs91nQ7yMqKCByjt7bR2DMPgU6txbSwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzp6mP4xMdI/WYp0x8d0gcI/AAAAAAAATIg/1eEs91nQ7yMqKCByjt7bR2DMPgU6txbSwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Even with a
4-wheel drive truck, there was one spot that Ron thought required a bit of rock moving. The truck came out looking impressively
muddy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMQibZ5EX0/WYp08h5OXPI/AAAAAAAATIo/hbMVzS_Np8M_PQt59VNfW4wo9jLsijyEwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMQibZ5EX0/WYp08h5OXPI/AAAAAAAATIo/hbMVzS_Np8M_PQt59VNfW4wo9jLsijyEwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She also
mentioned a hike up Cerro Pedernal which consisted mostly of walking up an ATV
road.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSFysZMo0Pw/WYp1KVcb2yI/AAAAAAAATIw/fNCB3S5AXeYtTcoGgf0YV1ZGu1NEm5A5gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSFysZMo0Pw/WYp1KVcb2yI/AAAAAAAATIw/fNCB3S5AXeYtTcoGgf0YV1ZGu1NEm5A5gCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s the top
of the cerro (which means little mountain), but the rest was a rock scramble
and we soon turned around.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ewWe5nPNBY/WYp1UjGGuPI/AAAAAAAATI4/q-yT4S4gjrk7Cab3e1eY3YYC8Mve4pJtACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ewWe5nPNBY/WYp1UjGGuPI/AAAAAAAATI4/q-yT4S4gjrk7Cab3e1eY3YYC8Mve4pJtACK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think the
prettiest scenery was along the road up to the trailhead.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsRYSu4_v4Q/WYp1fmf7P_I/AAAAAAAATJA/qjx7MRxeIvcb3CFaOmyvwdR1UdpOlY-NwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_5317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BsRYSu4_v4Q/WYp1fmf7P_I/AAAAAAAATJA/qjx7MRxeIvcb3CFaOmyvwdR1UdpOlY-NwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_5317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This area was
made famous by artist Georgia O’Keeffe, who immortalized the colorful rock
formations in her paintings. We visited
her Ghost Ranch last year. Click <a href="http://roamingbarbara.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghost-ranch.html">here</a> to see that special place. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-39035130453025901602017-08-07T22:18:00.002-06:002017-08-07T22:18:59.506-06:00Rio Grande del Norte NM (south)<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We moved to the
southern end of the Monument for a couple of nights. Once again, there are several campgrounds,
but, unlike the ones in the northern section, these are right along the Rio
Grande and some have electric and water hookups. The campgrounds begin just about a mile north
of Pilar, along 570, for those who are interested. We chose the second one, Rio Bravo, which is
probably the nicest.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On our only full
day there, we traveled an interesting loop.
We began by continuing north on 570, checking out each campground on the
way. Petaca CG, which was the fifth one,
looked like it had been a victim of a mudslide.
Yikes! We crossed the Taos
Junction Bridge and, after climbing partway out of the gorge, we stopped to
hike La Vista Verde Trail.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was about 1
1/3 miles through a fairly level area above the river, but below the rim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWXJ9aMUUug/WYk5vtdDbqI/AAAAAAAATHM/C2FTGJga5z0bDhMi0ddfJ4-P64MZQ_fQgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VWXJ9aMUUug/WYk5vtdDbqI/AAAAAAAATHM/C2FTGJga5z0bDhMi0ddfJ4-P64MZQ_fQgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I always think
the edges of lava flows are interesting and here were some huge ones.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGx86udx8wQ/WYk54YjyVoI/AAAAAAAATHQ/qN0cgAYmkOU8LgK_f7GrzyZDlpdiWPHpQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGx86udx8wQ/WYk54YjyVoI/AAAAAAAATHQ/qN0cgAYmkOU8LgK_f7GrzyZDlpdiWPHpQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The view at the
end was just spectacular.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYMXY71Z0AY/WYk6A-WAGgI/AAAAAAAATHU/ym3jOvb9vvETD_YjFWw-V3uOKkVZ3FPKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYMXY71Z0AY/WYk6A-WAGgI/AAAAAAAATHU/ym3jOvb9vvETD_YjFWw-V3uOKkVZ3FPKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5216.JPG" width="298" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back in the
truck, we continued to the top of the rim.
Along the way, we were thrilled to see these sheep which Ron identified as
Rocky Mountain Sheep.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqaSysCsTHs/WYk6JrVWH4I/AAAAAAAATHY/KFEs-I4dDBoOR8Fq_1g85yPIfgkg5OBiwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="736" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqaSysCsTHs/WYk6JrVWH4I/AAAAAAAATHY/KFEs-I4dDBoOR8Fq_1g85yPIfgkg5OBiwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5223.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was even a
little one.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWCqEKI6pHI/WYk6QvEbXUI/AAAAAAAATHc/lluBBp2U93ca2tcFFU8ExH-YY4jb8t4qgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="699" height="333" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gWCqEKI6pHI/WYk6QvEbXUI/AAAAAAAATHc/lluBBp2U93ca2tcFFU8ExH-YY4jb8t4qgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5224.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ron snapped this
out his side of the truck.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-gE4rjpook/WYk6XQzJiJI/AAAAAAAATHg/cuBxQcV9c7EC7OvSpnDyLVOkRCiOiI_mgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="601" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-gE4rjpook/WYk6XQzJiJI/AAAAAAAATHg/cuBxQcV9c7EC7OvSpnDyLVOkRCiOiI_mgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5232.JPG" width="270" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One more giving
me the eye.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuing north
on 115, I thought it was fascinating how flat the land appears, but see that
dark line across the picture? That’s actually the Rio
Grande gorge!</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9bnL_tN4OM/WYk6paWCidI/AAAAAAAATHo/gPvJR7tIof45gu0dau7x6RMy0j0nLn3QACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9bnL_tN4OM/WYk6paWCidI/AAAAAAAATHo/gPvJR7tIof45gu0dau7x6RMy0j0nLn3QACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5234.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our next stop
was at the Greater World Community to view the Earthship Biotecture. There is a visitor center which explains their
sustainable living including<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Building with
natural and recycled materials<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Solar/Thermal
heating and cooling<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Solar and wind
electric power<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Contained sewage
treatment<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Food production<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And you can walk
around a limited amount. I can
understand that the owners don’t want tourists walking through their yards and
knocking on their doors.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlTpIxcq0PM/WYk610Z1GkI/AAAAAAAATHs/XRomUfqrsxkC8mrUAqOYhr9iApoXjCgfwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlTpIxcq0PM/WYk610Z1GkI/AAAAAAAATHs/XRomUfqrsxkC8mrUAqOYhr9iApoXjCgfwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5243.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was lots
of passive solar (windows on the south side) and solar panels, but what
surprised me was how they used tires, cans, and bottles in the walls. How many bottles of beer or wine would you
have to drink to build a house?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OOKRCc8vK8/WYk6-xEA7HI/AAAAAAAATHw/WaYp9GVlVN4wtFO6_6tRUGbXToeGfH89QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OOKRCc8vK8/WYk6-xEA7HI/AAAAAAAATHw/WaYp9GVlVN4wtFO6_6tRUGbXToeGfH89QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5247.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I did like the solar
oven.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiU2V5ARrBU/WYk7fYT5CWI/AAAAAAAATH4/3GYas0jqCssNObP5i1CFeiz-Ayes1LIXgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="848" height="305" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiU2V5ARrBU/WYk7fYT5CWI/AAAAAAAATH4/3GYas0jqCssNObP5i1CFeiz-Ayes1LIXgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5248.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We continued our
loop by crossing the Rio Grande Gorge High Bridge. At 1272 feet long and 650 feet above the Rio
Grande, it is pretty impressive.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNdzCiX97X8/WYk7nOIyz3I/AAAAAAAATH8/ChqyCHbpUQoInqHPuJ4grnQtpVQVfLLBgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="759" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NNdzCiX97X8/WYk7nOIyz3I/AAAAAAAATH8/ChqyCHbpUQoInqHPuJ4grnQtpVQVfLLBgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5252.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then we headed back
south through Taos where we stopped for groceries. It was a good day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-1460215735795431142017-08-04T18:00:00.000-06:002017-08-04T18:00:22.701-06:00Rio Grande del Norte NM<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We
were very impressed on our first visit to this national monument two
years ago and knew we would be back. <o:p></o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in northern New Mexico was established in 2013. The 242,455 acre monument includes two BLM recreation areas, and sections of the Rio Grande and the Red River, each of which are designated as a Wild and Scenic River.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">There are several campgrounds along the rim of the mesa between the two rivers, each with just a few really nice sites. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">One day we hiked from our campground to the point of the mesa which overlooks the confluence of the two rivers.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPI0VpIckhM/VfuEFKX371I/AAAAAAAAQow/2Jws5a73SeA/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPI0VpIckhM/VfuEFKX371I/AAAAAAAAQow/2Jws5a73SeA/s400/IMG_0746.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Although it's hard to see even with a zoomed view, the Red River comes in on the lower left to join the Rio Grande on the right.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxoe2_OjWqI/VfuFRXNH_dI/AAAAAAAAQo4/3YdeK1bmwxE/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxoe2_OjWqI/VfuFRXNH_dI/AAAAAAAAQo4/3YdeK1bmwxE/s400/IMG_0748.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">There are four different trails down to the river including one at this point which drops 800 feet. Ron and I don't like hikes that end with a big uphill climb, especially at 7500 feet, so we didn't go down very far.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JBcI8gPKeY/VfuGL6et1EI/AAAAAAAAQpA/SxS8V8OpIKc/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6699cc; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2JBcI8gPKeY/VfuGL6et1EI/AAAAAAAAQpA/SxS8V8OpIKc/s400/IMG_0753.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, after staying a couple of days, we talked ourselves into hiking down to the Rio Grande. Don’t be too impressed, though. We went to a part of the mesa that isn’t as
high above the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s
the sign at the trailhead. As you can
see, although steep, it’s a pretty short hike. I was
more worried about those snakes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hd-_Mu5goY/WYAEdIbJKnI/AAAAAAAATGg/uiT0zVVOsr0d4AFRifpUcgs-QGhLVvW7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hd-_Mu5goY/WYAEdIbJKnI/AAAAAAAATGg/uiT0zVVOsr0d4AFRifpUcgs-QGhLVvW7QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5176.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My
pictures are terrible because it was cloudy, but I’ll post a few anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LD1EWy6Ifwc/WYAFTAQwOWI/AAAAAAAATGo/ExawUraz7gwtVHZSpuyMuCYIAdOGjdPqwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LD1EWy6Ifwc/WYAFTAQwOWI/AAAAAAAATGo/ExawUraz7gwtVHZSpuyMuCYIAdOGjdPqwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5178.JPG" width="298" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD-MJONCvJU/WYAFY_QLh8I/AAAAAAAATGs/eyZPz6nuHqYKQqxBRMzg1zFGB2a98E6RQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD-MJONCvJU/WYAFY_QLh8I/AAAAAAAATGs/eyZPz6nuHqYKQqxBRMzg1zFGB2a98E6RQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5179.JPG" width="298" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDE3e4jBzc4/WYAFw5XNQUI/AAAAAAAATGw/P1bfPmBQCxU8QUo5Zd_CKLRC0o1C5dIrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDE3e4jBzc4/WYAFw5XNQUI/AAAAAAAATGw/P1bfPmBQCxU8QUo5Zd_CKLRC0o1C5dIrwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5183.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting close.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UR4kWXYZuHE/WYAF6nqOkRI/AAAAAAAATG0/GZcviFWKVv8-0i9hh5JtkSKSzL63yzMsQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UR4kWXYZuHE/WYAF6nqOkRI/AAAAAAAATG0/GZcviFWKVv8-0i9hh5JtkSKSzL63yzMsQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5188.JPG" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At
the bottom, the trail was not even passable, in my opinion. After all, they did mention snakes on the
sign. Ron continued on without me and said he only saw one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwTnR97LEuk/WYAGN2IkgoI/AAAAAAAATG4/wGXu2a6Gcvgqpju7qRMGbQYnTsx7cXnbwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwTnR97LEuk/WYAGN2IkgoI/AAAAAAAATG4/wGXu2a6Gcvgqpju7qRMGbQYnTsx7cXnbwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5189.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
No pictures can do justice to this beautiful national monument. We recommend it highly.<br />
<br />
<br />Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-53805445179156741322017-08-02T18:22:00.000-06:002017-08-02T18:22:00.161-06:00Columbine CG<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
our next move, we only went about 9 miles to a forest service campground. After camping free for most of the summer, it
was a real shock to pay $9 a night ($18, if we weren’t old.) It is a really nice campground, though, with
large spaces having huge ‘yards’. We
even found one with enough sun for the solar.
