tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76112634126818087982024-03-04T22:38:28.670-07:00Life After Lucky CharmsNotes on happily living gluten-freeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-32886373557918013112014-01-19T17:53:00.001-07:002014-01-19T17:53:18.175-07:00Never Summer Yurt TripDave came to visit me in Colorado before both of our stressful seasons started. His flight was accidentally out of Newark and then delayed two hours, but he eventually arrived at DIA around 11:30PM on Wednesday night. We stopped on the way home for the staple that is missing in Dave's NYC life: Taco Bell. <br />
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The next morning we went skiing at Loveland and enjoyed some great powder, but some big winds and snow at the end of the day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best hot cocoa EVER!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cvHuJkcwfnrHZyV2x4ebVXLLX4lL9hd_brKVTxyWwBm-3RMt3n0q-VK_pJeor0MH4pDcBjp6N9-3Jw9Askh30Uj7JIQa9Ql0kfVYaZWHe09qtq9KMXvgjV0lBgL38WV20mctKbNelBo/s1600/379759_10102036317510283_2009150971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cvHuJkcwfnrHZyV2x4ebVXLLX4lL9hd_brKVTxyWwBm-3RMt3n0q-VK_pJeor0MH4pDcBjp6N9-3Jw9Askh30Uj7JIQa9Ql0kfVYaZWHe09qtq9KMXvgjV0lBgL38WV20mctKbNelBo/s1600/379759_10102036317510283_2009150971_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave knit me this hat! </td></tr>
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We skied together all day until about 3:30, then I sent Dave off to do his own adventure, but we went up one of the high lifts to start that process and I had a hard time getting down, so while Dave got in 4 more runs, I just had the one. Oops. Fun day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUTfp-I_VYlDupvXsRS2uSSMXYtUI-zS4dg3H35BdBV9LhmYaOaR0uNXhFLBN_Dghp6Yljbr_qRq-7pKD0hYM6WVaPeGPW1tRD39d-MUWr_ta12A2PYJu60unmjJM9HSp80JpI8tu72c/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUTfp-I_VYlDupvXsRS2uSSMXYtUI-zS4dg3H35BdBV9LhmYaOaR0uNXhFLBN_Dghp6Yljbr_qRq-7pKD0hYM6WVaPeGPW1tRD39d-MUWr_ta12A2PYJu60unmjJM9HSp80JpI8tu72c/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south in Poudre leading to Big Thompson, wash out.</td></tr>
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We spent the weekend visiting with friends (Ben and Alice) and getting ready for our yurt trip. The yurt was difficult to find two days in a row at the same yurt, so we booked two nights at different yurts. I got all of our food ready and Dave got the gear ready and we headed out Sunday morning. We knew Poudre Canyon was open after all of the flooding, but should have looked into our shortcut before taking it. We went up Big Thompson Canyon for a few miles then turned onto Buckhorn to hook us up to Poudre without having to go through Ft Collins. Yeah, we had just about made it to Poudre and the road was closed! Before then about four bridges had been washed out, but temporary solutions were in place. Of course this is all remnants from the Colorado flood of September 2013 compounded by the previous year's High Park Fire. Allow me to quote <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Park_fire" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>: <i>"This culminated in the major rain/flood event of September 2013 when,
over the period of just a couple of days, the front range of Colorado
received extremely heavy and persistent rain. Rain gages in Rist Canyon
recorded over 15" of rain. Due to the extra preparation post High Park,
the Rist Canyon Road remained relatively intact. While many of the new
culvert structures overtopped (as designed), they did not plug or fail
and the road remained. Neighboring roads that had not received the same
preparation were destroyed. For example, the Buckhorn Canyon Road - used
to access the High Park Ignition point - was destroyed. Helicopter
flights after the flood showed that, in many places, all signs of the
road were gone."</i> Yeah, that was our road. No thanks to Google Maps (with traffic) for the warning. We had to turn around, go all the way back, go through the city, and take Poudre from the mouth. We had just been set back about 45 minutes. We later passed <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2011/08/poudre.html" target="_blank">our campsite from a previous trip</a> only to find the fire had reached just across the river. This fire happened the same summer as the Flagstaff fire near our house. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwm94E5xuMh0rNT6K4nhw5onoABokxp0suMd2nDxdvbAS1TO441CtmG65dF9nW-bxEO5Hf7I9WD9GdRK76ac3HocEsCXXNu-v7wu1wsy43MSQmyCc7cJ0VHR6o2GZ9Il1i_pUsuklQpc/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwm94E5xuMh0rNT6K4nhw5onoABokxp0suMd2nDxdvbAS1TO441CtmG65dF9nW-bxEO5Hf7I9WD9GdRK76ac3HocEsCXXNu-v7wu1wsy43MSQmyCc7cJ0VHR6o2GZ9Il1i_pUsuklQpc/s1600/photo1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Park fire of 2012 evidence as we drove down the canyon on the way home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cameron Pass was much better on the way up than it was on the return trip! Glad the subi made it!</td></tr>
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We finally made it over the pass, which had a few white outs when the wind blew, and onto our turn off for 41 into the forest service area. We parked at the Montgomery Yurt parking area, which was the yurt for night 2, thinking we wouldn't want to come back to the car in between. The yurts are run by <a href="http://www.neversummernordic.com/" target="_blank">Never Summer Nordic</a> if you want to give it a try. We got changed into our ski gear and I put on my snowshoes, Dave put on his skis and skins, and we were on our way. <br />
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We needed to cross a frozen creek and then hike along it to get to the path for the yurt, a total of about 1.2 miles. It was pretty late in the day, the drive took several hours more than expected, and we had about an hour of daylight left. The problem was, we couldn't seem to find the path once we crossed the creek, meaning the path might not have been used all winter, so it may have not really existed. We kept sinking through the snow! We'd go a few steps on top of the snow, then fall through. Once through, I was in snow up to my belly button and had to lift my snow and snow-shoe covered foot up to my belly button onto the next step up, then I'd fall through again. I had a heavy backpack on with 3 days of food and water and gear and the snow was not packed down, so the weight, my small snow shoes, and the snow conditions made it nearly impossible for me and Dave (who was in his powder telemark skis) to stay above the snow. The worst part was when I would trip over the snow and fall forward and have to use my upper body strength with my ski poles to get myself back upright. I felt like I was drowning! The snow was too heavy to just plow through, so each step had to go back to the top of the snow before I would fall back down. I panicked, I swore, but Dave stayed positive and we eventually got to a fence and then eventually spotted the blue diamonds indicating the path in the distance. Honestly, if we would have gotten there 15 minutes later, it would have been too dark to see them and we might have missed it. This is when I started cheering <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWKqhyMM_kDDYCvIxyx_3Zol1At4fHIcDELIbT2YuSntt29tFhBtgj9WCi3Js4NFvSxTBxs8LG1w52_TbVTBnQgvVeSVna4nriFStywJ8ajeBsK-x3OnG-fsiCaee5fPYUn8YeW9WYpU/s1600/DSC00373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWKqhyMM_kDDYCvIxyx_3Zol1At4fHIcDELIbT2YuSntt29tFhBtgj9WCi3Js4NFvSxTBxs8LG1w52_TbVTBnQgvVeSVna4nriFStywJ8ajeBsK-x3OnG-fsiCaee5fPYUn8YeW9WYpU/s1600/DSC00373.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay we found the path, I'm not going to die of exhaustion 80 miles from the nearest hospital !</td></tr>
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and got really excited for the rest of the trip. Once on the path, we only sank through a few inches at a time and Dave did a good job of keeping us on the path. If he sunk through he would poke around until he found the path again. We finally made it to Grass Creek Yurt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bdf-TPV_Tsxlrb-JhpEP9EETr95BIayAtN-TH9PazQzY4NC0hWAR60xkAZJLDMSixvr9vl-dzGrGGsWZUZYZqghJkAMoAUdIjQsGduLZko2wvAnjbjFVPH3IbHLXWEO3NZUhKaaTi30/s1600/DSC00372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bdf-TPV_Tsxlrb-JhpEP9EETr95BIayAtN-TH9PazQzY4NC0hWAR60xkAZJLDMSixvr9vl-dzGrGGsWZUZYZqghJkAMoAUdIjQsGduLZko2wvAnjbjFVPH3IbHLXWEO3NZUhKaaTi30/s1600/DSC00372.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few inches on either side of this path is 3-4 feet of unpacked snow. Dave did a good job of keeping us on the path. As you can see, there's no visual indication where it is because it had snowed so much! It was starting to get pretty dark and we still had about half a mile to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMWbssNCFWojdlPHYpIm7SQOSl7KSvgeUxijVksXM1W2aowJFW2bZnSM-IxyIFDNZMT-WKXocGyvjZ-cDaGtTgiIO5VN7wfzdav-2q51hRQDiJdpaDqE-hSHdPqe-TEkbgrGPg_1A4_I/s1600/DSC00376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMWbssNCFWojdlPHYpIm7SQOSl7KSvgeUxijVksXM1W2aowJFW2bZnSM-IxyIFDNZMT-WKXocGyvjZ-cDaGtTgiIO5VN7wfzdav-2q51hRQDiJdpaDqE-hSHdPqe-TEkbgrGPg_1A4_I/s1600/DSC00376.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a sign! A yurt sign!</td></tr>
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The yurt was such a great sight and Dave started a fire in the wood burning stove while I turned on the propane and got a few extra pieces of wood and filled up the snow pot to melt for water. It took us a few hours to get the temperature up, but we started around 20 and got up to 80 degrees, not bad! After our unintentionally difficult hike, we were starving! We made gluten free spaghetti noodles and poured piping hot home made chili over it. We even made cheesy garlic bread over the wood burning stove. A few days earlier we picked up a box of red wine and it went perfectly with the chili! We played games, listened to the radio, and drifted off to sleep. Eventually the fire goes out and the yurt drops temperature to about 40, which is about my limit, so I woke up and restarted the fire twice during the early morning hours. In the morning we made oatmeal and coffee, cleaned up a bit, did dishes, and started our hike to the next yurt. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYy9jVbt27N5E5ISKqMwXGcKC_Exh1zILRIKINRhRKzLa0SuLvwchPXUhgmM2itN9F683DvmoBGFy_zj9fa3-69tkU9qDVejKs6jV8QKDom7tk3dvMykS9Ybn79NyfS84B8TWfDDV9VA/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYy9jVbt27N5E5ISKqMwXGcKC_Exh1zILRIKINRhRKzLa0SuLvwchPXUhgmM2itN9F683DvmoBGFy_zj9fa3-69tkU9qDVejKs6jV8QKDom7tk3dvMykS9Ybn79NyfS84B8TWfDDV9VA/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yurt has bunk beds, bottom was a full. We set up the table and enjoyed our camping wine glasses from the Westy days.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMnuLqnWEj4ajN3JeIOB02Pa_5gLMUsgOmm9kh-xRiL0lphd7McpaKcjYlHCZ78L0T1u8h_r0iiBYG9tKlXV3mGboLXjt2ZIx-UUy2WB5hXq9yQvy8eddnC0QWmfXorEOR22ErZR9340/s1600/DSC00383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMnuLqnWEj4ajN3JeIOB02Pa_5gLMUsgOmm9kh-xRiL0lphd7McpaKcjYlHCZ78L0T1u8h_r0iiBYG9tKlXV3mGboLXjt2ZIx-UUy2WB5hXq9yQvy8eddnC0QWmfXorEOR22ErZR9340/s1600/DSC00383.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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Initially we had planned to take the path further away from the road, then hike over a ridge and then up the path to the Montgomery yurt. Because of our previous night's experience, we figured bush wacking a 4 mile hike in 4 feet of unpacked snow might kill us both, so we simply hiked back to the car, except instead of going through the deep stuff (our path disappeared in the night), we walked over a frozen reservoir onto a road to get back to our car, picked up more water, then hiked on a packed path 3.5 miles up the mountain to the Montgomery Pass yurt. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYDdSDd4hv-yN9HkEFP2qDIRLcLRKjszQ_YDEEqen9KZEzxmDp5d5QXIZ196NjQaZYy6NEQ8fKq6oYElmYfF4qmzcXaiFf8iC9fBRht0-KEySnGrEeei8JpQ8Lzhgorm3C1e3Wh_n29o/s1600/DSC00390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYDdSDd4hv-yN9HkEFP2qDIRLcLRKjszQ_YDEEqen9KZEzxmDp5d5QXIZ196NjQaZYy6NEQ8fKq6oYElmYfF4qmzcXaiFf8iC9fBRht0-KEySnGrEeei8JpQ8Lzhgorm3C1e3Wh_n29o/s1600/DSC00390.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Grass Creek Yurt in the morning. So beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwWMZuXn-egdmXGZIo21YVa9FuH3tIvPyf7F_YZrGszi8P9KO8Em8zDk6S4E3DvB1O1e242w2XtqMYp8vg-AlZgbqAMOrkoQvDEEw6DXnJZpbsDjoXb4PyW9EsHnv70QvnHOG1O7SK8w/s1600/DSC00392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwWMZuXn-egdmXGZIo21YVa9FuH3tIvPyf7F_YZrGszi8P9KO8Em8zDk6S4E3DvB1O1e242w2XtqMYp8vg-AlZgbqAMOrkoQvDEEw6DXnJZpbsDjoXb4PyW9EsHnv70QvnHOG1O7SK8w/s1600/DSC00392.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's do this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR0ncJz_bd4PnEXpfRDaujWvFCtpuYeXxgrfg8O_3lSXTsvpn76M3I9vl7iViKyrS8sqKUR9ssyw7nLdusTUV9FkQJ0ROCTVmu28Pn44IYLkFDvdKGVD7e9spHqZJGglZb5B-lpHEH6U/s1600/DSC00393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR0ncJz_bd4PnEXpfRDaujWvFCtpuYeXxgrfg8O_3lSXTsvpn76M3I9vl7iViKyrS8sqKUR9ssyw7nLdusTUV9FkQJ0ROCTVmu28Pn44IYLkFDvdKGVD7e9spHqZJGglZb5B-lpHEH6U/s1600/DSC00393.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gloomy, flurrying, but a beautiful view!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided to eat some lunch, so I thought I would make a chair in the snow drift on the side of the path. Not so chair-like, I sunk all the way through! Thankful for my snow skirt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like our turn off to go uphill!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the final of the really steep climbs to the yurt. Almost there, baby steps, forget that your pack is bruising your hips!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Montgomery Yurt! We made it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtul7nfTzte30M3aCmh_y9GCTVNGtPbMI4ziQMpxaMfzDBg_B73fPeMNvC_gguFc1mqzbugBXiFJni-LsPd4TJC2dd_2KlOgCnGg7paRBNv4va3OBIIzZjgj2s3bBLshcV1WFpU-xUos/s1600/DSC00406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtul7nfTzte30M3aCmh_y9GCTVNGtPbMI4ziQMpxaMfzDBg_B73fPeMNvC_gguFc1mqzbugBXiFJni-LsPd4TJC2dd_2KlOgCnGg7paRBNv4va3OBIIzZjgj2s3bBLshcV1WFpU-xUos/s1600/DSC00406.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my "Yay, but I am numb" face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYh_5LiZsdg354mstHexXN1SjcKb7gzkGwuMuDLb773iV07NmnuMJFm7uHFGvygKvuWh8EOBye0CRQvNvm24N7-F6BofBLJezPyoreG8mbujpZ_E6xikFGtX6InFU9C5QqbulB3kDzCE/s1600/DSC00408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYh_5LiZsdg354mstHexXN1SjcKb7gzkGwuMuDLb773iV07NmnuMJFm7uHFGvygKvuWh8EOBye0CRQvNvm24N7-F6BofBLJezPyoreG8mbujpZ_E6xikFGtX6InFU9C5QqbulB3kDzCE/s1600/DSC00408.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet view at the top!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUjaY09Ny-Wsf4IscZMOEJOgJsBZhq8FaPMmeVNj1vBhcNQMvmQgVrriOHeeFxYAJGXUybEJFsIHGJFlCyF7yGrZAEG086lLE0cJU2WfLD-c5fYhZIvgqs9yqL88Eh3P65lrrce8iaak/s1600/DSC00412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUjaY09Ny-Wsf4IscZMOEJOgJsBZhq8FaPMmeVNj1vBhcNQMvmQgVrriOHeeFxYAJGXUybEJFsIHGJFlCyF7yGrZAEG086lLE0cJU2WfLD-c5fYhZIvgqs9yqL88Eh3P65lrrce8iaak/s1600/DSC00412.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood burning stove with melting snow in the pot and melting frozen water bottle on the side. </td></tr>
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We made kielbasa with red peppers and onions with chicken soup on the side. I forgot to pack a sandwich roll for Dave. Let's just say he didn't grow up eating ring bologna and the texture was not his favorite. We played more games and Dave split tons of wood because the stock was mostly whole. It was a pretty windy night, little did we know a snow storm was brewing outside, and we woke up cold and to several fresh inches of snow! <br />
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Dave was going to hike out a different way and see if he could get in some turns on the way down, so I left early. Turns out the snow was too deep, so he turned around and took my path down anyway. He was a ways behind me and I was a little worried when I got to the car and he wasn't there. Apparently he had taken his skins off to ski down and this slowed him down quite a bit on the flat parts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTWoim2F4NSWTg8fuiKb9TPkjkgkaOBAgSf_pgvOdfz4qAr9Wb_hVjN_7ZaM6vZJ1i7q__HCp_fbkvJqEtkTTcqiUlQ9PwClWJxggF_tS70opXRFsb3uWpzj6qH6ZkbkRMFl8-udPDcI/s1600/DSC00424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTWoim2F4NSWTg8fuiKb9TPkjkgkaOBAgSf_pgvOdfz4qAr9Wb_hVjN_7ZaM6vZJ1i7q__HCp_fbkvJqEtkTTcqiUlQ9PwClWJxggF_tS70opXRFsb3uWpzj6qH6ZkbkRMFl8-udPDcI/s1600/DSC00424.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sign of Dave back there, but I'm enjoying the quiet.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D18WrS5pkHhvaWkVyH85GnPsujCI1tBMQLHprMFDyhuzeUGwrhsdZ1ntMgh5o2tTEDP6P3ppl3yCB5_b04FP_5ycIZiz_lSY3o8_VZCoC192GyMpvqK1Snlc8FIVkB42ytzXjXo5gaM/s1600/DSC00426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D18WrS5pkHhvaWkVyH85GnPsujCI1tBMQLHprMFDyhuzeUGwrhsdZ1ntMgh5o2tTEDP6P3ppl3yCB5_b04FP_5ycIZiz_lSY3o8_VZCoC192GyMpvqK1Snlc8FIVkB42ytzXjXo5gaM/s1600/DSC00426.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> I found the car covered in half a foot of snow and the road under about the same. Dave drove us out and over Cameron pass, which was totally sketchy and covered in snow, white out conditions in many areas. We made it home safely and enjoyed some Southern Sun after much-deserved showers. It was a great trip, wish he was here year-round! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-86074665422714435222014-01-05T23:27:00.000-07:002014-01-05T23:27:44.301-07:00Dave turns 29Dave turned 29 last summer! The weekend before Dave's birthday we went to visit his parents. We did some sailing (I think, at least we did at some point during the summer on Dave's sailboat) and had some fun with the kids and his brothers and sister in laws. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5IJWbQ6bjYUSy7ck9iCrWZJ-WeROAhq8f13uF2RV9ZlCq6mcmqKX6qiJTJrlmq6VVJYm8vgFw0zeEVl59J9doV1uCWoooQEdUikpJbajhx_5nmQf2NcRUfAYJE28FM4vCsOcquiPha8/s1600/DSC00161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5IJWbQ6bjYUSy7ck9iCrWZJ-WeROAhq8f13uF2RV9ZlCq6mcmqKX6qiJTJrlmq6VVJYm8vgFw0zeEVl59J9doV1uCWoooQEdUikpJbajhx_5nmQf2NcRUfAYJE28FM4vCsOcquiPha8/s1600/DSC00161.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave got the Star Wars record from his brother! The mustache wrapping paper was put to good use as well as the record! </td></tr>
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We went back to the city and on Dave's birthday he went to work and got caught up in a conversation with a coworker about some very good news on an instrument he could use. He made it back to his apartment an hour later than I had planned, but we still totally made it downtown in time for our tightly packed schedule! This was before I had a smart phone so I had a little sheet of paper with exactly where we were supposed to go with a little map on it. First, we took a tall ship to the statue of liberty! The chances for rain were extremely high and we managed to sail around a storm and use its winds to pick up some awesome speed. It was so cool! I've never seen the statue of liberty up close, so I was in awe! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm hits Manhattan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm wearing this shirt in just about every picture from this summer. I guess that's what happens when you live out of a suitcase!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ordered this rainbow special for Dave's birthday!</td></tr>
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Neither of us got sea sick and we jumped off the boat back to the subway and headed to the Metropolitan Room where we happened to get table 23, which is cool because Dave's birthday is on the 23rd! We got fancy drinks and an appetizer and enjoyed an awesome band with the most amazing mandolin player! Brazil + Jass, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdvJSDRHmBg" target="_blank">Choro das Tres </a><br />
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Afterwards I had found a gluten free pizza place I wanted to check out, but it was closed. So we ended up eating super yummy Italian food and wine at Il Bastardo.<br />
