tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8341031213046047412024-03-13T11:38:37.550-05:00Where are we today?our place of residence changes with the opening of our front door.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-81355791499663353262018-02-06T07:35:00.000-06:002018-02-06T07:35:58.636-06:00An overview of blogging ...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">Yes, once again I will attempt a start at blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow it seems like an awful lot of work to keep up a blogging site and the question inevitably comes around to, “why am I doing this? I am not trying to make a living through it ”. It all comes down to the fact that I enjoy writing and would somehow like to keep a written record of exploits and interests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I currently have 2 separate blogs, one for my crafting and one for our travels and experiences and yes, neither is up to date. The platform used for these is “blogspot”; very easy to set up and to use. A second platform for a totally different blog is my own domain. That said, I then have 3 separate entities that perhaps need to be combined into one, to attempt to make it an easier endeavor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I would have to say that I have used </span><a href="http://travelinduo.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">http://travelinduo.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"> the most, both frequently and comprehensively, since going over to “blogspot”. Through this platform I have attempted, and this being the operative word here, to write about our experiences both traveling and everyday. Accompanied by select photos, I have acquired many an armchair traveler. Today however, this platform has been somewhat supplanted by “Instagram” while traveling, by offering a literal snapshot into our exploits and experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">The second ‘blogspot” is what I originally started for my crafts; needlework and quilting. </span><a href="http://2busyhands.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">http://2busyhands.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It too has been only sporadically updated. The original thought was a platform for the sharing of my crafty activities and perhaps even the sharing of an idea, technique or how I handled a technique. In the end it became a repository for projects, along with photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">The more comprehensive overall blog of course, is my personal domain <a href="http://startlogic.travelinduo.net/">http://startlogic.travelinduo.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">This one can be permutated outwards a multitude of directions and interests but badly needs to be overhauled and made much less bulky. With the ability to link into however many subdirectories desired, it can the “one stop shop” of blogging. The main menu page has many various links and these are what need to be overhauled. The main one, of course, is the “Where? (blogs)” </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings";">from</span><span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"> “Currently”, which will subsequently link you back to the travelinduo blogspot listed above. As I said, overhaul is much needed on this one. Perhaps this main menu page will be the first to be addressed with a link to a "currently under construction” pop up in places that are being redone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">I have yet made an attempt to store and organize my many, many photos. This however, will be an exploit for a rainy, bedridden day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "comic sans ms";">To emphasize the ultimate in laziness, traveling to any of the blog links in this entry will result in reading the same one at this time. This will definitely change as time and writing progress.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0El Bajo Chitra, Panama8.5265176 -80.907798899999989-22.1311014 -122.21639289999999 39.1841366 -39.599204899999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-31357553212801485522017-01-15T22:09:00.000-06:002017-02-02T22:51:52.820-06:00A new type of adventure, well maybe even two ...As we were headed south we continued on the toll roads. The mountains roads can be steep and long, both up and down. And still people travel at high speeds. The Mexican drivers have their own norms and we were quickly learning all about them. A stop sign doesn't mean stop - you had better slow down at intersections and watch for oncoming traffic. A red stop light means stop and if there is no oncoming traffic either way, then you can go. A double yellow line on the highway doesn't mean "Do not pass" it means you pull over and straddle the outside shoulder line and the drivers behind pass you. The drivers on the oncoming side of the road also straddle the shoulder line and people will pass on both sides of the road at the same time. Trucks automatically drive on the far outside of the pavement to allow for vehicles to pass them. And .... as in the US, a driver will pass at a high speed and then immediately pull over to the side and stop or turn, sometimes cutting across two lanes of traffic. A definite learning curve for driving down here.<br />
<br />
Leaving Dolores Hidalgo we realized when it was Danny's turn to do some driving that we couldn't find his keys. Surely they were in the car somewhere because we had both double checked and checked again the house for anything left behind. We are always leaving something behind, or so it seems. We stop, can't find them. We stop for the night in Puebla (and that is another story) and can't find them. The next day we end up heading over to the Honda dealer to get a new key. Nope, no can do. Will take 4 business days to get one in (this being a Sat), but you could always go to a locksmith and have them do one. Too hard to find one. But, as we are going in circles trying to get back to the road that will take us to the toll road, we pass a locksmith and whip in. Yes, they can make one, no problem. But wait, we have to call the technician in to do it. Wait and hurry up and wait. Finally he arrives and after lots of electronically fiddling and connecting wires and reading readouts, and redoing, we have a new electronic key. And it is already 3:30 pm.<br />
<br />
But to get back to the Puebla story ... Puebla has a wonderful new bridge and overhead toll road. You pay your toll before you get into town and you are driving along nicely over all the traffic below you. But wait, there is our hotel and the GPS says to turn into the ramp on the right. No ramp. On we drive. GPS says turn onto ramp. No ramp. Passing many many streets below us filled with traffic, we wonder if we are ever going to get off. Finally on the other side of town, a ramp is seen so off we get. But this takes us onto another road that has no exits. Drive and drive and finally a turn off. We turn off and find ourselves heading into dusk and the resulting traffic jams of people heading out on a Friday night. Darkness descends and the traffic gets worse. The GPS can not find the hotel - it is a new one. We know approximately where it is so start off that way. One way streets! find our way through the throngs of people and cars. Wait this road is closed for repairs. Was there a sign? NO. Turn here. Wait, those are pretty huge pot holes and washed out areas. Drive carefully and bump and bounce our way to the other road. This one too is closed for repairs. Back up and turn around. The road we want is just over there. Why can't we find a road that will take us to it. Oh here is an open road. Turn onto it - why are the cars coming towards us on a narrow road. Pull over and let them pass. Oops think we are on a one way road going the wrong way. Keep going, there is our exit to cross over to the road we need. But how do we get in? The traffic is backed up for miles or so it seems. Inch by inch we get into the flow of traffic - 5 lanes of traffic on a 2 lane road. Horns blaring. Tempers flaring. People actually running up and onto the sidewalks trying to get one more car length ahead. After what seems like forever, the traffic starts to move a bit fast and hey, we are actually near our hotel. But wait, how do we cross over the freeway to the other side? There is no cross road. So on we go, mile after mile, looking for a way to get across or rather under the toll road. Finally a turn off - and the sign says FINSA which is where the hotel is. Sorry, no turn to the left, only to the right. So right we go, for miles and miles to where we finally can make a U turn and head back the way we came. This takes us over the toll road, YEAH!! and on and on then a quick left U from the far outside right lane. Yup I did that too. And miles and mile along the access road. hey we are here!!!!!! and only 2 1/2hrs after passing the hotel on the toll road. No more driving for me tonight. I don't care if you are hungry, NO MORE driving.<br />
<br />
There is a reason that people say to NOT drive in Mexico after dark. Remember that little saying.<br />
<br />
Puebla is a quasi-modern city that is in the turmoil of modernizing their rapid transit system. Every other street it seems, is being torn up or having overhead rails put in. Once they get it finished it will be quite something. But for now, it is nothing short of a disaster to drive in for someone who does not know the city. One's GPS is unable to keep up with the traffic issues, especially when in another country. The city is simply not geared to the sudden influx of vehicles that accompanies the rapid growth that they are experiencing. The parking is about non-existent, which results in people parking anyways, resulting in a narrowing of the actual drivable road. The roads are sadly in major disrepair, probably because the powers to be know that they are going to be torn up soon so why bother and any and all roads are at the mercy of the heavy trucks which will tear up a road as fast as it is repaired. IMHO<br />
<br />
After getting the new key, we decide to head out of town and get a hotel towards dusk away from the big city of Puebla. Yup and headed right into rush hour traffic jams. The toll road access is but a mere 2 driving miles a way, which takes us 2 hours to transverse. Then we have to inch our way onto the toll road which is just as congested. 3 lanes of traffic down to one in order to go through the toll booth. Glad that I don't have to do this every day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK_aPfWimJo/WJQL9s2jBpI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/8Pi1tyAPItkzFCKKtrV2rsMQuN7yMkjrACLcB/s1600/IMG_4889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vK_aPfWimJo/WJQL9s2jBpI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/8Pi1tyAPItkzFCKKtrV2rsMQuN7yMkjrACLcB/s320/IMG_4889.jpg" width="320" /></a> The overhead road is the toll road</div>
We finally get out of the city and the flow of traffic is smooth (well as smooth as the road is smooth) and fast. Once again we are headed into the mountains. Can't find a motel anywhere either. As dusk descends up us we are heading up and up along switch backs but really good paved switchbacks. Off to the left is a fabulous vista of a solitary mountain with snow on the top. As the sun sets, and we hit the top of the pass, this snow is turned to gold with the setting sun's rays. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XOyBseMpBE/WJQL9OMZmgI/AAAAAAAAGAI/YLDOQXJRN5kAXRDJmaTkchXW5V_FR_gKgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3XOyBseMpBE/WJQL9OMZmgI/AAAAAAAAGAI/YLDOQXJRN5kAXRDJmaTkchXW5V_FR_gKgCLcB/s320/IMG_4891.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMG7aM5RTEc/WJQL9XDU8uI/AAAAAAAAGAM/v3iy864bWB0ObPCV1NEeGnl8bEM82stBgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMG7aM5RTEc/WJQL9XDU8uI/AAAAAAAAGAM/v3iy864bWB0ObPCV1NEeGnl8bEM82stBgCLcB/s320/IMG_4890.jpg" width="320" /></a> Beautiful and peaceful. Unbeknownst to use, we have yet another adventure coming our way.<br />
<br />
As we start our descent down the other side of the pass, we encounter signs alluding to fog. And sure enough, we run into fog. Remember what I said about driving at night? Well could we find a hotel to stop in? NOT. Down, down we go: switch backs and poor visibility due to fog. Trucks inching their way down and traffic passing us on the left on double solid lines and in the middle of a curve. Oh boy! White knuckles for sure. What seems like forever but actually is probably only 2 hours in the dark, we inch into a small town in the valley at the bottom and find - what is this? A Holiday Inn? Take it! Take it! I do NOT care what it costs. Luckily it wasn't too high either.<br />
<br />
And so did we learn about the NOT driving at night? I certainly hope so. And tomorrow will be another day and another adventure.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Orizaba, Ver., Mexico18.8504744 -97.10363960000000818.7903694 -97.1843206 18.9105794 -97.02295860000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-23174765085651636342017-01-11T19:06:00.000-06:002017-02-02T21:16:28.907-06:00Dolores HidalgoOur next stop, Dolores Hidalgo, the seat of the start of the Mexican Independence movement, but more importantly the place where you can buy any flavor imaginable of ice cream in the central plaza. The lofty to the bazaar - that is what our travels are all about. Danny has been here before but for, this was a first for me.1 I have heard the many stories about the ice cream - shrimp ice cream, avocado ice cream to name but a couple of the many many flavours.<br />
<br />
As we drove first the toll road and then the secondary highway to get to Dolores, we passed and stopped at visible churches. Not only was it interesting to compare and contrast these various churches but it also gave us a respite from all the driving. Oh the colors ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2uwEsqfaS8/WJPrit77Q-I/AAAAAAAAF_g/JxAJcbnu-gY5WXw03xySVJv-Uk6wEZfLQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r2uwEsqfaS8/WJPrit77Q-I/AAAAAAAAF_g/JxAJcbnu-gY5WXw03xySVJv-Uk6wEZfLQCLcB/s320/DSCN2639.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwBLPWEwMwI/WJPeMiJlWbI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/ji39XGtx0Uc7lU17TJ8PZcriG1-G5egkACLcB/s1600/DSCN2648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwBLPWEwMwI/WJPeMiJlWbI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/ji39XGtx0Uc7lU17TJ8PZcriG1-G5egkACLcB/s320/DSCN2648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Before we even checked in to our scheduled AirBnB we had to make a stop for ice cream - "maybe they are only open on Sundays and will be gone tomorrow!" says he.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAjcjmTydjE/WJPeM3WLz_I/AAAAAAAAF-U/u6WOJBhoTtIaYwA8r_LqrL_3-E1FL0jgQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2657%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EAjcjmTydjE/WJPeM3WLz_I/AAAAAAAAF-U/u6WOJBhoTtIaYwA8r_LqrL_3-E1FL0jgQCLcB/s320/DSCN2657%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a> Well, he got his first of I am sure, many.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-YHNQPgQW0/WJPshDAWetI/AAAAAAAAF_o/4136Pcdj3SYjAnjkWXngr4w52woCa0o5gCLcB/s1600/DSCN2658%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K-YHNQPgQW0/WJPshDAWetI/AAAAAAAAF_o/4136Pcdj3SYjAnjkWXngr4w52woCa0o5gCLcB/s320/DSCN2658%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="224" /></a> These are just some of the flavors found.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The apartment was a lovely 3 bedroom place with a full kitchen, dining room, living room, 1 1/2 baths, patio, and hot water and a washing machine. <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEBGF9rNqG0/WJPeRXboAMI/AAAAAAAAF-k/pOwNz_8GzWERkOXqNGz2o1y-qZzM5Hy3gCLcB/s1600/IMG_4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEBGF9rNqG0/WJPeRXboAMI/AAAAAAAAF-k/pOwNz_8GzWERkOXqNGz2o1y-qZzM5Hy3gCLcB/s320/IMG_4859.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRFi_i6BW78/WJPeTKc_SBI/AAAAAAAAF-s/Isqw-SeTKzIBGuXVZhFhJuzbhRDEVeqBQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRFi_i6BW78/WJPeTKc_SBI/AAAAAAAAF-s/Isqw-SeTKzIBGuXVZhFhJuzbhRDEVeqBQCLcB/s320/IMG_4860.jpg" width="320" /></a>What more could one ask for? Once the evening rolled around however, we were trying to find some sort of heating unit. Not to be found. Let me tell you, it gets cold in a cinderblock/cement home without rugs on the floor and no heating unit. Next time we do this, we are bringing our little coleman heater for sure. We loved the warmth of the bed once we rolled in.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A day for sewing for me! Yes, I really did bring along a sewing machine and all the necessary items to work on a project. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d03sm4fNBIs/WJPeSvncZyI/AAAAAAAAF-o/ID7KmXcS7-cU8_LZlg0gXKgipEugIhaTACLcB/s1600/IMG_4866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d03sm4fNBIs/WJPeSvncZyI/AAAAAAAAF-o/ID7KmXcS7-cU8_LZlg0gXKgipEugIhaTACLcB/s320/IMG_4866.jpg" width="320" /></a> Sewing and washing clothes made the day pass quickly and Danny went touristing , well at least to a museum or two. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A break for lunch at a local kiosk just down the street from us. Tortas to die for and as they had no water other than what came in in pails and bottles, they covered the plates in a heavy saran wrap taking away the need to wash the dishes. Guess they took the pots and such home at night to wash. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaqfX2IaAFk/WJPeTFmKoNI/AAAAAAAAF-w/f4u4CYngjroQklG7n8iNPn5xSR12tJDfwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SaqfX2IaAFk/WJPeTFmKoNI/AAAAAAAAF-w/f4u4CYngjroQklG7n8iNPn5xSR12tJDfwCLcB/s320/IMG_4868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of the day I had 5 blocks finished for the UFO that I need to complete. Now on to the rest of the quilt top.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8cupB-iM9s/WJPeZARJTqI/AAAAAAAAF_M/6-ULQlQvtJEXVZQ3NhGmFMo28HOV2memwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4884%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8cupB-iM9s/WJPeZARJTqI/AAAAAAAAF_M/6-ULQlQvtJEXVZQ3NhGmFMo28HOV2memwCLcB/s320/IMG_4884%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A walk in the main plaza saw the Christmas decorations still up and the ultimate in topiary presentations.<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cCOE5pH-Rg/WJPeQF7g-wI/AAAAAAAAF-g/gFlDpk60TfAlWR7HLgk31xh63rwkZSC5gCLcB/s1600/DSCN2663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cCOE5pH-Rg/WJPeQF7g-wI/AAAAAAAAF-g/gFlDpk60TfAlWR7HLgk31xh63rwkZSC5gCLcB/s320/DSCN2663.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj_0__hEBKc/WJPeP3KMokI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/dPJyX6q8n3w3mcSB8BoW16fBAA36VRpUwCLcB/s1600/DSCN2672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pj_0__hEBKc/WJPeP3KMokI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/dPJyX6q8n3w3mcSB8BoW16fBAA36VRpUwCLcB/s320/DSCN2672.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpYLkYZBvOo/WJPxuF3RumI/AAAAAAAAF_4/7rhfTxYeSpUgxEerBc6p9ZrcRmoRr51iQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpYLkYZBvOo/WJPxuF3RumI/AAAAAAAAF_4/7rhfTxYeSpUgxEerBc6p9ZrcRmoRr51iQCLcB/s320/DSCN2660.jpg" width="240" /></a> The speakers were camoflaged to look like trees. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even the cathedral was decked out with decorations.<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuxggmH-A-Q/WJPeP_cZEII/AAAAAAAAF-c/7rjO0H2YyssfjzikiiqvBpXdpoYPi1vDQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuxggmH-A-Q/WJPeP_cZEII/AAAAAAAAF-c/7rjO0H2YyssfjzikiiqvBpXdpoYPi1vDQCLcB/s320/DSCN2667.jpg" width="240" /></a> and the town hall <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-zjKHW9G3I/WJPeWs_9frI/AAAAAAAAF-8/JTasOxbmM5kkh_qWsmZ-MIODHJGmAgjxQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A-zjKHW9G3I/WJPeWs_9frI/AAAAAAAAF-8/JTasOxbmM5kkh_qWsmZ-MIODHJGmAgjxQCLcB/s320/IMG_4872.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stepping inside the cathedral we discovered, once again, that we were about to gatecrash a wedding. Seems like we do that a lot. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5OfWrm09AA/WJPeWxz9h-I/AAAAAAAAF_A/t3lqt2TbXi8OsXkctk8pzkimRTROEiHBQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4880%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5OfWrm09AA/WJPeWxz9h-I/AAAAAAAAF_A/t3lqt2TbXi8OsXkctk8pzkimRTROEiHBQCLcB/s320/IMG_4880%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a> They certainly go all out in the decorations for a wedding. The same bouquets that were on each pew were also on the hood and truck areas of the bridal car (just bigger) and small bouquets were tucked into the door handles, tied with matching ribbons that trailed along as driving.