At least it would have been enough if it hadn’t rained every afternoon.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPxlmdXVltc/WX_KSKdWttI/AAAAAAAATFg/2NrEP9pZOlsLKpL-fr2XDRfSwhXE6ulmwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPxlmdXVltc/WX_KSKdWttI/AAAAAAAATFg/2NrEP9pZOlsLKpL-fr2XDRfSwhXE6ulmwCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the mornings were lovely and we hiked up the trail that leaves right out of the
campground. We followed the trail up
Columbine Canyon and turned up a side canyon after about 1 ½ miles.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtOy76T3Hk/WX_KcpNJLPI/AAAAAAAATFk/OfByFL3FS8QhcUHATJ2H1WzUz2Fs-7zogCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="457" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LPtOy76T3Hk/WX_KcpNJLPI/AAAAAAAATFk/OfByFL3FS8QhcUHATJ2H1WzUz2Fs-7zogCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is certainly a well-constructed trail with impressive bridges.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Rjggf5_xo/WX_KlfcKTVI/AAAAAAAATFo/xftZMA2vE7wUCkISEg3ZWKAUdwjlClOYQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Rjggf5_xo/WX_KlfcKTVI/AAAAAAAATFo/xftZMA2vE7wUCkISEg3ZWKAUdwjlClOYQCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
wondered what had dug out this tree trunk.
Bear, maybe?</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QB6SfUyPeLU/WX_KuMPen7I/AAAAAAAATFs/64beOSW57Y00FM3HMTCJUrZe8_xcUj7TgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QB6SfUyPeLU/WX_KuMPen7I/AAAAAAAATFs/64beOSW57Y00FM3HMTCJUrZe8_xcUj7TgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5135.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
enjoyed the beautiful woods . . .</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaHWzcyj4QA/WX_K8WHj9eI/AAAAAAAATFw/XCaVWx6oUE44Ki-a9dRXN6hcM6XvuwNRACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaHWzcyj4QA/WX_K8WHj9eI/AAAAAAAATFw/XCaVWx6oUE44Ki-a9dRXN6hcM6XvuwNRACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5140.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
the trail sections along the creek.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NT_AZvmmajk/WX_LGN5Lx0I/AAAAAAAATF0/brIDzGD9cVw332hIs5zYaJ9IZGWjle3mQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NT_AZvmmajk/WX_LGN5Lx0I/AAAAAAAATF0/brIDzGD9cVw332hIs5zYaJ9IZGWjle3mQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hey,
I know the name of this one – monarda or bee balm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQxmVLhtTsQ/WX_LV7wJ3II/AAAAAAAATF4/-tM0URzpweYQy1Fn1D1ZeKXv3vNQS2NbACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5142%2BMonarda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="547" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQxmVLhtTsQ/WX_LV7wJ3II/AAAAAAAATF4/-tM0URzpweYQy1Fn1D1ZeKXv3vNQS2NbACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5142%2BMonarda.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
the weirdly-named cow parsnip.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VArKPqm3rnM/WX_LfSnU8YI/AAAAAAAATF8/xe4t2RL_YGcIvrHwsLb-_lg8VOWptTvEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5143a%2BCow%2BParsnip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VArKPqm3rnM/WX_LfSnU8YI/AAAAAAAATF8/xe4t2RL_YGcIvrHwsLb-_lg8VOWptTvEwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5143a%2BCow%2BParsnip.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On
our way back down the canyon, we ran into a huge group of pack llamas. I thought this was the most ridiculous thing. They weren’t even going as far as we did, for
goodness sake. Why do they need a trail
guide and pack animals? Ron patiently
explained that it was just for the experience.
Huh.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEqkfYL-VQc/WX_LphTjABI/AAAAAAAATGA/cupkrb6jyCs5kTnLRFErZbkBy1CBnvFEACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5148a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="774" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEqkfYL-VQc/WX_LphTjABI/AAAAAAAATGA/cupkrb6jyCs5kTnLRFErZbkBy1CBnvFEACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5148a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
llamas were very well behaved and most just crossed the stream independently. But the guide did lead a couple of the
newbies.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os2tUcA24d8/WX_Lxum3WCI/AAAAAAAATGE/BCsGmaqSeBU6col2Kjd7BW4z-Ra_GZTqgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Os2tUcA24d8/WX_Lxum3WCI/AAAAAAAATGE/BCsGmaqSeBU6col2Kjd7BW4z-Ra_GZTqgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuing
on our way, we had new obstacles to avoid.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpOrdjN7A8A/WX_L6bCaueI/AAAAAAAATGI/d4RFIveWlIwSrGW8uaxVrvllQfWfiCI0QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OpOrdjN7A8A/WX_L6bCaueI/AAAAAAAATGI/d4RFIveWlIwSrGW8uaxVrvllQfWfiCI0QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
only butterfly I can identify is the zebra longwing and this isn’t it.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJKMO9SFaaI/WX_MCsrr7OI/AAAAAAAATGM/z3Z68cJolYc_PHAoKs6wa1FJ8X5snofwQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJKMO9SFaaI/WX_MCsrr7OI/AAAAAAAATGM/z3Z68cJolYc_PHAoKs6wa1FJ8X5snofwQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5156.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-52152398678649265792017-07-31T15:53:00.002-06:002017-07-31T15:53:21.398-06:00A Little Boondocking<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With our New
Mexico State Parks Pass, we have been staying almost exclusively in their
campgrounds, but our next few stops were different. Because we were trying to stay cool, we found
a boondocking spot in the Allstays app which was just 1 ½ miles north of Red
River at almost 9000 feet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We parked in
town and walked partway up the road to see how bad it was. In the motorhome vs. trailer discussion, that’s
a plus in the motorhome column because we could have just driven the towed car
up. But we decided the lane-and-a-half
dirt road was good enough and up we went.
The last part got considerably worse, but we persevered. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a
Thursday, so we had our choice of spots and grabbed the only fairly level one.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px5kPmpQlCM/WX-mF4gCgLI/AAAAAAAATE8/b9CZRy7MjH8C1bzeD3nrXxPt0arzRdqLQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px5kPmpQlCM/WX-mF4gCgLI/AAAAAAAATE8/b9CZRy7MjH8C1bzeD3nrXxPt0arzRdqLQCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We took a couple
of nice hikes up the continuation of the deteriorating road, but, at that
height, the longest was less than three miles round trip. </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2swoR-EUuM/WX-mNrtvvCI/AAAAAAAATFA/TFS89YiSi8MdtPPDPGNECtjqP9KpyvErQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2swoR-EUuM/WX-mNrtvvCI/AAAAAAAATFA/TFS89YiSi8MdtPPDPGNECtjqP9KpyvErQCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Saw lots of
these pretty black and white butterflies.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMfq8JRNkj0/WX-mU7EwBSI/AAAAAAAATFE/KH9p4ub0pyE1R1pZ49eUP3WGD1wnANU-wCLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="774" height="336" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gMfq8JRNkj0/WX-mU7EwBSI/AAAAAAAATFE/KH9p4ub0pyE1R1pZ49eUP3WGD1wnANU-wCLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And what looked
like Spanish moss. I thought that only
grew in the southeast.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTBCr2d0pr4/WX-mbmw_NaI/AAAAAAAATFI/SVQrnRX3IFI88HkcyN9XulbueJe5boiPgCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zTBCr2d0pr4/WX-mbmw_NaI/AAAAAAAATFI/SVQrnRX3IFI88HkcyN9XulbueJe5boiPgCLcBGAs/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But this area is
mostly used by people with ATVs. On
Friday they started pouring in. We
couldn’t believe it when we saw TWO of these 38 foot toy haulers come around the
corner. Wow! Although that’s a plus in the trailer column
(if you’re keeping track), because a 38’ motorhome would have twisted and
popped out a windshield.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auKiaAhQcsM/WX-mjNUsgWI/AAAAAAAATFM/MidnlpB0oxEB7RPMXFKxIJhGXuHw6G9PgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auKiaAhQcsM/WX-mjNUsgWI/AAAAAAAATFM/MidnlpB0oxEB7RPMXFKxIJhGXuHw6G9PgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5122.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">By the end of
the day, it was no longer a peaceful spot.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGJAeAbTm8Y/WX-mp1PlL8I/AAAAAAAATFQ/MYnD6zn8baoaJLjuDPpkHMozNQrfo2iDQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGJAeAbTm8Y/WX-mp1PlL8I/AAAAAAAATFQ/MYnD6zn8baoaJLjuDPpkHMozNQrfo2iDQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5130.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We probably will
never go back there despite the entertainment of watching the neighbors. The road was too bad and there was no phone
or internet even with the proximity of the town.<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-63293275602500625062017-07-23T21:38:00.000-06:002017-07-23T21:38:08.042-06:00Flying with the Angels<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay, not
really. But Angel Fire is a ski resort
which cleverly converts into a family playground in the summer. We had a lot of morning clouds and afternoon
rain during our stay, and kept checking the weather forecast for the perfect
day to ride the chair lift. Our last day
at Eagle Nest looked like it would be perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The day didn’t
begin well. Ron snapped this picture of the
early fog. You can barely see the
outline of the hills across the lake.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gl6j2o0m0wU/WXAmRNLxM1I/AAAAAAAATEA/asDbyIjyQVE_3tIyf6msnm5f9QbxxQpCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gl6j2o0m0wU/WXAmRNLxM1I/AAAAAAAATEA/asDbyIjyQVE_3tIyf6msnm5f9QbxxQpCgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5051.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But the fog
lifted and we were off to Angel Fire Resort.
