Goodbye, Colorado
We left Colorado for 2013 heading NE on I-76, picking up I-80 east at the Nebraska border. After spending a night in central Nebraska, we traveled across Iowa camping near Iowa City.



Sibling Stop
We stopped in eastern Iowa where my brother and two sisters drove down to meet us for dinner. It had been three years since our last get together, so it was great catching up.



Good Friends
Our next stop was to visit good friends who live NW of Chicago. All was fun, but the Kids especially liked the boat ride. Even though we explained the concept of fresh water to the Pups, Mitzy continued to hunt for dolphins. :’>







Door County
We had planned on heading down to the Homer Glen area to visit some other good friends. However, the weather forecast was not favorable for us going around the bottom of Lake Michigan. Hence, we headed north, stopping for two nights in Door County--the Wisconsin peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. We had a wonderful time driving/walking around this very pretty area.







Mackinaw Morning
From Door County we headed west to the town of Green Bay, and then north into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, taking Highway 2 east along Lake Michigan. After crossing the Mackinaw Bridge, we set up camp in Mackinaw City. The next morning, the pre-dawn sky was the rusty color of old trucks. I grabbed my camera, a couple of lenses, and Gorrilapod to take some pics. Just me and the seagulls.

Here are a few shots taken in pre-dawn light and a 30-second video clip.













Back to the Sleeping Bear
From Mackinaw City we headed south on I-75, at Gaylord we took 32 east and then snaked over to 131 via County Road C42. We took 72 west to Empire, and then north to D.H. Day Campground.



It was great to be back! We spent two months camp hosting here last year, and have returned to assume our old role. All of our previous camp-host friends from last year are here, as well as most of the professional and fun campground staff. Looking forward to a great stay.

Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.





Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks I shot along the way.











See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Old Signs, Old Trucks, Nature Photography

On to Breckinridge
From Highline Lake State Park, we rambled down to I-70 and headed east on one of the most picturesque interstates in the entire country. We arrived with snow-topped mountains surrounding us as we camped at 9,100 feet and 34 degrees.

Colorado Trail Hike
Adjoining the campground is a segment of the Colorado Trail, so at dawn one morning I hiked the steep trail for a two-hour round trip.

Return to Denver
Monday it was back to Denver, where we set up camp at Cherry Creek Park.

Quick Trip to Chicago
Tuesday morning I flew to Chicago where I spent most of the week working with a good client.

Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.





Slug Bug
While hunting old trucks we ran across this old VW bug.



Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks with both rust and style.











See you next week.

Tags: Old Cars, Old Trucks, Old Signs, Colorado

Salida to Buena Vista
If you like the outdoors, the area in Colorado we have been staying (Salida/Buena Vista) is just about Nirvana: rafting, hiking, paddling, kayaking, hot springing, goat milking, bingoing, mountain viewing, mountain climbing, duck racing, jeep off-roading, ATVing, fly fishing, and more can all be done via the Arkansas River, National Forests, and really big mountains. The people are colorful as well. Here is a pic of a couple of locals who stopped for “breakfast” at the Coyote Cantina, a joint we frequented.



Duck Race Revenge
Our campground sponsors an annual Memorial Day Duck Race and it is a blast. The rubber ducks navigate a narrow, skinny creek that goes right behind our RV site.

Now, Jan and I are no stranger to duck racing, having been involved in the Calusa Pine Island Duck Race for 15 years. During that time we have bought hundreds of tickets and never won squat. Here at Chalk Creek we both bought one ticket each, and I placed third and Jan won! Yes, young man, persistence does pay off! Here is a shot of Jan the winner and a few more.









PaddleFest
While we were there, Buena Vista hosted its annual PaddleFest.

Paddling Pups
Here are some pics of pups that attended, and one shot of Austie taking his first kayak paddle.











Hamster Balls
As part of the Paddlefest fundraising, there was a “hamster ball” concession, where kids (or anyone) could step into a plastic bag the size of a huge ziplock, have it blown up with air to form a ball, then be pushed into a pool of water and try to run like a hamster on a treadmill. Here is grandson Austie giving it a try.





Move to Crawford
After the Memorial Day crowds had dispersed, on Tuesday we broke camp and motored our way south from Nathan on 285 South, turning west on U.S. 50 at Poncha Springs, stopping at Gunnison for subs, continuing on through the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Instead of following the most direct route, we picked up 92, going west and north along the West Elk Scenic Byway and the east side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The mountain roads where as crooked as a politician in an election year. Snowy mountains, gurgling creeks, greening hills, and black and deep canyons bordered our way the last 30 miles until we set up camp at Crawford State Park.













Black Canyon East Side
Late afternoon we drove the dozen miles to the east side of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park where we took a short hike and then drove the park road stopping at overlooks. This is one impressive gorge. We’d been to the west side twice before, but this side is superior--great views and very little traffic.



Black Canyon Hike
Early one morning we drove to the North Rim Ranger station to hike four miles at 7,700 feet on the North Vista Trail, going to Exclamation Point and back. On the way we saw deer and elk. The muddy trail took us through meadows and woods with several vistas overlooking the canyon. We shared the experience with bunnies, chips, meadow larks, magpies, and falcons as we wandered among lupine, larkspur, early paint, cannis, spring beauty, false lupine, and flowering cactus. There were no other humans in sight.













Foxes at Play
On the ride back to camp, we ran across six young foxes playing alongside the road. I was lucky enough to get a few shots of these playful pups as we watched them romp for a couple minutes.



Back to Highline Lake State Park
Two years ago we camp hosted at Highline Lake State Park about 30 miles northwest of Grand Junction, close to the Utah border. While there, we made great friends with our camp host colleagues and wanted to see them again. To get there, we decided to once again take the road less traveled, taking 65 North, the Grand Mesa Skyway.







After setting up camp at Highline, we reminisced over dinner and s’mores over a campfire. The next morning, I hiked the trail around Highline Lake along with my small buddies, Mitzy and Jerry.







Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.





Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks from Colorado.











See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Colorado, Buena Vista, Crawford, Gunnison National Park, Black Canyon, Highline Lake Park, Old Trucks, Old Signs

If you like to hunt and shoot old trucks, it is great to be in Colorado! Forty-eight new beauties have been added to the collection this week. See the last section of this blog post for a few of the distinguished old girls.

Over 7,700 feet in elevation, the mornings started cool in the low 40s, working up to high 60s/low 70s later in the day. We had an excellent variety of weather: calm and sunny, cold and windy, snowy and sleety, and thundering and lightning. Here is a view from our campground and a view of fishermen right behind our coach.





Sunday Truck Hunting Day
I took Sunday off, and by 8:15 a.m. Jan, the Pups, and I were out the door and in the car hunting old trucks and other good photo ops. We went west to Poncha, and then took highways, scenic byways, gravel and dirt roads north, east, west, south, and back, hard on the scent of rusted steel.



Scenics
Our constant guardians, the Collegiate Peaks, were always in the background, and their snowy tops combining with pillowy clouds and perfect light made for some pretty scenic photos.





We eventually made our way up to highway 24 and took that east, stopping off at the Antero Reservoir.

Antero Reservoir
The Antero Reservoir is deep blue water surrounded by mountains. Wrapping our coats up tight, we got out to enjoy the view. Here is that handsome devil Jerry breathing in the scenery.



Hartsel Lunch Break
At noon we stopped for lunch at the best place in Hartsel (the only place in Hartsel) and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of our meals (Jan had the burrito and I had the house special). Here is a shot of Cindy, the bartender/waitress/hostess/busboy/cashier (however, I don’t think she cooked).



Monday Mountain Thunder
I worked all day Monday, but late afternoon it was time for a family drive. We took the back roads and found more old trucks. In the outskirts of Salida, I took a few shots. Here is a fun one of a big smokestack from a smelting plant long closed down.



National Forest
After exploring the town, we took a county road that turned into a forest road--left and right, down and up, over and back in the San Isabel National Forest. We found the remnants of an old town called Turret and drove through blowing snow to view the mountains being engulfed in dark clouds lit by the occasional bolt of lightning. Every few minutes the almost-spooky quiet was interrupted by thunder that started as a moaning growl, grew to a rhythmic rumble, and then crescendoed into an angry bellow that commanded both respect and a little fear to all within earshot. Here the term “awesome” does perfectly apply.



Afternoon Trips
Cottonwood Pass
One late-afternoon family excursion took us up to Cottonwood Pass. At over 12,000 feet, spring had not yet sprung, and there was enough snow to fool you into thinking it was still February. Here are a couple pics from this trip.





Critters
Here are a few shots of pups and other critters.









Old Signs
Here are three old signs that Jan selected and I shot.







Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks (the others I shot are in the Old Truck Reserve for future weeks when the hunting is scarce).











See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Old Trucks, Antero Reservoir, Hartsel, San Isabel National Forest, Cottonwood Pass, Old Signs, Old Signs

In the Air
A busy business week started Sunday and ended Saturday with trips to Baltimore and Dallas. I had two excellent sessions with fun services personnel from a software client. Mostly my views on this trip were of flight attendants, hotel lobbies, and conference tables, but I did get to see some intriguing vistas outside my airplane windows, and the sharp crack of lightning striking the port wing widened some passengers’ eyes to the size of serving plates at an Amish restaurant.

Flights were smooth except for one glitch: A mechanical problem caused by a running toilet motor that wouldn’t stop triggered enough delay so that I could not get back until Saturday. Oh, well…



Baltimore Inner Harbor
My hotel in Baltimore was located in the Inner Harbor, so I did have a chance to enjoy a stroll or two by the water.





Move the Bus
Finally back to the motorhome, we broke camp at the Colorado Horse Park Saturday around 1 p.m. and took an enjoyable trip a couple hundred miles to our next location. Jan piloted the bus south on Colorado 83 and I-25 down to Colorado Springs. On Colorado 115, we drove by the area we stayed at last year among the smoke from the huge wildfire. We continued on down to Canon City, home site of the Royal Gorge, then ambled along side the Arkansas River another 60 some miles.



Salida
We are parked at the 4 Seasons RV Park, just three miles east of Salida. This is a magnificent location, as BERT’s (Big Expensive Road Traveler) behind almost hangs over the Arkansas River, while our view from the front of the coach is the Collegiate Peaks, home of eight of Colorado’s 14ers (mountains over 14,000 feet). Here is a shot of our campsite and a picture of a couple boaters floating down the river taken from our picnic table.





It is going to be a great stay!

Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks--two were parked at our campground.







See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Salida, 4 Seasons RV Park

Baseball Game
Sunday was a “boys-only” Colorado Rockies game. They lost to the Rays, but the weather was pleasant, the hot dogs were tasty, and our third-base view was a fun location for photography.









Quick Trip to New Orleans
I had a quick trip early in the week to New Orleans were I facilitated the U.S. pilot of a new engagement. Smart, fun group--should be a great project.

Redheads and Bubbles
Of course, we had a few times during the week to enjoy the grandkids. Here are pics of Austie and friends going red, Natty in the tub, Natty ‘fessing up, and Natty hanging with Charlie the Pug. And, here is a comic pic of Aaron doing some deep reflection on his future.

















Prairie Dog Hike
Late in the week the frost disappeared, the temperature rose, and the skies transitioned from rainy gray to vibrant blue. Jan and I took our first 2013 hike in Colorado, traipsing four miles among gentle hills with first spring flowers making their debut poking up reds, whites, and violets against the brown of the earth. Birds of all denominations sang for us and the brilliant plumage of bluebirds darted across the sky like smoke in a breeze.



The hike highlight, though, was a solid mile path right through the most impressive prairie dog town I have ever seen! Well-fed prairie dogs of varying sizes and hues greeted us at the rim of their dens chirping out their intruder alarm. Many times we were within 15 feet before these guardians of the plains scampered down their holes. In case you did not know, our rat terrier, Jerry, loves prairie dogs. He has leapt out of our car window to get close to these large, mobile gophers.

As Jerry tugged at his leash like a sailor weighing anchor, he sometimes drug Jan right to the top of the varmints’ dens. Standing proudly erect like a marine out of boot camp, a broad smile etched on his chiseled face as ripples of pleasure moved up and down his well-muscled physique. I don’ think life gets any better than this for a rat terrier. ☺



Hunting Old Trucks
Late one afternoon we piled into the car and headed east in a search of old trucks. There were dark clouds all around us as we drove through the occasional rain shower and watched a stray bolt or two of lightning dance across the horizon--perfect weather for photography! Here are a couple of old trucks from our hunt, plus a cool old truck sign.







See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Colorado Rockies Baseball, Old Trucks, prairie dogs

Fun Time, Full Time
Now that the house is behind us…



…we took off Sunday morning, heading out on the 2,000-mile journey north from St. James City, through Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, and on to Parker. Colorado, Friday afternoon as planned.









For the most part, our first full week of full-timing was uneventful with the usual road construction and a couple detours. However, we did experience the coldest, snowiest May day for 107 years across Kansas.



Coach Cat
Our efforts to find Chico, our 15-year-old, Mexican-born cat, a new home proved unsuccessful (many thanks to those of you who attempted to find him a home), so we brought him with us. I had envisioned cat-dog fights, hours of endless meowing, and unanticipated hassles. I could not have been more wrong. Chico adapted to coach life like a goat in a landfill. He now acts like he owns the place!



Birthday Bash
We arrived in time celebrate both grandkids’ birthdays. Here is a shot of Austin playing with his buddies, and Natty and her Mom.







Old Trucks
Here are a couple of old trucks for your review.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, pet photography, Old Trucks

Trip to Chicago
I spent most of the week in Chicago, working with a client in helping to launch a big engagement.

