tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58314677362605176272024-03-05T13:45:22.346-08:00Skinner SightingsCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213220198809825657noreply@blogger.comBlogger716125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-26731795699118551322023-12-02T16:22:00.000-08:002023-12-02T16:22:24.497-08:00Seaside, Oregon<div>We are in Seaside, Oregon for the weekend. Catherine had a conference for her scrapbooking stuff and the rest of us tagged along for a quick getaway. Fortunately, Seaside isn't that long of a drive, but it feels very different from the Tacoma area.</div><div><br /></div><div>We started this morning logging in to Leah's award ceremony for her Girl Scout Gold Award. She also earned the Trifecta Award (Bronze, Silver, now Gold). To say we are proud of what Leah has accomplished is a serious understatement!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj1nASChjn5hNSVDPaJ_LLJeItzvR_ogiBtb0BZWUIiw_DuY-xstG9Ik_jIHtmlmZVgqdP4-MGqk6ulc9EslSopLB6jY1bT_d0cVZcoCpA3yvjsDA3W-5fGpy0Pvye25N6mGCR7asnej8YAZvG2bthyAO0TUT7tI1w3atWrhezuSSOroHIv8SWhx7ZIb0/s1552/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%204.16.13%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1552" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoj1nASChjn5hNSVDPaJ_LLJeItzvR_ogiBtb0BZWUIiw_DuY-xstG9Ik_jIHtmlmZVgqdP4-MGqk6ulc9EslSopLB6jY1bT_d0cVZcoCpA3yvjsDA3W-5fGpy0Pvye25N6mGCR7asnej8YAZvG2bthyAO0TUT7tI1w3atWrhezuSSOroHIv8SWhx7ZIb0/w400-h221/Screenshot%202023-12-02%20at%204.16.13%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Once that was done, the kids and I drove south 10-15 minutes to Ecola State Park on the coast. This may look familiar to Goonies fans, though we didn't see any signs of One-Eyed Willie.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD38U5aWljPVxM27GV42d23Lsnlg9U7Je1BE3hhqr8mazUMKDAQOUY2A4ccDb7hJNAAD_ltG6jsV7KUfKjBjSSTA_cBHrHHv6Wrr0AMsctIhebmrZOQ6tgmWhEd4yeTNhSWRgMc-V56igTjPoN3LmAS4sMo94iR3Kpxc6IsBz8SaHXwnYj6ioM3R1Pi7L/s1200/Ecola-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD38U5aWljPVxM27GV42d23Lsnlg9U7Je1BE3hhqr8mazUMKDAQOUY2A4ccDb7hJNAAD_ltG6jsV7KUfKjBjSSTA_cBHrHHv6Wrr0AMsctIhebmrZOQ6tgmWhEd4yeTNhSWRgMc-V56igTjPoN3LmAS4sMo94iR3Kpxc6IsBz8SaHXwnYj6ioM3R1Pi7L/w320-h400/Ecola-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We explored the park a little bit. The wind was somewhat brisk and it was threatening to rain the whole time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4IOGIniHHySw039UyfQiQKFG4QlZcLVNtHKMF3M-Om9Zd-WmcKPgmxLJ7diRP86H6jCgvMrXQ8GpkotYwUz_cmCgRBlfXQbodZFVdX5TiCoc2DE_-oFzKMBujnTBbGBd9J6zk6pOHexwm2nPmVaeD_Dd9_CLFtUoXCCQeLKC21LpmAkoZSiLKgWD7BBc/s1200/Ecola-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4IOGIniHHySw039UyfQiQKFG4QlZcLVNtHKMF3M-Om9Zd-WmcKPgmxLJ7diRP86H6jCgvMrXQ8GpkotYwUz_cmCgRBlfXQbodZFVdX5TiCoc2DE_-oFzKMBujnTBbGBd9J6zk6pOHexwm2nPmVaeD_Dd9_CLFtUoXCCQeLKC21LpmAkoZSiLKgWD7BBc/w400-h268/Ecola-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>No sooner had we sat down to lunch in Cannon Beach than the rain started in earnest. Good timing (and good times)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-69022299740694072302023-11-05T10:58:00.001-08:002023-11-05T10:58:34.244-08:00Waikiki Beach<div>I made the drive down to Cape Disappointment State Park yesterday afternoon, since the tides and lighting looked promising across a couple of weather apps.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hadn't been there before, I was glad I made the effort. I will go again when the waves are bigger, but this was fun.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY2duoau-q1XWOS1ixkvV_Zeajsbv1-tWbNACPVSEynlw16q_t3Pmz5nVdfhMhLEIUmO8qHiGyHp6sX90x2I8nwpM5cnBIWzoNAM_xzxyo9MySYKjNtd2r5W9hcF7qLl9faOkC8mdf8DgBk4Fwx4zt9_B_46ETJEFgEwBc6cKuH5y4e8YNzwl5dIEiGeU/s1500/Cape-Disappointment.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY2duoau-q1XWOS1ixkvV_Zeajsbv1-tWbNACPVSEynlw16q_t3Pmz5nVdfhMhLEIUmO8qHiGyHp6sX90x2I8nwpM5cnBIWzoNAM_xzxyo9MySYKjNtd2r5W9hcF7qLl9faOkC8mdf8DgBk4Fwx4zt9_B_46ETJEFgEwBc6cKuH5y4e8YNzwl5dIEiGeU/w320-h400/Cape-Disappointment.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Waikiki Beach, Washington 98624, USA46.2807995 -124.059008317.970565663821155 -159.21525830000002 74.591033336178839 -88.9027583tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-88852525871426109172023-10-15T18:08:00.001-07:002023-10-15T18:08:10.928-07:00Annular Eclipse<div>We just got back from Crater Lake National Park where we got to see (barely!!!) the annular solar eclipse (the "ring of fire"). Christina came to visit to see the eclipse, and we gambled on Crater Lake. Unfortunately, the weather did not fully cooperate, but the sun did make a few (incredibly) brief appearances.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4oXsyTV3zA84sJctmx7NwoNzR-DlijWfMB_0t8W4PEagA_s4RHLgMvcou4v5E5fGbeVf6yX3C-iyVWP9Nk2Vjsv3tTbBUqICDk8ZVyCfHNbrkiXxhS8SRdtmI5yNWzIgAMXibyz6cCvyYRFbX10l0G9KZFRukynZnyGpudvUxKv8w0zZrqsB7ALqYphx/s1200/eclipse-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="1200" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4oXsyTV3zA84sJctmx7NwoNzR-DlijWfMB_0t8W4PEagA_s4RHLgMvcou4v5E5fGbeVf6yX3C-iyVWP9Nk2Vjsv3tTbBUqICDk8ZVyCfHNbrkiXxhS8SRdtmI5yNWzIgAMXibyz6cCvyYRFbX10l0G9KZFRukynZnyGpudvUxKv8w0zZrqsB7ALqYphx/w400-h184/eclipse-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We got to the rim where we intended to view the eclipse well behind schedule, which was super annoying since the rest of the world did not (it was <b>busy</b>). There was a bit of snow on the rim - at least two people got stuck which required park rangers to pull them out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGu6BJgur0aHIa-LCnn4iyJBfeju8eHAGUbXsBshzPGJdzDblCME_380tXDKYGfA3TNH_n9hOViAzoykvGKVAU5lSot9n7iBiVicwIBRRH2IEUKcpbOARb8sFe8g8TEcIBw00L0bINXMb_D1kXL8dhOjECmf3JmTAiPaDk17fHm-g58ECy-gh_pJdkLHPm/s1200/eclipse-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGu6BJgur0aHIa-LCnn4iyJBfeju8eHAGUbXsBshzPGJdzDblCME_380tXDKYGfA3TNH_n9hOViAzoykvGKVAU5lSot9n7iBiVicwIBRRH2IEUKcpbOARb8sFe8g8TEcIBw00L0bINXMb_D1kXL8dhOjECmf3JmTAiPaDk17fHm-g58ECy-gh_pJdkLHPm/w320-h400/eclipse-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We lucked out with an unappreciated spot just off the rim. After a short 30-second walk, we had an incredible view to ourselves. We had about an hour wait in just above-freezing temperatures with a light wind for the eclipse to begin; however, the clouds had other thoughts.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6BOK5SuKq27vOmjdS9mnXD_DR7Z1TdWlSatNrgBegF7X3oB_emTR57g1S-vn_8eImS90zsunT-DhupTKbYkF4lZMjvGyUtGmwy9yatOkEFG1T2ikas1PVGpOUd5K_-PF8MDTSsnGWPPeSrdQnUJL1JvATiST2vkoWkmFuWqs1Hea0exonljZzDeB-mTA/s1200/eclipse-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6BOK5SuKq27vOmjdS9mnXD_DR7Z1TdWlSatNrgBegF7X3oB_emTR57g1S-vn_8eImS90zsunT-DhupTKbYkF4lZMjvGyUtGmwy9yatOkEFG1T2ikas1PVGpOUd5K_-PF8MDTSsnGWPPeSrdQnUJL1JvATiST2vkoWkmFuWqs1Hea0exonljZzDeB-mTA/w400-h400/eclipse-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Right before the full angularity, the clouds finally broke. The photo above was shot with my solar filter on the camera - but it was really hard to frame up and get photos. Once I looked up and saw the eclipse with my own eyes, I figured that if the clouds were thick enough to protect my eyes, they were thick enough to protect the camera.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqmxk_lHgN2_-EPqo2iOFvNy6tYOOcPEYPyhyUwmdKJsdlXPZMNbMEOk3a24zh3wlVPwUbujEH3OM4Kz71KinIzbjk8zfN5uTE53QUiZ_jAGToReHzGA89veBvPvs-gUIO5PYYwxhUyDGB4KiYE3J-v3x-sTZGgEwZxej_f6Z3XUbK1YVWT7JUpTHFSYO/s1200/eclipse-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqmxk_lHgN2_-EPqo2iOFvNy6tYOOcPEYPyhyUwmdKJsdlXPZMNbMEOk3a24zh3wlVPwUbujEH3OM4Kz71KinIzbjk8zfN5uTE53QUiZ_jAGToReHzGA89veBvPvs-gUIO5PYYwxhUyDGB4KiYE3J-v3x-sTZGgEwZxej_f6Z3XUbK1YVWT7JUpTHFSYO/w400-h400/eclipse-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This allowed me to rapid-fire take a ton of photos. The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds, but when the full angularity came out, you could hear everyone on the rim cheer and clap. It really was quite neat.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwouJeaeYqx79EmcK4iVHhius9ErWGY-kcdkDxGyEWlhzoMSMNgZAPDPzYMNs8FYng0EmV66y68GjzAZZnO8A4duWjubXDdbSmVaDFCgKRNs5mY0s8MHAtgC8g4XpRwfGlUeLlfsAGyI4f6HdE0S12Ej4asmwTCND1c79gg09H0_oVPjgueWHyAoVEPJC/s1200/eclipse-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwouJeaeYqx79EmcK4iVHhius9ErWGY-kcdkDxGyEWlhzoMSMNgZAPDPzYMNs8FYng0EmV66y68GjzAZZnO8A4duWjubXDdbSmVaDFCgKRNs5mY0s8MHAtgC8g4XpRwfGlUeLlfsAGyI4f6HdE0S12Ej4asmwTCND1c79gg09H0_oVPjgueWHyAoVEPJC/w400-h300/eclipse-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, we grabbed lunch at a little place outside the park, and then headed to Toketee Falls. It was about a mile round trip, reasonably crowded (since the trail isn't that rough and is short).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yC8kHGiphpOH2mDxypzQSfyBRaRW_juzSJoKUinZlABsAHt2nG2Vq5ztmYsyn4YoRfCTqwIFhdU4zA0dCLVvBF4-XNQa5mU3W6B09OyRQXUZkUVve7jdUwR3fWEWlxqmaDH2t-2xe0UwfFVPx7GjnzShjaPKTQSOTnBOA321t7lGf1bmhER-cWQDV3Gw/s1200/eclipse-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yC8kHGiphpOH2mDxypzQSfyBRaRW_juzSJoKUinZlABsAHt2nG2Vq5ztmYsyn4YoRfCTqwIFhdU4zA0dCLVvBF4-XNQa5mU3W6B09OyRQXUZkUVve7jdUwR3fWEWlxqmaDH2t-2xe0UwfFVPx7GjnzShjaPKTQSOTnBOA321t7lGf1bmhER-cWQDV3Gw/w320-h400/eclipse-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On the way back to our cabin, we stopped at National Creek Falls. It was also a half-mile hike (one way), but since it was off the beaten track, we had the place literally to ourselves.