The ski lift was longer than I expected.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F0Acq9dMcc/WXAmgeai6-I/AAAAAAAATEE/hxJ0pj4mCA04EVoZv1JFNU4VnQ_R03EEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="880" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2F0Acq9dMcc/WXAmgeai6-I/AAAAAAAATEE/hxJ0pj4mCA04EVoZv1JFNU4VnQ_R03EEwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5063.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We hiked around on
top of the mountain, sometimes gasping for air at over 10000 feet.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaB_rr9T7g0/WXAmp7FVBkI/AAAAAAAATEI/R6huMdwGyBcdxrcu5mFE9OYqGqpQuRydACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaB_rr9T7g0/WXAmp7FVBkI/AAAAAAAATEI/R6huMdwGyBcdxrcu5mFE9OYqGqpQuRydACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5072.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If you ever
wondered how to identify the various conifers, this sign is pretty interesting.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DA-bClMLNHE/WXAmx6a3bSI/AAAAAAAATEM/R2u3EzkfZIUFnv6DVoWwmKmCfGOlM4_NgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DA-bClMLNHE/WXAmx6a3bSI/AAAAAAAATEM/R2u3EzkfZIUFnv6DVoWwmKmCfGOlM4_NgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5068.JPG" width="298" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had been told
there was a mountain lake, but obviously the teller hadn’t been there in a while.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJVsFbYejTM/WXAm86XlWaI/AAAAAAAATEQ/c7XHzimDpw8ES7KkHWCxTC3c_nUHK33mwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJVsFbYejTM/WXAm86XlWaI/AAAAAAAATEQ/c7XHzimDpw8ES7KkHWCxTC3c_nUHK33mwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5075.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We saw what we
believe to be bobcat tracks. So cool.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0GMICn-VjU/WXAnGRLIC1I/AAAAAAAATEU/6qj9IyxE1Bw7-7uRZA4-QKmqpnIkCn67ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="895" height="295" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0GMICn-VjU/WXAnGRLIC1I/AAAAAAAATEU/6qj9IyxE1Bw7-7uRZA4-QKmqpnIkCn67ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5076.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the flattest
chapel ever.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAM69fe1qFs/WXAnQ3eDy-I/AAAAAAAATEY/cRA5YOC529wFPj5V7sgKJ3nRwhwSaTTpwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OAM69fe1qFs/WXAnQ3eDy-I/AAAAAAAATEY/cRA5YOC529wFPj5V7sgKJ3nRwhwSaTTpwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5083.JPG" width="233" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I know a lot of
places open their ski lift in the summer, but Angel Fire takes it several steps
farther. I was impressed with the disk
golf course they created on top of the mountain.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwEnB8OpzhQ/WXAnaJLvQeI/AAAAAAAATEc/fJ_jYp2nFTE3a5x5qXUgZVzqZ_2PFMzNwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="792" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwEnB8OpzhQ/WXAnaJLvQeI/AAAAAAAATEc/fJ_jYp2nFTE3a5x5qXUgZVzqZ_2PFMzNwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5074.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But the really
big attraction consisted of numerous mountain bike trails down the
mountain. Like ski runs, they are rated
as to difficulty. I thought this was
genius! Here’s a family all suited up
and ready to begin their trip down.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFyqaz5FoKg/WXAniTAbYiI/AAAAAAAATEg/UajQDnTerAMAEod_8YovSg0vmpHvW5rzACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="806" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFyqaz5FoKg/WXAniTAbYiI/AAAAAAAATEg/UajQDnTerAMAEod_8YovSg0vmpHvW5rzACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5087.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And in case you
were wondering how the bikes get up there, they have their own chairs on the
lift!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmLRC-SD2Mk/WXAntMinK5I/AAAAAAAATEk/rTBewfG4v8wHxBbDzareO5MxPEajqiMFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmLRC-SD2Mk/WXAntMinK5I/AAAAAAAATEk/rTBewfG4v8wHxBbDzareO5MxPEajqiMFgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5095.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here we are
coming in for a landing back at the bottom.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-resmBQuz0LY/WXAn1K1kFyI/AAAAAAAATEo/3_gnirjt5moiHrsJNmQ_3f5Bp4DSwGI3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="780" height="302" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-resmBQuz0LY/WXAn1K1kFyI/AAAAAAAATEo/3_gnirjt5moiHrsJNmQ_3f5Bp4DSwGI3wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5096.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While we were in
the area, I kept saying I wanted to get a picture of the purple flowers that were
blooming everywhere. I was told they
were penstemon. Finally on the last day,
I did.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yZIGLZU8Co/WXAn-wM0GVI/AAAAAAAATEs/_UVXboe7gJ8NQvZRw2UAkXZhJsKY5OnDwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="730" height="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4yZIGLZU8Co/WXAn-wM0GVI/AAAAAAAATEs/_UVXboe7gJ8NQvZRw2UAkXZhJsKY5OnDwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5099.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-70513368164894285912017-07-21T17:00:00.000-06:002017-07-21T17:00:03.878-06:00Back to Eagle Nest<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We can now
understand why our RVing friends rave about Eagle Nest State Park. At 8200 feet, it’s definitely the place to be
during the hot days of summer. The
scenery is lovely and, although tiny, the town of Eagle Nest has a few
eateries, a laundromat, a thrift store, and a yummy ice cream parlor. If that isn’t enough, about 10 miles away is the
slightly larger town of Angel Fire – winter ski town and summer playground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We happened to
arrive just in time for the 36<sup>th</sup> Annual Angel Fire Artsfest. I don’t have any pictures, but this juried
event was out of this world and had a wide variety of art. We enjoyed the paintings, photographs,
sculpture, pottery, and, of course, jewelry.
We spoke to several of the artists who were all so friendly and shared
their stories with us.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another day, I participated
in a garden tour sponsored by the Angel Fire Garden Club. It was not the grand gardens that I was
expecting, but more hardscape, with beautiful stonework and multi-level
patios. All six of the homes were
located in the surrounding wooded hills with the challenge of prevented deer
from consuming everything. I only have
one very poor picture.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tylclq5-CqU/WXAj48mk4DI/AAAAAAAATDY/iu9Q9ZYkmZkNvEzGk2O_a93JmxNaL8gSgCLcBGAs/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1032" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tylclq5-CqU/WXAj48mk4DI/AAAAAAAATDY/iu9Q9ZYkmZkNvEzGk2O_a93JmxNaL8gSgCLcBGAs/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another day Ron
and I took a hike in Angle Fire which began at pretty Monte Verde Lake,</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G96HzTqEmvs/WXAjpVnNc8I/AAAAAAAATDU/jFAvJIu0FOkGpmLhPVRsBfsEe-KsTJTIwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G96HzTqEmvs/WXAjpVnNc8I/AAAAAAAATDU/jFAvJIu0FOkGpmLhPVRsBfsEe-KsTJTIwCEwYBhgL/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Where this mommy
mallard (?) had her babies out for a swim.
(The babies were too fast to photograph.)</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOzb4IFNLkU/WXAkKCuYJDI/AAAAAAAATDc/AryOSMScP40V36gsVBOM9DiR6R2BRyB_wCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="845" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOzb4IFNLkU/WXAkKCuYJDI/AAAAAAAATDc/AryOSMScP40V36gsVBOM9DiR6R2BRyB_wCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then we climbed
up a bit into the hills to take the Lady Slipper Trail. On the way Ron spotted this deer lying in the
woods. We wondered if she was birthing a
fawn since she never moved as we went by on the trail. (Don’t worry, this was a zoomed shot.)</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zF_724jYeuI/WXAkTh15U9I/AAAAAAAATDg/9RaBocct1dQHsCR7Nf_0KTXDXaXm_g0zQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="833" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zF_724jYeuI/WXAkTh15U9I/AAAAAAAATDg/9RaBocct1dQHsCR7Nf_0KTXDXaXm_g0zQCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We went over the
river,</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR6WcGrq6KI/WXAkcb3zvbI/AAAAAAAATDk/66KLw63a_YILBnnk-ebXtL0mgHpn56J1QCLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZR6WcGrq6KI/WXAkcb3zvbI/AAAAAAAATDk/66KLw63a_YILBnnk-ebXtL0mgHpn56J1QCLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And through the
woods.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz7RB-SJ-Tg/WXAkmrD3nxI/AAAAAAAATDo/UvYnmBuSJFI6n3eUduUcaq1jW4pA_F1CgCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lz7RB-SJ-Tg/WXAkmrD3nxI/AAAAAAAATDo/UvYnmBuSJFI6n3eUduUcaq1jW4pA_F1CgCLcBGAs/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And found some
nice viewpoints, but no Grandmother’s house.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7a62cneUd8/WXAkt0zi8EI/AAAAAAAATDs/DbB9laa7DM0xHF3CZooTR5lGgj9dt7xPACLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R7a62cneUd8/WXAkt0zi8EI/AAAAAAAATDs/DbB9laa7DM0xHF3CZooTR5lGgj9dt7xPACLcBGAs/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Another terrible picture, but we were excited to see what I guess is a Western
Tanager. Anybody know for sure?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpPgpZPHBZM/WXAk4v3o5vI/AAAAAAAATDw/SZN6mu9RtfwYLJYs3fFXTWXI-ehEyWlkQCLcBGAs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="770" height="297" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PpPgpZPHBZM/WXAk4v3o5vI/AAAAAAAATDw/SZN6mu9RtfwYLJYs3fFXTWXI-ehEyWlkQCLcBGAs/s400/7.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back at the park,
we had a few laughs. I kept thinking the
neighbor’s gate was a wildlife sighting.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMEZSC3Wutk/WXAlKtGbYDI/AAAAAAAATD0/jkr4g5KZss8vpZFLafUnlEoe6WLeVLKXwCLcBGAs/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hMEZSC3Wutk/WXAlKtGbYDI/AAAAAAAATD0/jkr4g5KZss8vpZFLafUnlEoe6WLeVLKXwCLcBGAs/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At one point,
the site next to us was occupied by two trucks, two boats, one RV, and two
tents. There doesn’t seem to be a limit
here.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA_KZPovHio/WXAlRXqX3yI/AAAAAAAATD4/LMisz0dtIKgToSQ-oogyxAgsdh0a_VsCgCLcBGAs/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="760" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BA_KZPovHio/WXAlRXqX3yI/AAAAAAAATD4/LMisz0dtIKgToSQ-oogyxAgsdh0a_VsCgCLcBGAs/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And we got a kick out of another neighbor who
had quite a system for getting his fishing equipment down to the lake. </span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoA7vKl87h4/WXAlb_4c1gI/AAAAAAAATD8/5OOmWZ-dZ3cL_AuQorwjsCAjnT7IWqSyQCLcBGAs/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoA7vKl87h4/WXAlb_4c1gI/AAAAAAAATD8/5OOmWZ-dZ3cL_AuQorwjsCAjnT7IWqSyQCLcBGAs/s400/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> </b>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-91294362284032513982017-07-18T20:44:00.000-06:002017-07-18T20:44:37.637-06:00Mills Canyon<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our plan was to
return to Eagle Nest and the cooler weather, but we couldn’t resist a stop at
Mills Canyon on the way. According to
the Allstays app, there are two free national forest campgrounds – one on the
rim and one just for tents in the canyon along the Canadian River. On Google Earth, both appeared to have large
sites, but, believing the app, we stayed on the rim.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The next morning
we drove the truck down into the canyon and discovered the reason for the ‘tents
only’ designation. It was bad enough
that the road was dirt and potholed, but it was one lane with poor visibility
and few places where two vehicles could pass.