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We finally took the subway home and had birthday dessert from the bakery on Broadway and opened presents. (Espresso machine!) When asked how his birthday was, Dave replied, "Wait was that sailing thing today? It seems like forever ago!" Perhaps we squeezed a little too much in one day, but I think a 29th birthday needs to be one to remember! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave exhausted after a long day now 29 years old!</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-50087709517718613362014-01-05T22:30:00.002-07:002014-01-05T22:30:45.246-07:004th of July, a wedding, and NYC adventuresWe spent the 4th of July in New Jersey with Dave's family. It was great, complete with a full fireworks display by the neighbors! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and nephew Gavin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin likes to water the flowers, but then pick off their tops to share them with gals like me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcBduv9Z6oxhBqSTkCE6yFbusW5l7o4xDndWVyG4NwIpP1Bgp7dHeDr5LpIG_QuBZ46zsxrJOM96pWGzxIOLlvGpiHHYrP_zJLS0Rq5ZOMvPNWV46fk2ZHvn8PcvQRUDyXfMy1CI5AyM/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcBduv9Z6oxhBqSTkCE6yFbusW5l7o4xDndWVyG4NwIpP1Bgp7dHeDr5LpIG_QuBZ46zsxrJOM96pWGzxIOLlvGpiHHYrP_zJLS0Rq5ZOMvPNWV46fk2ZHvn8PcvQRUDyXfMy1CI5AyM/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 4th of July!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuII_bZzk-EuWNfGZxMZdoDAIbBPpcunPVHf5cvtzkqhfFNb3dwbZ7alPM4fGzMCFsXWwi-5YY0iV1tD8VeEtCVNbTY_8kehQSx_WbHe-NK7t_gBFJFXNDtDgsXPoQxEJZuirrCLBkFU/s1600/DSC00116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuII_bZzk-EuWNfGZxMZdoDAIbBPpcunPVHf5cvtzkqhfFNb3dwbZ7alPM4fGzMCFsXWwi-5YY0iV1tD8VeEtCVNbTY_8kehQSx_WbHe-NK7t_gBFJFXNDtDgsXPoQxEJZuirrCLBkFU/s1600/DSC00116.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake and Dave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28u3DVKEEs_GlsgU8lZ0Xuy30C47qA0U0lQGstoqi1briMnzBEXAI85bxcl-iwRq4Fe5p6wmVOfnI4R8gxzcfTU6wKhqgLig9JKvyExuB31uY_ByYZbFgCOlSzvmJjcho0X4n7sbO194/s1600/1016751_10151752635087697_1810379997_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28u3DVKEEs_GlsgU8lZ0Xuy30C47qA0U0lQGstoqi1briMnzBEXAI85bxcl-iwRq4Fe5p6wmVOfnI4R8gxzcfTU6wKhqgLig9JKvyExuB31uY_ByYZbFgCOlSzvmJjcho0X4n7sbO194/s1600/1016751_10151752635087697_1810379997_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like prom pictures... off to Carly's wedding on one of the hottest, muggiest days of the year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWW8LlW27r5I7Vv-UQi1pP8OXA2pVCKSZwObgk4uzT8BvjPeMZxO1890WC5AhigBskvAsV3OMnZkt3IHuIB6OB1FSUcu_4N_Yc4PdIqB_VlmNjdsZTYSZGtmQoYDA17KWHnDo2QEE9U8/s1600/DSC00119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWW8LlW27r5I7Vv-UQi1pP8OXA2pVCKSZwObgk4uzT8BvjPeMZxO1890WC5AhigBskvAsV3OMnZkt3IHuIB6OB1FSUcu_4N_Yc4PdIqB_VlmNjdsZTYSZGtmQoYDA17KWHnDo2QEE9U8/s1600/DSC00119.JPG" height="640" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bride Carly, a great friend of Dave's growing up and one of the only people he knew in NYC when he first moved there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdTgdeRH-njGTvKA9sLF4HAqXhm6jO5KIU61Ezzfn5aT6jX0MbCHWyhAG_D3A_sjIidTt5vq5N-qEGxAfaYzeBZT_yOqS_HV4Mg2bTStCH6bBYjnKgg_EAsqlKvDNjtsC1lxGqAtVOCU/s1600/DSC00120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdTgdeRH-njGTvKA9sLF4HAqXhm6jO5KIU61Ezzfn5aT6jX0MbCHWyhAG_D3A_sjIidTt5vq5N-qEGxAfaYzeBZT_yOqS_HV4Mg2bTStCH6bBYjnKgg_EAsqlKvDNjtsC1lxGqAtVOCU/s1600/DSC00120.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wedding party trying not to melt. Beautiful venue in NJ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAGhjWC58jJdCTrLxmCN6TQPH957hhyzc5T7pnRKpRfrx8G8jETqc7NuE3h9s-vt0LHArNu37oCp6JuCjNCh6KmA_m2PqEYX_kRjD9MAmg21CVxl9Xf55Cy8keDelMLTeAfMiAYHdFrA/s1600/DSC00121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAGhjWC58jJdCTrLxmCN6TQPH957hhyzc5T7pnRKpRfrx8G8jETqc7NuE3h9s-vt0LHArNu37oCp6JuCjNCh6KmA_m2PqEYX_kRjD9MAmg21CVxl9Xf55Cy8keDelMLTeAfMiAYHdFrA/s1600/DSC00121.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave exploring the rose garden at the wedding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyTKXW9INGzjlrMs7vezVsZXW2CbOvTLBTKsh9Yir9_6BjqL5DMNjMKkKwNprrvaeoDcFbY-c1EdGLAikgls8kgQutZwN8D1CGgAXKNLS7RLxO8dUtkcGnaYmSTBO9_CBP_tKmqYTGts/s1600/DSC00126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyTKXW9INGzjlrMs7vezVsZXW2CbOvTLBTKsh9Yir9_6BjqL5DMNjMKkKwNprrvaeoDcFbY-c1EdGLAikgls8kgQutZwN8D1CGgAXKNLS7RLxO8dUtkcGnaYmSTBO9_CBP_tKmqYTGts/s1600/DSC00126.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved this venue soooooo much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWU2TRr9Ie3DMEsD0RQUoQ7wfaam2vWfhKiq24euU2GwmkCctZ-I5OTJ5U2XRoRcNc0kOLaqTizH1ae-45w7wDFlS0G13VTujzWVUSJgzvYSCBpplSm-TE1jbnayS5fHTYovckDqI0GQ/s1600/DSC00127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWU2TRr9Ie3DMEsD0RQUoQ7wfaam2vWfhKiq24euU2GwmkCctZ-I5OTJ5U2XRoRcNc0kOLaqTizH1ae-45w7wDFlS0G13VTujzWVUSJgzvYSCBpplSm-TE1jbnayS5fHTYovckDqI0GQ/s1600/DSC00127.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweaty, fun, gorgeous wedding!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKudf2ZB0SW6C18qwZnB3_oSpmzkFkUtM3kz8clTOkx0_rfS5oSE6oeV6SVRv_B1DDhsAHWMI0kc8SnBhI768czfi9cHtn5ifAzx78sGNEszNVhev0ChaGPOR3-nS2QFzk2E1vIgDRdGE/s1600/DSC00125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKudf2ZB0SW6C18qwZnB3_oSpmzkFkUtM3kz8clTOkx0_rfS5oSE6oeV6SVRv_B1DDhsAHWMI0kc8SnBhI768czfi9cHtn5ifAzx78sGNEszNVhev0ChaGPOR3-nS2QFzk2E1vIgDRdGE/s1600/DSC00125.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to a New York Philharmonic matinee of "The Planets" complete with visuals of the actual planets. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONZANsRGUDDZgJd7-xnDrDySAHds3p0nPb9ZKjs9xVF48B76xcVz7N8drNodjJ6-TrYsFMC991HNBHk1TBwW6Csf-Lh12w3lbkB-He0h9h3AJFmoAvRMaLju23EGFrEsW_wQNQnUp8tM/s1600/DSC00131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONZANsRGUDDZgJd7-xnDrDySAHds3p0nPb9ZKjs9xVF48B76xcVz7N8drNodjJ6-TrYsFMC991HNBHk1TBwW6Csf-Lh12w3lbkB-He0h9h3AJFmoAvRMaLju23EGFrEsW_wQNQnUp8tM/s1600/DSC00131.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intermission at the Philharmonic</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn6wb-fHP7aptp0A5fqKPP9qJ9DiyQ_6F9DsFAwD7d7pgSY_YzuBi2S398jBnuinGQFfvh_0EhO6URpZK4pKsHHzAbsZnNuobi0oft4floTbq74oNllExPZ7iPf-m8LwV3ldxB9-TkLU/s1600/DSC00128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn6wb-fHP7aptp0A5fqKPP9qJ9DiyQ_6F9DsFAwD7d7pgSY_YzuBi2S398jBnuinGQFfvh_0EhO6URpZK4pKsHHzAbsZnNuobi0oft4floTbq74oNllExPZ7iPf-m8LwV3ldxB9-TkLU/s1600/DSC00128.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qs1DeTR_No1gUUR5eeaC3TVIMV3EGc8EytxRADUS7nLUN6UR9RnRu7_BGyx5XD80AvaNaMO4BE-tw89_SrnJmM72oa3etZyL7snuJKf_0tAajhIzwS-Utp-obwqAR7sjUKbjtlWQLIM/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qs1DeTR_No1gUUR5eeaC3TVIMV3EGc8EytxRADUS7nLUN6UR9RnRu7_BGyx5XD80AvaNaMO4BE-tw89_SrnJmM72oa3etZyL7snuJKf_0tAajhIzwS-Utp-obwqAR7sjUKbjtlWQLIM/s1600/DSC00134.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have taken a picture of Jessica and I instead of her view, but I visited high school friend and college roommate Jessica in Brooklyn and she made me the most amazing risotto! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__T1h6qZHd_yTlWEnU3EoF09Qm6rD8Qkkqb2UqbpcU91rFQ3_7FWs-jUzrZxbsUZPMGBVfb6YZxoGsjM2EN-IRth3M3F1FuEk9rRhSGCrbjTnD4Y3NUcUgbdKyLWd99jdwR41cd2mv0I/s1600/DSC00139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__T1h6qZHd_yTlWEnU3EoF09Qm6rD8Qkkqb2UqbpcU91rFQ3_7FWs-jUzrZxbsUZPMGBVfb6YZxoGsjM2EN-IRth3M3F1FuEk9rRhSGCrbjTnD4Y3NUcUgbdKyLWd99jdwR41cd2mv0I/s1600/DSC00139.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked along the riverside highway and enjoyed the sunset. Another day (not pictured) we biked down the bike highway, which was a fun adventure. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jNBlXxUIfLBlyzrtHoZo9m_pseP6SS3pp3nyud7e1vHn_frlzQlf5vI1R__8aeXU5-Sjb3rlYJJ-rX_qLY4irVeTw5kmCRg6NoHVjNUDjobkMvT95yPynnOE28-a2GK3xiIPLD7BiXo/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jNBlXxUIfLBlyzrtHoZo9m_pseP6SS3pp3nyud7e1vHn_frlzQlf5vI1R__8aeXU5-Sjb3rlYJJ-rX_qLY4irVeTw5kmCRg6NoHVjNUDjobkMvT95yPynnOE28-a2GK3xiIPLD7BiXo/s1600/DSC00145.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the sailboats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyQYi3qldRiARqeLhQzGaLvaY4lCnqNZRz5069P3SQ9xiS3FKF1Ls9jqHEP1yLiAh0KkrB7MK-0oMvvZIdZNt6TByiKdHibEAdTv-HItbaTVJ5ac3bciJ7rntKx-Gmn8gjNUv_yRhZrU/s1600/DSC00143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyQYi3qldRiARqeLhQzGaLvaY4lCnqNZRz5069P3SQ9xiS3FKF1Ls9jqHEP1yLiAh0KkrB7MK-0oMvvZIdZNt6TByiKdHibEAdTv-HItbaTVJ5ac3bciJ7rntKx-Gmn8gjNUv_yRhZrU/s1600/DSC00143.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at the boat basin cafe before strolling back up to Morningside</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-59354944309806793582014-01-05T18:15:00.003-07:002014-01-05T21:23:20.736-07:00Summer 2013I'm still catching up on my travel log from last year, so here's the first half of summer 2013.<br />
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After the vegas/Zion/Grand Canyon trip we went our separate ways and I headed to a conference at Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado. Best conference I've ever attended! It was small, cozy, and productive. I met some great people! We went for a hike during our one afternoon off and on our way back from the hike, saw this wildfire blow up in Rocky Mountain National Park, which had a bit of irony since we were at a climate change conference. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY2Kg8EFv_Pynx9qJi7hZZClDWk7syyBhJGuindqSAFaRymmd9lVnpbzvJFqJ00Tqhpe2RVFnS8ibkBrnJutkcHIDX1-R0LUsnRN6gz94aHX1OmPtoY3xhbDAxAXdW3CNnM0PAEFR0LY/s1600/DSC00045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGY2Kg8EFv_Pynx9qJi7hZZClDWk7syyBhJGuindqSAFaRymmd9lVnpbzvJFqJ00Tqhpe2RVFnS8ibkBrnJutkcHIDX1-R0LUsnRN6gz94aHX1OmPtoY3xhbDAxAXdW3CNnM0PAEFR0LY/s1600/DSC00045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Mountain Ranch in Colorado as a wildfire blows up in Rocky Mountain National Park in the distance, YMCA yurts in the foreground. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeizmy2NpeoONtOS_5YgJVEeJ7eeWbfvTyxBHi3qCbXTFt0oraOgLATFoHBBG1nclSt8n-ieOn_8NRsJzRVItFMR0g8f5KK3KNuAwFOQHURlWx2Owwv2-8J9GXJXYbYCJCaxGFSktS4ek/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeizmy2NpeoONtOS_5YgJVEeJ7eeWbfvTyxBHi3qCbXTFt0oraOgLATFoHBBG1nclSt8n-ieOn_8NRsJzRVItFMR0g8f5KK3KNuAwFOQHURlWx2Owwv2-8J9GXJXYbYCJCaxGFSktS4ek/s1600/DSC00026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the drive over Berthoud Pass to the conference. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNjz3wOinAkts7pCVAb-wBSpeakuL3lPlKRritx1ZmbItlb63gppg8piOp_ViGpNy3o9avWWarBrhit0mCJj5MU4gsvU_5MeZuts59fiOuBrR3ALlasmOHjpPbByf-j6b5bCbV4CYZb0/s1600/DSC00033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNjz3wOinAkts7pCVAb-wBSpeakuL3lPlKRritx1ZmbItlb63gppg8piOp_ViGpNy3o9avWWarBrhit0mCJj5MU4gsvU_5MeZuts59fiOuBrR3ALlasmOHjpPbByf-j6b5bCbV4CYZb0/s1600/DSC00033.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall on our hike in Snow Mountain Ranch</td></tr>
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Then I made my way to NYC to visit Dave for a few weeks while I taught two online courses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci918eVDKuKZ6PQ8gPbyOEq9Vm8zNYyW9xLLMfid8VDDHVnSLlaFbVAKpbEyzJINbAz1sJcGZxQ_JvtqTcWDa4DMJFUFTMFCBdF-xvZ0WsQ4wfUspmgorgb6wOqM9CkbJ2zBBRT7K7pY/s1600/DSC00054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjci918eVDKuKZ6PQ8gPbyOEq9Vm8zNYyW9xLLMfid8VDDHVnSLlaFbVAKpbEyzJINbAz1sJcGZxQ_JvtqTcWDa4DMJFUFTMFCBdF-xvZ0WsQ4wfUspmgorgb6wOqM9CkbJ2zBBRT7K7pY/s1600/DSC00054.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our favorite little park on Broadway in NYC. It's a romantic story of two (rich) people who died in the Titanic, Isador and Ida Straus. The woman decided to stay with her husband rather than board a life boat. We stop by the park and sit every time we are walking up Broadway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xDkKoQ8HQ2EveFeBcebv1H8YJpBpwLhD4R7NSZM2Z7Fi_hoEr56hMW-HCC7Wr0i37hCbdoAoQJZgRVfYI3wbdMyqTPpQlAjN547O19QMbZEgYMPboPrJmqj_ZH_hvC0RjG0yz-WXp2g/s1600/DSC00058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xDkKoQ8HQ2EveFeBcebv1H8YJpBpwLhD4R7NSZM2Z7Fi_hoEr56hMW-HCC7Wr0i37hCbdoAoQJZgRVfYI3wbdMyqTPpQlAjN547O19QMbZEgYMPboPrJmqj_ZH_hvC0RjG0yz-WXp2g/s1600/DSC00058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turtles in Morningside park really wanted to eat this syrofoam, which I thought was horrifying.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv38g1V5ZJwTWWBtwprSJHjKUhOif5242n2Q1HZQtg8CiqsnWD5OOh909OF6Dz0NhbtaWOvqzg6YWfcWFlSm_WQQYa6NBD3AOOT08TCgjyScfD_sB5e8QX8zOt9KGlZt609QG3AHpKVrw/s1600/DSC00060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv38g1V5ZJwTWWBtwprSJHjKUhOif5242n2Q1HZQtg8CiqsnWD5OOh909OF6Dz0NhbtaWOvqzg6YWfcWFlSm_WQQYa6NBD3AOOT08TCgjyScfD_sB5e8QX8zOt9KGlZt609QG3AHpKVrw/s1600/DSC00060.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave at Morningside Park (no clue why this won't turn). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WJrmyMQupRPY_zDxppQIc_X685Oew6nF3SsPGc3sA9SzG1N1TlQDTXMedtwsqbzefascoV-p-GoZb_UHg0g2VhlPrt6VQk3T5bLJcN5MmtQHc-o4ndjgCAQu2vd6XtnNTUlC5Hf4tsc/s1600/DSC00061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WJrmyMQupRPY_zDxppQIc_X685Oew6nF3SsPGc3sA9SzG1N1TlQDTXMedtwsqbzefascoV-p-GoZb_UHg0g2VhlPrt6VQk3T5bLJcN5MmtQHc-o4ndjgCAQu2vd6XtnNTUlC5Hf4tsc/s1600/DSC00061.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave at another park in Harlem. We walked up to find a little festival. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu2g7NwDQwe6q18FfEa_wOfmgjGkG1TVKIZczhJfBql8R8DequP5YntIPm5Ao8ijm-2lflDxY3IV6D6dnCoRErsA_NkrKD_eRv_2X6EPWRkINkd8sB6uwF7TOabnnT-4Ionn-dbOqJsQ/s1600/DSC00065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpu2g7NwDQwe6q18FfEa_wOfmgjGkG1TVKIZczhJfBql8R8DequP5YntIPm5Ao8ijm-2lflDxY3IV6D6dnCoRErsA_NkrKD_eRv_2X6EPWRkINkd8sB6uwF7TOabnnT-4Ionn-dbOqJsQ/s1600/DSC00065.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked the George Washington Bridge. Dave bikes this regularly since his work is actually not in Manhattan but he lives there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fuh7e-DRTopc-zWJpcsBkUbD-3ldilz35hrvc_6U1Kc4qBw4FUUJhg3GsEc10ITrEDS__N0M2DxE5Y70HbB8biCEwyGvnDogNhBH6k4ZiRaOKH5BP2xSh06kZmB1yIuqTr1N8mK5-iE/s1600/DSC00066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fuh7e-DRTopc-zWJpcsBkUbD-3ldilz35hrvc_6U1Kc4qBw4FUUJhg3GsEc10ITrEDS__N0M2DxE5Y70HbB8biCEwyGvnDogNhBH6k4ZiRaOKH5BP2xSh06kZmB1yIuqTr1N8mK5-iE/s1600/DSC00066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GW Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6zE2Ws1RRAgApD1A0cFTqNkoR2cftNhjwkx_4x7BFnoEzv9anRvPeLMyGbGg3g9__oBYC9-MsNNDsp21o6VtraBMdjjzx1DP5PJGe3IenTWO7AQElNGfuxfoJNpmF2le33ZiyDH3nL8/s1600/DSC00071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6zE2Ws1RRAgApD1A0cFTqNkoR2cftNhjwkx_4x7BFnoEzv9anRvPeLMyGbGg3g9__oBYC9-MsNNDsp21o6VtraBMdjjzx1DP5PJGe3IenTWO7AQElNGfuxfoJNpmF2le33ZiyDH3nL8/s1600/DSC00071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked up to the Cloisters and enjoyed their gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ0YZmIV7ioBg_bJih8ly9nUoFH8letglG4C8kCVuSyS5wDdwCj_fmuIBI4DVgLYvG4JjNGCsgYM9coDzEnlGU9YkDVUyavhXae1TPzbRHZn-Df2RaFDTcuUa3B28OGZort2wYePMofk/s1600/DSC00073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ0YZmIV7ioBg_bJih8ly9nUoFH8letglG4C8kCVuSyS5wDdwCj_fmuIBI4DVgLYvG4JjNGCsgYM9coDzEnlGU9YkDVUyavhXae1TPzbRHZn-Df2RaFDTcuUa3B28OGZort2wYePMofk/s1600/DSC00073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He found a stick bug!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVb_dbPS6Y1JVznCrOtA3rPODdE5vI7bK8zXqwO3coOn8zVCMAV2KXw4-r2DiLVxsOmjZ8KUxufP4J7yXhJCrHzv6U3d7Nip7NoAe9yeJZiwX06Z_rpwqbL33q4z4jW8fNgvSlkDaULw/s1600/DSC00075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVb_dbPS6Y1JVznCrOtA3rPODdE5vI7bK8zXqwO3coOn8zVCMAV2KXw4-r2DiLVxsOmjZ8KUxufP4J7yXhJCrHzv6U3d7Nip7NoAe9yeJZiwX06Z_rpwqbL33q4z4jW8fNgvSlkDaULw/s1600/DSC00075.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good eyes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO55aaK2e-OXeDExyNVX5e46p6dlwNAT7q3SAlBOEDHHsR5JfilAX2qpTCmuM2jZIK4v7wQrgznetuY3g_2oGGn2hn3y_msi7H9lvzJI6-IIVo20LZLfVERoFvmouvnzDAnZxg1nOU0Y/s1600/DSC00079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO55aaK2e-OXeDExyNVX5e46p6dlwNAT7q3SAlBOEDHHsR5JfilAX2qpTCmuM2jZIK4v7wQrgznetuY3g_2oGGn2hn3y_msi7H9lvzJI6-IIVo20LZLfVERoFvmouvnzDAnZxg1nOU0Y/s1600/DSC00079.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloisters park</td></tr>
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We stopped to sit at the park in the Cloister area and found a man feeding the birds. Dave loves birding, so we crossed a few off the list. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG2RZU3loOCHcw1qQ8022gtaANSI8AgQMB7zK449wpe11R7RjyAmoEJYJXOVMyW9qKRMjciVCgBS-weLxfHNJ8L2fpi8sXcw4yWC2It-kDTqiwU8obYtijGK6c3ihrB9KH0wyNgq5iyk/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLG2RZU3loOCHcw1qQ8022gtaANSI8AgQMB7zK449wpe11R7RjyAmoEJYJXOVMyW9qKRMjciVCgBS-weLxfHNJ8L2fpi8sXcw4yWC2It-kDTqiwU8obYtijGK6c3ihrB9KH0wyNgq5iyk/s1600/DSC00086.JPG" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red bellied woodpecker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroe-VyijU3hGleqAISxfE8GbJ0Qiw6M9beK_9AitaDpKMCyqNvJEhSkjbRW_VQW_qLrHPTUIYDIM3n3NYV3fxwvBY4qgmZde6d0DgDt8kb3pUAmzIlYWZ3lPvNmgeUAUM-4J2ovjqpyg/s1600/DSC00090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroe-VyijU3hGleqAISxfE8GbJ0Qiw6M9beK_9AitaDpKMCyqNvJEhSkjbRW_VQW_qLrHPTUIYDIM3n3NYV3fxwvBY4qgmZde6d0DgDt8kb3pUAmzIlYWZ3lPvNmgeUAUM-4J2ovjqpyg/s1600/DSC00090.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red winged black bird</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw a jazz harpist at the Harlem Arts Festival and stopped at "Harlem Shake" for a treat on our walk home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Sc05tXg3pTN8iTApJXeN9olKNrcCpGC98wT3eyGdV_s7Q2ZvUuNrkJKmbISVfMnCH-uioFdm25v285omx1BPOtFXhq73FLWwNJ0GHoZAe0nwEQ5iF-rLSXm_6jfIoPmwBhQijhmJxjI/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Sc05tXg3pTN8iTApJXeN9olKNrcCpGC98wT3eyGdV_s7Q2ZvUuNrkJKmbISVfMnCH-uioFdm25v285omx1BPOtFXhq73FLWwNJ0GHoZAe0nwEQ5iF-rLSXm_6jfIoPmwBhQijhmJxjI/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the gay pride parade downtown, it was so fun and crowded even though it was raining!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19NTTk16Lme3GKZQ5u1wUQy0bm9J0gO6vdUR4srutzZ4tzppercOkl2-bCwZ2rzTlVpY9NtWQ9oyOlAjoykL36LmNueMjSLwLm6t-R1cqYLsv5niKt1wuyRZ_dzhk4p2JYCrUbu2-bgY/s1600/DSC00101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19NTTk16Lme3GKZQ5u1wUQy0bm9J0gO6vdUR4srutzZ4tzppercOkl2-bCwZ2rzTlVpY9NtWQ9oyOlAjoykL36LmNueMjSLwLm6t-R1cqYLsv5niKt1wuyRZ_dzhk4p2JYCrUbu2-bgY/s1600/DSC00101.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best float: bull riding a burrito!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGIC_mfPiV4j3fH9GYwOSbErbycotKPBXGjs61LbzRTY-lyAlveKXJV0ZaGBwPBMIGWvjUZ_NXkbRWHD7lQiezORl_MlgG2FVPX_93x0AwfJ39aVYW4rWBIDIEEHekmPBAFvGPCpoZZQ/s1600/DSC00103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGIC_mfPiV4j3fH9GYwOSbErbycotKPBXGjs61LbzRTY-lyAlveKXJV0ZaGBwPBMIGWvjUZ_NXkbRWHD7lQiezORl_MlgG2FVPX_93x0AwfJ39aVYW4rWBIDIEEHekmPBAFvGPCpoZZQ/s1600/DSC00103.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Mexican food for lunch: Lupe's.</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-54899893656651144392013-11-11T00:00:00.000-07:002013-11-11T00:00:00.855-07:00Julia Child's Beef BourguignonI won't even attempt to repeat the amazing directions and photos to get you through the recipe over at <a href="http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/julia-childs-beef-bourguignon/f7e0a6c5-710d-4c83-89a6-2a4936fec81a">Tablespoon.com</a>, but just wanted to make you all aware of the amazing deliciousness that is Julia Child's beef bourguinon. <i>Julie and Julia</i> is such a cute movie. This is the recipe she tries in the movie. Simply use gluten free flour for the regular flour and the recipe becomes gluten free. This was an all-day event, but I can imagine coming up with a simplified version in the future. I served mine with white potatoes and, of course, red wine.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-7680588289669192582013-11-09T17:46:00.000-07:002014-01-05T18:29:15.875-07:00Gluten Free Crock Pot Stuffing RecipeThanksgiving day can be a huge challenge for the cook. Trying to balance what goes in the oven when, and how to keep things hot so everything can be served at dinner time is a huge part of the challenge. Whether you are gluten free, have a gluten free guest, or want to use gluten-filled croutons to make this recipe, the convenience of making stuffing in the crock pot can't be beat. I like to make my croutons up to 2 weeks ahead of time, but for the gluten-filled version, I would just buy croutons. The day before Thanksgiving I will saute the veggies and pork and set it aside in the fridge so I'm not in the way in the kitchen on Thanksgiving day. When I wake up on Thanksgiving morning, I'll throw all of the pieces into the crock pot and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-8, depending on when you'd like to serve dinner. Then, whether you're in your own kitchen or bringing stuffing to your family's Thanksgiving feast, your stuffing is easily portable and will stay warm while the turkey, mashed potatoes, and pies hog the oven.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten free crock pot stuffing with raisins</td></tr>
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As a gluten free girl, I like to bring the stuffing and gravy to Thanksgiving gatherings because many of the other things on the list are naturally gluten free. Mashed potatoes, turkey, sweet potatoes, all of these things are naturally gluten free if not tainted by gluten-filled gravy. The only other thing to worry about being gluten free is green bean casserole and the pie! (More on that in another post.)<br />
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This year I will be in New Jersey for Thanksgiving like we did last year. If Dave can't find any gluten free bread near his place in NYC, I might just bring pre-made croutons in my suitcase!<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
1 loaf gluten free bread (I like Udis whole grain, frozen or fresh) or you can buy gluten free croutons at places like Whole Foods. My best stuffing yet had a package of whole foods croutons and gluten free corn bread croutons combined.<br />
1 tsp onion powder<br />
1 tsp+ sage<br />
(If doing gluten-filled version, skip these three and just buy onion and sage croutons) <br />
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1 large onion or 2 medium<br />
1 stalk celery (~2 cups when chopped)<br />
1/4 cup parsley<br />
1 package mushrooms<br />
1/2 cup butter (1 stick, sub olive oil for a healthier version) <br />
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1 lb ground pork <br />