Day One: Hour by hour, worse and worse
Our launch team consisted of great people, and Day One went well. However, as the day progressed in length, my voice recessed in volume. By the end of our session, my vocabulary was reduced to teenager speak--a few grunts and groans separated by chunks of silence. That evening was even worse--ordering dinner at the hotel was an ordeal for me and my waitress, as my tools of communication were limited to fingerpointing and head nodding. I went to bed pondering how I was to facilitate Day Two, and even more disturbing, I had a presentation to give on Day Three to people from around the country. A consultant without a voice is like an artist without a brush--quite difficult to do the job!

Day Two: Thank goodness for technology and high-school typing
I felt that the only way I could give a speech on Day Three was to rest my voice during all of Day Two. Yet, I still had an important assignment to complete. Luckily, the stars aligned. My client has a great set-up in their conference rooms where you can directly hook your laptop into a large HD TV on the wall. You can switch quickly to different documents much faster than with a traditional projector.

In addition, back in 1970 I took a class in high school on typing, and was able to do quite well. This combination of technology and learned skills (plus patience and understanding on the part of the others on the team) allowed Day Two to be successful. As the rest of the group talked, I was able to type out suggestions and respond to questions relatively quickly. I was happy with the outcome, but exhausted as I headed back, took an early dinner, and went to bed hoping my voice would return for the next day.

Day Three: The Great Flood
I awoke, cautiously tried my voice, and determined that it had improved to 80% intelligible and only 20% garble--I could give my talk! Feeling good, I walked through the cold pelting rain into the rental car of my Swiss colleague. As we pulled up to the frontage road, we gazed upon the flooded areas and our only road of escape that was covered by a couple feet of water racing like the rapids on a raft float. Ahead was an abandoned car in the median and a quarter mile of rushing water between us and the main road. As we drove/floated through the running water, I was picturing us barefoot and shivering, holding our bags over our head, trying to keep our balance as we trudged from our abandoned car. Not to worry, we made it safe and sound with a good story to tell.* The speech went well, and after some flying delays due to the horrific weather I made it home that evening.

*I left after my presentation, however, the other members of my team and scores of others had to be rescued from the hotel by trucks later in the day as the flooding forced the closure of the Marriott.

Weekly Photos
Alas, this week I only produced one photo worth sharing. Here is an airplane window shot at sunset somewhere over Georgia.



However, just for fun, I pulled out some old pre-blog shots from different locations that you might find interesting. Let me know if you can guess where they were taken.













Old Trucks
Here are two not-published old truck pics.





See you next week.

P.S. Motoring Across America 2013 is getting closer!

Tags: travel photography, portrait photography, pet photography, Nature Photography

Quick Trip to DC
I had a super three-day session with a great client in DC. While there, a record was set for the highest temperature in 90 years (94 degrees) and the highest pollen count (at least I think it had to be a record)--there is a downside to cherry blossoms, you know.

Around the Island
It is getting quieter on the Island as the Snowbirds fly (or drive) back up North. Here are pics of a staring osprey, a beautiful weed, and Mitzy in the meadow.







Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Easter Eggs
Easter Sunday started with a traditional egg hunt, and our four searchers (Austin, Natalie, Mitzy, and Jerry) emerged victorious, finding all 39 of the hidden eggs. Natalie put on her new kimono in honor of the holiday.







Watching Whales
A family trip to SeaWorld was a delight in the deep, with all sorts of aquatic action and marine mischief. My favorite is always the Shamu Show. The grandkids and their parents liked it all.







Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Sea World, Old Trucks

Shakedown Sortie
In anticipation of our upcoming Motoring Across America, we took the motorhome up to Apopka (NE of Orlando). Everything seems to be running great except for the small anticipated issues of a house that goes 70 miles an hour. Our campsite was comfortable and the campground had all the basics (cable TV, WiFi, pool, playground, and so on). A big plus is that it is five minutes away from relatives.



















Doing Disney
Our son, Aaron, and our daughter-in-law, Kelly, brought almost six-year-old Austin and almost one-year-old Natalie to Disney to take in all the action at the Mouse. Grandma and Grandpa did a day at Magic Kingdom and a day at Epcot (with a day of recovery in between). I have never seen so many strollers and Big Ears in my life! Everyone had a wonderful time.













Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Walt Disney World, Camping, Old Trucks

Around the Island
A busy week on the Island with the Snow Birds in full swing and Island happenings as plentiful as billboards in Georgia.

New housing is finally up this year as the recovery slowly progresses. All is well.









Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Pine Island, Old Trucks

Around the Island
Out on walks, we discovered a Muscovy duck and her brood, and the Kids were fascinated by a Gopher Tortoise ( I was able to capture her as she entered her den).





Quick Trip to Chicago
I flew to Chicago to give a keynote speech, however, I had a few hours to walk around the city to take a few shots. If I got bored working in my room, I just opened the curtain to watch the crane operator--he was at eye level. Now there is a guy with a fun job!











Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.













Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Hot and muggy then cool and chilly…the winter weather patterns in Florida vacillated this week like a teenager contemplating a first date. I write this Sunday morning listening to the patter of raindrops on the metal roof--a soothing rhythm that offers reassurance that nature is still aligned with the universe.

On a less philosophical note, it was a busy week on the Island doing lots of writing/developing/reviewing/adjusting/enhancing work outputs while seriously planning Motoring Across America ’13. Yes, it is almost time to fire up BERT (our Big Expensive Road Traveler) and head West.

Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.















Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Quick Trip to Boston
I started off the week with a chilly trip to Boston to begin an engagement with a new client. As I walked from my hotel to their office in the biting wind tearing at my coat and through the crunching snow numbing my feet, it reminded me of Florida, only different. Great group, with folks from Germany, France, Spain, Holland, and Sweden.

Take the Long Way Home
We had driven from the island to Apopka (NW of Orlando) so that Jan and the Kids could visit relatives while I was gone. On our drive back, we decide to take the long way home…our wish was granted :’>>>

About 70 miles from home heading southbound on County Road 660 just north of Limestone, I watched with annoyance, then displeasure, then dismay, as the dial on the temperature gauge marched from “C” to “H” faster than Sherman took Atlanta. As the Borg from Star Trek would say, “resistance would be futile,” so I pulled over off the road around 2:40 p.m., looked under the hood, and then turned off the engine. Luckily there was a little shade, as the temperature was around 83 degrees.

Jan pulled up “auto repair, Arcadia FL” on her iPhone, and I talked with Tex, the proprietor of Tex’s Auto Repair. He said he’d do his best to get us up and moving, and he’d send a tow truck right out. Being 14.7 miles away, we hoped the wrecker would arrive in a half hour or so…a couple hours later Bobby Suggs in the Bobby Suggs wrecker pulled up, loaded our car, and the five of us pulled into Tex’s place at 5:07 p.m.

Tex did a quick but thorough analysis and determined the cause of the problem was a stuck thermostat. Since it was after five, his phone calls attempting to locate a thermostat all went to voicemail. Faced with staying another day (or two or three) in Arcadia, Bobby agreed to take us the remaining 55 miles back home. By the way, Tex would not take a penny for his help--always great to deal with people of integrity. Here is a pic of a smiling Bobby unloading our Honda at home (actually, he was a very nice, interesting guy. Plus his charge seemed quite fair for the distance of the haul).



Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.













Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, Nature Photography

Chowder Cook Off
This week was the second annual Pine Island Boat Club’s Cook Off. Although we had other plans, the past commodore of the Club demanded that Jan participate, as she was the winner of the Inaugural Chile Cook Off held last year (another proud day in the Alexander family).

Fifteen contestants of varying styles and demeanors had prepared their chowders with glee and gusto. Boat Club members (plus three unrecognized people who walked in from the street), ambled down the chowder table, sampling, scrutinizing, and sizing up the selection. All the while the smells of clams, shrimp, grouper, and other mysteries blended with spices, sauces, creams, and broths floating through the air like a Mozart concerto in an auditorium.

As is always the case with Pine Island contests, very strict rules were in place for the judging. No snooty culinary “experts” were to impose their personal taste standards on this group! Just like in Washington, tasters voted with their pocketbooks…if you liked the chowder, you put dough in the dish, currency in the can, bucks in the bucket. Sneaking in a few extra bucks for a spouse or a friend was not frowned upon, but admired.









Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.















Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks, Pine Island

Boat Club Meeting
Here are three “comic-tized” shots from the last Pine Island Boat Club meeting.







Hot Dogs and Potatoes Recipe
Last week’s blog prompted some requests for Jan’s Hot Dogs and Potatoes recipe. Here you go:

• Oscar Meyer hot dogs, sliced lengthwise
• Yellow onion, cut in rings
• Montreal steak seasoning
• Yukon gold potatoes (with skin) sliced
• Tomato soup
• Water (1/2-can for each can of soup you use)

Fry the dogs with onions in olive oil until both are pretty much deeply browned (maybe almost burned). After the dogs are almost burned, add the potatoes and soup. Season with Montreal seasoning, cover, and cook until the potatoes are done. The soup gravy gets thicker the longer it rests.

Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.













Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Pine Island, Old Trucks

Hot Dogs and Potatoes
A favorite meal of Jan’s when she was a little tyke was hot dogs and potatoes. Over the years she has transformed this simple meal into a culinary experience. It is a dinner I look forward to. Jan does not make this meal for just anyone--only true foodies with a sophisticated tongue, sensitive palate, and a sense of daring. We had six such people over the other night to try this exotic dish.





The Great Automobile Race of 1908
Our neighbor and friend’s great grandfather was the captain of the winning crew that first made the trip from New York City to Paris via automobile in 1908. In a solo act, our neighbor brought this phenomenal journey to life as he played his grandfather on stage, recounting this amazing journey. Just remarkable. www.TheGreatAutoRace.com









As a fundraiser, the Calusa Land Trust (www.calusalandtrust.org) sponsored the auto race act along with an antique car show. Here are a few shots of cool old cars.













Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.







Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks also from the antique car show.





See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, Old Cars

Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.









Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Aerial Combat
I was walking the Pups on a windy Thursday afternoon, when a streak caught my eye. I looked up and saw a mature bald eagle flying across the sky at mach 1, with two screaming ospreys in hot pursuit. All three big birds would change direction as quickly as campaigning politicians, diving and dodging, zigging and zagging, all across the horizon. It reminded me of the WWII dogfight footage from the George Lucas movie Red Tails, except the pace I observed was much faster.

As I watched this aerial display of flying prowess and precision, I contemplated the rationale for this dramatic but dangerous behavior. Could a change of diet have caused the eagle to be aggressive? Might an exotic virus be affecting its central nervous system? Possibly global warming had raised the body temperature and heightened mood swings?

Then it struck me like an answer to a Cash Cab question, the eagle must have been bored! What could be more cheering to the Big Bird then messing with the high-strung, totally neurotic, one-level-down-on-the-avian-food-chain osprey? Fly within 50 feet of their nest and you can count on an osprey counterattack as surely as you will find cold beer in fisherman’s cooler. What a spectacle! I wasn’t fast enough to capture the eagle-osprey interaction with my camera, but I got one decent shot of an osprey launching into the sky to join the foray. Can’t wait for tomorrow.



Around the Island
Here are a few random shots from around the Island this week.









Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks...well, the appropriate classification of one of them is up for consideration.





See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, Nature Photography

Around the Island
Sunny and unusually warm (low 80 degrees) week on the Island. I enjoyed a nice pattern each day--early morning walk/bike ride, work most of the day, followed by bike ride/cart ride. Old British TV shows at night. Not bad, eh?

Here are a few shots taken on the Island this week.













Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks.





See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Pine Island, Old Trucks

Around the Island
Here are a few shots taken on the Island this week: Stella and her mom going on a “walk,” Mitzy solving a mystery, and a couple variations of a Pine Island sunrise.









Retiring?
I have had questions regarding if I was retiring since we will be RVing full-time. The answer is no--I can work anywhere there is web access and an airport within an hour or so. I enjoy my profession and will still be researching/writing/speaking/advising/training on improving the customer experience and building effective services businesses.



New Year’s Eve Video Shoot
To emphasize the point about not retiring, while most of you were enjoying the holiday, I was busy at work on New Year’s Eve. With help from Suzanne and Jan, we shot a video for marketing my business this week--lights, boom mic, stereo recorder--the whole shebang.

Stuff for Sale
I’ve added an old butcher block and a couple of cool electric lanai heaters to my “stuff for sale” listing. If interested, check it out here.

Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.







See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Pine Island

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Along with Christmas highlights and pics, I’ve included a link to our 2012 animated Christmas card if you’d like to take a peek.

Colorado Christmas
We spent Christmas in Colorado enjoying the grandkids (and their parents of course :’>). Natalie is eight months old and Austin is now 5 and a half. Both approached/attacked Christmas with gusto! Also great to see the displays of holiday lights, experience the falling snow, and feel the chill of 7-degree weather…yikes ☺















Alexander Christmas Card
This was fun to put together! If you have 3 minutes and 33 seconds to spare, check out a few of my favorite photos from this past year.



Old Trucks
Just one special truck this week.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Christmas 2012

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

St. Jude Trail
St. Jude Trail* is one of my favorite places to walk on Pine Island. Mitzy likes it a lot but Jerry loves it--twice this week I turned around on our walk to see this svelte rat terrier on his back, bony legs straight up with toes pointed skyward, writhing in pleasure as he blissfully rolled in something I didn’t care to identify. The resulting odor would make a sanitation worker squeamish, but proud Jerry inhaled with gusto. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a dog!

This week alone I saw a flock of more than 20 roseate spoonbill, great blue herons, night herons, great egrets, brown and white pelicans, and an otter scurrying across the trail and into the water. Here is a shot of some cool art at the Norm Gowan Trailhead and a pre-dawn view from trail’s end.





*St. Jude Trail is a property of the Calusa Land Trust, a non-profit that does a wonderful job buying and managing sensitive lands on Pine Island. If you enjoy the flora and fauna of the area, consider joining. www.calusalandtrust.org

Around the Island
Here are a few shots taken on the Island this week.