It was really nerve-wracking, but we made it all the way down without
meeting another car. Whew!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F02fHETWf8s/WW7GBHmr2vI/AAAAAAAATCg/nZQrNHLTLpcy_55Ao6GqaT-ECEPd4foswCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F02fHETWf8s/WW7GBHmr2vI/AAAAAAAATCg/nZQrNHLTLpcy_55Ao6GqaT-ECEPd4foswCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4970.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When we could
take our eyes off the road, the scenery was lovely. Below we could see the remains of Mills
Canyon Enterprise. Established in 1881, thousands
of trees produced tons of peaches, pears, cherries, plums, apricots, apples,
walnuts, chestnuts, and almonds. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gAKdAE9H9jo/WW7GJ0s8PuI/AAAAAAAATCk/9lY53G_pdbc1DRuU9wpI8pMMsBECT5yhQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gAKdAE9H9jo/WW7GJ0s8PuI/AAAAAAAATCk/9lY53G_pdbc1DRuU9wpI8pMMsBECT5yhQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4978.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b>
Unfortunately, in the fall of 1904, the fields suffered massive flooding
and the trees never recovered.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s a sign
about the enterprising Mr. Mills. It
seems he led quite a colorful life, but died penniless in the end. How sad.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVvcKrtmPI8/WW7GRSXi9QI/AAAAAAAATCo/K63_d6jfbH4KVHWUfN8YyHq4iTEFuSNzwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="803" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVvcKrtmPI8/WW7GRSXi9QI/AAAAAAAATCo/K63_d6jfbH4KVHWUfN8YyHq4iTEFuSNzwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4980.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The remains of
some of his ranch are available for exploration. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlEeC6Z0NS0/WW7GZvQIVJI/AAAAAAAATCs/c7f-R1AEo6YROtaZwv3i7LI4ZKaE87lawCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UlEeC6Z0NS0/WW7GZvQIVJI/AAAAAAAATCs/c7f-R1AEo6YROtaZwv3i7LI4ZKaE87lawCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4982.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was surprised
until I read the sign explaining that they had been 'stabilized.'</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MmXA_k1LfU/WW7Ghl_AckI/AAAAAAAATCw/qLcyWfeJTVoZHzFTPuDA5xW8o0LcNN7jgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1MmXA_k1LfU/WW7Ghl_AckI/AAAAAAAATCw/qLcyWfeJTVoZHzFTPuDA5xW8o0LcNN7jgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4987.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRNBZ6kr538/WW7GsGpCJ9I/AAAAAAAATC0/jzerH2xrnDkMt9wNnudXv4z2RD4krKekgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRNBZ6kr538/WW7GsGpCJ9I/AAAAAAAATC0/jzerH2xrnDkMt9wNnudXv4z2RD4krKekgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4988.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the way back
up, I took this out the window. Although
narrow, this was far from the worst part of the road. We were thankful to have high clearance and
4-wheel drive. Ron just knew that would
come in handy someday.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKoBr9-2Qo/WW7Gx59jg4I/AAAAAAAATC4/UnBpolhsCUsp9z41zNAF58acxyh-_xuoQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="835" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByKoBr9-2Qo/WW7Gx59jg4I/AAAAAAAATC4/UnBpolhsCUsp9z41zNAF58acxyh-_xuoQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4996.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We spoke to a
ranger who said money was in the budget for road improvements, but we’ll
believe it when we see it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ron has been
doing some flintknapping – the art of making stone tools, using historical
methods. Here he is flaking a piece of
obsidian using a deer antler.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKYOw9I2Tkg/WW7G59WaduI/AAAAAAAATC8/wV-GkCUAmiUrsYnRFzdlqJqEIVl_pVyQwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKYOw9I2Tkg/WW7G59WaduI/AAAAAAAATC8/wV-GkCUAmiUrsYnRFzdlqJqEIVl_pVyQwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4998.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He’s getting
pretty good at making arrowheads.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7lFCZ1kgm8/WW7HASynV4I/AAAAAAAATDA/ThDFata9gDsTQbaylJgo08Ut9y7LjdEfwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4999%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="730" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K7lFCZ1kgm8/WW7HASynV4I/AAAAAAAATDA/ThDFata9gDsTQbaylJgo08Ut9y7LjdEfwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4999%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-16305217734289783172017-07-09T17:47:00.000-06:002017-07-09T17:47:10.622-06:00Clayton (part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Independence Day
dawned bright and beautiful and perfect for the traditional 4<sup>th</sup> of
July parade. With only about 2800
residents, Clayton’s parade was not the longest, but it had plenty of gorgeous
horses.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pHKqHgdkuI/WWAdypDSHPI/AAAAAAAATBg/R5Xv44BDysI49E9i3UShy7oKlmnQIFA6ACLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="909" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2pHKqHgdkuI/WWAdypDSHPI/AAAAAAAATBg/R5Xv44BDysI49E9i3UShy7oKlmnQIFA6ACLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0BI2HVTsr0A/WWAd_S0n3HI/AAAAAAAATBo/_4_LHvxVXeA5S2zpmSfLa5SVDk4hzuZhQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="800" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0BI2HVTsr0A/WWAd_S0n3HI/AAAAAAAATBo/_4_LHvxVXeA5S2zpmSfLa5SVDk4hzuZhQCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJSxkFW-Ue8/WWAeXVX_1uI/AAAAAAAATBs/1S5LUM7JGNcsrb3sNvsc3h2NPgx_9y0BQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="803" height="295" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bJSxkFW-Ue8/WWAeXVX_1uI/AAAAAAAATBs/1S5LUM7JGNcsrb3sNvsc3h2NPgx_9y0BQCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We’re guessing
this piece of fire equipment was designed for prairie fires with those big
tires.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vggU1OoGr38/WWAenZQKsHI/AAAAAAAATBw/pBA9smr997sq4npo1ovcaWss9XeICzoNQCLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="792" height="293" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vggU1OoGr38/WWAenZQKsHI/AAAAAAAATBw/pBA9smr997sq4npo1ovcaWss9XeICzoNQCLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Look at the lovely
feathering on this magnificent horse.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xxZncVkpH4/WWAe0XEC8rI/AAAAAAAATB0/c073x5yTSHU3iOTJqZ2YlFDgHBMxnnJZgCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="568" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xxZncVkpH4/WWAe0XEC8rI/AAAAAAAATB0/c073x5yTSHU3iOTJqZ2YlFDgHBMxnnJZgCLcBGAs/s320/5.JPG" width="228" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later we went
back to the fairgrounds for the Lil Ears Junior Rodeo. I think the flag would cover the entire
ladder truck displaying it.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzQbCZ6vK-s/WWAe8Ha7xsI/AAAAAAAATB4/whc8owWDSEA-5PeErPPTjZ9B6_2kb95HQCLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzQbCZ6vK-s/WWAe8Ha7xsI/AAAAAAAATB4/whc8owWDSEA-5PeErPPTjZ9B6_2kb95HQCLcBGAs/s320/6.JPG" width="245" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The rodeo
consisted of three events and the kids competed in teams of four in four age categories
from 3 to 15.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GGk_oVEXrc/WWAfCXjeR1I/AAAAAAAATB8/bM2TTeMkjkwDpmgyjYszWsOD8VXqXOtwACLcBGAs/s1600/7a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="730" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7GGk_oVEXrc/WWAfCXjeR1I/AAAAAAAATB8/bM2TTeMkjkwDpmgyjYszWsOD8VXqXOtwACLcBGAs/s400/7a.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The first event
was a relay where each child had to ride their ‘horse’ around the barrels.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRqxsm1LueE/WWAfJPuNeUI/AAAAAAAATCA/J_xt6uO4V9MHBIKv-szgFsK_uzAMkUm3QCLcBGAs/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="829" height="288" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRqxsm1LueE/WWAfJPuNeUI/AAAAAAAATCA/J_xt6uO4V9MHBIKv-szgFsK_uzAMkUm3QCLcBGAs/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then things got
a little wilder with the ‘cow milking’. This
one deserves a video. Check out the
expertise of the little guy who does the ‘milking’.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And for the
final event, the teams had to herd the ‘cows’ over to the fourth team member
who would then ‘brand’ them. I kept
taking pictures of the same team because they were just such darn cute little girls.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2qW2B_YS_Q/WWAf5skq60I/AAAAAAAATCE/Bv2x_NesiYQGfUbgs7lO6a2yKtX7u1KngCLcBGAs/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2qW2B_YS_Q/WWAf5skq60I/AAAAAAAATCE/Bv2x_NesiYQGfUbgs7lO6a2yKtX7u1KngCLcBGAs/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The adults had
their own milking event with wild cows!
Check out this video.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But in my last
post, I promised you some Mutton Bustin’.
The sheep are looking a little nervous.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMggqAopk9E/WWAgdFyghhI/AAAAAAAATCI/Endp08kFpEEb2RfLjMlYB22MLCHRquI_gCLcBGAs/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="763" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMggqAopk9E/WWAgdFyghhI/AAAAAAAATCI/Endp08kFpEEb2RfLjMlYB22MLCHRquI_gCLcBGAs/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Although it was
fun to watch, the age of the typical participant was a bit shocking to us. Just watch this little guy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looks dangerous
to me, but this is cowboy country where kids are tough.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSs3484J7c/WWAhOtV7NII/AAAAAAAATCM/V48VJ1DohpMRS8aDSCDENby3yqCljihdQCLcBGAs/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="799" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSs3484J7c/WWAhOtV7NII/AAAAAAAATCM/V48VJ1DohpMRS8aDSCDENby3yqCljihdQCLcBGAs/s400/15.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I think this was
the winning ride, probably because he was the tallest contestant.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And here’s one
more video showing a unique method which seemed to confuse the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>There were more adult rodeo events after the kids, followed by fireworks, but we left after the kids were finished. It had nothing to do with the fact that a huge storm was coming in. (Well, not much.)</b></span></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-83961748453504693732017-07-07T15:49:00.000-06:002017-07-07T15:49:15.474-06:00Clayton, NM<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the northeast
corner of New Mexico, near the borders of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas, lies
the very friendly town of Clayton.