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4 tsp chicken bullion (I like the gluten free "Better Than Bullion" pictured below<br />
4 cups water <br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp sage <br />
1 cup raisins (optional) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients. Not pictured, 2 sticks butter</td></tr>
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<b>Making croutons up to a week ahead of Thanksgiving</b><br />
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Cube your gluten free bread into small cubes and lay out on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with onion powder and sage, then toast in the oven for 15 minutes before stirring them up and toasting for another 15 minutes. Store the croutons in a gallon zip lock until Thanksgiving morning.<br />
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<b>Preparing your veggies and pork the day before Thanksgiving</b><br />
My aunt Darcy and mom always just food processes their celery and onion, which is super easy. This time around, I decided to make use of my new knives and do some of the work myself. Start melting 1 stick of butter in a saute pan. Cut up enough celery for ~2 cups and add to butter. Cut up your onion(s) and throw in the pan. Cut up the mushrooms and add to the veggies. Finally, cut up enough fresh parsley for 1/4 cup and add to the saute pan. I usually use a little more than this. Stir the veggies a few times while they saute in the butter. The goal is for soft celery and clear onions. Set the saute mix aside in a storage container when it is done.<br />
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Brown your pork in the saute pan, remove any excess fat, and add to the veggie mix in your storage container. Throw this all in the fridge until Thanksgiving morning!<br />
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<b>Thanksgiving Day</b><br />
Warm up 4 cups of water and add 4 tsp chicken bullion to the water. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl. Spray your crock pot with cooking spray to keep the stuffing from sticking. Dump your croutons, veggies, raisins (optional), sage, and pork mix into your crock pot. Mix them up a bit so the flavors can meld while they cook. Pour the 4 cups chicken broth over the top and the 2 eggs. Cover.<br />
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Cook on high for 2-4 hours or cook on low for 4-8 hours.<br />
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When ready to serve, stir and serve with gluten free turkey gravy. I prefer Simple Organic's roasted turkey gravy. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-70322407785042601002013-11-09T16:41:00.002-07:002013-11-09T16:41:44.577-07:00Vegas swimming, gambling, and LoveStill blogging about Memorial Day weekend: We had a nice, relaxing day hitting up the pool at the Bellagio before we met up with Brian and Kelly again at the Paris where they were staying. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave playing roulette at The Paris with friends.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_81ulDsmh9t1FjKg-8dNJp2Q_zyfgwCq6X08q4vCpf9xrX2dUEYjiGtsqvUDD1s1uDXSELtJaj6lHVpRaLoiqefu8PqrxLbFoKrbtbtWveJaFS0UKWMY9m5LsKsSJmOfG5YX_SFdrGc/s1600/DSC09975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_81ulDsmh9t1FjKg-8dNJp2Q_zyfgwCq6X08q4vCpf9xrX2dUEYjiGtsqvUDD1s1uDXSELtJaj6lHVpRaLoiqefu8PqrxLbFoKrbtbtWveJaFS0UKWMY9m5LsKsSJmOfG5YX_SFdrGc/s640/DSC09975.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two scientists who don't believe in luck, attempt to enjoy the game of roulette. Dave kept winning! I took a picture because even though we don't believe in luck, Dave and my birthdays appear on this list of the past numbers four times. Scientists can have fun gambling too! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martini happy hour at the Paris with Brian and Kelly.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I wasn't too excited about the fruity martinis on the menu, but the bartender happily made me a chocolate one. Yum! After martinis, we headed to the Bellagio for Memorial Day Bellagio Buffet. I was not wearing a good buffet-eating outfit, but I still got my money's worth. I loved the <a href="http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/julia-childs-beef-bourguignon/f7e0a6c5-710d-4c83-89a6-2a4936fec81a" target="_blank">beef bourguignon</a> and the mousse desserts the best. (No clue if this stuff was gluten free, just tried my best to avoid obvious gluten.)<br />
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After we were stuffed, we headed to the Mirage for the <a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/EN/shows/love/default.aspx" target="_blank">Cirque du Soleil Love show</a>. I got sweet seats for a sweet price from some slick-deal Vegas site the week before. This show as so moving! It was fabulous, I've never been so entertained, so impressed, and just so happy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading in to the show</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the show</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-52064858696546866092013-10-26T10:22:00.000-06:002013-11-03T18:31:50.446-07:00Gluten Free Pumpkin WafflesThis morning I was in a fall mood and thought I would add a little twist to my Saturday morning waffle. Dave sent me a surprise case of Bisquick pancake and baking mix a while back when it was on sale. I used to use Pamela's baking mix, but this is almost easier to work with. I was going to add pumpkin puree and the typical pumpkin spices, but realized I had pumpkin pie mix on my shelf! I followed the waffle recipe on the box with just slightly less water and oil and added 3/4 cup pumpkin pie mix from the can. I cooked it a little longer in the waffle maker than usual, as the pumpkin added a bit more moisture. Once they were crisp on the outside, I gave them a taste. Perfect! With maple syrup, there was just enough of a hint of fall pumpkin flavor to make me ever so happy! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Waffles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Waffles</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-86009475748337881352013-10-24T22:12:00.000-06:002013-10-24T22:12:17.110-06:00Hoover Dam and The BellagioAfter our big Grand Canyon day and a nice Diner breakfast after our cold night camping, we drove back, through Vegas, and to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam" target="_blank">Hoover Dam</a>. We took the full tour that takes you underneath everything to see how the place works. Pretty freaky. Amazing that this was able to be built in the 30's. I also loved seeing Lake Mead since I talk a lot about the Colorado River when I teach. It was super windy while we were there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvR43PsFlEFrUI1XT90ZbOoljN_mqf1IEWrIIKFEtV3XSZVuQUtC4kDTqyrFKHYcU3SAl50MldGKBgZKY032mXtFh29p-GM9D1RkfHgMSnBLHpWlofUNWNWd2WkvW1eaUJOLJAaHEWlM/s1600/DSC02379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvR43PsFlEFrUI1XT90ZbOoljN_mqf1IEWrIIKFEtV3XSZVuQUtC4kDTqyrFKHYcU3SAl50MldGKBgZKY032mXtFh29p-GM9D1RkfHgMSnBLHpWlofUNWNWd2WkvW1eaUJOLJAaHEWlM/s640/DSC02379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Mead</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoover Dam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgH5FQApt6zPk_ytlPfu5QtPsXuI-kTJK_-dPdf-85tjuvhFsFQYypHMRfLatXpbJnzfcQVjeOdKPMM4O5PI9Z8to7IeYIWBV35MPQjV71zzWkEjPEpTCvIOf7GF0dgBM3p7f3FLZKpw/s1600/DSC02390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgH5FQApt6zPk_ytlPfu5QtPsXuI-kTJK_-dPdf-85tjuvhFsFQYypHMRfLatXpbJnzfcQVjeOdKPMM4O5PI9Z8to7IeYIWBV35MPQjV71zzWkEjPEpTCvIOf7GF0dgBM3p7f3FLZKpw/s640/DSC02390.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave on the Dam</td></tr>
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After our Dam visit, we headed back to Las Vegas and checked in to the Bellagio. We had to clean out the rental car and get all of our camp gear back into the suitcases and up to the room. This proved super annoying due to the fact that the first floor of the Bellagio is a super busy casino and I lugged a 50lb suitcase, my backpack, and purse across the entire parking ramp, through the casino to get to our room. No convenience for guests here! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE-VNYYzyXHlbVru-0sQMTTCKwuRFvI-isvW-I03NUD_2BRlnPuXehu-4GYPJ9iMgxo7nolZxGK5QxolMunu2-0Pjjb5J13wU7EBJiJpfFJgdrVaDwxNCbFHG1oz7mxTlvN1vP_Y16cI/s1600/DSC02391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE-VNYYzyXHlbVru-0sQMTTCKwuRFvI-isvW-I03NUD_2BRlnPuXehu-4GYPJ9iMgxo7nolZxGK5QxolMunu2-0Pjjb5J13wU7EBJiJpfFJgdrVaDwxNCbFHG1oz7mxTlvN1vP_Y16cI/s640/DSC02391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think Dave is doing a little jig to celebrate the purple and green room. Or perhaps he is stretching. We had a view of the pools instead of the fountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OuDUKXj2VOLBwxa3DXIttYX4agl33mYaVhawCerUKWFE8PWRAnTummnekqLlSr1IxdpAvERS4s9zCY5holx0Tuwe1TF_eOXRFt5BpzD4kvxbAez-kS8igG2-XpGbDBSK5hbKGAX-TIk/s1600/DSC02396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OuDUKXj2VOLBwxa3DXIttYX4agl33mYaVhawCerUKWFE8PWRAnTummnekqLlSr1IxdpAvERS4s9zCY5holx0Tuwe1TF_eOXRFt5BpzD4kvxbAez-kS8igG2-XpGbDBSK5hbKGAX-TIk/s640/DSC02396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did a little jig when I saw the size of this bathroom. After several days of camping, I was soooo ready to hit up this shower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOnGEyTLNmoSjuDYGqAVpm5YSxubsQM8fFGJggxUsn1YS7e3p3rVfqg7tHsWkgiOYXhVIVPWcQ39hUMbas462pzS281Uagx8OiNxnWuFPNUtbk5rz68coLF1fYTm3VSPp-CvUMayUkvY/s1600/DSC02397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOnGEyTLNmoSjuDYGqAVpm5YSxubsQM8fFGJggxUsn1YS7e3p3rVfqg7tHsWkgiOYXhVIVPWcQ39hUMbas462pzS281Uagx8OiNxnWuFPNUtbk5rz68coLF1fYTm3VSPp-CvUMayUkvY/s400/DSC02397.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shower never looked so tempting!</td></tr>
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We got settled and then returned the rental car. We hit up a cheap steak dinner at Ellis Island, thanks to a suggestion from our cabbie. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-89655044157807243332013-10-20T22:56:00.002-06:002013-10-20T22:56:52.116-06:00Zion, Parissawampitts Point, and Grand CanyonAfter a nice camp shower after the narrows and some sausages for dinner, complete with Jiffy Pop, we woke up in Zion after a bright sleep under the full moon and decided to hit up one more hike before we headed to Grand Canyon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zion camp site</td></tr>
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We did Hidden Canyon Trail, a 2.5 mile trail that walks along a cliff face. Thanks to Brian, Kelly, and Dave for chit chatting and distracting me while we walked along the scary parts! Go me! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AjrykgJUotpzJX1Sb9OrGEmg2Ng00K8_qH3g47wghbg99tMcSSbrdVIL93MZZceHmv9MZ4TkbBEZQsgegfIS5oJA12GUFE5WLRZJ-q0scp3WW1tEuRCAfH5X6HjmosS3KnRQc5HrTfE/s1600/DSC02102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AjrykgJUotpzJX1Sb9OrGEmg2Ng00K8_qH3g47wghbg99tMcSSbrdVIL93MZZceHmv9MZ4TkbBEZQsgegfIS5oJA12GUFE5WLRZJ-q0scp3WW1tEuRCAfH5X6HjmosS3KnRQc5HrTfE/s640/DSC02102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the hike. There were narrow trails along the sides of these cliffs that we followed to get to Hidden Canyon.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3TE-3OFwFNMoOBNew929938w9yXdHdu4YuIRUutsTtvELYw9Sdiqf0xhDCHei_1gkUFPahS3U6b8Cc2bcRGEo3nqtEdsaU_W9tKgZvMCLsUSEI9v3ycPcsFJ8agQl53zRXHhsiRuzo/s1600/DSC02111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi3TE-3OFwFNMoOBNew929938w9yXdHdu4YuIRUutsTtvELYw9Sdiqf0xhDCHei_1gkUFPahS3U6b8Cc2bcRGEo3nqtEdsaU_W9tKgZvMCLsUSEI9v3ycPcsFJ8agQl53zRXHhsiRuzo/s640/DSC02111.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP7aaymKa1fTSuVbAw7_Fjy3M8IwY-lS8ZyyYt18bFrnin5WbxM2PJPzhybOjTPfDAeMr8YwJBZ6zodSOth0Gsajmymjyu2r2Vfk2eP9eLEMiDYztXR06jJoP5867BNso9p64rpCJtc0/s1600/DSC02103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP7aaymKa1fTSuVbAw7_Fjy3M8IwY-lS8ZyyYt18bFrnin5WbxM2PJPzhybOjTPfDAeMr8YwJBZ6zodSOth0Gsajmymjyu2r2Vfk2eP9eLEMiDYztXR06jJoP5867BNso9p64rpCJtc0/s640/DSC02103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly, Brian, and Dave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5-UqUobM5xYkOXEa7MTW1weifpQkt6PURt9KJP1i6dvrPTTubGF9t65ccjRTgJQnbgTa_TRrMwXQFzqaMyDhR82fnkt6Sfx7hg0R4Wsqb5TYXPb4loZbmBhNWCqmEqifgO20QGAlXbs/s1600/DSC02142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5-UqUobM5xYkOXEa7MTW1weifpQkt6PURt9KJP1i6dvrPTTubGF9t65ccjRTgJQnbgTa_TRrMwXQFzqaMyDhR82fnkt6Sfx7hg0R4Wsqb5TYXPb4loZbmBhNWCqmEqifgO20QGAlXbs/s640/DSC02142.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea how he got up there, or got down...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHp80NpRO2GlCqr58LRDPN47KBbLZTreiLB6zT0XP_5VfLo2ivKjFYX9-zQrfZVnLyW6T1L8yHvmcYRiY6bo86EJzj1R5vJbrPgM64mQT3XNdyW1QWc-KpaQXD7KEi1Y5xPKApTdPFpGo/s1600/DSC02128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHp80NpRO2GlCqr58LRDPN47KBbLZTreiLB6zT0XP_5VfLo2ivKjFYX9-zQrfZVnLyW6T1L8yHvmcYRiY6bo86EJzj1R5vJbrPgM64mQT3XNdyW1QWc-KpaQXD7KEi1Y5xPKApTdPFpGo/s640/DSC02128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and Brian in the arch</td></tr>
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We left Zion and began driving to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Dave had found coordinates to a free camping place. Remember, it was Memorial Day weekend, so there was no way we were staying somewhere official. With the help of a hiking GPS and some sketchy directions from a little magazine cut out he brought, we drove on gravel roads for a very long time with huge potholes in rental cars that had like 4" of clearance underneath before we finally arrived at <a href="http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=5015856" target="_blank">Parisawampits Point</a> at the edge of a rim. At first it was very anticlimactic, but after such a long drive in the car, I decided to jog around until I found out why this place was recommended. Well, I figured it out! I lead the cars to a camping spot just a few feet from a rim overlooking the valley where the Grand Canyon lay. We set up camp but also watched sunset from a cool spot overlooking the canyon. Brian and Dave both saw the elusive, black Kaibab squirrel, but I missed him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZR-U8EOYO9EKAGq_8JJ4gguLYfZpt_EYk6Cn22EndE323zrP1lTC4W14jVUCxxEWLYxIhyphenhyphen2ttjA9mWP4ZNtclNLjyEtbTphkpFX19JrfKDN7Yv9aeIUoNlpJMqeXtHtSOSkWC4AXtsc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-19+at+12.49.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZR-U8EOYO9EKAGq_8JJ4gguLYfZpt_EYk6Cn22EndE323zrP1lTC4W14jVUCxxEWLYxIhyphenhyphen2ttjA9mWP4ZNtclNLjyEtbTphkpFX19JrfKDN7Yv9aeIUoNlpJMqeXtHtSOSkWC4AXtsc/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-19+at+12.49.18+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGrAZauTI52tkVDFlNR7J5mSPtQzVwJiPGiH3BeQz5ozoHwGQFbFNJD2I1gWjajIntBvxFjx71QUTDnC0tUdIcwut1ksDtjmyi2reAlqXrtGU5xAsBkoRH9GkLDDceY7GwPfRXmvefjY/s1600/DSC02157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGrAZauTI52tkVDFlNR7J5mSPtQzVwJiPGiH3BeQz5ozoHwGQFbFNJD2I1gWjajIntBvxFjx71QUTDnC0tUdIcwut1ksDtjmyi2reAlqXrtGU5xAsBkoRH9GkLDDceY7GwPfRXmvefjY/s640/DSC02157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA_WyMo3v45sQlkbLFrKJ4D2yIwLor6w8ozPVrYYmW00tDTt50jc2JlHScL94xU9naJQJ81o_hASw3qZWn0kPsBT_tQIk9zN8lvdOv5P6TJRzc9QyfsETnfZtmkj_orE5TJsuOAcGbQ0/s1600/DSC02160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA_WyMo3v45sQlkbLFrKJ4D2yIwLor6w8ozPVrYYmW00tDTt50jc2JlHScL94xU9naJQJ81o_hASw3qZWn0kPsBT_tQIk9zN8lvdOv5P6TJRzc9QyfsETnfZtmkj_orE5TJsuOAcGbQ0/s640/DSC02160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ycANO2aYKaQu0kL3ZXZxoDVg7cBgRUI1zsQ5uvXnLZ1qydf1NfYksq1Y1njmOWhPbxg7gMBXpj0is-Y9CEB8OMOueZc6TFaSbBCB0QRSqkLmLVP3ETdK1XVEXnQDhVh5kaZD7Cx4WzE/s1600/DSC02163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ycANO2aYKaQu0kL3ZXZxoDVg7cBgRUI1zsQ5uvXnLZ1qydf1NfYksq1Y1njmOWhPbxg7gMBXpj0is-Y9CEB8OMOueZc6TFaSbBCB0QRSqkLmLVP3ETdK1XVEXnQDhVh5kaZD7Cx4WzE/s640/DSC02163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHuY7SwRam8H9TtzRkBEGjwHFuzGntXrY5k01_AIUtUdx04Hl7zpeBs4c3ikc8cqhxoBwl3Fd1fNY2LVPSER_fYRUgX_uKYQA4g1TG5lZiB_YnCRgmfKPgjQZ567RzL-HmyDWbmGrn38/s1600/DSC02166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHuY7SwRam8H9TtzRkBEGjwHFuzGntXrY5k01_AIUtUdx04Hl7zpeBs4c3ikc8cqhxoBwl3Fd1fNY2LVPSER_fYRUgX_uKYQA4g1TG5lZiB_YnCRgmfKPgjQZ567RzL-HmyDWbmGrn38/s640/DSC02166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point</td></tr>
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lSAXUoJQl593ie0esWUnv5xPDMITxxj3KymWM6RbU6WqaGQIiU2dNbnGh0tVLBA0RQVTcjJrKr7zM2c0Hds4QQEbiHmm6sZwQQSWFTzk2pu-EgLyvNsHgpHBRAwYrzFuxFumpSROJfo/s1600/parisawampits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lSAXUoJQl593ie0esWUnv5xPDMITxxj3KymWM6RbU6WqaGQIiU2dNbnGh0tVLBA0RQVTcjJrKr7zM2c0Hds4QQEbiHmm6sZwQQSWFTzk2pu-EgLyvNsHgpHBRAwYrzFuxFumpSROJfo/s640/parisawampits.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parissawampitts Point at sunset</td></tr>
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We made some dinner and went to bed and set our alarms for sunrise. As it turns out, Grand Canyon is pretty high elevation. I had packed for summer in the desert, not cold sleeping conditions! Luckily I had some jeans along and a well insulated hoodie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm57Joe1haVboY7SKuFzFgPcFcNFMMK6uY1r8cQH4PrnBWpzRo4bmdt3xYcHw5oGKcv8YFzQX8gIatyOdGK6qJmWoTMkOXW6vNQKy-8WVWFRy_G8w9Qnlv8xosf7B4iAG4ktznrnVb3J8/s1600/DSC02190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm57Joe1haVboY7SKuFzFgPcFcNFMMK6uY1r8cQH4PrnBWpzRo4bmdt3xYcHw5oGKcv8YFzQX8gIatyOdGK6qJmWoTMkOXW6vNQKy-8WVWFRy_G8w9Qnlv8xosf7B4iAG4ktznrnVb3J8/s640/DSC02190.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point at sunrise (that's the moon!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUf4vw7WONyk1ikxWJv4rMdHSMjGDzLXsyCU5CgIRiXYMqP8SSReuWIra7v_zCaUt6nm0uciNbioxoHbEkc675NxQrow5E6V5-cvlnavKJwV52egDJb-m7Dhyphenhyphenms8GpQWL9GgFhVSz6To/s1600/DSC02197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUf4vw7WONyk1ikxWJv4rMdHSMjGDzLXsyCU5CgIRiXYMqP8SSReuWIra7v_zCaUt6nm0uciNbioxoHbEkc675NxQrow5E6V5-cvlnavKJwV52egDJb-m7Dhyphenhyphenms8GpQWL9GgFhVSz6To/s640/DSC02197.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point at sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtE-Otp7z2sqE9ZlmITnp-OnwEmxA-PUVpMO6_F4e0Rr8S5-8IaxyGu_Fbazsx-x11ufvub9t1wznMlOTgzG-ts5nMJIsrWJv2ZuKV3rYF099Q4ay4ZJQJh5MHOprOOZnjaeNSO10yBk/s1600/DSC02198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtE-Otp7z2sqE9ZlmITnp-OnwEmxA-PUVpMO6_F4e0Rr8S5-8IaxyGu_Fbazsx-x11ufvub9t1wznMlOTgzG-ts5nMJIsrWJv2ZuKV3rYF099Q4ay4ZJQJh5MHOprOOZnjaeNSO10yBk/s640/DSC02198.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Parissawampitts Point at sunrise</td></tr>
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Sunrise was a little anticlimactic due to haze, but it was still fun to see. We headed back to the main road and found a camping spot and dropped a car there, put up tents, then drove together to Grand Canyon.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MuIO2_THXHH4LMJceSipjz-0Vd3X-SozTc59own2PATLJLSNvs8lvCB08lbruXJyOtR9Vxh_97v0MIfgty0dh6qkcyCPmtUZst6-cYdBDi_AORIRjCFHDvIt7LjkydQRYpCok-iwmnY/s1600/DSC02285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MuIO2_THXHH4LMJceSipjz-0Vd3X-SozTc59own2PATLJLSNvs8lvCB08lbruXJyOtR9Vxh_97v0MIfgty0dh6qkcyCPmtUZst6-cYdBDi_AORIRjCFHDvIt7LjkydQRYpCok-iwmnY/s320/DSC02285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beefalo. They exist. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3CtLSyrV45mYQ2lSM1tL9KbzEp7EHEzeIN8Eyx8vxWsz3ipKDpMBapwt5fDK7DcGS7CtEfvXowes9syLWj9DkWRyU3ZNOLfiVNB1_olx4q0mqCGVUOa0GGaFufxhPIj3oieomhODNL8/s1600/DSC02360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3CtLSyrV45mYQ2lSM1tL9KbzEp7EHEzeIN8Eyx8vxWsz3ipKDpMBapwt5fDK7DcGS7CtEfvXowes9syLWj9DkWRyU3ZNOLfiVNB1_olx4q0mqCGVUOa0GGaFufxhPIj3oieomhODNL8/s640/DSC02360.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I at Grand Canyon National Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqZklpyq2TPyVWH3cWlS0dTyaJVp8EXHOKCe0o8hKrOY9KzcN2DfvtRhaq74uXUiJcubQB4GwLF0FeC7xIsaiyxqbd9Sl1HtABUCawIVkLoaNRee6GHzOL3msQpjNvkmjay2bjChQYRI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-19+at+12.47.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqZklpyq2TPyVWH3cWlS0dTyaJVp8EXHOKCe0o8hKrOY9KzcN2DfvtRhaq74uXUiJcubQB4GwLF0FeC7xIsaiyxqbd9Sl1HtABUCawIVkLoaNRee6GHzOL3msQpjNvkmjay2bjChQYRI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-19+at+12.47.59+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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We walked out to Bright Angel Point, but the drastic drop offs of the Grand Canyon really bothered me, so I spent some time sitting on a rock while the rest hung out on the edge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFhUGMTQGQas6dxxUDMgGFvIB9gwwf-JYwgStz9TZg9YTQGzc-Or0FFj4RtzLZFIXZr0meXVz0q1Ynm_w6xNaj48x4HAXgAGBG7e9KaaOwTQtyyZ5B2_wpZE0WAXUMKjFvHC0zXE9Tao/s1600/DSC02289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFhUGMTQGQas6dxxUDMgGFvIB9gwwf-JYwgStz9TZg9YTQGzc-Or0FFj4RtzLZFIXZr0meXVz0q1Ynm_w6xNaj48x4HAXgAGBG7e9KaaOwTQtyyZ5B2_wpZE0WAXUMKjFvHC0zXE9Tao/s640/DSC02289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon from Bright Angel Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBvXlh0yhYqAxiyo3kof5qCwFGxPhQR92Ti2s0zrQM1m_IjHrSNHu1Az0zNSQSMaTQ1O3xcdVNHWyFH1Huid1eglgLx5HSeZeT11x0Lo29KQ3C5UyuRRn9YTtGdhE-XxWJp7axyoJmyo/s1600/DSC02298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBvXlh0yhYqAxiyo3kof5qCwFGxPhQR92Ti2s0zrQM1m_IjHrSNHu1Az0zNSQSMaTQ1O3xcdVNHWyFH1Huid1eglgLx5HSeZeT11x0Lo29KQ3C5UyuRRn9YTtGdhE-XxWJp7axyoJmyo/s640/DSC02298.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon from Bright Angel Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jWSOVBoiZ02tfl_sebccFDHhSQ8kMi_qplU63yzsAwkN71WeQTz4Hg8k6vR5gayuQ2KAOCXkWHzpESl7uOjzGyvqz7_PlDesePnRnTMIkOIjZjmbOeSScfM2TNX6lSUMaQklR5ST2hY/s1600/DSC02302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jWSOVBoiZ02tfl_sebccFDHhSQ8kMi_qplU63yzsAwkN71WeQTz4Hg8k6vR5gayuQ2KAOCXkWHzpESl7uOjzGyvqz7_PlDesePnRnTMIkOIjZjmbOeSScfM2TNX6lSUMaQklR5ST2hY/s640/DSC02302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay, a sign! I wasn't able to take this picture, I was too freaked out and was hanging out on my rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79NDxNh8I3anPU2lwqbxPlsjAZuTPC6FSzZ4kdkp8BLz3G_vFehBV72lpIxZ8Hc9MvXQfc-fEnIKcGVIuilfCZa4GAF-9ug7K7KKEdNHLbkYJBvmanFbErO9i5cSbcoG9Gpx4s5HnU8/s1600/DSC02307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY79NDxNh8I3anPU2lwqbxPlsjAZuTPC6FSzZ4kdkp8BLz3G_vFehBV72lpIxZ8Hc9MvXQfc-fEnIKcGVIuilfCZa4GAF-9ug7K7KKEdNHLbkYJBvmanFbErO9i5cSbcoG9Gpx4s5HnU8/s640/DSC02307.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I sat on this rock for a while and tried not to cry. I hate heights! The bridge behind me is what totally freaked me out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk78VC_OlDqP2sThw2by3sdqqoujNi-bxwY6kYCxDL1Abix9nImVR4oNsrhJZbwRRi_qs-XsNbmSmMwRhYQVlkoRAE8p6V16LTzAft7GxRwC88mURENheoS1i-uAPih9OcnyUZ8cR74mA/s1600/DSC02309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk78VC_OlDqP2sThw2by3sdqqoujNi-bxwY6kYCxDL1Abix9nImVR4oNsrhJZbwRRi_qs-XsNbmSmMwRhYQVlkoRAE8p6V16LTzAft7GxRwC88mURENheoS1i-uAPih9OcnyUZ8cR74mA/s640/DSC02309.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the lodge at North Rim Grand Canyon, Dave and I</td></tr>