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Walking towards town for lunch we came across more of the Moorish influence in the architecture - this being a garage door </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzJESZPL2iI/WJPeUQ45wCI/AAAAAAAAF-0/tHuLHURDVjgRIi4e12fLvMXOeqdEcC50QCLcB/s1600/IMG_4870%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QzJESZPL2iI/WJPeUQ45wCI/AAAAAAAAF-0/tHuLHURDVjgRIi4e12fLvMXOeqdEcC50QCLcB/s320/IMG_4870%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Lunch at a restaurant tucked away in a courtyard behind a storefront gave way to a fabulous coffee experience for Danny and a fun time watching a couple of women jumping around and screaming when one of them went to put her jacket on and found a gecko in her sleeve. LOL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXeQ1PcXp54/WJPeY39pNpI/AAAAAAAAF_I/CCmNckGTxz85aciBWIIpb8W3eDU2So4AACLcB/s1600/VHLX2430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXeQ1PcXp54/WJPeY39pNpI/AAAAAAAAF_I/CCmNckGTxz85aciBWIIpb8W3eDU2So4AACLcB/s320/VHLX2430.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Throughout the whole experience of Mexico to day everywhere we go always has a mass of flowering and non-flowering plants in pots. The pot can be quite plain or very ornate. This jade plant was the first time I have ever see one with flowers on the growing stalks that grow around the bottom of the plant.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMy1Sk_k0DE/WJPeV3xFSrI/AAAAAAAAF-4/dyKjn1iaod83xoIKPkFzGDE997ltmCcWgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yMy1Sk_k0DE/WJPeV3xFSrI/AAAAAAAAF-4/dyKjn1iaod83xoIKPkFzGDE997ltmCcWgCLcB/s320/IMG_4878.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are many things to see that one would not ordinarily see back home. This is what travel is all about: visualizing and experiences things that are out of our comfort zone. This Sr is the local mailman in the downtown area around the plaza. His mode of transport is his bicycle and the mail is all simply sitting in his basket, waiting to be delivered. No fears of the mail being robber here from what I could see. He was more than friendly and allowed me to take his photo. In fact, when I asked, he posed for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57327Du47Yw/WJPeYtupYuI/AAAAAAAAF_E/9vlg6DFn4w4aMeHe-zcfK-blqMuemISKwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4882%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57327Du47Yw/WJPeYtupYuI/AAAAAAAAF_E/9vlg6DFn4w4aMeHe-zcfK-blqMuemISKwCLcB/s320/IMG_4882%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As always happens it came time to pack up the car and head on down the road to the south. Our ultimate destination for this trip? Chiapas, one place at a time. ....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico21.151597 -100.936718321.0923645 -101.0173993 21.2108295 -100.8560373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-26101332614735974622017-01-09T18:57:00.000-06:002017-02-02T18:59:40.294-06:00San Luis PotosiOur trip down to the south was uneventful, even if we were subconsciously asked if we knew what we were doing. <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LooEo0E5xc/WJPPFzuXqMI/AAAAAAAAF9w/k3RHYtjq6a4D4_F8Neg-TYb85K0eH1I9ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LooEo0E5xc/WJPPFzuXqMI/AAAAAAAAF9w/k3RHYtjq6a4D4_F8Neg-TYb85K0eH1I9ACLcB/s320/IMG_4843.jpg" width="240" /></a>In San Luis Potosi we arrived to a wonderful AirBnB apartment that welcomed us with Christmas decorations and wonderful treats for celebrating the Day of the Magi (actually the day that the WiseMen left Bethlehem to return to their homes). <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svTi53wxvKc/WJPPHZgMiTI/AAAAAAAAF94/YxYdFKm2yCsgds0LiOHj_CEYwQQcrZZIwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svTi53wxvKc/WJPPHZgMiTI/AAAAAAAAF94/YxYdFKm2yCsgds0LiOHj_CEYwQQcrZZIwCLcB/s320/IMG_4847.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho57gK98KK4/WJPPGsrkQwI/AAAAAAAAF90/48CqtKB78Yg2aEYcvPDoeWwAtKyp7UkCwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ho57gK98KK4/WJPPGsrkQwI/AAAAAAAAF90/48CqtKB78Yg2aEYcvPDoeWwAtKyp7UkCwCLcB/s320/IMG_4846.jpg" width="320" /></a> The hosts were very nice and even allowed us to park our car in the very small courtyard, with barely enough room to spare in order to open the gate to the outside. Still we were pleased to have it under lock and key.<br />
<br />
We spent the next few days wandering around the area, taking in the sights. Of course, this included a "double decker" city tour - well not really, it was a converted old bus into a trolley thing that did have an upper floor viewing area, but none the less, a tour of the old historical town. Very interesting to see and required much concentration to understand the Spanish. The street venders were out in force, including the traditionally dressed mamas with their babies strapped to their bodies. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64p_BzsEOvk/WJPPFeZiRpI/AAAAAAAAF9s/BPrsqUSUXuoqRQYbLOgQNSI1GPmLzFLDwCLcB/s1600/DSCN2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64p_BzsEOvk/WJPPFeZiRpI/AAAAAAAAF9s/BPrsqUSUXuoqRQYbLOgQNSI1GPmLzFLDwCLcB/s320/DSCN2553.jpg" width="320" /></a>The historic streets were very narrow and filled with the milling generational families <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5LxurE1L0w/WJPPEV5Ah6I/AAAAAAAAF9k/r-qqp2XyXp0t8FAxUkLjtJpMtyIFR7BogCLcB/s1600/DSCN2541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5LxurE1L0w/WJPPEV5Ah6I/AAAAAAAAF9k/r-qqp2XyXp0t8FAxUkLjtJpMtyIFR7BogCLcB/s320/DSCN2541.jpg" width="320" /></a> and with the usual money making entrepreneurs. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aZn8a6qYZc/WJPPEx80xRI/AAAAAAAAF9o/Z0Lnb8P1OzUR0aRoRgihoWt2epkhDlnqgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2aZn8a6qYZc/WJPPEx80xRI/AAAAAAAAF9o/Z0Lnb8P1OzUR0aRoRgihoWt2epkhDlnqgCLcB/s320/DSCN2543.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
We of course, visited the traditional churches which, although colored and adorned differently inside and out all were of the same general Spanish architecture of the time. <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mRpDfYf-JI/WJPPHwAlkSI/AAAAAAAAF98/hJIwqLCMZWYXiwLoUM_gvEBEfElSAjY1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_4855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mRpDfYf-JI/WJPPHwAlkSI/AAAAAAAAF98/hJIwqLCMZWYXiwLoUM_gvEBEfElSAjY1QCLcB/s320/IMG_4855.jpg" width="240" /></a> We did come across a pleasantly different church in looks, design and feel: Very modern in fact. <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yut-tyF2WIs/WJPPDOH356I/AAAAAAAAF9g/KhptmI_ebokPZKrca_VDI33iuAmWFUAHgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yut-tyF2WIs/WJPPDOH356I/AAAAAAAAF9g/KhptmI_ebokPZKrca_VDI33iuAmWFUAHgCLcB/s320/DSCN2530.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZwwcO1Gn6k/WJPPCGpYMqI/AAAAAAAAF9c/KI41lfj3uAwVaowYw1zyO-QhONZ13IJbQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZwwcO1Gn6k/WJPPCGpYMqI/AAAAAAAAF9c/KI41lfj3uAwVaowYw1zyO-QhONZ13IJbQCLcB/s320/DSCN2525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One of he plazas had been turned into a skating rink (had to wait in line and then pay to get in, even to just take a photo) while outside was the usual fun Christmas tree. This one was put up by Coca Cola with the usual adornments from the soda pop culture.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7M0s3FMO-s/WJPPCFRkL4I/AAAAAAAAF9Y/KZk3tvLyRDctXAxUXttM0V5xXu359WiWACLcB/s1600/DSCN2536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7M0s3FMO-s/WJPPCFRkL4I/AAAAAAAAF9Y/KZk3tvLyRDctXAxUXttM0V5xXu359WiWACLcB/s320/DSCN2536.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Once more we packed up and headed out. This time we headed to Dolores Hidalgo. See you there ...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0San Luis Potosi, Mexico22.1564699 -100.9855408999999921.9211169 -101.30826439999998 22.3918229 -100.6628174tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-54880722855150470872017-01-04T20:18:00.001-06:002017-01-04T21:15:34.638-06:00Real de Catorce, MXDanny has been talking about Real de Catorce since we first started talking about Mexico - hmmm about 16 years now I guess. :) Today we finally made it. The skies offered a brilliant blue although a yellowish haze hung over the landscape as far as one could see. Are we seeing the pollution from Monterrey? Who knows what lies between there and here in the way of industrial factories.<br />
<br />
Turning from the highway we started up the cobblestone road.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVgPCSL0e-s/WG2oK7v5gJI/AAAAAAAAF6g/QzrAhQL9Y_kf4_xCvW6TC1wFy47zq-zHgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVgPCSL0e-s/WG2oK7v5gJI/AAAAAAAAF6g/QzrAhQL9Y_kf4_xCvW6TC1wFy47zq-zHgCLcB/s320/DSCN2463.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K47n0D1t7sY/WG2oKzGEnzI/AAAAAAAAF6c/4-a66GH5Ku4hMzYUGbW8i9BjLzDJL6pvgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K47n0D1t7sY/WG2oKzGEnzI/AAAAAAAAF6c/4-a66GH5Ku4hMzYUGbW8i9BjLzDJL6pvgCLcB/s320/DSCN2466.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I believe 17 mi of cobblestones to be exact, taking one up to approx 9000ft. Bumpy, you can't even begin to imagine. Is this a new road? Can't find the answer to that question but I did find that it is designated one of the most spectacular roads in the world. ( <a href="http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/mexico/5835-real-de-catorce.html">http://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/mexico/5835-real-de-catorce.html</a> ) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eG-Q4xS1VwM/WG2o2feAS2I/AAAAAAAAF6k/LYzX9KjUllAsjHtsBz6oFHjEdOevZ3_zQCLcB/s1600/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eG-Q4xS1VwM/WG2o2feAS2I/AAAAAAAAF6k/LYzX9KjUllAsjHtsBz6oFHjEdOevZ3_zQCLcB/s320/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This road lead us past a small town off to the right called Potrero which turns out to be the name of the man who cleaned up the town (law enforcement term). Visiting and driving around was like stepping back into the 18th century (except for the coca cola sign on the whitewashed building in the middle of town). <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzfLLcQ-j4s/WG2r-Lu4WrI/AAAAAAAAF68/NHIACGmvaEs_4CHn_c4vGzK7drTcEnl5ACLcB/s1600/DSCN2469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzfLLcQ-j4s/WG2r-Lu4WrI/AAAAAAAAF68/NHIACGmvaEs_4CHn_c4vGzK7drTcEnl5ACLcB/s320/DSCN2469.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmR9wMphxUE/WG2r-FEWiPI/AAAAAAAAF64/R1C0t1_ZQOcioXml3NxjOyvVq2y9GwazgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmR9wMphxUE/WG2r-FEWiPI/AAAAAAAAF64/R1C0t1_ZQOcioXml3NxjOyvVq2y9GwazgCLcB/s320/DSCN2472.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrl16jCWL1E/WG2sDqpYzBI/AAAAAAAAF7E/nKV_chQOBnICTfYjGf7Mt7pf5L7yrATJACLcB/s1600/DSCN2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrl16jCWL1E/WG2sDqpYzBI/AAAAAAAAF7E/nKV_chQOBnICTfYjGf7Mt7pf5L7yrATJACLcB/s320/DSCN2475.jpg" width="320" /></a> You can even see the Moorish influence all the way into the middle of Mexico. The church is a magnificent on the inside and with it's rendition of St Francis of Assisi, has become a pilgrimage destination. <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEQQypgjiL4/WG2r9-zfF5I/AAAAAAAAF60/OIkM80ed9woTaiPkP7Iknn-Cjq9iHdj2gCLcB/s1600/DSCN2471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jEQQypgjiL4/WG2r9-zfF5I/AAAAAAAAF60/OIkM80ed9woTaiPkP7Iknn-Cjq9iHdj2gCLcB/s320/DSCN2471.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCt_rzcNsSg/WG2sDROEBqI/AAAAAAAAF7A/0jrAia8UTG8P_oUi_pOGMe-MGDqAQClnQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCt_rzcNsSg/WG2sDROEBqI/AAAAAAAAF7A/0jrAia8UTG8P_oUi_pOGMe-MGDqAQClnQCLcB/s320/DSCN2476.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6is7_REMq9E/WG2sDpaeYvI/AAAAAAAAF7I/u4eCr0BGZZIzM2admhAtbd-zXwV1ujakACLcB/s1600/DSCN2477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6is7_REMq9E/WG2sDpaeYvI/AAAAAAAAF7I/u4eCr0BGZZIzM2admhAtbd-zXwV1ujakACLcB/s320/DSCN2477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continuing up the road, we go through another small town La Luz and then on to the top, <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9K0LRks-NO8/WG23g9y6LzI/AAAAAAAAF70/ubttjXk8Rl4dfhuicV9ljn9kbML4BlmWACLcB/s1600/DSCN2493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9K0LRks-NO8/WG23g9y6LzI/AAAAAAAAF70/ubttjXk8Rl4dfhuicV9ljn9kbML4BlmWACLcB/s320/DSCN2493.jpg" width="255" /></a> where we encounter the Ogarrio Tunnel. <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dem-LWmb6XE/WG2uJ525M9I/AAAAAAAAF7U/GSKi9TtqjGga8j7EC7zTbo2QLELbf3swgCLcB/s1600/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dem-LWmb6XE/WG2uJ525M9I/AAAAAAAAF7U/GSKi9TtqjGga8j7EC7zTbo2QLELbf3swgCLcB/s320/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce2.jpg" width="320" /></a> This is a dimly lit, very dusty, very narrow (one car width only),1.5 miles long tunnel that is rumored to have been made from an old mine tunnel. Up until it was built in 1902 más o menos, the road to the town was a horrific road in from the backside (I do believe that this is the road we tried to take yesterday) that is steep and narrow with one of the caveats being that you must like to back up while taking that road and have nerves of steel. <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCwMMxlXNRk/WG2vlblgmPI/AAAAAAAAF7g/QhDzt6lGqQ4iWLRRSSb6AitopNi3eOYmACLcB/s1600/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCwMMxlXNRk/WG2vlblgmPI/AAAAAAAAF7g/QhDzt6lGqQ4iWLRRSSb6AitopNi3eOYmACLcB/s320/Real%2Bde%2BCatorce3.jpg" width="243" /></a> But for us today, it was an easy drive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Arriving on the other side of the tunnel I was shocked to see what I saw. I was expecting this cutesy, artsy hole in the wall old mining town with a fantastic grouping of old architecture. Instead I was treated to some beautiful old architecture, a parking lot full of cars and rows upon rows of tacky vendor stalls. <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDicq3-eS6E/WG23hN8VJxI/AAAAAAAAF74/-uZHAB_iOsgltNkqidtXgsZm40oZEtkWQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDicq3-eS6E/WG23hN8VJxI/AAAAAAAAF74/-uZHAB_iOsgltNkqidtXgsZm40oZEtkWQCLcB/s320/DSCN2499.jpg" width="240" /></a> The food stalls however, smelled ravenously inviting. If you had a hotel room, I have no idea how one would get to it as there was no room for a car to drive through. I have to be honest however, we are at the tail end of the Christmas holiday and 99% of the visitors were Mexican. Still, I can't help but wonder what it would be like midweek when school is back in and people are back at work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The town actually flows up both sides of the canton where it is located. <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NATTweQkjXY/WG23ljLuECI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/1A5AQUAbq4cv1m_4aQwIQsuLDJRshhMmgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NATTweQkjXY/WG23ljLuECI/AAAAAAAAF8Q/1A5AQUAbq4cv1m_4aQwIQsuLDJRshhMmgCLcB/s320/DSCN2518.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New buildings built to meld in with the old, <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpNlsEcYuNM/WG25XP_I00I/AAAAAAAAF8g/olpEmkJdBxo0T0o_BZRInzE7L_NByq43wCLcB/s1600/IMG_4841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cpNlsEcYuNM/WG25XP_I00I/AAAAAAAAF8g/olpEmkJdBxo0T0o_BZRInzE7L_NByq43wCLcB/s320/IMG_4841.jpg" width="320" /></a> the old somewhat dilapidated as they were made out of stone and adobe, <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_3CvPstl2M/WG23g1hEKGI/AAAAAAAAF7w/rpKPW4vgwtMitEdt843s-pmbjTm_1hNmwCLcB/s1600/DSCN2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_3CvPstl2M/WG23g1hEKGI/AAAAAAAAF7w/rpKPW4vgwtMitEdt843s-pmbjTm_1hNmwCLcB/s320/DSCN2500.jpg" width="320" /></a>and amazing colonial architecture found in the building high upon the one side. The walking was incredible: cobblestones <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-La1t4QV7eEA/WG25pyHNUCI/AAAAAAAAF8k/rtiVj7okSZYnhjuJvUTyWN1iMIc1XjwRQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-La1t4QV7eEA/WG25pyHNUCI/AAAAAAAAF8k/rtiVj7okSZYnhjuJvUTyWN1iMIc1XjwRQCLcB/s320/IMG_4837.jpg" width="240" /></a> and at the same time, up and down steep inclines and at 9000 ft. No wonder we were huffing and puffing, coming from just slightly above sea-level.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4KCNV75CI4/WG23kPs4KaI/AAAAAAAAF78/KBdlj8rpr9kaw4394hPGdVRMlT5V3DHhQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4KCNV75CI4/WG23kPs4KaI/AAAAAAAAF78/KBdlj8rpr9kaw4394hPGdVRMlT5V3DHhQCLcB/s320/DSCN2501.jpg" width="240" /></a> the old mint where they minted silver coins</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSLkvhBaWxY/WG23lV-AGgI/AAAAAAAAF8I/zjKOvYXjBtsLXiUG5YLlfCNmFRq-OeQ8QCLcB/s1600/DSCN2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSLkvhBaWxY/WG23lV-AGgI/AAAAAAAAF8I/zjKOvYXjBtsLXiUG5YLlfCNmFRq-OeQ8QCLcB/s320/DSCN2517.jpg" width="240" /></a> the church. Much more magnificent than any we viewed in Uruguay. <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liarewFVRaI/WG23kDNx4CI/AAAAAAAAF8A/q_yc7N7KJOA12niapQTz5kxe4r6lGt0IQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-liarewFVRaI/WG23kDNx4CI/AAAAAAAAF8A/q_yc7N7KJOA12niapQTz5kxe4r6lGt0IQCLcB/s320/DSCN2506.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAIJOMiqXRw/WG23kG7KjMI/AAAAAAAAF8E/kFlxE28br-84Pta1b2k4ms3jTYh_X3PIQCLcB/s1600/DSCN2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kAIJOMiqXRw/WG23kG7KjMI/AAAAAAAAF8E/kFlxE28br-84Pta1b2k4ms3jTYh_X3PIQCLcB/s320/DSCN2507.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And what would be without a trip to Starbucks? Well maybe a slight exaggeration .... <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LofkIEf1MNQ/WG23lU_FHDI/AAAAAAAAF8M/q2R1oOHvB6I2JbjdJPFg7OW9naPgOLrJACLcB/s1600/DSCN2520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LofkIEf1MNQ/WG23lU_FHDI/AAAAAAAAF8M/q2R1oOHvB6I2JbjdJPFg7OW9naPgOLrJACLcB/s320/DSCN2520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So until the next real adventure: <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzQIn7XKHg/WG23mPImOOI/AAAAAAAAF8U/5rz-C0ojQC8XIAmOUE4h65B8xkSe7y9SgCLcB/s1600/DSCN2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzQIn7XKHg/WG23mPImOOI/AAAAAAAAF8U/5rz-C0ojQC8XIAmOUE4h65B8xkSe7y9SgCLcB/s320/DSCN2521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico23.6448029 -100.6427899999999923.5284469 -100.80415149999999 23.761158899999998 -100.48142849999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-61914519953643284252017-01-03T20:40:00.002-06:002017-01-11T23:09:07.513-06:002017 a new year with more blank pages<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g2tm8yC0EQ/WG2cF2OT98I/AAAAAAAAF5s/UiuwsZ4nSBcp7_iQnO_63v2I6FaNfD5KgCLcB/s1600/happy-new-year-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2g2tm8yC0EQ/WG2cF2OT98I/AAAAAAAAF5s/UiuwsZ4nSBcp7_iQnO_63v2I6FaNfD5KgCLcB/s320/happy-new-year-big.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our entry into 2017 was one that allowed for only forward movement and better things to come. Our attempt leave the country before Dec 31 was all for naught. We needed a car registration and ours was nowhere to be found. Thus we saw the New Year in from a hotel inSan Antonio, the seat of the regional DMV office, waiting for it to open on Monday. We stayed in - saw the fireworks from afar but even better on the TV and then watched the happenings in NYC. A champagne toast and then to bed. As we watched tv I continued to practice my new form of knitting - continental style - on the Christmas 2017 sweater.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PB6a9g21AK4/WG2f-P0AqXI/AAAAAAAAF6M/r3X1sE8vEEY0HX5mvVBqJXSB3e1GMxl0wCLcB/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PB6a9g21AK4/WG2f-P0AqXI/AAAAAAAAF6M/r3X1sE8vEEY0HX5mvVBqJXSB3e1GMxl0wCLcB/s320/IMG_4825.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Jan 2nd found us in the DMV office and 10 minutes later, we had the registration paper and 3 hours later we were back in Laredo and after a couple of stops and errands, we arrived at the border. 2 hours later, much longer than originally anticipated, we were across the border and on the road towards Monterrey. I was not a happy camper when I calculated our arrival time in Monterrey when I discovered that we would arrive after dark. But arrive we did, in one piece and checked in to our first hotel - the Fairfield Inn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FP1vkU3iF4/WG2dVKBon_I/AAAAAAAAF54/3Nw7Wuaa7ssnvekjzVmduQlFRGC7iq0WgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1FP1vkU3iF4/WG2dVKBon_I/AAAAAAAAF54/3Nw7Wuaa7ssnvekjzVmduQlFRGC7iq0WgCLcB/s320/IMG_4826.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Despite the name, it was a very old hotel with European sized "small" rooms where there was just enough room to walk around the bed.</span><br />
<br />
