tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60743332306690372032024-02-20T01:24:20.268-05:00Dale & Mary Lynn's Travels<b>No Reservations, No Plans, No Worries....</b>
We received a surprise offer of early retirement effective June 2007. Even more surprisingly, we decided to accept. Traveling by RV during retirement has been a dream of ours for many years. Deciding to spend our children's inheritance, we began our RV search in earnest. We purchased a 2008 37 foot Tiffin Allegro Bay in mid-December of 2007 from Davis Motorhome Mart in Memphis, Tennessee. Follow along on our travels...Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-2926173833047430872013-07-01T14:33:00.000-04:002013-07-20T14:54:23.184-04:00Fireman Chase<p> </p> <p>Chase comes from a long line of Firefighters, EMT’s and Fire Chiefs – looks like he has what it takes to become Chief. Needless to say we can’t get enough of ‘little man’.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-avSAwzfrB0k/UercwUHdDbI/AAAAAAAAcCo/tIKsw-Vnkso/s1600-h/_D7K0064%25255B26%25255D.jpg"><img title="_D7K0064" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="_D7K0064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yv_hJt8zlqA/UercxQd4DxI/AAAAAAAAcCw/m8f_wn7Lqo8/_D7K0064_thumb%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="599" height="480" /></a></p> <p>Here’s one of Chase’s favorite photo’s with his grandpa from his 1st Birthday party with the family in Arizona.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0YmlQlyonrs/UercyH8CfJI/AAAAAAAAcC4/PLl0brZhRzM/s1600-h/_D7K8132%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="_D7K8132" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="_D7K8132" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sb6_WbHF4tQ/UerczWvZobI/AAAAAAAAcDA/q9tcoLbV0wA/_D7K8132_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="600" height="480" /></a></p> <p>And of course, music is in his future…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h8SnYV9Fll8/Uerc0NeXgKI/AAAAAAAAcDI/h5dHCb09Pgo/s1600-h/_D7K0022%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="_D7K0022" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="_D7K0022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d5ydpZyb774/Uerc1H5VWnI/AAAAAAAAcDQ/R1gxsX_XXKs/_D7K0022_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="424" /></a></p> <p>He is the happiest little thing and his parents are absolutely terrific with him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Qmhkf2s5dA/Uerc2IKeqKI/AAAAAAAAcDY/_GfEB81wu8o/s1600-h/_D7K9922%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="_D7K9922" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="_D7K9922" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IB0FcpY4dNQ/Uerc3e2ea7I/AAAAAAAAcDg/4SNvIELdMgI/_D7K9922_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="400" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:526458cf-d8db-4da6-bc76-b82d32b47eeb" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chase" rel="tag">Chase</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fire+Chief" rel="tag">Fire Chief</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fireman" rel="tag">Fireman</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Drums" rel="tag">Drums</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Granpa" rel="tag">Granpa</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/1st+Birthday" rel="tag">1st Birthday</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/happy" rel="tag">happy</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-39754849855638256352013-06-06T04:35:00.000-04:002013-06-06T04:35:08.908-04:00June 6, 2013 Show Low, Arizona - Our First CampgroundLeft Palm Creek RV & Golf Resort, our winter home in Casa Grande, AZ on Monday. Planning to make a large loop thru Arizona, New Mexico, Texas (panhandle), Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Western Colorado and end up back in Arizona sometime around November 1.<br />
<br />
Our first stop is usually at Fool Hollow State Park in Show Low, AZ, where many of the RV campsites overlook Fool Hollow Lake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oQJB3GjJ54/UbA8nzehV_I/AAAAAAAAb5U/Pq4sE6Yys2w/s1600/_D7K9337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oQJB3GjJ54/UbA8nzehV_I/AAAAAAAAb5U/Pq4sE6Yys2w/s640/_D7K9337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">120 acre Fool Hollow Lake</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXuwF6oIjOQ/UbA8gOf-cjI/AAAAAAAAb4k/df_dWCytO2s/s1600/_D7K6927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oXuwF6oIjOQ/UbA8gOf-cjI/AAAAAAAAb4k/df_dWCytO2s/s640/_D7K6927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Show Low, Arizona is located in the White Mountains on top of the Mogollon Rim. Lots of beauty. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1X0fJqDCWzI/UbA8P6RLRmI/AAAAAAAAb2w/WSYcDSGFrkQ/s1600/_D7K6818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1X0fJqDCWzI/UbA8P6RLRmI/AAAAAAAAb2w/WSYcDSGFrkQ/s640/_D7K6818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbHiknHNuLI/UbA8Py6zO7I/AAAAAAAAb2s/xqxxnq8WF8Q/s1600/_D7K6823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QbHiknHNuLI/UbA8Py6zO7I/AAAAAAAAb2s/xqxxnq8WF8Q/s640/_D7K6823.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dobbie loves the woods: the scents, the birds and the squirrels.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s2iid4QYrM/UbA8Tn32AfI/AAAAAAAAb3M/sjOh48bxfhc/s1600/_D7K6836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8s2iid4QYrM/UbA8Tn32AfI/AAAAAAAAb3M/sjOh48bxfhc/s640/_D7K6836.JPG" width="512" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1QJ5OSV6HU/UbA8WBGK9RI/AAAAAAAAb3c/0BxO4-Qg890/s1600/_D7K6843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F1QJ5OSV6HU/UbA8WBGK9RI/AAAAAAAAb3c/0BxO4-Qg890/s640/_D7K6843.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk8uwoa-gTg/UbA8TtMcTvI/AAAAAAAAb3Q/b1hGNIYxxJI/s1600/_D7K6833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="512" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uk8uwoa-gTg/UbA8TtMcTvI/AAAAAAAAb3Q/b1hGNIYxxJI/s640/_D7K6833.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67AhinzCTKI/UbA8kWqLADI/AAAAAAAAb5A/jlqKY4QCC9A/s1600/_D7K9326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67AhinzCTKI/UbA8kWqLADI/AAAAAAAAb5A/jlqKY4QCC9A/s640/_D7K9326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLhuk4TZP74/UbA8WiTjECI/AAAAAAAAb3g/YZPz5JxIZns/s1600/_D7K6853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oLhuk4TZP74/UbA8WiTjECI/AAAAAAAAb3g/YZPz5JxIZns/s640/_D7K6853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3lqoxvrpi8/UbA8Z5nZM2I/AAAAAAAAb34/4fhkjgxu6Bs/s1600/_D7K6864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H3lqoxvrpi8/UbA8Z5nZM2I/AAAAAAAAb34/4fhkjgxu6Bs/s640/_D7K6864.JPG" width="510" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAMN4nEVXK0/UbA8XBwtcNI/AAAAAAAAb3s/-P_3-0M7WF0/s1600/_D7K6856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gAMN4nEVXK0/UbA8XBwtcNI/AAAAAAAAb3s/-P_3-0M7WF0/s640/_D7K6856.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of birds in the area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBlCMBUjMf0/UbA8oGJP_II/AAAAAAAAb5Y/7Mp2OnP0744/s1600/_D7K9331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBlCMBUjMf0/UbA8oGJP_II/AAAAAAAAb5Y/7Mp2OnP0744/s640/_D7K9331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite overlooked the lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVa1WST-gsQ/UbA8tBPXyWI/AAAAAAAAb6M/k4Ce6ZKmm9I/s1600/_D7K9382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVa1WST-gsQ/UbA8tBPXyWI/AAAAAAAAb6M/k4Ce6ZKmm9I/s640/_D7K9382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt at capturing the night sky - needs improvement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We will leave here in a few days and head off to Albuquerque, New Mexico.<br />
<br />
See Ya!Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-80853291843223989832011-08-15T17:23:00.000-04:002011-10-17T21:05:25.915-04:00Tri-Cities, Washington: Hood Park, COE Campground<p> </p> <p>The tri-cities area of Washington is in the southeast corner of the state. We found a great Corps of Engineers Campground here called Hood Park. It’s on the Snake River just above the point the Snake River empties into the Columbia River. </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="D7K_0719" border="0" alt="D7K_0719" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T8j3SIWEcQY/TpzQohDeFLI/AAAAAAAAZXo/1B0_oncK_Dk/D7K_0719_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="376" /></p> <p>In fact its only two miles above the point Lewis & Clark camped during their epic exploration of the ‘wilderness’ west of St Louis, looking for the highly hoped for but non-existent Northwest Passage.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="D7K_0715" border="0" alt="D7K_0715" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zMgXSAhdYjw/TpzQpvuSKRI/AAAAAAAAZXw/wgDtfc30RRo/D7K_0715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></p> <p>There was a grain storage facility on the far bank that became a nice focal point for several spectacular sunsets. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ygSgAT4WO5c/TpzQqGsrD1I/AAAAAAAAZX4/igX0D0iJrpY/s1600-h/D7K_07252.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="D7K_0725" border="0" alt="D7K_0725" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ggE2KsWG9t4/TpzQrEaRn_I/AAAAAAAAZYA/N1UMLINQ0u4/D7K_0725_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="425" /></a></p> <p>We almost always enjoy COE campgrounds and Hood Park is no exception. Peaceful, quiet, clean and well maintained, Hood Park was a little slice of heaven. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hSQTyYPMf8o/TpzQsHHtcyI/AAAAAAAAZYI/j3vIK7pgjhU/s1600-h/D7K_07352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="D7K_0735" border="0" alt="D7K_0735" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BW90WREbaKk/TpzQtGd8DhI/AAAAAAAAZYQ/lFiZfm8G9FU/D7K_0735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a>     <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RXG2jZwJ8fE/TpzQt0v1s0I/AAAAAAAAZYY/xlgd9WAzPfo/s1600-h/D7K_0766%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0766" border="0" alt="D7K_0766" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lUI8TJAY06Q/TpzQvL075qI/AAAAAAAAZYg/ysGVY_Yjq9c/D7K_0766_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lscgt0CHdxQ/TpzQwNt3OjI/AAAAAAAAZYo/_o6woAcgAWc/s1600-h/D7K_0772%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0772" border="0" alt="D7K_0772" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lRvqfts1fnA/TpzQxLhXICI/AAAAAAAAZYw/3JdSFDZIfKg/D7K_0772_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="330" /></a>   <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GpYmSRNnd48/TpzQx9HF6WI/AAAAAAAAZY4/VC5ood8QWD8/s1600-h/D7K_0868%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0868" border="0" alt="D7K_0868" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yOV5c3CIt-w/TpzQyzsMyVI/AAAAAAAAZZA/vETyVmrkG6I/D7K_0868_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d_TgjFgbcws/TpzQziDjvgI/AAAAAAAAZZI/YKjCX-WfD8M/s1600-h/D7K_0918%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0918" border="0" alt="D7K_0918" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vx0vBVijn4U/TpzQ0TG1yVI/AAAAAAAAZZQ/oagJsNgHcLE/D7K_0918_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></a></p> <p>Just a little fun at night with the river and barge lights…</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0883" border="0" alt="D7K_0883" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ln_7G6ni2Ic/TpzQ1GpQ3HI/AAAAAAAAZZY/bnCqIZR-GG0/D7K_0883_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="298" />  </p> <p>Loved the geese in the sky and in the water.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:dafbcc24-6989-4a12-a263-dc7da9522715" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hood+Park" rel="tag">Hood Park</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Washington" rel="tag">Washington</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tri-Cities" rel="tag">Tri-Cities</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pasco" rel="tag">Pasco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/COE+Campground" rel="tag">COE Campground</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-27854234237175260692011-08-10T01:39:00.000-04:002011-09-12T23:01:40.672-04:00Crater Lake, Oregon: 56 Feet of Snow Last Winter<p>Yes, you read that right. They had 56 FEET of snow at Crater Lake last winter! Throughout the Sierra Nevada’s they had a lot of snow last year. Around 2X as much snow as usual.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vyYlhTFUqPE/Tm7HZOU6mTI/AAAAAAAAZWg/CJe91u4pEb8/s1600-h/D7K_0369%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0369" border="0" alt="D7K_0369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e3kIeYQwtPc/Tm7HZ90g5nI/AAAAAAAAZWk/pCb9CAlI93E/D7K_0369_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XC7Zn_wxkpc/Tm7HadZGCnI/AAAAAAAAZWo/4Fu8II4Pohw/s1600-h/D7K_0375%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0375" border="0" alt="D7K_0375" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SIbV6yHDDgQ/Tm7HbW6A5zI/AAAAAAAAZWs/o7aKtxGJy34/D7K_0375_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></a>   <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0379" border="0" alt="D7K_0379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XY8j5rJfsGk/Tm7HcAfsTSI/AAAAAAAAZWw/8oNSeXA2q9I/D7K_0379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="333" /></p> <p>And Crater Lake gets a lot of snow in a normal year. It ‘normally’ takes them 3+ months to clear the road that circumnavigates the lake. This year however, the road was not completely opened until mid-July.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m-TWPB1710s/Tm7HctBYSMI/AAAAAAAAZW0/Ih3bVI8-ODY/s1600-h/D7K_0333%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0333" border="0" alt="D7K_0333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3sHgbgdN1Js/Tm7HfFdMYFI/AAAAAAAAZW4/OiaB_2G8k8A/D7K_0333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="486" /></a>  </p> <p>Didn’t stop the flowers from blooming magnificently...</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S8g_bpH_GWw/Tm7HfjOREcI/AAAAAAAAZW8/QOSoAzKMlQI/s1600-h/D7K_0453%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0453" border="0" alt="D7K_0453" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W-egEEnwiGs/Tm7Hgvnf2xI/AAAAAAAAZXA/mbLVtWvEsBE/D7K_0453_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="420" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0322" border="0" alt="D7K_0322" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pzTduWXzLG4/Tm7HhA_erjI/AAAAAAAAZXE/gGXIWpp6HyU/D7K_0322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="486" /></p> <p>The blue color is intense; hard to tell from the photos just how clear the water is. It’s all snow melt. No rivers flow into or out of Crater Lake. Precipitation, snowmelt and evaporation are in a constant battle with the outcome declared a tie. The lake level stays relatively the same year after year.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LZWfVCJmlnQ/Tm7HjPrSpGI/AAAAAAAAZXI/Q7i1ZDLe1L8/s1600-h/D7K_0463%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0463" border="0" alt="D7K_0463" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z2IuY--EvYE/Tm7Hjj7Qz5I/AAAAAAAAZXM/kCjh9NByNYo/D7K_0463_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hlcq_g5Huqo/Tm7HkGASZpI/AAAAAAAAZXQ/JE6i0Xc3wFM/s1600-h/D7K_0459%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0459" border="0" alt="D7K_0459" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZsXaUfBt9M/Tm7Hk138YyI/AAAAAAAAZXU/LYllq86fRUg/D7K_0459_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The lake is roughly 6 miles across and 1,949 feet at its deepest point. Wow. Simply amazing.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <p>Dale & Mary Lynn</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f03b0863-d127-4310-93b2-a2ecb1d55516" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Crater+Lake" rel="tag">Crater Lake</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/snowmelt" rel="tag">snowmelt</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/deep+blue" rel="tag">deep blue</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/clear" rel="tag">clear</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/56+feet" rel="tag">56 feet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/snow" rel="tag">snow</a></div></p> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-89406530223432146502011-08-02T02:40:00.000-04:002011-09-10T02:44:33.083-04:00Mt. Shasta California: America’s Mt. Fuji ?<p> We left Reno travelling on the back roads thru the Sierra Nevada’s until we arrived in Mt Shasta, California. The mountain is beautiful and is visible, in some places for over 50 miles. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nKCshLLNleo/TmsHIzBC9MI/AAAAAAAAZU0/ay8leq69H1g/s1600-h/D7K_0115%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0115" border="0" alt="D7K_0115" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QdolqhyOklU/TmsHJZRe0WI/AAAAAAAAZU4/AIhf_mdVy4U/D7K_0115_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="373" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vmhHMp2L-IE/TmsHJ3WdxdI/AAAAAAAAZU8/w-vFYdy5q4Y/s1600-h/D7K_0308%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0308" border="0" alt="D7K_0308" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VySfPAYVbVs/TmsHKe2hd8I/AAAAAAAAZVA/0oOojdYC4zU/D7K_0308_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="296" /></a></p> <p>In fact, when approaching Mt Shasta from the North, it has been given the nickname of “America’s Mt Fuji”, because it resembles the famous Japanese mountain in both shape and visibility from afar.  I look forward to seeing Mt Fuji in person someday so I can judge for myself…</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0244" border="0" alt="D7K_0244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cWUIg9lrhDQ/TmsHK-zhHOI/AAAAAAAAZVE/lJmQ0Pn6Cu0/D7K_0244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>This steep sided cinder cone is located just to the Northwest of Mt Shasta; in fact this photo was taken from the lower flank of Mt Shasta. This is called Black Butte cinder cone.