Old Trucks
Here are five old Florida trucks.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Wildlife photography, Old Trucks, Pine Island

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Lido Key Beach
Tuesday afternoon I drove ninety miles north to Lido Beach Resort on Lido Key by Sarasota. I gave a speech on selling services to the North American organization of a Swiss manufacturing company. Great group. Here is an evening shot from my room balcony plus one taken on the beach around dawn on a stormy Wednesday morning. Nice place.





Home Depot Dogs
Jerry and Mitzy’s favorite place off the Island is Home Depot. Peering over the moving orange shopping cart and wearing their cutest faces, they gaze among the shoppers awaiting for “Ohhh, look at the puppies” from their human admirers. Strolling through Hardware, speeding through Plumbing, and stopping by Paint, they soak up attention like parched brown grass during a morning shower.

However, the glory of the story doesn’t end there. Within seconds from exiting the store and heading left to your parked vehicle, your nose starts to twitch and your nostrils widen from the aroma of grilling peppers and the delightful smell of gourmet meats being prepared. Within thirteen feet of the exit door is the New York Style Hot Dog and Italian Sausage stand, manned (I guess I should say “womaned”) by a very savvy owner who gives good-mannered and attentive pups a “free” grilled hot dog cut up in canine bites. As we close in on the stand, Jerry looks at Mitzy, Mitzy looks at Jerry, they both look at me, then as if being given a secret nudge, they both stare up at the lady with faces showing an intricate combination of hunger, cuteness, and a genuine love for both the woman and her fare. Best place on the planet for lunch if you ask the Kids.



Around the Island
Here are a few shots taken on the Island this week.















Old Trucks
Here are four old trucks.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, pet photography, Pine Island, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Another week of just amazingly wonderful weather on the Island. A nice blend of working and writing, walking and biking, visiting and chatting.

Birthday Pup
Here is a shot of Jerry getting ready to chow down on his chicken liver (boiled with extra virgin olive oil) birthday cake frosted with Philadelphia whipped cream cheese with beef jerky (“Original,” his favorite flavor). Moments later, he attacked this special treat with gusto--sharing with his sister, Mitzy, of course.

It was his ninth birthday, by the way.



Island Cartoons
Here is a pondering Jerry and a pompous pelican sharing points in time.





Festive Flamingos
Here are two festive flamingos strutting elegantly toward the big Christmas fiesta ...



... and here they are the next morning contemplating the activities of the night before.



Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks for your review.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Walk and ride bikes in the morning, write most of the day, take cart rides late afternoon. Nice island rhythm.

West Sky at Sunrise
Here is a morning shot a half-hour past dawn.



Old Trucks
Here are five old trucks in all their glory

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

T-Day Feast
We spent the Thanksgiving holiday up in Apopka enjoying family and magnificent food. The dinner would have made the Pharaohs drool: hand-mashed russet potatoes topped with fresh, warm butter, bubbling baked sweet potatoes the color of ripe pumpkins, sweet/tart chutney that intensified and enhanced every flavor on the table. Jeff ‘s perfectly prepared turkey (brined and stuffed with fresh citrus) glistened like polished gold. The taste of Jan’s honey-baked ham danced in your mouth and made every taste bud hum. Taylor’s baked pumpkin rolls tasted like stolen treasure but no one felt guilty. And, oh, Auntie’s buns, her marvelous buns.…









Fat-Bottomed Girl
Cousin Jeff affectionately calls his Norwich terrier, Jessie, the “Fat-Bottomed Girl.” Here she is, first being held by Taylor and then showing off her svelte physique in a risqué pose. Also notice the impact on our rat terrier, Jerry, and Mitzy’s thoughts about the whole thing.









Island Pup
Here is a candid shot of an Island dog guarding his domain.



Through the Glass
Here is a picture I took through the kitchen glass. See what you think.



Old Trucks
The day before Thanksgiving, instead of taking the interstate all the way to Apopka, we decided to lessen the traffic and the stress and take the roads less traveled. Here are a few trucks from along the way.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, pet photography, thanksgiving feast

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Morning Walks
This week we continued our morning walks in near perfect weather. Mature and young eagles soared overhead like fighter jets jockeying for battle position. Pups played and paraded, cows and calves stared in curiosity as we walked by.











Picnic Island
One afternoon we boated the short distance to Picnic Island, a favorite destination from years past.















Sunset on the Sound
One evening we boated alone in the glass-topped waters of Pine Island Sound. We were rewarded for our efforts with this orange sunset radiating off the bright blue sky decorated with wispy clouds.



Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks taken on the Island.

Headlights

See you next week with some Thanksgiving pics.

Tags: Pine Island, Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Settling Back In
Although we had been motorhoming for seven months, it only took me a couple of days to get back into my Florida routine with morning walks alongside the James Creek Preserve at dawn, and strolls, bike rides, and golf cart rides through the neighborhoods in the late afternoon, with business work in my home office in between. Lots of eagles and other big birds, neighbors, and friends out and about…all enjoying the near-perfect weather. Here are some pics from this week.





























Austie in Town
Our grandson, Austin, accompanied by his Dad, A.J., came down to visit for a few days. Here are a couple of pics of this good-looking, well-adjusted, hoot-to-be-around young man.





Old Trucks
Here are two old trucks taken on the Island.

Headlights

See you next week.

Tags: Pine Island, Nature Photography

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday: Indiana to Alabama
After a brisk walk around our campground near Columbus, Indiana (the temperature was 39 degrees), Jan started the bus and we lumbered back on to I-65, making our way down through the country’s heartland and into the South. To pass the time, we listened to Agatha Christie’s Poirot mysteries. Nothing like listening to that brilliant Belgian to make the miles go by.

We arrived at our destination late afternoon, buttoned up the coach, and hunkered down for the night.





Monday: A Chilly Day in Red Bay
Red Bay, Alabama (population 3,500), is in the far northwest corner of Alabama, close to the Mississippi border. Its claim to fame is that it is the home of Tiffin Motorhomes, the manufacturer of our coach. Here is a picture of Jan behind the wheel of a vintage Tiffin motorhome, circa 1975.



After taking the factory tour and feasting on a local Mexican lunch buffet, we dropped off the coach for some warranty repairs (Tiffin will deliver it to us back in Florida when the work is finished), and then took our loaded Honda Element on back roads south and east, spending the evening in a motel in Tuscaloosa. Of course, we were hunting for old trucks to shoot as we drove through the country (see “Old Trucks” later for the results).



Tuesday: Apalachicola National Forest



We spent the day driving, ending up in the Apalachicola National Forest. We had never spent any time in this beautiful part of Florida, just a little southwest of Tallahassee.



Wednesday: On to Apopka
After exploring the Apalachicola National Forest in the morning, we headed southeast to Apopka, Florida. We had a nice evening chatting with Jan’s aunt while we re-acclimated to the Florida climate.

Thursday: Back to the Island



By mid-morning we were back on the road, arriving in St. James City to sunny 80-degree temperatures.

Friday and Saturday: Eagle Omen
As you’d guess, our focus on arriving back home was settling in and getting back into our island routine. Friday morning started with a great omen. On our first walk since returning back to the Island, we were greeted by a pair of mature eagles chattering away as only eagles can do. As we passed by they eyed the Pups with a knowing glare--it was good to hear their greeting…



Old Trucks
Here are a few old trucks we spotted traveling through the South.

Headlights

See you next week.

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Morning Hikes
Here is a view from our buddy’s window--just another day. As we hiked the woods, the forest floor revealed the Crayola colors of the fallen leaves.





Quick Trip to Vegas
On Monday I flew to Vegas to attend the annual symposium of my top-notch business partner. I stayed at the Belagio where the session was held--what an amazing place. Here are a couple of early evening shots from my room.





Great conference, but I was glad to be picked up at the Kalamazoo airport Friday afternoon by Janny and the Kids.





The once-brilliant fall colors were gone from the trees, replaced by brown leaves covering the ground like chocolate shavings on a trece leche cake. The moderate temperatures were starting to drop, with forecasts of future snows starting to make the nightly weather reports. Time to head South.



Heading South



Late Saturday morning we hooked the car to the coach and headed south on Highway 131 taking the back roads through the small towns of southern Michigan and the tiny bergs of northern, then central Indiana. When Jan and I got tired of driving, Mitzy was willing and able to take the wheel (she does have a heavy paw, though).



Old Trucks
As usual, here are some old trucks.

Headlights

October 28: Red Bay Alabama to visit Tiffin Motorcoach factory
October 29: Apalachicola, FL
October 30: Home on the Island

Tags: travel photography, Michigan, Las Vegas

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Walking in the Rain
Fall dominated the outdoors with falling temperatures, falling leaves, and falling rain. Yet, the colors remained vibrant and attitudes remained uplifted--who wouldn’t feel positive among all this beauty? Here are four photos taken along a walk at Markin Glen Park one chilly, wet morning.









Quick Trip to DC
Early in the week I had a short business trip to DC, working with a great client.

Pretty Lake Hike
Saturday morning we hiked with friends around Pretty Lake outside of Kalamazoo. Here are a few shots, including Jan showing off some really big leaves and a shot of Jan, Bobbie, and Deanna with Bobbie’s two pups.













This and That
During the week we visited Wheels (here are her two horses), celebrated a business housewarming for friends, and Mitzy got a haircut; here is a shot right before she went to the groomer.







Old Trucks
Here are a few old truck pictures taken from Kalamazoo and the surrounding area.























Another great week!

Headlights

October 21-26: Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 1: Appalachicola, Florida
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, Florida

See you next week.

Tags: Kalamazoo, Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

The Color Continues
Even with the drop in temperature, daily rains, and high winds, the magical fall colors continued to paint Northern Michigan in their full magnificence. The colors are so intense, I have to de-saturate some of my photos in the computer so that they don’t look artificial--what a nice problem to have!













Quick Trip to Chicago: Pup Presentation
In the first part of the week, I participated in the Society for Service Executives (http://www.servicexecutives.com) annual symposium, giving a keynote speech on customer experience management. Just for fun (and as a personal challenge), I refrained from using any charts, graphs, or matrices, and used only photos of dogs that I have taken to tell my story. (Longtime readers would know most of these pix.) Response was excellent, and I had a blast--my speeches may never be the same! Here are a four that made the big screen...









Farewell to Sleeping Bear
After a great stay as camp hosts, our time was up and we said goodbye to this amazing place and the great bunch of folks we had the pleasure to work with. We have been to some really nice places, but this ranks right at the top. The good news is that we plan on coming back next year. Here is a photo of Ranger Maryellen and our boss, Ranger Dennis.





Important Note: If you decide to leave any comments about these words or pics, keep them nice, Dennis and Maryellen read the blog :’>>>

Back to Markin Glen
Friday around noonish we left Sleeping Bear and meandered over to 31 South to enjoy the views as we traveled south and a little west to Kalamazoo. Taking our time, we shot one old truck along the way and enjoyed the colors that this portion of Michigan offered. By late afternoon we were set up in Markin Glen County Park in 50-degree weather compared to the 100-degree climate we left a few months earlier.

Old Trucks
Here are this week’s old trucks...















Another great week.

Headlights

October 14-26: Markin Glenn, Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, Florida

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks, pet photography, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

The fall colors were in full vibrancy in Northern Michigan, slowing traffic and cranking necks. Jan summed it up well, “It’s just like opening up a pack of Life Savers.”

Quick Trip to Southern California
I started the week on a Sunday morning airplane, taking a quick trip to Orange County. After a great session training service professionals, I returned home late Wednesday night.

Michigan in Raging Color
Here are some shots from our color-hunting day trips. Along with my attempts to capture this rainbow of flora is a shot of Jan shooting me shooting color.



































Big Waves and a Double Rainbow
Late in the week the wind started to howl, adding some six-foot-plus waves to Lake Michigan. Also, a double rainbow appeared for about three minutes Saturday morning, giving me just enough time to get in position and crank off a shot.





Campground Ambassadors
Mitzy and Jerry take their job of being campground ambassadors quite seriously. They make it their job to thoroughly check out the canines in the camp, doing background sniffs when appropriate. They also brave the harsh elements to make the rounds to build goodwill and maintain order.





Old Trucks
Here are few old trucks to gander.















Another great week.

Headlights

October 7-13: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 14-26: Probably at Markin Glenn in Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, Florida

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Michigan, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

A gorgeous week in Northern Michigan.

Sunrises
I was out on the beach before dawn most days this week, usually by myself. As always, I was not disappointed as the water and sky greeted the sun.







Visit from Auntie
Janny’s aunt came and visited for a few days. Auntie is from this North Country, and we revisited old haunts and discovered new ones as the leaves turned from green to red and gold, and the temperatures dropped from nice-and-warm to pleasantly chilly.



Trail Hiking
We kept active, hiking the following trails: Alligator Hill Trail, Windy Moraine, Bay View Farm Loop Trail, Empire Bluff Trail, Pyramid and Point Trail (bluff and back).











Morning Sun from Campsite
Most chilly mornings the smoke from campfires mimics fog. Here is an early morning shot from our campsite.





Day Trip
Here are a few other shots from day trips during the week.







Old Trucks
Here are few old (and not-so-old trucks). I especially like “Ain’t Got No Body.”





















Another great week.

Headlights

September 30-October 13: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 14-26: Probably at Markin Glenn in Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, Florida

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Truck Hunting
The family headed SSE from Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore taking back roads that we had never traveled before. Our destination was Dimondale, just southwest of Lansing, but our purpose was to hunt for old trucks along the way. Along with lots of full-size old trucks (see the “Old Truck” section below), we ran across these two pint-sized beauties off a gravel road.



Dangerous Dog and Other Scenics
Here are a few other pics taken along the way to and from…





BD Party
We went to Dimondale to help celebrate Jan’s brother’s birthday (it ends in a zero). Here is a pic of Scott (that’s Debbie in the background) and a shot of Zeke, the low-clearance, garbage-eating, attention-howling, good-looking beagle-bassethound mix. Zeke is one awesome pup!