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR_dII3lQyRmukz81oQyZpLs0lkgbDf8Ej1LGJZKyAHAlMxX2MRmVXQThMONAd37Ch9ErfiPfdebnzLo5fEmR2soClrvyyNtfMWBRk8NfUIzTehkg62A2yEf9UJlM-EzFlAir-4HERr0AHvhFn7ED4yPAQIjOEgzvyZvdajqH-3-pHNZ5hVkeGoYTdEEE/s1200/eclipse-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR_dII3lQyRmukz81oQyZpLs0lkgbDf8Ej1LGJZKyAHAlMxX2MRmVXQThMONAd37Ch9ErfiPfdebnzLo5fEmR2soClrvyyNtfMWBRk8NfUIzTehkg62A2yEf9UJlM-EzFlAir-4HERr0AHvhFn7ED4yPAQIjOEgzvyZvdajqH-3-pHNZ5hVkeGoYTdEEE/w320-h400/eclipse-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was just Leah, Christina, and I who hike to this one - we all agreed it was way better. I took a senior photo of Leah here, we had to be quick since the falls were kicking up a good bit of spray.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-57226336204132526842023-10-07T20:22:00.005-07:002023-10-07T20:22:58.951-07:00Out and About<div>We had a couple of really nice weekends, after rain during the week - which was a nice way to do it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend I took the bike out to the Olympic National Forest to try my luck on the gravel roads.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn1U9SjPZPYOKhbns5Nl6ap_ZtnK54-oJGpj7OlgyOuIYBXA9PpkV8a_bnTcjUK6Gc-BUW1cTIVM7K0xPdqtk2m1G181q_-KyHCvMEe4fFDBfAuPxZ1iQePuj_IqFi3Jt39-dbUfnlHoV47cNHmj-EE5Ux6kGToT8GIhGbJmjgmsloC5KTlsnjVuN5OGV/s1200/off%20road-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxn1U9SjPZPYOKhbns5Nl6ap_ZtnK54-oJGpj7OlgyOuIYBXA9PpkV8a_bnTcjUK6Gc-BUW1cTIVM7K0xPdqtk2m1G181q_-KyHCvMEe4fFDBfAuPxZ1iQePuj_IqFi3Jt39-dbUfnlHoV47cNHmj-EE5Ux6kGToT8GIhGbJmjgmsloC5KTlsnjVuN5OGV/w400-h300/off%20road-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I got "lost" along the way, but ended up figuring out where I needed to go to get to the High Steel Bridge (standing on it in the photo, below).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWuxFEeP7ODznkdgxQf2USfubJd7YRUacVS4Q7WBj4jC49OoPTJjL6esnFe0466enH7fA0wuDMRaTjuN7sM2dPrY-LurRBLptWPr5YCCgwog1hTi_qSqkHLjlPwz7TS2TcbTMHbj7GUI3-9yQa6fifYubvucTr8gGobv0btbOFMgM0m8PyW6iOPlV5_ha/s1200/off%20road-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWuxFEeP7ODznkdgxQf2USfubJd7YRUacVS4Q7WBj4jC49OoPTJjL6esnFe0466enH7fA0wuDMRaTjuN7sM2dPrY-LurRBLptWPr5YCCgwog1hTi_qSqkHLjlPwz7TS2TcbTMHbj7GUI3-9yQa6fifYubvucTr8gGobv0btbOFMgM0m8PyW6iOPlV5_ha/w400-h300/off%20road-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So this weekend, I did it even better by heading south to check out the south side of Mt. St. Helens. I did the first section of the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route, which was a blast.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jCzI0aDEowK8NCmENjun4m5AdH-bSwUWYNS5Kqq24ziFHltc-4Sage2daKjfynCp42AADQeYiF_blER_1IZsDOc0-eVJ4vEux_ob2qD25guFEljSzfjOWPanSvLZnduXs6c0NK5AeplfRCdnRh36YVh_zFNPHtmwPnC-EKnrt6IC8XddkqB4dV1zzy8q/s1200/off%20road-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jCzI0aDEowK8NCmENjun4m5AdH-bSwUWYNS5Kqq24ziFHltc-4Sage2daKjfynCp42AADQeYiF_blER_1IZsDOc0-eVJ4vEux_ob2qD25guFEljSzfjOWPanSvLZnduXs6c0NK5AeplfRCdnRh36YVh_zFNPHtmwPnC-EKnrt6IC8XddkqB4dV1zzy8q/w400-h300/off%20road-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Fall colors were in full effect, and I got to see four volcanoes - Hood, St. Helens, Adams, and Rainier.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2RuCGJm6_zD0nchqolaLI0JGytsq3ClsHkOyjsZH43tZBCtyYMw_5isv6qsRtlxKhmCWnZz4BjpJxyM1_F5MPyKuV5MvWELfZjz7kSKbN-nX0xC6XenV-9zns3hgLfdKoNFe4fk1kWbrt4TbGKowOvtcY9vobRdFKR6fDNzweB2sxrevn4CM7Jujhdx7/s1200/off%20road-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2RuCGJm6_zD0nchqolaLI0JGytsq3ClsHkOyjsZH43tZBCtyYMw_5isv6qsRtlxKhmCWnZz4BjpJxyM1_F5MPyKuV5MvWELfZjz7kSKbN-nX0xC6XenV-9zns3hgLfdKoNFe4fk1kWbrt4TbGKowOvtcY9vobRdFKR6fDNzweB2sxrevn4CM7Jujhdx7/w300-h400/off%20road-4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The BDR got a bit sketchy in places, but never too far outside of my comfort zone.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxKjFrOM9XRYjrNkaNsAMhcYxQaPi0uSxo7HGJhjw1fslFWUfPe4d1nzNPWgVY8Nyx1gLCpQS_KdvqObgT-KbRpBx1D29CzwHy8sNK4prZNXICpIYIBYV5WsDGjUfue6knd1aRmF82_zuEA_BsQMCgDJBNzFNMGhxG1-dCi9kVs352xEF8Rq_V3OWIXNj/s1200/off%20road-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxKjFrOM9XRYjrNkaNsAMhcYxQaPi0uSxo7HGJhjw1fslFWUfPe4d1nzNPWgVY8Nyx1gLCpQS_KdvqObgT-KbRpBx1D29CzwHy8sNK4prZNXICpIYIBYV5WsDGjUfue6knd1aRmF82_zuEA_BsQMCgDJBNzFNMGhxG1-dCi9kVs352xEF8Rq_V3OWIXNj/w300-h400/off%20road-5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The BDR goes right past Takhlakh Lake (above, and from the recent <a href="http://skinnersightings.blogspot.com/2023/09/moto-mountain-man-2023-part-3.html" target="_blank">Moto Mountain Man</a> adventure, so I stopped just long enough to snap a photo and then got back on the road.<div><br /></div><div>All total, I spent about 12 hours on the bike - I'm tired!</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-16894531820797903462023-09-24T18:34:00.000-07:002023-09-24T18:34:13.966-07:00Moto Mountain Man 2023, the final part<div>The morning at Soda Creek was COLD - we had a hard frost. Fortunately, we only had to wait a bit for the sun to come up and really start warming us up. We had a motel room waiting for us, so we weren't in a huge rush . . . but it was in Fields, Oregon - population 12. I didn't miss a decimal point. The town/village is tiny, but it does have a gas station ($8.25 a gallon of gas), a motel, and a restaurant. There is a Backcountry Discovery Route that just opened this year that kept the place somewhat busy. They are famous for their milkshakes (justified - generous serving size and delicious!) and hamburgers. We got there, had a milkshake, unpacked, showered, and then had dinner. I still couldn't finish the fries that came with my burger. Good stuff!</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning we rode south into Nevada and then back into Oregon through some incredibly remote stretches of road. In Oregon, we came across a hang gliding launch spot though there were not any hang gliders when we went through. We pushed on and got to the campground in Crater Lake National Park just as it was getting dark. There was no fire ban, which was a first in almost 2 full weeks of travel through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. Jason stayed to enjoy a fire while I boogied up to the rim to take some photos. The stars reflecting in the lake were incredible!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5dIXlmIRgjc8CLsGHTUAjZ0ArrEHN0rcEYZBl-PcTIM-liFBMHWlCv3tDNy8t9GjlbRBs8f9164TqIpi3GUh4lcQDIepa0EjePyZ2RHZtqyZX-7ac1Vb0EHMoQr9VnvSUBktZrDbUhz7EKrXOyuwuDKQAxR5PHLbJk-T2yBZtxtyNXp2SdYFjHOovRHf/s1200/MM%20day%204-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1200" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5dIXlmIRgjc8CLsGHTUAjZ0ArrEHN0rcEYZBl-PcTIM-liFBMHWlCv3tDNy8t9GjlbRBs8f9164TqIpi3GUh4lcQDIepa0EjePyZ2RHZtqyZX-7ac1Vb0EHMoQr9VnvSUBktZrDbUhz7EKrXOyuwuDKQAxR5PHLbJk-T2yBZtxtyNXp2SdYFjHOovRHf/w400-h190/MM%20day%204-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I got my photos and then hurried back down to enjoy the fire. We had two bundles, so there was plenty of time to relax and enjoy the moment. We headed up to the rim to see the sights in daylight and had to detour 30-45 minutes to get gas.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZitdwSi3k9J2ddANkR7aBJhtV77mP9FjCF93ktilCQezBXwaV5n7X5RfLsM4PiSMg6aIPcqu-Iu5GkDpZfjEZvdjZSI0UTh_B2mWvRie7tg4JVAbUAlcnY_OVHZ-_lqAww92bQIqrI7FtdSE4-qjuBqdHoAV5FW9PkQrClRPgFxe9cflJmpvJMnzKk9k/s1200/MM%20day%204-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1200" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZitdwSi3k9J2ddANkR7aBJhtV77mP9FjCF93ktilCQezBXwaV5n7X5RfLsM4PiSMg6aIPcqu-Iu5GkDpZfjEZvdjZSI0UTh_B2mWvRie7tg4JVAbUAlcnY_OVHZ-_lqAww92bQIqrI7FtdSE4-qjuBqdHoAV5FW9PkQrClRPgFxe9cflJmpvJMnzKk9k/w400-h243/MM%20day%204-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We rode through some gorgeous parts of Oregon on our way to the coast. Unfortunately there were two fires, one in Oregon and one in California, that contributed to the smoke/fog along the coast. It looked like fog but smelled like smoke - weird.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSPYbOk82AyBS2eRl2f4i6XjkGiGWf8Pi8_rHufQHpgXUBZD-SYn1U1Dn8mZt81dAhezZ9fFnRjJQF7i7unHbnsYk4zGxXO46Fp8QdqiD0gixwnPQ-2NLKhnBJhbPnsZX81SPR6-ps4eXMrPVgMkd_Chy4rWYap_Xy6ZUF_mikkKGiJUdE82djFHsWA3Z/s1200/MM%20day%204-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSPYbOk82AyBS2eRl2f4i6XjkGiGWf8Pi8_rHufQHpgXUBZD-SYn1U1Dn8mZt81dAhezZ9fFnRjJQF7i7unHbnsYk4zGxXO46Fp8QdqiD0gixwnPQ-2NLKhnBJhbPnsZX81SPR6-ps4eXMrPVgMkd_Chy4rWYap_Xy6ZUF_mikkKGiJUdE82djFHsWA3Z/w300-h400/MM%20day%204-3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We dipped down into California to check out the redwoods (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State and National Park), but the smoke was somewhat atrocious.