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We decided on a 10 mile hike called, <a href="http://www.zionnational-park.com/map-widforss.htm" target="_blank">Widforss Trail</a>, which included a fun trail guide which we totally milked for entertainment, doing it backwards from memory on the way back. The trail offered awesome views of the canyon as well as some nice forest. Poor Dave only had the hiking shoes I brought from Colorado, which of course were the rejects that didn't make the trip to NYC. I brought a huge suitcase on Southwest while he didn't check a bag, so I brought the bulky stuff. Anyway, his shoes were practically garbage and his feet hurt so bad on our 10 mile hike! What a trooper!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA4c8ixYtQ_KmgB0SknZHtg2KeJS9hgdL46GgKyjE26axb1u4MV2ANH2Q-VcfS-mm1yJS0CrMi8J28GbT3_Mu6NGyTeeBc8JfpLfYA8YeohfD4L6lVAUDkN5-4GUj386jyeHBd93aYBU/s1600/DSC02316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA4c8ixYtQ_KmgB0SknZHtg2KeJS9hgdL46GgKyjE26axb1u4MV2ANH2Q-VcfS-mm1yJS0CrMi8J28GbT3_Mu6NGyTeeBc8JfpLfYA8YeohfD4L6lVAUDkN5-4GUj386jyeHBd93aYBU/s640/DSC02316.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Widforss Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJTEW-TPRgGlgFlKLW8qsd-TN6o8S7XIP6dPA5YSKmyD_Q_gK19o9ah45V9ugWyovnT2Z1zFDKIKtovGKH9HFldrk4yZLyv1cGeRY3bn4mWItgjNax2QFkG9hRrSMbApQrGI0HpfoUEI/s1600/DSC02320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJTEW-TPRgGlgFlKLW8qsd-TN6o8S7XIP6dPA5YSKmyD_Q_gK19o9ah45V9ugWyovnT2Z1zFDKIKtovGKH9HFldrk4yZLyv1cGeRY3bn4mWItgjNax2QFkG9hRrSMbApQrGI0HpfoUEI/s320/DSC02320.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponderosa Pina</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oQOMGGTm64c3ItpLkzPPdOyYYnxWB8bf8FaRS7pBAQgkEwWqOj81lJrWCG1fSr0BIyim644vBUZ7X3DQS3d6gGfIxSXHSlaPM5a6acqCYutM8WRPfiwoYAaXIrv5tmyePxCW4Vr7_ss/s1600/widforss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oQOMGGTm64c3ItpLkzPPdOyYYnxWB8bf8FaRS7pBAQgkEwWqOj81lJrWCG1fSr0BIyim644vBUZ7X3DQS3d6gGfIxSXHSlaPM5a6acqCYutM8WRPfiwoYAaXIrv5tmyePxCW4Vr7_ss/s640/widforss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave, Brian, and Kelly on Widforss Trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwIZhwEqMzqCOweTjIPzq41w_mbJG18aSCKlWf3hQJVCUzX7sxNH5th2mfuE6wctas44F7z8HaxyDVPRyip_pz1-TD4KdW_06ix2QMBi3IQmxcYy4pTAKpzsv-WN13hq_ivGOHLgTJSw/s1600/tree+hugger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwIZhwEqMzqCOweTjIPzq41w_mbJG18aSCKlWf3hQJVCUzX7sxNH5th2mfuE6wctas44F7z8HaxyDVPRyip_pz1-TD4KdW_06ix2QMBi3IQmxcYy4pTAKpzsv-WN13hq_ivGOHLgTJSw/s640/tree+hugger.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me tree hugging the Ponderosa Pine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwO5NSJXwpudarNuWyL_zLxttEVy6UFHjv1JQWMdVQMbv8yr7vtZ88UGLp4dMlej_hOwp8f2FYgkUMWS9OvkrySodXSY-IaxNbqrT2ZTbGMcecSqOHbuozHv5W0m5PjlhN2DkkaioUbA/s1600/DSC02336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwO5NSJXwpudarNuWyL_zLxttEVy6UFHjv1JQWMdVQMbv8yr7vtZ88UGLp4dMlej_hOwp8f2FYgkUMWS9OvkrySodXSY-IaxNbqrT2ZTbGMcecSqOHbuozHv5W0m5PjlhN2DkkaioUbA/s640/DSC02336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally made it to the view at the end of From Widforss Trail, now 5 miles home!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUT8yZ0V6upRZ6NKuhhuTZ0OqRhScTYHtsw0WXu8Wxf8vcZVAn0gjc0YlFRq3-DZ8Yz-yvjLzqIE2jQ2TOJNKhv-GDRHs39N3yJRBDnrMcIjT1GVCt-bre67B7ZWFySrLpAGU37AVt6I/s1600/DSC02338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUT8yZ0V6upRZ6NKuhhuTZ0OqRhScTYHtsw0WXu8Wxf8vcZVAn0gjc0YlFRq3-DZ8Yz-yvjLzqIE2jQ2TOJNKhv-GDRHs39N3yJRBDnrMcIjT1GVCt-bre67B7ZWFySrLpAGU37AVt6I/s640/DSC02338.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Afterwards we headed back to the visitors center to make use of the facilities, fill up water, and RELAX! There was a coffee shop/bar at the visitors center area and we got some spiked drinks and relaxed in the lodge with huge windows overlooking the canyon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I after a 10 mile hike and a drink at the lodge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66MMnV15aDS3d7EwVOr2hnHsJd-PHAj36iTRejXnjNZnGObTBq45hVxINDl92KV9EVrAF39Pb8hsIz_0JPhCBVqs2PXC2Mg_ZyMKMgVeMDbs5c3C-GA0WahTFPwE1ppoKZ3O95UktCVA/s1600/DSC02310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj66MMnV15aDS3d7EwVOr2hnHsJd-PHAj36iTRejXnjNZnGObTBq45hVxINDl92KV9EVrAF39Pb8hsIz_0JPhCBVqs2PXC2Mg_ZyMKMgVeMDbs5c3C-GA0WahTFPwE1ppoKZ3O95UktCVA/s640/DSC02310.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet views in the lodge at Grand Canyon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK8ZRJg-47BxfUx6ey2w-A9RCC1iqT8AIm2qfL9mtEj_Rv04ngty43qIgbDGPEdjpmViIEQ9_8zwR5DQ1wZD9Qg_WuxubGk5YCaSXG8RV4j407gtHrtBsaR9XLUnSTPaoxrhrGG4GwqY/s1600/grand+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIK8ZRJg-47BxfUx6ey2w-A9RCC1iqT8AIm2qfL9mtEj_Rv04ngty43qIgbDGPEdjpmViIEQ9_8zwR5DQ1wZD9Qg_WuxubGk5YCaSXG8RV4j407gtHrtBsaR9XLUnSTPaoxrhrGG4GwqY/s640/grand+canyon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing after a long hike. </td></tr>
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We made our way back to our other car and free campsite, and decided since it was our last night before we returned our rental cars and headed back to Vegas, we had to eat everything we owned. Fortunately, that included potatoes and peppers and onion, which we sauteed on our sweet <a href="http://andrewskurka.com/2011/how-to-make-a-fancy-feast-alcohol-stove/" target="_blank">cat stove</a>, which is a cheap way to cook if you are flying to your destination and don't feel like buying a full camp fuel for a few days of camping. Unfortunately, we also had to eat up our gross creamy potato soup and Dave's cup o noodles. These were not so gourmet. After our food was finished, we cleaned up and had an extremely cold sleep. We woke up early and went to breakfast before making our way to Hoover Dam. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nwdi-rimKZlbqhKBuhDgCgA1AQs_wUu0dlfyEBGqIzSrNPF7AHTopdu5a-BVUQ1LQrobaJNab0kiTwgOeUlBRVGnSCVZbdI3IaeGsoXshds_bew3uZo-Bq8f8q4WuaSz1pdwrIHd2hI/s1600/gcanyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nwdi-rimKZlbqhKBuhDgCgA1AQs_wUu0dlfyEBGqIzSrNPF7AHTopdu5a-BVUQ1LQrobaJNab0kiTwgOeUlBRVGnSCVZbdI3IaeGsoXshds_bew3uZo-Bq8f8q4WuaSz1pdwrIHd2hI/s640/gcanyon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato fest. Who needs chairs? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOARpuEF9VgYaDA3NU5cF4SzpQNlNXpHbJibaQ0FPP0eWC6KipaojQnCwiHrvDZrNByAK6gjPEzdvHemCs99F7k7WizdHbOChUf3BUqzMC1ODflkh0KljSi9iFTkgM5zIy6jmww7r9ag/s1600/DSC02370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOARpuEF9VgYaDA3NU5cF4SzpQNlNXpHbJibaQ0FPP0eWC6KipaojQnCwiHrvDZrNByAK6gjPEzdvHemCs99F7k7WizdHbOChUf3BUqzMC1ODflkh0KljSi9iFTkgM5zIy6jmww7r9ag/s640/DSC02370.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potato, onion, and pepper masterpiece on the cat stove!</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-51952329438685360572013-10-17T22:48:00.002-06:002013-10-17T22:48:46.541-06:00The Narrows of ZionRewinding to Memorial Day weekend: We had read about Zion a little bit before going and every article suggested doing The Narrows. We wanted to do an overnight backpacking trip down the Narrows, but we were a little concerned about how we would keep our gear dry hiking down a river. It was also hard to pack proper backpacking gear that could make it on a plane, legally. We decided to make a day hike of it and <a href="http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/Zion-Park-Map-Website.pdf" target="_blank">head up the Narrows to Oderville Canyon, then back down</a>. The thing is, once you pass the river walk, you hike <i>in </i>the river! Flow rates were low and most of the time the water was about knee high or less, but there were spots where we were waist deep, and at one point we just went swimming. It was definitely the most awesome hike I've ever been on. We hiked in our hiking shoes and they were dry by morning with the help of the fire. We read that exposed toes are a no-no and I would agree. Hiking in shoes was the way to go. We just wore wool socks and all of our quick-dry clothing or swim suits. It was also really helpful to have trekking poles. They saved me from taking a swim many times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxcrqLTg-rcmso_SuXlmcEJ01eO73agMEw-yoi0euQHyKNV9SymlJItmWscuWR2mAHmPwH0jvsgl_PGqiTa_t6pe7GzLyszk-X30dr5by5bu8EEgDKrLpABTCEGDP6euqbuzog83DzQA/s1600/IMG_6490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxcrqLTg-rcmso_SuXlmcEJ01eO73agMEw-yoi0euQHyKNV9SymlJItmWscuWR2mAHmPwH0jvsgl_PGqiTa_t6pe7GzLyszk-X30dr5by5bu8EEgDKrLpABTCEGDP6euqbuzog83DzQA/s640/IMG_6490.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting started in the Narrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz9TNj37a_5ZhZk9Ukx_YvBE-eQriifzJUsWeLjzOl7sfTNnsviwLScVEhxI4JZHs1eqaIrvPBhFSW-0H872F30iYQ8Zw2O51zvbq9bSYut0kwI-WEgqYmpJACPFlLw3NIFN08Ga5dEw/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz9TNj37a_5ZhZk9Ukx_YvBE-eQriifzJUsWeLjzOl7sfTNnsviwLScVEhxI4JZHs1eqaIrvPBhFSW-0H872F30iYQ8Zw2O51zvbq9bSYut0kwI-WEgqYmpJACPFlLw3NIFN08Ga5dEw/s640/IMG_6494.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall in the Narrows. Brian and Dave.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're on the left for scale. The Narrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnFESP6kdFzuBkXF-kwe002iEY2FJOIWPynIakqZqhTg93Ar0kIJcJNycmWQLGkzdEqWK1McWlvzkkhF91IDR_Ricl2LZcKbtqCyxLyssKDimrmjj-PqfaJKqZ3FPRckEN3CmbpUCGUw/s1600/IMG_6525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnFESP6kdFzuBkXF-kwe002iEY2FJOIWPynIakqZqhTg93Ar0kIJcJNycmWQLGkzdEqWK1McWlvzkkhF91IDR_Ricl2LZcKbtqCyxLyssKDimrmjj-PqfaJKqZ3FPRckEN3CmbpUCGUw/s640/IMG_6525.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the people for scale. The Narrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool rock formations near the water in the Narrows of Zion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelly, Brian, and Dave in the Narrows</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found a few rocks to sit on for lunch in the Narrows.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on dry land heading back to the campsite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zion.</td></tr>
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Off to the Grand Canyon next!<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-75517842458743936352013-06-23T18:58:00.001-06:002013-06-23T18:58:12.318-06:00To Vegas and ZionDave and I hadn't seen each other since spring break and my semester just let out, so we booked a last minute trip to Vegas to visit some national parks we hadn't hit yet over memorial day weekend. My flight was delayed 4 hours, so I called southwest and they put me on an earlier flight. I was at work at the time, dinking around until my 5:00 bus, but suddenly I needed to be at the airport in 30 minutes and the next bus wasn't for an hour. I called a cab and he zoomed me to the airport for a pretty price. The security line was the longest I've seen it in ages, but I made it to my gate just in time to fill up my water bottle and board. I get to Vegas and grab my massive piece of luggage with all of my camping stuff in it, and head over to the United wing to wait for Dave. Yeah, no restaurants, no nothing over there. It's like an empty warehouse. I should have stayed in the Southwest wing. I ate some cookies and sat at Dave's baggage claim. Only, he didn't come to baggage claim. Apparently everyone on his plane got on a train that took them to the other terminal and no one was there to pick up their luggage. So I grabbed Dave's suitcase and we met at the car rental place instead. What's the point in reserving a car online if you have to still wait in line for a half an hour? Dave was also starving and I calmed him with cookies. Thank goodness for the monster cookies I made. We found an awesome taco shop in a strip mall on the edge of town (Roberto's?) and had an awesome, super-late dinner. <br />
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We head downtown, and due to construction, can't figure out how to get into the parking ramp, but after circling the block, figure it out. The Flamingo didn't have the room I reserved (again, what's the point?), but put us in a huge suite. Like, a bedroom with a huge livingroom and kitchen attached. In retrospect, I should have just asked for a cheap room and my money back. We were only there for about 10 hours total, but whatever, it was funny and decorated old-style.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flamingo. Nice decor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flamingos at the Flamingo</td></tr>
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Finally we could relax! We checked out the flamingos in the morning and drove to Zion. We stopped on the way for groceries, which was a little difficult. Camping food is always a challenge gluten free, but when you don't have any supplies from home, it's a little harder. We went with sausages and soup and snacks.<br />
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Dave's good friend Brian and his girlfriend Kelly were making their way
west camping, and were at Bryce canyon that night, so they got up early
and got us a camping spot in Zion. Good thing, because it was beyond
full by the time we got there in the afternoon. We set up our tent and
the four of us headed up the canyon in their cool bus that keeps the
park from having too much car traffic. (No cars allowed!) We hiked up to the Emerald Pools and got to see some cool pools, waterfalls, and frogs! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting the Emerald Pools hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hot, so it was nice walking under a few waterfalls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small emerald pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile, boys! (Brian and Dave) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top pool. Pretty awesome. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were there fore about 15 minutes before we found the frogs making all of that noise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8yF4Dm_Uvoi15B-Z_wWOMHWRrTsyKeNxvXgiY7QbcqvgFzwH_NLIskX5KD1rN4buUmNeqpSzfqUS6NzPFTQXhU9SDIkLA2UeJT4emzik8b7-WqrL88YNGjLOyMoKcoomUZ42n-W8MoM/s1600/DSC02028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8yF4Dm_Uvoi15B-Z_wWOMHWRrTsyKeNxvXgiY7QbcqvgFzwH_NLIskX5KD1rN4buUmNeqpSzfqUS6NzPFTQXhU9SDIkLA2UeJT4emzik8b7-WqrL88YNGjLOyMoKcoomUZ42n-W8MoM/s640/DSC02028.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave leaving the top pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxLcvzZfm8jt-txUK2-7YEtck7OoLqQEyakGsMXU6bDMAe0WGEjStE_-zqzvK8R0CU0AQdDRD0swxbfGJplPS_xCRTlNQiz2FZ0FMoiZC-i4puDmH-Tyb1UlWAvDg3sNehB6PQZt3eLY/s1600/DSC02040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxLcvzZfm8jt-txUK2-7YEtck7OoLqQEyakGsMXU6bDMAe0WGEjStE_-zqzvK8R0CU0AQdDRD0swxbfGJplPS_xCRTlNQiz2FZ0FMoiZC-i4puDmH-Tyb1UlWAvDg3sNehB6PQZt3eLY/s640/DSC02040.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the falls from the pools</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikasynPEwP4gtGVZdPbjyUL3BzrAw4VVc3tTfWTdz9zVMyHFQcuAL-3z9KBjMACgaXbj06WuiWArOMS8zrVcP3WQwXHRvmsjiqAYToVU9AbDTH5QLPRPKKJHTGKgPCz1ztgMiVJUg8QAQ/s1600/DSC02042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikasynPEwP4gtGVZdPbjyUL3BzrAw4VVc3tTfWTdz9zVMyHFQcuAL-3z9KBjMACgaXbj06WuiWArOMS8zrVcP3WQwXHRvmsjiqAYToVU9AbDTH5QLPRPKKJHTGKgPCz1ztgMiVJUg8QAQ/s640/DSC02042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe0WyYC4aUGSqFdU8uPs-gptGfjoEaF_Ap2HPgcOd8YI9amNwXzPqjpUFk2pb48nT09DsnFlC6v-sBnLwxk9IV7K16mg8FNQEhVhWGVKXJCXTqtv3mYCGNXU9FAvTfKNxCVNveW3umtk/s1600/DSC02052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe0WyYC4aUGSqFdU8uPs-gptGfjoEaF_Ap2HPgcOd8YI9amNwXzPqjpUFk2pb48nT09DsnFlC6v-sBnLwxk9IV7K16mg8FNQEhVhWGVKXJCXTqtv3mYCGNXU9FAvTfKNxCVNveW3umtk/s640/DSC02052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Columbine!</td></tr>
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We stopped at the Weeping Rock and enjoyed some wild flowers and ferns and an epic view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw3LxcBmhyphenhyphenFQ0h9JgB3gBmGJIoF8MRLbEL0gbLaZ274lhJsB9ny9GVvq3CM8L7qsZFLjwKAjD9_-8S7XP6Ma62Gg2oUdTBBxgk2KwjFceGR48uOVPpduVVJJl5ZglsxO2gyiKQ6ogFFk/s1600/DSC02059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw3LxcBmhyphenhyphenFQ0h9JgB3gBmGJIoF8MRLbEL0gbLaZ274lhJsB9ny9GVvq3CM8L7qsZFLjwKAjD9_-8S7XP6Ma62Gg2oUdTBBxgk2KwjFceGR48uOVPpduVVJJl5ZglsxO2gyiKQ6ogFFk/s640/DSC02059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Weeping Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4oD-lQzlnDLlP0rPwd3n0kHhsRrxJ0OpCBEPnz5Ms9FrBZRu9Lh6jHAIhlZU_8Z4s4HQvZaXbkHvxLvPkVB4fGjPtN3GWwJ8Hrv84sjN5PII7JiM6L1fEfqYln587i4neF7dYCaSx4E/s1600/DSC02061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4oD-lQzlnDLlP0rPwd3n0kHhsRrxJ0OpCBEPnz5Ms9FrBZRu9Lh6jHAIhlZU_8Z4s4HQvZaXbkHvxLvPkVB4fGjPtN3GWwJ8Hrv84sjN5PII7JiM6L1fEfqYln587i4neF7dYCaSx4E/s640/DSC02061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping Rock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWMjmlT210oRyGWzHBvhELdmgCPCKDPjDsKwGaYTbPbxByP3uSJz6ij-LvQfQLM3Zh1OXVnAs-pWGyyJUtwWTdBhkR21h9Mz31tH_p4QD1aRcwSXGn4Wuc6puXw-AnJM6woVNf1_o27s/s1600/DSC02085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWMjmlT210oRyGWzHBvhELdmgCPCKDPjDsKwGaYTbPbxByP3uSJz6ij-LvQfQLM3Zh1OXVnAs-pWGyyJUtwWTdBhkR21h9Mz31tH_p4QD1aRcwSXGn4Wuc6puXw-AnJM6woVNf1_o27s/s640/DSC02085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure where Dave got this coupon, but he slipped it in the picture without my noticing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Cz99wOJMrqzRtUfuIZS_uUHUirx8L5UCIEFwDttyfd7M3czwwCO8uqNdUGjXi9xF3Vt1Grj2470OrSbtf7EgRU_F7b6_q_eYSSXSAR6EWsyPEPhIfaX513kyMjvm2ygQJJAVaEMCiTs/s1600/DSC02093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Cz99wOJMrqzRtUfuIZS_uUHUirx8L5UCIEFwDttyfd7M3czwwCO8uqNdUGjXi9xF3Vt1Grj2470OrSbtf7EgRU_F7b6_q_eYSSXSAR6EWsyPEPhIfaX513kyMjvm2ygQJJAVaEMCiTs/s640/DSC02093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer! And our campsite. </td></tr>
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I think we stopped for ice cream at the visitor's center and then we enjoyed some sausages for dinner and slept by the light of a very, very bright moon. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-32354651334575410302013-06-19T21:32:00.000-06:002013-06-19T21:32:27.445-06:00Spring Semester WhirlwindI worked most days this semester from 8am to midnight. I worked most weekends. I joined a gym in April and got in the habit of leaving work at least a bit earlier than I had been (leave at 6 instead of 7) so I could burn off some anxiety. The gym did wonders. I'm feeling great mentally and physically. Here's a brief summary of the few fun things I squeezed into my busy semester.<br />