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wD77AvBUHiA/TmsHLFDjj6I/AAAAAAAAZVI/jkH6ifq0RMk/s1600-h/D7K_0164%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0164" border="0" alt="D7K_0164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H4bpLkNg5Ow/TmsHLn5LkhI/AAAAAAAAZVM/Ah7q35w3x3c/D7K_0164_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> Love it when I can get an insect or two crawling around on a flower…</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-57X1Vmi92S8/TmsHMHk5BXI/AAAAAAAAZVQ/FA5xfs0RiQs/s1600-h/D7K_0228%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0228" border="0" alt="D7K_0228" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-izzmy-izrKg/TmsHMrJifvI/AAAAAAAAZVU/OtsFPR_geus/D7K_0228_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a></p> <p>This was a far up Mt Shasta as we could drive; the road was closed from here on up due to snow. Remember this is in late July.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ablspqw2kAA/TmsHM4mJOFI/AAAAAAAAZVY/pBsp2OvPYP8/s1600-h/D7K_0189%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0189" border="0" alt="D7K_0189" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mALRjrZAijE/TmsHNRC4wsI/AAAAAAAAZVc/mel3nB3-qiQ/D7K_0189_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OIHHqJLERjw/TmsHN554uHI/AAAAAAAAZVg/lkL8860eQfs/s1600-h/D7K_0196%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0196" border="0" alt="D7K_0196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-khcXcTHlkwE/TmsHOfWJG0I/AAAAAAAAZVk/otoW5Q3hSMY/D7K_0196_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a></p> <p>We went to a festival in Weed, California, complete with music, hippies and this cool 1923 Fire Engine. For some reason the town of Weed smells just like it’s name sake – it seemed everyone around us was smoking a joint or a bowl. The police seemed to concentrate on people who were drinking too much…</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0104" border="0" alt="D7K_0104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A9TZqL1xJT8/TmsHO0jcq6I/AAAAAAAAZVo/DbgZj_8VB5w/D7K_0104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="390" /><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0151" border="0" alt="D7K_0151" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LAWGXh_31-c/TmsHPX7pSCI/AAAAAAAAZVs/M2hNchrv1D4/D7K_0151_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Everywhere you went around Mt Shasta, the views of the mountain were spectacular.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KBlXBDjJI9o/TmsHP40cUhI/AAAAAAAAZVw/3U-C7WbSRHI/s1600-h/D7K_0300%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0300" border="0" alt="D7K_0300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U9ntyemEi2o/TmsHQa1U3fI/AAAAAAAAZV0/ZYtIL7L74Ck/D7K_0300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RwbpE0et34g/TmsHQrk88pI/AAAAAAAAZV4/Ec2YVjw_QcU/s1600-h/D7K_0256%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0256" border="0" alt="D7K_0256" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LIKj4WxqYow/TmsHRL4uJdI/AAAAAAAAZV8/nzeSkeoGipo/D7K_0256_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="486" /></a></p> <p>These conifers grew wild along the road up Mt Shasta, looking for all the world like they were sheared into shape on a regular basis, but of course they are not.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MSMa-UYiI6s/TmsHRSbU_JI/AAAAAAAAZWA/5UpGGfsquCs/s1600-h/D7K_0265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0265" border="0" alt="D7K_0265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pirUi7bb61U/TmsHRwEcXvI/AAAAAAAAZWE/28fquhOc18k/D7K_0265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eLM2GJQy8Mk/TmsHSfuulmI/AAAAAAAAZWI/kH5LfPjeWwg/s1600-h/D7K_0281%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0281" border="0" alt="D7K_0281" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xl7BhrD-YgU/TmsHS998tSI/AAAAAAAAZWM/SoizaNV1vOc/D7K_0281_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IGLEeFbXamY/TmsHTVnaWKI/AAAAAAAAZWQ/xBkQPbQ8hAA/s1600-h/D7K_0283%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="D7K_0283" border="0" alt="D7K_0283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Iu4FSs-4S0Q/TmsHT7A6H8I/AAAAAAAAZWU/5PFyg5ek2D0/D7K_0283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>While exploring around Mt Shasta we found a cool reservoir that had only a few small boats out water skiing. Not packed with people like the lakes back East. </p> <p>See Ya!</p> <p>Dale & Mary Lynn</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:274b6e14-6068-4e57-a374-656cbf20bd29" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mt+Shasta" rel="tag">Mt Shasta</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Weed" rel="tag">Weed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California" rel="tag">California</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rose" rel="tag">Rose</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Fire+Engine" rel="tag">Fire Engine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/1923" rel="tag">1923</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cinder+Cone" rel="tag">Cinder Cone</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Black+Butte" rel="tag">Black Butte</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-89538978476862730262011-07-24T15:38:00.000-04:002011-09-05T20:58:04.932-04:00Family Vacation Fun In Outer Banks, NC & Ocean City, MD<p>We took a vacation in July -- don’t laugh, full time RV’ers need to ‘get away’ from all the stress of travelling full time, going anywhere you want, when you want… Ok, Ok, we didn’t ‘need’ a vacation, we ‘wanted’ to see family & friends. Soooo, we flew from Reno, NV to Baltimore-Washington International in Maryland where we rented a car and began an 18 day frenzy of family, friends, and food – not necessarily in that order.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6362" border="0" alt="DSC_6362" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lwr2BQuDrIk/TmVvllYDBDI/AAAAAAAAZHQ/QlqCGHwskoA/DSC_6362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="324" /> </p> <p>Most of Mary Lynn’s side of the family was able to get together in the Outer Banks, NC for a sun and fun filled week by the sea.   </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6154" border="0" alt="DSC_6154" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_pj6TrMOeeg/TmVvnPri-HI/AAAAAAAAZHU/Sdpx99B8MfI/DSC_6154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="370" /></p> <p>Mary Lynn and her sisters, Carol and Debbie  -- </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AunWiXFuNz4/TmVvoQY7b6I/AAAAAAAAZHY/Ch8XqMIHYjc/s1600-h/DSC_6124%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6124" border="0" alt="DSC_6124" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QoGNARINFVM/TmVvqEe1OhI/AAAAAAAAZHc/1vuOYne_1B0/DSC_6124_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="360" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>enjoying the sun, sand and surf. And no, the water was not as cold as Mary Lynn’s expression would have you believe. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5K_qyaVakLA/TmVvr8WSbDI/AAAAAAAAZHg/iCztRH0px64/s1600-h/DSC_6208%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6208" border="0" alt="DSC_6208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-klfblx07LWQ/TmVvte8UDVI/AAAAAAAAZHk/B0MAvOhqBN4/DSC_6208_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t_QsF0NqrJw/TmVvvMEToBI/AAAAAAAAZHo/0wNW1CUrPn8/s1600-h/DSC_6253%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6253" border="0" alt="DSC_6253" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3JEwS_giR5Q/TmVvwo2wxjI/AAAAAAAAZHs/GoTDrpz9dxE/DSC_6253_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Something about the beach brings out the ‘beast’ in guys…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-chgVkGEMNMc/TmVvyfCZ2SI/AAAAAAAAZHw/qtL0JGGAsiw/s1600-h/DSC_6039%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6039" border="0" alt="DSC_6039" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XlGsQdNJcc4/TmVv0JJqngI/AAAAAAAAZH0/3DuCnfIn5Mo/DSC_6039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="347" /></a> </p> <p>Debbie & Richard’s family looking cool, calm, and collected.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RvsCe1H59_w/TmVv1sKGJUI/AAAAAAAAZH4/rVUG4tBDhDs/s1600-h/DSC_6107%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6107" border="0" alt="DSC_6107" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bm0D4_tN4yI/TmVv28LGOGI/AAAAAAAAZH8/uaS5NIXNbWw/DSC_6107_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="407" /></a> </p> <p>A great looking three generations – I mean ‘sisters’…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VxzT2CdprWQ/TmVv4Rwr76I/AAAAAAAAZIA/lSGpXkb8I9U/s1600-h/DSC_7640%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_7640" border="0" alt="DSC_7640" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZW80RSoMhmU/TmVv56ngGbI/AAAAAAAAZIE/b-U87dcE-0s/DSC_7640_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jp74LicJtz0/TmVv7NNyTVI/AAAAAAAAZII/k8vRbfd29Ag/s1600-h/DSC_7769%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_7769" border="0" alt="DSC_7769" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VcyYe1sRCVM/TmVv8s5ArRI/AAAAAAAAZIM/DbMOYv7KePg/DSC_7769_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>My son Christopher & his wife Rachael. The Atlantic Ocean is just a little different venue compared to Oklahoma…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jlNXx7nH90o/TmVv-GCOuJI/AAAAAAAAZIQ/1XoJiCHbbB4/s1600-h/DSC_5833%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5833" border="0" alt="DSC_5833" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wjFuCC0T1h0/TmVv_YLk4mI/AAAAAAAAZIU/eYyCWUGmhlg/DSC_5833_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4SEou_xJaFo/TmVwAhmRLBI/AAAAAAAAZIY/UuuKRluEf9s/s1600-h/DSC_5718%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5718" border="0" alt="DSC_5718" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hISzCn3pCVs/TmVwB9dsO9I/AAAAAAAAZIc/KYpXJU8qYb4/DSC_5718_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Carol’s daughter Kelly in the midst of relaxing and a great water balloon fight with Chance.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zGs3ga3CjG0/TmVwDCWIYJI/AAAAAAAAZIg/Tk6ZBgIJE0o/s1600-h/DSC_6364%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_6364" border="0" alt="DSC_6364" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wAx8NPBX_Tg/TmVwEXaR45I/AAAAAAAAZIk/Bef7PP688B0/DSC_6364_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="367" /></a> </p> <p>Carol’s son Jeremy, his wife Danielle and their photo loving daughter Rachael.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yx8p5216woA/TmVwFkPzhmI/AAAAAAAAZIo/AYkOTn3k1dU/s1600-h/DSC_5590%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5590" border="0" alt="DSC_5590" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BiQdLffO9sU/TmVwGzrwHFI/AAAAAAAAZIs/ZHIVBOyJcyQ/DSC_5590_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="344" /></a> </p> <p>These canal homes are in Ocean City, MD across from relatives we were visiting.  </p> <p>All in all 18 days flew by and all too soon we were flying back to Reno to resume our six month West Coast adventure. Next up: We drive through the Sierra Nevada's to Mount Shasta in Northern California and then launch ourselves through Central Oregon.</p> <p>C Ya!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0eb84c2a-06b2-4496-97bb-1f210adf0ad5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/East+Coast" rel="tag">East Coast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/OC" rel="tag">OC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/OBX" rel="tag">OBX</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/NC" rel="tag">NC</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MD" rel="tag">MD</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ocean+City" rel="tag">Ocean City</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Outer+Banks" rel="tag">Outer Banks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Carol" rel="tag">Carol</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Debbie" rel="tag">Debbie</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Family" rel="tag">Family</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/vacation" rel="tag">vacation</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ocean" rel="tag">Ocean</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sand" rel="tag">Sand</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Surf" rel="tag">Surf</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sun" rel="tag">Sun</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/beast" rel="tag">beast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Christopher" rel="tag">Christopher</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rachael" rel="tag">Rachael</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jeremy" rel="tag">Jeremy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Danielle" rel="tag">Danielle</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kelly" rel="tag">Kelly</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-70609112478865479352011-07-01T15:13:00.000-04:002011-08-19T15:15:26.985-04:00Reno, Nevada: Biggest Little City in the World & Gateway to Lake Tahoe<p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5014" border="0" alt="DSC_5014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I7Pj0qJZrSk/Tk62BRVoUKI/AAAAAAAAZFs/A9r1mwR6ILM/DSC_5014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4994" border="0" alt="DSC_4994" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yA5WYTdh35Y/Tk62CPS68bI/AAAAAAAAZFw/PH8APOJ25jE/DSC_4994_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="340" /></p> <p>Lake Tahoe is undoubtedly one of the prettiest places on earth. A beautiful blue, crystal clear lake located at an elevation of 6000 feet, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, many of them snow covered most of the year. Lots of gorgeous scenery. And of course lots of spectacular multi-million dollar homes. </p> <p>In any case our friends Terry & Marci live in Reno and we decided to visit them in Reno while we travelled back home for a family get together in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4919" border="0" alt="DSC_4919" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xV3MJjWU61c/Tk62DFUsQxI/AAAAAAAAZF0/5-blZtZr2dU/DSC_4919_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="486" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rlD_bCAYP9Q/Tk62Eev-ibI/AAAAAAAAZF4/QE0KTEHFf1M/s1600-h/127%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="127" border="0" alt="127" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PApSpG0MjpY/Tk62Fnp_B1I/AAAAAAAAZF8/5QjsFpRCSe0/127_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a>  </p> <p>“Biggest Little City in the World” is Reno’s self-proclaimed sub-title. And the is more than a little truth in Reno’s advertising slogan. It has a great combination of typical city problems plus the distinct challenges associated with legalized gambling, all inside an incredibly small footprint (for a western city; eastern cities lack the choices that plenty of available land presents). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PTYEFOcIAPo/Tk62GsWVGnI/AAAAAAAAZGA/tvlMjvbepDY/s1600-h/DSC_4865%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4865" border="0" alt="DSC_4865" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4DDP7G9UXEg/Tk62Hkl3BNI/AAAAAAAAZGE/Lg7HzzL73qY/DSC_4865_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="390" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KYuJRyI7jjU/Tk62IjbLGTI/AAAAAAAAZGI/lZJ_9gsGY-k/s1600-h/DSC_4853%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4853" border="0" alt="DSC_4853" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qy8whNj12Zw/Tk62Jy0M_RI/AAAAAAAAZGM/23oaA2V-kx0/DSC_4853_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="361" /></a> </p> <p>Lots of great motorcycle riding. We went all over the Sierra Nevada’s around Lake Tahoe and the surrounding counties. Beautiful is both over-used and under stated in describe the rugged mountains, alpine forests, and lakes still frozen in late June…</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zbliCUoWG_s/Tk62LNeyLnI/AAAAAAAAZGQ/E1TscSdbj20/s1600-h/DSC_5002%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5002" border="0" alt="DSC_5002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9eibIFGcrsA/Tk62MFJ56ZI/AAAAAAAAZGU/6gSUHTvFNu8/DSC_5002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="379" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xBh0ofsvPW0/Tk62OjCu77I/AAAAAAAAZGY/A9dCFQz01hQ/s1600-h/DSC_5010%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_5010" border="0" alt="DSC_5010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hABOLscvAZY/Tk62QOnxpDI/AAAAAAAAZGc/LMipWhsFL9w/DSC_5010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="436" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NS0y0ZOmlps/Tk62RSHhjiI/AAAAAAAAZGg/L-UyjwrWLHs/s1600-h/DSC_4792%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4792" border="0" alt="DSC_4792" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u4dIi7YZoQI/Tk62S235fWI/AAAAAAAAZGk/e4cZ7Dm6oxc/DSC_4792_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="441" /></a> </p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:ca20c3a9-6721-4db1-a446-62ac332baaad" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Reno" rel="tag">Reno</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Nevada" rel="tag">Nevada</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Biggest+Little+City+In+The+World" rel="tag">Biggest Little City In The World</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sierra+Nevadas" rel="tag">Sierra Nevadas</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lake+Tahoe" rel="tag">Lake Tahoe</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Terry" rel="tag">Terry</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Marci" rel="tag">Marci</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-82847365236271733212011-06-19T00:00:00.000-04:002011-08-02T01:29:24.103-04:00Yosemite, California: Waterfall Lover’s Nirvana<p>Yosemite National Park is one of those places almost everyone dreams about seeing. Mary Lynn and I left San Francisco in mid-June and drove to Yosemite. The Sierra Nevada’s had 1.8x times the average snowfall during the winter of 2011. Put that together with a late spring and Yosemite becomes even more amazing than usual. </p> <p>Within 5 minutes of seeing our first waterfall we had seen at least a dozen more. Lots of smaller waterfalls that normally last only a few weeks were in full force. The amount of water pouring over the falls and into Yosemite Valley staggers belief.