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpujmCUUKB2FTBfgrGOfEzcaOJGwapl_xsiF86gBNWMEx56wU-cmGlh6bc8fawJyChkZRN6XZkHD2nCrm546vTf9dJZSxAmpf7ymInTCHHzAq19rcfYoCH21vcWlqSHhpGdRf9CflScrk3fABrWJWQlh-O0dsyWNAcFcKFOt19ZM75wE6aLUxnUOs-lrdo/s1200/MM%20day%204-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpujmCUUKB2FTBfgrGOfEzcaOJGwapl_xsiF86gBNWMEx56wU-cmGlh6bc8fawJyChkZRN6XZkHD2nCrm546vTf9dJZSxAmpf7ymInTCHHzAq19rcfYoCH21vcWlqSHhpGdRf9CflScrk3fABrWJWQlh-O0dsyWNAcFcKFOt19ZM75wE6aLUxnUOs-lrdo/w300-h400/MM%20day%204-4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Because the road we were going to take was closed for fire activity, we turned around and rode back up the way we came. We were improvising at this point. There were loads of campgrounds along the river we were riding along, but they were closed due to fires. We eventually stumbled upon a campground that had a site available and inexplicably also had no fire ban (we seriously rode through about 2 hours of apocalyptic smoke). </div><div><br /></div><div>That was it. The next morning we rode a fantastic National Forest Road, which we basically had to ourselves, until we were a bit outside of Portland. We jumped on the highway, detoured to go see Mt. St. Helens, and got back home 3-4 pm. Plenty of time for laundry, showers, and a good meal (thanks to Catherine).</div><div><br /></div><div>That wraps up this year's Mountain Man. Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-38641872903919215562023-09-22T19:08:00.002-07:002023-09-22T19:08:47.326-07:00Moto Mountain Man 2023, part 3<div>Jason and I hit the road the next day and headed for the Olympic Peninsula. We made the ride up to Hurricane Ridge and to the Hoh Rainforest on our way to our campsite on the coast. It was getting late by the time we finally got there (somewhat heavy traffic slowed us down), and it was threatening to rain - which we hadn't seen on the weather apps. So once we hit the coast, we hustled to Kalaloch Beach and our campsite.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4red2Upx_NrlBXD0yZao2GqzmP3DAXmPSGNkK1T0dpAWKVJZynw-0VnQnP-lMiovUltf3NziCHLuMC7R75u7LdLvsbC7uoVDBneL_G0XBS3Yod1P_HYQxotpNWt0A4VTSvHSmHUtbyTGafrX_oddDvGCRVhR-Dda1NZgQA7v6q7WWbZFcXSYyJpXvJyzQ/s1200/MM%20day%203-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4red2Upx_NrlBXD0yZao2GqzmP3DAXmPSGNkK1T0dpAWKVJZynw-0VnQnP-lMiovUltf3NziCHLuMC7R75u7LdLvsbC7uoVDBneL_G0XBS3Yod1P_HYQxotpNWt0A4VTSvHSmHUtbyTGafrX_oddDvGCRVhR-Dda1NZgQA7v6q7WWbZFcXSYyJpXvJyzQ/w400-h300/MM%20day%203-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It drizzled on us a bit the next morning, but we checked out the Kurt Kobain memorial in Aberdeen (unless you are a HUGE Nirvana fan, don't make the effort - we stopped only because we were passing through and still somewhat regret the lost time...). We had a nice enough brunch in Aberdeen and then continued to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounding Mt. Adams, the other stratovolcano (like Rainier and Mt. St. Helens).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGMrRQKTHupU_4hjWSGyzLCHr-pJWp_FHCGWWWQZP4me7E_8gHhncWiWeTPfy8-C9ve45mZ8uxkmt1od1S0ehWThYW6VgiL1VK0_0uwlNxOcZ1rgqblNHhWa8Jw4o1zx3yHi1vc2ApExwiy8KWJ4HP4-swZm4pL6mSQdSwe5hct1__Pzc140LM3FB6Zc0/s1200/MM%20day%203-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGMrRQKTHupU_4hjWSGyzLCHr-pJWp_FHCGWWWQZP4me7E_8gHhncWiWeTPfy8-C9ve45mZ8uxkmt1od1S0ehWThYW6VgiL1VK0_0uwlNxOcZ1rgqblNHhWa8Jw4o1zx3yHi1vc2ApExwiy8KWJ4HP4-swZm4pL6mSQdSwe5hct1__Pzc140LM3FB6Zc0/w400-h400/MM%20day%203-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We camped at Lake Takhlakh, which had amazing views of Mt. Adams. I had to get up in the middle of the night since clouds were out at sunset and actually threatening rain. The next morning we crossed the Columbia River and circled Mt. Hood on our way to Bend, Oregon. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aipM09zvElj5WRGWYxTRusU62sWgfIPSlD8BsFV2C3vbfAVlaFmJtetAg6mMTh9V8xCLmcljnSnThuxXpOkffzhE1RhD23DvDyhc-jGpVGI_PwcLXoMvReIfxmkvBhbashhEjwIj9ggKaVvUFvlKO7EKnrfJz6SY-C9llc3JnYZB07hjRNiUIh12h4c1/s1200/MM%20day%203-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aipM09zvElj5WRGWYxTRusU62sWgfIPSlD8BsFV2C3vbfAVlaFmJtetAg6mMTh9V8xCLmcljnSnThuxXpOkffzhE1RhD23DvDyhc-jGpVGI_PwcLXoMvReIfxmkvBhbashhEjwIj9ggKaVvUFvlKO7EKnrfJz6SY-C9llc3JnYZB07hjRNiUIh12h4c1/w400-h225/MM%20day%203-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We had a reserved campsite at Soda Creek Campground, adjacent to the Sparks Lake area - both (thankfully) under-appreciated areas. We set up camp and then rode another mile or so from the campground to Sparks Lake. We caught some amazing clouds reflected in the lake and a nice enough sunset.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP3woLxJ2VtipET6-eri72SLb1nubTYHB2SAweM7s0tyv13AWQfQGgerXnJmMXD3EXnUL4rt_bgn2GSBSt18SbB1T680EkXPP2LQdSadZrOeA_0cNiksn6CLxBZRYrLmB0DujHFLhc4OwJPthCCA3HqxuMPflv_Plx4tzkTyn3NdVymlNGuwowq4y2QzS/s1200/MM%20day%203-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP3woLxJ2VtipET6-eri72SLb1nubTYHB2SAweM7s0tyv13AWQfQGgerXnJmMXD3EXnUL4rt_bgn2GSBSt18SbB1T680EkXPP2LQdSadZrOeA_0cNiksn6CLxBZRYrLmB0DujHFLhc4OwJPthCCA3HqxuMPflv_Plx4tzkTyn3NdVymlNGuwowq4y2QzS/w320-h400/MM%20day%203-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We hung around long enough to shoot some stars, then headed back to camp and the Soda Creek where I could face south and photograph the Milky Way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-48059540354994062912023-09-21T18:35:00.005-07:002023-09-21T18:35:20.804-07:00Moto Mountain Man 2023, part 2<div>The ride through the rest of Montana and Idaho, as we headed west, was pretty uneventful. We stopped at Riley Creek to camp in Idaho. While there was no fire restriction, the firewood station was empty and the local gas station (and only store) didn't carry any, so we had another dark camp.</div><div><br /></div><div>We left the next morning, had a nice breakfast in Priest River where Ranger Rick payed for our meal (it was fun chatting with him - had no idea he was going to do that!). We continued on through Washington along a really great (and mostly empty) highway, making our way to Klipchuck Campground in the North Cascades National Park.</div><div><br /></div><div>The highway was still open, even though there was an active forest fire; we rode through a good bit of smoke, saw the firefighters headed to work, and Jason saw actual flames in the trees. We eventually cleared that and then continued to the western part of the park to Diablo Lake - which (to the right of the photo, below) had another still active forest fire that had closed the highway for a couple of weeks prior. Thankfully, no smoke while we were here and the sunlight lit up the glacially-fed lake beautifully.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeprj7ZV-1BoaSZWe8C950KVwnDE_g1qZPGr69_VieK_JsVXScxNeklJ3VAzhExWa9CgvLIN84Yr5Q1knp_FrwIz4UYls1NxqG0AJ2gN-2CmU-MG0LPdD6nZ8qkt_ab8FFj0JUzb0XVJ5Ks2AHddFMhmBU4Su9W-jRFNiW24iySwAOqqfyiGJfOUL8TUW/s1200/MM%20day%202-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeprj7ZV-1BoaSZWe8C950KVwnDE_g1qZPGr69_VieK_JsVXScxNeklJ3VAzhExWa9CgvLIN84Yr5Q1knp_FrwIz4UYls1NxqG0AJ2gN-2CmU-MG0LPdD6nZ8qkt_ab8FFj0JUzb0XVJ5Ks2AHddFMhmBU4Su9W-jRFNiW24iySwAOqqfyiGJfOUL8TUW/w300-h400/MM%20day%202-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We then made our way along a gravel road for a short period of time and then on to Leavenworth, WA. We had a small cabin to sleep in - and a laundromat to do laundry. While we were waiting for the clothes to dry, I spotted a bear working its way along a river.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Laz7YOLA6VyzpV-1QW9_b8a5gMG9a7FaEyhtIQy8IRa0wKsFb-TuQZtdEkI9_BTCt6VduSYFMBOgKoZZFWJasBgxENL4sWe73RZoU8d2zKf5pb8U2M8-ZdPUDtgb-fOXZQTL3SS_Aqa9R6fZPQ558qGM7g3eYImSRsWf7jQBRlv2F4MYq_HaQAHh7fnW/s1200/MM%20day%202-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Laz7YOLA6VyzpV-1QW9_b8a5gMG9a7FaEyhtIQy8IRa0wKsFb-TuQZtdEkI9_BTCt6VduSYFMBOgKoZZFWJasBgxENL4sWe73RZoU8d2zKf5pb8U2M8-ZdPUDtgb-fOXZQTL3SS_Aqa9R6fZPQ558qGM7g3eYImSRsWf7jQBRlv2F4MYq_HaQAHh7fnW/w300-h400/MM%20day%202-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That night I walked down to the bear-infested river and took some photos of the Milky Way.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6M9UfeaC3X1T8RPICoZ5J8atF5GsocrN-bYyTNssynuGpqJza7WhwujT49MkPkDBZjVylfX7nKUNH88Wkr5ZWqrUGbW-atu9SPMoqMO22CUHbjbAH60CNbpSgIhEzQI51-W19YzSCDsv1UKSSsyCNAy6yIGsQtRx-JKgTJ6P_kXyikXqSfdSRxPEKkq-/s1200/MM%20day%202-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6M9UfeaC3X1T8RPICoZ5J8atF5GsocrN-bYyTNssynuGpqJza7WhwujT49MkPkDBZjVylfX7nKUNH88Wkr5ZWqrUGbW-atu9SPMoqMO22CUHbjbAH60CNbpSgIhEzQI51-W19YzSCDsv1UKSSsyCNAy6yIGsQtRx-JKgTJ6P_kXyikXqSfdSRxPEKkq-/w320-h400/MM%20day%202-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We got an early start the next morning, since we had to get to a first come-first served campground (White River) in Mt. Rainier National Park. We rode through the Yakima River canyon, which while pretty, was a river through high desert - sage everywhere, some trees along the river.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got to the campground and got one of the last two remaining spots (we know, because unlike previous campgrounds, we didn't settle for the first available!). We got our tents set up, had a nice little dinner, and then rode to Sunrise Point to catch the sunset and watch the stars come out. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eQ1OL1uPEoXpWNqqH-6TCrXb4YpgUn3VNjVSt9Lu0eU4nKohnBlRrc23NitfANfsOh9C6CLMLm_tofehJu26juZdD_rO0wJZsLFqNTQSiiv-NPkZ3Sy3MUpOx4HMPWpFRxzVzAAIR3PXtCSrO0sqvbVbNHEECzI-ie9-ExdOmIeHU9KfzSTH9FYIJsWq/s1200/MM%20day%202-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eQ1OL1uPEoXpWNqqH-6TCrXb4YpgUn3VNjVSt9Lu0eU4nKohnBlRrc23NitfANfsOh9C6CLMLm_tofehJu26juZdD_rO0wJZsLFqNTQSiiv-NPkZ3Sy3MUpOx4HMPWpFRxzVzAAIR3PXtCSrO0sqvbVbNHEECzI-ie9-ExdOmIeHU9KfzSTH9FYIJsWq/w320-h400/MM%20day%202-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Jason had so much fun on the road that we rode it again on our way out the next morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWpuJenAglK1HrVC5zZTzPhClGXGuJNgItKUQzP--rkyUpal9jI3I8tI5_vvPpPUa_Sem2CrjCdHNFKHgfkK-YKa7FZdz_knO9fHkmubEfHeyDCulF7IHxprroSTzhPV2g2viubVq2wmF8xt0fQhMO4OQLDuddJH-pqSqd9CeEppbVUdEEmRbcKHvl-66/s1200/MM%20day%202-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWpuJenAglK1HrVC5zZTzPhClGXGuJNgItKUQzP--rkyUpal9jI3I8tI5_vvPpPUa_Sem2CrjCdHNFKHgfkK-YKa7FZdz_knO9fHkmubEfHeyDCulF7IHxprroSTzhPV2g2viubVq2wmF8xt0fQhMO4OQLDuddJH-pqSqd9CeEppbVUdEEmRbcKHvl-66/w400-h268/MM%20day%202-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We continued through the park and made our way home. Hot showers, good food, and another round of laundry for the win!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nf92pIT02le-HComBb-YXeCEqAJxoL19JLoBRcusvCn0agsEjIAaxlHYV9ct0m4BSJA0TYs74I3pqBlVVH_ZUlL8SmYm1RevlKNLqTjGbk7BPLH0dGCBFnvjlQvD4lsb3Rxomx33ijANqvcjs9vVDrGDndPaInPogtUyRazi9dQb6ELFRrBJH4X3TNfi/s1200/MM%20day%202-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nf92pIT02le-HComBb-YXeCEqAJxoL19JLoBRcusvCn0agsEjIAaxlHYV9ct0m4BSJA0TYs74I3pqBlVVH_ZUlL8SmYm1RevlKNLqTjGbk7BPLH0dGCBFnvjlQvD4lsb3Rxomx33ijANqvcjs9vVDrGDndPaInPogtUyRazi9dQb6ELFRrBJH4X3TNfi/w300-h400/MM%20day%202-6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-41714784643872285322023-09-20T20:34:00.002-07:002023-09-20T20:34:40.545-07:00Moto Mountain Man 2023<div>I have finally gone through all of my photos from this year's trip. I am still processing the whole trip, to say it was fantastic is an understatement. I'll try to contain my enthusiasm!</div><div><br /></div><div>So this was a 2-week trip. Jason rode from Ohio to meet me in Montana. We rode the PNW for 2 weeks mostly camping along the way, but there were a couple of hotels too. We saw it all: plains, mountains, forests, high desert, temperate rain forest, coast, and redwoods. We rode in rain and sunshine, fog and mist; new this year was riding through smoke from forest fires and two active burn areas - Jason saw trees on fire in the North Cascades, and we changed our route through California to avoid road closures due to the fires. We were never in danger, but riding through that thick smoke with the sun struggling to eke some light through the haze was apocalyptic, otherworldly.</div><div><br /></div><div>The trip started simply enough on the Friday of the Labor Day weekend. I got up early since I had two 400+ mile days to get to Montana. I rode through some light mist around Mt. Rainier on my way through Yakima. That cleared up once I hit the high desert as I continued on my way through the beautiful Palouse region of eastern Washington.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right at the Idaho border (Lewiston, WA and Clarkston, ID from Lewis & Clark fame) there is a road that takes you up above the Snake River called the Old Spiral Highway; it did not disappoint!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXdLOgBc4elz7hv5sskxmmQdJwjCG827va6OzJmPZGsRbUsKrMBHQqb7uaXm4Mk1y8_bQxM6yJ5NgaQMo2qMuEqgN3MeEVg-w2mDQxrKYEHVI4lGmHrehifYmw0FplkFZW1kxOU542ynp08tIoMloeaEUhPVv4sxoboFxDVmqnHZ6szGZj5pjVfzoLXnk/s1200/MM%20day%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXdLOgBc4elz7hv5sskxmmQdJwjCG827va6OzJmPZGsRbUsKrMBHQqb7uaXm4Mk1y8_bQxM6yJ5NgaQMo2qMuEqgN3MeEVg-w2mDQxrKYEHVI4lGmHrehifYmw0FplkFZW1kxOU542ynp08tIoMloeaEUhPVv4sxoboFxDVmqnHZ6szGZj5pjVfzoLXnk/w400-h300/MM%20day%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I rode back down the highway (because why not?) and continued up the Clearwater River to my first hotel. Next day was the Lolo Pass. The sign says 99 miles of winding road, but that doesn't include the 35 miles of winding road from the hotel to the sign. Again, I got up early and basically had the road which paralleled the river to myself which was a complete joy.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrheFD1MsD8M1bCeQI9q_hppT1P-8rJDGci-caUeCAe4JP-nkuhFsOiZ0L-WsOGEmMaoHG_eQ0_35LUL2MvI_BLVkWrJtIZzTmPfgfcLgaa8ZSeUs88iIQqqLuK7NKvxLthT_dibDxUuvUN8ogNinmyXktMUJGAbVeIPaeL99mSk1i1oF7RyYIolkqv0f/s1200/MM%20day%201-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrheFD1MsD8M1bCeQI9q_hppT1P-8rJDGci-caUeCAe4JP-nkuhFsOiZ0L-WsOGEmMaoHG_eQ0_35LUL2MvI_BLVkWrJtIZzTmPfgfcLgaa8ZSeUs88iIQqqLuK7NKvxLthT_dibDxUuvUN8ogNinmyXktMUJGAbVeIPaeL99mSk1i1oF7RyYIolkqv0f/w300-h400/MM%20day%201-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived to Ennis, MT and linked up with Jason. We rode (could have walked) into town to meet Willie at Willie's Distillery. Willie was my roommate from my Ranger Battalion days. We ended up at his place for dinner, it was quite fun to reminisce. We had an early night since Jason and I needed to be on the road in the morning - planning to ride through a corner of Yellowstone (we did, no photos since it was raining the whole time) and make it halfway to Glacier National Park.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNELFijfH6eGlOJfArHh_3I4gNecFjGuyhQjIAUAon8Xuff4K0Qp8DYlbFRFS0k2zm2jPBfAyHnjzaDwQ-h7I5PGdbNwLKr51dCXPfeY2tLGi-1TMeTUY7EePhSSZaQIn_mOMMMeLXYgD-NaR_vMtnkhQ7cKfA2RFH1CMpA0yIpKCsAgLwKP0Vymta5hCY/s1200/MM%20day%201-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNELFijfH6eGlOJfArHh_3I4gNecFjGuyhQjIAUAon8Xuff4K0Qp8DYlbFRFS0k2zm2jPBfAyHnjzaDwQ-h7I5PGdbNwLKr51dCXPfeY2tLGi-1TMeTUY7EePhSSZaQIn_mOMMMeLXYgD-NaR_vMtnkhQ7cKfA2RFH1CMpA0yIpKCsAgLwKP0Vymta5hCY/w400-h300/MM%20day%201-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We arrived at our campsite and got camp set up. It had rained a good bit of the day, but nothing for several hours before our arrival: we were dry. We decided to run into town for a late lunch/early dinner. We checked the skies but not the radar, while there were clouds, there was no hint of rain from horizon to horizon. No sooner did we sit down than a local say it was bound to rain in the next couple of minutes (this was just 5-10 minutes after leaving camp). We both thought he was crazy; turns out we were just stupid. Not only did it rain, but it RAINED. We hung out in a door way to avoid the wind and rain, since it didn't look too bad from the restaurant but was indeed, pretty bad. The storm finally blew over and we made our way back to the campsite. The photo, above, doesn't do the carnage justice. Both our hammock stands were blown over and the tarp I had set up for a "garage" for the bike was completely shredded from the wind. While this was primarily an RV camp, the other folks in tents all had their tents blow over and roll through the campground - the storm must have been intense!</div><div><br /></div><div>We didn't want to sleep in the cold and wet. The campground host found us a hotel 45 minutes away which was dry, somewhat cheap, and basically clean. It did let us dry out our sleep systems, which was helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next day we rode to Glacier. It rained on and off for most of the day, more off than on, until we got to the east entrance of the park on Going to the Sun road. There the rain picked up again. We made our way to our campsite and managed to get things set up right before the heavy rains, but we ended up sitting under our tarps for 1-1.5 hours waiting things out. Meh - we were dry and slept well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHGkn8ZTbjebkDF5HkYHT3YCZbIs7AqKenXHUX00R6903ShK1G99_U0UN3K7X1tE-kfNRzpfR7senZVOBlM-ZTOrmqNQoTkRuyTu1eWMIsKqOVRGcO7dwyfK-HUrZ7eTzIEEF6tqD_iFdpFkbAz8hH_O1ec0KFrHXDpBt1wQJqlIrGtrWIaPWBY9c250a/s1200/MM%20day%201-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHGkn8ZTbjebkDF5HkYHT3YCZbIs7AqKenXHUX00R6903ShK1G99_U0UN3K7X1tE-kfNRzpfR7senZVOBlM-ZTOrmqNQoTkRuyTu1eWMIsKqOVRGcO7dwyfK-HUrZ7eTzIEEF6tqD_iFdpFkbAz8hH_O1ec0KFrHXDpBt1wQJqlIrGtrWIaPWBY9c250a/w400-h300/MM%20day%201-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Since the park was still metering road usage, and I had misread the rules, we had to be west of the ranger check point before they were set up at 6 or 6:30 am. No problem. We got up early, packed up the bikes, and were through with no-one the wiser. We stopped at the Wild Goose Island (the little island, above) overlook. While we waited for the sun to come up, a fox snuck up on me. Jason noticed it and shined his flashlight on it - he was probably 15-20 feet away, which was pretty cool.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy3bhpIKW9NITKrkg2ULxCG9yUF6oGDiTIOlhEoZ4qa_ADYiej0CDCZL8nWhx992IZHO3UgD00DEgxFil7V27c6_-ioxNBYndY2bkto_v1TKQqKWPvSDLpMAFaEZ-yZlIX0eX_0oTKbOH_7YFinJHxTs8Z2JSVVc8UVL4Er0Ymm6UFtwdZB7BQ94n_BmM/s1200/MM%20day%201-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy3bhpIKW9NITKrkg2ULxCG9yUF6oGDiTIOlhEoZ4qa_ADYiej0CDCZL8nWhx992IZHO3UgD00DEgxFil7V27c6_-ioxNBYndY2bkto_v1TKQqKWPvSDLpMAFaEZ-yZlIX0eX_0oTKbOH_7YFinJHxTs8Z2JSVVc8UVL4Er0Ymm6UFtwdZB7BQ94n_BmM/w400-h300/MM%20day%201-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Once it was light enough to see and not be too worried about wildlife on the roads, we continued up and over the continental divide. The rain had stopped, but fog and mist still ruled the day. It was hard to concentrate on the road since the views were so spectacular; however, the penalty for a messed up corner was quite severe for a large portion of the trip. We used the turn-outs to maximum advantage!