Clayton Lake State Park was our next stop.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCJyybDEGyQ/WV_5eX5qKSI/AAAAAAAATAU/28BqlA0OGUoxwNWrZJlqjGD9roQTnLf6gCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KCJyybDEGyQ/WV_5eX5qKSI/AAAAAAAATAU/28BqlA0OGUoxwNWrZJlqjGD9roQTnLf6gCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the spillway
of the dam are about 500 dinosaur tracks from the early Cretaceous period
(about 100 million years ago.) When we
walked over to see them, I neglected to take my camera, so this picture is from
the brochure. They are especially dramatic
when the sun is low and after a rain.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp3k3rPB30k/WV_5rZMXURI/AAAAAAAATAY/FvijGoDalywKHr0STDzUW3BTC0Q5CNb7wCLcBGAs/s1600/1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="603" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp3k3rPB30k/WV_5rZMXURI/AAAAAAAATAY/FvijGoDalywKHr0STDzUW3BTC0Q5CNb7wCLcBGAs/s320/1a.JPG" width="245" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Following the
park ranger’s directions, we took a drive to see where the Santa Fe Trail came
across the grasslands. I guess not too
many people take this dirt road. The
cows seemed amazed.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZR4eVQEwxQ/WV_53pbfkII/AAAAAAAATAc/uERuPSu0wNEmvb5e-Cwd-JMh5FmTV1MqgCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZR4eVQEwxQ/WV_53pbfkII/AAAAAAAATAc/uERuPSu0wNEmvb5e-Cwd-JMh5FmTV1MqgCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s the sign.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1stR2I2rAg0/WV_5-5x2uYI/AAAAAAAATAg/9udMueav7d0BhrdjrDLY2vCUsoBbJQh5QCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="797" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1stR2I2rAg0/WV_5-5x2uYI/AAAAAAAATAg/9udMueav7d0BhrdjrDLY2vCUsoBbJQh5QCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s not like
the wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail, but it does give you an idea of what the
travelers saw. There was not a fence or
house in sight. This is the edge of the
Kiowa National Grassland.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcoy99d6Xws/WV_6H7iz2QI/AAAAAAAATAk/zb99sNIIsrwrB-LkQFwwke3FMaIxZgq2ACLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rcoy99d6Xws/WV_6H7iz2QI/AAAAAAAATAk/zb99sNIIsrwrB-LkQFwwke3FMaIxZgq2ACLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Clayton plans events for the whole 4<sup>th</sup> of July weekend, including some I
had never seen before, such as Crazy Goat Roping. I know what you’re thinking and I also
wondered if this was animal cruelty. After
all, I don’t even like zoos. But these
goats were smart and tricky. They knew they
only had to get from the chute to the other side of the pen and they were
safe. Usually the results were something
like this.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But look at how
expertly this little guy threw his lasso.
Too bad the goat was long gone.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cI4gp4taCj4/WV_7aa0lcyI/AAAAAAAATAo/jyY4u2_uNwsPowpHRyMkIIkaRkXccCZPwCLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="815" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cI4gp4taCj4/WV_7aa0lcyI/AAAAAAAATAo/jyY4u2_uNwsPowpHRyMkIIkaRkXccCZPwCLcBGAs/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Who knew goats were so fast and such powerful jumpers?</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rplAHSgyN4/WV_7mFjvdDI/AAAAAAAATAs/zv3D8FWOCS42_mUh_r8-tHWZRAoZEVEAACLcBGAs/s1600/7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="708" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2rplAHSgyN4/WV_7mFjvdDI/AAAAAAAATAs/zv3D8FWOCS42_mUh_r8-tHWZRAoZEVEAACLcBGAs/s400/7.png" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a ‘head
and heels’ competition like the calf roping, but these guys don’t act like
calves. Even the experts had
problems. I had to laugh when this
little guy evaded the man who was being honored as Pioneer of the Year. You know he must have roped a few cattle in
his lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I never realized
how big of a loop the cowboys throw. I
guess this works well for roping steer, but most of the goats jumped right out of
it.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9MVCq7tiTQ/WV_8rPTxkHI/AAAAAAAATAw/iSo_yO2_YUYZxGvusx0fnKvLvdyT79n7ACLcBGAs/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="812" height="257" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p9MVCq7tiTQ/WV_8rPTxkHI/AAAAAAAATAw/iSo_yO2_YUYZxGvusx0fnKvLvdyT79n7ACLcBGAs/s400/10.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This cute little
4-year-old went through the line multiple times. Of course he never caught anything, but he
was sooo serious.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0SbfEjXM1I/WV_82A-U2yI/AAAAAAAATA0/zw6uetg7_-U2Hp2bHK_2TUFqRbaiccnwgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="820" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0SbfEjXM1I/WV_82A-U2yI/AAAAAAAATA0/zw6uetg7_-U2Hp2bHK_2TUFqRbaiccnwgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4867.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were more
traditional events too, like bronco busting.
Poor things.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3_Id114i8k/WV_8-cIdZeI/AAAAAAAATA4/KqW3N0n_KWIVHilfxpaQoglJ9wky1NGIwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="846" height="303" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y3_Id114i8k/WV_8-cIdZeI/AAAAAAAATA4/KqW3N0n_KWIVHilfxpaQoglJ9wky1NGIwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4907.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But I had to
laugh at this horse who refused to come out.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvUyKLnalkA/WV_9GNJtj9I/AAAAAAAATA8/mrbL6GWFu-8LW1nVxqo0hzYZ-lytFmSWACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvUyKLnalkA/WV_9GNJtj9I/AAAAAAAATA8/mrbL6GWFu-8LW1nVxqo0hzYZ-lytFmSWACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4908.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a
guest appearance by a group of trick riders – all girls.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Eh5nsAjdmY/WV_9zYuvbCI/AAAAAAAATBA/PVEZhz1weso1zhajwkxOltuXfnljqfWmwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="825" height="305" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Eh5nsAjdmY/WV_9zYuvbCI/AAAAAAAATBA/PVEZhz1weso1zhajwkxOltuXfnljqfWmwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4917.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This little
7-year-old amazed everyone.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLD60mVmPoc/WV_982PrrVI/AAAAAAAATBE/7Ciw5MdOXCsTvQOqFTXZz1TMzaMyPY4DwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="843" height="297" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLD60mVmPoc/WV_982PrrVI/AAAAAAAATBE/7Ciw5MdOXCsTvQOqFTXZz1TMzaMyPY4DwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4920.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was getting
dark and they were moving fast, so the pictures aren’t the best.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBOKg5YjC0/WV_-Ff9zVJI/AAAAAAAATBI/ObBOfeszMlElQ6IhAMvDuVi-7t2ZtgCwACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="860" height="308" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eBOKg5YjC0/WV_-Ff9zVJI/AAAAAAAATBI/ObBOfeszMlElQ6IhAMvDuVi-7t2ZtgCwACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4922.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here I almost
missed her, but this little girl rode all around the ring standing on the
horse.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrPoOSqalh4/WV_-NNfzmzI/AAAAAAAATBM/M1vDcfqzRgU2Cic6l1R5To4Ds77GS40GwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrPoOSqalh4/WV_-NNfzmzI/AAAAAAAATBM/M1vDcfqzRgU2Cic6l1R5To4Ds77GS40GwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4926.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is just
crazy.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-atP78v51IQw/WV_-eUJOUgI/AAAAAAAATBQ/pAuEgGriB2wy9x9w3QcuMXnghIIApJqxQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="799" height="315" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-atP78v51IQw/WV_-eUJOUgI/AAAAAAAATBQ/pAuEgGriB2wy9x9w3QcuMXnghIIApJqxQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4928.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We have our friends
Donna and Bob to thank for recommending Clayton as the place to be for the 4<sup>th</sup>. One night we all went to Pizza Hut where
Donna got this hysterical picture of us and my halo. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMKN9wTCsDk/WV_-mZQIG9I/AAAAAAAATBU/deb3cisyybMEzwFU2-d7nlR6-tJA37P4wCLcBGAs/s1600/img-4929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMKN9wTCsDk/WV_-mZQIG9I/AAAAAAAATBU/deb3cisyybMEzwFU2-d7nlR6-tJA37P4wCLcBGAs/s320/img-4929.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next post -
Mutton Bustin’.</span></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-61206499875915971752017-07-04T19:00:00.004-06:002017-07-04T19:00:55.906-06:00Sugarite Canyon State Park<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Situated outside
of Raton, New Mexico, and on the border of Colorado is Sugarite Canyon which was
our next stop. We had already stayed
there overnight on our way to Denver in May.
At that time we did a hike during which we spotted cougar prints. This time we were prevented from hiking by
heavy rain and muddy ground.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At Sugarite,
there is a choice of camping areas. One
is at the bottom of the canyon along the river and the other is up on the
rim. You would think everyone would
choose the top for the views, but the road up is pretty frightening. Here is our lovely site.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-MHqFnyTNA/WVw5iKm8BaI/AAAAAAAAS_w/viHxafoyFyM_uqABGCWnYUBOhewp60-_QCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f-MHqFnyTNA/WVw5iKm8BaI/AAAAAAAAS_w/viHxafoyFyM_uqABGCWnYUBOhewp60-_QCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We wanted to see
the historic theatre in downtown Raton.
Our friend Mary had taken a tour of the lovely old building and
recommended it highly. Unfortunately
when we asked at the visitors center, we were told the man who gives the tour
is only there sporadically. We were unlucky and he was not available, but we
did peek through the door.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VCaEkc10PI/WVw5pAb2ynI/AAAAAAAAS_0/E4Cei0Y5P1MKXkmcdn0EQ3vnu_WqdkvDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="819" height="293" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6VCaEkc10PI/WVw5pAb2ynI/AAAAAAAAS_0/E4Cei0Y5P1MKXkmcdn0EQ3vnu_WqdkvDgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4832.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Although the
rain prevented us from hiking, it did produce a double rainbow.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XqQVAVWjuM/WVw5utomQcI/AAAAAAAAS_4/DieVo8gz8jIV5VkSaFDZwvqABSmtkwUnACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XqQVAVWjuM/WVw5utomQcI/AAAAAAAAS_4/DieVo8gz8jIV5VkSaFDZwvqABSmtkwUnACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4833.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But it also
revealed that we had a leak at the top of our rear window. Yikes!
Handyman Ron to the rescue. What
a guy!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liqFUQCxqoE/WVw51riibtI/AAAAAAAAS_8/MvReWhfki1UpDRFVRL8hN-rLaPecQQsvgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-liqFUQCxqoE/WVw51riibtI/AAAAAAAAS_8/MvReWhfki1UpDRFVRL8hN-rLaPecQQsvgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4839.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Looking down
from our site, you can barely see the steep dirt road that climbs up from the
canyon to the rim 750 feet higher.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyByKNg3zVo/WVw58qMFi1I/AAAAAAAATAA/LBXhlizxx0cpFNHutKdc6twjlFcgNYcVQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LyByKNg3zVo/WVw58qMFi1I/AAAAAAAATAA/LBXhlizxx0cpFNHutKdc6twjlFcgNYcVQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4840.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a bad
fire here about 10 years ago and I thought the morning fog gave the scenery a
spooky appearance.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM7EHFKA670/WVw6CehkSeI/AAAAAAAATAE/tNlhFzAqLh8C72osOXNEKsRcpUgGNI1BQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WM7EHFKA670/WVw6CehkSeI/AAAAAAAATAE/tNlhFzAqLh8C72osOXNEKsRcpUgGNI1BQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4843.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After pulling
the fifth wheel up that challenging road, you’d think we would have stayed
longer than two nights, but we had to move on to get a good spot at Clayton
Lake State Park for the Independence Day celebrations. Of course this means I'm behind again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-78614175745956675612017-07-02T11:00:00.000-06:002017-07-02T11:00:13.740-06:00Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One day we
decided to take the 84-mile loop around part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Heading north from Eagle Nest, our first stop
was the ghost town of Elizabethtown. This
was a booming gold rush town in the 1860s.