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CkBvzhafSn0/TjeK0X2qnCI/AAAAAAAAZEE/M2_CwqNMLgY/s1600-h/DSC_4538%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4538" border="0" alt="DSC_4538" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FX20Q4ZWhi8/TjeK11ctlRI/AAAAAAAAZEI/6xTGMC94tz0/DSC_4538_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Above is Yosemite Falls. The combined height of the upper falls, the middle cascades and lower falls is 2425 feet, fifth highest waterfall in the world and the tallest in the US. Wow!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bsyypwff-HA/TjeK3Fyx3yI/AAAAAAAAZEM/-XpezzAlWM8/s1600-h/DSC_4380%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4380" border="0" alt="DSC_4380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V21ba1EZx98/TjeK4itwsRI/AAAAAAAAZEQ/1ByzNcMQt4E/DSC_4380_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="374" /></a> </p> <p>We had an unbelievable time hiking to the base of several falls, especially Bridal veil Falls pictured above. The sound is deafening and the earth trembles beneath your feet; the spray drenches everything within a few hundred feet, and yet, everyone around you is smiling and laughing like school children at recess. That’s Half Dome peaking out of the background in the upper left of the photo.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3phvzfzmk08/TjeK5taxgoI/AAAAAAAAZEU/79XT3VoZig0/s1600-h/DSC_4344%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4344" border="0" alt="DSC_4344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JWxZMZu4k-A/TjeK7IkqNYI/AAAAAAAAZEY/xgErmyCNoqw/DSC_4344_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="319" /></a> </p> <p>Also pictured in the photo above, Bridalveil Falls is one of the first waterfalls you see as you enter the valley from the west and, after leaping 620 spectacular feet, the water from Bridalveil Falls joins the Merced River which flows through Yosemite Valley.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CWSJdawJheM/TjeK8CebsiI/AAAAAAAAZEc/AN2O2B0Avog/s1600-h/DSC_4498%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4498" border="0" alt="DSC_4498" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IOkbwQ_hz_Q/TjeK9sRA6PI/AAAAAAAAZEg/8AUSD1KH0Pc/DSC_4498_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="594" height="486" /></a></p> <p>Above is Sentinel Rock which overlooks Sentinel Falls and the entire valley. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-63eJYE6HsHU/TjeK-1MymQI/AAAAAAAAZEk/roA8BBKZgbc/s1600-h/DSC_4608%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4608" border="0" alt="DSC_4608" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5lP7SXz9JBM/TjeLAO4rcnI/AAAAAAAAZEo/sNHA-C3ejWY/DSC_4608_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>This is Upper Yosemite Falls and if you look closely, just to the left of the waterfall, you can see a helicopter searching for a missing hiker who was last seen at the top of this waterfall. Despite lots of warning from park rangers about staying away from the streams and rivers due to strong currents and slippery conditions, some people insist on seeing how close they can get to the water, especially at the top of waterfalls.  </p> <p>Several weeks later three young adults waded into a fast flowing stream and, in full view of a number of people, were swept over the falls. Very sad…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C8vAZ6mmqAQ/TjeLBT14PrI/AAAAAAAAZEs/YHbogQjfnLA/s1600-h/DSC_4322%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4322" border="0" alt="DSC_4322" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vljp9JBpgDM/TjeLCgZnHmI/AAAAAAAAZEw/_3b9PMLlxa0/DSC_4322_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="367" /></a> </p> <p>Above is another picture of Half Dome in the middle and El Capitan on the left.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lJJFRpV3Kf4/TjeLD9NfusI/AAAAAAAAZE0/LtzKu39Dh28/s1600-h/DSC_4644%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4644" border="0" alt="DSC_4644" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AtuGA0UitJw/TjeLFo7PP9I/AAAAAAAAZE4/mKSvCJxFScU/DSC_4644_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="561" height="486" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>Half Dome looks as if someone split the mountain in two with a giant axe, leaving exactly half of a huge mountain behind.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dlF3avoin8o/TjeLG3d-9PI/AAAAAAAAZE8/PyMd2qDyjUY/s1600-h/DSC_4753%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4753" border="0" alt="DSC_4753" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T2GneLXwEVM/TjeLIUjJqtI/AAAAAAAAZFA/LFK0PIq1WII/DSC_4753_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="407" /></a> </p> <p>Another part of Yosemite, Mariposa Grove is home to giant sequoias. For a tree that soars several hundred feet into the sky, the root system is fairly shallow.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EXrLu3D9xFI/TjeLJXwBI3I/AAAAAAAAZFE/Ob00Zqe0pBo/s1600-h/DSC_4304%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4304" border="0" alt="DSC_4304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dOI8j16TKF4/TjeLKXl6LxI/AAAAAAAAZFI/_1ukWNzTAas/DSC_4304_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="302" /></a> </p> <p>This sunset photo was taken from an overlook near Hetch Hetchy, another glacial valley that supposedly rivaled Yosemite in beauty although it’s not quite as large. Regardless, a dam was built and it’s now completely filled with water. There is a strong movement to remove the dam and allow Hetch Hetchy to regain it’s former glory. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rmGuAWlGRbw/TjeLLZC1ctI/AAAAAAAAZFM/IWw-0AHBBbk/s1600-h/DSC_4577%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4577" border="0" alt="DSC_4577" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nfskvt41eBA/TjeLMr5HM7I/AAAAAAAAZFQ/6hv4VqHII9M/DSC_4577_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>One last photo of Half Dome. It’s an amazing sight from any angle. It rises straight up from the valley floor and is home to the park’s toughest hike/climb: depending on your route, it’s at least a 15 mile hike round trip where you ascend a total of 4800 vertical feet above the valley floor. The final 400 feet can only be accomplished because cables have been installed. Once you have soaked up the incredible views, you have to descend. Some people claim the descending the cable system is tougher than ascending.  </p> <p>Needless to say, I enjoyed watching others make the trek from the safety of the valley floor.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:879dfbd4-c982-4a1c-9a56-ca4ed5c1311f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Yosemite" rel="tag">Yosemite</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hetch+Hetchy" rel="tag">Hetch Hetchy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Half+Dome" rel="tag">Half Dome</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/El+Capitan" rel="tag">El Capitan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Merced+River" rel="tag">Merced River</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bridalveil+Falls" rel="tag">Bridalveil Falls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Yosemite+Falls" rel="tag">Yosemite Falls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sentinel+Rock" rel="tag">Sentinel Rock</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sentinel+Falls" rel="tag">Sentinel Falls</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-59433040642179991652011-06-11T00:45:00.000-04:002011-07-11T01:45:55.452-04:00Napa & Sonoma: California’s Premier Grape Growing Regions.<p>California wines have come a long way. When Robert Mondavi split with his brother and started Robert Mondavi Vineyards  (original huh?) in the mid-60’s, there were only 30-40 vineyards in the Sonoma/Napa Valley region and California wines were seen as distinctly second class.</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4129" border="0" alt="DSC_4129" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AGwRXevghu0/ThqNcnLIxSI/AAAAAAAAZBw/tkSuwnxk_dM/DSC_4129_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="348" /></p> <p>Within ten years, Robert Mondavi wines had won numerous awards, including blind taste test competitions in France. With French judges. Against French wines. There was no looking back.  </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4167" border="0" alt="DSC_4167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9LuxakKAYuw/ThqNfUz7oNI/AAAAAAAAZB0/bELHNPNuk_k/DSC_4167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VhBLoPFcp8U/ThqNhP0uZPI/AAAAAAAAZB4/gDVSjkFLcSs/s1600-h/DSC_4277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4277" border="0" alt="DSC_4277" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uxxrzDZVe0Q/ThqNjtR20pI/AAAAAAAAZB8/aPa7FCIvLfY/DSC_4277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Fifty years later there are an estimated 400 vineyards in the Sonoma & Napa valleys. Plus California wines have become better & better; they are increasingly judged ‘best in class’ in world wide competitions.</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4193" border="0" alt="DSC_4193" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FUZ-8oaGHL0/ThqNlzzAEcI/AAAAAAAAZCA/-BrjWoLbqNY/DSC_4193_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></p> <p>We took the Robert Mondavi winery tour which included a taste of three different wines. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour plus two out of three of us really enjoyed the wine tasting. Mary Lynn, who does not like the taste of wine, was a real trooper. She tasted all three wines and hardly ‘scrunched up her face’. Regardless, Jenna and I enjoyed all three tastings plus we finished MLA’s glasses of wine. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aSP1qQMuYrQ/ThqNngT53dI/AAAAAAAAZCE/_KBfdmoGS-A/s1600-h/DSC_4195%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4195" border="0" alt="DSC_4195" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0e8_dAeSpns/ThqNp_lBqjI/AAAAAAAAZCI/muiTDy44-1I/DSC_4195_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="486" /></a>   </p> <p>Gotta love the ‘factory floor’ of a winery.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CP8Y9bV-2h8/ThqNrsmUHVI/AAAAAAAAZCM/xMB7nhJwm0o/s1600-h/DSC_4216%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4216" border="0" alt="DSC_4216" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8l08y-dG-eo/ThqNuHtfGCI/AAAAAAAAZCQ/kN4FPyqQYYU/DSC_4216_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="318" /></a> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4219" border="0" alt="DSC_4219" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nrrZedpKhE/ThqNv9giAsI/AAAAAAAAZCU/c-MJWP1zOu8/DSC_4219_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="486" /></p> <p>It’s hard to tell however just how large these casks really are….</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4155" border="0" alt="DSC_4155" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1uzT6Btdbko/ThqNx2aeiGI/AAAAAAAAZCY/CfLGn5dixys/DSC_4155_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="381" /></p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4146" border="0" alt="DSC_4146" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G83mJGMGKRA/ThqNzTUTvvI/AAAAAAAAZCc/DtSBYciUhjo/DSC_4146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="486" /></p> <p>The grounds of the vineyard are beautiful. In fact, most of the vineyards we saw were decorated with lots of flowers, especially roses.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4223" border="0" alt="DSC_4223" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-USCWxn6sgek/ThqN1KyU_hI/AAAAAAAAZCg/KPHHtZeAXsE/DSC_4223_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="342" /></p> <p>Aging casks stored on the lower level created a stunning vista…</p> <p>  <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4251" border="0" alt="DSC_4251" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iLH2Llz-0yE/ThqN2pXYmvI/AAAAAAAAZCk/ZTBr3X7Vws4/DSC_4251_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="486" /></p> <p>Like any good tour you end up in the vineyard’s gift shop… which Jenna really enjoyed.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cbuhqc7jFT8/ThqN479j5DI/AAAAAAAAZCo/AX6Mt3_TaZU/s1600-h/DSC_4288%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4288" border="0" alt="DSC_4288" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8YhtjHJkFU/ThqN62zS5rI/AAAAAAAAZCs/znA1ggUCg0A/DSC_4288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Jenna managed to ‘snag’ a great bottle of wine AND a beautiful hat  -- complements her own beauty.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CtbkukeNPEM/ThqN8pOFg3I/AAAAAAAAZCw/Zh1Ut0zjBNI/s1600-h/DSC_4136%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4136" border="0" alt="DSC_4136" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zhdhT5m9P9U/ThqN-uTP7CI/AAAAAAAAZC0/YtRCAFCNaIM/DSC_4136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>Very cool 16th century wine press…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wAk4Corti9g/ThqOBUifOgI/AAAAAAAAZC4/bLYWB0jYdIU/s1600-h/DSC_4271%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4271" border="0" alt="DSC_4271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3bwCfWs0x8Q/ThqODQZavqI/AAAAAAAAZC8/OhnzzYLZ98k/DSC_4271_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="330" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Afterwards we went to a restaurant recommended by my brother-in-law Joe. He’s president of a huge wine importer/distributor in Virginia and has toured vineyards all over the world. He recommended we have lunch at a restaurant called Mustards, which is only a mile or two from the Mondavi vineyards. It was incredibly good.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <p>Dale</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:949e2fe9-610b-426f-a083-13baf0bbe045" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Robert+Mondavi+Vineyards" rel="tag">Robert Mondavi Vineyards</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sonoma" rel="tag">Sonoma</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Napa" rel="tag">Napa</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wine" rel="tag">Wine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/casks" rel="tag">casks</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jenna" rel="tag">Jenna</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hat" rel="tag">Hat</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mustards" rel="tag">Mustards</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/16th+Century+Wine+Press" rel="tag">16th Century Wine Press</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-24741795197556977482011-06-10T00:30:00.000-04:002011-07-11T00:33:53.424-04:00San Francisco, CA: Beauty Everywhere You Look<p>Our tour of San Francisco covered a lot of ground. Personally I love these one day tours that use open top buses although they are not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’. You can get on and off all day long at any of the planned stops. It’s a relatively quick and cost effective means of getting your bearings in a new location. After one of these tours we go back and explore the areas that piqued our interest on the tour.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZDltZTwaoVg/Thp8tYpHX-I/AAAAAAAAZAY/SihZF3yaHQ4/s1600-h/DSC_3850%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3850" border="0" alt="DSC_3850" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0dtCkgTG9L0/Thp8vX5mc_I/AAAAAAAAZAc/aPP_F70tkBU/DSC_3850_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="412" /></a> </p> <p>The Golden Gate Bridge never ceases to capture your attention no matter where you are in San Francisco.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g9YRV-IvbzM/Thp8w0Mk_pI/AAAAAAAAZAg/l_R68VhXKfk/s1600-h/DSC_3906%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3906" border="0" alt="DSC_3906" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iK1_lKMEq8g/Thp8z4uoLOI/AAAAAAAAZAk/PIInSdrixtQ/DSC_3906_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="486" /></a> San Francisco’s version of Central Park features a Japanese Tea Garden.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e-FRDv4Vnho/Thp804dp1JI/AAAAAAAAZAo/ZNUYSiQyrJk/s1600-h/DSC_3927%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3927" border="0" alt="DSC_3927" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tvpLnAl3X4w/Thp82R97yQI/AAAAAAAAZAs/nY_mf_9uE9c/DSC_3927_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="401" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tuOHu-MwJg0/Thp83KopY9I/AAAAAAAAZAw/b_TcR8knSAI/s1600-h/DSC_3938%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3938" border="0" alt="DSC_3938" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9EjTF0a9aAs/Thp830qB41I/AAAAAAAAZA0/mLeLl1ax9UU/DSC_3938_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="412" /></a> Of course, for all the hippies out there, no visit to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to Haight – Ashbury. That’s a mural of Jimmie Hendrix who owned a house in the Haight…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mPYiqt7AGzE/Thp84rbqrKI/AAAAAAAAZA4/BtieQjtE_V4/s1600-h/DSC_3964%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3964" border="0" alt="DSC_3964" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pbv1dYGSmV8/Thp868Ft-GI/AAAAAAAAZA8/rDIJsDV7YN4/DSC_3964_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="385" /></a> </p> <p>Fans of the Olsen twins and the TV series “Full House” will recognize the yellow house above and the park across the street, both featured in the opening credits of the show.