Jan 3rd and we were back on the road again with a destination of Real de Catorce. Easy driving as we stuck to the toll road as much as possible. And thus comes our next fun adventure. Our trusty gps took us down the road as it should. We turned where we should. We again turned where we were told. And herein lies our next adventure. We continued on down the road which took us through a couple of progressively smaller towns. Nothing said anything that could be taken as an indication of tourists and Real de Catorce is a tourist destination. Eventually the road turned to gravel, leading into the mountains - no problem, a little dusty yes, but nothing we couldn't handle. As we had to go through a tunnel to get to the other side, we weren't worried. With a maximum of 5-10 mph I was a little worried that we would hit dark before arriving. Then we turned a corner and saw a group of cowboys on a mule and a horse, leading saddled horses. <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHjNRR-Gj7Y/WG2dWRjemJI/AAAAAAAAF58/Xlc_vpwCbNkY4NCxX8YvCZIh4kVP1TJ4gCLcB/s1600/IMG_4828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OHjNRR-Gj7Y/WG2dWRjemJI/AAAAAAAAF58/Xlc_vpwCbNkY4NCxX8YvCZIh4kVP1TJ4gCLcB/s320/IMG_4828.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXlaDosdaOM/WG2dWSKsdUI/AAAAAAAAF6A/xivUDnV-yLMSlw-GOQseSLnoOcEeQt1xQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WXlaDosdaOM/WG2dWSKsdUI/AAAAAAAAF6A/xivUDnV-yLMSlw-GOQseSLnoOcEeQt1xQCLcB/s320/IMG_4829.jpg" width="320" /></a> hmmmmm what is wrong with this picture. The back rider, the older one, stops and says "No no no", wagging his finger. Pointing at our front tires, "cuatro por cuatro solo" and continuing to wag his finger. The light bulb goes on - if no 4x4 vehicle, you can't make the the trip. He then proceeds to give us directions to the proper road. Yup, go back the way we came, 30 km, stay on the main road and then turn off towards the mountains. The cowboys continue on towards town, chuckling to themselves I am sure, "gringos locos".<br />
<br />
But for us, we now have to turn around to get back and this is no more than a track. Backing up until we came to a wide enough spot, we Austin Powers it, and get ourselves turned around. Back to the main road, through the same two villages, turn onto the highway and go another 8 km. A sign, "turn to Real de Catorce" - all the while the gps keeps trying to tell us to go back the other way. My goodness, a cobblestone road and only 30 minutes until sunset and in the mountains. NOT, we head on into town and to our hotel for the night. Tomorrow we will return and make the trip.<br />
<br />
We stayed in what felt like an old tourist court from Route 66 - Las Palmas. It was very clean and comfortable although had an old smell to it - not musty, just old. There was also a good restaurant associated with the hotel. In the back there were RV spots, with all of 15amp service. Yup guess we won't be staying here in the RV without solar panels.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EneYFdQRCGQ/WHcPW3UE0vI/AAAAAAAAF9A/g8hyb3hEjSEdt7EtQTl6SrePAQmUrP7YwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EneYFdQRCGQ/WHcPW3UE0vI/AAAAAAAAF9A/g8hyb3hEjSEdt7EtQTl6SrePAQmUrP7YwCLcB/s320/IMG_4830.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siV9fmPjoik/WHcPYgTLNCI/AAAAAAAAF9E/E3L0cNeD1dYnYAwNa5X4mAjBNT75YagRgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-siV9fmPjoik/WHcPYgTLNCI/AAAAAAAAF9E/E3L0cNeD1dYnYAwNa5X4mAjBNT75YagRgCLcB/s320/IMG_4833.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5LMo_MF74s/WHcPUJFFLPI/AAAAAAAAF88/XxViZFr1qx8PfGC-kj8d6l5ZUHguU75wQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5LMo_MF74s/WHcPUJFFLPI/AAAAAAAAF88/XxViZFr1qx8PfGC-kj8d6l5ZUHguU75wQCLcB/s320/IMG_4834.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And so we are well into our next journey ... follow us as we explore Mexico in the car for a month.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Matehuala, San Luis Potosi, Mexico23.6448029 -100.6427899999999923.5284469 -100.80415149999999 23.761158899999998 -100.48142849999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-4256910277878129072016-12-10T11:30:00.000-06:002016-12-10T11:30:26.497-06:00December<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fg-a.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Clipart" border="0" class="embeddedObject" height="66" src="https://content.screencast.com/users/fg-a/folders/christmas/media/bcaa4ce3-5de3-4348-9c91-d56f271aa4dd/christmas-horizontal-line-1.gif" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />
December is a month of excitement, anticipation and yes, stress. Koodoos go out to those who can plan for Christmas ahead of December. I used to be one of those but now, well, I don't know what has happened to that trait - it has flown off into the wild blue. It is also the month for lists, multiple lists: food lists, ideas list, definite lists, and hopeful lists to include the hopefully finished items that more often than not get carried over to next year.<br />
<br />
This year December has been challenged by the crud. This crud however has lasted longer than 2 weeks. I am finally starting to feel somewhat normal and am now able to try and make up for the lost 2 weeks of December time. I do get one more day than I normally have. We are celebrating Christmas with Jamie and the grands on the 25th. This ideas are finally starting to flow and I have managed to get a few of the hopefuls done with the others in line.<br />
<br />
Beside our planning for the holiday season planning we are planning a road trip to Mexico for January, leaving Dec 27. This means putting the RV into storage on the 26th; leaving our Christmas parking space in the morning and cleaning and storing in the afternoon. Hoteling starts that night. This trip will not be a trip that includes living out of a suitcase. Oh we will be exploring and seeing new things, but from a base that is provided by AirBnB, probably in Guanajuato. I am even taking projects with Danny's blessing.😁<br />
<br />
So with that, I close by saying ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYF9wgxTi8Q/WEw4xmfdcSI/AAAAAAAAF48/9y5zq5gZtagok9g31vcv5mmcA0O4Ohf3wCLcB/s1600/santa-scooter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYF9wgxTi8Q/WEw4xmfdcSI/AAAAAAAAF48/9y5zq5gZtagok9g31vcv5mmcA0O4Ohf3wCLcB/s1600/santa-scooter.gif" /></a>Santa is scooting in to wish you all a very</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AsjLQXTMSE/WEw5K76gCEI/AAAAAAAAF5A/zv5VD4ZW2HIzJkIp-SLnJUZ3tDzLRJskgCLcB/s1600/animation-merry-christmas.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7AsjLQXTMSE/WEw5K76gCEI/AAAAAAAAF5A/zv5VD4ZW2HIzJkIp-SLnJUZ3tDzLRJskgCLcB/s320/animation-merry-christmas.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Holidays</span></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and all the very best for the New Year</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqyHhsJvEkQ/WEw6FKiMtpI/AAAAAAAAF5I/BjudnsACwQkAitGVHjeidQUt4MrH4hifQCLcB/s1600/happy-new-year-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zqyHhsJvEkQ/WEw6FKiMtpI/AAAAAAAAF5I/BjudnsACwQkAitGVHjeidQUt4MrH4hifQCLcB/s400/happy-new-year-big.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Lake Whitney State Park, 433 Farm to Market 1244, Whitney, TX 76692, USA31.9243855 -97.3596681000000225.0152755000000013 -138.66826210000002 58.8334955 -56.051074100000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-19443985963119274452016-12-02T14:52:00.000-06:002016-12-10T11:34:33.450-06:00Aargh, way too long .My friends have pointed showed that I have been remiss in blogging at all. The focus has not been on writing, in fact I haven't even had the urge to write as I usually do. Is THIS what is fashionable called writer's block?<br />
<br />
We have done a lot of traveling during the last few months, in the US, Canada, and Uruguay, S America. This has included the western US and Canada, but in Canada we can only lay claim to parts of Alberta and Southern BC. We spent some time parked in Spokane in the parking lot of a repair shop with troubles with our slides. From there we car tripped around the state and into southern Alberta all the way to Edmonton and then down into south eastern BC. In Alberta we attended our niece's wedding in Calgary and had the best time. Throughout this time I avidly collected Row by Row patterns as we collected miles, and as in miles, I collected way too many.<br />
<br />
A notable activity done during this time was a bike ride along a rails to trails outside of C'oeur d'Alene, ID called the <a href="http://www.ridethehiawatha.com/">Route of the Hiawatha Trail</a>. The scenery was fantastically beautiful and the ride an easy one. We came back with our backs covered in mud from the wet and damp tunnels but with a feeling of euphoria from having such a wonderful day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6K91Jy1hGQ/WEHeVe94-QI/AAAAAAAAF3k/9ms0tHZ6nkk844wFQB1rvwET0PX5Rq11ACLcB/s1600/IMG_4078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6K91Jy1hGQ/WEHeVe94-QI/AAAAAAAAF3k/9ms0tHZ6nkk844wFQB1rvwET0PX5Rq11ACLcB/s320/IMG_4078.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQUUC_HBqGQ/WEHeV1ft7qI/AAAAAAAAF3s/2S4THHA1R3AmH4Z_OHiieJLKNqNPj36vwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQUUC_HBqGQ/WEHeV1ft7qI/AAAAAAAAF3s/2S4THHA1R3AmH4Z_OHiieJLKNqNPj36vwCLcB/s320/IMG_4097.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtUvnclhlrQ/WEHeVquznXI/AAAAAAAAF3o/_WRnsXVwF3E8PewaE2coWnNh6lcSLH1dQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jtUvnclhlrQ/WEHeVquznXI/AAAAAAAAF3o/_WRnsXVwF3E8PewaE2coWnNh6lcSLH1dQCLcB/s320/IMG_4099.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7owDXiCgRkg/WEHeWHFmwhI/AAAAAAAAF3w/chcxBAaCxD8KHSckOBBETLY2elpreDbWQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7owDXiCgRkg/WEHeWHFmwhI/AAAAAAAAF3w/chcxBAaCxD8KHSckOBBETLY2elpreDbWQCLcB/s320/IMG_4101.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paxF_Qmu3aY/WEHeWTg4QPI/AAAAAAAAF30/mGHdC9VOXtQkNAmtWafuvCZFC-ndGfJKwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-paxF_Qmu3aY/WEHeWTg4QPI/AAAAAAAAF30/mGHdC9VOXtQkNAmtWafuvCZFC-ndGfJKwCLcB/s320/IMG_4102.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpDWtzglrz4/WEHeWWwJ2aI/AAAAAAAAF34/EPpWgA-z6IIVtIIcTkyt6PI2iLAqNka0gCLcB/s1600/IMG_4106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fpDWtzglrz4/WEHeWWwJ2aI/AAAAAAAAF34/EPpWgA-z6IIVtIIcTkyt6PI2iLAqNka0gCLcB/s320/IMG_4106.jpg" width="320" /></a> one of many</span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<br />
Then we went international again ... Uruguay, South America. See you again sometime - I hope that this writer's block takes a hike and follows Miss [quilting] Mojo on vacation ......Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA47.6776832 -116.7804664000000247.5921932 -116.94182790000002 47.7631732 -116.61910490000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-69145471193686829042016-05-11T17:14:00.000-05:002016-05-11T18:39:30.924-05:00Aaaargh!!!!! Internet on the road ...Sporadic, low bandwidth, often nonexistent and NO internet cafes, all conspire to make life as we now know it frustrating to say the least. There are often no Starbucks, MacD's or DQs in most of the areas that we are finding ourselves in of late. So what is done? Curse, yell, pull out one's hair? Simply do without and become increasingly frustrated as the days go by.<br />
<br />
That said, we do at times find restaurants that offer free wifi but usually it is when we don't have our computers with us, only our cells and that is limiting in and of itself. Some people are able to ;I've completely off their cell phones, our grands for example, but I find it hard to type on the small keyboards and often times the mobile aspect of what you are trying to do is less than stellar. hmmmm I wonder if I kept a small bluetooth keyboard in the car that I could attach to the cell. Will have to try this today - we have cell service, well 2-3 bars of 3G, in town.<br />
<br />
Our tripping across and around America since our last blogging has led us to:<br />
~in and around Texas, as I had a couple of doctor appointments and we had dentist appointments. Finally we were all finished and released and could go farther afield. Didn't take us but a day to revamp the holdings in the RV and set out. Our first stop for other than a night is ....<br />
~Red Cedar, Oklahoma. From here we were able to car trip up the Talimena Scenic Drive, have lunch at the Lodge (yes it is once again open but the campground still has water issues) and down the other side in a circular route. Here we did a couple of geocaches leaving some for future visits. (is that a good excuse for not pursuing them all?) <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photos]</span> Danny was also able to get in some mountain biking off-road. Then it was on to ...<br />
<br />
~Tulsa, Oklahoma where we had a wonderful visit with DS#2 and his lovely wife. Tulsa is a great city, full of opulent buildings, for the most part, done in the art deco style. There are also lots of green spaces and tourist attractions. One of the amazing museums is about the very affluent Afro-American community that existed during the boom years.<br />
Our trip towards our next stop took us through a couple of interesting areas where we stopped for an overnight visit and a touristing experience:<br />
- Roman Nose State Park, northwest of Oklahoma City which allowed us the opportunity to go about in the car <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span><br />
- Kingfisher, Oklahoma where we visited a very well appointed Chisholm Trail museum.<span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span> It is here that one of my firmly held beliefs was dispelled - the fact that Chisholm <span style="background-color: magenta;">(photo)</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>wasn't a rancher driving cattle, but rather a trader who was well thought of by the Indians and traversed the route trading that was to become the Chisholm Trail that the cattle drives followed. He was also the man responsible for helping the government to enter into treaties with the Indians, that they later broke. Oddly enough there was a geocache right in the living display of the museum in memory of the Ma Dalton (they have her old cabin) who had numerous sons of which 4 turned bad.<br />
- Red Rock Canyon, Oklahoma <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span> where we did a series of geocaches.<br />
<br />
~ Caprock Canyon State Park, Texas was our next 4 day stopover. Here the buffalo roamed freely, even through the campsite <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photos]</span>. Danny was able to ride a Rails to Trails here that was overshadowed by a threatening thunder storm. There was a tunnel on this route that he was particularly keen on riding. Hiking in and out of the canyons gave for a beautiful scenic day, again overshadowed by the threat of the usual afternoon thunder storms. The wind blew furiously at times while at other times it was but a gentle breeze. This is a state park worth visiting again: the drives through the canyons are wondrous with steep grades at more than a couple of spots [photo]; the wildlife is abundant and not really afraid of people as there are so many visitors to the park; bird are also abundant; we know that there was probably rock art in the area but we certainly weren't adventurous to venture far into the canyons with the threat of thunderstorms and resulting flash floods; and let but not least, we were able to do a few geocaches.<br />
<br />
~Albuquerque, New Mexico was our next stopover. Here Danny was hoping to get in some really good mountain biking but the trees had a better idea. The pollen was horrendous, the worst that I have ever known it to be. We both were laid flat with the resulting effects. In spite of taking antihistamines (the non-drowsy kind and thus less potent) we still suffered horribly. Still we got out for some much needed shopping and I was able to do a small amount of sewing. Sewing is hard when your eyes are swollen, watering, and itchy all at the same time.<br />
As we left ABQ and headed towards our next stopover, we happened upon a great little museum a ways off of I-25.<span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span> Commemorating the exploits of the Camino Real from Mexico City to Santa Fe, New Mexico, the modern, recently built museum was a history lesson throughout. Much of the information I was already well aware of having traversed parts of it, stopping at all the waypoint informational signs, and yes, even in Texas. Mentioned was the information about a lady who had completed the whole historical "Royal Road" by whatever means it took to go on it, all the while photographing the points, people, and anything of interest. A great coffee table book and from it I can see a possible hiking/bicycling trail/ATVing/4WDing trail in the future. To be so lucky as to have it drivable. Imagine driving something that took a whole year to traverse in that time period.<br />
<br />
~Deming, New Mexico was our next stop. This time to visit with good friends. The wind is horrendous so leaves little to no windows for cycling. Both are now in their late 70's, early80's and have slowed down just a very little. B still rides but often times he has to be pushed and prodded by P. to get out and do it. LOL Sounds like me and DH. We did spend the evening playing dominoes - Chickenfoot and within the early learning curve for Moon.<br />
<br />
~Rodeo, NM was next up and here we sat at the base of the Chiricahua Mountains and National Monument. <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span> A short drive and we were in Arizona. The park is actually in Arizona whenever we went to the lodge to eat or to listen to the music of the hour, we crossed over into another time zone - 1 hour earlier - which we always forgot and consequently we were always an hour early for everything. LOL<br />
A trip to Douglas, AZ on the border with Mexico <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo] </span>was a day trip. Along the way we saw the monument for Geronimo's surrender. Didn't stop because we wanted to go to Agua Prieto, Mexico for lunch. It was too bad as there were geocaches all along the road and it turns out that the grands great grandfather was the person that Geronimo surrendered to and they would have loved to have a photo of the monument and sign. Oh well, next time.<br />
From Rusty's RV Park in Rode we went to ...<br />
<br />
~Reserve, NM where we are currently parked for the next 4 days. Reserve is little community that has number of restaurants and a couple of hotels. They are a stop for refueling and refreshing for the hikers on the Continental Divide Trail. Our first trip into town and what do we see? A hiker thing to hitch a ride back out to the trailhead. Apparently it is 28 miles from town and traffic is mainly work trucks which aren't allowed to pick people up. So yes, we drove him out to the trailhead. Lo and behold, there are 6 hikers trying to hitch into town. The wait is long, for traffic is scarce: So yes, 3 are brought back to town and then the second 3 are brought in.<br />
Hikers on these long distance trails all use trail names. On the AT (Appellation Trail) Danny's started out as Idigo, his Ngöbe name from Panama but quickly became Easygoing. This is how he introduced himself. We took Numbers out to the trailhead and brought back Paperweight, Sass, and NightWatch, who is from Gr Britain and S Africa. Then we brought back Half Mile (who is a name unto himself), A Float, and The Beast. Was fun talking with them all and hearing their stories. To follow any or all go to: <span style="background-color: magenta;">[link them]</span><br />
hikingislove.wordpress.com<br />
longwayupthecdt.wordpress.com<br />
loncooper.com<br />
<br />
Listening to all their stories makes us yearn a little for doing our own hike. But first we have to get back into shape after me being off my feet for 6 months. NightWatch, as well as the other two in the car, were quite interested in the John Muir Way in Scotland <span style="background-color: magenta;">[link]</span> and he told us about the West Highland Way [<span style="background-color: magenta;">link]</span> as well. Oh boy, two that we can do in Scotland alone and through beautiful countryside - I would think a great late summer or early fall would be the ideal time.<br />
We have one more hike to do after today's - this one actually is up and over the "mountain " and down into a valley in order to explore a trove of petroglyphs and not to forget, the two geocaches - one at the top of the "mountain" and one near the petroglyphs. Today's hike, the Apache Creek Interpretive Trail, was switchbacking up a "mountain", walking along a basalt cliff where many wonderful petroglyphs were found, and lastly a switchback trail down the "mountain".<br />
<br />
We are headed towards Flagstaff in a round about way, with an arrival date of May 18. Why so specific you ask. It is so out of character for us. We are headed to the Overland Expo <span style="background-color: magenta;">[link this]</span>being held just outside of Flagstaff in Mormon Lake Lodge. Here we are hoping to find the answers to all our questions about a new vehicle (ours is getting to the point of no return) and how to outfit it for some longish trips to Mexico and possibly even farther afield.<br />
<br />
A word about geocaching. For me this is a great way to get out and get more than the usual exercise. It is fun for the seek and find as well as the getting there. What isn't fun is when you don't have cell service to fuel you gps and the gps isn't as close to ground zero as it should be. We met a lady in one of the parks who has found over 12,000 geocaches and here I was thrilled when I hit over 225 finds. Will have to get busier than I am currently and find some more. If interested, go to geocaching.com <span style="background-color: magenta;">[link]</span> for further information.<br />
<br />