There is a museum, but we didn’t go in.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbABuNszg1g/WVbzAyk66nI/AAAAAAAAS-g/7eVUiEi4ZW0ujmfuntqw9UORcY9s5Dc7QCLcBGAs/s1600/1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="760" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SbABuNszg1g/WVbzAyk66nI/AAAAAAAAS-g/7eVUiEi4ZW0ujmfuntqw9UORcY9s5Dc7QCLcBGAs/s400/1%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I thought the
church was very picturesque – too bad they added those modern doors.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-febFzKBXX1M/WVbzH6d15gI/AAAAAAAAS-k/vg9GRoWjk1cj11g1rq4Kx1GtjmXRG3KlQCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-febFzKBXX1M/WVbzH6d15gI/AAAAAAAAS-k/vg9GRoWjk1cj11g1rq4Kx1GtjmXRG3KlQCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When we looked
inside, we thought they probably rented it out for weddings.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgXzeqwsSAQ/WVf2vSPYR5I/AAAAAAAAS-0/bkqXE89e7EQ7hPuRwl7xfiPSWVGrmbcTgCLcBGAs/s1600/1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgXzeqwsSAQ/WVf2vSPYR5I/AAAAAAAAS-0/bkqXE89e7EQ7hPuRwl7xfiPSWVGrmbcTgCLcBGAs/s400/1a.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Whoa! Looks like a dangerous place for cattle.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9T92ZasU8s/WVf22p2gq5I/AAAAAAAAS-4/c69Xk1WzQC83RJ0I5OQvp5gW0AOenNudACLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X9T92ZasU8s/WVf22p2gq5I/AAAAAAAAS-4/c69Xk1WzQC83RJ0I5OQvp5gW0AOenNudACLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I spotted
the wagon wheels and the painted window, I had to take this for my father.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxKsmql4GB8/WVf3Bkk0u6I/AAAAAAAAS-8/BDCHsG_HjLQ9s7LALx-_Zfx6hIoQssDQACLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="546" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxKsmql4GB8/WVf3Bkk0u6I/AAAAAAAAS-8/BDCHsG_HjLQ9s7LALx-_Zfx6hIoQssDQACLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="292" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And on the road
out, I stopped to take rusty stuff for my sister. In the background is Wheeler Peak, the
highest point in New Mexico at 13,161 feet.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXkFNiCBCsI/WVf3KMsSCsI/AAAAAAAAS_A/xd-hUirZ3mQVL_qs1C0CtOKIOF4zEeg9wCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="810" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qXkFNiCBCsI/WVf3KMsSCsI/AAAAAAAAS_A/xd-hUirZ3mQVL_qs1C0CtOKIOF4zEeg9wCLcBGAs/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Continuing on
the loop, we turned west and drove over a scenic pass, then had a bird’s-eye view
of Red River on our way down.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TAgZNBfiJw/WVf3WVuVxtI/AAAAAAAAS_E/85M18xhD2LE7UBwoep9IahiIr1GY-vIEACLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TAgZNBfiJw/WVf3WVuVxtI/AAAAAAAAS_E/85M18xhD2LE7UBwoep9IahiIr1GY-vIEACLcBGAs/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Red River is a winter
ski resort/summer tourist town with some very cute architecture.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYPC8rhsln0/WVf3dscmTII/AAAAAAAAS_I/jr0YhJn1hjk0E-dmNjlQb5pzJ1fNzQGSwCLcBGAs/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="583" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dYPC8rhsln0/WVf3dscmTII/AAAAAAAAS_I/jr0YhJn1hjk0E-dmNjlQb5pzJ1fNzQGSwCLcBGAs/s320/7.JPG" width="236" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now here’s an
old car I can appreciate!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3uXDsoptu8/WVf3lt0fYhI/AAAAAAAAS_M/mRNhNNLf31U_qACJGcfW8w3BIc9rcRsBQCLcBGAs/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3uXDsoptu8/WVf3lt0fYhI/AAAAAAAAS_M/mRNhNNLf31U_qACJGcfW8w3BIc9rcRsBQCLcBGAs/s400/8.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heading south,
we passed through Taos, but only stopped to eat at McDonalds. We’ve been there several times so we decided
to skip it this time. But a little
further south, we took a side trip on a dirt road to the rim of the canyon
overlooking the Rio Grande.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GW2_Ey0yns0/WVf3ullQfeI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/JqHuRuANQcsJozSe6AzBc61teqVqxz4bgCLcBGAs/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GW2_Ey0yns0/WVf3ullQfeI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/JqHuRuANQcsJozSe6AzBc61teqVqxz4bgCLcBGAs/s400/9.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Surprisingly,
our trip back east on US 64 was the worst leg, due to road repaving. Our last stop was the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial State Park. The impressive monument
was originally built as one family’s memorial to a young son killed in Vietnam.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqstzKSB4bo/WVf34PkDZLI/AAAAAAAAS_U/gGyLf1jXFqA0XB6FdVZZbdNaLB7Bi3VwgCLcBGAs/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqstzKSB4bo/WVf34PkDZLI/AAAAAAAAS_U/gGyLf1jXFqA0XB6FdVZZbdNaLB7Bi3VwgCLcBGAs/s400/11.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is a UH-1
helicopter on display. Almost 7000 of
these helicopters – better known as Hueys – saw service in Vietnam.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTs6WIwbx5w/WVf4G-3-jtI/AAAAAAAAS_Y/kBxxBl5kIxonFpp2b0DtPazN8RU1jVNBACLcBGAs/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTs6WIwbx5w/WVf4G-3-jtI/AAAAAAAAS_Y/kBxxBl5kIxonFpp2b0DtPazN8RU1jVNBACLcBGAs/s400/12.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The museum was
excellent and a fitting tribute to our troops who fought and died in that
conflict. There were some interesting
pictures, including this one of American POWs being released.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SX-jwBRmzNU/WVf4Q2r5LhI/AAAAAAAAS_c/PjzWWTBWLykAAuuRO7rY5s-4CPXiecOIgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4795%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="602" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SX-jwBRmzNU/WVf4Q2r5LhI/AAAAAAAAS_c/PjzWWTBWLykAAuuRO7rY5s-4CPXiecOIgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4795%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our esteemed senator John McCain from Arizona is
the first man on the right in the picture.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_b7hCUkPVg/WVf4a1gz6yI/AAAAAAAAS_g/1C2bn4CaFdEcEl-jAgpbpIHwrt-FxX9aQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_b7hCUkPVg/WVf4a1gz6yI/AAAAAAAAS_g/1C2bn4CaFdEcEl-jAgpbpIHwrt-FxX9aQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4795.JPG" width="285" /></a></b></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-46924882243103607822017-06-30T18:52:00.002-06:002017-06-30T18:52:26.016-06:00Eagle Nest<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our next New Mexico state park was Eagle Nest at a cool 8200 feet.
The campground itself is just a loop, but the scenery is 360 degrees
with a lake surrounded by lovely hills and mountains.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntW-cSZd7hk/WVbwR0wVWvI/AAAAAAAAS9w/hIVzgTwetBcOB_KZDiEAPxL_xKofJReVgCLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ntW-cSZd7hk/WVbwR0wVWvI/AAAAAAAAS9w/hIVzgTwetBcOB_KZDiEAPxL_xKofJReVgCLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We asked at the
visitors center about hikes in the area and they recommended the Clear Creek
Trail, about 5 miles away in Cimarron Canyon.
Luckily there were lots of vehicles pulled off the road at the trailhead
as the sign was pretty small.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjxpCo3J4Mc/WVbwb0C7zlI/AAAAAAAAS90/yIHR7CAPbcQt5dFV-RFU9zKKFsgb-4ExQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VjxpCo3J4Mc/WVbwb0C7zlI/AAAAAAAAS90/yIHR7CAPbcQt5dFV-RFU9zKKFsgb-4ExQCLcBGAs/s320/2.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trail begins
right at this interesting log with flowing water along it. We had to wonder if it was natural.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnCutNtMdl8/WVbwh15sZjI/AAAAAAAAS94/_7q0BKkS_V8UYmP8B9MAij-LPlVX-h9OQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AnCutNtMdl8/WVbwh15sZjI/AAAAAAAAS94/_7q0BKkS_V8UYmP8B9MAij-LPlVX-h9OQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4742.JPG" width="239" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon we came
upon a large group of young people (and one not so young) doing trail
maintenance. We learned they were a church
group from Texas.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBjIkYGjbWg/WVbw0_psLDI/AAAAAAAAS98/qPP9S4T83jEi-O6aDuSYEZ--zBKCPoKegCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="605" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBjIkYGjbWg/WVbw0_psLDI/AAAAAAAAS98/qPP9S4T83jEi-O6aDuSYEZ--zBKCPoKegCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4747.JPG" width="265" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How wonderful to
see them taking such an interest in the outdoors.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZQ31m0-RMs/WVbxAEO32lI/AAAAAAAAS-E/lTDn8r7GT48ykhenD8csUYWLgXu8TzSBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZQ31m0-RMs/WVbxAEO32lI/AAAAAAAAS-E/lTDn8r7GT48ykhenD8csUYWLgXu8TzSBQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4748.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></div>
<b> <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trail
followed along pretty Clear Creek, with sounds and views of cascades.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJM5UwA6Cy8/WVbw75u41PI/AAAAAAAAS-A/Gyr4to2ugxMyp054boNlEqA26xSwwJnqACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lJM5UwA6Cy8/WVbw75u41PI/AAAAAAAAS-A/Gyr4to2ugxMyp054boNlEqA26xSwwJnqACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4749.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We crossed the
creek several times on improved logs. I usually
let Ron go first.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26rrtTtEE-E/WVbxJdM8y7I/AAAAAAAAS-I/pK-s3E3R_Ow-sCVNKSaUXX2tNAy3aaGYACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26rrtTtEE-E/WVbxJdM8y7I/AAAAAAAAS-I/pK-s3E3R_Ow-sCVNKSaUXX2tNAy3aaGYACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4750.JPG" width="298" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After about a
mile, we were rewarded by the first substantial waterfall.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjWcfhlPc_o/WVbxQRp8qRI/AAAAAAAAS-M/afotQgaikdQvZWhmznjDUnfTP_xUE9UfACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zjWcfhlPc_o/WVbxQRp8qRI/AAAAAAAAS-M/afotQgaikdQvZWhmznjDUnfTP_xUE9UfACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4752.JPG" width="293" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There were
plenty of flowers to admire along the way, including wild roses.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DYaMSSIE94/WVbxbQHy9_I/AAAAAAAAS-Q/A6JlP9fb4_4ASR4lRaBunSNxcbNGWRbCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DYaMSSIE94/WVbxbQHy9_I/AAAAAAAAS-Q/A6JlP9fb4_4ASR4lRaBunSNxcbNGWRbCgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4763.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We turned around
at a mile and a half where we could barely see this major waterfall through the
trees.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEQsMla7RTc/WVbxn2U7e5I/AAAAAAAAS-U/YW9EnIhNykMgFP9SIkBAEKqnhUZmJULDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEQsMla7RTc/WVbxn2U7e5I/AAAAAAAAS-U/YW9EnIhNykMgFP9SIkBAEKqnhUZmJULDgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4757.JPG" width="298" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On our way down,
we ran into the volunteers on their way up.