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdahgy3CHr8BYCe38xQ9BZ69cQbzejQ9QAkoN1ZWKy8c6u6swYaK64Et3DOWkA7P5T7k87-dyjyng7rM5i3HxifPnP-yc_SODKM54X0aHIfPjVP08_bHR2GHEEH8APifo2eeugDLo5JWt15QLzd8tfAqdPk_JWFWgS5OKwOtzfThr7qOOZxOBbETFyaOg/s1200/MM%20day%201-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdahgy3CHr8BYCe38xQ9BZ69cQbzejQ9QAkoN1ZWKy8c6u6swYaK64Et3DOWkA7P5T7k87-dyjyng7rM5i3HxifPnP-yc_SODKM54X0aHIfPjVP08_bHR2GHEEH8APifo2eeugDLo5JWt15QLzd8tfAqdPk_JWFWgS5OKwOtzfThr7qOOZxOBbETFyaOg/w300-h400/MM%20day%201-6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>About 10 miles from the west entrance, the road was completely torn up - gravel with massive potholes and puddles. Jason and I had a great time working our way through the mess. The bikes were filthy, but it was a ton of fun!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UTpJS-EkDig5TkppYKuNqOXgy7V3G4TJEwyAdfgJZ6Cjhq6OKPMqlVizEEqKr2VLNNkmpvzJUhC3x_pjb9eDj5e4PF5WGTWgir5AEZFtwLrFgep9vxNaBB4vgXCjLK6kzQKOFDBYXcj2wCZTQzQ_a-YKRxZ5f-lWsUKEpmUdt6qzRhTqMwC_ne2QPA8V/s1200/MM%20day%201-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UTpJS-EkDig5TkppYKuNqOXgy7V3G4TJEwyAdfgJZ6Cjhq6OKPMqlVizEEqKr2VLNNkmpvzJUhC3x_pjb9eDj5e4PF5WGTWgir5AEZFtwLrFgep9vxNaBB4vgXCjLK6kzQKOFDBYXcj2wCZTQzQ_a-YKRxZ5f-lWsUKEpmUdt6qzRhTqMwC_ne2QPA8V/w300-h400/MM%20day%201-7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>We stopped along the way to get a late breakfast/early lunch and then continued on our way to a campsite along a river in Idaho.</div><div><br /></div><div>That'll do for today - more stories in the days ahead. Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-29494340211435840092023-08-20T15:58:00.003-07:002023-08-20T15:58:44.694-07:00Milky Way at Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park<div>I loaded up the bike for a test run with all my camping gear in preparation for a two week extravaganza (Moto Mountain Man) with my buddy Jason. I left the house about 9:30 am Saturday and had a good deal of traffic to contend with the entire way. Nothing major, just a bunch of slow pokes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxWXjpMp68BFpWh6j2i5FOTlEtP1eWjwTp0VTYF_pM1iIFkvt7C0gepCDyN1GS_3Kso3ei_pvSk68NyG7lBynEPHJ6TIa2wOq7pELPYJJTll5UoRFw8IuPonh7IYwjzTYYdlPIjFCSy5E53qrnMF_7EJ3ISZbz2RLg2jOcI8Kp2eddiKLQ9RrUxeRNw6-/s1200/HR%20ONP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxWXjpMp68BFpWh6j2i5FOTlEtP1eWjwTp0VTYF_pM1iIFkvt7C0gepCDyN1GS_3Kso3ei_pvSk68NyG7lBynEPHJ6TIa2wOq7pELPYJJTll5UoRFw8IuPonh7IYwjzTYYdlPIjFCSy5E53qrnMF_7EJ3ISZbz2RLg2jOcI8Kp2eddiKLQ9RrUxeRNw6-/w400-h300/HR%20ONP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I got to Heart o' the Hills campground on the north-central part of the Olympic Peninsula, found my spot, and set up camp. It was only the second time putting together my hammock stand, and the first time putting up the tarp/garage for the bike. I took my time - it should go up faster as I get more practice.</div><div><br /></div><div>I rode out to Deer Park, a remote part of the Park I hadn't been to before - I will be back to camp there! It was a 12-15 mile gravel road with steep drop offs, but the campground at the end looked amazing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyWm950rfNG_aB8BoM-F67xUdGkdbkfk1C7SEDiWxZ3liSMP0Xw-Lgi_tkDjD_cyxDH5IPDc8vXaGUjltoAD95kHDprRI_MnlgxXRS8TsGZkM85_xQJIvBit9BsmGT_gSIhnMkmYo4x1k2oL-Re5xCshcijVMoNzyLPH6356R7ik3FpvYrhQhZ7NJB-7s/s1200/HR%20ONP-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIyWm950rfNG_aB8BoM-F67xUdGkdbkfk1C7SEDiWxZ3liSMP0Xw-Lgi_tkDjD_cyxDH5IPDc8vXaGUjltoAD95kHDprRI_MnlgxXRS8TsGZkM85_xQJIvBit9BsmGT_gSIhnMkmYo4x1k2oL-Re5xCshcijVMoNzyLPH6356R7ik3FpvYrhQhZ7NJB-7s/w320-h400/HR%20ONP-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I made my way back to my campsite and had dinner, a backpacker (freeze-dried) meal which was actually pretty good. That may have been the hunger talking...</div><div><br /></div><div>I then rode up to Hurricane Ridge to catch sunset and wait for the Milky Way. There was a massive fire at the visitor center in May of this year, access is tightly controlled; however, since I was camping I had free access to the top.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPpcqgG-Hs_4mXVDm8ZNdArGazUT9Rio5h9U5BvxWelUNniWEA0JefKbadNrfqg6cYzetUwgrBddCR6Mip308QRTNT8-QRMKPtgf_M1O5k9wBmfq02ermNyV25l5H5gUYQ771FQ8dQ9C-9aemgo0EYApE85j-4itcWg-4gd-RoYhRxYlknRLTt3ibz2A0/s1200/HR%20MW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPpcqgG-Hs_4mXVDm8ZNdArGazUT9Rio5h9U5BvxWelUNniWEA0JefKbadNrfqg6cYzetUwgrBddCR6Mip308QRTNT8-QRMKPtgf_M1O5k9wBmfq02ermNyV25l5H5gUYQ771FQ8dQ9C-9aemgo0EYApE85j-4itcWg-4gd-RoYhRxYlknRLTt3ibz2A0/w320-h400/HR%20MW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>There was a good deal of smoke from Canada. You can see the banding lower down by the horizon as well as the haze in the middle photo - all smoke from Canada.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got an early start and rode Hwy 101 all the way back to Olympia. All in all, it was a good learning experience for camping off the bike, and great to get out again. Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-72917021911643075892023-08-13T14:22:00.002-07:002023-08-13T14:22:29.505-07:00Perseid Meteor Shower at Mt. Rainier National Park<div>The weather was looking good for this past weekend to go take some photos of the Milky Way and for Saturday night/Sunday morning's Perseid meteor shower.</div><div><br /></div><div>The campgrounds were all booked solid with only a few first come-first served sites, so I took a chance after work on Friday. I loaded up the car and got to Sunrise well ahead of sunset. Unfortunately, when I went past the closest campground, it was full. So I went with plan B, which was to take photos and then go home. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX30sdInzGw3rO7CNj5FXNRUGlnnI9CNGpKXR3NlWqypOGu94qhMP4Kt5-SG9qw_ysV93MPVDYxVMFCLwlUulbA6mOD-UJPnkpL2KKR3TrYcjUeXN8ADsU-bOHb4TPYjIQholin7CsKLKZVukrRdPqngS3NGrKuGUtpbD3NgtFDB8lULXFoXlwlF0XVrt5/s1500/MRNP%20MW%20pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX30sdInzGw3rO7CNj5FXNRUGlnnI9CNGpKXR3NlWqypOGu94qhMP4Kt5-SG9qw_ysV93MPVDYxVMFCLwlUulbA6mOD-UJPnkpL2KKR3TrYcjUeXN8ADsU-bOHb4TPYjIQholin7CsKLKZVukrRdPqngS3NGrKuGUtpbD3NgtFDB8lULXFoXlwlF0XVrt5/w400-h225/MRNP%20MW%20pano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Fortunately, the Milky Way core is visible as soon as it gets fully dark, which was 10:30 or so. After maybe 45 minutes I packed up and headed home.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrTnLHKxm6K9U0zDccqR5ZUu77N2Y-1XG7kiGYGSYHkX43UyLHY17jIajDZ4X7IChw1TsoL-Q2svbj1IPEdMqlDDkkWijqIF-rEs-EiQQbZhSUPyFDtGauQog_FViK8T64GTw65FCH8uolhfyy9nFu-kVvfPsoVbNIhP4qQXGasZCsd6Goj8v472ye9vJ/s1500/meteors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrTnLHKxm6K9U0zDccqR5ZUu77N2Y-1XG7kiGYGSYHkX43UyLHY17jIajDZ4X7IChw1TsoL-Q2svbj1IPEdMqlDDkkWijqIF-rEs-EiQQbZhSUPyFDtGauQog_FViK8T64GTw65FCH8uolhfyy9nFu-kVvfPsoVbNIhP4qQXGasZCsd6Goj8v472ye9vJ/w400-h225/meteors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I knew the campgrounds wouldn't have any free spaces, and the peak for the meteor shower was 3:30 (am), so Saturday/Sunday's trip was another out and back. I made my way to Reflection Lake and basically just sat there while the camera did its thing.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUHYia5Xe7fj-xnNwArV7LlaZKU103iTEmge-r92KV5fWKCfalNlX-KVSdgQfRn5GHPeBijPMqIvJLy28daG1RCrStduQv4emmBztF1F0hUhN4OfyrSDaVRv0-bsrZ6hXQV8cxc1rpT3DH6R6R2lUzkYqJGZ09e9QTJBMt4myqRTnVTSEdUnIRm6spo5p/s1500/meteors-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUHYia5Xe7fj-xnNwArV7LlaZKU103iTEmge-r92KV5fWKCfalNlX-KVSdgQfRn5GHPeBijPMqIvJLy28daG1RCrStduQv4emmBztF1F0hUhN4OfyrSDaVRv0-bsrZ6hXQV8cxc1rpT3DH6R6R2lUzkYqJGZ09e9QTJBMt4myqRTnVTSEdUnIRm6spo5p/w320-h400/meteors-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>The photos don't do it justice - aside from being there is way better than a photo, this is my first attempt at something like this. Anyways, I had a nice time even if the place was packed (both places were!).</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-27205436364736956842023-07-30T07:28:00.001-07:002023-07-30T07:28:42.443-07:00Sequim - Lavender Festival but not a Lavender FestivalSince we have been to Sequim's Lavender Festival a couple of times, we opted to visit the week after. That way, the lavender fields would still be in bloom but we wouldn't have to deal with the crazy traffic. It turns out that was a fantastic idea!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcU8FH-lzj5vbcIBNe1dz0KF9kjdMsk5p39ntha9dRuYjuh4NF3T_Tf_z00O9eD801AdhKwLAsJ0TFvGjY3lRydaQ7SALNAbiQCe4VWYwDqy3b5vB0reWyqFtg-qZy30hsc7-XJaoYX9_3xpEP09EhUjyZ-x3PB4-dxZVjQ0hbxUWcmYQbV0y2BFf-KT/s1500/Sequim%20day2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhcU8FH-lzj5vbcIBNe1dz0KF9kjdMsk5p39ntha9dRuYjuh4NF3T_Tf_z00O9eD801AdhKwLAsJ0TFvGjY3lRydaQ7SALNAbiQCe4VWYwDqy3b5vB0reWyqFtg-qZy30hsc7-XJaoYX9_3xpEP09EhUjyZ-x3PB4-dxZVjQ0hbxUWcmYQbV0y2BFf-KT/w320-h400/Sequim%20day2-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We started Saturday with a stop at a farm close to our VRBO, and really got everything we wanted (culinary lavender plants to grow at home, soap, etc.). We finished up there, grabbed lunch and then visited two more farms. Since Leah is about to start her senior year, we used the time and locations to get some photos of her.