Trail Hiking
We hiked Otter Creek Trail for the first time, and just as we were at the end, a very large (probably female) adolescent Bald Eagle flew overhead--always a sign of good luck. We also revisited, Shauger Hill Trail and Windy Moraine Trail.





Sunrises
Here are a couple pics of pre-dawn skies over Lake Michigan.





Janny Art
Here is a pic dating back to Colorado, called Aspen Grove, it is one of my favorites. Lately Janny has been working on Autumn cards--here are a couple recent ones. For more, check out her web site at www.janalexanderart.com.





Chipper
As I mentioned last week, the chipmunks run the campground. Here is a picture that captures their audacity. While working outside, I made a snack of crackers and peanut butter. Within 18 seconds of sitting down, I had this little chipper crawling up my leg, looking for her piece of the peanut-butter action. In an attempt to gain my confidence, Chipper came up and introduced herself--hard to resist!





Old Trucks
Here are a few of the trucks shot on our trip down and back from Dimondale…

Headlights

September 16-October 13: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 14-26: Probably at Markin Glenn in Kalamazoo, Michigan
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, Florida

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Old Trucks, Michigan, Wildlife photography

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Double-Dipping Hikes
We started the week off by doing two hikes Sunday morning: Windy Moraine Trail and Shauger Hill Trail. Over the course of the week we had the chance for a couple more: Old Indian Trail…



…and back to Alligator Trail.





Sunrises
Always a great way to start the day--listening in solitude to the deep roar of the waves, watching the gulls float in the air, and spotting the first shimmerings of the pinks of first morning light. All this just a two-minute walk from our campsite.





Chips
Forget about the park rangers and the campground hosts, it is the chipmunks that run the campground. After hours of detailed observation and scrutinizing analysis, I’ve deduced that somewhere within Sleeping Bear Dunes there is a Master Chip, the Head Monk, the Top Rodent that manipulates all humans to her will. At her beckoning, the chips move ahead, two assigned to each campsite. We had two very aggressive chippers from the first hour we set up, but once they found out that we would not feed them, they became aloof. Over several days I attempted to capture one photographically, and this is the best I have done so far.



This and That







Old Trucks
Here are a few to check out:

Headlights

September 9-13: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 14-26: Probably at Markin Glenn in Kalamazoo, MI
October 27-29: Heading South
October 30-31: Red Bay, Alabama
November 2: Arrive Back in St. James City, FL

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Countryside Drives
When not on duty, we take late afternoon drives in the country searching for old trucks. We found some nice ones this week (See “Old Trucks” below) and also ran across some interesting structures.







Sunrise Walks
I try to walk the five minutes to the beach at pre-dawn to enjoy the serenity.





Early Morning Hikes
Almost every morning when we are not on duty, we take a different Sleeping Bear trail. This week we hiked Bay View Trail, Pyramid Point Trail, and Empire Bluff Trail--serene (as long as you are out first thing), wooded, and by Lake Michigan.











Leaves
Yes, I know it is still summer, but the leaves they are a-changing.





Campfire Cooking
Almost every evening, Jan starts a campfire and cooks our dinner over its flames. This past week we have had Camper’s Delight (hamburger, potatoes, carrots, onions, etc. cooked in tin foil), toasted garlic bread with cheese, steaks with roasted red peppers, grilled chicken with new potatoes and onions, and pizza. Below is the recipe for Perfect Campfire Pizza.

Ingredients:
Naan bread
Olive oil
Oregano
Fresh chopped garlic
Pizza sauce
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil
Fresh roma tomatoes
Shredded parmesan cheese

Sauté garlic in olive oil. Add fresh oregano and stir until it smells so good you can't stand it (maybe add some shallots, too) and then set aside.

Put pizza sauce, mozzarella, basil, roma tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and garlic mixture on the naan bread, and then wrap loosely In foil.

Place on grate with no fire, just burning embers, and bake until the mozzarella is melted.



South Manitou Island
I took the Pups out for an early morning hike, and then Jan and I drove to Leland. Here we took the 10 o’clock ferry for an hour-and-a-half voyage to South Manitou Island, part of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. On the island we took a tour that included seeing Florence Lake, an old growth of giant cedars, the wreck of the Marazon, and the lighthouse. A quiet island with a fragile ecosystem, and a very nice trip.





Wild Flowers
Here is a bouquet that Jan created from a bundle of sunflowers purchased at a roadside stand.



Old Trucks
Here are a few old trucks from this week’s searching.

Headlights

September 2-October 15: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 16 On: Heading South

See you next week.

Tags: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

You know you are having fun when all your clothes smell like a campfire and there is sand in the bed. We spent another great week at Sleeping Bear enjoying the magnificent weather, taking hikes through the trees, car rides exploring the country and looking for old trucks, walks along the beach, and cooking/relaxing/chatting around campfires.

Silos
Our late afternoon drives take us through farm country that is slowly starting the passage from summer into fall. Here are a couple old silos that caught my attention.





Old Toy Trucks (Real Old Trucks Later)
A young boy at the campground had a couple of toy trucks--thought I’d add them in.





Trail of Solitude
By 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning I was out the door and driving the short distance to the trailhead of Sleeping Bear Point Trail past the Maritime Museum. By 6:37 I was on the trail in time to see the pre-dawn pinks gently paint the eastern sky and cast a vibrancy upon the cool Lake Michigan waters. This 2.8-mile loop goes over the dunes along the big lake with an ending stretch wandering through a forest. Just as I like it, there were no people about. I was alone with only the comforting sounds of breezes over the dunes as my companion. The trail guide lists this trail as “strenuous,” and, yes, you do have to slog uphill a few times, but it is not difficult at all, especially if walked in the cool of the early morning. I was done by 7:30 a.m. and back in the motorhome by 7:45--magnificent way to start any day.

Bay View Trail
Thursday morning all of us drove to the Bay View Trailhead and hiked the Farm Loop with a side trip to Lookout Point. It was an easy 2.5-mile hike through woods, meadows, and along farm ground.

Day in the Life of a Sleeping Bear Camp Host
I have been asked the question, “Just what does a camp host do?” Here is my response: After our morning chores, including walking the Pups in light just bright enough not to need a flashlight if you know where you are going, Jan and I walk from BERT north toward Lake Michigan, pulling all camp permits that expire that day from the clips on the post by their sites.

At the north end of the campgrounds, we take the boardwalk to the beach just in time to view the morning sunrise over the water (our official reason for being there is to look for people sleeping on the beach). We walk back and continue off to the maintenance barn where we unlock the door, unplug the charging cord, and get into the official camp host golf cart. Then we continue going around the entire campground pulling all the permits that expire that day.

With that task completed, we drive down to the campground ranger station, first taking down the “full” signs from the road (if appropriate), and then turning in the expiring permits and helping with pre-registration of campers hoping for a site that day. Cars line up in order of arrival, and we walk up to each one gathering data to help register people once the ranger station door officially opens at 8:00 a.m.

We hang around for a while to help with registration if new campers pull up, and then Jan and I split up. She mans the station phone handling incoming calls, while I drive around the campground again, this time taking down old postings on yesterday’s weather and ranger events from the night before and putting up new ones. As I drive along, I’ll pick up some roadside trash, respond to camper questions, and address any other camper issues (e.g., cars needing jumpstarts from dead batteries, people asking directions, and so on).

Then we head back to BERT around 9:00 a.m. for breakfast. I (or we) along with the Pups make a round every hour or so, letting campers know we are there to help them, making sure their campsites are in good shape, and answering any questions. During the day we don’t stray far, and we keep the radio with us.

If the weather is nice, we spend a lot of time outside our motorcoach, again, letting people know that we are accessible. We respond to the occasional radio request from the park staff, but most of the time during the midday we are “on standby.” Jan may do some painting, and I’ll do some writing.

During the day it is usually very quiet, as most campers are at the beach or riding bikes or hiking or visiting other aspects of Sleeping Bear. Late afternoon it picks up as people return, and we continue making rounds, our last one between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. We tell boisterous/pre-boisterous/potentially boisterous groups that quiet time starts at 10:00, and most all groups, most all the time, are very cooperative.

Finally, we return the golf cart to its shed and walk back to BERT with a beam from our flashlight to guide the way. During the night when on duty we leave our weather radio on alert just in case there is a big storm warning requiring action on our part. That’s it…more on the campground and park in coming weeks.

Old Trucks
Here are a few from this week’s searching.

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Headlights

August 19-October 15: Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 16 On: Heading South

See you next week.

Tags: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

River Cruise
We started the week cruising on Scott and Deb’s boat, taking trips that ranged from going through the locks for lunch in Cheboygan and on to Lake Huron to taking a nature route with lots of birds swimming, diving, and soaring among, above, and below the backwaters.















Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore



On Wednesday we departed Waterways Campground in Cheboygan and drove to the DH Day Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore northeast of Empire Michigan. Sleeping Bear is a national park with 65 miles of shoreline that receives around two million visitors a year. The campground is just gorgeous. We have a large wooded site that is an easy walk to a sandy beach on Lake Michigan. The water color ranges from Pacific to Caribbean blue, tempered by a constant wind, ranging from breezy to “I wish I had worn a heavier coat.”

Hikes and Drives
We had some up-front time off in which we got in some hiking and countryside drives. Although it is mid-August, the leaves are starting to turn and the farmland is peppered with roadside stands and handsome pups.















We started our first day of camp hosting on Saturday, quickly learning the ropes of the simple, well-thought-out procedures. The staff is friendly and helpful. I can tell already that this is going to be a great gig.

Wildflowers











Old Trucks

Headlights

August 19-October 15: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire, Michigan
October 16-On: Heading South

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Hanging in the Zoo
We stayed at our good friend Donna’s place Saturday evening after Janny’s reunion in Kalamazoo. Here is a pic of Donna and Janny as well as a very photogenic frog from Donna’s garden.





Old Truck Hunting
Mid-morning on Sunday we headed north. Our first stop was the Apple Store in Grand Rapids for some expert iCloud advice for synching our Apple “devices.” Thirty minutes at the Genius Bar and we were back in the car taking back roads and hunting down old trucks on our way back to East Jordan (see the Old Truck section toward the end of the blog).







Up and Over
After a great stay, we left East Jordan Monday morning and headed 89 miles to Cheboygan on the furthermost NE point on the Michigan lower peninsula.



We set up camp at Waterways Campground, a campground owned and run by our Pine Island, Florida, neighbors. This is one great place to RV: large, level grassy sites, with shade, full hook-ups plus cable and WiFi, right on the river with boat docks, 100 yards to a great trail, and on and on. http://www.waterwayscampground.com/

Camping Meet Up
Our good friend Jamers drove up from Kalamazoo to visit. In addition, Jan’s brother Scott and his wife Deb moved in to the site next to us, and the five of us (plus the Pups, of course) spent a few days enjoying the North Country. Rides up and down the river on Scott and Deb’s pontoon, going out to eat, and gabbing around campfires--good fun.

Top ‘O Michigan Marathon Boat Race
After enjoying a Waterways Campground-sponsored hot dog lunch, we went down to the dock to watch this 64th Annual Outboard Race sitting in Scott’s boat. The boats zipped by us on the river, turned around a couple miles later, and then zipped past going back. Here is our group and a few pics I took from the boat and from the nearby bridge.

















Camp Hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes
We are pleased to say that we will be camp hosting at Sleeping Bear Dunes (Empire, Michigan, is headquarters) starting on August 15 and continuing through October 15. Should be a hoot...I need to practice up on my seascapes, beach sunrises, and Pups running on the sand. Much more to come.

Old Trucks

Headlights

August 12-14: Waterways Campground, Cheboygan, MI
August 15-October 15: Sleeping Bear Dunes, Empire MI
October 16: Start heading south toward Pine Island

See you next week.

Tags: Top ‘O Michigan Marathon Boat Race, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

This week we continued our stay in East Jordan, Michigan, spending time with Janny’s family, exploring the area, taking hikes, and shooting wildflowers, pups, and old trucks.

Volatile Vulture
Ten of us (six people and four pups) took a hike through Cousin Frank’s property. Great chance to run the pups, admire the flowers, and smell the sweet smell of wet grass and dewy trees. Just for fun we decided to climb a hill and check out a long-present deer blind. As I approached the structure, I heard a hissing noise that sounded like a snake. Cautiously opening the door while wondering if some creature was going to catapult/jump/run/fly/skidaddle out the opening and then attack me or flee, I was amazed to see this old vulture as I peeked in (from a distance). Obviously, this ancient buzzard had claimed this blind as his own…amazing.



Pampered Pups
Here are some pup pics taken over the week. Quite good-looking canines, wouldn’t you say?











Jan Reunion
On Saturday we drove the 250 miles back down to Kalamazoo so that Jan could participate in her high-school class reunion. You will notice no photos from me--this was a “women only” reunion!

Wildflowers
A few more flowers (plus a butterfly on a thistle) to gander.















Old Trucks
Jan and I took several trips hunting for old trucks. Here are a few shots from this week.

Headlights

August 5: East Jordan Tourist Park, East Jordan, MI
August 6-20: Waterways Campground, Cheboygan, MO
August 21-On: Exploring Northern Michigan







See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, pet photography, Michigan, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

East Jordan Tourist Park





This township park is a wonderful secret, known mainly just to the Locals. Our grass campsite is 30 feet from the South Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, and comes with full hook-ups and a fire ring full of complimentary firewood. Great place to run the dogs and walk along the beach. Across the water from our site is the famous East Jordan Ironworks, makers of most of the iron manhole covers worldwide.



Quick Trip to Denver
I drove the picturesque hour journey (actually it took a little longer as I stopped twice for old truck pics and once for a coyote) from our campground to the Traverse City airport and flew to Denver for business.



My workshop went very well, and, of course, being in Denver, I drove Friday afternoon to visit the Grandkids. Here is a pic of Granddaughter Natalie.