I guess suggesting they cut down the trees to improve the view of the
waterfall would have been a bit much.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-12479846353346841722017-06-23T17:21:00.000-06:002017-06-23T17:21:34.507-06:00Storrie Lake, revisited<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We had the
option of moving to one of the parks farther east on the plains, but with the forecasted
weather there in the high 90’s, we decided to return to Storrie Lake. Even with the higher altitude there, the
weather was predicted to be around 90, so we arrived mid-week with hopes of
getting an electric site. At first, the girl
at the entrance said she had just sent three rigs racing to the last spot with
electric. Undeterred, I continued my interrogation,
and she finally said there was one spot on the far side of the lake with
electric. And we were off like a shot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Although there
are about 50 designated sites, 21 of which have electric, this particular area
only has four, two of which were taken by park volunteers. Perfect!
Not quite as perfect was how unlevel the site was. I think we used every board and leveling
block we have.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAmL1jQ6T7k/WU2fJTe02vI/AAAAAAAAS8o/wPNKWv9F08A4zUXbY9PODQM0dN9Ua24MACLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="767" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bAmL1jQ6T7k/WU2fJTe02vI/AAAAAAAAS8o/wPNKWv9F08A4zUXbY9PODQM0dN9Ua24MACLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But a little
challenge is good for us and soon we were enjoying the spectacular sunset
caused by high level smoke from a wildfire to the west.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7nskSih7eQ/WU2fRvHM31I/AAAAAAAAS8s/s36pMTBrp78hGYcIoKbKe5gYwhZy_UwEgCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="730" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R7nskSih7eQ/WU2fRvHM31I/AAAAAAAAS8s/s36pMTBrp78hGYcIoKbKe5gYwhZy_UwEgCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We took a day
trip up into the nearby mountains and checked out Morphy Lake State Park. What a gorgeous spot, but not someplace we
could take the RV.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-8IqCJgVRw/WU2fbgQYOcI/AAAAAAAAS8w/wE2_UrWwUg8eOA37Y9wFX2PSiBJxRhbNgCLcBGAs/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="700" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I-8IqCJgVRw/WU2fbgQYOcI/AAAAAAAAS8w/wE2_UrWwUg8eOA37Y9wFX2PSiBJxRhbNgCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We took a walk
around the lake and spotted this hummingbird moth (or hawk moth.) He doesn’t look that big here, but that
thistle flower was huge.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyrF1SjXKJs/WU2fjscasxI/AAAAAAAAS80/UyWKBkdkIj0QuvGI4pSctSH-G8cV7U3TQCLcBGAs/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="609" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyrF1SjXKJs/WU2fjscasxI/AAAAAAAAS80/UyWKBkdkIj0QuvGI4pSctSH-G8cV7U3TQCLcBGAs/s400/4.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Part of the ‘trail’
consisted of finding your own way through the woods. But you couldn’t get lost by just keeping the
lake on the left.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThmTAU5B4s0/WU2fp2hWb5I/AAAAAAAAS84/XcXr2sL-MTkY-zfpYC6eQtBN1uP9MQo0gCLcBGAs/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="548" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThmTAU5B4s0/WU2fp2hWb5I/AAAAAAAAS84/XcXr2sL-MTkY-zfpYC6eQtBN1uP9MQo0gCLcBGAs/s320/5.JPG" width="240" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There are some
pretty valleys in this area. This is
coming down into the town of Mora.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdgmnNj6_nc/WU2fwLPVY-I/AAAAAAAAS88/DMuflv4pCdYJ5FhvjpeZpvmbPv3BB8BEQCLcBGAs/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdgmnNj6_nc/WU2fwLPVY-I/AAAAAAAAS88/DMuflv4pCdYJ5FhvjpeZpvmbPv3BB8BEQCLcBGAs/s400/6.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One day when it
wasn’t as hot, we did a walking tour around Las Vegas (New Mexico, not
Nevada.) Las Vegas has quite a history,
In the mid 1800s, it was an important location along the Santa Fe trail. With the arrival of the railroad in 1879, Las
Vegas really boomed. In fact, in the
early 1900s, it was New Mexico’s largest town.
According to the visitors guide, there are 900 structures on the national
historic register. We saw a few of them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Crockett
Block, built in 1898, reflects the California Mission style.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skqJhos8TNQ/WU2f57Cf5yI/AAAAAAAAS9A/3Q2HWqpKJH4k0NE9u_nblFpO9o9J9HeSgCLcBGAs/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="757" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-skqJhos8TNQ/WU2f57Cf5yI/AAAAAAAAS9A/3Q2HWqpKJH4k0NE9u_nblFpO9o9J9HeSgCLcBGAs/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was very
excited to see this sign on the building.
Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the whole building was a
bank with no soda fountain in sight.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOC2IfYCHW0/WU2gBIYwmdI/AAAAAAAAS9E/gQPn-PU-wvUShVDrpB1-2ZHZ2bfyI2kpQCLcBGAs/s1600/20170619_111622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOC2IfYCHW0/WU2gBIYwmdI/AAAAAAAAS9E/gQPn-PU-wvUShVDrpB1-2ZHZ2bfyI2kpQCLcBGAs/s320/20170619_111622.jpg" width="228" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Old City Hall,
built in 1892, is a fine example of Richardsonian Romanesque style. (Obviously I’m just copying this out of the
guide.) The two-toned sandstone was
locally quarried and cut.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMTtGQtlLiY/WU2gIB1r4FI/AAAAAAAAS9I/5mR_5tsLUuUUL3imky7wa8Dl4HAa95KBwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170619_111850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="558" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMTtGQtlLiY/WU2gIB1r4FI/AAAAAAAAS9I/5mR_5tsLUuUUL3imky7wa8Dl4HAa95KBwCLcBGAs/s400/20170619_111850.jpg" width="270" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Las Vegas was
also the setting for many movies. This
house, built in 1886, was used as a movie set for <i>Wyatt Earp</i> and <i>All the Pretty
Horses</i>. It’s a mixture of formal
Classical design with Victorian spindle work on the porch.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agm1_Gt_dj8/WU2hpeg2-cI/AAAAAAAAS9g/Ne9eXsEI5JAL_Xu0SJIxtOfFMYLR9oyCwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170619_114427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="662" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agm1_Gt_dj8/WU2hpeg2-cI/AAAAAAAAS9g/Ne9eXsEI5JAL_Xu0SJIxtOfFMYLR9oyCwCLcBGAs/s400/20170619_114427.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">James H. Ward
was the contractor for several elegant houses, including his own. Built in 1883, this is an Italianate
Villa. What I found amazing was that the
balcony and yard fence are original.</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyCdlhQaQ0E/WU2g-Aj8BEI/AAAAAAAAS9Q/LFHhaLPeEosa9_vopmzVM-gZYhYBcPfPwCLcBGAs/s1600/20170619_114632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="789" height="337" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nyCdlhQaQ0E/WU2g-Aj8BEI/AAAAAAAAS9Q/LFHhaLPeEosa9_vopmzVM-gZYhYBcPfPwCLcBGAs/s400/20170619_114632.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We were at
Storrie Lake over Father’s Day. Not only
were all the sites full, but the shoreline was packed. I’m glad we were off in our own little quiet
area.</span></b> </div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8sLTN65q5Bo/WU2hHdTEqmI/AAAAAAAAS9Y/FlO4NtlGLt8fgYAhoTNpTmq0uQLECLhKwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="767" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8sLTN65q5Bo/WU2hHdTEqmI/AAAAAAAAS9Y/FlO4NtlGLt8fgYAhoTNpTmq0uQLECLhKwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4735.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><o:p></o:p></b>Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-70633357890068764562017-06-16T16:04:00.000-06:002017-06-16T16:04:13.089-06:00Back to Villanueva<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After Santa Fe,
we returned to Villanueva State Park for a week. Despite the lack of phone or Internet service,
we really like it there. It’s located in a scenic canyon along the
Pecos River.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This time we
were lucky and grabbed site #1 right at the entrance. It was perfect for us. We had full sun on the solar panels until </span>mid-afternoon<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> when the trees gave us shade for the hottest part of the day. It was also far away from those smelly
campfires.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEjep8MgoZ0/WURMDfjofiI/AAAAAAAAS7g/bEqLetRi80E37K14XQZMPqb6oKxNlmffACLcBGAs/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEjep8MgoZ0/WURMDfjofiI/AAAAAAAAS7g/bEqLetRi80E37K14XQZMPqb6oKxNlmffACLcBGAs/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We felt really
lucky to be there when they were having a raptor demonstration. These birds were all found wounded
and cannot be released back into the wild.
You can see this magnificent great horned owl lost an eye.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3pnNlMNK1g/WURMNnD3AgI/AAAAAAAAS7k/SnMThoB2pXUiLi6LsL12zWSpzcW94L9gQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3pnNlMNK1g/WURMNnD3AgI/AAAAAAAAS7k/SnMThoB2pXUiLi6LsL12zWSpzcW94L9gQCLcBGAs/s320/2.JPG" width="258" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The red-tailed
hawk looks fine in this picture, but he is also missing an eye.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlxPUgJkwmg/WURMYbJkctI/AAAAAAAAS7o/JfIILs9kCzADmrOgGgnvQBQkEkX5tQ77gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlxPUgJkwmg/WURMYbJkctI/AAAAAAAAS7o/JfIILs9kCzADmrOgGgnvQBQkEkX5tQ77gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4669.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The turkey
vulture is not actually a raptor. She just enjoys the attention. Her
problem is obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrNd58mjMyo/WURMpaUFvjI/AAAAAAAAS7s/_g3k5TrRftEV59GkRHeB6uihwV1MNSxEwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="853" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TrNd58mjMyo/WURMpaUFvjI/AAAAAAAAS7s/_g3k5TrRftEV59GkRHeB6uihwV1MNSxEwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The talk had a
huge turnout. It was heart-warming to
see all the interest, especially how attentive all the young children were.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One day we hiked up to a historic spot with signs of long ago New Mexicans. There was supposed to be an defined area where they had winnowed their grain. It was certainly a windy place, but the only </span>unnatural<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> spot we found looked more like a corral.</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFUbeaXPNLE/WURRsp1s4wI/AAAAAAAAS8I/et3lvtYjsogog-BPPh0Q2P8eFkFPAj0ywCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFUbeaXPNLE/WURRsp1s4wI/AAAAAAAAS8I/et3lvtYjsogog-BPPh0Q2P8eFkFPAj0ywCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It sure is a pretty view though.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyz9a11ckAE/WURR7Hh85II/AAAAAAAAS8M/ykTpPmSnZvoaAFOwaVnto53PtwSkiAN-QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tyz9a11ckAE/WURR7Hh85II/AAAAAAAAS8M/ykTpPmSnZvoaAFOwaVnto53PtwSkiAN-QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4689.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This guy was guarding the place.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVCnT223Lnw/WURSRxtO_jI/AAAAAAAAS8Q/DDx4ptvQ1cQiz3IDvr_Ywe2Ce76kLj7QQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="736" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVCnT223Lnw/WURSRxtO_jI/AAAAAAAAS8Q/DDx4ptvQ1cQiz3IDvr_Ywe2Ce76kLj7QQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just look at the length of his tail!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fV2zOtWqfTU/WURSbAAB58I/AAAAAAAAS8U/EujVs8Hjh9wwUOeF4DzkMvutQ2HYB-y2QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="606" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fV2zOtWqfTU/WURSbAAB58I/AAAAAAAAS8U/EujVs8Hjh9wwUOeF4DzkMvutQ2HYB-y2QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4692.JPG" width="231" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back down at the river, we followed the Pecos upstream to the edge of the park.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuHkAUw1dEY/WURSyExBE1I/AAAAAAAAS8Y/XV7AAGOHyQQK6CJYLzevkwhy5_PRVNIIQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tuHkAUw1dEY/WURSyExBE1I/AAAAAAAAS8Y/XV7AAGOHyQQK6CJYLzevkwhy5_PRVNIIQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another day we visited Pecos National Historic Park which consists of two very different sections. First is the Pecos Pueblo. Established in the mid-1300s, the pueblo survived the Spaniards, well-meaning missionaries, famine, disease, and raids by Apache and Comanche, but in 1838, the last few inhabitants left. We toured this section previously, <a href="http://roamingbarbara.blogspot.com/2013/05/civil-war-in-new-mexico.html">here</a>, but we stopped at the visitor center for information. The money for the visitor center was donated by screen star Greer Garson and it’s beautiful.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIbuotHPrYM/WURNQguY6OI/AAAAAAAAS8A/5bo4JNm0qpMNNtZ0iH8fT7R5z2s-sJx9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_4678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eIbuotHPrYM/WURNQguY6OI/AAAAAAAAS8A/5bo4JNm0qpMNNtZ0iH8fT7R5z2s-sJx9wCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_4678.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our goal for
the day was to see the site of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. In the early part of the war, the Confederacy
tried to seize control of the Southwest.