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pAdKgKlhb2k/Thp871RDGII/AAAAAAAAZBA/uJlZvgdShK4/s1600-h/DSC_3981%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3981" border="0" alt="DSC_3981" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qd1nsiYYkMs/Thp89Dx21cI/AAAAAAAAZBE/jtOG5hBBgf4/DSC_3981_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="314" /></a> </p> <p>Californians insist that everything is ‘bigger & better’ in California. In this case, the California State Capitol dome is 1 foot taller than the US Capitol Dome in Washington, DC. No easy way to measure so I’ll take the guides word for it…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h6NMfiuR0lI/Thp8-cWJ_zI/AAAAAAAAZBI/izfYC5ssgGE/s1600-h/DSC_4041%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4041" border="0" alt="DSC_4041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2H_YLIhAlU/Thp8_xQknZI/AAAAAAAAZBM/xKmc7ODrD4k/DSC_4041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="421" /></a> </p> <p>The Stinking Rose Restaurant is famous world-wide, as is their byline: “We season our garlic with food”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uCuHC9wGiGA/Thp9CN5k7PI/AAAAAAAAZBQ/4yDfKTF3yfg/s1600-h/DSC_4046%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4046" border="0" alt="DSC_4046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vHO7j9z1N34/Thp9DVUYSeI/AAAAAAAAZBU/J13tw0iwa5A/DSC_4046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="578" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>I surprised Mary Lynn and Jenna by driving down the ‘curviest street in the world’ – Lombard Street. It was fun although as the driver you have to really pay attention because the street is both crowded and narrow. You can see everyone gather at the bottom trying to get a shot of all the action. </p> <p>I took this shot several blocks away and was really pleased to get all of the action plus the three people crossing the street at the top of the hill…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WZ6Pyy4mzYE/Thp9FdZLuWI/AAAAAAAAZBY/jsmx5NQEpJE/s1600-h/DSC_4058%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4058" border="0" alt="DSC_4058" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7jZ_61sRsnM/Thp9HE4VpHI/AAAAAAAAZBc/lzIPSSyObF4/DSC_4058_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="376" /></a> </p> <p>This was the view from the restaurant on Pier 39 where we had lunch. Of course that’s Alcatraz in the background.  If you look closely you can see a few of the hundreds of people who were Kite Surfing on the bay.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xwZoCSfnO7k/Thp9IRgkEfI/AAAAAAAAZBg/PCxSdRKHWgI/s1600-h/DSC_4119%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4119" border="0" alt="DSC_4119" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q23G3O7_k8w/Thp9LLTa3XI/AAAAAAAAZBk/kHYvLo-IdWo/DSC_4119_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Another view from Pier 39. Every where you look, San Francisco is a beautiful. </p> <p>See Ya! <br />Dale</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a9a59220-07be-4bf3-9412-f821363f604f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Francisco" rel="tag">San Francisco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lombard+Street" rel="tag">Lombard Street</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Golden+Gate+Bridge" rel="tag">Golden Gate Bridge</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Japanese+Tea+Garden" rel="tag">Japanese Tea Garden</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pier+39" rel="tag">Pier 39</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Haight+-+Ashbury" rel="tag">Haight - Ashbury</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jimi+Hendrix" rel="tag">Jimi Hendrix</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kite+Surfing" rel="tag">Kite Surfing</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Full+House" rel="tag">Full House</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Olsen+Twins" rel="tag">Olsen Twins</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Alcatraz" rel="tag">Alcatraz</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Stinking+Rose+Restaurant" rel="tag">The Stinking Rose Restaurant</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California+State+Capitol+Dome" rel="tag">California State Capitol Dome</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-70751093269470981432011-06-09T20:44:00.000-04:002011-06-22T15:40:12.430-04:00San Francisco: Winchester Mystery House in San Jose<p>For years I travelled to Silicon Valley: Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San Jose, etc. Often I saw advertisements for the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose yet I never went on the tour. That is, until now. Mary Lynn wanted to see the house and we thought Jenna might enjoy it as well. </p> <p>No pictures allowed inside so All I can share is the outside views…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gpjfScISmXo/TgJEBiFT7UI/AAAAAAAAY7o/kp7kzkFXG50/s1600-h/DSC_36882.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3688" border="0" alt="DSC_3688" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7fXHaMg2U4Q/TgJEHFSKN-I/AAAAAAAAY7s/755NwGbxmDY/DSC_3688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="386" /></a> </p> <p>Sarah Winchester was the heiress to the Winchester Gun company. Plagued by guilt over the many people who lost their lives by being on the wrong side of a Winchester gun, she consulted psychics and mediums. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E6EG_0C_sKs/TgJELtoSaLI/AAAAAAAAY7w/FkBkHG-1Nbo/s1600-h/DSC_37092.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3709" border="0" alt="DSC_3709" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yESYXDsDXO0/TgJEQgg8H5I/AAAAAAAAY70/PZCB8HO3YWQ/DSC_3709_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>She convinced herself she was in danger from ‘the victims’ and one psychic in particular was only too happy to reinforce the danger she was in from the spirits. This psychic convinced her she would be ok as long as her house was under construction.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QUhsuLUQkXc/TgJEV5AAeVI/AAAAAAAAY74/TbA5kDeZes0/s1600-h/DSC_37062.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3706" border="0" alt="DSC_3706" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Thw_BFgx7G0/TgJEbWXQnfI/AAAAAAAAY78/6wg45RBVYQk/DSC_3706_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="414" /></a> </p> <p>So she bought an old farm house in San Jose, hired a team of carpenters, and began building. And building. And building some more – over 150 rooms. Stairways that lead nowhere. Multiple doors in a room with only one leading out. She didn’t stop building until she died some 30 years later. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yiBu4pGgwrU/TgJElVl3EUI/AAAAAAAAY8A/BrlBJb_qPJc/s1600-h/DSC_36992.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3699" border="0" alt="DSC_3699" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-46tAFTbJKh0/TgJEs9r3qTI/AAAAAAAAY8E/0IS0eNwjRFs/DSC_3699_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></a> </p> <p>To heighten the appeal (and increase the number of tourists who shell out $35/person) the current owners hint the house might be haunted. It’s not of course. And it’s unfinished. Construction was left just like it was when she died. And oh by the way, none of the furniture, pictures, artwork, etc are original to the house.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mX3jX_AoD5o/TgJE2jVMojI/AAAAAAAAY8I/G_UfWCILL9I/s1600-h/DSC_37172.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3717" border="0" alt="DSC_3717" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zU5IGgWsVgg/TgJE-SeNIdI/AAAAAAAAY8M/tMlvCLhHl_Y/DSC_3717_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="410" /></a> </p> <p>Afterwards we drove over to Half Moon Bay. On the ocean side of the foothills it was cool, gray and foggy however Jenna was able to dip her toes in the Pacific Ocean. Another item on her bucket list completed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EdQ7vV5XcBQ/TgJFC3OdCeI/AAAAAAAAY8Q/AVBJ1jsxjRc/s1600-h/DSC_37472.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_3747" border="0" alt="DSC_3747" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7gzvaHj_6iE/TgJFGN6AR6I/AAAAAAAAY8U/lAwtoPYIKi8/DSC_3747_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a>   </p> <p>And of course we had to stop at the Golden Gate overlook on the Marin side to get a few photos.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:a2c4a633-d9c5-4bd6-a00d-bcb473fa35a4" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Winchester+House" rel="tag">Winchester House</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jenna" rel="tag">Jenna</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Spirits" rel="tag">Spirits</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/gun" rel="tag">gun</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Half+Moon+Bay" rel="tag">Half Moon Bay</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pacific+Ocean" rel="tag">Pacific Ocean</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Golden+Gate" rel="tag">Golden Gate</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-58233124518164403862011-06-07T16:27:00.000-04:002011-06-21T16:27:51.650-04:00San Francisco: Alcatraz and Pier 39<p>At first we were not going to visit Alcatraz. Then several friends and acquaintances highly recommended the trip. Turns out its one of the top attractions in San Francisco.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jYsv8NBbYJg/TgD8STU_TAI/AAAAAAAAY5w/ZpB34bxftwc/s1600-h/DSC_3411%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3411" border="0" alt="DSC_3411" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MbvtelB-43Q/TgD8Wf0qqRI/AAAAAAAAY50/S2X3h3ab1oY/DSC_3411_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="348" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FY-TVe4_Mf0/TgD8aqgtRDI/AAAAAAAAY54/Oz00IZwscZw/s1600-h/DSC_3509%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3509" border="0" alt="DSC_3509" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JVsIPLKUjlo/TgD8fcZjR-I/AAAAAAAAY58/7oSFzjiIW34/DSC_3509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="395" /></a> </p> <p>The thought of seeing a crumbling concrete structure on a small island in the middle of San Francisco Bay just didn’t seem that appealing however we figured there must be a reason so many people said it was a ‘must see’. Plus I knew there would be some great shots of the San Francisco skyline.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q46XX3s4kZc/TgD8kaBhtUI/AAAAAAAAY6A/vIvO7grqPcE/s1600-h/DSC_3454%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3454" border="0" alt="DSC_3454" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VYS-1hKuhlM/TgD8qZSE7FI/AAAAAAAAY6E/hIs5gZOzcfs/DSC_3454_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="369" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JpyzxxOD5hM/TgD8vEEYW3I/AAAAAAAAY6I/1rgFR9YJLZc/s1600-h/DSC_3460%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3460" border="0" alt="DSC_3460" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6PG1Coef3Mo/TgD82yWzARI/AAAAAAAAY6M/JkqKdd-s_Zk/DSC_3460_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="417" /></a> </p> <p>The grounds had a number of gardens, first installed when Alcatraz was an military fort and then later by inmate trustees. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qy7m-1WVwcM/TgD87XktarI/AAAAAAAAY6Q/Jz6Zp8Ved1w/s1600-h/DSC_3475%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3475" border="0" alt="DSC_3475" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DGuadm_hdz4/TgD8_3sUXXI/AAAAAAAAY6U/Qfjt2enAND0/DSC_3475_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="456" /></a> </p> <p>And did you notice how small the cells are??? No wonder men went ‘stir crazy’. Not to mention they could often hear the sounds of women laughing, music, and ‘the good life’ wafting over the waters from nearby San Francisco clubs and bars.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OVvDFKnlUYE/TgD9EBlm57I/AAAAAAAAY6Y/xS5Sj3Nzyo8/s1600-h/DSC_3505%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3505" border="0" alt="DSC_3505" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rdzeRlqbs6A/TgD9J5c2WCI/AAAAAAAAY6c/WT3CP04NrDo/DSC_3505_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="434" /></a>  </p> <p>Alcatraz prison itself turned out to be pretty interesting, especially the information on the various escape attempts over the years. At least two of the prison escapes resulted in the prisoners never being captured or seen again. The official party line is they are ‘presumed dead’ but you’ll never convince me some of them didn’t make it shore. </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3538" border="0" alt="DSC_3538" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mglk083hZgo/TgD9OE42lCI/AAAAAAAAY6g/sR9KqUiuALA/DSC_3538_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></p> <p>Especially the threesome that, over a period of months, drilled thru the concrete wall in their cells (see the hole in the picture above), built a raft out of rubber raincoats, and then escaped one foggy night. The raft was later found deflated on a nearby island but authorities claim the men drowned. </p> <p>I don’t buy it….  In fact MythBusters, one of my favorite shows since they feature the practical application of science to prove/disprove various myths and urban legends, recreated the entire escape, including making a raft with home-made glue and paddling to an island. Result: totally plausible.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-phFbPU501ZM/TgD9R9y4pHI/AAAAAAAAY6k/xeRf2mYi90E/s1600-h/DSC_3515%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3515" border="0" alt="DSC_3515" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zB5kARqSdM0/TgD9WMR8i4I/AAAAAAAAY6o/OZ4nqsHVP0s/DSC_3515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="232" /></a> </p> <p>We had beautiful weather for our trip over; the San Francisco Bay can get very windy, cold and foggy but our weather was close to perfect. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5KMMGJyq3U/TgD9bXsqXlI/AAAAAAAAY6w/PDE8xvlOGq0/s1600-h/DSC_3435%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3435" border="0" alt="DSC_3435" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WD0z9ph4YNE/TgD9jibDfxI/AAAAAAAAY60/YK36j1nJSj8/DSC_3435_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="463" /></a> </p> <p>We saw several boats in the bay getting ready for America’s Cup races but we didn’t see the newer catamaran design being used by Larry Ellison, Oracle’s founder.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cEodQ9X_UBU/TgD9m5evXnI/AAAAAAAAY64/7J8_k3ALUX0/s1600-h/DSC_3550%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3550" border="0" alt="DSC_3550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZauKE0G49dI/TgD9qRMFQ9I/AAAAAAAAY68/XZF2md9J1SQ/DSC_3550_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="224" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0UxfUU7NdnM/TgD9wBeg7dI/AAAAAAAAY7A/70mr11yvkkU/s1600-h/DSC_3563%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3563" border="0" alt="DSC_3563" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rpH2NZoOrdM/TgD91sD48ZI/AAAAAAAAY7E/T1Kuj6UBchg/DSC_3563_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>We also explored Pier 39: live entertainment, restaurants and shopping galore! The ultimate tourist trap but we had fun.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rdBUAY3yMiw/TgD98GK5aoI/AAAAAAAAY7I/GY3J93SfKFo/s1600-h/DSC_3618%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3618" border="0" alt="DSC_3618" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bloA3MIA0wU/TgD-B867gdI/AAAAAAAAY7M/Y8CC3EFPH-M/DSC_3618_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Z-isMXxHJw/TgD-Fls3jrI/AAAAAAAAY7Q/I20ZcBtZOAM/s1600-h/DSC_3655%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3655" border="0" alt="DSC_3655" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XxBAy-Uhvfs/TgD-KAfNYXI/AAAAAAAAY7U/dPVibElPtC0/DSC_3655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="353" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4k3O8BJfn8o/TgD-N-9yxuI/AAAAAAAAY7Y/v3X7r64DeFI/s1600-h/DSC_3658%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3658" border="0" alt="DSC_3658" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ioIOu9Tj_iQ/TgD-R8PYvLI/AAAAAAAAY7c/oRk75g1kj_Q/DSC_3658_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="386" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f1830745-8ac3-4b9d-a64c-f190f3799e98" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Francisco" rel="tag">San Francisco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Alcatraz" rel="tag">Alcatraz</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/prison" rel="tag">prison</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/escapes" rel="tag">escapes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/raft" rel="tag">raft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pier+39" rel="tag">Pier 39</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/live+entertainment" rel="tag">live entertainment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/tourist+trap" rel="tag">tourist trap</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/America's+Cup" rel="tag">America's Cup</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-30504382492584616082011-06-06T15:58:00.000-04:002011-06-20T16:21:50.379-04:00San Francisco: Golden Gate at Night and Muir Woods<p>We moved from Felton, CA in the Santa Cruz area to Novato, California. Novato is located about 20 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is of course, the gateway to San Francisco. Our youngest daughter Jenna is here for a week and we picked her up around 11 pm. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R5RJUobyckA/Tf-rCLZlmiI/AAAAAAAAY4w/GbHSUk3oCU8/s1600-h/_DSC3136%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="_DSC3136" border="0" alt="_DSC3136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y5H3UO_4SKQ/Tf-rIJyyLdI/AAAAAAAAY40/5zOgQpxusuE/_DSC3136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="486" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Of course, I couldn’t resist trying to get a few photo’s of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s skyline at night. The skyline actually had fewer lights on than I would have liked since it was so late when we picked Jenna up and made our way out of the city. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XopnHUGPg_E/Tf-rK2EUmYI/AAAAAAAAY44/Y8OwFMOnEBg/s1600-h/_DSC3140%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="_DSC3140" border="0" alt="_DSC3140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YKe-mGkSJZQ/Tf-rOEsj8LI/AAAAAAAAY48/xGHicZNsG8o/_DSC3140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="275" /></a> </p> <p>The Bay Bridge is also very visible due to the white lights strung along it’s suspension wires. Two beautiful bridges in one city – wow! At least at night – during the day the Bay Bridge is not near as impressive as the Golden Gate. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="_DSC3159" border="0" alt="_DSC3159" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RjOF3u-oeJQ/Tf-rRHek8tI/AAAAAAAAY5A/I82xL0czct0/_DSC3159_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="290" />  </p> <p>We took Jenna to Muir Woods National Monument to see the Redwoods. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XSih2xx4NX0/Tf-rV9bPx2I/AAAAAAAAY5E/GO_Sp3QGN04/s1600-h/DSC_3315%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3315" border="0" alt="DSC_3315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mjAoafyg6qA/Tf-raNQzMJI/AAAAAAAAY5I/iHIZPNhC-OU/DSC_3315_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="322" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7p2N77dhPOA/Tf-reyPGI9I/AAAAAAAAY5M/4coQGMDUq3M/s1600-h/_DSC3178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="_DSC3178" border="0" alt="_DSC3178" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gXC2soPgsyo/Tf-rjTdRSII/AAAAAAAAY5Q/CpMyNPlpoOE/_DSC3178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="486" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1KynOWuLCCU/Tf-rmoHfAfI/AAAAAAAAY5U/l62s9Vy-fJs/s1600-h/DSC_3254%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3254" border="0" alt="DSC_3254" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d5DU_ShJUnI/Tf-rqBD54DI/AAAAAAAAY5Y/Ajdrz8zDQpI/DSC_3254_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CscBE_lSHfs/Tf-ruHkN7UI/AAAAAAAAY5c/87LjqdNMx0k/s1600-h/DSC_3292%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3292" border="0" alt="DSC_3292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k6t6vaUGgRM/Tf-rx36RI4I/AAAAAAAAY5g/EmwTbSf169U/DSC_3292_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>The size and majesty of 2000 year old redwoods never fails to impress. The peacefulness in these woods is so relaxing and enjoyable. You feel your inner soul throwing off any and all thoughts except for enjoying the surrounding warmth. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3333" border="0" alt="DSC_3333" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oaU2EbtAyrU/Tf-r2aeQYqI/AAAAAAAAY5k/LlL5xPfuP1Q/DSC_3333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="395" /> </p> <p>Then along the coast via Muir Beach and Stinson Beach into Point Reyes Park.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:257e5a3b-b92c-44f9-8fe8-a6c15d41fbc6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Muir+Woods" rel="tag">Muir Woods</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Golden+Gate" rel="tag">Golden Gate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Francisco" rel="tag">San Francisco</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bay+Bridge" rel="tag">Bay Bridge</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Night" rel="tag">Night</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Point+Reyes" rel="tag">Point Reyes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Jenna" rel="tag">Jenna</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-30506116041556011492011-05-23T00:57:00.000-04:002011-06-18T16:23:56.402-04:00Santa Cruz, California: Camped Among The Redwoods<p>Mary Lynn and I moved from Morris Bay to the Santa Cruz area. We are camped among the redwoods in Felten, California which is 6 mile outside of Santa Cruz, but you would never know that from our campsite.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oZ86UEez_Ck/Tf0G-_QzebI/AAAAAAAAY2k/tO8zX7cTvLM/s1600-h/DSC_2646%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2646" border="0" alt="DSC_2646" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wXhK5YhodPA/Tf0HFHqYKRI/AAAAAAAAY2o/I_odnErLNVM/DSC_2646_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iGlkQNmogiA/Tf0HK1w5yoI/AAAAAAAAY2s/5204u66fQQU/s1600-h/DSC_2826%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2826" border="0" alt="DSC_2826" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-72LVKDUo_gk/Tf0HSaGGZ7I/AAAAAAAAY2w/fLHzIQPg8xw/DSC_2826_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Santa Cruz is a sun drenched stretch of California beach about an hour south of San Francisco. Home to the more ‘free spirited’ members of California’s eclectic citizens. Beach volleyball, wind surfing, surfing, and biking are the normal pastimes from Santa Cruz’s residents.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gO3UW2kl7ww/Tf0HVk7zbLI/AAAAAAAAY20/4_lks7nPHpk/s1600-h/DSC_2632%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2632" border="0" alt="DSC_2632" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZyEwpDBzIYk/Tf0Hc8L2x9I/AAAAAAAAY24/E_pKHqrp0ck/DSC_2632_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="288" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sg-4-FUmnFc/Tf0HgieQGII/AAAAAAAAY28/QK7ByLnhIpY/s1600-h/DSC_2623%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2623" border="0" alt="DSC_2623" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Uu3NIq_xRmc/Tf0HlH4UHRI/AAAAAAAAY3A/MIwmY0CfMTo/DSC_2623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>And yet, just a few mile north of town, the Redwood giants have unimaginably large bases and climb to impossible heights.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wGSeaL8Sn8I/Tf0Hp_45twI/AAAAAAAAY3E/lhC4IWxVBCU/s1600-h/DSC_2655%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2655" border="0" alt="DSC_2655" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LfHMl_sUFLc/Tf0HvL2YjKI/AAAAAAAAY3I/HUnuBbcBpYo/DSC_2655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2662" border="0" alt="DSC_2662" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AT4uBE-PdWg/Tf0H2UKXVSI/AAAAAAAAY3M/jfoL2hAFdiE/DSC_2662_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="443" /></p> <p>Not too far from our campground is Roaring Camp Railroad, which take you thru virgins stands of California Redwoods. Up until 100 years ago or so all of the mountains in this area were covered in Redwoods. Once logging began they clear cut everything in sight. San Francisco has an unquenchable need for wood, which exploded after the 1906 earthquake and fire.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t9M7niIcZVU/Tf0H89hF8MI/AAAAAAAAY3Q/4AF8h8n5kms/s1600-h/DSC_2688%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2688" border="0" alt="DSC_2688" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XMdTJtivyDE/Tf0IFdM833I/AAAAAAAAY3Y/M6HXeKa7UNQ/DSC_2688_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="387" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZmZHdrhTkGg/Tf0IL8aFwnI/AAAAAAAAY3c/RnJuQWiMjOE/s1600-h/DSC_2748%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2748" border="0" alt="DSC_2748" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-urMl5pqgpYE/Tf0IRqglf4I/AAAAAAAAY3g/LtkkF79BSUY/DSC_2748_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>Another day we drove down route 1 thru Big Sur. Spectacular coastal scenery although the weather did not cooperate much that day. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mnyxwcs0xdo/Tf0IWGfoAaI/AAAAAAAAY3k/uVQk1DtZ2lI/s1600-h/DSC_2983%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2983" border="0" alt="DSC_2983" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-22IKNePiNC0/Tf0IcsXhUOI/AAAAAAAAY3o/4nMlWzm9uzY/DSC_2983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="486" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jhjZEEeZHeE/Tf0IgmzNcsI/AAAAAAAAY3s/eB5iM_mWgFg/s1600-h/DSC_2953%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2953" border="0" alt="DSC_2953" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sNruA4P8CPY/Tf0Iko_3LMI/AAAAAAAAY3w/t-JWpiLo4wc/DSC_2953_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="339" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hT_tM31wRNI/Tf0IolZHs7I/AAAAAAAAY30/VQYdZbjt1T0/s1600-h/DSC_3012%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3012" border="0" alt="DSC_3012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xyF61haCZ-g/Tf0ItFxtXWI/AAAAAAAAY34/WG6SBhxKpH8/DSC_3012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="378" /></a> </p> <p>Most of the vistas are breathtaking although always challenging to capture when overcast.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5ocVDTFHigI/Tf0IxIaE8LI/AAAAAAAAY38/qrfXoksGnuM/s1600-h/DSC_3075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3075" border="0" alt="DSC_3075" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yGestbT6HLE/Tf0I2F_XfkI/AAAAAAAAY4A/3PZDvU-G4_8/DSC_3075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E81IsqlNHdc/Tf0I8NB4gYI/AAAAAAAAY4E/Z8zwVb2t5vg/s1600-h/DSC_2921%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2921" border="0" alt="DSC_2921" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v1g3lxVzViM/Tf0JBJHl9uI/AAAAAAAAY4I/X2NEiz4mpWM/DSC_2921_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZSCit99ZcKw/Tf0JEzDbTcI/AAAAAAAAY4M/_bdkSP9D2Yc/s1600-h/DSC_3019%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3019" border="0" alt="DSC_3019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BqJR1FR-8gE/Tf0JIhihDHI/AAAAAAAAY4Q/JegfG_IyPYY/DSC_3019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>Nevertheless MLA & I had a long relaxing drive along Big Sur.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vV0FZ5M_3kI/Tf0JMXgEQsI/AAAAAAAAY4U/h1PwolLNzbQ/s1600-h/DSC_3025%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_3025" border="0" alt="DSC_3025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hvsEUVB9-jg/Tf0JQ5XS1mI/AAAAAAAAY4c/XiZgv94Xcow/DSC_3025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="387" /></a> </p> <p>Beautiful!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lONGVPvZsBs/Tf0JS4K5VzI/AAAAAAAAY4g/bLzgBFdFmVE/s1600-h/DSC_2531%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2531" border="0" alt="DSC_2531" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lLFH9mC0qNo/Tf0JV7Drv2I/AAAAAAAAY4k/iXp9DCO_NJs/DSC_2531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:484e2a0e-d684-44ff-84ab-3ad75575e17b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Big+Sur" rel="tag">Big Sur</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Big+Basin" rel="tag">Big Basin</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Redwoods" rel="tag">Redwoods</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Roaring+Camp+Railroad" rel="tag">Roaring Camp Railroad</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bixby+Bridge" rel="tag">Bixby Bridge</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Santa+Cruz" rel="tag">Santa Cruz</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/volleyball" rel="tag">volleyball</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Monterey+Bay" rel="tag">Monterey Bay</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Felten" rel="tag">Felten</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-85522717110878672232011-05-18T22:28:00.000-04:002011-06-01T03:34:31.677-04:00San Simeon, California: Hearst Castle – Over The Top<p>While staying in Morro Bay, Mary Lynn and I drove north on Highway 1 to San Simeon and toured Hearst Castle. Built by William Randolph Hearst starting in 1919, the mansion sits 1600 feet above and 5 miles from the Pacific. It has a commanding view over a huge section of California’s Central Coast and the Pacific Ocean.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HbZ1mqtcYYw/TeXrQiMhejI/AAAAAAAAYz0/Ri8tt6B6rlk/s1600-h/DSC_2134%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2134" border="0" alt="DSC_2134" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OihDuKuRFk0/TeXrRYe2iZI/AAAAAAAAYz4/MM13x67Ni0M/DSC_2134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="329" /></a> </p> <p>W.R. Hearst fell in love with this countryside as a boy while visiting the mega-ranch owned by his father. When he inherited the 250,000 acre property in 1919 (including 14 miles of coastline), he approached Julia Morgan, a highly acclaimed and classically trained architect. Supposedly the conversation started as follows:</p> <p>“I would like to build ‘a little something’ upon the hill at San Simeon. I get tired of going up there and camping in tents. I'm getting a little too old for that. I'd like to get something that would be a little more comfortable.”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vTbuw3ZB0xA/TeXrRy9LTDI/AAAAAAAAYz8/pP-50h7bb30/s1600-h/DSC_2213%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2213" border="0" alt="DSC_2213" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AcwI1qHEUig/TeXrSayJN2I/AAAAAAAAY0A/2Fve6-bMx4I/DSC_2213_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="410" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ldd4lYIGC58/TeXrTH3v8II/AAAAAAAAY0E/-qKIzx3-60c/s1600-h/DSC_2184%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2184" border="0" alt="DSC_2184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vaExn6cblpM/TeXrT3QJ2KI/AAAAAAAAY0I/vgu0TytSolI/DSC_2184_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="391" /></a> </p> <p>“A little something’ indeed. This conversation began the collaboration between Morgan and Hearst that spanned 25+ years of design and construction. The Hearst Castle estate includes 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a movie theater, an airfield, and what was at the time, the world's largest private zoo.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3NsH5WfK1AM/TeXrUVk4IoI/AAAAAAAAY0M/LCrLM9u946s/s1600-h/DSC_2152%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2152" border="0" alt="DSC_2152" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vPvAqfv9-As/TeXrU6aP8KI/AAAAAAAAY0Q/Vig3LNvCMkw/DSC_2152_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="353" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--VcFVvJp1Fk/TeXrVs1SgOI/AAAAAAAAY0U/gwKPCzG4ZVI/s1600-h/DSC_2147%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2147" border="0" alt="DSC_2147" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPYh7GoBqNQ/TeXrWByjq0I/AAAAAAAAY0Y/xG9ZIfTCzyc/DSC_2147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="367" /></a> </p> <p>Hearst travelled extensively and was an avid collector with wide and varied tastes. He bought entire rooms, buildings full of furniture, highly decorative ceilings, etc. His castle was really a means of getting his treasures out of his warehouses and on display. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0YndOvZq0DU/TeXrWvIUp-I/AAAAAAAAY0c/YNHbUT4eyzA/s1600-h/DSC_2165%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2165" border="0" alt="DSC_2165" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DyDWYXKGzuI/TeXrXHmrPJI/AAAAAAAAY0g/Cehz_-K4oDs/DSC_2165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="391" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2177" border="0" alt="DSC_2177" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PkN8KwbJk6I/TeXrXgbPLKI/AAAAAAAAY0k/SvBmCg__rGY/DSC_2177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="486" /></p> <p>The Neptune pool is a perfect example. He purchased the Roman Temple in Europe, dismantled it, shipped it to California, and had it reconstructed as a focal point of the pool. He had the pool built and re-built three times before he was happy with the outcome. This was typical of Hearst throughout the design/build process. He and Morgan were constantly re-doing portions of the castle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O6UYjbnAI0g/TeXrYFssN9I/AAAAAAAAY0o/rouEXtoGCVg/s1600-h/DSC_2221%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2221" border="0" alt="DSC_2221" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oMXF5mLUHKc/TeXrYrJcjTI/AAAAAAAAY0s/9e-aR-cJPC0/DSC_2221_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>The Hearst family donated the estate to the State of California in 1959. Located almost exactly 250 miles from both San Francisco and Los Angeles, Hearst Castle is not the easiest place to visit yet over one million visitors per year make the trip.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ifBcEDo9Ye8/TeXrZDe5oWI/AAAAAAAAY0w/mFTI2vZDT-A/s1600-h/DSC_2201%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2201" border="0" alt="DSC_2201" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B3_oAg01qhc/TeXrZ9f9XFI/AAAAAAAAY00/PLLpR-uVv2U/DSC_2201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ELBqiW45tcY/TeXraQwnJwI/AAAAAAAAY04/GeWaFZuiRLI/s1600-h/DSC_2194%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2194" border="0" alt="DSC_2194" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sTlfksnXEZU/TeXra7rwiLI/AAAAAAAAY08/xf3Lhj8NWqw/DSC_2194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>Mary Lynn and I took the tour, which was good but not great. It did not compare to the tour we took of the Biltmore estate located just outside of Ashville, NC. That said, it’s a pretty good tour and the estate is definitely a ‘must see’. I would have liked a little more background on the life and times of WR Hearst and will read a couple of books to get that info. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5J72bANcc0c/TeXrbiu7c7I/AAAAAAAAY1A/qSTtsetOD7Q/s1600-h/DSC_2274%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2274" border="0" alt="DSC_2274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q7XQwAswZGQ/TeXrcCINXOI/AAAAAAAAY1E/xdSISjXtZC0/DSC_2274_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="409" /></a> </p> <p>Tapestries, fireplace, ceiling, and much of the furniture in the room above were all collected by Hearst and sent to his architect to be incorporated into the Castle’s design. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MJPEaNaDDeE/TeXrc-CTg1I/AAAAAAAAY1I/ejHJTWw9hv8/s1600-h/DSC_2297%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2297" border="0" alt="DSC_2297" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fzdUq97Wx18/TeXrdwX16DI/AAAAAAAAY1M/AKwVvBYEyr8/DSC_2297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2300" border="0" alt="DSC_2300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8_bNMI-sl8U/TeXrecmnfvI/AAAAAAAAY1Q/FMvW9oP3Dz4/DSC_2300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></p> <p>The indoor pool was incredibly ornate. And Hearst’s fortune included silver & gold mines, soooo, when you see the color gold, most likely it’s real gold/gold leaf. Amazing what a little money can do…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PXttKfUNL8A/TeXrew888xI/AAAAAAAAY1U/0fos3ieCNho/s1600-h/DSC_2249%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2249" border="0" alt="DSC_2249" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--MDpRYd3LXY/TeXrfXx8dlI/AAAAAAAAY1Y/W_2XSLF3-_o/DSC_2249_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="486" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gsGncmIJ2TE/TeXrf1PT6II/AAAAAAAAY1c/062nuSJTOzY/s1600-h/DSC_2232%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2232" border="0" alt="DSC_2232" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eBQRC_QCvGY/TeXrgewydeI/AAAAAAAAY1g/aV9k3hsE4zk/DSC_2232_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="463" /></a> </p> <p>The estate included an airport. Hearst owned several newspapers and had the newspapers flown in daily from LA on his personal DC-3. This plane also ferried the constant stream of visitors to & from the estate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AFAHCsSL8QY/TeXrhNe3R7I/AAAAAAAAY1k/M2tHIQuVhBM/s1600-h/DSC_2263%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2263" border="0" alt="DSC_2263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I1vT4u657yc/TeXrhkkqQXI/AAAAAAAAY1o/e_Q3b6E0KXs/DSC_2263_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Harry Potter fans might feel a sense of déjà vu from the Hearst Castle dining room pictured above. The film crew visited Hearst Castle and took numerous pictures that were used as inspiration for the large dining room at Hogwarts.