And for now we head out again day on Friday heading up and over the mountains of Arizona towards our destination, Flagstaff. Our plans beyond are somewhat fluid after our upcoming trip the first week of June to DisneyWorld with the two youngest grands. That will be a lot of fun. Then we have a trip to Calgary, Canada for a July 2 wedding. Our niece is getting married and it is a great chance to see all the family again. Then, do we turn right and go East or do we turn left and go West? We probably won't even make the final decision until we are actually there. It would be nice to spend a bit of time in Banff National Park and we both are looking forward to an eventual trip to the Maritimes. Will it be this year? Tune in for a final decision ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-75348111215221508602016-03-26T16:47:00.000-05:002016-05-11T18:28:24.235-05:00Traversing TexasOur map our travels around Texas is becoming quite marked up [photo], all for the sake of putting 10,500 miles on our new motor, staying within a short 1-2 day drive from the shop. Then another oil change/retuning and we are free to roam wherever.<br />
<br />
From McAllen we headed a few miles north along the border to Falcon Lake State Park. A beautiful area with pull through parking slots that are overgrowing with acacia bushes. Before we could properly park, we had to do a few minor trimmings of branches in order to save our paint job. What fun that was.<br />
<br />
The temperatures here were again not anything like I had expected. Cool and rainy for the most part. It made for pleasant day tripping however.<br />
Roma is one of the oldest populated towns in Texas, being right on the Rio Grande River (Rio Bravo in Mexico), overlooking an entry point into Mexico. <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photo]</span> It has, along side the new modern crossing with all the checkpoint paraphanalia, was the last suspension bridge over the Rio Grande - not in use anymore. Here we walked the bluffs overlooking the river while doing an EarthCache, learning all about the geology of the bluffs. Very interesting to view as we read. The town also had a very interesting tour of architecture from the early early Spaniards and a German immigrant to Mexico who designed and built many of the buildings in the area. <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photos]</span> We spent a very interesting afternoon here.<br />
<br />
After a couple of days spent in Falcon Lake and it was on to Laredo, TX, another border crossing but not one that one should use if at all possible. The narco-traficantes are abundant and the violence rampant. It too is a beautiful town, with both very modern and very old areas. The plaza is beautiful, but wait there are two distinct plazas, both with gazebos. On Sunday we toured the plaza areas and could find only a handful of parking spots, 2-3 blocks off and lots and lots of people milling around; families and lover couples alike.<br />
<br />
Did you know that Texas once had a republic within it's borders? No, not the Republic of Texas that we have all heard about but the <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_the_Rio_Grande">Republic of [the] Rio Grande</a>. The capital was the plaza in downtown Laredo, right by the river bank and old crossing.<img src="webkit-fake-url://a2add7f2-907d-4626-9bbb-264250e6cdfa/imagepng" /> (their flag) It was actually during the time of the Republic of Texas and lasted all of 286 days. A little bit of trivia for your minds - who knows when it might be a question on Jeopardy. LOL<br />
<span style="background-color: magenta;">[photos]</span><br />
<br />
From Laredo an eastward track was set and we headed for Goliad State Historical [Mission] Park. This is part of the string of missions in San Antonio. The mission itself was first located in Refugio on the coast but due to Indian hostilities was moved up closer to the mainstream of the mission road. It was rebuilt from the floor up and the exhibits show how life was for both the Franciscans, the pioneers, and the natives - a very hard life, and if the Franciscans had anything to say about it, very simplistic. Education was purely around Christianity and life skills with a goal of christianizing the native population. In touring the actual mission church, and if it has been redone true t life, you can see the indigenous influence in the painte reliefs. <span style="background-color: magenta;">[photos]</span><br />
<br />
The state park system spreads helter skelter around the state and has a variety of reasons for being. Our next stop was Palmetto State Park. Here we encountered a little bit of a swampy, tropical environment that extended not that far out of the borders of the park. Inside, parked amongst the huge trees, it was cool but oh so humid. A very pleasant place to light but the mosquitos are no doubt very vicious.<br />
<br />
This stop enabled us to make a dash to San Antonio to try and get my computer repaired. It was a great trip until we discovered that the Apple store doesn't carry repair parts for the new MacBook Air. They have to send it out to the factory authorized repair shop (read overseas) and when it returns in 3-5 working days, they won't mail it onwards. So back we go with plans to head east to Houston. The shop in Houston will be so much easier to get to that the one in San Antonio, from East Texas. This isthe trip that is made the next day - so much for a relaxing interlude in the park. We will be able to drive down to Houston, have a wonderful seafood dinner, pick up the computer and head back to the RV all in one day, unlike the 2 days it would take if we had left it in San Antonio.<br />
<br />
And so now are back in E Texas at our home away from home - Double Lake Recreation Area outside of Coldspring, TX. From here it is an easydrive to pick up the mail and also head to Nacogdoches in a couple of days for hopefully the last for awhile, doctor appointments.<br />
<br />
Photos will be put up when the computer returns from it's vaction ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Double Lake Recreation Area, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA30.5516529 -95.13719459999998730.524304400000002 -95.177535099999986 30.5790014 -95.096854099999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-20813558701443291212016-03-15T14:37:00.000-05:002016-03-28T14:39:14.790-05:00Rain? RAIN?????What is this? Rain? is that a known rain down here in Monterrey, Mexico? I was under the impression that when we came down it would be HOT. Not!<br />
<br />
We are parked in McAllen, on the border of Texas and Mexico in what is commonly referred to as The Valley. To my way of thinking, this brings to mind hot, dusty and forever sun. Instead,what we have is cold,rain and wind. Wearing a sweater all the time and wishing for a fleece. Not the ideal weather for sightseeing at all. But from the weather online, the good news is, this ends on Sunday when we go back to hot temperatures and forever sun but with the desert in bloom.<br />
<br />
We left the car in the parking lot near the bus station and rode the bus across into Mexico. What a story to tell with that. As we had to get a tourist visa at the border,we headed directly into immigration as we came off the bus. A very short time later, no waiting lines, just us, and our bus had gone: left, se fue, ciao, however you say it, the driver left us stranded. The immigration officials were wonderful, and very helpful. The long and short of it, we had to wait for the next bus to come and they arranged for us to get on it. The second driver was a little upset that the first driver had left us behind and called the office. That was the last that we heard of the situation but I can imagine that the first driver had some explaining to do when he got back.<br />
<br />
Monterrey is a very modern city in some parts and very old in other areas. We were located in the newer part as we had some medical to be done and that is where the doctors are. (All is well in that department) You felt as if you were in any of the European cities that we have visited.<br />
<br />
While here we re-discovered the joys of Uber. Have you used Uber? They are wonderful. i have heard some horror stories but each and everyone that we have ridden in has been very good. A lot more reliable and cheaper than the forever ending stream of local taxis bouncing down the road, honking at you to entice you to ride. The cars are much newer as well.<br />
<br />
The bus ride back was just as uneventful as our ride out and in no time at all, we were back in the US picking up the car and then heading out the next day. And still it rains!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Park Dr, Zapata, TX 78076, USA26.8700362 -99.251871526.8629542 -99.2619565 26.8771182 -99.241786499999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-7374243717599899002016-03-05T12:47:00.002-06:002016-03-05T12:47:19.813-06:00A decision made, and we are off ....After much discussion and humm and hawing, we have made a decision for the next month of our time. A time delineated by a doctor's appoint for Mar 30. Sometimes, however it seems that our decisions are made to change so who knows when and where ....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5FGBi-niCY/Vtr6qSPxPOI/AAAAAAAAFdk/HjM0RQfQv8A/s1600/image011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D5FGBi-niCY/Vtr6qSPxPOI/AAAAAAAAFdk/HjM0RQfQv8A/s320/image011.jpg" width="320" /></a> Do you sometimes feel like this? Feel like you left something(s) behind? Luckily for us, we have discovered the use of a travel list - one for car travel, one for international travel, and one for an experience of discovery. They are indispensable. And the luckiest of all is that in the USA we travel in our home and we <u><b>should have</b></u> everything we need at our finger tips, right? Wrong! There is always something that got taken out and put into the storage unit that we wish we had at any given time. You can not carry every thing with you and we don't even try. Again it comes down to decisions and priorities.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have friends who carry their household in 2, yes <b>2</b> large rolling suitcases and a day pack. We try but ....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This weekend we are in Double Lake Recreation Area, TX just outside of Coldspring, TX. This is our go-to area for a couple of days for planning purposes. This weekend it is a double whammy: planning and quilting. I am wanting to get DS#1s quilt flimsie done so that on Monday I can take it over to the longarmers before we leave the area. The skies are a beautiful clear blue and the sun is shining, without a cloud in the sky. The temps are up in the high 70's during the day and cool enough to sleep snugly at night. Occasional rain has fallen during the night but that is not the norm of late here in Texas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are planning a leisurely trip down towards the Valley and across the border to Monterrey, Mexico. Were planning on taking the RV down as we had heard of a KOA in Monterrey but are unable to find it so will park on this side of the border and car trip/bus trip it down to the area instead. That decision will be made when we get there and assess the situation of the time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am planning also this weekend, to get the old bike out and to start to ride again. It has been a long time. Danny has bought me special pedals to use until the swelling in my foot goes down enough to get my keene cycling sandals on and thus be able to use my clip-in's.<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFd4/PmFbA3YkEQQ/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFd4/PmFbA3YkEQQ/s1600/cycling.gif" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flQkJLKAHYY/Vtr-em_KVoI/AAAAAAAAFd4/5oXDOMW3FuY/s1600/cycling%2Bturtle.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flQkJLKAHYY/Vtr-em_KVoI/AAAAAAAAFd4/5oXDOMW3FuY/s320/cycling%2Bturtle.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
And then out comes Miss Betsy so that I can work on DS#1's quilt. While sewing, I will also start to watch the BBC's mini series War and Peace, compliments of my friend in England. Thank you Paul.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"> </a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFLP1xwOg6k/Vtr-eIQQ3fI/AAAAAAAAFdw/ei3oIP6u0l4/s1600/cycling.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Double Lake Recreation Area, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA30.5516529 -95.13719459999998730.524304400000002 -95.177535099999986 30.5790014 -95.096854099999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-87386419777472362882016-02-22T21:48:00.000-06:002016-03-05T12:38:51.743-06:00A weekend of musicLouisiana is a state, like all the states, of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/01/travel/escapes/01hours.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all&">diverse cultural differences.</a> The Acadians were shipped from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada to different places in the 1700s, with New Orleans one of these places. This has been immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evangeline-Acadie-Classic-Wadsworth-Longfellow/dp/1434417727/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1456109839&sr=8-3&keywords=Evangeline">"Evangeline"</a>, written in 1847. Their history, from their arrival in Louisiana down through time to today, is well documented in various museums and general information as it pertains to the specific area that is handed out in Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Bureaus. These people became what is known today as <i>Cajuns </i>and their music and food are the focus of our short visit to the area.<br />
<br />
Basing ourselves out of Eunice, LA we have managed to cram in a lot in the short time that we have been here, starting with a trip into the fast food cuisine of Opelousas, our first stop. My favourite snack - deep fried dill pickles with ranch dressing, and the best that I have had to date. A small order but oh so worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHc7rjuG5lc/VtsAF953lBI/AAAAAAAAFeA/Hpdgz-RBeHA/s1600/deep%2Bfried%2Bpickles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QHc7rjuG5lc/VtsAF953lBI/AAAAAAAAFeA/Hpdgz-RBeHA/s1600/deep%2Bfried%2Bpickles.jpg" /></a> and of course, one could make them like this: <a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fried-dill-pickle-coins">http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/fried-dill-pickle-coins</a> but homemade never seem to be as flavourful as restaurant or kiosk style. Wonder why?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As is our norm, we like to make a tour of the state parks to see if we can park there with the RV, especially if we can get a senior discount. Very often these parks have 50Amp service and water in the site but no sewer, so that limits our time. Some great cycling out here but way too many hills to safely get in and out with the RV. Leveling could present a challenge as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another norm is to stop at a local Chamber of Commerce to get the lowdown on the area and happenings of the time. The ladies at the Ville Platte, LA Chamber were just delightful </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlJX_Ddnpww/VtsNbSIhNZI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/JMC0RlNv27c/s1600/IMG_3125%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlJX_Ddnpww/VtsNbSIhNZI/AAAAAAAAFeQ/JMC0RlNv27c/s320/IMG_3125%2Bcopy.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
and all joined in to give a wonderful synopsis of everything, including that this area is the true Mardi Gras area and "why didn't we come down for that?" Leaving, we had our hands full: t-shirts, maps, pamphlets, booklets, and ideas.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3cADSF2zzM/VtsZ0mxMKcI/AAAAAAAAFe0/prZoDACuGEc/s1600/IMG_3119%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r3cADSF2zzM/VtsZ0mxMKcI/AAAAAAAAFe0/prZoDACuGEc/s320/IMG_3119%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUb72PFsZik/VtsZz78sKUI/AAAAAAAAFew/mI4GvfDECpA/s1600/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NUb72PFsZik/VtsZz78sKUI/AAAAAAAAFew/mI4GvfDECpA/s320/IMG_3121.jpg" width="320" /></a>Saturdays in this area for us, all start early as Fred's Lounge (read bar), in Mamou, LA opens at 7:30am and is only open until 2pm with music from 9am til 11:15am.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDT4i4FFzTI/VtsZv4nZOAI/AAAAAAAAFeg/8VyS1LelGVQ/s1600/IMG_3104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YDT4i4FFzTI/VtsZv4nZOAI/AAAAAAAAFeg/8VyS1LelGVQ/s320/IMG_3104.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzg7fj_9Ces/VtsZxM7Q3EI/AAAAAAAAFeo/aEb69YMl_ng/s1600/IMG_3105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qzg7fj_9Ces/VtsZxM7Q3EI/AAAAAAAAFeo/aEb69YMl_ng/s320/IMG_3105.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
They do not serve breakfast, just drinks. So eat first and then come on in<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnWoLNM-FXU/VtsZwn2vKyI/AAAAAAAAFek/jhrV0Z6PW-k/s1600/IMG_3108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnWoLNM-FXU/VtsZwn2vKyI/AAAAAAAAFek/jhrV0Z6PW-k/s320/IMG_3108.jpg" width="320" /></a> Where else can one have a bloody mary at 8am?<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq9UFhZhRrU/VtsZy3mOAsI/AAAAAAAAFes/VPcUe3K57VQ/s1600/IMG_3109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq9UFhZhRrU/VtsZy3mOAsI/AAAAAAAAFes/VPcUe3K57VQ/s320/IMG_3109.jpg" width="320" /></a> coffee for me, thank you.</div>
The musical part is a never ending line of local bands, each playing for one day, some more famous than others. Others call it a jam session where the players come together to form a band for the day, but I IMHO, doubt this. This part of the morning is actually a live local radio spot: KVPI 92.5 fm playing the Oldies. Smoking is allowed, so allow for stripping, washing the clothing, and showering as soon as you get back to wherever you are staying. People, as evidenced by a couple sitting next to us, come from all over the world to visit Fred's (they came from the US Virgin Islands), listen to music, and dance.<br />
<br />
Another recommendation was to visit the <a href="http://www.louisianatravel.com/la-visitor-information/louisiana-swamp-pop-museum-city-ville-platte">Swamp Pop Music museum</a>, which Danny did: He is more thrilled with immersing himself in this environment than I am. The whole culture is a very colourful one, both visual and auditory.<br />
<br />
Saturday is finished up with a visit to the Rendez-Vous des Cajuns music radio show(again a live radio show) in Eunice. We have attended this before and enjoyed not only listening to the music but watching the people activities, of which most is dancing. Every Saturday has a different performer and band and is in a mixture of French and English with one week a month totally in French (we hit this one). This is held in the Liberty Theatre and sponsored by the Jean Lafayette National Park of Eunice. Again people come from all over to attend this.<br />
<br />
The RV park that we are staying in is renown for it's own hosting of the music culture of the area. Here we discovered that the week of Mardi Gras 2017 is already booked with only 3 slots left. Of course, we booked as we had tried for days to find just this very thing this year. A lot of good it would have done, as the area books solid a year in advance. So now we have a booking already for 2017 - go figure. It is an odd happening that we actually book so far in advance.<br />
<br />
Sunday is not forgotten, even though this is a heavy RC area. One has seen movies with the old saloon down by the swamp, hidden away from all eyes. We <a href="http://www.whiskeyriverla.com/">Whisky River</a> in Henderson, LA, outside of Lafayette, up and over and then tucked in behind the levee, would definitely qualify for this. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kOesvpIDOI/VtshN7y2tOI/AAAAAAAAFfI/0QC5-V-LkMA/s1600/Henderson%2BLevi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kOesvpIDOI/VtshN7y2tOI/AAAAAAAAFfI/0QC5-V-LkMA/s320/Henderson%2BLevi.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Best we can tell, music is only played Sunday evenings but I am sure that is not totally correct. This again has people coming from far and wide to listen to the music and do some floor stomping. </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lzNHj98Uj8/Vtsi5WwKIeI/AAAAAAAAFfk/maBkDi-mhQI/s1600/IMG_3134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lzNHj98Uj8/Vtsi5WwKIeI/AAAAAAAAFfk/maBkDi-mhQI/s320/IMG_3134.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">This evening was zydeco by a locally famous artist and his band, Geno DelaFose. </span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WG5RRCwoGR8/Vtsi5HOcupI/AAAAAAAAFfc/L_8T33wxF0Q/s1600/IMG_3132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WG5RRCwoGR8/Vtsi5HOcupI/AAAAAAAAFfc/L_8T33wxF0Q/s320/IMG_3132.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaUYKnuGWFs/VtshOgg-hjI/AAAAAAAAFfM/XTRZeVe0HOI/s1600/Geno%2BdelaFose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GaUYKnuGWFs/VtshOgg-hjI/AAAAAAAAFfM/XTRZeVe0HOI/s320/Geno%2BdelaFose.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi_BkHSWMwU/VtshOns9vPI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/A8KIT6gKHVY/s1600/Geno%2BdelaFose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi_BkHSWMwU/VtshOns9vPI/AAAAAAAAFfQ/A8KIT6gKHVY/s320/Geno%2BdelaFose2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">The music was very good, the smoke thick, and the people watching awesome. </span><span class="s1">I saw more cowboy hats, belt buckles, tight blue jeans and boots than one would see at a Texan rodeo. </span>Talking with the man who was selling hamburgers et al, most of the “blacks”, who were the best dressed of them all, are all ranchers and farmers from around the area.<br />