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Dave came to visit me for my 31st birthday and stayed for the week! It was bliss having him back in Colorado for a while, his first trip since moving out in July for his sweet new job. I got a gnome that my aunt painted when she was young. It lived in my Grandma's basement and I begged my aunt to let me have it. My aunt Dawn also sent me something super special, a painting she made when she was really young that hung at Grandma's house! It is a girl who kind of looks like me wearing a scarf and standing in a winter scene. It's kind of hippie-ish and I just LOVE it. My aunt Darcy send me my Grandma's snowflake necklace! And my mom sent me the gnome with a bunch of apple pie filling that was gluten free. So sweet! Dave and I had the most amazing birthday dinner, fondue! We made a bunch of fun things we could fry up that I usually don't get to eat because they usually are made with gluten, and it was so delicious! (Cheese curds, onion rings, and some healthier stuff as well.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmH4Wtvb2RyttN5UXufn6dDJOIW2PQzEQMJoMtZ0i2DQHS4Pv4VQk2RrGU_XuJ_JyqMKGDoKoo8iOQCwCtz1BvsIzTEn7ksuW29-GNRAoL1-zpqFOBYlO2kOHgZMsJmJkWPOvzigRNvI/s1600/gnome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmH4Wtvb2RyttN5UXufn6dDJOIW2PQzEQMJoMtZ0i2DQHS4Pv4VQk2RrGU_XuJ_JyqMKGDoKoo8iOQCwCtz1BvsIzTEn7ksuW29-GNRAoL1-zpqFOBYlO2kOHgZMsJmJkWPOvzigRNvI/s400/gnome.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma's basement gnome. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHOJD64e1lSN4C6K2HG7XSgH4A1M_h3cyl8Z3A4gEwJvq8GeEcEN3Ykf2SzDNlUSR4InGpXUUh_IBrD_ouCgDOHjGOqaJAkoA6KOc5mU9El9up4GPHjAWI7DSv0WzwgI1CmR8GCbyq-4/s1600/ski1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHOJD64e1lSN4C6K2HG7XSgH4A1M_h3cyl8Z3A4gEwJvq8GeEcEN3Ykf2SzDNlUSR4InGpXUUh_IBrD_ouCgDOHjGOqaJAkoA6KOc5mU9El9up4GPHjAWI7DSv0WzwgI1CmR8GCbyq-4/s640/ski1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrSbmE5M99el8YUQT9uozaEgN3bR7YadJU7Ze_XEw_ewmFdgQrmMoKCf8wSznvygD9hT99y_VDKokMG3oieoI4NMDlY14nafOd7XInqgKVe9FmSQ9uFxWoe4BF5-T5nM2IXCf6H3jGzM/s1600/ski2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrSbmE5M99el8YUQT9uozaEgN3bR7YadJU7Ze_XEw_ewmFdgQrmMoKCf8wSznvygD9hT99y_VDKokMG3oieoI4NMDlY14nafOd7XInqgKVe9FmSQ9uFxWoe4BF5-T5nM2IXCf6H3jGzM/s320/ski2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me! I'm not doing the pizza wedge! (Although I'm also on a green)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQbRkA-5GqvhYZf8FteTsSa4RBO7DkjcfBZtvSyAG5jMXtHDBPP_uoq7wajyQy3P8pgNn8rm4MGroJTA9loTCp9atEZOVrXCtgsFE7v340bln1JMIr9C7-02gR4WhO8oCzNakWXLLNeU/s1600/ski3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQbRkA-5GqvhYZf8FteTsSa4RBO7DkjcfBZtvSyAG5jMXtHDBPP_uoq7wajyQy3P8pgNn8rm4MGroJTA9loTCp9atEZOVrXCtgsFE7v340bln1JMIr9C7-02gR4WhO8oCzNakWXLLNeU/s320/ski3.jpg" width="320" /></a>I spent spring break skiing with cousins Jennifer and Ryan and uncle Randy at Copper Mountain, then went to visit Dave in New York. Skiing was awesome. Jennifer is the best guide and knew how far to push me. I finally feel like I'm a skier and not a pizza-wedge-skier. <br />
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I flew to New York and had the pleasure of Dave's family coming to visit us in the city! First we got Dave's brother and sister-in-law and all of the kids. We went to the Natural History Museum and enjoyed the dinosaur bones. The kids took the subway, and we had a taco party in Dave's small apartment, which was hilarious with Gavin (1) walking around and Dave's place being the least baby-proof place on earth. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEUvFE8I8CKPuH44js04L4Tvoa0E3LtZj_NV79pZpI_cBBS655kxDTHWTSYX9BB2aRgAr57p-fEW26fakXSFM_p-3ifuBSRF5h4yOEkMk6i6HyoCjZo5gCkdZ6D_h7iyoTfncKjVRW10/s1600/DSC09897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEUvFE8I8CKPuH44js04L4Tvoa0E3LtZj_NV79pZpI_cBBS655kxDTHWTSYX9BB2aRgAr57p-fEW26fakXSFM_p-3ifuBSRF5h4yOEkMk6i6HyoCjZo5gCkdZ6D_h7iyoTfncKjVRW10/s320/DSC09897.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If we put him on the bed, maybe he won't get into trouble!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH6G2vHsDldtguq43Z0_3C3DYdXzqn43vb4oFB9G4yc-g6wI4EleKcj_Guygc1kM8JuRpZW6JNCmRpea77O174_1fZqqQfpoz_9-FAFDzenwExBhg9YL4ZQlt3n5I0Bjvg-IKhmu3xDw/s1600/DSC09901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH6G2vHsDldtguq43Z0_3C3DYdXzqn43vb4oFB9G4yc-g6wI4EleKcj_Guygc1kM8JuRpZW6JNCmRpea77O174_1fZqqQfpoz_9-FAFDzenwExBhg9YL4ZQlt3n5I0Bjvg-IKhmu3xDw/s320/DSC09901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor playing Dave's banjo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezO7vUXJDjsq788B65KnIydzavmSyMqZzrQcP09u8tVmV34lbsQCgF5hzDpJ8cRXi_OMfqOjOakPyjxla9Mc2TFmZp93EemJzTO41Kk46Al1JKiEj9USZmVxkr_ie-iGs1g605L9kbRQ/s1600/DSC09902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezO7vUXJDjsq788B65KnIydzavmSyMqZzrQcP09u8tVmV34lbsQCgF5hzDpJ8cRXi_OMfqOjOakPyjxla9Mc2TFmZp93EemJzTO41Kk46Al1JKiEj9USZmVxkr_ie-iGs1g605L9kbRQ/s640/DSC09902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the subway. Dave's sister-in-law is on the left. She is the mother of these cute kids!</td></tr>
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Dave and I went to Katz's deli on Good Friday thinking we'd be the only people willing to eat meat during lent. Yeah, we were wrong. Awesome pastrami sandwich (I ate the meat and pickles, Dave ate the bready part). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0U0OCv48oGtYtdcartWjlvUtcrsZVxQ3gCkyhG1TFbi1Oxmo_XEKtg8c_aaJc2LNFZHQNpK7CZA8WTFLSrkgC14ZGhBOUrtXN0_Pql8dEg9mjJOWAH5rqYsF-KaeVX2B92FvG8baidA/s1600/DSC09908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0U0OCv48oGtYtdcartWjlvUtcrsZVxQ3gCkyhG1TFbi1Oxmo_XEKtg8c_aaJc2LNFZHQNpK7CZA8WTFLSrkgC14ZGhBOUrtXN0_Pql8dEg9mjJOWAH5rqYsF-KaeVX2B92FvG8baidA/s400/DSC09908.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o5vTr6RjhlLYAImFcQ6JjC1TBuF8oTgTYgsU1B0oRCtbgGdODf1iOZpQRbHeZ46mioxGcFbmyygTgz4d5LJA1CbxEU0Vh1uhP-mkF0qdkqAd_sqwlhh4Myj0mt1SG__sqXVeWHCWJ4Q/s1600/DSC09911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o5vTr6RjhlLYAImFcQ6JjC1TBuF8oTgTYgsU1B0oRCtbgGdODf1iOZpQRbHeZ46mioxGcFbmyygTgz4d5LJA1CbxEU0Vh1uhP-mkF0qdkqAd_sqwlhh4Myj0mt1SG__sqXVeWHCWJ4Q/s320/DSC09911.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a gluten free bakery that Dave found for
me, <a href="http://www.tu-lusbakery.com/" target="_blank">Tu-lu's in NYC</a>. I got a cupcake and maybe a coffee cake for breakfast the
next day. YUM. Such a treat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxj5r5WKuIuy36bDaDJRbg9Qpw-q1xAdRlVB9i9YOQndjHZWpUxyPcJDapHWpkiUmu-XkUaDZZEkwuW6zFURT4iJUiC61RR6U9RbEgBiao6nOZ-WlY03D3SCOyUPYB9QBagSN7VWCqc8/s1600/DSC09912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxj5r5WKuIuy36bDaDJRbg9Qpw-q1xAdRlVB9i9YOQndjHZWpUxyPcJDapHWpkiUmu-XkUaDZZEkwuW6zFURT4iJUiC61RR6U9RbEgBiao6nOZ-WlY03D3SCOyUPYB9QBagSN7VWCqc8/s320/DSC09912.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met up with Dave's friends Carly and John at the Headless Horseman.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also found a Trader Joe's wine shop near by and stocked up (that backpack held a lot of wine!) The next day, we met Dave's newly-wed brother and sister-in-law for brunch and a museum day. We went to the transit museum in Brooklyn. It was pretty cool, you could walk through old subway cars and see the funny ads on them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1pK650mQpoyUHq1JiWJV-VCzOvTRoF_iDar3kt2Ou-9X2PY678pfZqJ1RIgwPWdvv825nyx11IWFSIagMYOosgSLQ87zfOn7WgZ7mRrm6KgX_YI-NqnvmOXVwq-r9cSJP7NFx71FXqQ/s1600/DSC09920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1pK650mQpoyUHq1JiWJV-VCzOvTRoF_iDar3kt2Ou-9X2PY678pfZqJ1RIgwPWdvv825nyx11IWFSIagMYOosgSLQ87zfOn7WgZ7mRrm6KgX_YI-NqnvmOXVwq-r9cSJP7NFx71FXqQ/s320/DSC09920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally, on Easter we went to a beautiful cathedral called Riverside. Awesome architecture. I flew home on Easter and wouldn't see Dave again until late May. <br />
<br />
I had some great seniors this semester that kept me company and kept me sane. I'm lucky to work with such great students, which is the reason I'm still here and haven't gone running east just yet. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-47129391566161511932013-01-13T18:52:00.000-07:002013-06-19T18:53:52.490-06:00Travel statsI found this post that I must have written in January. I thought it was worth putting up for my own personal record of this insane year. This must have been written the day or two before my Grandma died and I had to take another trip to Wisconsin. I'm going through old drafts, so maybe there are more posts to come. <br />
.... <br />
<br />
I was browsing through my blog and realized it's been a really, really long time since I actually shared a gluten free recipe or even cooked, for that matter. Travel has taken up the majority of my time since last May. Here's a few travel stats before I transition back into reality, which I hope will include food blogging. My semester starts in a week. <br />
<br />
I spent 40% of my time (101 days) since May away from home. That's a lot of beds and tents!<br />
I took 19 1-way flights, all direct. Two round trips were for business, the rest personal.<br />
When I wasn't flying, I was in a car (my, Dave's, or Dave's parents' Subaru Outbacks, plus the Westy) and drove to or through 17 states.<br />
This is my 3rd weekend at my condo in Colorado (where I actually live) since October.<br />
This is the first time I don't have a half-empty suitcase on my bedroom floor since June.<br />
<br />
My calendar is kind of comical and I couldn't think of a spatial way to show it to you without revealing too much of my craziness. I accidentally showed my students my calendar for a few seconds during class and their jaws dropped. Anyway, here's a list of trips with links to pictures. <br />
<ul>
<li>May 13-16 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/05/capitol-reef-national-park.html">Utah camping in the new Subaru</a></li>
<li>June 21-24 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/07/weddings.html">Wisconsin Cassie Wedding</a></li>
<li>July 4-14 Wyoming in the Westy, <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/07/yellowstone.html">Yellowstone</a>, <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/07/cascade-canyon.html">Tetons</a></li>
<li>July 22-25 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/08/from-co-to-nj-and-mammouth-caves.html">Drive to NYC from Boulder, stop at Mammouth caves in Kentucky</a></li>
<li>July 26-August 3<a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/09/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it.html"> NYC</a>, <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/09/enjoying-new-york-city.html">more NYC</a>, <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/08/moving-to-city.html">moving in to NYC</a></li>
<li>August 3-12 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/09/wisconsin-for-week.html">Wisconsin Nicolet Shores vacation with family</a></li>
<li>August 30-Sept 3 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/12/fall-2012-highlights.html">Jersey Shore with Dave’s family</a></li>
<li>Sept 27-30 NYC</li>
<li>Oct 18-21 NYC</li>
<li>Nov 8-11 Kansas City conference</li>
<li>Nov 16-25 NYC for<a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/12/fall-2012-highlights.html"> Thanksgiving and Dave's brother's wedding</a></li>
<li>Dec 1-9 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/12/fall-2012-highlights.html">San Francisco conference (with Dave)</a></li>
<li>Dec 19-Jan 1 <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-traditions.html">Wisconsin</a></li>
<li>Jan 1-9 NYC and New Hampshire skiing</li>
</ul>
Dave got me a flash for our DSLR camera for Christmas (which was a pretty good deal considering I only got him a gag gift) and I took a food
picture yesterday with it. Holy cow, what a HUGE difference it makes!
Without photo-editing software on my main computer, I wasn't getting the
best food photos out there. I hope this helps! First step, cook again!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-80266480537443744402012-12-31T06:00:00.000-07:002012-12-31T06:00:08.130-07:00Happy New Year!Every year I like to look back at the fun things Dave and I did together and make a collage. Here's this year's, which hopefully Dave got in the mail for Christmas, since we haven't seen each other yet! You can find other years <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2011/12/looking-back-on-2011.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCtfo4tpKvtPiEdYMrIQJv-4He9AY6Yo7nHFuO-FSJxANRDDaRoqshUFTI7THvCOOfdN-yJKaTfOMXFaPXP_i0sp0jwIwxvsoNgrBVzq-0Eu-wSnvUr_AImJ2p0N1uYVxh0EhcpN581g/s1600/dave+and+keah+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCtfo4tpKvtPiEdYMrIQJv-4He9AY6Yo7nHFuO-FSJxANRDDaRoqshUFTI7THvCOOfdN-yJKaTfOMXFaPXP_i0sp0jwIwxvsoNgrBVzq-0Eu-wSnvUr_AImJ2p0N1uYVxh0EhcpN581g/s640/dave+and+keah+2012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<![endif]-->Some of the pictures (LtoR): Kayaking while the van wouldn’t start in Tetons, Hiking in Cascade Canyon in the Tetons, solar eclipse at Waldo ponds, Gooseneck overview at Capitol Reef, fixing the van in Tetons, Matt and Allie’s wedding limo, hike in the snow with the new camera, Labyrinth in Jackson Hole after picking up the coil on our trip with Charlie, Central park in NYC with Brent, the shore pre-Sandy (Brigantine), Capitol Reef camp site after the Cohab Canyon hike, fixing the Westy at the garage, Tetons, wedding, whitewater rafting, me and the van at the falls in Yellowstone, Lake Powell, Time Square after nice work if you can get some, Jackson lake, Berties for Dave's 28th birthday in Kentucky on his move to NYC, Lake Powell again, Brigantine Beach, Norris in Yellowstone, Making a mosaic birdbath, My 30th birthday and new pots, Rehearsal dinner, Wildfire threatens our home, San Francisco (forgot Muir woods!), Mammoth caves, Hickman Bridge at Capitol Reef.<br />
<br />
I think we did a bad job of taking pictures together this year, but I still wanted to show the breadth of things we did, even though we were living two time zones away for half of it. I realized I forgot a few things and all of the pictures on Dave's phone and camera aren't here. Ah well, it's still a fun overview! <br />
<br />
--- <br />
<br />
I hope 2013 is amazing for all of us! A year ago I was about to turn 30 and had no idea what this year would bring. In the last year my car was stolen, our condo was threatened by a wildfire that was two miles away, my boyfriend moved 2000 miles away and lived through a hurricane, most of my graduate school friends have moved away, and my Grandma has been quite ill. Despite all of this, I am proud of myself for making it through. Sometimes it felt like I was barely surviving. My home was a mess, my laundry never done, my eating habits pushed to eating out because I was too sad to cook. My friend Yolanda was my savior through the hardest times. I miss her so much, she moved away for an amazing job in November. I saw her last week and cried after I had to say goodbye. I think after all of this, though, I'm in a good place. My job is still worth staying here for and I am thankful that I have it. It keeps me sharp and makes my days go extremely fast. I hope that I can continue to stay close to Dave, even though we are so far apart. I also hope that my Grandma pulls through this rough time. <br />
<br />
Cheers to a new year, new chances to make yourself happy each and every day, and to hope! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-86065164823127181852012-12-18T06:00:00.000-07:002013-01-21T12:25:46.215-07:00Christmas TraditionsMy Grandma is at the heart of our Christmas traditions. Her blue and green Christmas lights brighten her corner home that is the warmest, coziest place to spend a holiday. Grandma and I both love our storms and hope for snow, gobs of it! We gather at her home for Christmas Eve and have a late Christmas lunch with as many aunts, uncles, and cousins we can fit into her house! Of course before lunch one of the family members leads us in prayer. Grandma is the mother of my six aunts and two uncles, all of whom are married with children, adding up to 25 cousins, many of whom are married and have children of their own! The boys make their way to the basement for poker games and football on TV, the girls cook and do dishes after each meal, as there is no dishwasher. The cousins play games, try on any old bridesmaid dresses we can find in Grandma's upstairs closet, and exchange gifts in the living room near the Christmas tree that sits in a musical rotating stand. She decorates the tree with icicles after all of the ornaments are on. Many of the families wander off to in-laws' parties later in the afternoon, but some of us stay at Grandma's all day, eating leftovers, drinking, and playing games. Grandma is a saint for letting all of this commotion go on in her home!<br />
<br />
Around 9:00, we put away the last of the food and freshen up for Midnight Mass. This year will be particularly hard because our priest was killed on his bike just a few months ago by a car. Hopefully mass will be a celebration of him, among the usual Christmas celebration. We all sit together and illegally save seats for the families who are still at the in-laws and are running late. Cousin Jennifer and I sit together and giggle at ugly Christmas sweaters. I awkwardly avoid receiving communion because I don't want to be glutened by the host. We sing Christmas songs and listen to the choir. I give hugs to old high school friends who are at mass and we all walk out through the snow to our cars, seeing our breath as we go, and haul ourselves back to Grandma's house. It's now midnight and it's Christmas! Tradition calls for doughnuts and pickled pigs feet, which, in reality, are something my Grandma makes called "sults," which aren't pigs feet, but a pork roast chopped up and put into a sort of pickly jello. It's kind of like eating cold pork with sour kraut in the form of a loaf. I LOVE it! Grandma always surprises me with it, but this year, she is a little under the weather, so I might have to have her help ME make it!<br />
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Grandma sends out a Christmas letter each year with a story. She is a wonderful storyteller. This year she told us of how her and Grandpa, who died a few years before I was born, got engaged. It was Christmas Eve of 1945 after Midnight Mass when he gave her a ring. Now that I know this story, I understand even more, the traditional post-midnight-mass celebration that we have every year at her house.<br />
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Christmas morning we spend at mom and dad's house. Mom makes breakfast and we open gifts, usually with Lampoon's Christmas on in the background. We gather food, games, and pajamas, and drive back to Grandma's house to join the cousins from out of town who slept there the night before for a day of games and good food. Grandma listens to us as we sing along to her Christmas music, "Come on Ring Those Bells!" and entertain ourselves with cards and board games and movies all day long. She plays cards with the aunties, 7's, Kings, and Sheep's Head. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma's house when I was in my mom's tummy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma's house when I was a baby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cards and Grandma's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Mike's outfit after Midnight Mass</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma's kitchen table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and mom 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Looking forward to another year to make memories with Grandma and the family!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-46362984961793928302012-12-16T20:58:00.001-07:002012-12-16T21:26:11.884-07:00Fall 2012 HighlightsSince we left off, I've been to the Jersey Shore (Brigantine), New York three times, Kansas City, and San Francisco. This is my first weekend in my condo since November 3rd! Dave was at his parents house for hurricane Sandy and they were without power for well over a week. I heard from him right after the storm, but had to wait a while before we were finally back in touch. There were lots of trees down in his parents neighborhood and lots of ruined roofs! The Rockefeller Christmas tree ended up coming from their county! His apartment actually had power the whole time, but his work didn't.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and I with his nieces and nephews at Brigantine Beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh my gosh, how cute is this? I believe Gavin was 8 months old here. Best baby ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave, Matt, and Nard gambled while Vicki and I went to watch the fireworks one night in Atlantic City. Not sure how this fared in the hurricane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Liberty from the not-so-long-ago flooded Battery Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had some NYC fun. We went to a play about a dude with a big nose, went to the Philharmonic at the Lincoln center, and I finally got to see TWC site and the new Freedom tower. I also got to see Battery Park after it flooded from Sandy. <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVxnXDClg0QfBqSdrhyFRVmE2n_2A2GUiGZFgbxLl8TfYmdr9Gq2GzQkKyaM1SMmlmqfOlK9vEKEEumM_lKPoJ168YPc1rqD3Cge-BLmqNqJkgZxNeAUoiJCz6ZH8feJ4e5gRZCp9Bn4/s1600/DSC09521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVxnXDClg0QfBqSdrhyFRVmE2n_2A2GUiGZFgbxLl8TfYmdr9Gq2GzQkKyaM1SMmlmqfOlK9vEKEEumM_lKPoJ168YPc1rqD3Cge-BLmqNqJkgZxNeAUoiJCz6ZH8feJ4e5gRZCp9Bn4/s400/DSC09521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A park in Dave's neighborhood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJxLYhwJCsaigRkOY-dLCQrVIXQneA8qs2RRSGpIUHIl1FXItlxxW_L_flWiU4DWmdsY-qNvCe8HtaCVXr_pUKLHayLOyz9g3QDmK2XgZsHcOZlLKfG3BDfuz4ok5gtghkbFBjpHagIM/s1600/DSC09543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJxLYhwJCsaigRkOY-dLCQrVIXQneA8qs2RRSGpIUHIl1FXItlxxW_L_flWiU4DWmdsY-qNvCe8HtaCVXr_pUKLHayLOyz9g3QDmK2XgZsHcOZlLKfG3BDfuz4ok5gtghkbFBjpHagIM/s320/DSC09543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal dinner gluten free dessert-- sorbet. YUM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I went to NYC for my fall break. I had lots of fun sharing a kitchen with Dave's mom. I
made 15lbs of cream cheese mashed potatoes (5 too many!), <a href="http://www.bojongourmet.com/2009/11/pumpkin-cheesecake-squares-with.html">a gingersnap crust pumpkin cheesecake</a> gluten free, <a href="http://lifeafterluckycharms.blogspot.com/2010/11/gluten-free-thanksgiving-darcys.html">Aunt Darcy's stuffing</a>,
and gravy for Thanksgiving dinner. She made just as much food and the other girls made the
Turkey, more stuffing, and soooo many amazing pies!<br />
<br />
Dave's last unmarried (1-year-younger) brother tied the knot the day after
Thanksgiving. Rehearsal Dinner
was Wednesday, Thanksgiving-eve, and we had such a fabulous meal with an
amazing dessert! Dave's brother and sister-in-law in NJ hosted
Thanksgiving and the Turkey was made on the grill. Best turkey EVER!