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65OCoTpyIB1w1AUESBtimRiPDZ-VOukbmEapLbGdLCTlBW1lgkgKSc5quynGK33y_CHO8f8EMBRNIXeUNWN9zOkbzOhkAacLMVVvVVA6TZ5CZ5qS-BxNNQFoMcNjUUHuy8Rk_GtrJ1SoFlGxfhNQz4WJfigGBdpGUQdsXoIBDAKBIoX78qOIsOHUpAmZf/s1500/Sequim%20day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65OCoTpyIB1w1AUESBtimRiPDZ-VOukbmEapLbGdLCTlBW1lgkgKSc5quynGK33y_CHO8f8EMBRNIXeUNWN9zOkbzOhkAacLMVVvVVA6TZ5CZ5qS-BxNNQFoMcNjUUHuy8Rk_GtrJ1SoFlGxfhNQz4WJfigGBdpGUQdsXoIBDAKBIoX78qOIsOHUpAmZf/w268-h400/Sequim%20day2.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div>After we had enough of the lavender, we drove west into the Olympic National Park to check out Devil's Punchbowl. I have used the magic of Photoshop to remove all the people standing on the bridge. You'll need to trust me that it was PACKED!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2rvwqJQEZI3lhcshz2Mff2GXal2bx3T4WaejCiMb_4tnS81zwbZ6M_JS4IuPcVbyJta0s6jCNp_jqGts5kBSp_NS4N2WBcSbu8l62LI98KZQN8VIHjdrr4acSB8IBt9yWhazpuDcOFHRBOWyAUdV8Mbj0lFyYn6fJ-KkM8IxcrGD9bNNUuBBPgLAlaso/s1500/Devil's%20Punchbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2rvwqJQEZI3lhcshz2Mff2GXal2bx3T4WaejCiMb_4tnS81zwbZ6M_JS4IuPcVbyJta0s6jCNp_jqGts5kBSp_NS4N2WBcSbu8l62LI98KZQN8VIHjdrr4acSB8IBt9yWhazpuDcOFHRBOWyAUdV8Mbj0lFyYn6fJ-KkM8IxcrGD9bNNUuBBPgLAlaso/w400-h300/Devil's%20Punchbowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-53470715680686819692023-07-29T06:02:00.000-07:002023-07-29T06:02:02.938-07:00Good morning<div style="text-align: left;">This sunrise was a short 2-minute walk from where we are staying. Have a great day everyone - it is shaping up to be fantastic here in Sequim.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZen3g_Ggvgv2EFXB7UDCmcK_tDfBbrGnhdVgR3b0PMWAdx5IMt1cFw8QUOHMrq68EyvGxsWWb9U1lASqtqPmAiT4ygDDOlxpBkVv8M6BcOU57sCf32iDJsAI0h4HF3iTfVt-ucN9irVL3x8tdnE4uXh2cXlt3US7ndYChE4ZDCFJhJ1nEt54XQ8CoDveD/s1500/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZen3g_Ggvgv2EFXB7UDCmcK_tDfBbrGnhdVgR3b0PMWAdx5IMt1cFw8QUOHMrq68EyvGxsWWb9U1lASqtqPmAiT4ygDDOlxpBkVv8M6BcOU57sCf32iDJsAI0h4HF3iTfVt-ucN9irVL3x8tdnE4uXh2cXlt3US7ndYChE4ZDCFJhJ1nEt54XQ8CoDveD/w400-h268/sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-62326066157932315532023-07-28T21:19:00.002-07:002023-07-29T05:34:21.359-07:00Sequim<div style="text-align: left;">Well, I finally unprocessed at JBLM and Madigan. There are a couple more hoops to jump through, but I am basically back to work (yay!).<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are taking a little break from home this weekend, we made our way to Sequin. The lavender festival is held here, but it was last week - which means we won't have the crowds to deal with!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had to fight a bit of traffic along the way, but we made it. Once we arrived at our VRBO, we hiked down to the bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. We heard some birds making a ruckus, it turned out a bald eagle parent was taking his/her two youngsters out for a flight - so cool! I got a couple of photos with my phone that didn't turn out too well, and this one with my camera (sans kiddo birds).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uuByBqkm0OsUPIZRR2uZlBpqmmxMjQMQrmr2TEX2vsQp2W4TIQXwC8SUMUQe9zrWPKL6h58da6r4ue00qxHUe2fVctvX17VAcCZIs9ZexyIfY4X1Ra0Mx1wcjqVCttgVQOi33E8oYZDqUhCOH9MZngtwIrrikeBu6TE6hTXiXntyK2yrpbZM-0zmy9tx/s1500/bald%20eagle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uuByBqkm0OsUPIZRR2uZlBpqmmxMjQMQrmr2TEX2vsQp2W4TIQXwC8SUMUQe9zrWPKL6h58da6r4ue00qxHUe2fVctvX17VAcCZIs9ZexyIfY4X1Ra0Mx1wcjqVCttgVQOi33E8oYZDqUhCOH9MZngtwIrrikeBu6TE6hTXiXntyK2yrpbZM-0zmy9tx/w400-h320/bald%20eagle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Marc</div><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-50217403755393371802023-07-01T11:00:00.001-07:002023-07-01T11:00:00.148-07:00Road Trip, part 15 - the final one!!!!<div>We made it! 7,400 miles or so in 3 weeks. Time for a tire rotation and oil change . . . after we sign the lease on the new place tomorrow morning!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We left Pendleton, Oregon in the morning and had a lazy lunch in Yakima. We then drove through Mt. Rainier National Park on our way to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. We took a quick selfie at the <a href="http://skinnersightings.blogspot.com/2013/08/wildflowers-at-mt-rainier-national-park.html" target="_blank">Tipsoo Lake</a> overlook, and then hit the road for the final push to JBLM.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4FUarto_3S0IovmrOoCdUMlRMsBIolfrZJ2ArduM4HJdOX9xeRAmWfONiIt03zTh-kXKEzaNFMegLqXhh2o2h1hoyBi5a5zH6WRx0zeLOAEN-6Cu52ZDhIY_UEdJ-M41DQwocrHXMQk0GB098qkC0O57-WWvnjTJ_wWTLFOzcDMHOVqE93kVSrRu61ms/s4032/IMG_6169.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4FUarto_3S0IovmrOoCdUMlRMsBIolfrZJ2ArduM4HJdOX9xeRAmWfONiIt03zTh-kXKEzaNFMegLqXhh2o2h1hoyBi5a5zH6WRx0zeLOAEN-6Cu52ZDhIY_UEdJ-M41DQwocrHXMQk0GB098qkC0O57-WWvnjTJ_wWTLFOzcDMHOVqE93kVSrRu61ms/w400-h300/IMG_6169.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I think we are all ready and excited to get this next phase of our Army journey started.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi87mHH2vp1NBR4kcKdh3llS43GjkztE-NabRZsd9FLxmIT1Ysj2jL8nyYQ-WDXkCNmPHr6JyunBP-mosA91M9snZsSoAjfxF_AKX00wTTi2Z8pSZU7IRJEbHUx8nMha0AvazFc-PtoSNqkKV0dCanZfOPkwBq0IfoJFyoWGNJ1oMcQ1zGxS6Yxlbq_mt/s1610/Road%20Trip%2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi87mHH2vp1NBR4kcKdh3llS43GjkztE-NabRZsd9FLxmIT1Ysj2jL8nyYQ-WDXkCNmPHr6JyunBP-mosA91M9snZsSoAjfxF_AKX00wTTi2Z8pSZU7IRJEbHUx8nMha0AvazFc-PtoSNqkKV0dCanZfOPkwBq0IfoJFyoWGNJ1oMcQ1zGxS6Yxlbq_mt/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-3505511713169704842023-06-30T09:00:00.001-07:002023-06-30T09:00:00.138-07:00Road Trip, part 14<div>It was another big day in the cars for us - we drove from Salt Lake City (Provo) to Pendleton, Oregon. Good Lord - we have some empty spaces out west! The interstate was busy(ish), so still not anywhere as remote as most of New Mexico, but there are loads of wide open spaces.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs105SLuHiRHNiTmXfMaTvmKnq_FfxKTO-3pnZdz2ImskfUlOaE85tMkWbgtxuwQtAmybxB5dnlFUcHSumPt8VncEhd1gGG6nLXCZIVW_i1cycHYFZMCcT1NQhEySrwiVYnzHaOUoXTz1GuXkPZK5fT1trA0LiMH4ia_D4atPyfQsrjjtjxPmZhZvF6mlN/s1610/Road%20Trip%2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs105SLuHiRHNiTmXfMaTvmKnq_FfxKTO-3pnZdz2ImskfUlOaE85tMkWbgtxuwQtAmybxB5dnlFUcHSumPt8VncEhd1gGG6nLXCZIVW_i1cycHYFZMCcT1NQhEySrwiVYnzHaOUoXTz1GuXkPZK5fT1trA0LiMH4ia_D4atPyfQsrjjtjxPmZhZvF6mlN/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We were up high in some mountains in eastern Oregon until the last 7-8 miles to Pendleton. The rivers looked like they would have great fishing, and the mountains are hopefully full of hiking and camping opportunities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Catherine took a photo looking south from the hotel. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb_Ak6Ac_ue--3VNYOu3CXXd7k8mgp-IBJcKLaaSWao7Vf0YLTBL2hNKLjXjVkA0592cceM9XjShzIQwhV-GpnjUQXS9vTrHnr0bbds7rN6vmZTJ3XrJIThi46ZhyhpUTHHEVUKaYBH_59FNQVnJhtnR9nWkRjW4wliiIAVrmwA1RwUPGg5FebeHm5sQa/s4032/IMG_3261.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb_Ak6Ac_ue--3VNYOu3CXXd7k8mgp-IBJcKLaaSWao7Vf0YLTBL2hNKLjXjVkA0592cceM9XjShzIQwhV-GpnjUQXS9vTrHnr0bbds7rN6vmZTJ3XrJIThi46ZhyhpUTHHEVUKaYBH_59FNQVnJhtnR9nWkRjW4wliiIAVrmwA1RwUPGg5FebeHm5sQa/w400-h300/IMG_3261.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div>Next stop, JBLM.</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-81230781886536635562023-06-29T12:00:00.001-07:002023-06-29T12:00:00.173-07:00Road Trip, part 13<div>We had a pretty light travel day today. I was going to get up for some star and sunrise photos at Great Basin, but the weather had other ideas. So instead, I went to bed early and "slept in."</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLTMquX0eNZ7Id7Bbc8sUyGxODtOwRIUBVa_8Et9WqbrrOSeY8OBOOs-uE99VBZOLbkZfO4XRkx1zGHrSdJwj1zB4mk6rRqZjPSxgpx6oJdGYHpIKpYMYYsFxh-yq5c0uzt8jul_FMoD6IwqYMHOLNVzD4Q399pfndF9ZUv_09scVdiu6xRcevfy59S4u/s1610/Road%20Trip%2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLTMquX0eNZ7Id7Bbc8sUyGxODtOwRIUBVa_8Et9WqbrrOSeY8OBOOs-uE99VBZOLbkZfO4XRkx1zGHrSdJwj1zB4mk6rRqZjPSxgpx6oJdGYHpIKpYMYYsFxh-yq5c0uzt8jul_FMoD6IwqYMHOLNVzD4Q399pfndF9ZUv_09scVdiu6xRcevfy59S4u/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I took some time to edit and sort my photos, have a cup of coffee or two, and then we hit the road. We ended up in the Salt Lake City area; we had dinner with an old friend from my deployment to Iraq. It was great to see him and his family again, and to reconnect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-74984715831628219982023-06-28T19:00:00.001-07:002023-06-28T19:00:00.135-07:00Road Trip, part 12<div>So we arrived at Bryce Canyon National Park with a bit of time to eat and walk on the rim of the amphitheater.