On our way up and over and out, we met a Fr couple who are touring the world over 4 years in their small RV "They do not dance like we dance".<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yq-HYD7G8M/Vtsi7aB9JBI/AAAAAAAAFfo/4yIHe1Nd8uQ/s1600/IMG_3136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Yq-HYD7G8M/Vtsi7aB9JBI/AAAAAAAAFfo/4yIHe1Nd8uQ/s320/IMG_3136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The food has been awesome and if we stayed very long in the area, we would roll out of the RV and have to go on a strict diet. So much deep fried food. I wonder if this is a recently developed food form or has it always been so? And is it so tasty because it is deep fried? And do they deep fry in veggie oil or the good old fashioned pork fat? So many questions: Will have to think about taking a cooking class down here sometime.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MiCoqLZrL4/Vtsi5NzANXI/AAAAAAAAFfg/oGL3mNcmRA0/s1600/IMG_3126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MiCoqLZrL4/Vtsi5NzANXI/AAAAAAAAFfg/oGL3mNcmRA0/s320/IMG_3126.jpg" width="320" /></a> Everywhere you look in the fields, we saw varying stages of water filled fields. Are they growing rice? Mais oui, mes amies! But what are those weird things sticking up in the water? They are farming crawfish and the harvesting is done buy a very strangely adapted boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMshIZmN0Fg/VtslbMJtMXI/AAAAAAAAFf4/p9rzxHpduy8/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GMshIZmN0Fg/VtslbMJtMXI/AAAAAAAAFf4/p9rzxHpduy8/s320/IMG_3180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D-U3nqQw5A/VtslaVzMjjI/AAAAAAAAFf0/emk9oSEjLic/s1600/IMG_3182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1D-U3nqQw5A/VtslaVzMjjI/AAAAAAAAFf0/emk9oSEjLic/s320/IMG_3182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As do all great journeys, this one too had to come to an end. Heading back towards our own fields, we headed to Texas and to the activities that called us back. What will be our next journey, time will tell and you too can discover it simply by coming back to visit us here at Where Are We?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veterans Memorial Hwy, Eunice, LA 70535, USA30.5434073 -92.427316300000033.2845628 -133.73591030000003 57.802251799999993 -51.11872230000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-68943390366301329802016-02-17T11:40:00.000-06:002016-02-17T11:40:00.948-06:00A great visitOn Sunday our friend came in on his bicycle to spend some time with us here in Double Lake Recreation Park in Coldspring, TX. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9HbaKun_kI/VsStyUNqJSI/AAAAAAAAFa4/YEPTgQJq19g/s1600/IMG_3100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H9HbaKun_kI/VsStyUNqJSI/AAAAAAAAFa4/YEPTgQJq19g/s320/IMG_3100.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
Coldspring is right on the route of Adventure Cycling's Southern Tier across the USA. <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsL3opA3EqM/VsStxvQXKkI/AAAAAAAAFa0/_wcjD7NGLvo/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsL3opA3EqM/VsStxvQXKkI/AAAAAAAAFa0/_wcjD7NGLvo/s320/IMG_3101.jpg" width="320" /></a> Danny had ridden with him a few days before from DeRidder, LA to Kirbyville, TX and today, rode out to meet him coming in.<br />
<br />
Our visit was great - we garnered lots of great ideas for future activities and hopefully we shared some for him as well. One of the things that would be an interesting trip, albeit long, would be to do the Great Loop in a boat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-2j0sAv-NQ/VsSuTBFfk3I/AAAAAAAAFa8/aFLj7QoQB_E/s1600/Great%2BLoop%2BMapRegular.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4-2j0sAv-NQ/VsSuTBFfk3I/AAAAAAAAFa8/aFLj7QoQB_E/s1600/Great%2BLoop%2BMapRegular.jpg" /></a> This of course, would necessitate us buying a boat of sometime that we could live on. Heck, we could be like the canal boaters in Holland. It would probably take a year to complete. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then there is something like was done by this couple: <a href="https://tortugaphoto.smugmug.com/">https://tortugaphoto.smugmug.com/</a> Their rig is awfully small to live in but heck, that would be just like a tiny house I guess. Of course, one would have to be somewhat like our friends who live in Europe, traveling from place to place, living out of 2 suitcases each. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yes, I think we could do that for awhile. Think of all that we could see!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow we are heading out. Our stay here has been great and things have been accomplished. The main one is that I finished Mom's quilt for Amylee.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiZ3Ja5JYo0/VsSvtHyVWaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/YRx8BcQCjYc/s1600/Front%2Bof%2BMom%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XiZ3Ja5JYo0/VsSvtHyVWaI/AAAAAAAAFbM/YRx8BcQCjYc/s320/Front%2Bof%2BMom%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBAcSYhKdxk/VsSvtRNyxsI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/JRU-Tp23aQ4/s1600/Back%2Bof%2BMom%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBAcSYhKdxk/VsSvtRNyxsI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/JRU-Tp23aQ4/s320/Back%2Bof%2BMom%2527s%2BQuilt.jpg" width="240" /></a> Danny is holding it up so you can get a sense of the size.</div>
Now on to another project as we also see more of countryside that we haven't seen before.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Double Lake Recreation Area, Coldspring, TX 77331, USA30.5516529 -95.13719459999998730.524304400000002 -95.177535099999986 30.5790014 -95.096854099999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-68888865475992061282016-02-13T11:16:00.003-06:002016-02-13T11:16:54.757-06:00February 13 and .....February 13 and that means ... Tah Dah .....> it's my birthday. Yes, today I celebrate another year older, not necessarily wiser, but definitely on top of the world. February is our celebration month - my DH and I both celebrate our birthdays, we have our anniversary and of course, there is Valentine's Day, the old "love" day. We celebrate sometime during the month as all the celebrations are spread out over the month. I leave it to DH to come up with something and we normally end up going somewhere for a weekend. So what will it be this month? Keep tuned for an update.<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oY8trJYLM5U/Vr9gdib3FHI/AAAAAAAAFZw/drzSuF_3IMI/s1600/HB%2Bgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oY8trJYLM5U/Vr9gdib3FHI/AAAAAAAAFZw/drzSuF_3IMI/s320/HB%2Bgif.gif" width="320" /> </a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ1MiVsfnYY/Vr9gdbp0jrI/AAAAAAAAFZo/sq4mWkq5B84/s1600/valentinegif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ1MiVsfnYY/Vr9gdbp0jrI/AAAAAAAAFZo/sq4mWkq5B84/s1600/valentinegif.gif" /></a> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u25ZyzMvbfA/Vr9gdh3mIrI/AAAAAAAAFZs/l-eFcJpNb90/s1600/Happy-Anniversarygif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u25ZyzMvbfA/Vr9gdh3mIrI/AAAAAAAAFZs/l-eFcJpNb90/s320/Happy-Anniversarygif.gif" width="305" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are currently sitting in Double Lake Recreation Area in Coldspring, SE Texas. We have been here a couple of weeks now. Danny is both mountain bike riding and road cycling. I am trying to get some quilting done but there is always something else that comes along to interrupt the flow that Miss Mojo likes to keep going. For example:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Wednesday we drove over to DeRidder, LA where we met a friend from the AT - Bert. He is cycling across the lower US following Adventure Cycling's Southern Tier maps. Danny rode with him Thursday from De Ridder, LA to Kirbyville, TX. I on the other hand, sagged this endeavor, and got us home that night. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIfqLzQu1dg/Vr9kGiBr5sI/AAAAAAAAFaA/NLQdmyYSw0U/s1600/Danny%2B%2526%2BBert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIfqLzQu1dg/Vr9kGiBr5sI/AAAAAAAAFaA/NLQdmyYSw0U/s320/Danny%2B%2526%2BBert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orp5CRwEPvc/Vr9kGs70GcI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/JbU4XgPlT7I/s1600/Danny%2Bcycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orp5CRwEPvc/Vr9kGs70GcI/AAAAAAAAFZ8/JbU4XgPlT7I/s320/Danny%2Bcycling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A good time was had by all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
And now today, my birthday, we are heading to Houston to have seafood and maybe see a movie.<br />
<br />
We will be moving on Thursday one again but we still haven't decided exactly where. It will probably be either Louisiana or Arkansas however. .......<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0DeRidder, LA 70634, USA30.8463055 -93.28905270000001330.7372495 -93.450414200000012 30.9553615 -93.127691200000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-39826752013517127232016-01-16T10:18:00.000-06:002016-01-16T10:18:48.526-06:00What do you do when your repairs are not done?What do you do when your repairs are not done? Why, you stay where you are and hope that your gray water doesn't overflow! That means we are sitting in the back lot of the repair shop amongst all the other RVs waiting for work. We have electricity, poor cell coverage and even poorer internet; We hauled connected hoses from the building to the RV so that we could fill our water tank; We are behind a locked gate but have the code; And we are hunkered down for the weekend.<br />
<br />
Now let's see, what does that mean? We can read. We can talk. We can watch movies. We can color in our coloring books, oh wait a minute, we don't have coloring books or markers. I can sew or knit. There is a lot that we can do and enjoy our weekend.<br />
<br />
Happy weekend everyone!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Nacogdoches, TX, USA31.6035129 -94.6554873999999731.495336899999998 -94.816848899999968 31.7116889 -94.494125899999972tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-12850331169884242812016-01-11T12:15:00.000-06:002016-01-14T16:17:41.324-06:00NYC The first full day after arriving is chocked full of things to do. The whole trip is so full that we actually made a calendar with times so that we wouldn't forget when and where, especially for the tickets that had to be purchased.<br />
<br />
First, breakfast: the good ol' standby, Starbucks. This one had little seating and lots of people milling around. Still is was a great people watching experience.<br />
<br />
Then it was on to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum by subway.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXkcGf9yaSE/VpfV97ihXnI/AAAAAAAAFUU/2KhARTaoYV4/s1600/IMG_2913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXkcGf9yaSE/VpfV97ihXnI/AAAAAAAAFUU/2KhARTaoYV4/s320/IMG_2913.jpg" width="240" /></a> Which stop do we get off at? Are we there yet?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The new World Trade Center, opened last year<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFH9M8DoKRI/VpfV936Y-fI/AAAAAAAAFUM/1eGQCeEhAuM/s1600/IMG_3804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GFH9M8DoKRI/VpfV936Y-fI/AAAAAAAAFUM/1eGQCeEhAuM/s320/IMG_3804.jpg" width="240" /></a> This is an impressive building, standing 1792 feet to the top of the communications tower.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2khMtSOFJs/VpfV96Z1m-I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/TJPGKt7rhFs/s1600/IMG_3815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2khMtSOFJs/VpfV96Z1m-I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/TJPGKt7rhFs/s320/IMG_3815.jpg" width="320" /></a> One of 2 reflective pools on the actual site of the World Trade Center Towers: Beautiful, reflective, and kind of eerie.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the help of Yelp, we headed to lunch. Brook wanted a pub lunch so that is what we looked for. A short walk took us to an Irish pub. This one was typical but with a difference. It was right across the street from the memorial/museum and was where all the EMS/police workers went/go for lunch. As a result, there are patches from all over the world and is a destination for the same when in NYC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmREI0l6Bw8/VpfZFm9LOnI/AAAAAAAAFUs/DNTLBA-07dE/s1600/IMG_2914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmREI0l6Bw8/VpfZFm9LOnI/AAAAAAAAFUs/DNTLBA-07dE/s320/IMG_2914.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fOy93Lqf4A/VpfZFhPVzCI/AAAAAAAAFUo/HHvPZRx7iPE/s1600/IMG_2917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9fOy93Lqf4A/VpfZFhPVzCI/AAAAAAAAFUo/HHvPZRx7iPE/s320/IMG_2917.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Food was great! She chose well.<br />
<br />
A walk down Wall Street and of course, we had to see the bull. The tourists were the funniest people watching to be had.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqM_1NspjGk/VpfaCN7bQ7I/AAAAAAAAFU4/04sZctNtT78/s1600/IMG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqM_1NspjGk/VpfaCN7bQ7I/AAAAAAAAFU4/04sZctNtT78/s320/IMG_2919.jpg" width="240" /></a> Sticking your head up his A@^* rather than sticking your head in the sand, where it probably should go.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KfolfMO_34/VpfaCdBJKSI/AAAAAAAAFVE/NB2ShJg1WPc/s1600/IMG_2920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_KfolfMO_34/VpfaCdBJKSI/AAAAAAAAFVE/NB2ShJg1WPc/s320/IMG_2920.jpg" width="240" /></a> You buy, you play, sometimes you win. Brooke won more than she paid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The evening is for the theatre and we went to see "Wicked". What a great play. The costuming and stage props were fantastic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVBVYHTStUI/VpfbP-MDroI/AAAAAAAAFVI/nuM0ahGM7CM/s1600/IMG_2922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVBVYHTStUI/VpfbP-MDroI/AAAAAAAAFVI/nuM0ahGM7CM/s320/IMG_2922.jpg" width="240" /></a> And now I know where the wonderful display at the Houston International Quilt Festival originated. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfZylsWeobw/VpfcOzs1yyI/AAAAAAAAFVU/fKHL4IIwadU/s1600/IMG_2743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfZylsWeobw/VpfcOzs1yyI/AAAAAAAAFVU/fKHL4IIwadU/s320/IMG_2743.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 2 took us to the American Museum of Natural History. Never thought I would see the day that DGD wanted to go to a museum.But she continued to surprise me this whole trip. The rational behind this request? To follow the "Night at the Museum"s trail. A condensed view(you wander all over to get to the various places utilized in the film) of a wonderful museum. We will definitely have to return and explore this more fully.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQQyoDRGeak/VpfegdIq4FI/AAAAAAAAFVg/zrXe2xwvZ9o/s1600/IMG_2929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQQyoDRGeak/VpfegdIq4FI/AAAAAAAAFVg/zrXe2xwvZ9o/s320/IMG_2929.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had to pull ourselves away from the museum. But pull we did and headed towards The Empire State Building to be there before sunset. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUC3oCtzXSo/VpfejU-jT9I/AAAAAAAAFWA/ab33Qw7PGro/s1600/IMG_2946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUC3oCtzXSo/VpfejU-jT9I/AAAAAAAAFWA/ab33Qw7PGro/s320/IMG_2946.jpg" width="240" /></a> The lobby was not so busy and offered a great deco art interior. As has been our experience so far, the lines were short and we went directly up. The elevators were once hand driven and now are used to start the elevator trip to the 82nd floor. Danny got the honors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acS_ydZG8Z4/Vpfeg3nW_2I/AAAAAAAAFVo/JVC6-bso3oQ/s1600/IMG_2939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-acS_ydZG8Z4/Vpfeg3nW_2I/AAAAAAAAFVo/JVC6-bso3oQ/s320/IMG_2939.jpg" width="240" /></a> From here our views were awesome. The setting sun set everything a fire with a golden hue.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsjdODDbGcI/Vpfeg-MOuDI/AAAAAAAAFVk/EIV_z70qTig/s1600/IMG_2934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VsjdODDbGcI/Vpfeg-MOuDI/AAAAAAAAFVk/EIV_z70qTig/s320/IMG_2934.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And from there we went to the 102nd floor where we watched the sun set behind the clouds before setting completely. Met an amazing bunch of different people resulting in some awesome conversations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVYzlxzNDWQ/Vpfeidsd3_I/AAAAAAAAFV4/86sZWQKCh7c/s1600/IMG_2943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tVYzlxzNDWQ/Vpfeidsd3_I/AAAAAAAAFV4/86sZWQKCh7c/s320/IMG_2943.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For dinner, well it had to be a Chinatown experience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXAdv6qfmSc/Vpfej6H5l_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/OauUuhZVN2w/s1600/IMG_2950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VXAdv6qfmSc/Vpfej6H5l_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/OauUuhZVN2w/s320/IMG_2950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Day 4, our last full day and it is The Statue of Liberty and the National Park system. Nothing available for the crown tour but I didn't want to walk all those 182 steps anyways. [chuckle chuckle]</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NIiUORQsw78/VpfmtSsZu8I/AAAAAAAAFWY/5DJ12PE-3pg/s1600/IMG_2954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NIiUORQsw78/VpfmtSsZu8I/AAAAAAAAFWY/5DJ12PE-3pg/s320/IMG_2954.jpg" width="240" /></a> We already walked the steps in the base to the look out but not these ones.</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epwQAW8-VZs/VpfmuVIlKHI/AAAAAAAAFWo/SjpSRglTn2A/s1600/IMG_3838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-epwQAW8-VZs/VpfmuVIlKHI/AAAAAAAAFWo/SjpSRglTn2A/s320/IMG_3838.jpg" width="320" /></a> some perspective here as to size.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2grVp6_I54/VpfmtTa1O8I/AAAAAAAAFWc/5IpxN7boaQ4/s1600/IMG_2955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G2grVp6_I54/VpfmtTa1O8I/AAAAAAAAFWc/5IpxN7boaQ4/s320/IMG_2955.jpg" width="240" /></a> close up and spectacular</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1d1MhLZxG-0/VpfmuSooOnI/AAAAAAAAFWs/JlG74UuJGOA/s1600/IMG_3842%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1d1MhLZxG-0/VpfmuSooOnI/AAAAAAAAFWs/JlG74UuJGOA/s320/IMG_3842%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a> we walked the perimeter as well. Sure are getting our steps in this trip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VaSpnAPOL0/VpfmtT1WqAI/AAAAAAAAFWg/2_bnGoIadJk/s1600/IMG_2958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VaSpnAPOL0/VpfmtT1WqAI/AAAAAAAAFWg/2_bnGoIadJk/s320/IMG_2958.jpg" width="320" /></a> a ferry ride to and fro: to was light in people and from was packed to capacity.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6I2hQGm4cY/VpfmuC9OODI/AAAAAAAAFWk/DhnolfwGzdw/s1600/IMG_3825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6I2hQGm4cY/VpfmuC9OODI/AAAAAAAAFWk/DhnolfwGzdw/s320/IMG_3825.jpg" width="320" /></a> skyline from the ferry</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next up was the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side, a Danny pick and one that we all enjoyed. Brooke says that it reminds her of her Grandma Zabielski's house. The only mishap happened here as we walking down the narrow flights of stairs on the outside of the building - yup the fire escape stairs. She caught her heel in the back open overhang and took a tumble down 5 stairs. It could of been nasty but she came out of it with a bruised shin and a scraped thumb, no breaks thank goodness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our train back gave us a wonderful subway experience.We had been hearing solo musicians all week in the subway but tonight we actually had a band. A band that played The Beetles, the Beach Boys and so on. </div>
<br />