Family Get Together
Saturday night was a family get together at Frank and Sandy’s cottage on Lake Charlevoix. Everyone had a great time, including, of course, dogs and kids.









Flowers





Old Trucks
Here are some old Michigan truck shots from this week.

Headlights

July 22: Holiday Park Campground, Traverse City MI
July 29-August 5: East Jordan Tourist Park, East Jordan, MI
August 6-20: Waterways Campground, Cheyboygan, MO
August 21-On: Exploring Northern Michigan

See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, East Jordan Ironworks, Nature Photography

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Strolls Around Markin Glen
We very much enjoyed our stay at Markin Glen Park on the north section of Kalamazoo. Morning and evening strolls gave numerous photo ops along the water and through the wild flowers.









I was walking the pups early evening when I spotted a baby raccoon. While holding the Pup leashes in one hand, I took pics with my right. All of a sudden a grey streak entered the frame—Mitzy couldn’t stand it—she jumped across the path into the black oozing muck in pursuit of the masked bandit. Jan was kind enough to give her a “mud bath” upon our return—what a mess (however, Mitzy had no regrets).

Cool Cats
Here is a shot of Gus followed by Max. Both are distinguished felines that are not only handsome, but sophisticated in their tastes.





Wednesday
After a very nice stay, we closed up camp and moved on up to Traverse City to the Holiday Park Campground on the south end of Silver Lake.





Pine Island Friends
That afternoon we met up with good friends, Jack and Dee, from Pine Island and had a very nice time catching up.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park



This section of Michigan is beautiful, but one of the highlights is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. One cloudy afternoon we took a leisurely ride through the park enjoying the scenery. Here are a few pics.











Camp Hosting
Jan and I are pursuing camp hosting again this next year, and took the opportunity while we were in the area to check out the Sleeping Bear Dunes campgrounds. We were impressed with both the campgrounds themselves, the volunteers that supported them, and the management responsible for them. We put in our applications—wish us luck!

Point Betsy Lighthouse
There are many great places to see outside the park as well. Here is a shot of the Point Betsy Lighthouse.



More Friends
The timing worked out and we were able to meet Jan’s longtime friend since childhood, Eileen, and her husband, Bob, at local landmark restaurant, Boones.

Flowers
Beautiful flowers everywhere! Here is a small selection including a bouquet that Jan created for a friend.















Old Trucks
Here are some old Michigan truck shots from this week.

Headlights

July 22: Holiday Park Campground, Traverse City MI
July 23-29: East Jordan Tourist Park, East Jordan, MI
July 30: ??
August 6-20: Waterways Campground, Cheyboygan, MO
August 21-On: Exploring Northern Michigan

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Michigan

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Hot! Hot! Hot!
Markin Glen Park was hot, hot, hot, much like most of Michigan and most of the U.S., with temps in the 100s. How hot was it, you ask? Locals were asking the direction to Hell in an attempt to find a cooler location…now that’s hot! :’>

Morning Walks
This park has nice trails that loop around ponds with swimming swans and are bordered by vivid wildflowers and flitting birds. Here are a few pics from my early morning strolls with the Pups.









One Less Rose in the Garden



On Wednesday night, Janny’s mom, Nancy Nicolen, passed away at her home in Kalamazoo. She will be missed.

Deserved Tribute
On Saturday, our friend, Ronnie Kiracofe, was honored for his decades of work leading the Kalmazoo Amateur Athletic Federation, a nonprofit organization that supports local athletics and has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to college scholarships for local high-schoolers. Here is Ron in front of the quilt he was presented at the Annual Kiracofe Softball Tournament (the longest running softball tournament in the United States).



Old Trucks
Here are some old truck shots from this week.

Headlights

July 15-17: Markin Glen Park in Kalamazoo, MI
July 18-22: Holiday Park Campground, Traverse City MI
July 23-29: East Jordan Tourist Park, East Jordan, MI
July 30-August: Exploring Michigan

See you next week.

Tags: Michigan, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday
Sprague Lake Hike
Early up and out as Jo and I left camp at sunrise and drove to the Sprague Lake trailhead inside RMNP (Rocky Mountain National Park). Beautiful morning as we first hiked a couple miles past the lake before taking the half-mile trek around the water. The air was fresh with the smell of high-country pines as we hiked by ourselves in the brisk 8,000-feet air. Along the way we saw deer and a Momma turkey with her young.





Trail Ridge Road Day Trip



Before 10:00 a.m., all of us (three adults and three Pups) were back in RMNP looking for critters and taking in the vistas. Soon we were on Trail Ridge Road, the scenic byway that goes up and up, and then over and around the park--a gorgeous drive with high mountain views of the snow-capped Rockies, mountain lakes, and deep green valleys. It was jacket weather at the top as we stopped and I took some photos of a herd of elk feasting on the newly sprouted wildflowers.





Monday



Mountain Hike
I had Jerry and Mitzy on the Lily Mountain Trail by 5:30 a.m. We watched the pre-dawn skies as we hiked the two miles up the steep trail toward the peak of Lily Mountain. The trail information called it “strenuous,” and they were quite accurate as it gained over 1,000 feet in elevation. It was a wonderful hike, but I was happiest when it was over.

Old Trail Ridge Road
Later in the morning we left the Pups to rest in BERT and headed back into RMNP. This time we took the Old Trail Ridge Road, a nine-mile, one-lane, bumpy, winding dirt road that weaved its way up to the Alpine Visitor Center--a nice and slow scenic trip that gave another perspective to RMNP. Right before the end of the trip we were rewarded with a group of a half-dozen mature male elk grazing right by the road. Naturally, I got out of the car and took a few pics.





Tuesday
Lake Gem Trail
Early morning we drove to the 1.7-mile Lake Gem Trail. Very nice hike through the forest surrounded by boulders with the Rocky Mountains in the distance. We were rewarded by viewing Gem Lake at the end of our uphill journey.

The Stanley
After a pleasant lunch outside at the Stanley, the world-famous historical site and hotel, we took the Ghost and History Tour. As you have guessed, not only was the Stanley the basis of the movie The Shining, it is haunted. If you are staying in the area (and not RVing), this is the choice for lodging.





Wednesday: Independence Day
Change of Plans
Janny’s Mom took a turn for the worse, so we decided to head to Michigan early. Hence, we drove to downtown Denver to drop Jo off and then continued on to Parker to drop off Charlie, the pug we had been babysitting. Then we returned back to Estes Park.



Thursday
Early Departure
We were on the road by 6:00 a.m. taking 34 East along the Big Thompson River. We saw a couple bighorn sheep ewes along the way.

Across the Plains
After 80 miles or so, we picked up I-76 east then I-80 east as we rumbled through eastern Colorado, across Nebraska, and into Iowa.

Old Trucks
Here are some old truck shots from this week.

















Wonderful week.

Headlights

July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-?: Traverse City, MI
???

See you next week.

Tags: Wildlife photography, Old Trucks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday
We hung around our campground in Larkspur until we could confirm that our next campground would be open.



The soon to be notorious Waldo Canyon fire had started the day before and was spreading like (you know what) wildfire. Cheyenne Mountain State Park is located just a few miles southeast of Waldo Canyon, so during our stay we had views and smells of the smoke from this growing fire.

Our good friend, Suzanne, flew in to camp with us and meet up with our other RV buddies from Oregon, Kathie and Gary. Here is a shot of, from left to right, Kathie, Suzanne, and Jan.



Monday
Morning Hike
Upon checking with park rangers, I learned that there had been a recent bobcat sighting, so early morning Suzanne and I did a three-mile hike on Blackmer Loop and Cougar’s Shadow seeking out these cats. The only critters we saw were a doe and a fawn deer, but a nice hike nonetheless.

Royal Gorge



After a late breakfast, the five of us drove south on 115 then west on 50 through Caynon City to the Royal Gorge. Over our couple-hour stay, we drove and walked the bridge plus took the tram.









Tuesday
Zoo
Although close to the fire, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had not been closed, and we arrived shortly after the gates opened and just in time to help feed the giraffes.





Will Rogers Memorial
Above the zoo is a winding road that leads to the Will Rogers Memorial atop the mountain. Very tastefully done, the wall murals tell the story of this area of the West, and the photographs give a visual interpretation of one of America’s most famous icons. From this vista point we had a good view of the fire as well, and we watched the planes making drops in the hope of containing this cantankerous beast.











Wednesday
Sunset View of Fire
Sitting outside we enjoyed our first powerful sunset of the week.



Canine Courtship
We were pup-sitting Charlie, the distinguished pug of the Helman family. This fun-loving bulldozer of a pug fell head over curly tail for Gary and Kathie’s elegant Madeline. Here is a shot of this canine courtship.



Thursday
A Change of Plans
Originally our plan called for spending two days in the Pike National Forest. However, the wildfire took this option off the table, and we were lucky enough to be able to extend our Cheyenne Mountain stay a couple of days. We stayed close to home, though, just in case an evacuation was called.

Friday
Old Truck Shoot
Late afternoon we drove east of Colorado Springs out into the prairies in search of old truck photo ops. We were in luck--see a few of these shots toward the end of the blog.

Saturday
Hike
Jan and I were on the trail at sunrise for a three-plus mile excursion through wooded areas, and down across Prairie Dog Towns.







Pick Up Jo



We timed our departure out of Colorado Springs to pick up Jo in BERT at the Denver airport. It worked great--we swung through the Southwest departure area just as Jo walked out the door into the sunlight. From there we got back on the interstate, and headed west to Estes Park.

Old Trucks
Here are some old truck shots from this week.

















Wonderful week.

Headlights

July 1-4: Mary’s Campground, Estes Park
July 5-7: St. Vrain State Park
July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-?: Traverse City, MI
???

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Wildlife photography, Waldo Canyon Fire, Cheyenne Mountain, Royal Gorge

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

This week brings more old trucks, a Tiny Town trip, and full coverage of the capture of two notorious desperados.

Sunday
This was a quiet day at Snowy Peaks working on the computer, watching the U.S. open, driving through and around Leadville, with everything bookended by a morning lake and an afternoon reservoir hike.



Monday



Back to Chatfield
In the morning Jan guided BERT the 120 miles through valleys, along streams, and over mountain passes to Chatfield State Park in Littleton, CO (SW Metro Denver).

Austie and Brody
In the late afternoon, daughter-in-law Kelly brought our grandson, Austie, and his buddy, Brody, over to spend the night. So it was the usual--playground, swim beach, playground, family movie night, and S’mores.

Tuesday
Tiny Town
After years of talking about it, we finally made the trip (just 30 minutes from Chatfield) to Tiny Town. The boys had a great time, riding the tiny train and exploring all the tiny buildings.









June 20, 2012, Tiny Town Telegraph Feature Story

Notorious Parker Gang Ringleaders Captured in Tiny Town!

Today was a landmark day for Colorado as two of the most despicable, mean, ornery, outlaws of the West were finally incarcerated after years of pursuit by the Colorado Highway Patrol, the Texas Rangers, the FBI, the Canadian Mounted Police, and four relentless nuns.

In disguise as Boulder left-wing hippies, “Automatic Austie” and “Bad Boy Brody” had snuck into Tiny Town unnoticed. The town sheriff, however, became suspicious when she noticed that both of the desperadoes ordered swirly ice cream cones--the trademark of the famous bandits. Before they could say “Dag Gummit,” she had them locked up in the Tiny Town jail awaiting sentencing.



Just look into their eyes and you can understand the raw terror felt anytime these two hombres rode their horses into town.

Wednesday
Work Work Work
Wednesday was a “head down” day consisting primarily of interviews, as I’m conducting a search for a services executive for a client.

Thursday
Back to Business
During the day I facilitated a workshop in the northern part of Denver that went very well.

Fun Reunion
That evening, though, was just great. Our two nieces, whom we hadn’t seen in years, have both moved to the Denver area and drove over to spend the evening with us. They are both very smart, lots of fun, and even prettier than I remember.

Friday
More Business
I finished up my second client day.

Saturday
We broke camp and drove the 40 miles, mostly south, to a campground south of Castle Rock.

Old Trucks
Here are some old trucks from this week.







Wonderful week.

Headlights

June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado S:prings, CO
June 28-29: Colorado Campground, Pike National Forest
June 30-July 4: Mary’s Campground, Estes Park
July 5-7: St. Vrain State Park
July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-?: Traverse City, MI
???

RV Park Review
Check out www.rvparkreviews.com for my reviews and those of other travelers of recent campgrounds we have stayed at.

See you next week.

Tags: Old Trucks, Colorado, tiny Town

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Rough and narrow, steep and winding--the title of this week’s blog describes our road trip up and over Cumberland Pass at 12,000-plus feet. This week you’ll see a bighorn sheep that is helping out the postal service, a dedicated marmot with a mission, a Chihuahua that bites, a bird or two and, by popular demand, more old trucks.



Sunday
Gunnison National Forest
Mid-morning we pulled out of Montrose and drove the 115 miles to One Mile Camp in the Gunnison National Forest northeast of Almont (east of Gunnison). Yes, you have heard it multiple times from me, but it was a gorgeous trek along this stretch of West Elk Scenic Byway--tall mountains, lush valleys, gurgling streams…ho-hum….

Postal Service Cutbacks
As you all probably know, the U.S. Postal Service is in financial trouble. Here at Almont they are taking an innovative approach. They have sold all their mail trucks and are using bighorn sheep to pack the mail along the routes. Here is one guy who got his days mixed up and came to work on a Sunday.



Monday
Guardian of the Valley
Brrr…22 degrees when I awoke. I am all into this hiking thing, but that is a tad chilly. Hence, we all loaded into the car at 6:30 a.m. for a wildlife-spotting drive. We took the back roads leading to the Spring Creek Reservoir admiring the scenery as we drove. Several miles up the road we pulled off to let the Pups stretch their legs in a valley. I heard a shrill whistle, and then spotted a marmot on guard duty across the valley. After our walk on our drive out, I spotted this same fellow perched atop a boulder. He was attentively watching our every move, sounding his warning call at regular intervals and showed no intimidation as I photographed him. In fact, by the look on his face, I think he would have attacked if I got out of the car. Here he is sounding the alarm.