We had such a beautiful sit-down meal with much of the family who had
come in from Wisconsin for the wedding. It was perfect! <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1AK-MFtm9CsPV8u2-w3I-6h7V9UTytndFE0UkYulopFmmZuGMelY-hhUiQIBbY12S9AETE4b2c9tMdmmu7f3braoYlrxRbL2hgICK0mw2SCfdbNRyz1lTUi8tsnmyRwJ4Qf2KXrwUE/s1600/DSC09539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW1AK-MFtm9CsPV8u2-w3I-6h7V9UTytndFE0UkYulopFmmZuGMelY-hhUiQIBbY12S9AETE4b2c9tMdmmu7f3braoYlrxRbL2hgICK0mw2SCfdbNRyz1lTUi8tsnmyRwJ4Qf2KXrwUE/s640/DSC09539.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal dinner with Vicki (Dave's mom), brother Andy, and Liz, who were married in June.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43OAHc2gNK7X1Vox8oqxBtJCnWjjqlrZ4fpH9-LrnjcF7GUoiRkcLM0UGTUgMjTXQmn4eAegJWl8kl0wMjbeVVVaJmlZHgYezqGcaUJ75JGY-gq0j4qXLUtq0k0cpVJcPTuMo8S9rhvw/s1600/DSC09541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43OAHc2gNK7X1Vox8oqxBtJCnWjjqlrZ4fpH9-LrnjcF7GUoiRkcLM0UGTUgMjTXQmn4eAegJWl8kl0wMjbeVVVaJmlZHgYezqGcaUJ75JGY-gq0j4qXLUtq0k0cpVJcPTuMo8S9rhvw/s640/DSC09541.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rehearsal dinner. Dave borrowed this academic jacket from his dad. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c-cLL0Dy8W_AiTnaQMuQGi8dCfuZ_jRZ7ZVEVzl9DajIu1Oj80AHJL_xV9CT5bzgNuWlGbZoHnpfBjz2rl6tPLlRuCliqymYEpHuSdsSlp2CGIu_B1dS6DOty7sLBLyo5Er8hoDp8LM/s1600/DSC09553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-c-cLL0Dy8W_AiTnaQMuQGi8dCfuZ_jRZ7ZVEVzl9DajIu1Oj80AHJL_xV9CT5bzgNuWlGbZoHnpfBjz2rl6tPLlRuCliqymYEpHuSdsSlp2CGIu_B1dS6DOty7sLBLyo5Er8hoDp8LM/s640/DSC09553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groom, Bride, and Best Man all rehearsed!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sxgf1Zn_Rn-goas-jgaMBrBtm6tNr6hzUzaoP8Qo2ZkBjjKhRhv9D_s04NAdXfgi3wFv36nf5vTlmG_J21yKI4HHIgqOnpqNlSiPS_FY5doZFtdAw43s8fYvK6DL7oubL8hu9grENo/s1600/DSC09560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sxgf1Zn_Rn-goas-jgaMBrBtm6tNr6hzUzaoP8Qo2ZkBjjKhRhv9D_s04NAdXfgi3wFv36nf5vTlmG_J21yKI4HHIgqOnpqNlSiPS_FY5doZFtdAw43s8fYvK6DL7oubL8hu9grENo/s640/DSC09560.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie being such a Turkey on Thanksgiving!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdwIuxX4a32YJQo5v2YXuynzcGLcRLwWU1ekt5aF6i13PrHG9-FyZQ8t6gKMno0u8dsKn-XIqoLG9KH4AdDpsBLw44aAS-iJhC3vdSmd_OnU9d62kq8mBVN6IUenRfHkGfT8C0sBl_J8/s1600/DSC09563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdwIuxX4a32YJQo5v2YXuynzcGLcRLwWU1ekt5aF6i13PrHG9-FyZQ8t6gKMno0u8dsKn-XIqoLG9KH4AdDpsBLw44aAS-iJhC3vdSmd_OnU9d62kq8mBVN6IUenRfHkGfT8C0sBl_J8/s640/DSC09563.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers on Thanksgiving enjoying the hot weather and smoking the turkey on the grill. Honestly, it is very difficult to get these boys to pose for a photo without someone being a goofball. (Matt, Dave, Andy, and Jake) (Jake is the dad of the adorable kids pictured above!)</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX0WFGitny0_noM9nM7T1Gid6FdmO-tJwWHNMxrTQifC-SAGbeLMgjzrCDU9PEBDeBOYrRFPW026N3iCam_N4Fh1j2f256Q0jz3GTga3kI9eFjPiR6ykI9W6InSHz59KhVsqC5DHB7kc/s1600/DSC09571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX0WFGitny0_noM9nM7T1Gid6FdmO-tJwWHNMxrTQifC-SAGbeLMgjzrCDU9PEBDeBOYrRFPW026N3iCam_N4Fh1j2f256Q0jz3GTga3kI9eFjPiR6ykI9W6InSHz59KhVsqC5DHB7kc/s320/DSC09571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for dinner!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wedding was such a blast. Dave was the best man and gave a really cute, funny speech. <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjPBTlT0cwXnEvk9GgKqTRH9VIKSBb9lqT_3byZ_NXIYhsjNbSFONSKKcpug6fy95pYGqGbhoOMY29R-CCtogadzoHUNcu9m6sL3iqVfhu5JVvb3brevcH98X1Z_8K5NMvbUnvbtM-WA/s1600/DSC09580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjPBTlT0cwXnEvk9GgKqTRH9VIKSBb9lqT_3byZ_NXIYhsjNbSFONSKKcpug6fy95pYGqGbhoOMY29R-CCtogadzoHUNcu9m6sL3iqVfhu5JVvb3brevcH98X1Z_8K5NMvbUnvbtM-WA/s640/DSC09580.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Congrats Matt and Allie!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8qhDO3owY2oLVNx9iYKfevUYPNnQ_03Rp2w9gOF9H36EvPDPX871KNo-_fRXzAehOAqMlFfUV8zPYXEHuwlSgZk_-8vDN8fUnRY7ypj5jKwDpesGM3NoVm9OD0gtIh76Cfrd4HNeefI/s1600/DSC09588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8qhDO3owY2oLVNx9iYKfevUYPNnQ_03Rp2w9gOF9H36EvPDPX871KNo-_fRXzAehOAqMlFfUV8zPYXEHuwlSgZk_-8vDN8fUnRY7ypj5jKwDpesGM3NoVm9OD0gtIh76Cfrd4HNeefI/s640/DSC09588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good lookin' crowd!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodsq_TsXT8-XfHyu87ltegNoNHPcPpA6SC8HIPQ1rprzqeTkNapcdmxNQcNfLhncp2zkHwm-TSusmoQtWOYaOTUytcVbJ4QngRUGKp2B2DRMkcHiXy3jNox-183EwoHmTsH1OIpCXTU/s1600/DSC09594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjodsq_TsXT8-XfHyu87ltegNoNHPcPpA6SC8HIPQ1rprzqeTkNapcdmxNQcNfLhncp2zkHwm-TSusmoQtWOYaOTUytcVbJ4QngRUGKp2B2DRMkcHiXy3jNox-183EwoHmTsH1OIpCXTU/s640/DSC09594.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun in the limo on the way to the reception.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mrIHLQ4TtqQn0CIgN6KvZgM72rMBnbeN3NGSvA50YgMC_mbUV9AQC_3SiYa07M88pX9V0ZHEGckob-TwfBQi1jH5sb-ILHJZK5kJJ-HzsTHYF7ZGwaoN7gEdWUoFqcBUbxCrWhRRNLw/s1600/DSC09603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mrIHLQ4TtqQn0CIgN6KvZgM72rMBnbeN3NGSvA50YgMC_mbUV9AQC_3SiYa07M88pX9V0ZHEGckob-TwfBQi1jH5sb-ILHJZK5kJJ-HzsTHYF7ZGwaoN7gEdWUoFqcBUbxCrWhRRNLw/s640/DSC09603.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocktail hour! Only coke for Dave, have to be ready for the big speech!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmotxQ2EGTQx4HCQWXLqG08U5y4qKOJbdERcfIfPsQ8Rbof9pR62ssnPJjU7VbYLCiBqzltu2rEqEuMmBxk-m7Hs67o7H3FxTgi8BrMhhlc_YuKJgyv9YaDmRuObNG6-G8soUjV39cEw/s1600/DSC09619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmotxQ2EGTQx4HCQWXLqG08U5y4qKOJbdERcfIfPsQ8Rbof9pR62ssnPJjU7VbYLCiBqzltu2rEqEuMmBxk-m7Hs67o7H3FxTgi8BrMhhlc_YuKJgyv9YaDmRuObNG6-G8soUjV39cEw/s640/DSC09619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave with some of his WI aunties.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMq2XjeJduKaVsw7CWGyJTbQTt-Rt4En0RogvkETJbbYwEG2jbiM2E3-wNudGnBfAMS0sGZLlyKiBQuC3bdYXmobLWVgTghFphMvQZC1XGfYUn8Ykp49Y4sSx-mi18Jz0glUOjQ-aYO0/s1600/DSC09620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMq2XjeJduKaVsw7CWGyJTbQTt-Rt4En0RogvkETJbbYwEG2jbiM2E3-wNudGnBfAMS0sGZLlyKiBQuC3bdYXmobLWVgTghFphMvQZC1XGfYUn8Ykp49Y4sSx-mi18Jz0glUOjQ-aYO0/s640/DSC09620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave with Grandma Nancy and Aunt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJCCof5kKdswT_sJg9RlglnEB5xikSNsatbQBLIihyphenhyphenXoKaGCE_H-MamnEPoxMs5YgrzgwHZYG-YBqH9Q_0xACogmKgVMFlMB0alPLYv4xIj1IZ0kzfPSc5z0iWI62fc4T9TsGOmbYEe4/s1600/DSC09623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJCCof5kKdswT_sJg9RlglnEB5xikSNsatbQBLIihyphenhyphenXoKaGCE_H-MamnEPoxMs5YgrzgwHZYG-YBqH9Q_0xACogmKgVMFlMB0alPLYv4xIj1IZ0kzfPSc5z0iWI62fc4T9TsGOmbYEe4/s640/DSC09623.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave and his mom. I can't get over how amazing she looked in that dress!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wedding was positively fabulous. I've never seen anything like it! We had a beautiful cocktail hour, then a three course meal that lasted well into the night. In between each delicious course we danced! It was so fun and I am so happy to have been able to attend this one, as the last brother's wedding was the same day I was in cousin Cassie's wedding.<br />
<br />
A week after this, Dave and I met up again in San Francisco for a
week-long conference. We met up with many of our bestest friends who
have moved away in the last year and had so much fun. We took a
day-trip to Muir woods and went on a 4 mile hike, then headed to Stinton
Beach.<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ncecIwKHopbJ1wKgb-jKphxyVf1A64VCCREeDHtDOfosWZC9ptbQQY1_n8P_xSgkofI99vCwGVWD0QLfF1gXPAvOdp4zINUbjdnjIxgYGAMowhIAmNdR1Ng6Xpdihu7qWuDhVwkxJvc/s1600/DSC09682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ncecIwKHopbJ1wKgb-jKphxyVf1A64VCCREeDHtDOfosWZC9ptbQQY1_n8P_xSgkofI99vCwGVWD0QLfF1gXPAvOdp4zINUbjdnjIxgYGAMowhIAmNdR1Ng6Xpdihu7qWuDhVwkxJvc/s400/DSC09682.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike in Muir Woods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0p8Y04bE-J32PiFaz4mpgYq6YL5KgbaJhYvcrMBiQzOJij1bAdVl-hEz8Q8cJXrF0VAvzDBn8Ner4hrO2HaBxlbmethaJgL2nEthpC6WuMf8IP4WOD6wc7IJaCaHa3LrJMhwHmL8x3g/s1600/DSC09686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0p8Y04bE-J32PiFaz4mpgYq6YL5KgbaJhYvcrMBiQzOJij1bAdVl-hEz8Q8cJXrF0VAvzDBn8Ner4hrO2HaBxlbmethaJgL2nEthpC6WuMf8IP4WOD6wc7IJaCaHa3LrJMhwHmL8x3g/s320/DSC09686.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red wood at Muir Woods</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSiLZxC6lLb989yma158lo2hZIJc2olK4LAO3IbFov887zBcuV8tAi936VHxOX7nMiJQK49Y463dnNxCCG3hB1YLT-eZ5lf4X7Gag8xQf1wRpuHS70-7KuqDIALeHWs_kJmQG_E97nNc/s1600/DSC09724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSiLZxC6lLb989yma158lo2hZIJc2olK4LAO3IbFov887zBcuV8tAi936VHxOX7nMiJQK49Y463dnNxCCG3hB1YLT-eZ5lf4X7Gag8xQf1wRpuHS70-7KuqDIALeHWs_kJmQG_E97nNc/s640/DSC09724.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinton Beach, SF</td></tr>
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We flew back to Denver and had a good 10 minutes before Dave had to board his flight back to New York. I hate goodbyes!<br />
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Well, that's it, my semester in a nutshell! School was crazy-busy and that's why I lacked posting for a few months. More to come!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-84680532204420381752012-09-15T21:29:00.000-06:002012-09-15T21:29:00.484-06:00Wisconsin for a weekMy trip to northern Wisconsin was great. It was a nice distraction from the fact that I had just left Dave in NYC. We had no internet, no phone service, just a phone card. I was luckily able to call Dave from the phone in the pool area every night during his first week by himself. The weather took a turn for the worst and after a record-breaking summer that was hotter than the depths of hell, the moment I got a chance to be on the water, temperatures dropped and it rained. We got in a few days of boating and I tubed. For some reason, I lack pictures from this trip, but here we go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdPg-aVAFr7AgzPARMh95jTMRGxiOflliFxiqwezh8ezCX7g7kcgBzRZVQ-n8hIJ5vkQpAQ4XkA_hN-hKmTefXRbmuR8CW8DNhSBphZSj2gkDvppqFi4vujPP9BkPoBIulqezM4ZFSkE/s1600/DSC09442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdPg-aVAFr7AgzPARMh95jTMRGxiOflliFxiqwezh8ezCX7g7kcgBzRZVQ-n8hIJ5vkQpAQ4XkA_hN-hKmTefXRbmuR8CW8DNhSBphZSj2gkDvppqFi4vujPP9BkPoBIulqezM4ZFSkE/s640/DSC09442.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunties, Grandma, and my mom playing cards in the pool area.</td></tr>
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We did a lot of puzzle-making when it was raining. This is our second puzzle. The first one, of the Tetons, proved impossible and we quit. This one was much more fun. This is my brother. He lives in Massachusetts where he's working on a PhD. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRitGxwP0O8mwdkgbnN15wvpIXkuPvc9PVR2gizEpGxkGaYiC7_0qtFB55cNOHLotKRUo5seIdMsvxQseQ_DOcGxzigOlbE57TrpWxfVgtj68n0J2JpjA2QFnIlq7Z37AXzBL3us_feD8/s1600/DSC09443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRitGxwP0O8mwdkgbnN15wvpIXkuPvc9PVR2gizEpGxkGaYiC7_0qtFB55cNOHLotKRUo5seIdMsvxQseQ_DOcGxzigOlbE57TrpWxfVgtj68n0J2JpjA2QFnIlq7Z37AXzBL3us_feD8/s640/DSC09443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler and puzzle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3VZntM3a8232D6M3ho6IFLVyrCI5UKF2F_HQvq9TDK2Jxrqm4icJigI6IDXWT_i3UFFp3YsHrkZ7_Q68yccYJoOus30jCIjAyJwcJ0CTR4xNbPTRtOvpiaSrvXp7vUGBL4lRNqDQCuA/s1600/300731_4171293368098_2034531437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3VZntM3a8232D6M3ho6IFLVyrCI5UKF2F_HQvq9TDK2Jxrqm4icJigI6IDXWT_i3UFFp3YsHrkZ7_Q68yccYJoOus30jCIjAyJwcJ0CTR4xNbPTRtOvpiaSrvXp7vUGBL4lRNqDQCuA/s640/300731_4171293368098_2034531437_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinks + hot tub=happy women: Cousin Jennifer and I</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDuq_mu8EejzCcQjY33syo8uel8w1FpwMGq4pTxHryuZcpaNaRhJix7k1OvI3dcSjWOeboHSsenvIftrqd8lL8bBvRL4L6QeqJ6ToABDdE8sX7RtlYZqdXVCmG8JqgYaWFezhE4VRtRs/s1600/315423_4171358009714_1833654436_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDuq_mu8EejzCcQjY33syo8uel8w1FpwMGq4pTxHryuZcpaNaRhJix7k1OvI3dcSjWOeboHSsenvIftrqd8lL8bBvRL4L6QeqJ6ToABDdE8sX7RtlYZqdXVCmG8JqgYaWFezhE4VRtRs/s640/315423_4171358009714_1833654436_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan about a million times. From left to right: brother, cousin Jennifer, me, cousins Michael and Ryan</td></tr>
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Because I have no outdoor pictures of me the place, I had to grab this oldy but goody from 2009:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXe7cjU1Q_lR6OkOLcazsIBsYLE4Crj89t83QucGiL-QOr-yVfQXWIHRGNfDjlwADXIpCPIUXW4PqrfURTSKtmj8BB8jqpbnr4ZcXJxZphAZroCzrtJOYYv37yri-iVhORxheDdigJMw/s1600/huge+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXe7cjU1Q_lR6OkOLcazsIBsYLE4Crj89t83QucGiL-QOr-yVfQXWIHRGNfDjlwADXIpCPIUXW4PqrfURTSKtmj8BB8jqpbnr4ZcXJxZphAZroCzrtJOYYv37yri-iVhORxheDdigJMw/s640/huge+fish.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge fish with Afton</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-15186210403067808642012-09-14T21:09:00.000-06:002012-12-16T21:00:23.348-07:00Nice work if you can get SomeIt was our last day together in New York City, August 2, and Dave had to work. I met up with my old college roommate and high school friend, Jessica. We grabbed some lunch near Time Square. I needed a dress for that night. I had packed for three weeks of activities: a week of moving/camping, a week of NYC, and a week on vacation in Wisconsin at the beach. All of this fit in a carry-on bag. The thing that didn't make the list was a cute outfit for dressing up. We went into Forever 21 and I found two cute dresses, both less than $25. Score!<br />
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We then realized that the TKTS booth was hours from opening, so she took me on the subway to Brooklyn where she lives and the other TKTS booth was. The view from the above-ground-bridge subway was awesome! I had never seen the financial district before! The 9/11 memorial building was so huge, but still under construction. The part of Brooklyn that I saw was really nice. I grabbed two tickets to a Broadway show, then took the subway back to Dave's place. I bought a few hair pins and met Dave at the bus stop. We made tacos for dinner, I got all dressed up, and we headed for the subway.<br />
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We had second row, center seats at "Nice work if you can get it" with Matthew Broderick! It was a really funny show. I thoroughly enjoyed it! After the show, we walked around Time Square, taking in the scene. We found THE place to get ice cream and got a shake to share. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN4Xu0WMtgEwvl8oGANzmcsihJ07m7nz5n-zaGgjvLbR0gMp3ndcrJHBufqSl-73pIJD4GxNnZ8QwrtdEdePjeAo_D-0y6QZ-jKO72j8A7M3ZZwHaZpcawLDvfvSQbBGTMdj8xscWSSo/s1600/DSC09422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKN4Xu0WMtgEwvl8oGANzmcsihJ07m7nz5n-zaGgjvLbR0gMp3ndcrJHBufqSl-73pIJD4GxNnZ8QwrtdEdePjeAo_D-0y6QZ-jKO72j8A7M3ZZwHaZpcawLDvfvSQbBGTMdj8xscWSSo/s640/DSC09422.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me trying to take it all in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at Time Square after the Broadway show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOW!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv5Nu1sqDYr_w6MrcHZtkDXF1NpygXZAkluktTNogvkZJgmH7z8gxvIgTl5oGSZCVcZpUIKRvWzk3_uwpS9eAF06Jhel-uqk2tRurFIp3oLk8YCWgzb1k__O3DY6-vgkNiocJIlSBLww/s1600/DSC09424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqv5Nu1sqDYr_w6MrcHZtkDXF1NpygXZAkluktTNogvkZJgmH7z8gxvIgTl5oGSZCVcZpUIKRvWzk3_uwpS9eAF06Jhel-uqk2tRurFIp3oLk8YCWgzb1k__O3DY6-vgkNiocJIlSBLww/s640/DSC09424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the entrance to our show in the background. </td></tr>
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The next morning I had a flight to Wisconsin. Dave walked me to the bus that took me to LaGuardia. There were tears. I got on the bus and waved to him as we drove by his bus to school. I don't want to relive that, not even a little bit. The bus through Harlem sobered me up a bit and I arrived at the airport totally lost and running late. I managed to find a place to print my boarding pass, get through security, grab a salad for lunch (but no fork, doh!) and get on the plane with no time to spare. I arrived in Wisconsin where my dad picked me up from the airport. We were on our way to our annual family vacation "up north" the next day and I was just in time to greet my mom and brother and head to Joe's Foxhut for pizza, a family tradition for all pre-holiday activities.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-67301379484536843482012-09-13T20:42:00.000-06:002012-09-13T20:42:03.154-06:00Enjoying New York CityBacktracking to the end of July, where we left off... Dave was all moved in and we had a few days to enjoy New York City before he started work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsawKNkDeuckUgSkn9OqiOAPMIVAgisRKXkN06uthA4xcV-RLHY3Kv-uxwMJtdHy918Q9X-qDO0DDZAHcyHjR8Q4fyPUfo3AS4f9H9ncTSr7vSH6Zk4NokT0SRmgda_x4jHc67n3eDx0/s1600/DSC09382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsawKNkDeuckUgSkn9OqiOAPMIVAgisRKXkN06uthA4xcV-RLHY3Kv-uxwMJtdHy918Q9X-qDO0DDZAHcyHjR8Q4fyPUfo3AS4f9H9ncTSr7vSH6Zk4NokT0SRmgda_x4jHc67n3eDx0/s640/DSC09382.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His neighborhood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcjmcMM1DF801zEviLg8smGBjxRom3UtqTRLofIApXvwrWSKr5RkZGR8dHYz_hhhfrBR6XybQRQtCEk9KIHDwQts5czwuJ_ho64WZHn1GnzqhkFyahVh7NqwcqJMBMpsITC947-hJ_oM/s1600/DSC09383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcjmcMM1DF801zEviLg8smGBjxRom3UtqTRLofIApXvwrWSKr5RkZGR8dHYz_hhhfrBR6XybQRQtCEk9KIHDwQts5czwuJ_ho64WZHn1GnzqhkFyahVh7NqwcqJMBMpsITC947-hJ_oM/s640/DSC09383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A park along the Hudson River.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hat reads: Westy Life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVON0SLmnq-C4ZdgIWCw5uYWTBlBZu9ZIZ6dEyiVGRtDL7XdHjcqP_fdQAvbBf7k-gLWPo7TbsLhWO88m-ItopKOfC4_X93hxqiUm_8O13IoE6BgYPJ987Ak825WUUrlfveIr-2gSiKHo/s1600/DSC09397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVON0SLmnq-C4ZdgIWCw5uYWTBlBZu9ZIZ6dEyiVGRtDL7XdHjcqP_fdQAvbBf7k-gLWPo7TbsLhWO88m-ItopKOfC4_X93hxqiUm_8O13IoE6BgYPJ987Ak825WUUrlfveIr-2gSiKHo/s640/DSC09397.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral just a few blocks down the street from his place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdtrcqNWyD1yc6NgIKNxenEy3wLeqBHhpQVudrlJVktjjh7aXG0ZLfkCBJY1nfbdMHzcN6jKF0whLJ8XBuntXqrveFYmFq9S6qY3PaFtWx566z69aagI8PuPSH9EL_DcT4LM0hXNXKBU/s1600/DSC09401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdtrcqNWyD1yc6NgIKNxenEy3wLeqBHhpQVudrlJVktjjh7aXG0ZLfkCBJY1nfbdMHzcN6jKF0whLJ8XBuntXqrveFYmFq9S6qY3PaFtWx566z69aagI8PuPSH9EL_DcT4LM0hXNXKBU/s640/DSC09401.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time in northern central park. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutf5mrSNZn4FkmP1b8uEkGdIxfXCN51KjT41r_Y6Z32EqUNXL_UNQCEBO-jjb-ac10clCeJxyVr17Qt7DEzs1Z6uMaLbQOZAStMW7u8wgPjdRWppPCmDjwNeqiCqSl0BNQ7WnFjmv4Nc/s1600/DSC09404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutf5mrSNZn4FkmP1b8uEkGdIxfXCN51KjT41r_Y6Z32EqUNXL_UNQCEBO-jjb-ac10clCeJxyVr17Qt7DEzs1Z6uMaLbQOZAStMW7u8wgPjdRWppPCmDjwNeqiCqSl0BNQ7WnFjmv4Nc/s640/DSC09404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park right by Dave's place. He lives up on the cliff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopped in Harlem to get some iced tea. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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After exploring things on our own, we got a call from Brent, one of our closest friends from Boulder. He was in NJ for a work trip and wanted to visit the city for his weekend day off! We showed him Dave's place, then went downtown to the time square area and had some Irish Bar dinner before sending him back home on the train. Dave and I later discovered a K-mart next to Penn Station and picked up a few things. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brent and Dave at Rockefeller Center</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtpq7rXrmX32TWNiB3I4vfQseRd-pg9_2OLen_mH4UY9z5cQgUI5FKHlNqcgEmnCerg26eyiXvanL1c0em24CWKtdJoDAlApw5PK3qi4CRCqOjNP8JczeS4cXrhOOxrOPKPA6LLDjtx0/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtpq7rXrmX32TWNiB3I4vfQseRd-pg9_2OLen_mH4UY9z5cQgUI5FKHlNqcgEmnCerg26eyiXvanL1c0em24CWKtdJoDAlApw5PK3qi4CRCqOjNP8JczeS4cXrhOOxrOPKPA6LLDjtx0/s640/IMG_1053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Central Park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library on campus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dave's parents visited us again to do some touristy stuff before I left. We walked from Dave's place to a deli, through the cathedral, to central park, to the Guggenheim, to the top of the Guggenheim, to the MoMa, then all the way back on foot! It was just beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the Guggenheim to see Picasso and some other cool art with Dave's parents. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped by the MoMA(?) to sit before walking back to Dave's place (a few miles). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park. We're maybe on mile 5 for the day at this point. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We made it all the way back to campus and had dinner at a fabulous French restaurant. We definitely made the most of Dave's last days off before his new job started that Wednesday!<br />