In March of 1862, the opposing troops met at Glorieta Pass. At the end of the 3-day battle, the
Confederates held the field. But because
of a daring raid by Major John Chivington and guided by Lt. Col. Manuel Chaves
of the New Mexico volunteers, the Confederate supply wagons were destroyed and
their horses and mules were stampeded.
This forced the Confederates to withdraw and ended their southwest initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n4EBTV-7gc/WURNZkKtMJI/AAAAAAAAS74/T_9kzXC3Db82XvN8JWEN5bhCgKw3EA68QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n4EBTV-7gc/WURNZkKtMJI/AAAAAAAAS74/T_9kzXC3Db82XvN8JWEN5bhCgKw3EA68QCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was pretty disappointed by the 2-mile hike around the battlefield which looked like this.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNXHZDzslg4/WURNp8OuveI/AAAAAAAAS78/sYVi8cE2OewJB2jIqNHYgEK6kDOI-4K3wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNXHZDzslg4/WURNp8OuveI/AAAAAAAAS78/sYVi8cE2OewJB2jIqNHYgEK6kDOI-4K3wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_4680.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">During my last visit to Pennsylvania, my father, my daughters, and I visited Gettysburg. Although I am still majorly bummed that the Electric Map is gone, I was impressed that they are trying to restore the landscape to what it was during the battle. You can now stand atop Little Round Top and get a good view of the battlefield. To be fair, I realize that Gettysburg battlefield gets millions of visitors each year, while Glorieta probably numbers in the hundreds.</span></b></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681519665016202842.post-6262693971912194642017-06-07T22:35:00.000-06:002017-06-07T22:35:15.619-06:00Back into New Mexico<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With the intention
of fully utilizing the state parks pass, we returned to New Mexico after the
graduation excitement. However our first
two stops in the state have been previous favorite boondocking spots rather
than parks.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our first stop
was a spot in the national forest that we found several years ago. It’s just far enough off US 285 to be quiet
and hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXqCvNh6fTA/WTjRA1CiHkI/AAAAAAAAS6k/FoCAuq3L0RYlAt8000anVm8B7ZmXZHLGwCLcB/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXqCvNh6fTA/WTjRA1CiHkI/AAAAAAAAS6k/FoCAuq3L0RYlAt8000anVm8B7ZmXZHLGwCLcB/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We were
surprised to find another RVer there when we arrived, although he was just
packing up to leave. Ron walked over to
say hi. The poor man is suffering from PTSD
and feels more comfortable in the wide open spaces. So sad.</span></b></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After setting
up, we noticed a lot of activity out our rear window. Two bluebirds were building a nest in a tree
cavity. It seemed they were afraid of
being ousted because one would guard the hole, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jKPG6LiTX0/WTjRIC4oK4I/AAAAAAAAS6o/WOfyfs-OCgMS7o9K9h0smL8L1PNvpmq9QCLcB/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0jKPG6LiTX0/WTjRIC4oK4I/AAAAAAAAS6o/WOfyfs-OCgMS7o9K9h0smL8L1PNvpmq9QCLcB/s320/2.JPG" width="284" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Until the other
returned with some nesting material.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlLWAXg-Y4I/WTjRNF5J3yI/AAAAAAAAS6s/0lMGC5ZG9noEjSpQOBvFvD5Qy7nXmEUMQCLcB/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="642" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WlLWAXg-Y4I/WTjRNF5J3yI/AAAAAAAAS6s/0lMGC5ZG9noEjSpQOBvFvD5Qy7nXmEUMQCLcB/s320/3.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We stayed two
nights in our peaceful spot, but had quite a mechanical scare when we hitched
up to leave. We backed into the fifth
wheel as usual, but when the jaws closed around the pin, the handle didn’t snap
back into the locked position. And no
matter what we did (back the truck, lower or lift the fifth wheel), that handle
didn’t move. And we also couldn’t
disconnect to start over. I was
panicking. But Ron very calmly got his
tools and started poking around under the hitch until the handle suddenly
popped into place. What a guy! The next day, he called the hitch
manufacturer and the tech support guy said we probably didn’t have enough
weight on it. That makes no sense to me,
especially since he had Ron pop it by pushing on the open jaws and it latched
fine. With NO weight on the hitch. We’ll see if it keeps acting up, but at least
Ron can fix it.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once the hitch
was securely locked into place, we moved on to the Santa Fe Elks lodge. It’s just a parking spot on their dirt lot,
but what a perfect location only 2 miles from the downtown area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We got our big
city fix with laundry, grocery shopping, Sams Club, a breakfast and dinner out,
and we got some extra keys made for the truck and RV. Today we finally did a short hike in the
foothills.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geCAfZiSZac/WTjRW3hssJI/AAAAAAAAS6w/bEA_9I1PMdMV3vUvztnC2qG2U3l5HKmTACLcB/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-geCAfZiSZac/WTjRW3hssJI/AAAAAAAAS6w/bEA_9I1PMdMV3vUvztnC2qG2U3l5HKmTACLcB/s400/5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Santa Fe Foothill
Trail System includes 34 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. We only did about 2 miles of that, but couldn’t
believe how nice the trail was. At each
intersection, indicated by a number on the map, was a trail map,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YEWykeqKDo/WTjRcZ6kktI/AAAAAAAAS60/ebTjAvnqDYE5rkx-pon-FOTExZe6c9uUwCLcB/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YEWykeqKDo/WTjRcZ6kktI/AAAAAAAAS60/ebTjAvnqDYE5rkx-pon-FOTExZe6c9uUwCLcB/s320/6.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And signs to
point you to the next number. I don’t
think you could get lost if you tried.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c094qfP_FSU/WTjRhJ93DCI/AAAAAAAAS64/WDdFR19u2v4yxfS9Wt6wG-CbQ1FuB1KsQCLcB/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c094qfP_FSU/WTjRhJ93DCI/AAAAAAAAS64/WDdFR19u2v4yxfS9Wt6wG-CbQ1FuB1KsQCLcB/s320/7.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The trail had great
views of Santa Fe. Although it is the
state capital, they have building regulations to help it retain a small town
feeling. You can see there are no tall
buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toSGt9wFSZk/WTjRmfHaqLI/AAAAAAAAS68/8ysSmYEjcAQUaFVSFHHS5g5-5_pqpfDwwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toSGt9wFSZk/WTjRmfHaqLI/AAAAAAAAS68/8ysSmYEjcAQUaFVSFHHS5g5-5_pqpfDwwCLcB/s400/IMG_4648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And no matter how large the house, it must conform to the southwest color scheme and style.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9-tFB1JU0U/WTjRs3Prl5I/AAAAAAAAS7A/EwZCQjaQ-WMM20bRhoBTzmsSCzwUA7r2gCLcB/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="803" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9-tFB1JU0U/WTjRs3Prl5I/AAAAAAAAS7A/EwZCQjaQ-WMM20bRhoBTzmsSCzwUA7r2gCLcB/s400/IMG_4650.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We saw this
pretty cactus blooming. The flower looks
like the claret cup that we have in Arizona, but the rest of the plant looks
completely different.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1p9SmRMczs/WTjR4I7lGvI/AAAAAAAAS7E/50SSFdgXs440kMCddOFduDJSDeUpIs9QgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="635" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1p9SmRMczs/WTjR4I7lGvI/AAAAAAAAS7E/50SSFdgXs440kMCddOFduDJSDeUpIs9QgCLcB/s320/IMG_4653.JPG" width="234" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This horned
lizard stayed still right along the trail.
I guess he thought we couldn’t see him. Maybe he was correct because I managed to chop off the top of his head in the
picture. But I’m posting it anyway.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79i2sb6hkJo/WTjSNB1qttI/AAAAAAAAS7I/VpmpohLv8dkZLaPDNoYoXy8SIZNQw7_SgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="586" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79i2sb6hkJo/WTjSNB1qttI/AAAAAAAAS7I/VpmpohLv8dkZLaPDNoYoXy8SIZNQw7_SgCLcB/s320/IMG_4658.JPG" width="228" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back at the trail
head, we noticed someone had spruced up the parking lot. I just love the color of this iris.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zQLXFfevfg/WTjSUoECwyI/AAAAAAAAS7M/nMRlTtjdALYGHsaI27lPlbwt8JTe91GyACLcB/s1600/IMG_4664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="760" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zQLXFfevfg/WTjSUoECwyI/AAAAAAAAS7M/nMRlTtjdALYGHsaI27lPlbwt8JTe91GyACLcB/s400/IMG_4664.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And what a cool
wood carving! Only in Santa Fe would a
piece of art survive in a parking lot.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJbAs0UygAU/WTjSgNdRmbI/AAAAAAAAS7Q/fcAGNI3ttr8gYe5BX8BSmzODoZWXInwVQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XJbAs0UygAU/WTjSgNdRmbI/AAAAAAAAS7Q/fcAGNI3ttr8gYe5BX8BSmzODoZWXInwVQCLcB/s320/IMG_4665.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Tomorrow we're moving back to Villanueva State Park for several days. Despite the fact that the road in is rather frightening and, once there, there is no phone or internet, we really liked it when we visited about a month ago.</b></span></div>
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Barbara and Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15950659270754642037noreply@blogger.com5