Crested Butte
That afternoon I needed to make a business call (no AT&T at the camp or nearby areas), so we drove back to Almont and then east to Crested Butte. This area is known for its beautiful wildflowers, and that is one of the reasons why we chose to stay in this area. Alas, lack of rainfall had a big negative impact on the flowers. After my call and a nice lunch, we both walked and then drove the streets of this attractive burg. Here is a shot of a home on a side street.



Gothic
From here we continued north, first through nearby Mt. Crested Butte, then along a dirt road to Gothic. On our return home, we took a ranching country shortcut where I shot these cowboys and their dogs having lunch along the river, and later I captured this bird of prey in flight.





Tuesday
Big-Time Road Trip
At 5:30 a.m. we were out of camp, heading up to the Taylor Reservoir. I shot a bighorn on the dam, but aside for chipmunks and a few birds, that was all the critters we saw for the first hour of our journey. We spent some time at the charming town of Tin Cup, first viewing its cemetery (complete with Protestant Ridge, Catholic Ridge, Jewish Ridge, and Boot Hill), and then back to town for a hardy breakfast at Frenchy’s. In town this handsome Violet-green Swallow posed for me. Also, here is a shot of a canoe at Frenchy’s.







From town we drove up the two rugged miles to Mirror Lake. We hiked around the lake, drove down the mountain, and continued on. As we ascended, our road gradually narrowed down to about a lane-and-a-third, the rocks enlarged from golf ball-sized to baseball-sized, and the switchback became more severe until we could see the back of our car trying to pass us around corners. However, the view from the more than 12,000-foot Cumberland Pass made it all worth it. Jan took this shot at an old mining camp on our return.



At Pitkin we stopped for snacks, and I took this shot of a boy and his beloved Chihuaha (he bites).



Here we picked up the road, continued on to Gunnison, then back to Almont, and then returned to camp completing our all-day, 100-mile journey.

Wednesday
Nathrop



After a nice hike along Taylor River, we broke camp and drove the 99 miles to Chalk Creek Campground in Nathrop, Colorado.

Thursday
Camping Grandkids
Our Grandkids (along with their parents and our Grandpup) arrived in the early afternoon for a mini-camping holiday. The highlight of the day (along with a campfire and S’mores) was a visit to the local hot springs.





Friday
Horseback Riding
Our big event on Friday was horseback riding. Here is another pic.



Saturday
We packed up and moved about 15 miles to the Snowy Peaks RV Park just north of Buena Vista. I kept my head down at the computer while Jan did her work.

Old Trucks
I’ve gotten several positive comments on my old truck shots, so I will make a regular blog entry.













Trivia Update on the Million Dollar Highway
Last week I mentioned the Million Dollar Highway south of Ouray. My friend Gene is a successful gold prospector and responded back to me with the real story of how the Million Dollar Highway was named: After the road was built, they discovered gold in the gravel, and someone estimated there was a million-dollar’s worth! Thanks, Gene.

Wonderful week.

Headlights

June 17: Snowy Peak RV Park, Buena Vista, CO
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28-29: Colorado Campground, Pike National Forest
June 30-July 4: Mary’s Campground, Estes Park
July 5-7: St. Vrain State Park
July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-?: Traverse City, MI
???...

RV Park Review
Check out www.rvparkreviews.com for my reviews and those of other travelers of recent campgrounds we have stayed at.

See you next week.

Tags: Nature Photography, Wildlife photography, Bird photography, Colorado, Gunnison National Park, Cumberland Pass, Old Trucks

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday: Cowboy Country
Mid-morning we pulled out of Cortez and drove the 115 miles to Ridgway State Park, five miles north of the town of Ridgway. We took Highway 145 through Dolores, passed through Rico, passed by Telluride, turned east at Placer, and north at Ridgway. We were fortunate to reserve a site overlooking a pond adjacent to the Uncompahgre River--just gorgeous. We spent time relaxing outside admiring the fly fishermen and watching kids play around and in the water. There are trails all over and the mountain views are fantastic. This is one nice State Park. Fans of Western movies might recognize the Ridgway area from viewing How the West Was Won and John Wayne’s True Grit, which were filmed here.

Monday: Back to Durango



We had business that required us to go back Durango, so early Monday morning we got onto the San Juan Skyway and headed south. Just 19 miles down from our campground is the town of Ouray, billed as the American Switzerland--a beautiful town in a stunning setting. Just south of Ouray is the 12-mile stretch that is referred to as the Million Dollar Highway. I’m not sure of the reason behind the name, but it sure provided million-dollar views as we drove along, up and up around curve and curve with snowy mountains above, flowing waterfalls across, and deep valleys below. My hunch is that the contractor for this job started running out of money at this stretch of road. Many of the most extreme curves over really deep fall-offs had no guardrails, and, at some of the most door-handle-grabbing sections, the pavement seemed to be a couple feet narrower than normal. No wonder many RV drivers avoid this road like caster oil, preferring to detour many miles to travel less stressful roads! At over 11,000 feet we crossed Red Mountain Pass, later Coal Bank Pass, and finally Molas Pass before reaching Durango. This is one gorgeous drive. We stopped along the side of the road to shoot this old truck.



On our return trip just south of Coal Bank Pass, we saw a small bighorn sheep jump down from a rock onto Highway 550. The car in front of us luckily slowed way down, and I pulled off just 20 feet from this large lamb. He let me shoot him for at least five minutes before he methodically bound from rock to rock back up the mountain. Handsome fellow, isn’t he?



Little Molas Lake
Later in our journey we stopped at Little Molas Lake to enjoy the view of this postcard setting.



We then stopped in Silverton to check things out. Shortly after we finished lunch, the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge train pulled into town. We walked down and took a few photos. Here is my favorite.



The Million Dollar Highway always requires vigilance, but it is far less stressful going north rather than south, as you can hug the mountainside instead of treading on the edge. So this portion of road was child’s play compared to the morning’s trek.

We drove around Ouray, and when the lightning started we darted into the Historical Museum of Ouray County for an enjoyable and enlightening hour learning about the local area. They had some beautiful flowers showcasing their facility.



Tuesday: Really Big Cat
The day started with a brisk, one-hour walk starting at the edge of our campsite and winding up and back the Uncompahgre River. I took a few shots of flowers along the way. Here is one of a false lupine.



Later in the day, we took a scouting car ride into the Uncompahgre National Forest. I was hoping to find some potential trails for hikes later in the week--typical forest roads, rocky, narrow, and steep, with switchbacks that provided the occasional wonderful view. Fourteen miles up the road (close to an hour’s driving), we turned a sharp corner to see what first appeared to be a dead elk with its mother/sibling standing by its side.

As we approached within 30 feet, we discovered that the standing creature was not an elk but a really big mountain lion who had just made a kill. Finally noticing our presence, he slowly raised up from chomping on the carcass and looked our way as blood ran down his chin. This guy appeared to be in robust maturity, tall at the shoulders, square of head, and sporting a tail that looked long enough to jump rope with. Two big bounds and this master of the woods was out of sight, probably watching us and waiting to get back to his lunch. Although I had my big camera on my lap, the three-second or so delay in taking action meant it was too late!



Wednesday: One More Time
Although the odds of seeing the Big Cat again were phenomenally against us, we couldn’t resist the lure of trying. So before dawn we re-traced our steps to the location of our sighting the day before. No carcass, no cat, but we continued to drive up, seeing patches of snow and numerous deer and elk. At one point we saw a newborn baby elk hobble across the road testing its legs as it followed its mother in retreat from our presence. We drove past the pass and went on and on all the way to Silver Jack Reservoir.



Here we unloaded from the car, and with the Kids in the lead we hiked for an hour along the lake, through a meadow, and then up into the woods. Our path ended at the dam where we decided to walk the dirt road back to our point of origin. Another beautiful hike with head-turning sights everywhere.







Box Canyon
Late afternoon we went to Box Canyon, housed within the city limits of Ouray. Along with a beautiful waterfall, Box Canyon is one of those rare places on the planet where black swifts nest. Apparently the swifts had just returned from their winter migration in Brazil and had not yet started their nests. The photographic challenge is that the black swifts are black and swift--we didn’t see a one, but enjoyed our visit.





Thursday: Telluride



Another scenic drive took us to the famous ski town of Telluride. We started by driving the streets lined with quaint shops and well-groomed houses (and an old vehicle or two), and then drove to the edge of town by the old mill to take in the view of Bridal Veil Falls. Next, we parked and walked the streets before taking the free tram to Mountain Village, Telluride’s sister city. This was the Pups first tram ride and they handled the affair with calm and dignity, just as you would expect of these worldly canines.





On our return home we took a diversion off of 145 taking Fall Creek Road south, down to the Woods Lake recreation area, another isolated location. Driving into the campground we saw this marmot.



Friday: On to Montrose



We took the short but pretty drive to Montrose. Here we had a very enjoyable evening visiting with Marge and David, our camp host friends from last year at Highline Lake State Park.

Saturday: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Early in the morning we drove the 20 miles to Black Canyon National Park. We parked at the campground and took the two-mile Rim Rock Nature Trail along the canyon wall trek to the Visitor’s Center and back. The Pups enjoyed the walk, and we had some nice views of the canyon. After that we took the scenic park drive stopping at some of the lookouts. We ended our time in the park by taking the East Portal Road down to the bottom on the canyon and on to the dam. Just as we turned onto this stretch, we saw this female dusty grouse cross the road.



This is Jan’s kind of road--hairpin turns and 16 percent grades.

Once again we ended the day with a nice visit with Marge and David talking about old times and new adventures.

Bonus Pic
Here is a pic from last week’s Anastazi ruin, Lowry Pueblos, visit that I neglected to put in last week’s blog. I really like this image, as it communicates the feeling of isolation and foreboding.



RV Park Review--Great RV Resource
Before I book a park I find myself going more and more to www.rvparkreview.com to get opinions from others who have stayed there. In fact, this is now my main resource. I was starting to feel guilty about using this great tool without contributing anything, so I am now writing reviews after each stay. If you are an RVer, I strongly recommend it.

Wonderful week.

Headlights

June 10-12: One Mile Camp, Gunnison, CO
June 13-15: Chalk Creek Park, Nathrop CO
June 16-17: ???
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28-29: Colorado Campground, Pike National Forest
June 30 to July 4: Mary’s Campground, Estes Park
July 5 to 7: St. Vrain State Park
July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-???: Traverse City, MI

See you next week.

Tags: Wildlife photography, Nature Photography, Colorado, Montrose, Ridgway State Park, Durango, telluride

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday: The Six-Miler
We started off the week as we left off--ambitious hiking. From camp we drove the dirt roads around the Vallecito Lake for 25 minutes, ending at the Pine River Trailhead. This was a pretty trail. Our journey took us through green, sweet-smelling forests, over and along boisterous streams, among flowered meadows, and gently upward into wild mountains.

I was loaded down with gear, so when we came to a tricky stream requiring crossing/fording, Jan carried the Pups over the rocks and logs one by one. (The Kids are troopers, but they don’t like to get wet!)

As we approached our third mile up, we met a young couple descending the trail. Along with a large, obviously full backpack, the woman carried a two-month old baby papoose-style. This family had camped for three nights along a lake 17 miles up the trail! I was impressed. Their dog also had a job. It carried a pack on its back full of diapers--clean on the right and dirty on the left!

Six miles for us old-timers was very good, and back at camp Jan and I were satisfied with our efforts but tired, and Jerry and Mitzy were just plain exhausted.



Monday: Memorial Day
No hikes today! Just a couple of close-by walks.

Tuesday: No Luck
We were up early at the Ute Recreation Area hoping to shoot some birds down by the lake and around the marshes. Beautiful morning, but no keepers.







Wednesday: Quiet Day
We returned to the nearby Vallecito Creek Trail for a brisk morning trek, and then I stayed close to the rig working while Jan went into Durango for supplies.

Thursday: The Hunt for Anasazi



After an exercise walk, Jan pointed the bus south and then west on to Cortez. After setting up, we drove the short distance to Anasazi Center up by Dolores. This place was the headquarters for the Canyon of the Ancients--helpful staff, excellent resources, and an extremely well-done museum. If you are into geology, history, photography, or old Indians, stop here.

Friday: Trail of the Ancients



At 5:30 a.m. we departed camp, taking a gorgeous pre-dawn, 42-mile, one-hour-and-10-minute drive across the valleys and hills of southwest Colorado ranch country and into eastern Utah. Along the way we saw lots of equipment (some new, some old). As we entered Hovenweep National Monument we saw this female coyote scooting across the brush.







Our well-thought-out plan was to take the main two-mile trail starting at the visitor center, seeing the main ruins in the cool morning before things heated up. Of course, no one else was there.





The trail was steep, rocky, and narrow, but we enjoyed seeing the ruins and the surrounding rock structures. The Pups had a marvelous time leading the way.

At a junction of two trails, I took neither, leading us into what turned out to be a remote canyon. We took this difficult “trail less traveled” (it kinda, sorta looked like a trail) until we could go no further, and reluctantly re-traced our path. However, our “accident” led us to spot a “Category III” ruin (a ranger later told us that they purposely don’t tell the public of their existence), so that was kind of cool.





From then on, though, Jan took special care to make sure we followed the correct trail.



After three invigorating hours of hiking we returned to our starting point, the visitor center, were we talked with the lone ranger. Next, we drove four miles on a four-wheel-drive road, and then hiked again for a mile or so to observe the Holly Ruins. Not a soul shared our exploration--a common occurrence in these remote areas...well, except for this colorful collared lizard.





Back at the car it was 10:30 and already quite warm. We leisurely drove our way home, stopping every now and then to check-out and shoot birds and enjoy the scenery.