<br />
The bus to his work picks up just down the street and around the corner from where he lives. I walked him to the bus, then went to find some internet access at Starbucks before running home as it rained. After Dave's first day, we got some schwag at the bookstore, grabbed some dinner (AMAZING gluten free asian chicken wraps), and I gave Dave a quick haircut. Only one day left together!!! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-21413053657900834052012-08-23T22:50:00.000-06:002012-08-23T22:50:00.611-06:00Moving to the city<div style="font-family: inherit;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Thursday we went shopping for groceries and Target
items and essentially regained our sanity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Friday was move-in day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
We had all of our stuff in Dave’s Subaru and his parents
much newer, nicer Subaru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had already
returned the Uhaul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was it, we were
going to see, for the first time, where Dave would be living on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove about an hour, over the George
Washington bridge, and arrived at his new apartment building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His appointment was to sign his lease for
11:00, but guess what happens at 11:00-12:30?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Street cleaning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can only
park on one side of the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
on one side of the street double parks on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This happens four days a week!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having rarely ever even had to parallel park
in my life, I have most certainly never dealt with double parking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran out of time, there were no legal
spots, so we did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave double parked
in front of his building and across the street from some construction dumpster,
leaving me in the car while he did paperwork upstairs for an indefinite amount
of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe no one ran into
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very stressful and loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a good first impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Dave returned about 30 minutes later and we
decided to just leave the car, like everyone else, and go see his new
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door man (He has a
doorman!!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>took his passport photo so
he’d know who Dave was to let him into the building and mailroom and then we
went upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third floor, super cute,
much larger than expected, sunny apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bedroom is huge with two big windows!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One big one in the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kitchen is dark, but bigger than we
expected and possibly more cupboard space than I have in Boulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were super happy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We emptied our car’s stuff into the freight
elevator and moved it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
memory-foam mattress he had mail-ordered was waiting for us in the lobby, so we
took it up and let it air out the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdsC0Q38gBb8yGMxbp2Iwf71QwyLPBKhBdC6fHDvbmq4bgd3kLhNtsuI4d4ZIkdzT3cAFBpkAvGnmssY3NDGA25mr8t-6TDHXcu40Ohimq-_Z76QEBXKp6_QEsQcwpk-R7Gk-RnC3haY/s1600/DSC09438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdsC0Q38gBb8yGMxbp2Iwf71QwyLPBKhBdC6fHDvbmq4bgd3kLhNtsuI4d4ZIkdzT3cAFBpkAvGnmssY3NDGA25mr8t-6TDHXcu40Ohimq-_Z76QEBXKp6_QEsQcwpk-R7Gk-RnC3haY/s640/DSC09438.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom windows. If I looked far enough right out the window, I could see beautiful, old trees in the huge park at the end of the building. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
We walked around the neighborhood and it is
just adorable because he is right on the campus and across the street from a
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents came later and we took
up the rest of his stuff, then returned to their house for the night and
watched the DVRed opening ceremonies for the Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness for Mr. Bean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those English are odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Saturday we watched the disappointing road bike race, ate
some lunch, picked up Dave’s 1-year younger brother, and headed to IKEA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually when shopping, the more people the
more confusing, but honestly, everyone was really useful because IKEA is a
confusing place and sometimes it took all of us to form a good opinion or
figure out the pricing scheme on a chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would have liked a map, but gave in and just followed the arrows
through the whole store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We picked up a
cute birch 2X2 cube bookshelf that fits the record player and records just
perfectly, a $49 black TV stand with drawers, a large birch coffee table that
is perfect for playing games on, a cheap bed frame, and a comfortable, but
sleek chair with footstool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went away
with no couch and no dresser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
couches were awful for the price range we were looking in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re hoping to find something on craigslist
that doesn’t have bed bugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I had bed
bugs in 2002 thanks to a furnished apartment bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be the first to say that they will
ruin your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being cheap and reusing
is all fine and good, until your life is ruined, and then you wish you’d have
forked over money for a new couch.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
The boys put together the furniture and I helped a little
bit with the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a nice pizza for dinner from down the street. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
Overall we were
missing 3 screw-type pieces and our new chair and footstool are not usable and
the coffee table is sort of together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Thanks a lot, IKEA. Dave went back several weeks later to get the parts and bought a futon. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ13DWm2oOHe8hjQM-UmRwCD6JX-PlKplP8StAa4LZLt5jmIrCPCy6lvqSCCIsckJJUHMgBQpZcfNMoenapSp-7hngUNdQ2ONdy09vY6GQbJvVGWiDPpbBuGojhJvt2rCO3heWEkS2AJU/s1600/DSC09372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ13DWm2oOHe8hjQM-UmRwCD6JX-PlKplP8StAa4LZLt5jmIrCPCy6lvqSCCIsckJJUHMgBQpZcfNMoenapSp-7hngUNdQ2ONdy09vY6GQbJvVGWiDPpbBuGojhJvt2rCO3heWEkS2AJU/s640/DSC09372.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed building, despite my inability to read the IKEA no-word directions.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cCHTjPTG-purXEBsZwL-jbZCpPTruwpW3qmIOgsEj79tNEzCkjbo0l2j2affxLTZfaqCBX1HMKx2ebv9fjBnINZ6oXSPC7Lww9SfCsDbxHShbZqMefH6RffT3Lp1iMKPQJLxnQxy-qg/s1600/DSC09373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cCHTjPTG-purXEBsZwL-jbZCpPTruwpW3qmIOgsEj79tNEzCkjbo0l2j2affxLTZfaqCBX1HMKx2ebv9fjBnINZ6oXSPC7Lww9SfCsDbxHShbZqMefH6RffT3Lp1iMKPQJLxnQxy-qg/s640/DSC09373.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave's Mom and Dad helping to build the Entertainment Center. The chair in the background they had just finished. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEaJC42XWL4yz2F4b-s6ih-c5wKsp4h3cDqEJS3Y2CeOt2bBHO0-q9Cg6pTTA8KRegfq1t23JjOeJr3zLO08ThX3WmKNKtAScmrjeBLp8QLEVYQ1BUAyN5stvXRUGV3SUqttvV6yfgo/s1600/DSC09374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyEaJC42XWL4yz2F4b-s6ih-c5wKsp4h3cDqEJS3Y2CeOt2bBHO0-q9Cg6pTTA8KRegfq1t23JjOeJr3zLO08ThX3WmKNKtAScmrjeBLp8QLEVYQ1BUAyN5stvXRUGV3SUqttvV6yfgo/s640/DSC09374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother Matt trying to figure out the most ridiculous directions ever written.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOQGdba0Lq9o4ks-rPstTy4MF4VoUeubMXYhUEe8xabZh2WNxa4rbckryxPyIR_0dY25ORm1pMG0jtxRvlEzv86VUEkzTcoBHyDJsdpRyWvwAayyQMlLigfO91QM_Ht_aJXybcFAl85c/s1600/DSC09378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqOQGdba0Lq9o4ks-rPstTy4MF4VoUeubMXYhUEe8xabZh2WNxa4rbckryxPyIR_0dY25ORm1pMG0jtxRvlEzv86VUEkzTcoBHyDJsdpRyWvwAayyQMlLigfO91QM_Ht_aJXybcFAl85c/s640/DSC09378.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a "couch" for Dave out of our camping pads. Here he's showing me just how much this is in no way like a couch. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE_yRfWu2HTwt5yg2F2zYhFz_nc_jSB1XchFgcXYODZhNngbACfmxtwBg3uaIFF3vxdEBtOTemX8aOCyQZgPowm8M1eXKs7LxDjAPkLv2AugjaXrD4ryfyZvbO7oUj64ZF4P1dviysrA/s1600/DSC09428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE_yRfWu2HTwt5yg2F2zYhFz_nc_jSB1XchFgcXYODZhNngbACfmxtwBg3uaIFF3vxdEBtOTemX8aOCyQZgPowm8M1eXKs7LxDjAPkLv2AugjaXrD4ryfyZvbO7oUj64ZF4P1dviysrA/s640/DSC09428.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bed! This is a bed spread I made for Dave's birthday several years ago. My first big quilting project. Note the bike handle on the LH side. Oops. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhE0qMk_Hb12CaV9bUwF40V3pSR7dpdIAXdNN4VU5fWuVmmKfuyTii-UHYVKGbwsNH1I4K2DA7Qwu6BFtNqRjexL6IQzKSa3Ud3VDmsnxelGa8PmzLR-Moa7KzFtZwhIHgbWldLmJOvs/s1600/DSC09430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhE0qMk_Hb12CaV9bUwF40V3pSR7dpdIAXdNN4VU5fWuVmmKfuyTii-UHYVKGbwsNH1I4K2DA7Qwu6BFtNqRjexL6IQzKSa3Ud3VDmsnxelGa8PmzLR-Moa7KzFtZwhIHgbWldLmJOvs/s640/DSC09430.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn chair will work for a little while. </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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qBijP0PfI3XwdMvsmJ6aDt0B5QSgzafLoR9tfKtmsm0YM_l46Oq8yBd_b88lutQ4s4XvJ6tiKP4rUW-TogUUYrgqHYSci4M0CPcFV3F3jYLxQ6x6Z5PePL29jPgM6jSBd5BDPTGn_5k/s1600/DSC09434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qBijP0PfI3XwdMvsmJ6aDt0B5QSgzafLoR9tfKtmsm0YM_l46Oq8yBd_b88lutQ4s4XvJ6tiKP4rUW-TogUUYrgqHYSci4M0CPcFV3F3jYLxQ6x6Z5PePL29jPgM6jSBd5BDPTGn_5k/s640/DSC09434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least we had some good tunes to listen to!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5QEKP10CCpizWo8R3eXQGbUiopK6TuIhTEbhS10c11fsLDCW_gDA36K_FnO8a_Ung2I9SbGm9MEhdfsM0X-QyZN80PZxqkfpFyJCOL3tYVFzRQZ2BXWZ_JZLPW9Mh7tLDzJ2hlCodr8/s1600/DSC09435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5QEKP10CCpizWo8R3eXQGbUiopK6TuIhTEbhS10c11fsLDCW_gDA36K_FnO8a_Ung2I9SbGm9MEhdfsM0X-QyZN80PZxqkfpFyJCOL3tYVFzRQZ2BXWZ_JZLPW9Mh7tLDzJ2hlCodr8/s640/DSC09435.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen complete with monkini ingredients, plunger coffee maker, and bread. What more could a boy need?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">We slept in the new place for the first time
Saturday night.<span> </span>The street light outside
is a bit bright, there’s lots of sirens, one night there was a fire somewhere
and it smelled awful and we thought about going out to check it out, the
cigarette smoke of people walking by is kind of gross, it’s humid, and on week
days, workers show up at 7:00 to honk their horns at each other over parking.<span> </span>Oh yeah, and street cleaning happens four
times a week, so you have to move your car four times.<span> Welcome to New York, Dave! </span><span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-58767528682374514602012-08-22T22:18:00.001-06:002012-08-22T22:18:14.189-06:00From CO to NJ and Mammouth Caves<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Project Move-Dave-to-NYC<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>started just a week after returning from our Teton/Yellowstone
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The series of travel-log I will post involves a one-week drive to NJ, a one-week vacation in NY, and a one-week vacation in WI. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had just kind of ruined the VW
van engine and needed to figure out how we were going to get Dave and his stuff
to from Colorado to NYC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a quick Excel
spreadsheet to compare Uhaul rentals with flights combined with shipping stuff,
the obvious solution was for Dave to buy a cheap car that he could move out in,
tow a Uhaul trailer behind, and park on the street or at his parents’ house in
New Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not that he had a lot
of stuff to move, it’s that the stuff he had to move was fragile and oddly
shaped, like bikes, instruments, records and record player.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The original car search was for vehicles that were similar
to the VW van—unreliable, no air conditioning, and really, really old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we stopped messing around and
narrowed it down to an old Subaru:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>reliable, cheap, room for moving items, could sleep in the back in a
pinch, good gas mileage, a hitch, and working air conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, it’s 15 years old and has well over
200,000 miles on it, but it is a truly great car!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing wrong with it is that I can’t
drive it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have yet to learn how to
drive a manual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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We picked the car out on Wednesday, but the gal needed it
until Friday at 3:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That left little
wiggle room, but it worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We picked up
the car, Dave registered it before the office closed and even had time to pick
up a piece for the hitch and change the oil before having a beer with
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Saturday, July 21 we rented a Uhaul trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we couldn’t find the wiring that
went with the hitch and the Uhaul man told us he couldn’t rent us the trailer
unless we installed some, oh, and we had 30 minutes to do that because they
closed at noon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a change of heart
and did it for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We slipped him a nice
tip for not ruining our plans and were on our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saturday was supposed to be our packing day,
but it ended up being over 100 degrees and we couldn’t think of a single box
that would be safe in a trailer in the sun in that kind of temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out instead and had a few beers and
goodbyes.</div>
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<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt9gfUcu-QdPjfxnFroOZ725wI4vKY4Zqvd_uiW6djKb9UQRpBNq3O7Nk0g6hmns_AP_Bvm0d5B_1nBTfYrbo_kstNXGCdwIY5KGW67Mlgc5whGgyamD-YWk4N-siE_7Gk9iIgpcWUqE/s1600/DSC09331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnt9gfUcu-QdPjfxnFroOZ725wI4vKY4Zqvd_uiW6djKb9UQRpBNq3O7Nk0g6hmns_AP_Bvm0d5B_1nBTfYrbo_kstNXGCdwIY5KGW67Mlgc5whGgyamD-YWk4N-siE_7Gk9iIgpcWUqE/s640/DSC09331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday we woke up early and Dave packed the trailer while I
packed the car. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had enough room for
both bikes in our 4X8 trailer along with everything else, which saved us the
annoyance of having to carry a bike rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Goodbye to Boulder for Dave!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We witnessed several dust devils in Kansas, which shows just
how hot and dry it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh how I would
miss the dryness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it just past
Kansas City, Missouri and Dave’s mom reserved a hotel for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so nice to just check in and crash for
the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t make it to St.