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YVnXjuDLiXTsZCWrMU_Ks2fttO8nyANIZmiu4GR5UTQrhy30yNGoqg-oWGyarjrXoMVy-A8a396XG49upc5hSadx8SBQ1vdidD3VP2DV_6wJE7yLm2wLNHRWp_9xmYU8HxQ1d_e3ilQ61_f_JlI039EuXbqPMZbvCc1LujN7YcsO12S9_mBTuQhx58cw/s1610/Road%20Trip%2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YVnXjuDLiXTsZCWrMU_Ks2fttO8nyANIZmiu4GR5UTQrhy30yNGoqg-oWGyarjrXoMVy-A8a396XG49upc5hSadx8SBQ1vdidD3VP2DV_6wJE7yLm2wLNHRWp_9xmYU8HxQ1d_e3ilQ61_f_JlI039EuXbqPMZbvCc1LujN7YcsO12S9_mBTuQhx58cw/s320/Road%20Trip%2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Even though we had a half moon, I got up close to midnight to go take some photos of the Milky Way and hoodoos. The Milky Way is a bit washed out, but I am otherwise pretty happy with how these turned out.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK6LyDhNIZ7jj7W0de3KR1WnZXdBHbhpMo9Ll_F32rywr-OwxIndJ4W9bHPg8QhNuqMzpdliFxz2VCc_CJwZFwRCzp_l7cWNU3jrS96oE3te2eCZTrTsG4os6ckrMKmh_MvLVpjBvo7rRq6IdgDIx6x_WkBSaIjW67uH0IbG89encgICiYFQO6prOTIbh/s1500/Bryce%20MW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK6LyDhNIZ7jj7W0de3KR1WnZXdBHbhpMo9Ll_F32rywr-OwxIndJ4W9bHPg8QhNuqMzpdliFxz2VCc_CJwZFwRCzp_l7cWNU3jrS96oE3te2eCZTrTsG4os6ckrMKmh_MvLVpjBvo7rRq6IdgDIx6x_WkBSaIjW67uH0IbG89encgICiYFQO6prOTIbh/s320/Bryce%20MW.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I went back to bed after taking my photos, and we all got up a bit after sunrise to get a family photo.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fIWC2f5pnRwBg9RwWt8_zkqROMF5HnBz3b2B9dv_4SthgwxgkNUcCeVWHOHBskS42zKsTUuiW1EvHIs976zheowK4hNl0qwLDTvcJpPjsdSRT5aN2t0zLGQPwsri7udRpXxqcfUTsdN8bNzyYBpa-IHN5EykxKmDPsCKwCicCPZ8o5KWTnsL1hxBMB5K/s1500/Bryce%20family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fIWC2f5pnRwBg9RwWt8_zkqROMF5HnBz3b2B9dv_4SthgwxgkNUcCeVWHOHBskS42zKsTUuiW1EvHIs976zheowK4hNl0qwLDTvcJpPjsdSRT5aN2t0zLGQPwsri7udRpXxqcfUTsdN8bNzyYBpa-IHN5EykxKmDPsCKwCicCPZ8o5KWTnsL1hxBMB5K/s320/Bryce%20family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We then loaded up and made our way to Cedar Breaks National Monument, which sits at about 10,500 feet. You can't tell from the photos, but it was chilly!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2s5WXybjc76ewE0Xkl0kCdvMd0rcPjK87oYtkjqMCvQ3fyUT2550m633dDCUCZae4DZzzJDjkHJAn4_nA4qqSvkySO3_HIlnaOBAvygtXdmGpy_MTsMRPsFHdC228mUx2sz9u3A7-OfW07nNvmndmzuq-727Wdc__OeWJ2tJN782OC5TqY2ND8ZaA4Ji/s1500/Cedar%20Breaks-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2s5WXybjc76ewE0Xkl0kCdvMd0rcPjK87oYtkjqMCvQ3fyUT2550m633dDCUCZae4DZzzJDjkHJAn4_nA4qqSvkySO3_HIlnaOBAvygtXdmGpy_MTsMRPsFHdC228mUx2sz9u3A7-OfW07nNvmndmzuq-727Wdc__OeWJ2tJN782OC5TqY2ND8ZaA4Ji/s320/Cedar%20Breaks-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Cedar Breaks seems to me like the west-facing version of Bryce Canyon - about an hour or so to the west. It was a beautiful drive, I'd like to see the aspens in the fall!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGXi702nqqxdRpusQSRU8leVCv8VQXJxG156wNQIaPg0VA-82cIKQKN_himdE6SvHOL9-U1EkJTnZNaEAI4IXm4vmYJ8yljs4xaojgrxOZHjdSNjNRjPG0m2yIRI4L8QBIvRiP9vVoVWKl5bMAx5aQ1KiPmDi2LGcYtaJtqdwFzanGFpnPt4NjxswdzDl/s1500/Cedar%20Breaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGXi702nqqxdRpusQSRU8leVCv8VQXJxG156wNQIaPg0VA-82cIKQKN_himdE6SvHOL9-U1EkJTnZNaEAI4IXm4vmYJ8yljs4xaojgrxOZHjdSNjNRjPG0m2yIRI4L8QBIvRiP9vVoVWKl5bMAx5aQ1KiPmDi2LGcYtaJtqdwFzanGFpnPt4NjxswdzDl/s320/Cedar%20Breaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>From there we drove in to Cedar City and had lunch with my cousin Kevin. He and I linked up during a trip to Zion a couple of years ago, and it was good to see him again.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPo_t1t-QqnbNDIcKVh_UfmEtnvfE8fZ5NeZmAl-hh29DEoTz82rlvdGV3fF6Cz5191cU0TNcYkZx50puusQ3nXXefuSsPILLWOEbX4LEsECBz6FUba-Pfr4yih-yvZZmDNVOcAkaVAiNhkLAjKI2nEpkR4peqOhepJXZtkGsF01E0PQbrp4naCp-Rzah/s1500/Great%20Basin-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1500" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPo_t1t-QqnbNDIcKVh_UfmEtnvfE8fZ5NeZmAl-hh29DEoTz82rlvdGV3fF6Cz5191cU0TNcYkZx50puusQ3nXXefuSsPILLWOEbX4LEsECBz6FUba-Pfr4yih-yvZZmDNVOcAkaVAiNhkLAjKI2nEpkR4peqOhepJXZtkGsF01E0PQbrp4naCp-Rzah/s320/Great%20Basin-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We then made the 2-2.5 hour drive to Great Basin National Park through a pretty remote stretch of western Utah. I still think New Mexico takes the prize, but this stretch was a close second.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iWXoqi9VVdtcQnSUMAIApJSdhSZJlNIUj9I0ENaM2PEJEjqaj55_9DxUeTJcNJ58Bigvt11I_YPJSk3S1rW8K8mDFgMQIpABEWEoVRJgTIBRNd7izT_kUpRzknbnV6szNNssNqiQeUZ4LUVn7rvLULtZYniAL2B0sy09oolc0EJKW5fyhRsRFV74sM6b/s1500/Great%20Basin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iWXoqi9VVdtcQnSUMAIApJSdhSZJlNIUj9I0ENaM2PEJEjqaj55_9DxUeTJcNJ58Bigvt11I_YPJSk3S1rW8K8mDFgMQIpABEWEoVRJgTIBRNd7izT_kUpRzknbnV6szNNssNqiQeUZ4LUVn7rvLULtZYniAL2B0sy09oolc0EJKW5fyhRsRFV74sM6b/s320/Great%20Basin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>It was pretty cloudy when we got there, and the hiking trails start at 10,000 feet. Ian and I did a tiny bit of hiking, but that elevation is killer.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-76754332537512261642023-06-27T18:12:00.004-07:002023-06-27T18:12:41.058-07:00Road Trip, part 11<div>This was a BIG day. Two vehicles, 775 miles, 13 hours.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyXcVnQNWiPtGSIDddIxKH8llhEzA6DbICw0iXtO8yTdMgL8LrM-HGNtxrZGwJPlk43-sRMVMakhZnIoEwins-oiJLJx61Z0C-I8wP0GRN6ktCTWXb9YC5OzSlYZG1saGRuFH_YcJj0AArOXp6ocaHCvH6LjF-j5ZdhL5wLtqI818EBkdjDvLigK5rsHO/s1610/Road%20Trip%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyXcVnQNWiPtGSIDddIxKH8llhEzA6DbICw0iXtO8yTdMgL8LrM-HGNtxrZGwJPlk43-sRMVMakhZnIoEwins-oiJLJx61Z0C-I8wP0GRN6ktCTWXb9YC5OzSlYZG1saGRuFH_YcJj0AArOXp6ocaHCvH6LjF-j5ZdhL5wLtqI818EBkdjDvLigK5rsHO/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We didn't really stop to smell the roses, it was really a massive push to get to Bryce Canyon National Park before dark - which we did!</div><div><br /></div><div>The route took us through a pretty remote part of the Navajo Nation. Once you get far enough north, the roads can be a bit bumpy/rough from time to time, like they scraped the earth of brush and slapped the road down on every bump, hillock, and dip that is out there. The particular road we were on wasn't that bad, but there was one part that tested the compression and rebound parts of my suspension on spectacular fashion! Catherine had the good sense to move to the inside of the lane.</div><div><br /></div><div>We got to the Lodge at Bryce Canyon in time to eat a nice dinner, then unload the car. After that, Catherine and I walked the 5 minutes to the rim of the amphitheater to check things out. Pictures with the next blog.</div><div><br /></div><div>Goodness, that was a looooong day in the car. Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-68937788515654041762023-06-25T19:44:00.002-07:002023-06-25T19:44:39.821-07:00Road Trip, part 10<div>We made it back to WSMR. 5,325 miles, with another 2k to go!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-TCSVvPIa_bubJXNlW91PDH5Pwc0yZsb8yi59vcMww6dXDWMQOVx3s4nhodGCUQ8OQaq5_UPknZp2JeFMIMkk3p48pr9YEJ1qGbqP4vi1otuIBzufJesNB8bAB0tfZ-n3wGWxk3vjGHrgpIGPFADAhtNYRh9t-uDcryai-8a9O0_iHNgsWwN8o1oFPaS/s1610/Road%20Trip%2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-TCSVvPIa_bubJXNlW91PDH5Pwc0yZsb8yi59vcMww6dXDWMQOVx3s4nhodGCUQ8OQaq5_UPknZp2JeFMIMkk3p48pr9YEJ1qGbqP4vi1otuIBzufJesNB8bAB0tfZ-n3wGWxk3vjGHrgpIGPFADAhtNYRh9t-uDcryai-8a9O0_iHNgsWwN8o1oFPaS/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%2010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It was a long day in the car today, probably our second longest of the trip (10-11 hours, tomorrow will be #1). Luckily, traffic was just how I liked it . . . sparse.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have an early day tomorrow. Going to try to beat AM rush hour in Albuquerque on our way to Bryce Canyon National Park. We have some pretty remote areas of the Navajo Nation to get through, should be another low-key (but the longest!) day in the car.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-46780874598142672322023-06-23T08:30:00.004-07:002023-06-23T08:30:51.869-07:00Road Trip, part 9<div>We made it to Dallas through some pretty heavy traffic. We had to route around a couple of construction delays since people loose their minds and forget how to keep moving safely, but nothing too bad. We did see an accident two cars in front of us in Dallas (it was raining and rush hour) that we were able to avoid.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvdq-gJtFSGRUaD6qKW_fOQ_RrVn2Idi3bef77lBAjSNXFAkrD-qbcii715Rk0mLSOlc7w1WiSoDxxWK2MgqKhFdFRkeVBwYQwuj5eKIolbKByHFUQt4e-em4SMWj0UAe0P6CWbN2kLFL_hwsbfQszrYHCoDDwhNG22zsD_sIHkNb56tyYsnM4vquAZZN/s1610/Road%20Trip%209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvdq-gJtFSGRUaD6qKW_fOQ_RrVn2Idi3bef77lBAjSNXFAkrD-qbcii715Rk0mLSOlc7w1WiSoDxxWK2MgqKhFdFRkeVBwYQwuj5eKIolbKByHFUQt4e-em4SMWj0UAe0P6CWbN2kLFL_hwsbfQszrYHCoDDwhNG22zsD_sIHkNb56tyYsnM4vquAZZN/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This part of the trip was just so Leah could attend her Health Occupations Students of America's International Leadership Conference, where she competed in the Biotechnology division. She took a test which eliminated a large chunk of participants, and made it to the second round - a practical test! Catherine and I are both beyond proud of her for this accomplishment, she is the only one from her school to get past the first round, maybe New Mexico!