</p> <p>When you stayed at Hearst Castle you were expected to dine with WR Hearst and all the other guests. At first you would be seated next to/near WR Hearst however the longer you stayed the further away from him you would be seated. Subtle hint not to overstay your welcome…</p> <p>That’s always good advice – so we’ll be moving North to the Santa Cruz/Monterey area.</p> <p>See Ya !</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e0554935-87aa-4979-888d-e0073a59202b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hearst+Castle" rel="tag">Hearst Castle</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WR+Hearst" rel="tag">WR Hearst</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Simeon" rel="tag">San Simeon</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/State+of+California" rel="tag">State of California</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Roman+Temple" rel="tag">Roman Temple</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Julia+Morgan" rel="tag">Julia Morgan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hogwarts" rel="tag">Hogwarts</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Harry+Potter" rel="tag">Harry Potter</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-18259142418632578732011-05-17T01:31:00.000-04:002011-05-31T02:23:42.007-04:00Morro Bay, California: Ragged Point & The Bellowing at Elephant Seal Beach is a Blast<p>While staying in Morro Bay, Mary Lynn and I drove north to Ragged Point. Ragged Point is the beginning of the Big Sur area, which stretches 100 mile north to Monterey. Along the way we stopped at Elephant Seal Beach.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gPTDvVcpa54/TeSGrNkEFDI/AAAAAAAAYyg/qg4aFzlI7Fk/s1600-h/DSC_1818%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1818" border="0" alt="DSC_1818" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KXEATUYHwZw/TeSGr2qnFrI/AAAAAAAAYyk/tp5yIMcL9Es/DSC_1818_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="315" /></a> </p> <p>Ragged Point provides a beautiful overlook of the Pacific Ocean. About 10 miles before you get to Ragged Point you slowly start ascending as Highway 1 (the Coastal Highway) gets really ‘twisty’. Great road for a motorcycle, fun road for a car and an unusable road for an RV. At least for our 42 foot combination of RV & motorcycle carrier. Every where you look the view is spectacular.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hhxGWiVHdDs/TeSGslWn5LI/AAAAAAAAYyo/6oCWRs_13jc/s1600-h/DSC_1728%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1728" border="0" alt="DSC_1728" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ugtbUmg3pPw/TeSGtZUz7zI/AAAAAAAAYys/F6xeuFo0dlU/DSC_1728_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="481" /></a> </p> <p>Highway 1 is closed about five (5) miles past Ragged Point due to an earth slide. Repairs are underway however money is tight in California so it will be a while before you can continue all the way into the Big Sur area using Route 1.</p> <p>Actually California’s current fiscal roads have reduced highway repairs to buying a sign (Road Out 5 miles ahead or Round Roads Next 20 miles) and hope for the best. No money to repair the roads so they just plant a sign. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x0w0VXtsEKI/TeSGuGKpg_I/AAAAAAAAYyw/qixIxsBrcvY/s1600-h/DSC_1740%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1740" border="0" alt="DSC_1740" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JxfOOOiFxAg/TeSGu1vXuUI/AAAAAAAAYy0/fkm61NzC5BI/DSC_1740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="428" /></a> </p> <p>The good news? Not much time wasted sitting in construction back-ups! Seriously, sections of the road in California have been worse than what we experienced in Alaska.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6CbkTmkgZvY/TeSGvV3bm3I/AAAAAAAAYy4/iEScLNuFZhg/s1600-h/DSC_1540%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1540" border="0" alt="DSC_1540" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L6jCpu5jstw/TeSGv6UZKvI/AAAAAAAAYy8/_oclqxjtl2U/DSC_1540_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="317" /></a> </p> <p>Elephant Seal Beach is a couple of miles of sandy beach where hundreds and hundreds of Elephant Seals can bask in the sun, protected from us. The beach is closed to us humans however there is an overlook where you can see the Elephants Seals close up without disturbing them. </p> <p>Look closely at the dunes in the picture immediately above. It shows a small section of the beach where you can clearly see the beach littered with basking females and bellowing males. OK – you can’t ‘see’ the bellowing males but you can hear them load and clear when you are there…</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1597" border="0" alt="DSC_1597" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nAQehLpug4o/TeSGwVxKp6I/AAAAAAAAYzA/0RJTmghbvP8/DSC_1597_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="362" /></p> <p>This time of year (late spring) is when the seals are molting and replenishing their fat deposits. They shed the outer layer of skin in preparation for the mating season. Not always pretty but necessary. Check out the look of contentment on the females above: Good friends, a warm sun and a full belly. Not to mention the “fella’s” fighting over you – life is good.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1930" border="0" alt="DSC_1930" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4EkwCFRub_o/TeSGw4kbmPI/AAAAAAAAYzE/ZbounZb4fdY/DSC_1930_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="380" /></p> <p>The males, mostly juveniles, practicing for the ‘fight for females’ that occurs once mating season begins. A pretty big deal when only the winner gets to mate and pass on his genes. </p> <p>Lots of bellowing, posturing, and body slams. From the scars visible on the older males it’s apparent the fighting gets much rougher when the mating season begins.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_9JXARpIK2U/TeSGxWO3j-I/AAAAAAAAYzI/JNZWKY4BY28/s1600-h/DSC_1907%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1907" border="0" alt="DSC_1907" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rndt3OFBluA/TeSGyNd5SnI/AAAAAAAAYzM/VAEyEBBrfPY/DSC_1907_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="349" /></a> </p> <p>For now, the biting seems to be held in check but the aggression is very real. Real, except at this time of year the females largely ignore all of the ruckus. Just like a female: get the males all ‘in a frenzy’ and then ignore them...</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1923" border="0" alt="DSC_1923" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9WAVpYr0YQY/TeSGy90zQ2I/AAAAAAAAYzQ/BCz0N7cLYqE/DSC_1923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="372" /></p> <p>Last rays of the day warm (mostly) sleeping elephant seals.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FBRZ42k3jQY/TeSGzln-4YI/AAAAAAAAYzU/D8onTpitY38/s1600-h/DSC_1881%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1881" border="0" alt="DSC_1881" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mnf45IQinX0/TeSG0QQiDBI/AAAAAAAAYzY/FrvuL8Cs2lY/DSC_1881_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="313" /></a></p> <p>Piedras Blancas Lighthouse in the far distance.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ki56oQmx88w/TeSG1E8PlSI/AAAAAAAAYzc/BSHttl8fpSk/s1600-h/DSC_1709%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1709" border="0" alt="DSC_1709" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wc39AGrthlI/TeSG19zeckI/AAAAAAAAYzg/ELJnfqbH6Xw/DSC_1709_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="346" /></a> </p> <p>Another view from Ragged Point looking South. Pictures hardly do justice to the beauty of the area.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ezETgXR6N60/TeSG2ZCECfI/AAAAAAAAYzk/cKGqulPCiLw/s1600-h/DSC_1944%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1944" border="0" alt="DSC_1944" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CffzA_juUKA/TeSG2yCJgQI/AAAAAAAAYzo/XyyXnonofJ0/DSC_1944_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="329" /></a> </p> <p>A last look at Elephant Seal Beach…</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:4741b53d-3d60-4ffd-9d19-a59234d0ca78" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Elephant+Seals" rel="tag">Elephant Seals</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Piedras+Blancas+Lighthouse" rel="tag">Piedras Blancas Lighthouse</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bellos" rel="tag">Bellos</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ragged+Point" rel="tag">Ragged Point</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Morro+Bay" rel="tag">Morro Bay</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California+Central+Coast" rel="tag">California Central Coast</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-9442436414147895092011-05-15T02:55:00.000-04:002011-05-29T03:43:09.658-04:00Morro Bay, California: Scenic & Quaint Morro Bay<p>We moved from the beautiful Central California Solvang area to the scenic Morro Bay area. We are living on a fixed budget and Mary Lynn found a relatively inexpensive RV park: Bay Pines RV Park. The key word here is ‘relatively’ because everything is expensive in California… </p> <p>At first I was disappointed with the spot they gave us; basically it was a connecting driveway however once we got set up we realized we overlooked an estuary. It was full of wildlife that we enjoyed watching all week. A family of wild pigs, deer, tons of birds, etc. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1955" border="0" alt="DSC_1955" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KHn58h7o9R0/TeH47KV4MHI/AAAAAAAAYxc/ZjCD1DPm7ys/DSC_1955_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="340" /></p> <p> The picturesque harbor in Morro Bay connects to the large tidal estuary.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2362" border="0" alt="DSC_2362" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wQRFwnHY4gA/TeH47mRF47I/AAAAAAAAYxg/WhVAouVKye8/DSC_2362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="407" /></p> <p>Morro Bay is anchored by Morro Rock, which is actually the remains of a volcanic plug. After a volcano erupts the lava cools and a ‘plug’ forms in the fissure. Eventually the seas dropped and the earth around the plug was eroded leaving, in this case, Morro Rock.</p> <p> <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2105" border="0" alt="DSC_2105" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1TpqpRhtBHs/TeH48OiWttI/AAAAAAAAYxk/_sl7G_VBQ24/DSC_2105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="442" /></p> <p>The whole area is designated a protected bird sanctuary so there are birds everywhere, including the ubiquitous seagulls. They are everywhere however we also saw large numbers of pelicans, egrets, blue herons, great white herons, sandpipers, etc. One of my favorites is the red-winged black bird which is fairly common throughout the central coast of California. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fmoyQ_pPD0w/TeH489rqP2I/AAAAAAAAYxo/JyPoM5tQ8iA/s1600-h/DSC_2381%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2381" border="0" alt="DSC_2381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xutb47v0lQo/TeH490j60mI/AAAAAAAAYxs/DVQyFC2b7dk/DSC_2381_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>The port is home to a small fishing fleet that unloads it catch daily at the Morro Bay Fish Company. The picture above is the view from our table in what became our favorite restaurant: Tognazzini's Dockside <em>Restaurant</em> & <em>Fish</em> Market. Great food and incredibly fresh.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b0hGoeOaJUA/TeH4-RxIEmI/AAAAAAAAYxw/BQvo2wrRPF0/s1600-h/DSC_2387%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2387" border="0" alt="DSC_2387" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yn-6Pgayabo/TeH4-7s-nAI/AAAAAAAAYx0/W3aK8zagL8g/DSC_2387_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a></p> <p>MLA is not a big seafood fan however she lets me indulge my seafood habit. She did say the fish and chips here were the best she’s ever had. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q37GG1qY5HQ/TeH4_RW840I/AAAAAAAAYx4/YsbA189hu0w/s1600-h/DSC_2475%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_2475" border="0" alt="DSC_2475" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RqcADJB4B1w/TeH5AHysPkI/AAAAAAAAYx8/37vuP00btcE/DSC_2475_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="367" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Vs9Xtdwm8s/TeH5BgRGM0I/AAAAAAAAYyA/fyWiRF9VKrs/s1600-h/DSC_1964%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1964" border="0" alt="DSC_1964" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-te0ezfeFMYg/TeH5DDQIstI/AAAAAAAAYyE/usbWaSsU2Bs/DSC_1964_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>These folks seemed to be having a great time paddling around the harbor on paddleboards.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f49d976c-3503-47eb-8be6-c04feaaab1e1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Morro+Bay" rel="tag">Morro Bay</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Seafood" rel="tag">Seafood</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Paddleboards" rel="tag">Paddleboards</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Seagulls" rel="tag">Seagulls</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bird+Sanctuary" rel="tag">Bird Sanctuary</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bay+Pines+RV+Park" rel="tag">Bay Pines RV Park</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Tognazzini's+Dockside+Restaurant" rel="tag">Tognazzini's Dockside Restaurant</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-51127123759668722202011-05-11T00:06:00.000-04:002011-05-24T04:55:09.837-04:00Solvang, California: Awesome Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum<p>While in Solvang I went to the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum and highly recommend you do the same if you have any interest at all in motorcycles.</p> <p>I used to race motorcycles when I was younger, mostly motocross although I did get to race in a TT race and a road race. I loved the one time I went road racing but I didn’t have the money to keep racing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/Tdtr5PzyNoI/AAAAAAAAYv8/N13LLLqXGsA/s1600-h/DSC_1316%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1316" border="0" alt="DSC_1316" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/Tdtr66e-x4I/AAAAAAAAYwA/yrB3Ols5-dw/DSC_1316_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="385" /></a> </p> <p>I don’t have the skill either --not enough to go fast, you have to win-- but I prefer to blame the lack of $$$$. In any case, there is a world class motorcycle museum in Solvang with lots of old and in some cases, unusual bikes plus couple of very cool road racing motorcycles. I was told the owner is a former college Physics professor; this guy really knows his bikes, his engineering and his racing history. Truly a great collection.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/Tdtr8jD47UI/AAAAAAAAYwE/HvXdfNVkkAc/s1600-h/DSC_1321%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1321" border="0" alt="DSC_1321" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/Tdtr-WOPBLI/AAAAAAAAYwI/XbxfsRf__s8/DSC_1321_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>1914 Indian “V” Twin. Indian was the largest motorcycle company in the US (world?) in 1914. When WWI broke out the US government bought all of their 1916 motorcycle production leaving the large Indian dealer network with nothing to sell. Harley Davidson took advantage of the situation and passed Indian as the largest manufacturer a few years later.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsADVwf9I/AAAAAAAAYwM/URVo-J51MTc/s1600-h/DSC_1323%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1323" border="0" alt="DSC_1323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsB_aQ2pI/AAAAAAAAYwQ/rbgPK4bdWMw/DSC_1323_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Hopefully you can read the story above about how the museum’s 1914 Indian was discovered….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsDSIotoI/AAAAAAAAYwU/dHMUUV4R8WA/s1600-h/DSC_1329%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1329" border="0" alt="DSC_1329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsFIraDiI/AAAAAAAAYwY/u_afR2Im-DI/DSC_1329_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="403" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsGxNiI7I/AAAAAAAAYwc/a4hpPrkng8k/s1600-h/DSC_1331%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1331" border="0" alt="DSC_1331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsI5ExNhI/AAAAAAAAYwg/vLMLt7DIygw/DSC_1331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>1921 Mars 1000. Horizontally opposed twin cylinders but mounted in line with the frame rather than transversely like BMW made famous and still uses today. Check out the complete spare tire mounted on the rear – a testament to the poor quality of the roads at that time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsKxvSVCI/AAAAAAAAYwk/c3OgY_XYzkQ/s1600-h/DSC_1319%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="1933 Matchless" border="0" alt="1933 Matchless" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsMyNUKhI/AAAAAAAAYwo/JySmiHrHUqY/DSC_1319_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="393" /></a> </p> <p>1933 Matchless – check out the double ‘fishtail’ exhaust pipe.</p> <p>No kidding. I got to spend several hours at the museum while staying in Solvang. Of course, Mary Lynn went shopping so I could browse to my heart’s content. Darn – I missed going shopping with her for several hours – in & out of similar shops selling almost identical ‘trinkets & trash’ – really sorry I missed that. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsOXu8B0I/AAAAAAAAYws/vAkQfsxKpLQ/s1600-h/DSC_1317%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1317" border="0" alt="DSC_1317" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsQGTeN8I/AAAAAAAAYww/JqK6diwBkpU/DSC_1317_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="391" /></a> </p> <p>Harley Davidson ruled dirt track racing in the 70’s at places like Ascot Park in Southern California. Not so much in road racing….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsRm7XMLI/AAAAAAAAYw0/l4L4O4EdwD4/s1600-h/DSC_1342%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1342" border="0" alt="DSC_1342" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsTMU6rGI/AAAAAAAAYw4/9it2UA8jMLQ/DSC_1342_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a>  </p> <p>Road racing legend Giacomo (Jock-o-mo) Agostini signed the tank of this Yamaha TZ 700. Yamaha made a small number of production racers that anyone could buy. </p> <p>A friend of mine bought and raced a TZ 350, which he was kind enough to let me do the test rides when we were ‘jetting’ the bike. We gave two six packs of beer to a bike-friendly cop and he would block off the end of a long, well lit straightaway out in the middle of no where. That’s the fastest I have ever gone on a motorcycle – roughly 130 mph. The bike would go faster but when the street lights started to look like a picket fence and you could see the end of the street I decided the ‘jetting’ test was done. </p> <p>Yamaha’s TZ 700 is basically two TZ 350 motors stuck together. Giacomo won the Daytona 200 in 1974 on a Yamaha like the one in the museum.  Fast and loud is a real understatement for this motorcycle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsUhZgq4I/AAAAAAAAYw8/pspZHMWC3V4/s1600-h/DSC_1336%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1336" border="0" alt="DSC_1336" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsWIJdlMI/AAAAAAAAYxA/AAB9Jnzf_Nk/DSC_1336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="389" /></a> </p> <p>1957 Maico Typhoon. Maico dominated motocross however they were never very successful with street bikes – despite styling way ahead of other manufacturers. Note how the transmission cases ‘flow’ into the bodywork – pretty advanced for 1957. I think Honda took styling cues from this bike for the “Honda Dream” series of bikes it introduced in the 60’s.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsXbQyfVI/AAAAAAAAYxE/39EEXK0Z0ho/s1600-h/DSC_1340%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1340" border="0" alt="DSC_1340" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsZNezBDI/AAAAAAAAYxI/DttUFj9ENY0/DSC_1340_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="419" /></a> </p> <p>Really cool 1932 Brough Superior. Check out the exhaust on this v-twin.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtsawlFGpI/AAAAAAAAYxM/LcByRhBMCFc/s1600-h/DSC_1334%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1334" border="0" alt="DSC_1334" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TdtscW0mMdI/AAAAAAAAYxQ/BsPHFjDMIKs/DSC_1334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a>  </p> <p>John Britten designed what is arguably the fastest 4 stroke motorcycle in the early 90’s, reported able to do wheel stands at 150 mph. Only 10 Brittens (+ a prototype) were built before John Britten died in 1995. His bikes made extensive use of Carbon fibre body work including the rims, front suspension fork, and the swingarm. </p> <p>Other design highlight included a hand cast, 4 valves per head alloy engine; frame-less chassis with engine acting as a stressed member; radiator located under the riders seat; carbon fibre fasteners (joining body work together); engine data logging and the rear suspension shock located in front of the engine.</p> <p>Supposedly the Britten 1000 in the museum was the only Britten that was never raced. In fact it was in its original packing case until 2004. The bike is an engineering marvel.</p> <p>Actually, that was one of my main take-aways. Engineering marvels abound throughout the early 1900’s. Many of the designs introduced today that we think are so revolutionary were actually designed, implemented and sold to the public at the turn of the last century. Although almost all of the companies represented by the vintage motorcycles in this museum are long gone, the brilliant engineering and beautiful designs live on in special places like this.</p> <p>There are only a few special motorcycle museums however the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is one of them. If you love motorcycles like I do, you need to add this place to your bucket list.</p> <p>See Ya! </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:fa636948-4604-4370-b3b7-b0c05e1e0009" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Solvang" rel="tag">Solvang</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Vintage+Motorcycle+Museum" rel="tag">Vintage Motorcycle Museum</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Britten" rel="tag">Britten</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Matchless" rel="tag">Matchless</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indian" rel="tag">Indian</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Harley+Davidson" rel="tag">Harley Davidson</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Mars" rel="tag">Mars</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Yamaha" rel="tag">Yamaha</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Maico" rel="tag">Maico</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TZ+350" rel="tag">TZ 350</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/TZ+700" rel="tag">TZ 700</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-19863422970311576102011-05-03T23:48:00.000-04:002011-05-23T23:57:56.104-04:00Solvang, California: Central Coast is a Gem<p>We moved from Malibu to Solvang, which is about 30 miles north of Santa Barbara and slightly inland, just over the coastal mountains. Let me just say that the Central Coast of California is one of the most beautiful places we have been in California. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dQXTV5ddpfA/TdsrhCWdIgI/AAAAAAAAYu8/PB0ABTW_h6Q/s1600-h/165%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="165" border="0" alt="165" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k1U8abSDaoM/TdsrnBko99I/AAAAAAAAYvA/HOBX0y9kxng/165_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="388" /></a> </p> <p>Of course, the winter rains have left the hills lushly covered in green and gold grasses. Plus the hills are pretty rugged.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1205" border="0" alt="DSC_1205" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2XF9XQ8d-3M/Tdsrr6szvAI/AAAAAAAAYvE/xsYiqwkRCiw/DSC_1205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="326" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5Q1rVKYFngA/Tdsrw1qNR0I/AAAAAAAAYvI/Mk1S8-j5ROI/s1600-h/069%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="069" border="0" alt="069" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VS8z7cfMFcA/Tdsr4hf13rI/AAAAAAAAYvM/19WrQofyS1I/069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="348" /></a> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="181" border="0" alt="181" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mpA5daztG5s/Tdsr_-Edx4I/AAAAAAAAYvQ/TJa1jcCE8JE/181_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></p> <p>Solvang is a ‘Danish’ village. Lots of stores and restaurants that are a major draw with tourists. Its small, picturesque, and full of good places to eat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9fRkCe44pKw/TdssF3CmqBI/AAAAAAAAYvU/LzS2o8Rpuy8/s1600-h/DSC_1177%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1177" border="0" alt="DSC_1177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FUTL7uAWKok/TdssNo80fPI/AAAAAAAAYvY/WGQIDI-j_hA/DSC_1177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="301" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1153" border="0" alt="DSC_1153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-miSHpHjcOT8/TdssUTXgvWI/AAAAAAAAYvc/gXe8sZZlSig/DSC_1153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="486" /></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hZw_QByL0l8/TdssaChhUrI/AAAAAAAAYvg/lsH4FyZp0uA/s1600-h/DSC_1244%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1244" border="0" alt="DSC_1244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-floAmYg95mU/TdssgdAczlI/AAAAAAAAYvk/oPNPN8Q2lUs/DSC_1244_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="383" /></a></p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_1258" border="0" alt="DSC_1258" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5byyMZFEGVA/TdssqwMWCjI/AAAAAAAAYvs/ziumV6TlfZc/DSC_1258_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="405" /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-14hYd65iSvg/TdssvqDBYLI/AAAAAAAAYvw/P2_offxcR18/s1600-h/DSC_1153%25255B2%25255D.jpg"></a></p> <p>The central coast mountains were alive with wildflowers, especially in areas that had caught fire in the last few years. All part of the reseeding transformation. </p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:090da961-7134-48e1-903c-0e80d3914055" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Solvang" rel="tag">Solvang</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California+Central+Coast" rel="tag">California Central Coast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Danish" rel="tag">Danish</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wildflowers" rel="tag">Wildflowers</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-9107529737476566542011-04-26T23:13:00.000-04:002011-05-23T23:24:28.033-04:00Hollywood, California: The Price Is Right Show<p>While based in Malibu we took the time to take a few side trips: one to Hollywood and one to Oxnard/Ventura.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6NRgUJI700k/TdsjoNWS5XI/AAAAAAAAYt4/d3U0ggZJZps/s1600-h/DSC_0745%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0745" border="0" alt="DSC_0745" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NMJ3eS8o7_A/TdsjsmTyc-I/AAAAAAAAYt8/_fjj1_TcBeU/DSC_0745_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="290" /></a> </p> <p>Mary Lynn and our daughter Kasey Lynn are huge fans of “The Price Is Right” show. MLA reserved tickets on-line and bright & early the next morning we drove into Los Angeles. Traffic at 6:30 am was amazingly light and we arrived at CBS’ studios well before the 8:30am requirement.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q61SmNkBxvU/TdsjycTkTdI/AAAAAAAAYuA/WF528kN-wik/s1600-h/DSC_0935%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0935" border="0" alt="DSC_0935" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1ZAF3xBW-gY/Tdsj4QXjzQI/AAAAAAAAYuE/jJrHYa-ZGQU/DSC_0935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="407" /></a> </p> <p>After that, you do a lot of waiting. As I said, you had to arrive before 8:30 am however the show did not begin taping until 12:30 pm. No photos (or phones, etc) allowed in studio so all I can show you is a picture of the outside of the CBS studio. And of course the Hollywood sign was visible up on the hill….</p> <p>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NSNDNgKWO5U/TdskBHEjdnI/AAAAAAAAYuI/pknRb65Y0UY/s1600-h/DSC_0944%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0944" border="0" alt="DSC_0944" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yFQVmdbWNrM/TdskKsM9k1I/AAAAAAAAYuM/6g9eOqTKEO4/DSC_0944_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="405" /></a> </p> <p>All in all it was a good experience even though we did not get picked to go up on stage. Not a big surprise since we were in regular ‘street clothes’ and most of the people who were picked had dressed up in all kinds of crazy clothes, most with lots of writing on them, like “Pick Me” or “I love Drew”, etc., etc. Very cool to see Drew…</p> <p>After that we drove up to Oxnard and Ventura… <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0343" border="0" alt="DSC_0343" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SUnNrjhyVx4/TdskOWaEx2I/AAAAAAAAYuQ/rzPzRg-NqPo/DSC_0343_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="327" /></p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0855" border="0" alt="DSC_0855" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UqfH56iex1U/TdskTvNwTDI/AAAAAAAAYuU/PMQP2XOLr1E/DSC_0855_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="309" /></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zTyS03U0w5I/TdskaUf2Q5I/AAAAAAAAYuY/aFfyTtp4Nqo/s1600-h/DSC_0786%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0786" border="0" alt="DSC_0786" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U0_bUoJAeQU/TdskgnW2_WI/AAAAAAAAYuc/HnO8McfLXtI/DSC_0786_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="323" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c7i32PnXaA8/TdskmAV62eI/AAAAAAAAYug/vD2IpttZ-tY/s1600-h/DSC_0823%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0823" border="0" alt="DSC_0823" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vqXAXKNkiLg/Tdskskw41lI/AAAAAAAAYuk/qjSumCi6KqE/DSC_0823_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NQ6fJ7Ey_HA/Tdsk0n1gzBI/AAAAAAAAYus/N6DEJ33QMeA/s1600-h/DSC_0929%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0929" border="0" alt="DSC_0929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tXBQgn2oAJ4/Tdsk532FgrI/AAAAAAAAYuw/KjJKCxNr_zI/DSC_0929_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="414" /></a> </p> <p>See YA!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:1b02fbf1-084f-4053-9d36-1592959b524d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/CBS" rel="tag">CBS</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Price+is+Right" rel="tag">Price is Right</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Malibu" rel="tag">Malibu</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Oxnard" rel="tag">Oxnard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ventura" rel="tag">Ventura</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Wind+Surfing" rel="tag">Wind Surfing</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-48007183988308218652011-04-25T17:40:00.000-04:002011-05-08T18:39:09.483-04:00Malibu, California: Home of “California Dreaming”<p>Malibu beach stretches for some 27 miles along an amazingly beautiful coastline. Pockets of sun drenched sandy beaches interspersed with rugged, ocean bashed rocks, all combine to create some of the best vista’s southern California has to offer.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccXdsPRb0I/AAAAAAAAYsw/OL5wM93-s_I/s1600-h/DSC_0419%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0419" border="0" alt="DSC_0419" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccXiLsNDwI/AAAAAAAAYs0/fuRrsdWc2Bk/DSC_0419_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="330" /></a> </p> <p>Home to more Beach Boy’s style and 60’s era music than you can count, I think Malibu  personifies the image most folks have when they are “California Dreaming”.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0497" border="0" alt="DSC_0497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccXjxRxfGI/AAAAAAAAYs4/SbdzyoZIOwY/DSC_0497_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></p> <p>We stayed for a week perched over the Pacific Ocean where we had an incredible view of Pelicans, Sea Lions, dozens of Dolphins (two pictured above), even a couple of migrating whales. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccXnJQvyPI/AAAAAAAAYs8/YzGyjJ_rnTI/s1600-h/DSC_0574%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0574" border="0" alt="DSC_0574" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccYGbYF74I/AAAAAAAAYtA/-4I2bc29VX8/DSC_0574_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></a> </p> <p>We had a distant view of Los Angeles which you can see if you look closely at the picture above. We also had a view of Cher’s estate located about half a mile from where we were camped.  Cher’s estate sits high on a bluff overlooking the Pacific just behind and above these homes on the beach in the picture above. We were going to ‘drop in’ and say ‘hi’ but the week just flew by… maybe next time. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0777" border="0" alt="DSC_0777" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccYNbuu17I/AAAAAAAAYtE/SEnnt1BI5a0/DSC_0777_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="407" /></p> <p>We stayed at Malibu Beach RV Park and although pricey, it has without a doubt the best ocean views of any RV Park we have stayed in so far. The park sits up on a bluff; we were on the first level perhaps 100 feet above the ocean. Some of their sites are located even higher although further back from the ocean itself. We pulled the RV in so that our front window had a panoramic view of the ocean.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccYQdBuCvI/AAAAAAAAYtI/eWgQd86fQeA/s1600-h/DSC_0366%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0366" border="0" alt="DSC_0366" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccYSiaDQkI/AAAAAAAAYtM/ogrMC0894Zk/DSC_0366_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="436" /></a> </p> <p>Mary Lynn and I spent hours sitting outside watching the ocean with its constantly changing light as well as a never ending procession of wildlife. Pelicans at this time of year are extremely plentiful, with large squadrons of them flying in formation. They use the winds uplifts created by the bluffs or flying just above the crest of the wave, again using the uplifts created by the waves themselves to glide almost effortlessly.  In the evening, wave after wave would pass by only feet from our RV.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0923" border="0" alt="DSC_0923" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccY8hxA4AI/AAAAAAAAYtU/qk8XFnJfTtc/DSC_0923_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="389" /></p> <p>The kite surfers above were close by and fascinating to watch as they flew over incoming waves, sometimes letting the kite pull them completely into the air. Soaring above the ocean before splashing down looked like a lot of fun however try as I might, MLA declined my offer to rent a kite and board for the afternoon…</p> <p>We attended Easter services at the church started by our son Christopher’s friends from ‘GUTS” church in Tulsa Oklahoma. Waveside Church uses an incredible facility located on the beach just south of the famous Zuma Beach. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccZDzak2KI/AAAAAAAAYtY/JWm8uYSBuPc/s1600-h/DSC_0745%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0745" border="0" alt="DSC_0745" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TccZFobTdnI/AAAAAAAAYtc/6fum2cCwGXM/DSC_0745_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="290" /></a> </p> <p>Malibu is home to many of Hollywood’s elite for a reason. It really is a spectacular and special place. We were going to stay another week however the RV Park would not honor their discount for staying another week so we voted with our pocketbook and are leaving after only one week. An RV park this beautiful should be full nearly all the time. It still amazes me to see some businesses so poorly run. Oh well, I have better things to spend my time (and money) on these days.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:39cff5b7-db85-4d04-8863-509fd6e59f00" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Malibu" rel="tag">Malibu</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California" rel="tag">California</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dolphins" rel="tag">Dolphins</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Whales" rel="tag">Whales</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Pelicans" rel="tag">Pelicans</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-47798748580206135802011-04-20T01:34:00.000-04:002011-05-08T01:34:42.114-04:00Anaheim: Disneyland – Walt’s First Fantasy Park<p>Anaheim, California is a suburb of LA. It’s also the home of Walt Disney’s first theme park: Disneyland. Not to be confused with Disneyworld, which is located in Orlando Florida. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqiRFuJUI/AAAAAAAAYrs/xJXa9zbYhKQ/s1600-h/DSC_9849%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9849" border="0" alt="DSC_9849" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqklYXsEI/AAAAAAAAYrw/ZCBCDSAB-DE/DSC_9849_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="380" /></a> </p> <p>Since we have been to Disneyworld many times I was afraid Mary Lynn would be disappointed with Disneyland however she insisted she wanted to see Disneyland for herself.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqnh8MzyI/AAAAAAAAYr0/9Np7I94MJ5U/s1600-h/DSC_9850%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9850" border="0" alt="DSC_9850" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqqrXhhTI/AAAAAAAAYr4/sFb0iU-nBpo/DSC_9850_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="340" /></a> </p> <p>We went early in the day for several hours and then returned to the park in the evening for the great fireworks display. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqs-wOxYI/AAAAAAAAYr8/5Fdtc3fWNcI/s1600-h/DSC_9876%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9876" border="0" alt="DSC_9876" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqv_SGRdI/AAAAAAAAYsA/1JM4b7OesLo/DSC_9876_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>A shot of Buzz Light Year for the youngest members of our former neighbors in Maryland:  Dominick, Claire & John. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_4619" border="0" alt="DSC_4619" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYqyvsAmrI/AAAAAAAAYsE/1uqUNCpHbwc/DSC_4619_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="433" /></p> <p>In fact, Dominic dressed up as Buzz Light Year for Halloween a few years ago – as you can see, he was terrific.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq0TxiWvI/AAAAAAAAYsI/RNEXtDOaGwA/s1600-h/DSC_0046%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0046" border="0" alt="DSC_0046" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq26Ms-UI/AAAAAAAAYsM/BJvcgT_W1Dk/DSC_0046_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="486" /></a></p> <p>Disney’s fireworks display is a lot better than my ability to capture fireworks photos…</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq4ucMujI/AAAAAAAAYsQ/JnYSl-W-ch8/s1600-h/DSC_9919%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9919" border="0" alt="DSC_9919" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq6l8ptpI/AAAAAAAAYsU/XplWmfO9yuM/DSC_9919_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="582" height="486" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq8WCHNLI/AAAAAAAAYsY/zObSyaprzHg/s1600-h/DSC_0057%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0057" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYq-uc3baI/AAAAAAAAYsc/g12eTb9KJbg/DSC_0057_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="486" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYrAibCeKI/AAAAAAAAYsg/sr6GXpcGCX8/s1600-h/DSC_0110%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_0110" border="0" alt="DSC_0110" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcYrC7xYGbI/AAAAAAAAYsk/dJXGc-AI3VA/DSC_0110_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="486" /></a> </p> <p>MLA loved the aquatic show held late at night in Frontier Land. Overall we had a terrific time.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:05abfe5c-5c83-4f30-9b6d-81410081ff01" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Disneyland" rel="tag">Disneyland</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Disneyworld" rel="tag">Disneyworld</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Anaheim" rel="tag">Anaheim</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/California" rel="tag">California</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/LA" rel="tag">LA</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Buzz+Lightyear" rel="tag">Buzz Lightyear</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-37220509522070367852011-04-12T22:20:00.000-04:002011-05-07T22:24:09.554-04:00San Diego Zoo: World Famous For All The Right Reasons<p> I’m not really a fan of zoo’s. I used to enjoy taking my kids to the zoo however I always left feeling incredibly sorry for the animals. They usually seemed to be in areas that are fake and much too small for them. Seeing all of the fencing and cages is depressing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-GHSiyJI/AAAAAAAAYqc/YZAChD78h_I/s1600-h/DSC_9140%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9140" border="0" alt="DSC_9140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-HRyxHyI/AAAAAAAAYqg/gf9SCk4DKkc/DSC_9140_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="322" /></a> </p> <p>That said, the San Diego Zoo is one of, if not the best zoo in the country. They do a terrific job of providing natural settings, lots of companionship and a large amount of space for most animals.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-IeBhJdI/AAAAAAAAYqk/in1DR5r4ADw/s1600-h/DSC_9576%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9576" border="0" alt="DSC_9576" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-K-pP6fI/AAAAAAAAYqo/NNxnAS4vvuI/DSC_9576_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>And they do a lot of research into protecting and maintaining species that are threatened with extinction.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-QgvWYZI/AAAAAAAAYqs/bffo58hVcJc/s1600-h/DSC_9278%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9278" border="0" alt="DSC_9278" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-S-TydGI/AAAAAAAAYqw/krGU8AvbHsU/DSC_9278_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="396" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-U4Uw2-I/AAAAAAAAYq0/OTkPiVtDPBY/s1600-h/DSC_9762%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9762" border="0" alt="DSC_9762" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-W-X4RPI/AAAAAAAAYq4/9VUNOG40wXE/DSC_9762_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="464" /></a></p> <p>This butterfly was for sale in the Zoo’s gift shop. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-YlJunvI/AAAAAAAAYq8/T-9vqTEYC4I/s1600-h/DSC_9513%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9513" border="0" alt="DSC_9513" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-bFAvEkI/AAAAAAAAYrA/k3osWZQ2e4g/DSC_9513_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="430" /></a> </p> <p>Rick really got into the exhibits….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-eY2f68I/AAAAAAAAYrE/FkNULlli_7c/s1600-h/DSC_9720%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9720" border="0" alt="DSC_9720" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-gKgPfWI/AAAAAAAAYrI/b2nQPjAFTiM/DSC_9720_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="342" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-iXB4qjI/AAAAAAAAYrM/Pv_iteNWKPI/s1600-h/DSC_9714%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9714" border="0" alt="DSC_9714" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-loyhaFI/AAAAAAAAYrQ/WXaHqiP5ShQ/DSC_9714_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="486" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>This boy’s mom allowed me to take his photo right after he had his face painted. I wonder how many days he went before washing the paint off…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-njXMvbI/AAAAAAAAYrU/TbzRP5sCYe8/s1600-h/DSC_9751%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9751" border="0" alt="DSC_9751" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-qaqI_AI/AAAAAAAAYrY/zisb-r9awpI/DSC_9751_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="462" /></a> </p> <p>Mary Lynn has never met a gift shop she didn’t like (and explore). Good thing space is limited in the RV. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-tkW5PnI/AAAAAAAAYrc/bprXJQH4a3o/s1600-h/DSC_9785%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9785" border="0" alt="DSC_9785" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcX-xLmBL0I/AAAAAAAAYrg/JZ8LKZEfCw4/DSC_9785_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="620" height="774" /></a> </p> <p>As you can probably tell, I love to take photo’s of birds. The incredible colors combined with the patterns of the feathers really appeal to me. Not to mention the connection to ancient forms of life (think dinosaurs). And some of them seem fairly intelligent, more so than many animals.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5bccbfe6-1278-4c1e-8bf8-ca8178f1267a" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Diego" rel="tag">San Diego</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Zoo" rel="tag">Zoo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Flamingo" rel="tag">Flamingo</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Duck" rel="tag">Duck</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Peacock" rel="tag">Peacock</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-17719818082571751712011-04-11T21:25:00.000-04:002011-05-07T21:29:33.171-04:00San Diego: Old Town Trolley Tour of San Diego<p>We have found one of the best ways to get oriented in a new city/location is to take a ‘trolley’ tour. Here in San Diego we took the Old Town Trolley tour which goes all over San Diego including Balboa Park, Old Town, the Waterfront, Coronado Island (Hotel Coronado), etc.</p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_8977" border="0" alt="DSC_8977" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxJr0ETcI/AAAAAAAAYpg/qdZzZOb30vQ/DSC_8977_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="774" /></p> <p>The best part is you get to ride all day, getting on and off whenever you want. And occasionally the trolley driver is both knowledgeable and funny, but not always. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxU86vQ-I/AAAAAAAAYpk/dO-o_Wae5Rw/s1600-h/DSC_8984%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_8984" border="0" alt="DSC_8984" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxcrzsXTI/AAAAAAAAYpo/FWYGlZgkIwI/DSC_8984_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="471" /></a> </p> <p>This painting was available for sale in Old Town. I loved the colors and would have bought it is we had room for any art in our RV, but we don’t. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxk1Ob4mI/AAAAAAAAYps/FA-53tBq3gE/s1600-h/DSC_9082%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9082" border="0" alt="DSC_9082" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxqpiRMCI/AAAAAAAAYpw/42eSMCVfPVc/DSC_9082_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="306" /></a> </p> <p> The San Diego skyline taken from the trolley while going across Coronado Bridge. Shots from moving vehicles never have sharp details but I like the shot none the less.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXxz2ar9NI/AAAAAAAAYp0/-tFM2It0WjU/s1600-h/DSC_9090%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9090" border="0" alt="DSC_9090" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx05jdOfI/AAAAAAAAYp4/Qcz8t_76Ruk/DSC_9090_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>Our friend Rick couldn’t stand all the excitement, which Anne found amusing….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx2Oh62tI/AAAAAAAAYp8/T6IxeKmEap8/s1600-h/DSC_9012%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9012" border="0" alt="DSC_9012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx3UirAiI/AAAAAAAAYqA/IyoI6V7xQ1g/DSC_9012_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="774" /></a> </p> <p>This frog reminded all of us of Larry, our friend from Palm Creek…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx7cBTD1I/AAAAAAAAYqE/CEvJL4Xf3JU/s1600-h/DSC_9027%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9027" border="0" alt="DSC_9027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx81IYqVI/AAAAAAAAYqI/-6MwhWoJl8Y/DSC_9027_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="412" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx9yQMP6I/AAAAAAAAYqM/zjxmtTCkuh0/s1600-h/DSC_9054%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC_9054" border="0" alt="DSC_9054" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXx--LfLMI/AAAAAAAAYqQ/UhQxh1qqCLc/DSC_9054_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="433" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>A fun kite shop on the San Diego waterfront and a cool looking bird with an old-fashioned ‘rat’s tail’.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:087d8b17-0a29-4c32-b4af-0192ce7a1b3e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Diego" rel="tag">San Diego</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Old+Town+Trolley" rel="tag">Old Town Trolley</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rat's+Tail" rel="tag">Rat's Tail</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Coronado+Bridge" rel="tag">Coronado Bridge</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Skyline" rel="tag">Skyline</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6074333230669037203.post-41394623354246871762011-04-10T20:41:00.000-04:002011-05-07T21:40:20.239-04:00Balboa Park – San Diego’s Answer to New York’s Central Park<p>After spending the winter (5 months) at Palm Creek in Casa Grande, Arizona we have hit the road to begin our West Coast Tour. Our plan is to follow the west coast north through California, Oregon, and Washington State and then head over to Idaho’s Coeur D’Alene and then head south thru Idaho, Nevada, and the western portion of California , including Yosemite and Death Valley. Who knows what will actually happen but that is the ‘plan’.</p> <p> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8516-1" border="0" alt="DSC_8516-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq1JHPnEI/AAAAAAAAYo4/DyJSQ-vNzbY/DSC_8516-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="406" /></p> <p>We are staying at the Santee Lakes Regional Park about 20 minutes from downtown San Diego. Great park with excellent access to the sights and activities of San Diego.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8654-1" border="0" alt="DSC_8654-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq2NuNedI/AAAAAAAAYo8/ytel99cKerc/DSC_8654-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="605" height="774" /></p> <p>For the next week or so we are travelling with Anne & Rick, our friends from Palm Creek. All too soon they will go their separate way as they have a commitment in Canada. We have had a great time with them and will miss their company. No worries though – we will meet them back in Palm Creek next fall.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8504-1" border="0" alt="DSC_8504-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq29euuxI/AAAAAAAAYpA/HSh2TAo6Xjc/DSC_8504-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="587" height="486" /></p> <p>Here are some pictures from San Diego’s Balboa Park, a great park created by the founder of San Diego patterned after New York’s Central Park. It has a number of museums and exhibits plus a spectacular rose garden.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8591-1" border="0" alt="DSC_8591-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq31C1WSI/AAAAAAAAYpE/8LFa4SOoDeg/DSC_8591-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="486" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq4j-OxxI/AAAAAAAAYpI/EvMgFLrTiNw/s1600-h/DSC_8741-1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8741-1" border="0" alt="DSC_8741-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq5yKiXZI/AAAAAAAAYpM/HwaiYz0WnQQ/DSC_8741-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="486" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq64NL9tI/AAAAAAAAYpQ/a_pF85DZZm0/s1600-h/DSC_8865%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_8865" border="0" alt="DSC_8865" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_zXh5WhUiTf4/TcXq8_uUP5I/AAAAAAAAYpU/PdP_LGiP-2E/DSC_8865_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="646" height="431" /></a> </p> <p>The painted ‘skull’ is from a very good Mexican restaurant (I forget the name, sorry) located at 5th & Maple. The Carousel is a restored antique located between Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo complete with hand carved animals.</p> <p>See Ya!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:46f9df99-f041-4fa0-af06-4bf2f2fa557f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/San+Diego" rel="tag">San Diego</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Balboa+Park" rel="tag">Balboa Park</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rose+Garden" rel="tag">Rose Garden</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Carousel" rel="tag">Carousel</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Skull" rel="tag">Skull</a></div> Dale, Mary Lynn & Dobbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08423880356053349708noreply@blogger.com0