Saturday: Canyon of the Ancients
We first drove northwest of Dolores to the McPhee Reservoir. At the observation point, we took the Can Do Trail along the canyon walls through the junipers spotting lots of birds along the way. After driving through the rest of McPhee, we decided to head north and, since the light was good, check out the Lone Dome Wildlife Area for photo ops. As we headed northwest on 491, it got darker and darker with lightning coming from the west. When we saw a Canyon of the Ancients monument sign pointing into the storm’s direction, we made an executive change of plan, heading west into the storm hoping to get some cool shots of the weather over the ruins. Even though it was mid-morning on a weekend, there was not a soul at the national historic landmark. We wandered at will, taking lots of photos of the skies darkening over Lowry Pueblo--our bet had paid off.







From here we drove to the Dove Creek Diner in Dove Creek for lunch (Jan had a burrito with Pinto beans), filled with gas, and spent most of the rest of the day exploring, stopping at the beautiful Dolores Canyon Overlook, and then into Lone Dome and other dusty paths inside our good friend, the San Juan National Forest.











Wonderful week.

Headlights

June 3-7: Ridgway State Park, Ridgway, CO
June 8-9: Cedar Creek RV Park, Montrose, CO
June 10-12: One Mile Camp, Gunnison, CO
June 13-15: Chalk Creek Park, Nathrop CO
June 16-17: ???
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28-29: Colorado Campground, Pike National Forest
June 30-July 4: Mary’s Campground, Estes Park
July 5-7: St. Vrain State Park
July 8-12: Travel East
July 13-14: McHenry, IL
July 15: Homer Glen, IL
July 16-17: Travel
July 18-?: Traverse City, MI

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado State Parks, Utah, Colorado, Hovenweep, Cortez, Lowry Pueblo, Vallecito Lake, San Juan National Forest, Nature Photography

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Hikes and Day Trips
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Durango. Along with business, each day was filled with hikes and road trips (short and long). Here are a few shots from the first part of the week.



















Shooting Trains
The famous Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge train runs parallel to highway 550, just the other side of the road from our park. Twice in the morning we heard the train whistle as the 8:30 and 9:30 trains chugged and puffed their way to Durango. Twice each day in the afternoon we heard them return. Thursday morning Jan and I walked the five minutes from BERT to the train tracks and set up our photo gear (on the tracks) awaiting the train. At 8:50 a.m. as planned, this old steam engine chugged north and I took a few head-on shots while Jan shot me shooting the train.

Note: We thought of tying Jan on the tracks (just like in the movies), and I would take shots as the train approached. However, since I had no rope, we decided against it. :’>







On to Vallacito Lake
After shooting the train, we broke camp and were out of Alpen Rose by 10:15 taking the short trip to Vallacito Lake and Blue Spruce RV Park. We stayed here three years ago and just love the place--trees, mountains, water--it has it all.

After setting up, we drove the half-mile to the San Juan Forest Vallacito Creek Trail trailhead and headed out into the Weminuche Wilderness for an hour-and-half hike.

Friday: The Challenging Hike
By 6:17 a.m., the four of us were at the Lake Eileen trailhead. The air was heavy with the sweet smell of pines, and the temperature was holding the line between light and medium jacket attire. The literature said it was a “challenging” two-mile trek up the mountain, but well worth the effort to make it to Lake Eileen. The literature was right on both counts. Our four-mile round trip took a full four hours. We walked up and up the rocky path full of switchback turns, going over/under/around fallen trees that blocked our path. With the constant bubbling of Vallecito Creek in the background, we stopped several times straining to locate the source of the sounds of buzzing hummers, singing mountain bluebirds, and tapping three-toed woodpeckers.

Twice we had to cross the speedy creek--one time the only option for the Pups was to walk over the racing water about 20 feet on the top of a fallen pine. Mountain Mitzy and Jerry the Wild were up to the task, fearlessly walking the dead trunk in the same fashion of the Great Farini high-wire crossing Niagara Falls.



Here are a few more shots from this gorgeous, yet trying, hike.















Saturday: Even More Challenging Hike



After breakfast, we took a 20-mile driving tour to Lemon Reservoir to see the sights, scope out possible future campgrounds, and hike the Burnt Timber Trail. All we knew about the trail is that it eventually hooked up to the Colorado Trail. Well, if we thought the trip the day before was challenging, then this baby was grueling! After 50 minutes of what seemed like straight up, we turned around and found some meadow trails that were more to our liking.

Wonderful week.

Headlights

May 27-30: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
May 31-June 2: Sundance RV Park, Cortez, CO
June 3-7: Ridgway State Park, Ridgway, CO
June 8-9: Cedar Creek RV Park, Montrose, CO
June 10-13: One Mile Camp, Gunnison, CO
June 14-17: ???
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28 on: ???

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Durango, Colorado State Parks, Bird photography, Vallacito Lake, Lake Eileen

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday: Mother’s Day Adventure
After a brisk walk in the 34-degree daylight and breakfast, everyone loaded into the car to celebrate Mother’s Day with a hike and a road trip.

Golden Eagle Encounter
Within 300 yards of leaving San Luis State Park, a mature (meaning really big) Golden Eagle swooped up from the desert directly to our right then cut across our path no more than six feet off the ground and within six feet of our car windshield. We could see every feather detail of this mottled brown giant as we barely missed a collision. I’d had my camera on my lap, but had no photo op during this three seconds of raw action. In my mind I hoped our new friend would circle back, but he kept on flying. Added to the consumption of a pot of strong coffee, I was buzzed for the day.

Zapata Falls Hike
Just five miles south of the Dunes is the Zapata Falls Recreation Area run by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). We took the three-mile path up the bumpy, curvy gravel road, ascending a couple thousand feet in the effort. At the trailhead we trekked up the old stream bed, stopping off to enjoy Zapata Falls. From here we continued up the mountain, climbing another mile before retracing our steps. Along the way we had panoramic views of the Dunes and the entire San Juan Valley. Wonderful hike.





Jan decided she’d like to see some yet-explored sights for Mother’s Day, so instead of turning south at Mosca we turned north.

Colorado Gator Farm
After careful but short deliberation, we passed on visiting the Colorado Gator Farm, continuing on past Hooper.

UFO
However, just a mile or so past Hooper we were “forced” to turn into the UFO Watchtower just as though a cosmic energy took possession of our Honda Element. What a place!



Ute Theater and Cultural Center
We continued going north on 17 with mountains on all sides to look at and not much else. We took a left at the junction of 285, deciding to explore the town of Saguache. As we turned down the main drag of this old town of 500 residents, I decided I wanted a cup of coffee to go. Pulling into a parking spot, I walked across the street to the local cafe. When I returned, Jan had found/created a new lifelong friend named Denise, the proprietor of the Ute Theater and Cultural Center. She had been drinking Mimosas outside of her establishment and had invited Jan inside to view the snack bar, wine bar, and old-time theatre…



Back in the car we returned home to the Park via Center, Hooper, and Mosca.

Monday: Breaking Camp
After four days, we had seen most all the sites in this area we had wanted to see. So by 7:45 a.m. we were on the road out in the brisk morning sun. We took the back roads all the way to Highway 160 West. As an example of the remoteness of our travels, even going 35 miles an hour for a big stretch, we drove over 30 miles with no one coming up behind us. Talk about stress-free driving.

Tuesday: Durango
We started the day with a downtown walk and stops at the Colorado Wildlife and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) offices to get ideas for hikes and locations for spotting wildlife. Later in the afternoon we took a road trip checking out both the town of Mancos and the Mancos State Park. Adjoining our campground is a ranch where horses run.



Wednesday: Junction Creek
By 6:45 a.m. we were at the Junction Creek trailhead of the Colorado Trail at the base of the San Juan Forest. We took a two-hour hike up Colorado’s most famous trail, then drove to the top of the world to Animas Overlook where we took in a vista of tall mountains, forests, and valleys.



Late afternoon we scouted out our hike for the next day.

Thursday: Hermosa Trail
This morning we took the high-altitude Hermosa Trail in the San Juan Forest.











Friday: Scenic Skyway Trip
Took an hour walk along the Animas River.





Early afternoon we took a 50-mile drive up Highway 550, part of the San Juan Scenic Skyway all the way to Silverton. Oh, yes, scenic it is! Made several stops along the way scouting out future hikes and future campgrounds.





Saturday: Navajo Country
Late morning we took a road trip south into the Ute Reservation, checking out Ignacious, Arboles, and driving through Navajo State Park, considering it for a stay in the future.

Wonderful week.

Headlights

May 20-23: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO
May 24-30: Blue Spruce Campground, Vallacito, CO
May 31-June 2: Sundance RV Park, Cortez, CO
June 3-7: Ridgway State Park, Ridgway, CO
June 8-9: Cedar Creek RV Park, Montrose, CO
June 10-13: One Mile Camp, Gunnison, CO
June 14-17: ???
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs, CO
June 28 on: ???

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Durango, Mosca, San Luis Valley, Nature Photography, Wildlife photography

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Baby Owls
Within 20 yards of our campsite at Chatfield State Park was an owl nest occupied by a momma Great Horned Owl and her two owlets. We could hear her hoots most early mornings.



Canada Work
On Sunday we traveled back to the Colorado Horse Park and set up camp. Early Monday morning, Jan and the Kids drove me to the Denver airport where I flew to Canada for work. My engagement went very well and I got back to Denver late Wednesday night.




San Luis Lake State Park
Thursday, after I conducted a webinar from BERT, Jan drove us to San Luis State Park in the San Luis Valley, just ten miles west of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It was like we had the campground to ourselves--the busiest night of our stay had only four other campsites filled! From our site, 7,500 feet of elevation in the high desert, we had awesome views of both the Sangre de Christo Mountains to the east and San Juan Mountains in the west.



Friday: Dunes and Birds
Great Sand Dune National Park
We started the day by scoping things out, first stopping at the first-class visitor center at the Park to help us plan our priorities. We had visited here three years ago and this is one of our favorite places.





Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
We drove to the town of Alamaso, and after stopping at their visitor center and having a very nice Mexican lunch at Ninos, we drove to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. Here we had a great time enjoying the marshes and lakes full of a variety of birds with the handsome mountains serving as a background. The evening brought the much-wanted sounds of a constant rain that soaked into the parched desert.









Saturday: Snowy Hike and Stormy Birds
Mosca Trail
Leaving the Kids to guard the coach, Jan and I headed out early driving back to the Dunes and up to the Mosca Pass Trailhead. We were the first ones at the trail and almost the first ones into the park. (Lots of slackers sleeping in, I guess. :,>)

Within a quarter mile, our topography changed, and a soft, white, and wet visitor joined us and stayed along as a companion throughout our upward journey. The snow added a strong visual contrast to the greens and blues of the surroundings and highlighted the occasional reds of a blooming prickly pear cactus. The senses were further heightened audibly with the constant gurgling of the creek that bordered the trail, spiked with a birdcall every now and then. In addition, the intense fresh smell of the forest after rain and snow added a feeling of newness as we ascended above 9,500 feet. Wonderful hike.







Medano Creek
From the trailhead, we drove down to Medano Creek to try and get a few pics while the light was still soft. We walked along and through the rushing water (only ankle deep) admiring the landscape and enjoying the families with kids and pups playing in the water or hiking up the dunes.







Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Next, we drove back to Alamosa and had breakfast-lunch at a local diner. From here we took the back roads to the Monte Vista area, spending time exploring the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (associated with the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge we visited the day before). What a perfect day for finding/watching/photographing birds--a big storm was brewing in the mountains so all the birds were out in the air, swimming, flitting, and flying around, all alert to the possible dangers of the weather.













Wow, what a week!

Headlights

May 13: San Luis State Park, Alamosa, CO
May 14: Navajo State Park
May 15-24: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1-17: Ridgway? Montrose? Gunnison? Crested Butte?
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs
June 28 on: ???

See you next week.

Tags: Colorado, Colorado State Parks, Bird photography, San Luis Valley

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

We continued to camp at Chatfield State Park close to the grandkids, with Austin spending most of the time with us.

Netting Birds
One morning we drove to a nearby Audubon property to watch them net, examine, measure, weigh, tag, and release birds caught in their special nets. Austie got a big kick out of the whole procedure. Here are a few shots.











Early Birthday Present
Before the whole hullabaloo surrounding Austie’s upcoming birthday erupted, we decided to give Austin his present early. Here is a shot of him opening up his present--a waterproof, dust-proof, shockproof camera (we shall see). There’s also a shot of me shooting the box-opening action.





Afternoon at the Zoo
We took Austie to the Denver Zoo to let him try out his new camera. Here is a carousel shot of Austie and a couple of birds from the afternoon.







This and That
Here are a few odds-and-ends photos of this past week.













Baby Natalie
The little sweetie is getting cuter each day! Here is a shot of her alone and one with proud grandma. If you want to see more, click here.

Headlights

May 6-10: Colorado Horse Park
May 11-14: Great Sand Dunes National Monument?
May 15-24: Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1-17: Ridgway? Montrose? Gunnison? Crested Butte?
June 18-22: Chatfield State Park, Littleton, CO
June 24-27: Cheyenne Mt. State Park, Colorado Springs
June 28 on ???

See you next week.

Tags: Bird photography, Colorado, Chatfield State Park, Denver Zoo

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Late Sunday morning we broke camp and drove for about an hour to Chatfield State Park, our home for two weeks.

Baby Natalie
Here are two pics of three-day-old Baby Natalie—she’s almost grown up already.





In case you missed them and have an interest, last week’s shots of just-born Natalie (all downloadable) are available by clicking here.

Austie Camping
For most days this week, Jan has picked up Austie from pre-school in the afternoon returning him back the next morning. During our time together, we walked the Pups several times a day, built superhero Legos every night, played at the park at all hours, and discussed world issues continually--good thing I’m in shape for an old guy.