Day 5 and our day for travel back but not until late in the afternoon. The morning sported a return trip to Brooke's pick of breakfast bagel shops - yummmmmmm. Then off to walk Times Square. The rain or rather drizzle came in just as we set off but it was still fun. The highlight? Not the Hersey store, not the M&M store, but the Naked Cowboy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_JQcCe6SWc/VpfpBiErVqI/AAAAAAAAFXM/AgqzOhHW9Sw/s1600/IMG_2961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_JQcCe6SWc/VpfpBiErVqI/AAAAAAAAFXM/AgqzOhHW9Sw/s320/IMG_2961.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"What happens in New York stays on Facebook forever!"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7DTtS1Mxgw/VpfpCII_j-I/AAAAAAAAFXQ/X87URegiVv8/s1600/IMG_2962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7DTtS1Mxgw/VpfpCII_j-I/AAAAAAAAFXQ/X87URegiVv8/s320/IMG_2962.jpg" width="240" /></a> Yup, whitie tighties, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, and a guitar in 40 degree weather and drizzle, making a good living in Times Square for over 20 years. Brooke, where is your photo???????</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Homeward bound and arriving in Dallas to a car that is dead, dead, dead. Tomorrow ......</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127837 -74.00594130000001840.3275957 -74.651388300000022 41.0979717 -73.360494300000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-77166658709413199992016-01-06T22:05:00.000-06:002016-01-14T10:51:44.563-06:00Some thoughts ....Why does the energy and drive take us to start things and work feverishly to complete already started ones as well as promises to ones self in the new year? That blank page needs to be filled maybe?!!!<br />
<br />
And start to fill we do, with a planned trip to New York City with Brooke, our DGD. Leaving on the 5th of January, we arrived in town early enough to: get our metro passes, ride the bus and train to the station near our hotel, check in to the hotel where we quickly ok'd it, and then out for our first foray into the city. Brooke is all eyes as we start to wander and try to figure out the metro. She has her handy phone which has a map of the subway. Where would be nowadays without our instant gratification that used to have to be found and written down beforehand? Dinner planned for Chinatown but got switched to Little Italy where we had pizza in the proclaimed "first pizza restaurant" in NYC. It was delicious. Then on to the Top of the Rock, the Rockefeller Center that is. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OY2cPIJexXg/VpfQHMRz1dI/AAAAAAAAFT8/a5ccT4Fe4f8/s1600/IMG_2912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OY2cPIJexXg/VpfQHMRz1dI/AAAAAAAAFT8/a5ccT4Fe4f8/s320/IMG_2912.jpg" width="320" /></a>What a view we had of the Empire State Building with it's Christmas Lights shining bright against the black sky of night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMzOXyrgTA8/VpfQGn7fyZI/AAAAAAAAFT0/8L1irqTalVY/s1600/IMG_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMzOXyrgTA8/VpfQGn7fyZI/AAAAAAAAFT0/8L1irqTalVY/s320/IMG_2911.jpg" width="320" /></a> a bit blurry but it tells a story nevertheless</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the end of this wondrous lighted evening, our feet ached, our legs were tired, and we could hardly see straight we were so tired. Sooooo, we decided to try our first <a href="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a> experience. Standing on the sidewalk looking at all the lighted trees, we quickly joined Uber and called for a ride. It was great and so much cheaper than a regular NY Yellow cab.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And so started our trip to NYC.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127837 -74.00594130000001840.3275957 -74.651388300000022 41.0979717 -73.360494300000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-50121724057457884212016-01-02T20:33:00.002-06:002016-01-16T10:21:53.719-06:00January 2016<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPj1sYpRIXM/VoiGggZfwfI/AAAAAAAAFS0/bfZQcEWS_4Q/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jPj1sYpRIXM/VoiGggZfwfI/AAAAAAAAFS0/bfZQcEWS_4Q/s400/images%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year </span>to each and everyone of you. May 2016 be blessed with health, happiness and prosperity. The Irish blessing says it all:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: lime;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">May love and laughter light your days,</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">and warm your heart and home.</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">May good and faithful friends be yours,</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">wherever you may roam.</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">May peace and plenty bless your world</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">with joy that long endures.</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">May all life's passing seasons</span><br style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: start;">bring the best to you and yours!</span></b></span></div>
<br />
New Year's Day: a new year and a blank page to write on. Gone are the half finished saved blogs of last year, gone are the downer days, gone are the not so charitable thoughts, but not gone the UFOs of quilting and my <a href="http://2busyhands.blogspot.com/">2 Busy Hands</a>. Today brings all anew and it will only be what I make of it. So here I am, a blank page staring me in the face asking to be written on and<i><u><b> I am only going to be positive</b></u></i>. "Tomorrow [Jan 1}, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." Brad Paisley To me, this says it all, as your pages will only tell the story of what you do, want to do, your hopes and dreams, and your accomplishments, so do your best!<br />
<br />
We are starting out the year with a trip to New York City with Brooke. We will be gone Monday through Saturday, arriving back in Longview late in the evening. A wonderful time will be had and our days are already filled to capacity. Can we find any more time to do some of the other things? Who knows, but we will surely try.<br />
<br />
January 1 found us in Little Rock, AR. We were hoping for the festivities of the Waterfront but Mother Nature had something to say about that. The Arkansas River [the river of the Riverfront] was flooding and the Riverfront Park where all the festivities occur, was all River. So we had a wonderful dinner and a quiet reading wait for to ring in the New Year. This was followed by a fast drive back to Henderson where we will sit out tomorrow, catching losse odds and ends before leaving on Monday.<br />
<br />
So, 'til later my friends ......<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0Henderson, TX, USA32.1532156 -94.79938019999997332.0456761 -94.960741699999971 32.260755100000004 -94.638018699999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-69553036531397016272015-04-06T10:11:00.000-05:002015-04-08T19:56:04.877-05:00Car Tripping to San Antonio A minor glitch in the system and we find ourselves minus our home for a few days. It is visiting its "other home" and I don't mean its home away from home, the storage unit. No, I mean the repair shop where routine maintenance occurs. Because of this and a desire to not be watching over the shoulders of the mechanic, we left to visit some areas that we have wanted to see for some time now.<br />
<br />
<b>San Antonio</b> - the site of the bravely but disastrously fought Battle of the Alamo in 1836, an equally interesting Mission Trail of Catholic Spanish missions, and the famous River Walk on the San Antonio River, right through the heart of town. Oh don't misunderstand me here, it is not all educational/historical monuments and sites, there are also the money-making tourist venues: A theme park, Fiesta Texas; a water park and one close to town; an Imax theater; buggy rides; boat rides; walking/running/bicycle tours; and don't forget, geo-caches! And we did a fair amount of almost everything.<br />
<br />
The skies remained totally overcast and fog enshrouded the area until way late in the afternoon. As a result, photos were hard to get. But hey, not a problem, surf the net and find what you want as long as you identify where it came from, right? (i.e. public domain) Well, we shall see!<br />
<br />
<b>The Torch of Friendship</b>, downtown SA, a gift from Mexico<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FmIkYFPgBSY/VSKRT8br0-I/AAAAAAAAFII/pVpm62p8W68/s1600/San_Antonio.jpg" height="214" width="320" /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_San_Antonio</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rP42tqB6omo/VSKS8cOPXYI/AAAAAAAAFIU/NOMj42T64LY/s1600/Torch%2Bof%2BFriendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rP42tqB6omo/VSKS8cOPXYI/AAAAAAAAFIU/NOMj42T64LY/s1600/Torch%2Bof%2BFriendship.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.katiehaugland.com/the-torch-of-friendship/</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best way to see a new town IMHO: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzw1IdrmFsY/VSKUJ-7niNI/AAAAAAAAFIg/xoIK_y52QD4/s1600/14426-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzw1IdrmFsY/VSKUJ-7niNI/AAAAAAAAFIg/xoIK_y52QD4/s1600/14426-4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.sanantoniotours.net/offer/14381/Hop-On-Hop-Off-Double-Decker-Bus-Tour-in-San-Antonio#.VSKT2VriN-Q</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_uPFraTHw/VSKVia9-dmI/AAAAAAAAFIs/IKoDh1qeMjs/s1600/11054854_10152830821008602_363278913095266156_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9g_uPFraTHw/VSKVia9-dmI/AAAAAAAAFIs/IKoDh1qeMjs/s1600/11054854_10152830821008602_363278913095266156_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <span style="text-align: left;">Nothing like a good cold morning and an equally cold wind while riding the open top of the double decker bus, to start the day off right.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<b>The RiverWalk,</b> a venue for all hours of the day or night, where a venue that makes San Antonio what it is today could have been lost forever if it hadn't been for a very civic-minded group of ladies:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxWWy5MEET0/VSKXI-nBY_I/AAAAAAAAFI8/4YlqYivf6sE/s1600/meeting-2012-San-antonio-lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxWWy5MEET0/VSKXI-nBY_I/AAAAAAAAFI8/4YlqYivf6sE/s1600/meeting-2012-San-antonio-lights.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.isironline.org/2012-san-antonio/#prettyPhoto</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbJhdIOlnD4/VSKXprp9O1I/AAAAAAAAFJE/oFGgHzSrDPg/s1600/images-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbJhdIOlnD4/VSKXprp9O1I/AAAAAAAAFJE/oFGgHzSrDPg/s1600/images-4.jpeg" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.utsa.edu/ee/APSI/Accomodations_DT.html</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Of course, we rode the boats and walked part of the walk. You can also walk/bicycle the whole thing or even kayak/canoe the outer reaches of it, neither of which we were inspired to do this go around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The Museum of Art</b>, on the RiverWalk as well as the double decker bus tour, a fantastic overview of world civilization. Found in a revamped Lone Star brewery complex, it offers permanent and traveling exhibitions:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIzqJ1SqVHA/VSKeXlWt8RI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/BKapGNa-s2Y/s1600/san-antonio-museum-of.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIzqJ1SqVHA/VSKeXlWt8RI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/BKapGNa-s2Y/s1600/san-antonio-museum-of.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60956-d108442-Reviews-San_Antonio_Museum_of_Art-San_Antonio_Texas.html</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The Alamo</b>:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUlPeQWG1k/VSKX-OPW5lI/AAAAAAAAFJM/MIrO2v0VjhM/s1600/78385-004-4D20E900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BvUlPeQWG1k/VSKX-OPW5lI/AAAAAAAAFJM/MIrO2v0VjhM/s1600/78385-004-4D20E900.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/520953/San-Antonio</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The Mission Trail</b>, a series of 5 (used to be 6 in their heyday) missions along the San Antonio River:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVLx3jRqnBg/VSKYjRUX-bI/AAAAAAAAFJU/SF04RC529Q8/s1600/headers_0010_concepcion_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVLx3jRqnBg/VSKYjRUX-bI/AAAAAAAAFJU/SF04RC529Q8/s1600/headers_0010_concepcion_3.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://loscompadres.org</span> <span style="text-align: left;">Concepcion which has been restored and is now a full blown service church.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And who could possibly ignore the <b>Worlds largest cowboy boots</b> (?):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMsqNyFyxPk/VSKZdcKNKFI/AAAAAAAAFJg/NIp8xe9D9d4/s1600/san-antonio-tx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMsqNyFyxPk/VSKZdcKNKFI/AAAAAAAAFJg/NIp8xe9D9d4/s1600/san-antonio-tx.jpg" height="293" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">https://twitter.com/purosanantonio</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Entrance to <b>Sea World San Antonio</b>:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fx-Xfr_FxgM/VSKWR_-deRI/AAAAAAAAFI0/5lrmDGa2bkM/s1600/Entrance_to_Sea_World%2C_San_Antonio%2C_Texas%2C_June_4%2C_2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fx-Xfr_FxgM/VSKWR_-deRI/AAAAAAAAFI0/5lrmDGa2bkM/s1600/Entrance_to_Sea_World%2C_San_Antonio%2C_Texas%2C_June_4%2C_2007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sanantonio/</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
where one has to go through in order to go to <b>Aquatica</b>, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4RkkMYxj9U/VSKdeDiLTpI/AAAAAAAAFJs/LGjDDdz_pAs/s1600/Aquatica%2BSan%2BAntonio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4RkkMYxj9U/VSKdeDiLTpI/AAAAAAAAFJs/LGjDDdz_pAs/s1600/Aquatica%2BSan%2BAntonio.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://top-touristattractions.blogspot.com/2013/10/aquatica-san-antonio.html</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I do so love to go to water parks, but alas, not in early spring where the temps are more conducive to ice skating than water fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And I could go on and on and on ....... but the time came all too quickly for our departure for Austin ... ></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-62712755516310354392015-03-01T20:43:00.001-06:002015-03-01T20:43:08.758-06:00Hanging my head in deep shame ...It has brought to my attention that people who actually follow my blog have been very disappointed in that I have seemingly stopped blogging in 2014. There is no reason that sounds real for this distancing myself from the blogging world, but there it is ... And here in the now, I vow to myself to update, albeit perhaps in a modified form, my blog of our travels. So with that said, here we go... first to finish my African Adventure (bear with me as it takes time to write and put in the photos, as well as I have to have a good internet to accomplish this, something we haven't had a lot of lately)......Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-10756446236560410772014-06-18T21:03:00.000-05:002014-08-07T08:32:55.877-05:00Village life continued:The days continue as we experienced our visit here and learned the intricacies of village life. Everyone wanted their photos taken: children, parents, family groups, friends, chums, and just because. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MB8I0gesNcI/U-MMkbxboxI/AAAAAAAAE0w/aQUxkKv0Nkk/s1600/DSCN0408+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MB8I0gesNcI/U-MMkbxboxI/AAAAAAAAE0w/aQUxkKv0Nkk/s1600/DSCN0408+copy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUnqMKwrwpI/U-MMURuRKRI/AAAAAAAAE0I/9kVJPvp7iYo/s1600/DSCN0386+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rUnqMKwrwpI/U-MMURuRKRI/AAAAAAAAE0I/9kVJPvp7iYo/s1600/DSCN0386+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> dancing, and boy was he good<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xR7FuTgCXA/U-MMUTaSGtI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/MAPq-sElZUQ/s1600/DSCN0378+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9xR7FuTgCXA/U-MMUTaSGtI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/MAPq-sElZUQ/s1600/DSCN0378+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvLiLpb5xDs/U-MMT_k2k4I/AAAAAAAAE0E/SzRUnoN-cDk/s1600/DSCN0380+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jvLiLpb5xDs/U-MMT_k2k4I/AAAAAAAAE0E/SzRUnoN-cDk/s1600/DSCN0380+copy.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a> I love this photo. Would our girls go to school with one sock on and one off and 2 different shoes?<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhL0y7_eWsM/U-N78n06gKI/AAAAAAAAE24/0SQc__KeRrk/s1600/DSCN0397+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhL0y7_eWsM/U-N78n06gKI/AAAAAAAAE24/0SQc__KeRrk/s1600/DSCN0397+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> Travis and Travis<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYx6B3MABQM/U-MMk4uNdpI/AAAAAAAAE00/GRl9IhbrhDs/s1600/DSCN0414+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYx6B3MABQM/U-MMk4uNdpI/AAAAAAAAE00/GRl9IhbrhDs/s1600/DSCN0414+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vg_UmYb0y-g/U-MMVKIBZeI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/0BwQzxCunVI/s1600/DSCN0395+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vg_UmYb0y-g/U-MMVKIBZeI/AAAAAAAAE0Y/0BwQzxCunVI/s1600/DSCN0395+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> This is my absolute favorite - oh the smiles.<br />
I can't begin to put up even a representation as the numbers are astronomical.<br />
Every time I or anyone else took a photo, we had to turn the camera and show whoever the photo. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNTvVTrHjD4/U-MLwLl1EVI/AAAAAAAAEy8/21nG_CIYxpw/s1600/DSCN0362+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNTvVTrHjD4/U-MLwLl1EVI/AAAAAAAAEy8/21nG_CIYxpw/s1600/DSCN0362+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Could I induce them to smile? Sometimes but not all wanted to smile.<br />
<br />
A visit to another village, one that Travis is working with as well. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3x9XVRrZhE/U-MM9VDBORI/AAAAAAAAE10/NpZzuSLia0g/s1600/IMG_0075+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3x9XVRrZhE/U-MM9VDBORI/AAAAAAAAE10/NpZzuSLia0g/s1600/IMG_0075+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrBGjeOmEcQ/U-N8nRnJW0I/AAAAAAAAE4M/AcFm0v5WdYU/s1600/DSCN0469+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XrBGjeOmEcQ/U-N8nRnJW0I/AAAAAAAAE4M/AcFm0v5WdYU/s1600/DSCN0469+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EON55u3krVY/U-MM7JANd2I/AAAAAAAAE1g/JA1mnWAQ7hk/s1600/IMG_0067+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EON55u3krVY/U-MM7JANd2I/AAAAAAAAE1g/JA1mnWAQ7hk/s1600/IMG_0067+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5DUwXnQ56s/U-MM9ugeObI/AAAAAAAAE14/Ip59r4wEp2I/s1600/IMG_0081+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5DUwXnQ56s/U-MM9ugeObI/AAAAAAAAE14/Ip59r4wEp2I/s1600/IMG_0081+copy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLyVsO4eVFc/U-MM72ceooI/AAAAAAAAE1o/iLtnXnpi5BQ/s1600/IMG_0069+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLyVsO4eVFc/U-MM72ceooI/AAAAAAAAE1o/iLtnXnpi5BQ/s1600/IMG_0069+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> the villagers were justly proud of their farming efforts and the group brought home vegetables to add to our soup pot: sweet potatoes unlike anything found here in the US and greens. They also grew cassava. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYAAvTK_w2I/U-N8pc9TNqI/AAAAAAAAE4c/65G2zZU2gVw/s1600/DSCN0470+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYAAvTK_w2I/U-N8pc9TNqI/AAAAAAAAE4c/65G2zZU2gVw/s1600/DSCN0470+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_f_bqWfgD4/U-N8puHTG4I/AAAAAAAAE4g/MDqiyHq9KPE/s1600/DSCN0506+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_f_bqWfgD4/U-N8puHTG4I/AAAAAAAAE4g/MDqiyHq9KPE/s1600/DSCN0506+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIyPuPRT6fw/U-N8p9AVUBI/AAAAAAAAE4o/OZbd4Ka7GK0/s1600/DSCN0472+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KIyPuPRT6fw/U-N8p9AVUBI/AAAAAAAAE4o/OZbd4Ka7GK0/s1600/DSCN0472+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjPbyeQMwWA/U-N82dt-wUI/AAAAAAAAE44/gZNp93S3S9E/s1600/DSCN0511+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NjPbyeQMwWA/U-N82dt-wUI/AAAAAAAAE44/gZNp93S3S9E/s1600/DSCN0511+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NuhSvbWnFH4/U-MNAmMe7AI/AAAAAAAAE2E/dtFiP1j41x4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-06+at+11.44.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NuhSvbWnFH4/U-MNAmMe7AI/AAAAAAAAE2E/dtFiP1j41x4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-06+at+11.44.12+PM.png" height="181" width="320" /></a> everywhere, in this or any other village, the children were fascinated by use and our toys<br />
<br />