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qIRI5L71b9tp1zdycFyxThixYSoN9MCPdZnRRSJ8ZADciLy90t_SL0hrjsZL4FeT1ZG8J8L0FFp7U5DgiHyvzM5ET1d_75_R33B68IzJCsByky9RmhGZf21KkglxGsqs7dZsZpHrGTnDCTvWaoIJcEzm_6uzMq_QeQstj11yyRiPDidhbOUcQIACu4CG/s1500/Dallas-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qIRI5L71b9tp1zdycFyxThixYSoN9MCPdZnRRSJ8ZADciLy90t_SL0hrjsZL4FeT1ZG8J8L0FFp7U5DgiHyvzM5ET1d_75_R33B68IzJCsByky9RmhGZf21KkglxGsqs7dZsZpHrGTnDCTvWaoIJcEzm_6uzMq_QeQstj11yyRiPDidhbOUcQIACu4CG/w300-h400/Dallas-2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I forgot to add a photo of us at Mammoth Cave National Park between Kentucky and Memphis - hopefully better late than never.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3xpw22VbSt4edOSn5eoQJ5wWXC_hHvdu1i0o91NTWEV0ejhTXyTojJqV8jl-I3YsJmrwaPjki6_exHaHYPaBvh02kHElj1Di7-lqn6tRMSfBA0FyOaPlJUyZyefINwpuNFtQzpsIESsaRaYcXFUrMfu2uT6FeG7G2VZntmPawkHphKClgCUBZRVZsZEu/s1500/Dallas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3xpw22VbSt4edOSn5eoQJ5wWXC_hHvdu1i0o91NTWEV0ejhTXyTojJqV8jl-I3YsJmrwaPjki6_exHaHYPaBvh02kHElj1Di7-lqn6tRMSfBA0FyOaPlJUyZyefINwpuNFtQzpsIESsaRaYcXFUrMfu2uT6FeG7G2VZntmPawkHphKClgCUBZRVZsZEu/w400-h300/Dallas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cheers,<div><br /></div><div>Marc<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-48576573144769430282023-06-21T17:55:00.002-07:002023-06-21T17:55:33.857-07:00Road Trip, part 8<div>For the love of Pete - Kentucky needs to sort out their roads; I think they may have been worse than Arizona's (we'll call it a tie for now).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3OEpc-YIlx17Dz27P__JmRmREjnvhhQCx_xKt19q9AhCdj4621BO3i-UVrUGC4ATlgvCvmkHAPxX8AxH2g4cwEfCstwIE2D7p9BWso4-d3tbeCzZVr4UIiX9xQd1nvWP5OpE3yr2wA77vg2wAobKL6WabqPDrPSls-getQ9VPUUgotOFvjFfvw4yIGch/s1610/Road%20Trip%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3OEpc-YIlx17Dz27P__JmRmREjnvhhQCx_xKt19q9AhCdj4621BO3i-UVrUGC4ATlgvCvmkHAPxX8AxH2g4cwEfCstwIE2D7p9BWso4-d3tbeCzZVr4UIiX9xQd1nvWP5OpE3yr2wA77vg2wAobKL6WabqPDrPSls-getQ9VPUUgotOFvjFfvw4yIGch/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We made it to Christina's place in time to grab pizza and drinks at a local grocery. We then spent a fairly relaxed evening with Christina.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next stop, Dallas.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-48289998611123345212023-06-20T15:00:00.001-07:002023-06-20T15:00:17.605-07:00Road Trip, part 7<div>From Bucyrus, we drove south to Columbus to have an early lunch with my step-sister Kim. We ate at a Cracker Barrel, which was fun since it has been a couple of years since we have eaten there. We then braved the rain and drove through Cincinnati to south of Florence Kentucky.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZXwoaYleB4_QWilu8m5p5_27nl1Q0YoA-DL0a4OiWrt1rI-j1gsybo4T-jmsQ2cQ3wmncOIOVa-IIgH_Y9lVYZ20ru8pivPJYl4Gd3hDSHOX1CavlpYLkeNNfqfgWhJUprg5jxL5myPIvjcMNeOFPW-jcssSAqgA452x4fKNb4b0mGnsh7p93pzrKn0N/s1600/IMG_3129.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://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZXwoaYleB4_QWilu8m5p5_27nl1Q0YoA-DL0a4OiWrt1rI-j1gsybo4T-jmsQ2cQ3wmncOIOVa-IIgH_Y9lVYZ20ru8pivPJYl4Gd3hDSHOX1CavlpYLkeNNfqfgWhJUprg5jxL5myPIvjcMNeOFPW-jcssSAqgA452x4fKNb4b0mGnsh7p93pzrKn0N/w400-h300/IMG_3129.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We met up with Debbie, a friend from our northern Kentucky days, who made us a very nice meal. She invited Alicia over too, another friend (her daughter babysat the kids!). All in all, it was a very nice time - thank you Debbie for opening your home and being such a great hostess!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto7vS4yWsjmFAbKKKPmG8yDXhyslpc5AHLy5bBmK5V859oO4BkC0Ouwr1rBNc4IXgdeLaIb1lxB3t9VPCJg0hBuLAv6aYx_l38KeCxOBDfWKynRdcfiyl3E4bNrF-DQzaObOSuWKDPWy-DO28oHq6lU9OFOPddAgN_KtVKIpL4JhO0yvkibgxdYLs-jD9/s1610/Road%20Trip%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto7vS4yWsjmFAbKKKPmG8yDXhyslpc5AHLy5bBmK5V859oO4BkC0Ouwr1rBNc4IXgdeLaIb1lxB3t9VPCJg0hBuLAv6aYx_l38KeCxOBDfWKynRdcfiyl3E4bNrF-DQzaObOSuWKDPWy-DO28oHq6lU9OFOPddAgN_KtVKIpL4JhO0yvkibgxdYLs-jD9/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Next stop - Memphis. Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-83107762342632168162023-06-19T05:40:00.002-07:002023-06-19T05:40:32.087-07:00Road Trip, part 6<div>I am running a bit behind on our travels - but will get caught up eventually.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a very nice visit in Maryland with some friends we had there - they were very gracious hosts.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0GvFI5wmHw1lcQw_Rx920Inb94cXTeYzrXgiVlT7spFYwiGYvcSII9NsM_vo2xAOOXeF0tHbvQ1Q3TPEQJvY87-BXJd_UnlzzMyAjY8drrxIgQVQFA4Pgf1k5HAf940XwnpPtYHdrzgeKL--2KHnRDxJAa3pFqST5TTTIkhCHq5mNir4ieq7Kn6nr7Pu/s1610/Road%20Trip%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0GvFI5wmHw1lcQw_Rx920Inb94cXTeYzrXgiVlT7spFYwiGYvcSII9NsM_vo2xAOOXeF0tHbvQ1Q3TPEQJvY87-BXJd_UnlzzMyAjY8drrxIgQVQFA4Pgf1k5HAf940XwnpPtYHdrzgeKL--2KHnRDxJAa3pFqST5TTTIkhCHq5mNir4ieq7Kn6nr7Pu/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We got a somewhat early start and rode through Maryland. We ended up taking a different route, part by choice and part by chance. We drove through some rain and took a detour through far west Pennsylvania/West Virginia to avoid some traffic. Along the one-lane road we came across a covered bridge, probably in West Virginia.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yw5R74dKjHw2-5M5s9Q0qj813YBqBSsaktHjiC674_MbSlwwFriQL3CH7Zi7I0YdhCWMiAQELkerzk_KLB9q4HbU_s_Gpjff5mmM2MD9cNJCFJZGMzV3qo4HOnX0ogWzsAi43BhYnBRrwRyhVTG428blOrKwCvUaASizOrSQ530UdiskabR7HcCIoBY6/s4032/IMG_3101.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yw5R74dKjHw2-5M5s9Q0qj813YBqBSsaktHjiC674_MbSlwwFriQL3CH7Zi7I0YdhCWMiAQELkerzk_KLB9q4HbU_s_Gpjff5mmM2MD9cNJCFJZGMzV3qo4HOnX0ogWzsAi43BhYnBRrwRyhVTG428blOrKwCvUaASizOrSQ530UdiskabR7HcCIoBY6/w300-h400/IMG_3101.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>We got into Bucyrus in time for a late-ish dinner. Next day we went to Elkhorn's to shoot some clays. My friend Jason (from <a href="http://skinnersightings.blogspot.com/2022/10/moto-mountain-man-2022-part-1.html" target="_blank">Moto Mountain Man</a> camping fame) joined us. I think it is fair to say that we all had a good time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQfZx48Pi9vft8pEP0qKDo1i4JWsxJOMz-zzMl-MIt9Q9CscDN99olHTzJ6HZ4aDxEwR1BQla8W2nOVV_KqzkidAWH7j3VPoUgQz_9HUgaOw29dZ3H3f1mS4az07K_2Cx6ql-BjeHgotD7DoNYLQm599KCdSVeMvL0CpwE7Ar0MXN2JX-aJm5KX6DkBzS/s4032/70870981087__70ED5A97-6A91-4D05-94F5-B01B640AB2BF.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQfZx48Pi9vft8pEP0qKDo1i4JWsxJOMz-zzMl-MIt9Q9CscDN99olHTzJ6HZ4aDxEwR1BQla8W2nOVV_KqzkidAWH7j3VPoUgQz_9HUgaOw29dZ3H3f1mS4az07K_2Cx6ql-BjeHgotD7DoNYLQm599KCdSVeMvL0CpwE7Ar0MXN2JX-aJm5KX6DkBzS/w400-h300/70870981087__70ED5A97-6A91-4D05-94F5-B01B640AB2BF.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Cheers,</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-49496362601991524592023-06-15T18:37:00.004-07:002023-06-15T18:37:56.288-07:00Road Trip, part 5<div>After a quick visit with Catherine's side of the family, we drove north and boarded the train for Virginia.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOM3syTv0fc3kaJ4I-5iUGfQlLWLgIbEq0OwQteuf_NZrm_LN0TPGNNRLQ_NLLn6u1GZRVwz2mxIN6AxVzJr0X1Qbmxv95M4QwdrlrzWZQfF76lj1P99P9F6o43j0lQpnZX2FX-STIFbgLAsKl9VuRja3GnN5gEnygUyO5dOr6VXBo1p5U2IGH4-tQQ/s4032/Maryland.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOM3syTv0fc3kaJ4I-5iUGfQlLWLgIbEq0OwQteuf_NZrm_LN0TPGNNRLQ_NLLn6u1GZRVwz2mxIN6AxVzJr0X1Qbmxv95M4QwdrlrzWZQfF76lj1P99P9F6o43j0lQpnZX2FX-STIFbgLAsKl9VuRja3GnN5gEnygUyO5dOr6VXBo1p5U2IGH4-tQQ/w400-h300/Maryland.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was an uneventful trip, but got in a bit late. We met some friends from WSMR who are now in DC for lunch, and then drove north to our old stomping grounds in Maryland to visit some other friends.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGAaTBaZzrSoh-mwfG3NRdzekvjzwNO4sJ6b-n5uN6cMEiuEg-d9oO6ed12jMia2yB-Glpp1GLLDCErzVW2A6Q9hiDWlyNDsbs645BCRh1-_ap3bVrjFz9A4b1Wy1UtUzLE0tC1myD7MmvOB3UMHSqnzUxFg0QbAGZ4oaGGSCEw0tx8Wfbl8YIu_m5A/s1610/Road%20Trip%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1610" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGAaTBaZzrSoh-mwfG3NRdzekvjzwNO4sJ6b-n5uN6cMEiuEg-d9oO6ed12jMia2yB-Glpp1GLLDCErzVW2A6Q9hiDWlyNDsbs645BCRh1-_ap3bVrjFz9A4b1Wy1UtUzLE0tC1myD7MmvOB3UMHSqnzUxFg0QbAGZ4oaGGSCEw0tx8Wfbl8YIu_m5A/w400-h208/Road%20Trip%205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cheers!<div><br /></div><div>Marc<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5831467736260517627.post-5751020723692147722023-06-13T17:39:00.004-07:002023-06-13T17:39:47.880-07:00Quick Family Photo<div>Nothing much to say - other than a quick family photo with Catherine's side of the family from this afternoon.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7dwnv0wNRnOfUAIKscsy1ABAqgsSklSyyH8glBHn0EoiS5sS5z-ZIrWDIaVffsYf1RqhOkEdTOZnfxugrZxAldrLP9P8lTAJMeFbFhWIRZjmAQ9bvT3i9kx6V0X32pKvN8Sd0B4vUIONrbCVhfyTWX513ozcgwFl-sJQ68HtVDbhlbFo2O7wEDWCwA/s1500/Miami%20Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7dwnv0wNRnOfUAIKscsy1ABAqgsSklSyyH8glBHn0EoiS5sS5z-ZIrWDIaVffsYf1RqhOkEdTOZnfxugrZxAldrLP9P8lTAJMeFbFhWIRZjmAQ9bvT3i9kx6V0X32pKvN8Sd0B4vUIONrbCVhfyTWX513ozcgwFl-sJQ68HtVDbhlbFo2O7wEDWCwA/w400-h225/Miami%20Family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div><div><br /></div><div>Marc</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0