Morning Hikes
I had the luxury of taking long morning hikes every day with a few photo ops.







Birding Walk
On Saturday morning, Jan and I joined a group of about ten for a birding walk inside the park. Joey, our leader, was a library of both avian and park knowledge, and he shared his favorite places for finding migratory birds. Also had the chance for a close-up with a mature bull snake.













Bath Night
Here is a picture of the always-feminine Mitzy on bath night.



Culinary Shot
All that hiking and fresh air takes a lot of energy. Here is a shot of Jan’s Thrasher Beef and Veggie Soup.

Headlights

April 29-May 5: Chatfield State Park
May 6-10: Colorado Horse Park
May 11-14: Travel south and west
May 15-24: Durango, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 25-31: Blue Spruce Campground Vallacito, CO
June 1 On: ???

See you next week.

Tags: travel photography, Bird photography, Colorado

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunday: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The wind finally settled down and we had a nice view of the Guadalupe Mountains as I took the Pups for a long walk in the chilly air (49 degrees). After breakfast, we broke camp at Van Horn at 9:30 and took a nice and leisurely 63-mile trip north on Highway 54 to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, gently rising to 5,600 feet.

Carlsbad Day Trip
After getting situated, we unhooked the car and drove the 60 miles to Carslbad, New Mexico, for a wonderful lunch of Mexican for Jan and barbecue for me (of course we brought the Kids a treat). Carlsbad Caverns National Park was right on our path, so we pulled into the visitor center and I looked around. It wasn’t hot but we didn’t want to leave the Pups in the car so we were unable to explore the caves--some other trip.



Monday: Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Alamagorda, New Mexico
Morning Hike
Before dawn, Jan and I drove to the Frijole Ranch Trailhead in Guadalupe to hike the 2.3-mile Smith Spring Trail. It was quite chilly at sunrise, but slowly warmed, and at the end of the trek I was ready to shed my jacket. We enjoyed the walk along the stony path, going up and over the hills, and around a pond and by the springs.



Shortly after returning to camp we were packed and heading west on Texas 62. At El Paso we turned north on New Mexico 54 then turned into Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, about 12 miles south of Alamagordo. After getting settled in, we drove to White Sands National Monument, stopped by the Visitor Center, and then took the drive to scope out our photography hike for the next morning.

We can see for miles looking out from our high desert campground. This park is at the very tip of the Chichuahuan Desert in the foothills.





Jan has had quite a time watching the dust devils (baby tornadoes) as they suck and spurt among the cacti and the scrub. At any one time you can see six to ten of these little turbos.

Our camp host is an amateur astronomer of over 40 years, and he was kind enough to share his views of the heavens with Jan and me. Through the viewfinder of his 12-inch reflector, we peeked back into time viewing growing stars and dying nebulae. Just a wonderful experience. Makes me want to consider a new hobby :’>>>

Tuesday
White Sands National Monument
The gates to the Monument don’t open until 7 a.m., so we slept in, leaving BERT at 6:20 to drive the 30-minute journey. Because the morning was chilly, the Pups got to go. Jan and I took the Dune Life Nature Trail hike, and after that, drove through the Monument, stopping several times when we saw something interesting. This is a very interesting and unique park--one I feel most people would really enjoy.











Dune Dogs
Both Pups love running in the sand and they thoroughly enjoyed being off the leash. Here are a couple of my favorite photos of them.





Day Trip



In the afternoon, the four of us took a day trip to some small towns east of Alamogordo within the Lincoln National Forest.

Wednesday: Sugarite Canyon State Park, Raton, NM
Morning Hike
Before dawn I hiked a short trail within walking distance of our campsite. Here are a few shots of desert flowers.











When I returned, Jan already had the Pups on leashes so we took them for a nice stroll/run before getting on NM Highway 54 north at 9:00. Once again, a beautiful day. We finally stopped at another New Mexico state park a few miles outside of Raton, close to the Colorado border.

Thursday
Morning Hike
Jan and I drove five miles across the border into Colorado, pulling into the James M. John State Wildlife Area. Here we hiked by ourselves for a couple of miles around Lake Dorothey.









Capulin Volcano National Monument Day Trip



After stopping back at camp to pick up the Pups, Jan drove us west on Highway 72 to Folsom. Here we turned south on 325 to the Capulin Volcanic National Monument. After spending time at the Monument, we returned back to camp via 64 East and I-25 North. Wonderful trip. Along the way we saw scenic vistas and herds of deer and antelope.













Friday: Colorado Horse Park, Parker, CO
Baby Natalie
At 7:30 a.m. we got the call from AJ--Kelly and he were heading for the hospital. We quickly packed up and headed up I-25 across the Colorado border and on to Parker. We set up camp at the Colorado Horse Park, 15 minutes from their home. At their place we walked their dog Hanna Pug, dropped off our Pups, and drove to the hospital. Natalie Marie Helman, all eight pounds and two ounces of her, was born at 11 a.m., April 20. One glance and it is obvious that this gorgeous, intelligent young female will grow into a woman of style and grace. Here is a pic of mom and baby. (Anyone interested in our granddaughter can see many more shots [all downloadable] by clicking here.)



Saturday
Austie and Hanna Pug spent the night with us, and Saturday was quite “active” between walks, games, playgrounds, swimming lessons, car rides, setting up video…. Ended the day wonderfully exhausted. Life is good--very, very good.



Audible Books
Correction: Last week I referenced the dog-car racing book as “Driving in the Rain.” Should have had my coffee first. The correct title is The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. Sorry about that.

This past week we made the miles fly by while listening to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and podcasts of National Public Radio’s “Car Talk.” Both recommended.

Headlights

April 22: Colorado Horse Park, Parker, CO
April 23 to May 5: Chatfield State Park, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 - ??: As of now, our plans are to head to Durango and the Four Corners area for a few weeks.

See you next week.

Tags: Wildlife photography, Colorado State Parks, Colorado, New Mexico, texas

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Final Preparations
Although we are now “old pros” (at least part of the term fits :’>), we still had lots to do in final preparation for our trip, but by Wednesday at 10 AM, we were ready. Our motorcoach, BERT (Big Expensive Road Traveler), was loaded, and our main cockpit crew of Jan and Mitzy were rested and at the wheel. Jerry and I were busy studying maps and plotting courses.





The Plan
The plan for Phase One of our trip was a simple one: relentlessly drive north and west to the very western tip of Texas. Hence, we took I-75 north to the top of Florida, then west on I-10 crossing out of Florida, touching the bottoms of Alabama and Mississippi, skirting across the bayou lands of Louisiana, then grinding it out across the girth of Texas.



Stops
Our stops for the evenings included such exotic locations as Vortex Springs, Florida; Jerreau, Louisiana; Seguin, Texas; and Van Horn Texas. True Americana.

Conditions
From the beginning and for the majority of this segment, conditions were excellent: warm weather, beautiful skies, pleasant scenery, fairly flat, fairly smooth highways, and moderate traffic. Yes, we had some slow time due to traffic jams caused by wrecks and road work, but overall we made good time. However, that started to change on Saturday as the scenery became more and more desolate the further west we drove and the winds began to pick up. BERT slowed down and forearm muscles tightened on the wheel. We drove through dust storms the last couple hours of the day. After setting up we were happy to be inside. We heard the wind howl and smelled the swirled dust all night. OMG! Glad we aren’t tenters!

Pics Along the Way
Although Jan is the primary bus driver, I give her a break every few hours. Mitzy, however, is always at the ready--here she is driving from my lap.



It also seems like more and more pups are taking the wheel. Here is a truck-driving dog that Jan captured.



At one of our stops in Louisiana, we had a hay field behind us. Having an Impressionistic moment, I was inspired to take this pic of a hay bale and later paint it on the computer. I call it my Bayou Monet.



At another stop, our camp host lived in a boat, and at the same camp, this cool old truck was parked behind us. With a little work, it would make an awesome tow car.





Finally, here are shots of a flower box, a mailbox from our morning walks, and one of an off-the-leash flying Jerry.







Audible Books
It is hard for me to type the words “audible books” as my muscle memory wants me to type “books on tape.” Oh, the pace of technology. As you all know, listening to a good story makes the miles fly by. For several hours we listened to Driving in the Rain, by Garth Stein. I believe just about everyone would enjoy it, but especially dog lovers and car racing enthusiasts (Jerry, Al, Ben, and Jeff immediately come to mind). Highly recommended. We also listened to Sick Puppy, by Carl Hiaason. Along with being an excellent writer, Hiasson is a staunch environmentalist, and most all his books contain some element about Florida and environmental abuse. A good read that all Floridians can relate to. I recommend this book as well.

Winn Dixie Cats Update
Yes! The public outcry has worked--Winn Dixie has backed down on its plan to evict the cats. Thanks to all those who shouted out against tyranny.

Headlights

April 15: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
April 16 - 20: White Sands National Park
April 22 - 22: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
April 23 - May 5: Chatfield State Park, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 on: As of now, our plans are to head to Durango and the Four Corners area for a few weeks

If you have recommendations regarding the above itinerary, I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week.

Tags: travel photography, Americana

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Sunrises
Fog, clouds, and light combined this past week to give rise to some very pretty dawn and pre-dawn skies. Here are fours shots that I like.









Odds and Ends







Island Birds
Here is an image of a young eagle making one of his first flights. I wouldn’t call him (or her) cute or cuddly, but a good-looking youngster, don’t you think? Also, here are some cedar waxwings frolicking as they rest during migration, a young family of osprey, and a young pelican.









Moku Hanga
Moku Hanga is Japanese woodblock printing, and this Macintosh app gives pictures this unique look. I applied it to the osprey and pelican shot above, plus the tree face below and a couple of previous posts from past blogs. What do you think?







Winn Dixie Cats
This is an Island Issue--sorry to bother you if you are not a resident, but here is the scoop: Three neutered, good-natured cats live by the Winn Dixie up at the Island Center. They don’t cause anyone any problems, and local people take care of them--they are a part of the Island culture.

However, it seems that a mean-spirited, cat-hating, part-timer is trying to run the Island and has complained to Winn Dixie corporate about the cats and demanded their removal. Corporate’s knee-jerk reaction (without any investigation) was to tell the local Winn Dixie manager to get rid of the cats--end of story. This is a perfect example of how one sick moron can ruin things for the rest of us. It is also a sad example of lousy management. If you’d like to help save these cats before it is too late, or you just want to stop mean meddlers, go to www.winndixie.com, click on “contact us,” and tell them what you think, and then pass this link on to others. By the way, I did, and found it quite enjoyable to sound off!

Headlights

April 11: Depart Pine Island
April 12 - 13: Heading North on I-75 then West on I-10
April 14 - 15: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
April 16 - 20: White Sands National Park
April 22 - 22: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
April 23 - May 5: Chatfield State Park, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 - ??: As of now, our plans are to head to Durango and the Four Corners area for a few weeks.

If you have recommendations regarding the above itinerary, I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week.

Tags: Bird photography, Pine Island, Moku Hanga

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Baseball
I had the chance to watch a Red Sox vs. Rays game with friends at the new JetBlue Stadium. Here are a few pics. Note the excitement of the fans…







Birds
It was kind of quiet bird-wise on the Island, but here are a few pics.













Brainstorming
My home office is strewn with atlases and maps, brochures and guides. Destinations are being designated, locations are being located, and routes are being routed. Finally our initial phase of Motoring Across America is laid out.

Headlights

April 13: Depart Pine Island
April 14 - 15: Heading north on I-75 then west on I-10
April 16 - 17: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
April 18 - 19: White Sands National Park
April 20 - 21: Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
April 23 - May 5: Chatfield State Park, CO (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 on: We will probably stay in Colorado at least for a month, maybe more, then ???

If you have recommendations regarding the above itinerary, I’d love to hear from you.

See you next week.

Tags: Bird photography, JetBlue Stadium

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Here are a few pups and bird shots from the Island and a few pics from a Saturday trip to the Venice Rookery.

Headlights

MAA ’12 is cranking up! BERT (our motorhome--Big Expensive Road Traveler) is getting serviced, stuff is being sorted and plans are being prepped.

April 13: Depart Pine Island
April 14 - 22: Heading North and West
April 23 - May 5: Chatfield State Park (near Denver) to visit family
May 6 - ?: We will probably stay in Colorado at least for a month, maybe more.

See you next week.

Tags: Bird photography, pet photography, Venice Rookery

Contents

Rearview Mirror - Summary of the past week
Headlights - Our schedule as to where we will be heading

Note: click on any photo for a larger image/slideshow)

Rearview Mirror

Gatorland
Before dawn on Sunday, Jan and I drove the easy hour from Auntie’s place in Apopka to Gatorland located south of the Orlando area on the Orange Blossom Trail. Gatorland is a kind of touristy place, with alligators constantly swimming about, but a boardwalk above the ponds go through a rookery hosting all sorts of birds. A nice thing for photographers is that for a few dollars more, they will let you into the park two-and-a-half hours before anyone else. The morning was cloudy with occasional rain making the light soft and perfect for photography. We stayed for three hours shooting birds and a gator or two now and then. www.gatorland.com



































Kennedy
While Jan and the Kids stayed with Auntie, I participated in a client’s national meeting in Orlando, and one afternoon the entire group went to the Kennedy Space Center. It was my first time and a great experience reliving the NASA days of Mercury and Apollo.







Airboat Rides (or Up to My _ _ _ in Alligators)
On the way back from the Space Center, our buses took a short detour to Cocoa to eat fried alligator and fish and go out for airboat rides on the river.







Lacrosse Team Dinner
Auntie’s granddaughter Haley plays Lacrosse at Pfeiffer. The entire team had an outdoor dinner at Cousin Chris’s place near Orlando, and I took a few pics.

Headlights

MAA ’12 tentative departure date is set! We are pleased to announce that Motoring Across America 2012 is already in the planning and our tentative date of departure is April 13. More to come…

See you next week.