Learning just how hard it is to make schima from cassava. They harvest it, the dry it, they pound it, they cook it ... <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sJnWfjCC5pA/U-MLxeJVbZI/AAAAAAAAEzU/nV_DZsL2cEc/s1600/DSCN0365+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sJnWfjCC5pA/U-MLxeJVbZI/AAAAAAAAEzU/nV_DZsL2cEc/s1600/DSCN0365+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> cassava flour ready to cook<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMJRGWQ4GxM/U-MM6z1-0VI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/0ZBePXS9b7k/s1600/IMG_0064+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tMJRGWQ4GxM/U-MM6z1-0VI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/0ZBePXS9b7k/s1600/IMG_0064+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MroxvSt1opk/U-MLwJUC9nI/AAAAAAAAEy4/w2Vgl5tUnTA/s1600/DSCN0358+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MroxvSt1opk/U-MLwJUC9nI/AAAAAAAAEy4/w2Vgl5tUnTA/s1600/DSCN0358+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ACyJ6NHHzc/U-MLw8TrGWI/AAAAAAAAEzE/I71usMm4npQ/s1600/DSCN0364+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ACyJ6NHHzc/U-MLw8TrGWI/AAAAAAAAEzE/I71usMm4npQ/s1600/DSCN0364+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> yup, looks like flour paste but not white, it is a grey color.<br />
Of course we all had to take a try at the cooking <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjzuqTSeWZQ/U-MNBenDEXI/AAAAAAAAE2I/nCjKCJ32g1o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-06+at+11.53.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PjzuqTSeWZQ/U-MNBenDEXI/AAAAAAAAE2I/nCjKCJ32g1o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-06+at+11.53.32+PM.png" height="199" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXeDDb4XNok/U-N8SQcF56I/AAAAAAAAE34/kNubJPg-gxs/s1600/DSCN0448+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXeDDb4XNok/U-N8SQcF56I/AAAAAAAAE34/kNubJPg-gxs/s1600/DSCN0448+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> it was much harder than it looked <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An4r-CNe2Xc/U-ML_X7x4zI/AAAAAAAAEzk/sxovh48Koa4/s1600/DSCN0366+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-An4r-CNe2Xc/U-ML_X7x4zI/AAAAAAAAEzk/sxovh48Koa4/s1600/DSCN0366+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> Oh the comments from the gentleman behind me when first Danny tried, and then Gary <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFZjhF7Cu1E/U-ML_NFmx8I/AAAAAAAAEzc/isIwmee4-6k/s1600/DSCN0367+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFZjhF7Cu1E/U-ML_NFmx8I/AAAAAAAAEzc/isIwmee4-6k/s1600/DSCN0367+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> "There is a definite devision of labour and that is woman's work" or words to that effect.<br />
<br />
To eat it you use your hands, taking a small piece from the communal bowl, roll it between your fingers and then make an indent used for scooping the food up with. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2h9XWIYAJeY/U-N8m08uegI/AAAAAAAAE4E/7uiBXIAhXDU/s1600/DSCN0456+copy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2h9XWIYAJeY/U-N8m08uegI/AAAAAAAAE4E/7uiBXIAhXDU/s1600/DSCN0456+copy1.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a>When served with chicken and beans, it was quite tasty but by itself, like flour paste. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FTjAqph_FE/U-MM6adjPsI/AAAAAAAAE1U/3fqlkA9mYVw/s1600/IMG_0066+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2FTjAqph_FE/U-MM6adjPsI/AAAAAAAAE1U/3fqlkA9mYVw/s1600/IMG_0066+copy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
Dinner is served ... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iz6ZfU4b8Q/U-ML_QB8fCI/AAAAAAAAEzg/UWgf0THN3QA/s1600/DSCN0374+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iz6ZfU4b8Q/U-ML_QB8fCI/AAAAAAAAEzg/UWgf0THN3QA/s1600/DSCN0374+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zx7VPRJ9wr4/U-MMA7xg83I/AAAAAAAAEz0/4jQlsRfly5I/s1600/DSCN0375+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zx7VPRJ9wr4/U-MMA7xg83I/AAAAAAAAEz0/4jQlsRfly5I/s1600/DSCN0375+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> We ate the chicken. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tcruus1X30/U-N8Qnw1HhI/AAAAAAAAE3c/6AXaunkKOl4/s1600/DSCN0434+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Tcruus1X30/U-N8Qnw1HhI/AAAAAAAAE3c/6AXaunkKOl4/s1600/DSCN0434+copy+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The only ones to come to eat with us were the men, and then only the host men and the head of the village. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6znrdKjZvs/U-N8nAzUY5I/AAAAAAAAE4I/52QBIAuCgEU/s1600/DSCN0457+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o6znrdKjZvs/U-N8nAzUY5I/AAAAAAAAE4I/52QBIAuCgEU/s1600/DSCN0457+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> The rest sat waiting <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSZfK7V0oZc/U-MMBZSseWI/AAAAAAAAEz4/i3FR3-TbP_M/s1600/DSCN0376+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jSZfK7V0oZc/U-MMBZSseWI/AAAAAAAAEz4/i3FR3-TbP_M/s1600/DSCN0376+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
An evening dance/party was held in our honor as we ate dinner. What an experience to observe. Reminded me very much of when we were in Suriname, visiting an interior Maroon village. The women danced together. The men danced together. The young men acted, well like any testosterone riddled young man. They sang, they flirted, they had a fun time. Then at 10pm, everything stopped and everyone was gone in a blink of an eye. Bed time.<br />
<br />
The children played, and played, and played. They would come and get supplies and then return them. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxueCInxq2E/U-MLvxdYKZI/AAAAAAAAEy0/1v8WBhpmzlc/s1600/DSCN0355+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UxueCInxq2E/U-MLvxdYKZI/AAAAAAAAEy0/1v8WBhpmzlc/s1600/DSCN0355+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZQCzlofzQc/U-MMWCgRPOI/AAAAAAAAE0g/7eHd2UX5R1Q/s1600/DSCN0397+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZQCzlofzQc/U-MMWCgRPOI/AAAAAAAAE0g/7eHd2UX5R1Q/s1600/DSCN0397+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fg0KGr3xV4/U-MMl1EZK9I/AAAAAAAAE1E/T6MM5LBlmOQ/s1600/DSCN0424+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5fg0KGr3xV4/U-MMl1EZK9I/AAAAAAAAE1E/T6MM5LBlmOQ/s1600/DSCN0424+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Travis' poor banjo, would it ever work again after the strings broke?<br />
They were enthralled to sit and view photos on the computer of animals and other places. They love picture books. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c957N3qIEFY/U-MMkQmH_dI/AAAAAAAAE0s/sylo_zsk_sE/s1600/DSCN0417+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c957N3qIEFY/U-MMkQmH_dI/AAAAAAAAE0s/sylo_zsk_sE/s1600/DSCN0417+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> starting with the very young - they were ever so careful with the books.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71UTAAeBjOE/U-N78tMQtAI/AAAAAAAAE28/Jmsx0NE7SlA/s1600/DSCN0400+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-71UTAAeBjOE/U-N78tMQtAI/AAAAAAAAE28/Jmsx0NE7SlA/s1600/DSCN0400+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KYMMsdI25w/U-N78ElBDJI/AAAAAAAAE20/7IU9OzuWSh8/s1600/DSCN0403+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3KYMMsdI25w/U-N78ElBDJI/AAAAAAAAE20/7IU9OzuWSh8/s1600/DSCN0403+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc3J-mySFOg/U-N8RGitxzI/AAAAAAAAE3s/decYML_6z0A/s1600/DSCN0414+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rc3J-mySFOg/U-N8RGitxzI/AAAAAAAAE3s/decYML_6z0A/s1600/DSCN0414+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYkxKtvB4zU/U-N79ocf0UI/AAAAAAAAE3M/zEX2NaYht3k/s1600/DSCN0406+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYkxKtvB4zU/U-N79ocf0UI/AAAAAAAAE3M/zEX2NaYht3k/s1600/DSCN0406+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
And throughout it all, the photo taking continued, only as the day progressed, they became more formal or specialized. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1cdOikYpjQ/U-N792AAQJI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/txL5Dnj8XK4/s1600/DSCN0410+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1cdOikYpjQ/U-N792AAQJI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/txL5Dnj8XK4/s1600/DSCN0410+copy.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a> all dressed up and not liking it one bit<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqF-To79kck/U-N8QmCYwOI/AAAAAAAAE3g/ybetoxl9TDM/s1600/DSCN0432+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KqF-To79kck/U-N8QmCYwOI/AAAAAAAAE3g/ybetoxl9TDM/s1600/DSCN0432+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWy50mUwhaI/U-MMmXvyLpI/AAAAAAAAE1I/L_b2knBZTc4/s1600/DSCN0425+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWy50mUwhaI/U-MMmXvyLpI/AAAAAAAAE1I/L_b2knBZTc4/s1600/DSCN0425+copy.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a> The bag that traveled all the way from the US to Africa with things for the village.<br />
<br />
And some time for rest <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJZpmu-clI/U-N8SJQCKZI/AAAAAAAAE3w/c-P-LKSggaU/s1600/DSCN0437+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUJZpmu-clI/U-N8SJQCKZI/AAAAAAAAE3w/c-P-LKSggaU/s1600/DSCN0437+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
All too soon our vista came to its conclusion and we were packing to leave in the morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6t2V0VzP3Y/U-MTnezHTPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/zhWtKIHyCKs/s1600/DSCN0516+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N6t2V0VzP3Y/U-MTnezHTPI/AAAAAAAAE2c/zhWtKIHyCKs/s1600/DSCN0516+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Travis wanted to leave by 8am, so ...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-79030134704846293572014-06-18T19:01:00.000-05:002014-08-05T19:02:26.800-05:00Village LifeTo be given the opportunity of being unreservably welcomed with open hearts and arms, into a strangers village and treated as family, is rare, and an opportunity that gave us a most unforgettable, memorable experience: One greater than most of our travel experiences. From the bottom of our hearts and with such fond memories, we thank both Travis and his wonderful village family as well as our dear friends Peggy and Gary. With this small representation I hope to be able to give you as well, a glimpse into a little of what we experienced.<br />
<br />
**As it is a Peace Corps village no names or location will be given. ***The photos are a compilation from all the cameras in the group. We shared them all. Gary's paintings can be found at <a href="http://panampg.x10.mx/wp/blog/slideshow-of-the-pieces-i-did-in-tanzania-and-zambia-completed-to-date/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://panampg.x10.mx/wp/blog/slideshow-of-the-pieces-i-did-in-tanzania-and-zambia-completed-to-date/</span></a><br />
<br />
Our first day started with a start - the crowing of the soon to be infamous rooster before the crack of dawn. I had awoken at times during the night to strangers on the porch with us. Did I see right, goats and chickens cleaning up everything in sight of which there was very little to begin with? Looking around from my position inside the tent,<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlHsf-oHeGw/U9MBhf3zuXI/AAAAAAAAEqw/LGPZiTaiBZs/s1600/DSCN0308+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlHsf-oHeGw/U9MBhf3zuXI/AAAAAAAAEqw/LGPZiTaiBZs/s1600/DSCN0308+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I realized that yes, indeed there were goats wandering around<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrrNjvJrOEk/U9MDwFcNS3I/AAAAAAAAEq8/evdWs4IhqDA/s1600/DSCN0313+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JrrNjvJrOEk/U9MDwFcNS3I/AAAAAAAAEq8/evdWs4IhqDA/s1600/DSCN0313+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
most certainly chickens,<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKczf7Q7Wkw/U9MEEMoDjDI/AAAAAAAAErE/uNBssW0ewc8/s1600/DSCN0371+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xKczf7Q7Wkw/U9MEEMoDjDI/AAAAAAAAErE/uNBssW0ewc8/s1600/DSCN0371+copy.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a><br />
and children,<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXz6PJwELII/U9MFVNAwwcI/AAAAAAAAEro/yqw7FgwIDjY/s1600/IMG_2825+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vXz6PJwELII/U9MFVNAwwcI/AAAAAAAAEro/yqw7FgwIDjY/s1600/IMG_2825+copy+2.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>everywhere children, all standing a little off but there nonetheless, watching us, fascinated. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPjNqxK8-B0/U-FpuM-XX9I/AAAAAAAAEsk/17EYi-G_Ioo/s1600/DSCN0200+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gPjNqxK8-B0/U-FpuM-XX9I/AAAAAAAAEsk/17EYi-G_Ioo/s1600/DSCN0200+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
The necessities of life led to a quick tour of the "facilities". Nothing less than I had expected: Not far from the house were two huts, <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi8P5yh5Ayk/U9MFQFMWtvI/AAAAAAAAErU/4fKoaa6YbQ8/s1600/IMG_2813+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qi8P5yh5Ayk/U9MFQFMWtvI/AAAAAAAAErU/4fKoaa6YbQ8/s1600/IMG_2813+copy.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>one for the shower, equipped with a sun shower, <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMQ0Xcx5NQ/U9MFRzZ2rPI/AAAAAAAAErg/w801UyA_Zlw/s1600/IMG_2810+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IsMQ0Xcx5NQ/U9MFRzZ2rPI/AAAAAAAAErg/w801UyA_Zlw/s1600/IMG_2810+copy.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>and one for the commode: <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5JVNJ6dms8/U9MFP9vLOuI/AAAAAAAAErQ/A1wCI1dHbQU/s1600/IMG_2818+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5JVNJ6dms8/U9MFP9vLOuI/AAAAAAAAErQ/A1wCI1dHbQU/s1600/IMG_2818+copy.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a> Reminded me very quickly of the PC YouTube video <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koUWaAr-itY">Poop in a Hole</a>.<br />
<br />
And then coffee and breakfast, our first meal of the day and in the village, scrounging utensils and dishes from wherever. Travis had some of course, and bowls are bowls, regardless of size. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TzW9sRPxizI/U9MHAG1VAYI/AAAAAAAAEr0/rlWUoaIHL6c/s1600/IMG_2824+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TzW9sRPxizI/U9MHAG1VAYI/AAAAAAAAEr0/rlWUoaIHL6c/s1600/IMG_2824+copy+2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a> notice the cooking stove. This is a fascinating piece of equipment - a brazier.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V43fx5VDMCU/U9MZCTYk-1I/AAAAAAAAEsE/lC6IXjZnFNc/s1600/DSCN0405+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V43fx5VDMCU/U9MZCTYk-1I/AAAAAAAAEsE/lC6IXjZnFNc/s1600/DSCN0405+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwM0BgUxsc/U-FpuA61R4I/AAAAAAAAEso/L3gMgxr3G6I/s1600/DSCN0189+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLwM0BgUxsc/U-FpuA61R4I/AAAAAAAAEso/L3gMgxr3G6I/s1600/DSCN0189+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48B_KaJKmZw/U-FpuJW6ggI/AAAAAAAAEss/AQeLCRy0B8Y/s1600/DSCN0190+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48B_KaJKmZw/U-FpuJW6ggI/AAAAAAAAEss/AQeLCRy0B8Y/s1600/DSCN0190+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Each meal was eaten in the same manner, regardless of what we ate or who supplied it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgdhJ8Zz1Gw/U9MZMKy1dtI/AAAAAAAAEsM/tIeTpagidpI/s1600/DSCN0307+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgdhJ8Zz1Gw/U9MZMKy1dtI/AAAAAAAAEsM/tIeTpagidpI/s1600/DSCN0307+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The children always sat on the periphery watching us, without so much as a word or a request for us to share.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Each of us was captivated and enthralled by the kids. Happy! Smiling! and full of fun. You could hear their sense of humor even though we could not understand what they were saying. And they hung around us the whole time. They didn't need entertaining, just acknowledgement and once they got used to us and our ways, our cameras and Gary's painting. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTWRVHJh8A/U9MZVZs-pSI/AAAAAAAAEsU/BAzytMWuGow/s1600/DSCN0395+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTWRVHJh8A/U9MZVZs-pSI/AAAAAAAAEsU/BAzytMWuGow/s1600/DSCN0395+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzC0zc085DU/U-FuFszi7wI/AAAAAAAAEwU/C-0v8K6pO1E/s1600/DSCN0336+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzC0zc085DU/U-FuFszi7wI/AAAAAAAAEwU/C-0v8K6pO1E/s1600/DSCN0336+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AuUt32q__ig/U-FqVaQkGxI/AAAAAAAAEtM/jaIMyVFa9KY/s1600/DSCN0213+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AuUt32q__ig/U-FqVaQkGxI/AAAAAAAAEtM/jaIMyVFa9KY/s1600/DSCN0213+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A trip out to see the workings of the village. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDCmOqLNQdw/U-FqXhy76lI/AAAAAAAAEtc/OsIZtMqlzYk/s1600/DSCN0218+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kDCmOqLNQdw/U-FqXhy76lI/AAAAAAAAEtc/OsIZtMqlzYk/s1600/DSCN0218+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> They do tilapia farming and this in turn, needs fresh running water at all times. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiKgDupQA8/U-FrookedhI/AAAAAAAAEt4/JjpzwOZF9-s/s1600/DSCN0247+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kKiKgDupQA8/U-FrookedhI/AAAAAAAAEt4/JjpzwOZF9-s/s1600/DSCN0247+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>So, build a dam ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everyone pitches in and has specific roles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDBqQolgqiQ/U-FqWQ_y7vI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/H8wwZx7IaGw/s1600/DSCN0223+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDBqQolgqiQ/U-FqWQ_y7vI/AAAAAAAAEtQ/H8wwZx7IaGw/s1600/DSCN0223+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> Directing the workings</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp1H4LQSa-c/U-FqaqdkB3I/AAAAAAAAEtk/zu5Nb3inhbE/s1600/DSCN0224+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp1H4LQSa-c/U-FqaqdkB3I/AAAAAAAAEtk/zu5Nb3inhbE/s1600/DSCN0224+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> everything is done by brute strength</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WpZcG9Ef5A/U-FqbaZaNwI/AAAAAAAAEto/Q2Wh1qWgtC8/s1600/DSCN0236+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6WpZcG9Ef5A/U-FqbaZaNwI/AAAAAAAAEto/Q2Wh1qWgtC8/s1600/DSCN0236+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> gathering sand from the stream to make the cement. This involved washing out the black soil if it was inadvertently gotten</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcNcY1dawlk/U-FrrPEqZoI/AAAAAAAAEuE/rP7oMMp3DJ8/s1600/DSCN0240+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcNcY1dawlk/U-FrrPEqZoI/AAAAAAAAEuE/rP7oMMp3DJ8/s1600/DSCN0240+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLrd-UcDdSc/U-FrrFYpVWI/AAAAAAAAEuA/DL-N80gGZNI/s1600/DSCN0246+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fLrd-UcDdSc/U-FrrFYpVWI/AAAAAAAAEuA/DL-N80gGZNI/s1600/DSCN0246+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> assembly line of sand buckets, all sizes and shapes</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIEbsi3ozNc/U-FsP1-xO5I/AAAAAAAAEus/JnHJl8TIKJc/s1600/DSCN0266+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIEbsi3ozNc/U-FsP1-xO5I/AAAAAAAAEus/JnHJl8TIKJc/s1600/DSCN0266+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> a meeting was held<br />
as honorary "parents" Gary & Peg were then honored. Peg, being the "mother" got the chicken. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vM2BKbqfBTM/U-FsODyXTtI/AAAAAAAAEug/3PESMubRCFs/s1600/DSCN0269+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vM2BKbqfBTM/U-FsODyXTtI/AAAAAAAAEug/3PESMubRCFs/s1600/DSCN0269+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> After much talk and guffawing, it was decided to cook it tomorrow and invite others. It also would give us a chance to see schima in the making.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Throughout the day many photo opportunities presented themselves...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNBLC2NWKqA/U-FrtIJVulI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/Bvl8D15Qntc/s1600/DSCN0255+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNBLC2NWKqA/U-FrtIJVulI/AAAAAAAAEuQ/Bvl8D15Qntc/s1600/DSCN0255+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxTV8vAxPhQ/U-FruZUdnaI/AAAAAAAAEuY/8n60JzHcItg/s1600/DSCN0258+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GxTV8vAxPhQ/U-FruZUdnaI/AAAAAAAAEuY/8n60JzHcItg/s1600/DSCN0258+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> sometimes we got a little too exuberant</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWn9xme9wrQ/U-FsPe_CMnI/AAAAAAAAEuo/gFKB9aZK-mw/s1600/DSCN0264+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bWn9xme9wrQ/U-FsPe_CMnI/AAAAAAAAEuo/gFKB9aZK-mw/s1600/DSCN0264+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> We were asked to take photos of whole family groups</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B--F2TJygto/U-FpxHmD1CI/AAAAAAAAEs8/PLm6kxtVakM/s1600/DSCN0208+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B--F2TJygto/U-FpxHmD1CI/AAAAAAAAEs8/PLm6kxtVakM/s1600/DSCN0208+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5uM7do2Q2A/U-FpypUYcFI/AAAAAAAAEtE/uf54691Ghyw/s1600/DSCN0210+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5uM7do2Q2A/U-FpypUYcFI/AAAAAAAAEtE/uf54691Ghyw/s1600/DSCN0210+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ciIYZvpVeM/U-FuAnq4vPI/AAAAAAAAEv0/gZ_cqT_WML4/s1600/DSCN0311+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ciIYZvpVeM/U-FuAnq4vPI/AAAAAAAAEv0/gZ_cqT_WML4/s1600/DSCN0311+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> It was an honor to be allowed to have our photos taken with the villagers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some people came in from out side of the village to be presented to us and to visit. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqRV5-gP3eI/U-FuBAp8ReI/AAAAAAAAEv4/lsp6dGMOP50/s1600/DSCN0313+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqRV5-gP3eI/U-FuBAp8ReI/AAAAAAAAEv4/lsp6dGMOP50/s1600/DSCN0313+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbpIVkOCGE/U-FuBWwlskI/AAAAAAAAEwA/4mBaAriVono/s1600/DSCN0319+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7gbpIVkOCGE/U-FuBWwlskI/AAAAAAAAEwA/4mBaAriVono/s1600/DSCN0319+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