Louis as planned, so we had more driving in store for the next day, Dave’s 28<sup>th</sup>
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn_g360GFf-kFjh_ZEPi_0NQeuHQfA6YmwhmdMlTIZ5uAdVCh5_ftzXEvjgJMxJj7hflciukSV7dc8ze5EIbhtrAhh9qpN3SRX4BfrHX9SGtu3R5QYzK915C5wKzOTGYGEMQY38yaKlQ/s1600/DSC09334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikn_g360GFf-kFjh_ZEPi_0NQeuHQfA6YmwhmdMlTIZ5uAdVCh5_ftzXEvjgJMxJj7hflciukSV7dc8ze5EIbhtrAhh9qpN3SRX4BfrHX9SGtu3R5QYzK915C5wKzOTGYGEMQY38yaKlQ/s640/DSC09334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Louis</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_vJxdQhElR7TGLkcqaQdTVErsUo_YzScgAyU9HOt1cXQAu9EspTP08Gq6MLcAiSYHi171A-2HTTa_f_uKkMSt2JF-VT_UvF_f9twmOcTWiIqfWTQ7Zc8DCmjjPXlcgR1fm9ssgm3Daw/s1600/DSC09339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_vJxdQhElR7TGLkcqaQdTVErsUo_YzScgAyU9HOt1cXQAu9EspTP08Gq6MLcAiSYHi171A-2HTTa_f_uKkMSt2JF-VT_UvF_f9twmOcTWiIqfWTQ7Zc8DCmjjPXlcgR1fm9ssgm3Daw/s640/DSC09339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kentucky! Happy Birthday, Dave! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We drove through Missouri, Illinois, and some of Kentucky
when we stopped just outside the National Park for Dave’s birthday dinner, an
upside-down banana split and French fries from a very tiny ice cream shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove until about 7:30pm on Monday, when
we finally reached our hot-as-hell destination, Mammouth Caves of
Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We quickly set up our tent
and went off to find the visitors center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grocery store?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wandered around the paths
for a bit until we found the most glorious thing in the world, the historic entrance
to Mammouth Caves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from the bats,
it was simply amazing, as the temperature was a good 40 degrees cooler in front
of the cave than it was just 50 feet away in the hot, humid hell that is
Kentucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hung out until we couldn’t
see our hands in front of our faces, then went back to sleep in the tent where
it was 95 degrees, and so humid, I felt like I was swimming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a full mesh tent, had no fly on it, and
sweated all night long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bet the low
was 85.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole area was under an
extreme heat warning from the NWS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were NOT sleeping there another night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We packed up in the morning and headed to the visitors center to get a
tour in addition to our 11:15 Grand Avenue tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived at 8:15 and everything was
booked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grumpily pouted in the warm
car, in the sun until going for a short hike seemed like a better use of my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIK0gRjMYwRVfu7ylFYtTnO8l797EgGKzTTs6Lq0iYbvam_cVPFg4LbkmRBzVpo69f5qrx4v74addwjnCjNAt5ha6IHUJsxDyhuD9l9X2KdDtAW9euL1lFHoxy9xg_8gT0zZP98NTTos/s1600/DSC09348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIK0gRjMYwRVfu7ylFYtTnO8l797EgGKzTTs6Lq0iYbvam_cVPFg4LbkmRBzVpo69f5qrx4v74addwjnCjNAt5ha6IHUJsxDyhuD9l9X2KdDtAW9euL1lFHoxy9xg_8gT0zZP98NTTos/s640/DSC09348.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some river at Mammouth Caves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-gOvXRDcStupmTQ-NPnnvbXTGF6xlhjUk0qVCTX-W1NfW0KgMvCV0rJWw9Ce0D9Oy3ZTA9W-hIt_OKCj-IkGR_ard973_CzJVkQV_-ZaDSjWiKD-xwK1teHvwGFD9SYCzlduZunIGBk/s1600/DSC09349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-gOvXRDcStupmTQ-NPnnvbXTGF6xlhjUk0qVCTX-W1NfW0KgMvCV0rJWw9Ce0D9Oy3ZTA9W-hIt_OKCj-IkGR_ard973_CzJVkQV_-ZaDSjWiKD-xwK1teHvwGFD9SYCzlduZunIGBk/s640/DSC09349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave trying to dive into a small, cold cave. I'm going to venture to estimate the heat index at 100 at this moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, our tour started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’d go down into the caves for 4.5 hours, about 4 miles with 76 people
and a tour guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was gloriously cold
in the caves and I even put on a long sleeved shirt for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the tour started, we were lectured on how
strenuous of a tour we had picked and how the infirm should stay behind, so as
not to hold up the group or require medical attention in the cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told to expect steep hiking and
narrow passageways no bigger than our hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This made me nervous, but I decided not to explore these ideas in my
head, and it worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have
claustrophobia problems the entire tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 76 people who accompanied us on the tour were
annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no nice way to say
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids with flashlights and adults
with no control over them were difficult to avoid, but there were a few
enjoyable minutes of silence when we managed to fall far enough behind that the
annoying people in front of us were too far ahead, and the flashlight kids were
too far behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t a huge fan of
the fact that there were two bathroom stops, a literal cafeteria, and nothing
actually strenuous on the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s a
person got to do to feel hard-core around here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_pUqx8F6ikK-IcwocTuQCUUz6MRATuY-hye_XC84A-Nr19kTdNVV29lU5z38-C80Db1RXAvcyXVpmbNCSpfVgG_H4OqdiHsHHoSLBieddcKYuoLHGI7CqcqPfowjmY7jPA_svlTLp98/s1600/DSC09361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_pUqx8F6ikK-IcwocTuQCUUz6MRATuY-hye_XC84A-Nr19kTdNVV29lU5z38-C80Db1RXAvcyXVpmbNCSpfVgG_H4OqdiHsHHoSLBieddcKYuoLHGI7CqcqPfowjmY7jPA_svlTLp98/s640/DSC09361.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the cave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The caves were neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5_9xmM6DTx0I2K0UO4tx0F2ZBlOH1R929ZOGYQMktrijpbtRCwMu8vufLkxkdl8n5riVXX4W49Lf262lUKGLDjLZTXsdKKHwQwuvkfv1AF8F4rIitE6k8o-zi4pl5VOF-DIud9lCynA/s1600/DSC09365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5_9xmM6DTx0I2K0UO4tx0F2ZBlOH1R929ZOGYQMktrijpbtRCwMu8vufLkxkdl8n5riVXX4W49Lf262lUKGLDjLZTXsdKKHwQwuvkfv1AF8F4rIitE6k8o-zi4pl5VOF-DIud9lCynA/s640/DSC09365.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen Niagra.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWysPGEzIlBJNs7apxtdf9cDp6iZckksXG9AS2SYQ18rgQZmshrfMQlLCsGQaALDh9pI_2JUHUKUGvNRp9WTJJjP7-bBaWKCqmXBYgcBdpDH1Rc7PCFlpSvhhg57tnpkjz90hsHjN_B0/s1600/DSC09368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWysPGEzIlBJNs7apxtdf9cDp6iZckksXG9AS2SYQ18rgQZmshrfMQlLCsGQaALDh9pI_2JUHUKUGvNRp9WTJJjP7-bBaWKCqmXBYgcBdpDH1Rc7PCFlpSvhhg57tnpkjz90hsHjN_B0/s640/DSC09368.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This may be upside-down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHQUPOx1agM3PXimAiHWpe96_6JLIJG5AMSVRP62xiyCWFohUvrSjrX2CRINoxdU4HYlo_1BL5Mqffsqugfk9fQwxjGiyzi_aK2euCA0mBFvRhJ9CAbVYkeErc42PZ4X6u6avxcbJCNs/s1600/DSC09370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHQUPOx1agM3PXimAiHWpe96_6JLIJG5AMSVRP62xiyCWFohUvrSjrX2CRINoxdU4HYlo_1BL5Mqffsqugfk9fQwxjGiyzi_aK2euCA0mBFvRhJ9CAbVYkeErc42PZ4X6u6avxcbJCNs/s640/DSC09370.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We raced to our car and got on the road by 4:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it to Huntington, West Virginia, where
another hotel reservation was waiting for us thanks to Dave's mom. This drive was foggy and much of it in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day we drove the rest of the way to Dave’s parents’
house in northern New Jersey by dinner time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never
been so happy to see A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>someone else to
talk to, B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a home cooked meal, and
C.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a comfortable bed that felt like
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Thank you, Dave's parents!!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-46141544998356201852012-07-21T21:58:00.000-06:002012-07-21T21:58:00.076-06:00The long road homeFriday we gassed up in Jackson, then headed to Pinedale where we took a road up to a hiking spot. When we got there, the visitors center was closed and there were no maps or signs, so we couldn't hike safely without having a clue where we were going. We enjoyed an overlook of the Wind River Range, a bunch of 13,000 foot mountains in Wyoming and chatted it up with some nice Australians. This area had such intense beetle kill, I can't imagine there being a single tree left in another year or so. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole place burned to the ground next week. It was DRY. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgeOZkUe77_YRovkjLAlUf6axVRkw7daPdhOgtcyExxtIgS6zzHHKH1TejxbNd2NWonaycTrlWwcHZBhCrZIOf-XF3ekLtPnu0L3XIDyTgdkyQ4Ubh1eYCfYjWo_0Z5JnQrDxqINenyU/s1600/DSC01727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGgeOZkUe77_YRovkjLAlUf6axVRkw7daPdhOgtcyExxtIgS6zzHHKH1TejxbNd2NWonaycTrlWwcHZBhCrZIOf-XF3ekLtPnu0L3XIDyTgdkyQ4Ubh1eYCfYjWo_0Z5JnQrDxqINenyU/s640/DSC01727.JPG" width="424" /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jfSiH3y0Z6v4oTDx9FLhCR0F66307qu1hxRGT0pJF41w5fI6WhgNtwb6lDdZ8c7CaYWuloQuys96y5uBQaDWj3Btx2dJwfAlIUr0ScqrDkyqGg1RhgCs_2agLG5MQ9jShBpYAw2s1dA/s1600/DSC01729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jfSiH3y0Z6v4oTDx9FLhCR0F66307qu1hxRGT0pJF41w5fI6WhgNtwb6lDdZ8c7CaYWuloQuys96y5uBQaDWj3Btx2dJwfAlIUr0ScqrDkyqGg1RhgCs_2agLG5MQ9jShBpYAw2s1dA/s400/DSC01729.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little friend of Dave's.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyj4lUAkZwKKEm6VYpkVVG_4W-zQ529BlAecOK8X4710ZljxDANI89kwPR0IlL5qfd8pHA6edvjDjcWLuSYz6yR6j6HU0rFWSCPw7qXpUcCgrofa5WkQyISUI_lI_8MhJN_nDeCSonLc/s1600/DSC01730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyj4lUAkZwKKEm6VYpkVVG_4W-zQ529BlAecOK8X4710ZljxDANI89kwPR0IlL5qfd8pHA6edvjDjcWLuSYz6yR6j6HU0rFWSCPw7qXpUcCgrofa5WkQyISUI_lI_8MhJN_nDeCSonLc/s640/DSC01730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Westy is a tiny bit smaller than a camper. Hah!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While we were planning on sleeping at this hiking spot, we now had
nothing to do there (thanks a lot, state park service of Wyoming!), so
we headed south through the most awful, boring part of Wyoming. We
filled up at Rock Springs, then hit I80. This is where things got bad.
On I80 we had a headwind from a dry thunderstorm and were only able to
go about 40mph. This felt unsafe. The road was also very hilly and
sometimes we barely could get over the hill while flooring it. Not
cool.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr-wvzawyCwvMQO5jKsaGr7rAqiKeFEwHH_R80J1C82MpMQ9DircTY1goeyCrwW2n5yORnoOSXXKh3i72LjDXWFlok9cYXohmkXGMd8yHmj3mzk-H03Zj3XoucqH0eqaoiws0awh-spM/s1600/DSC01743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr-wvzawyCwvMQO5jKsaGr7rAqiKeFEwHH_R80J1C82MpMQ9DircTY1goeyCrwW2n5yORnoOSXXKh3i72LjDXWFlok9cYXohmkXGMd8yHmj3mzk-H03Zj3XoucqH0eqaoiws0awh-spM/s640/DSC01743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of the intense winds coming out of this dry thunderstorm... a dust cloud along the gust front.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We got to the divide and the Westy was dying, big time. We
stopped 3 miles before our exit that would take us south to Craig,
Colorado. We stopped, the van smoked, it was overheated. It wouldn't
start back up. We were literally in the middle of nowhere. This exit
didn't even have a building, just a gravel parking lot for work vehicles
that was empty. Dave made a few adjustments and eventually started the van. We
got back on the highway and turned off for Craig. We couldn't do
anymore flooring it on the highway. (Looking back, this is when we ruined the Westy's engine.)<br />
<br />
We slowly made our way to Craig and
got there probably around midnight (GPS had us arriving at 8pm when we
first decided our destination, so that's how slow we were going). We narrowly missed hitting a cow and a pronghorn. It was lovely. We
found a cute little campground just outside of Craig and went to bed
without dinner.<br />
<br />
Friday it was apparent that the van was not running properly. It had
issues in first gear and wouldn't get up to speed. We drove to
Steamboat, promising to stop on the way to fish, but we forgot due to
our car troubles. Steamboat welcomed us with a NAPA, but we had no idea
what was wrong, so no part in the world would help us. We tried Rabbit
Ears Pass, a 6%+ grade for 7 miles. We got up to the first curve and
could only go 15 mph, so we pulled over and turned around. This was not
fun. I don't like heights or traffic, so pulling over on the edge of the road, up high was not my thing.<br />
<br />
I called every mechanic in town and only one was willing to give
us a five minute look. Thank you Westside Auto! We parked downtown for
a bit and Dave replaced the part that was suggested to change. We
tried the pass again. No luck. The Westy had oil all over one side of
the engine, the under part, and the back door. Something was wrong that
might not be fixable without a major engine overhaul. We could drive
around town, but were kind of stuck in this bowl of Steamboat Springs,
not able to get out from hills on almost all sides. <br />
<br />
I called for towing information and Park at Westside Auto (and towing,
and Uhaul) suggested we tow it home with a Uhaul. A real tow would be about
$700 and Dave and I would have to find our own ride back. Dave's cousin
offered to come get us and the van in their porsche trailer, but they
were out of state at the moment and we'd have to wait until Tuesday.
That would be fine if we weren't trying to move Dave to New York later
this week! The Uhaul was the cheapest and easiest choice. We camped at
the town KOA with about 2000 other people and one bathroom and fished
for trout in the Yampa.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQd5wLXvb9mnGoT38b8ECaKxpTijx8QpSWHMZebrazys8Og3wCHbXnt4LRrs28iLEt07qgl-4_UI1kLMKDTMeHtiMhIqQiW8fCyTGC6uso134CKfok1fqwtmDNVjGGkSUeSVveeaaGug/s1600/DSC09318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQd5wLXvb9mnGoT38b8ECaKxpTijx8QpSWHMZebrazys8Og3wCHbXnt4LRrs28iLEt07qgl-4_UI1kLMKDTMeHtiMhIqQiW8fCyTGC6uso134CKfok1fqwtmDNVjGGkSUeSVveeaaGug/s640/DSC09318.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Saturday morning Dave talked to two more people about the mechanics of
the situation, tried one last attempt at finding the problem, and then
we gave in and rented the Uhaul before it closed at noon.
Unfortunately, all they did was help us hook up the dolly, but not put
the car on the dolly. While we were loading the van, a tow truck driver
stopped by and told us we had to have the van backwards or we'd ruin
the transmission. (I'd like to think we would have figured that out,
but I really appreciate the tow truck driver stopping to suggest!) We
put the van on the dolly, rigged up some rope to hold the steering wheel
in place, and hoped for the best. <br />
<br />
We made it over Rabbit ears pass. It then started getting windy and
rainy. Two light, high profile vehicles in the wind were not fun. We
stopped at Green Reservoir and I thought we were going to blow right
into it, so we kept going. We made it through Eisenhower tunnel, down
the other side, and made it home safely. Thanks to some rain, my tomato plants are at least a foot taller than when I left them!<br />
<br />
I have to say, the first issue
with the van was totally not a big deal. Being "stranded" in a
campground in a national park was totally fun. The second time was
not as fun. Dave is still trying to figure out what the problem is, but has narrowed it down to two pistons not having proper pressure (or something like that, I'm not so good with mechanics). I think this means we can't fix it ourselves and this leaves us without a plan for moving to New York this weekend. I'm sure we'll work something out!<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a great trip. I really love the camper-van lifestyle and loved Grand Teton National Park!. Having a stove and a sink and two beds in one place made for easy camping in black and grizzly bear country. I hate seeing it broken down!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-75603879405125403812012-07-20T21:37:00.000-06:002012-07-20T21:37:00.804-06:00Gros VentreWe stocked up on groceries, then went back through Yellowstone on Wednesday and stopped at a few of
the places we had missed including one of the bigger pools with some of the coolest colors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the steam colors.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4yuoUkNubTMWTS1XTshQ-foUkVgEvCmjWFpMq_pPRtaQw7QjtgNrlzmvff4uDrehIkcUV6-ekzmYNK_hM5p-0OAE_eY3r_TyT1n1kDYlPRgoHik4eC_KdGPOmnBogoscb8bGq4_N-uA/s640/DSC09288.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was on the lake!</td></tr>
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We drove south back through Tetons and hiked to Taggart Lake near the base of the Tetons at sunset.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sweet falls on the way to the lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taggart Lake, a great place to think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the fish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorAPHm7rTbIxBteCRfPtIm1oppb7-OkdgN1ZYEZyLNJB22XY0_gTMGVohNiNauxJJt1QI0zjcS8T4AhwRduuogUPgnQcICrG6dgJWHJBpEut8nesSq2dTZpjhykNf3bJhsYP-taPKPBM/s1600/DSC01676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorAPHm7rTbIxBteCRfPtIm1oppb7-OkdgN1ZYEZyLNJB22XY0_gTMGVohNiNauxJJt1QI0zjcS8T4AhwRduuogUPgnQcICrG6dgJWHJBpEut8nesSq2dTZpjhykNf3bJhsYP-taPKPBM/s640/DSC01676.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blue monster.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take my picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crepuscular Rays over the Tetons!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping Indian.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBM_7f8bsX0yUC0KnRmXVume7q5vF9qH5SQQbPcuSGegxLTbNDkngK-ruv6dkZ0TTF26xzhGIkQVUXkorFVjDbsWM0vvPD7-0BdTeRmu6ikIP_N2_Agl6hYi-kHlDKqn2zzsavNl0Cq4/s1600/DSC01709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBM_7f8bsX0yUC0KnRmXVume7q5vF9qH5SQQbPcuSGegxLTbNDkngK-ruv6dkZ0TTF26xzhGIkQVUXkorFVjDbsWM0vvPD7-0BdTeRmu6ikIP_N2_Agl6hYi-kHlDKqn2zzsavNl0Cq4/s640/DSC01709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison in the morning after sleeping at Gros Ventre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just crossed the road, don't want to hit this dude!</td></tr>
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We found a comfortable camping spot at the Gros Ventre campground at the south end of the park and enjoyed a relaxing evening.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7611263412681808798.post-84326249319881760292012-07-19T21:22:00.000-06:002012-07-19T21:22:00.018-06:00YellowstoneWe ventured into Yellowstone on Tuesday and made the mistake of not grabbing camping right away. The whole park is like a figure eight and we wanted to do the bottom circle, starting at the south and ending west. By the time we got to the west campground it was full, so we went up to the top of the figure eight only to find that was also full. Fun fun. We'd enjoy what we could in the park, then have to find camping outside the park, which is about an extra hour drive at the end of the day.<br />
<br />
We started off at Old Faithful and enjoyed the geysers around that area. We got a surprise show from the lion geyser and got to see a bison. We grabbed lunch and watched Old Faithful one last time before hitting the road and dealing with massive crowds the rest of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave saw a kid posing like this and thought it was hilarious. This is brother Andy's favorite geyser. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Faithful finally went off!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Bison!</td></tr>
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If I could sum up yellowstone briefly... it is one of the weirdest
places on earth, but you should only go here if you are okay with
feeling like a schmoe tourist who is willing to walk on prescribed paths
with no shade in July sun with hundreds and thousands of people. I
really didn't care for it. I'm glad I saw it, but there is no reason
for me to ever, ever go back, especially because we felt extremely
unwelcome due to the lack of camping availability and the lack of the
ability to find out any information about which sites still had space.<br />
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We hiked to the Yellowstone Grand Canyon, which was at the top of the
lower falls, the biggest waterfall I've ever seen! I suffered from
major vertigo at the falls. The water rushing by and the several
hundred foot fall at my feet had me sitting on the bench while Dave
enjoyed the view. We also hit up the upper falls, which was less
spectacular. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVc3UJvwsonhSR-eaXu6v2rV77RFxYQsilrRloXHuwVeDuKTqx7nKdDn2PCJh0iGl9TdXxVVGU00K2rcQzzm7FZ2X505jhRIF6_8LVSX6TzH_c0Zt_mJL5U7A5f-y1h4N5Ul2wJO0LqA/s1600/DSC01577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVc3UJvwsonhSR-eaXu6v2rV77RFxYQsilrRloXHuwVeDuKTqx7nKdDn2PCJh0iGl9TdXxVVGU00K2rcQzzm7FZ2X505jhRIF6_8LVSX6TzH_c0Zt_mJL5U7A5f-y1h4N5Ul2wJO0LqA/s640/DSC01577.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower falls. 300 foot drop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1Afl_-1fH4sC4bvdPueU_m7sd9mZikhosSAMF9oIqp-PzWrcQ62X6Eg7kzsUuXeJLk2aob1ksQtkGLqO_sTccOGBc_sxtcmOfK6RRDNya_Dr-DPc5q_qFlQxk7jTAnlNNDz4Yex0e4/s1600/DSC01583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1Afl_-1fH4sC4bvdPueU_m7sd9mZikhosSAMF9oIqp-PzWrcQ62X6Eg7kzsUuXeJLk2aob1ksQtkGLqO_sTccOGBc_sxtcmOfK6RRDNya_Dr-DPc5q_qFlQxk7jTAnlNNDz4Yex0e4/s640/DSC01583.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowstone Cascade Canyon, 300 feet falls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRUzN_hEzvcDtmahBPwDyv4cvHmYJrJ2VJRO3LbmRAAvBXbl_ntVrZgoGJupxHmTAemI7NVFUk_Lmzh8jkltv7ko5S9jlRrB5MMok4YWhouTx-DWCbjlUSGm9mO9TKW3o8_BfBWAzjeY/s1600/DSC01592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRUzN_hEzvcDtmahBPwDyv4cvHmYJrJ2VJRO3LbmRAAvBXbl_ntVrZgoGJupxHmTAemI7NVFUk_Lmzh8jkltv7ko5S9jlRrB5MMok4YWhouTx-DWCbjlUSGm9mO9TKW3o8_BfBWAzjeY/s640/DSC01592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my "holy crap!" face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_PWH_exkschJJfWRi6ibscH8ihgHqpbrotuQOURPAtacTzLcqwbU72PIhTzRgE2_yg1ts4khZJj8gLNf7oPhpFbDcfQLPQpUqzRixOO50_sFTVWgu41-bpMb8Dz5jVY-vbrooMO6lYI/s1600/DSC01604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_PWH_exkschJJfWRi6ibscH8ihgHqpbrotuQOURPAtacTzLcqwbU72PIhTzRgE2_yg1ts4khZJj8gLNf7oPhpFbDcfQLPQpUqzRixOO50_sFTVWgu41-bpMb8Dz5jVY-vbrooMO6lYI/s640/DSC01604.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper falls, not as far down.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVJYT_KmU-WSWcTD030TI3BgumoDnVrkGzdZCu9hi28OANKcx7ROKX_k1nDHjJGnbkUJF8kgdfdTq-N6lGv6xWthwSxsJvD6abrWaU5DlCHBpBHYak0cgdyLxH9RJriS4arb21lMjMiE/s1600/DSC01617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVJYT_KmU-WSWcTD030TI3BgumoDnVrkGzdZCu9hi28OANKcx7ROKX_k1nDHjJGnbkUJF8kgdfdTq-N6lGv6xWthwSxsJvD6abrWaU5DlCHBpBHYak0cgdyLxH9RJriS4arb21lMjMiE/s640/DSC01617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was starting to like this guy, pretty cozy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdQmEvIUgzFXZWdH6CS6X8LAAF2npYa1mZ1ApWnfM2VDXpUKgfQctJPpLmN8oBBRW8FpzW5MLqdBdTBGyfmWgQrqRb4Wshkt73VNFgmeiNLmKsa2Jn3fWef_JwDY2crEdr8canLYKvw4/s1600/DSC01634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdQmEvIUgzFXZWdH6CS6X8LAAF2npYa1mZ1ApWnfM2VDXpUKgfQctJPpLmN8oBBRW8FpzW5MLqdBdTBGyfmWgQrqRb4Wshkt73VNFgmeiNLmKsa2Jn3fWef_JwDY2crEdr8canLYKvw4/s640/DSC01634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norris Geysers at sunset. I'd have enjoyed the sunset more if we knew where we were going to be sleeping!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7zAS5bomi5Yb2CsuIWSFFty2vT8JqsmRDZ-QB_mdQQeVmpHiuG9yXWhCrUqOwoew1cHS3O1elZklXKEG-F142cKaqRnjrf3JRI9nEjfLcLa7PtOjsLNBjVA7xTfVlbBKpgHCrj7vWJs/s1600/DSC01638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7zAS5bomi5Yb2CsuIWSFFty2vT8JqsmRDZ-QB_mdQQeVmpHiuG9yXWhCrUqOwoew1cHS3O1elZklXKEG-F142cKaqRnjrf3JRI9nEjfLcLa7PtOjsLNBjVA7xTfVlbBKpgHCrj7vWJs/s640/DSC01638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPA_4rx6uHjl-MXJ2kNIdyO06cZYKRgLUE7Dzj-8zvocY1K3euGFMfnmbVcaFsCCBA4Gts3yOw1QANr8dP3zMgRwPl6CE7ZR047mj7_JL5JZ9DR8uWSF1z1PbzPndmofpODzgXi39oVM/s1600/DSC01640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPA_4rx6uHjl-MXJ2kNIdyO06cZYKRgLUE7Dzj-8zvocY1K3euGFMfnmbVcaFsCCBA4Gts3yOw1QANr8dP3zMgRwPl6CE7ZR047mj7_JL5JZ9DR8uWSF1z1PbzPndmofpODzgXi39oVM/s640/DSC01640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbPuFRpe6PN3LQUd_lSLYlazUs8ujQwoZHRusIdvzmwVGlkefstFoWRVpuoUX9RLRdqymISuYt9Ar2_N9b3se4RDW_SPm48Mky6BpdzbCGWnEo3mgdztCbEJh_Ire-7GOAeDVxfcP9BM/s1600/DSC01645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbPuFRpe6PN3LQUd_lSLYlazUs8ujQwoZHRusIdvzmwVGlkefstFoWRVpuoUX9RLRdqymISuYt9Ar2_N9b3se4RDW_SPm48Mky6BpdzbCGWnEo3mgdztCbEJh_Ire-7GOAeDVxfcP9BM/s640/DSC01645.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a weird place. I highly recommend night viewing at Yellowstone. There were only 10 total people at this place at 9:20pm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-qRGsL27XuBBp7OAWGJtYnfyxn2jD-5f2qx4U-xZiKJwNb1uHgUENaoXMb0frtREn0LHT4hSpB1eDCBkEqKfAXOtleXcjf2VV5vtpuOcUfOQ8fv-cE3S7oRdhij9awxY4SGppoGfTrs/s1600/DSC01647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-qRGsL27XuBBp7OAWGJtYnfyxn2jD-5f2qx4U-xZiKJwNb1uHgUENaoXMb0frtREn0LHT4hSpB1eDCBkEqKfAXOtleXcjf2VV5vtpuOcUfOQ8fv-cE3S7oRdhij9awxY4SGppoGfTrs/s640/DSC01647.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We look totally wiped in this picture! Long day! Still had an hour drive in front of us.</td></tr>
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After hitting the best geyser spot of the day at sunset, Norris, we left the park and headed towards West Yellowstone. I thought it would be a campsite, but it was a town. A town complete with a late night McDonalds. Yup, it was 11:00, we had no place to stay, and we hadn't eaten dinner. McDonalds it was! Dave has a no-McDonalds rule, so he was extremely unhappy with this turn of events. We drove around town and found several full RV sites, then illegally pulled into an empty one after hours and paid in the morning. We paid an incredible amount of money, but had electricity and so we charged our phones and slept in.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0