We had brought gifts for the villagers, including skipping ropes for the kids. Not only did the kids enjoy them, so did the adults. Of course, we had to try them out ourselves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZtoxXYo5bM/U-FsRD_t8mI/AAAAAAAAEu4/-u6pC-gEqCc/s1600/DSCN0285+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bZtoxXYo5bM/U-FsRD_t8mI/AAAAAAAAEu4/-u6pC-gEqCc/s1600/DSCN0285+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amxAooGJ_wI/U-Fto9Cp3rI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/_MBgLqObjnA/s1600/DSCN0288+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-amxAooGJ_wI/U-Fto9Cp3rI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/_MBgLqObjnA/s1600/DSCN0288+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mo9tngUo8/U-FtocsCYLI/AAAAAAAAEvM/BKW0DLUSJC4/s1600/DSCN0298+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x5mo9tngUo8/U-FtocsCYLI/AAAAAAAAEvM/BKW0DLUSJC4/s1600/DSCN0298+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8FLrSOsIgQ/U-Fto8zhMjI/AAAAAAAAEvU/6teW_l8GxDc/s1600/DSCN0299+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8FLrSOsIgQ/U-Fto8zhMjI/AAAAAAAAEvU/6teW_l8GxDc/s1600/DSCN0299+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGqfDCJBrlw/U-FtrcTjimI/AAAAAAAAEvk/QeqS-tRDevA/s1600/DSCN0304+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGqfDCJBrlw/U-FtrcTjimI/AAAAAAAAEvk/QeqS-tRDevA/s1600/DSCN0304+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXd2lTIe63k/U-FsSrWwLMI/AAAAAAAAEvA/83aFroSZBjw/s1600/DSCN0286+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXd2lTIe63k/U-FsSrWwLMI/AAAAAAAAEvA/83aFroSZBjw/s1600/DSCN0286+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Travis' namesake, "little Travis" and his father, Travis' host bro.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umvphvx7jeo/U-FuDgGY_cI/AAAAAAAAEwM/mUDcyvcLnXM/s1600/DSCN0323+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-umvphvx7jeo/U-FuDgGY_cI/AAAAAAAAEwM/mUDcyvcLnXM/s1600/DSCN0323+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We knew we had been accepted, the women sat up the hair salon as they "visited/watched"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsXEp3uw2kU/U-FuISAYlEI/AAAAAAAAEwc/IknX-o5mvTQ/s1600/DSCN0342+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsXEp3uw2kU/U-FuISAYlEI/AAAAAAAAEwc/IknX-o5mvTQ/s1600/DSCN0342+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It looks so simple,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhe0iBHY9pg/U-FuKKx2IDI/AAAAAAAAEwo/-O1vZ1ZEdZc/s1600/DSCN0348+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhe0iBHY9pg/U-FuKKx2IDI/AAAAAAAAEwo/-O1vZ1ZEdZc/s1600/DSCN0348+copy.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZWMKbzlnNc/U-FuJW7B7MI/AAAAAAAAEwk/bwcnfRPE46w/s1600/DSCN0344+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kZWMKbzlnNc/U-FuJW7B7MI/AAAAAAAAEwk/bwcnfRPE46w/s1600/DSCN0344+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> but Gary will attest to the fact that it isn't.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our host, Travis' host mom.</div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ez-FV6mpNKY/U-FtsfFsulI/AAAAAAAAEvs/Fj_hO0-xdLo/s1600/DSCN0309+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ez-FV6mpNKY/U-FtsfFsulI/AAAAAAAAEvs/Fj_hO0-xdLo/s1600/DSCN0309+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
By the end of the day we were beat. What a day it had been. Time for showering/baths. Danny and I opted to bath in the river while Peggy & Gary opted for the sun shower.<br />
<br />
Oh my, but this is getting long. On to the next page ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-6092860311652421102014-06-16T17:28:00.000-05:002014-07-24T23:36:35.555-05:00On the road, by bus againANOTHER BUS RIDE:<br />
Yes, another 6+ hour bus ride ... Stopping along the way while walking to the bus station, the men enjoyed another grocery shopping experience while the two ladies went on to the station with the luggage. Watching the goings on in a bus station, especially one like that one, offered a myriad of people watching experiences.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSDZgG3Zu8M/U9F1zoyLMvI/AAAAAAAAEoY/-RYKFypSqNQ/s1600/IMG_2820+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSDZgG3Zu8M/U9F1zoyLMvI/AAAAAAAAEoY/-RYKFypSqNQ/s1600/IMG_2820+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> As the buses came and went, so did the crowds of people</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MidBBBpfZEk/U9F1qjJRW3I/AAAAAAAAEoI/B22rVuWLdLE/s1600/IMG_2822+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MidBBBpfZEk/U9F1qjJRW3I/AAAAAAAAEoI/B22rVuWLdLE/s1600/IMG_2822+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> an open-air hairdresser [see the hairdryer on the left] She is sitting on a bucket with goop of some sort in her hair, waiting for who knows what</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2l-a1f4l5A/U9F1q0wdyKI/AAAAAAAAEoM/wf_GnVniW68/s1600/IMG_2824+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c2l-a1f4l5A/U9F1q0wdyKI/AAAAAAAAEoM/wf_GnVniW68/s1600/IMG_2824+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> I continue to be impressed with this manner of transporting little ones. I can not even imagine slinging them around like they do and it seems like they do it until the child is far older than he/she should be for carrying around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As it turned out, our reservation was for only 1 person and not the 5 of us, so we were left high and dry as the bus left. Our only option was to try and find other means of transportation for this 6+ hr ride. Travis, Danny and Gary trudged all around the station, trying one minivan or bus after another. Nothing available. So we had to wait for the 2:30pm bus. Another anticipated daytime arrival thwarted, leaving us to arrive in the dark. This time however, we were faced with an ~1.5hr walk after our arrival: to then be done in the dark. So be it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally our departure arrived, 3:30pm, and another scramble to get seats on the bus. The bus was full but would wax and wane with the stops that were made. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7seIC4tvJ0/U9HXHn33pWI/AAAAAAAAEpM/X2_lqmipVOk/s1600/DSCN0293+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E7seIC4tvJ0/U9HXHn33pWI/AAAAAAAAEpM/X2_lqmipVOk/s1600/DSCN0293+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> It doesn't look too bad here however all seats were taken. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRR3N78dbA8/U9HXIAfiEDI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/Q7jy3kbt1r8/s1600/IMG_2802+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRR3N78dbA8/U9HXIAfiEDI/AAAAAAAAEpQ/Q7jy3kbt1r8/s1600/IMG_2802+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> standing room only even if carrying a child.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time we managed a little bit better. We could actually see the goings on outside of the bus in each of the little stops along the way during the daylight hours, as well as a little of the countryside. It has it's own beauty even though I am not a fan of dry yellow, golds and browns with the occasional green thrown in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcVoQi7d9z4/U9HUeV4YwaI/AAAAAAAAEo4/xBKGkadx5C8/s1600/IMG_2825+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vcVoQi7d9z4/U9HUeV4YwaI/AAAAAAAAEo4/xBKGkadx5C8/s1600/IMG_2825+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> a small stop along the way </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9KiGDO_d7o/U9HXHkNYYtI/AAAAAAAAEpE/uQkxvGfQd0U/s1600/IMG_2796+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9KiGDO_d7o/U9HXHkNYYtI/AAAAAAAAEpE/uQkxvGfQd0U/s1600/IMG_2796+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> and another</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f2OxBmEl9I/U9HXHm0RtdI/AAAAAAAAEpI/oXGlTFPoM-k/s1600/IMG_2799+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6f2OxBmEl9I/U9HXHm0RtdI/AAAAAAAAEpI/oXGlTFPoM-k/s1600/IMG_2799+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> loading</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkTV3YqO9Pg/U9HYNAsGjbI/AAAAAAAAEpk/3n6x8OjA-9A/s1600/IMG_2804+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkTV3YqO9Pg/U9HYNAsGjbI/AAAAAAAAEpk/3n6x8OjA-9A/s1600/IMG_2804+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> one of many schools seen along the roadside</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLoI0AD-EXI/U9HYNI4D8KI/AAAAAAAAEpo/xeJz-qZGPQA/s1600/IMG_2806+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLoI0AD-EXI/U9HYNI4D8KI/AAAAAAAAEpo/xeJz-qZGPQA/s1600/IMG_2806+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> often times only vegetation was seen</div>
a<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zWLvWaelfM/U9F160NU_UI/AAAAAAAAEog/Dp9jLzgbVA8/s1600/IMG_2826+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zWLvWaelfM/U9F160NU_UI/AAAAAAAAEog/Dp9jLzgbVA8/s1600/IMG_2826+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> These tall towers are actually ant/termite mounds<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During the trip we discovered that the grocery bags with our food for the trip and our time in the village actually got left somewhere. Oops ... cookies/bisuits only on the bus.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We finally off-loaded from the bus on a small patch of tarmac in Samtaba, in the deep dark of night, only 5 hours behind schedule. Even so, we were met by Travis' host dad, brother and another member of the village as well as bicycle. A bicycle? Whatever for? Imagine our surprise when they loaded all our suitcases on the back rack of the bicycle and headed off down the path. Wow, we didn't have to manhandle our cases after all. Heading off int the dark and unknown, I was pleases and pleasantly surprised to find us walking under a bright full moon. One doesn't realize just how much light comes from a full moon until one is walking in an area without light pollution of any kind. It was a fantastic 1.5 hr walk, filled with wonderful conversation and absolutely no fear of the surroundings. The shadows did some opportunity for one;s imagination to run wild and it took me a while to realize that the dark areas on the path weren't puddles of water to be avoided, but rather the shadows cast by the trees found on the side of the trail with the moon behind them. The trail was wide and flat offering few obstacles as we walked. The dark also masked the topographical aspects of the walk and you only knew that you were going up or downhill by your actions or lack thereof.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not knowing how the villagers would react to having photos taken so early in the visit, a photo of the group following the bicycle was not gotten. Gary, however, made a drawing that says it all. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jDobiwZrpg/U9Ha2wON6uI/AAAAAAAAEps/om3p8IDPubo/s1600/bike-loaded-with-luggage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3jDobiwZrpg/U9Ha2wON6uI/AAAAAAAAEps/om3p8IDPubo/s1600/bike-loaded-with-luggage.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a> thanks Gary (<a href="http://panampg.x10.mx/wp/blog/slideshow-of-the-pieces-i-did-in-tanzania-and-zambia-completed-to-date/">http://panampg.x10.mx/wp/blog/slideshow-of-the-pieces-i-did-in-tanzania-and-zambia-completed-to-date/</a> )</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we came within the vocal calling range of the first of the two local villages we were met with shouts and greetings. The whole of the first village came out to greet us with handshakes and hugs, songs and clapping. Wow, what a way to say to "hello, welcome". This, Travis explained, is not my village but a village comprised of one family group, a breakaway so to speak of his village. A short interlude and off we were walking again. Down a steep decline and and as we climbed up an ever steeper incline we were once again met by even more shouting, clapping, singing and hugging. This seemed to go on for ever and involved everyone of all ages from the village, including the young teen males. (they got a kick out of hugging us as much as the girls and adults - where was the youthful embarrassment?) It took forever to walk from the trail into the area in front of Travis' house - an area filled with laughing, singing and generally excited people of all ages. Here we were treated to a welcoming ceremony of proportions I had never before experienced. They were genuinely excited to meet us and have us visit them. One can not even begin to describe the emotions evoked by this welcome. All to soon, Travis explained to them that we were very tired and were going to retire. As quickly as it began, it ended and the front "yard" was devoid of people. Man were they silent in their movements. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Retiring to the house, P&G to the bedroom, Travis to the sofa, we put up our tent on the porch and the day was over ... sleep came quickly and completely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-834103121304604741.post-27076734169588266362014-06-11T09:18:00.000-05:002014-07-24T16:02:57.629-05:00SolweziSolwezi, a dot on the map, found in the North-West provence of Zambia, is actually the capital of this provence. Wow, who would have guessed. Of course, we were here on a Sunday which slowed the environment down considerably. Still, could we have been only in an outer lying part of the city? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eG9g2mzjAAg/U9FeHhPI4VI/AAAAAAAAEmI/oHVtZmScZUk/s1600/IMG_2791+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eG9g2mzjAAg/U9FeHhPI4VI/AAAAAAAAEmI/oHVtZmScZUk/s1600/IMG_2791+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>There did not seem to be any indication that this was a bustling capital of 65,000 inhabitants. One could definitely not call it a pretty town but rather a dusty, dry town bustling with the day to day normal life and activities of its inhabitants along a linear pathway on either side of the highway or "tarmac" as it was called. I like what Bradt guide book has to say "Solwezi doesn't have any cellphone access for foreign mobile phones [[sic]nor for Zambian chips], but their are land lines here - including public phones at the main post office, on the main road near ShopRite." [yeah, but what about when there on the weekend?] "On the main road the Internet Center, somewhat paradoxically, has the only email access. Even that doesn't always work, [and never on the weekend]..." Yup, in a nutshell.</div>
<br />
However, a walking tour, guided by Travis, showed us a more picturesque part of the area. Being a Sunday the market itself was not in full swing but enough of the vendors were in attendance to give us some insight into the workings, sights and sounds. A photo however, did not allow for passing on those sights, smells and sounds other than what occurred in that photographic micro-minute.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSt7ONxTvZ8/U9FgEg3C95I/AAAAAAAAEmU/6xGuj8XLmcE/s1600/IMG_2794+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSt7ONxTvZ8/U9FgEg3C95I/AAAAAAAAEmU/6xGuj8XLmcE/s1600/IMG_2794+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> many of the vendors were closed</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1y7p3HLcWw/U9FgIrFqEbI/AAAAAAAAEmk/eWAMNE0ZHOw/s1600/IMG_2796+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1y7p3HLcWw/U9FgIrFqEbI/AAAAAAAAEmk/eWAMNE0ZHOw/s1600/IMG_2796+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> deep fried caterpillars anyone?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbhSC8bVpA/U9FgE0iVi3I/AAAAAAAAEmY/awnX0LAsFy0/s1600/IMG_2797+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbhSC8bVpA/U9FgE0iVi3I/AAAAAAAAEmY/awnX0LAsFy0/s1600/IMG_2797+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> outdoor vendors, mostly food stuffs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ieFY7ojTM1w/U9FgS7ueRRI/AAAAAAAAEms/64PYmo5CjJo/s1600/IMG_2800+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ieFY7ojTM1w/U9FgS7ueRRI/AAAAAAAAEms/64PYmo5CjJo/s1600/IMG_2800+copy.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a> these teeny silver fish were dried</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvu2pAn7J2o/U9FinHUkF4I/AAAAAAAAEnI/NITtIn651m4/s1600/IMG_2802+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvu2pAn7J2o/U9FinHUkF4I/AAAAAAAAEnI/NITtIn651m4/s1600/IMG_2802+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> home made bricks for sale. Many places where they are made were seen along the roads traveled</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JIa68oy8Vg/U9FigZ6nmQI/AAAAAAAAEm4/FSdY1q2WKlw/s1600/IMG_2806+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JIa68oy8Vg/U9FigZ6nmQI/AAAAAAAAEm4/FSdY1q2WKlw/s1600/IMG_2806+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> lots of greens being sold. Did the US's South love of greens come over with the African slaves?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY45J0kOI00/U9FimBHBHhI/AAAAAAAAEnA/-isUJVWQHIk/s1600/IMG_2807+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY45J0kOI00/U9FimBHBHhI/AAAAAAAAEnA/-isUJVWQHIk/s1600/IMG_2807+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> not a lot of people in the market today</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4qzxgXkPXQ/U9FisVG2NzI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/2AFgLcJlNFM/s1600/IMG_2809+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I4qzxgXkPXQ/U9FisVG2NzI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/2AFgLcJlNFM/s1600/IMG_2809+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> trying sweet potatoes cooked over an open fire - a totally different taste from those in the US</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwEzbJv7hnY/U9FiwPacLzI/AAAAAAAAEnY/kNtWSicioGs/s1600/IMG_2812+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwEzbJv7hnY/U9FiwPacLzI/AAAAAAAAEnY/kNtWSicioGs/s1600/IMG_2812+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> Peggy looking for a new watch with Travis trying to convince her of a purchase - there were many street vendors with suitcases filled with watches of all kinds</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Being "gringos" and not many around, we accumulated many "new friends", all of whom wanted something or needed something, but what really came down to "money" and that they wanted you to give them some. Some were easily sent off while others were quite persisted, like this fellow with Danny:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shSK6VHyNZA/U9FlHonrTqI/AAAAAAAAEno/4eYr-eZYz3M/s1600/IMG_2813+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shSK6VHyNZA/U9FlHonrTqI/AAAAAAAAEno/4eYr-eZYz3M/s1600/IMG_2813+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Later, another visit to the PC way house where PCVs were coming in for a mandatory meeting. Yup, they were certainly coming in:<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0zwLej2oQPY/U9FlGiLeWAI/AAAAAAAAEnk/OI7wDx9MPAM/s1600/IMG_2815+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0zwLej2oQPY/U9FlGiLeWAI/AAAAAAAAEnk/OI7wDx9MPAM/s1600/IMG_2815+copy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> A wonderful experience making one reminisce about and possibly even wishing to be back in the swing of things. This thought however, did not last long, especially as we trudged down the streets back to the guesthouse, knowing that we only had snacks to eat, no place to go to buy anything, nor a welcoming hot shower.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow we head out on another bus ride to close to Mwinilunga, to visit with Travis. We have bus reservations for the 11:30am bus thanks to Travis and will have lots of time to get some groceries for the trip and the stay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPgOXaVYCVo/U9F0QIV5JII/AAAAAAAAEn8/AwM7f6TrGhk/s1600/IMG_2763+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPgOXaVYCVo/U9F0QIV5JII/AAAAAAAAEn8/AwM7f6TrGhk/s1600/IMG_2763+copy.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> Do you think that you would like to live like this again? Ummmmm, I don't know ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10405003802859731519noreply@blogger.com0