So what makes this school famous?
Hints, storm clouds are appropriate background, it is in Wichita and we are touring NPS sites.
Old Fort Bent /
Beautiful reconstruction on original foundations and walls of this adobe trading post built when this area was the northern boundary of Mexico. Very well done, well presented site with wonderful isolation from any outside sights or sounds. More later.
Lonely? /
This is Route 50 across Nevada. It is nicknamed the "loneliest road in America" and it may be. There is not much but three small - eccentric towns - six mountain ranges and the Great Basin. Two places to buy gas in 283 miles. You don't really care the price. But the scenery, the snowy mountains, are worth the trip. And it leads to Great Basin National Park.
Can You Imagine? /
At the Monterey Aquarium you meet creatures you did not know existed except on the pages of Sci-Fi writers. The sea is full of things that glow, pulsate, mimic, wave, swim, float and intimidate. When we read "So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water," the scope of that work doesn't impact you while reading. It seems like God just decided to have fun with this aspect of creation.
Muir Woods National Memorial /
John Muir was instrumental in the effort to save many of the trees and natural areas for us to enjoy with his influential writings and talks leading to an awareness of the value of saving these areas from development. Several are now a part of the National Park Service. These woods were set aside to honor him and they include many of the Sequoia trees he loved. Here is Cathedral Grove looking up! More on him later as we also visited his home and lots here at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Muir
Any Idea? /
Saw this little creature on a walk by the shore just north of Monterey. It was a bit shy and curious and would duck and peek over and over. I don't know what it is, does anyone here?
Sun, Flowers and Sea /
The Southern California coast - this is near La Jolla.
Delicate /
Both the color and the flower in the enormous chasm of the Kings Canyon this little flower still stood out.
Create Your Own Rainbow /
Near Grizzly Falls in Kings Canyon was so full and so fast that you could not get near it without getting soaking wet, not damp, not misty, soaked! So I tried to get a photo and each time the water spotted the lens instantly - so those shots have lots of water spots. This one I hid behind a tree and while cleaning off the lens saw this rainbow in the spray.
Joshua Tree at Sunset /
You sort of have to take the iconic shot at Joshua Tree. However, you find yourself really interested in the variety of trees and the extensive numbers of the unique trees. We really liked the northwest corner of the park. We were also surprised by the town of Yucca, much more there than we expected.
The King's Canyon /
A mostly remote National Park the canyon drive is one of the few places to easy see some of this amazing land. King's Canyon NP is between Sequoia and Yosemite. This is a short walk down a steep hill to the river near Knapp's Cabin. The river is waaaay over normal. In fact people were warned not too even try to wade in any portion. Stellar country.
Birds of the Air... /
Remarkable diversity in the bird kingdom. Still seeing new species. This is a Cactus Wren in Organ Pipe National Monument.
Under the Sea! /
The submarine ride is still at Disneyland. A "slow-loader" it was taken out at Disneyworld. It is quite well done. Through a porthole window.
Sunset at Leo Cabrillo State Park /
We stayed here two days. Very nice. It was cold the night this was taken. There were a few surfers but they were too far away south of where we were.
Big Thunder Mountain /
At Disneyland it is a more elaborate ride than at Disneyworld. Really enjoyed the clever scenery.
Two More /
Whale tail and the namesake hump.
Humpback /
Crossing the bay on the way to Santa Cruz we saw a huge pod of dolphin, maybe 2 or 300 hundred and out of the midst of them rose this Humpback Whale. So cool to see.
Happy 46th Anniversary /
Not everyone is willing to undertake the effort CJH makes to have us function well on these trips. Planning, food, navigation and more is always her area and it pays off so much while on the road. So blessed to have shared 46 years of married life, two excellent sons, special daughters-in-law and fabulous grandkids. Now we are seeing a small portion of the beautiful country together. We should be at Yosemite today with dinner at the lodge.
Smells Great /
The only significant trees on Santa Cruz Island are these Eucalyptus trees. They are huge and fragrant. The pack-in small campground is located under the trees.
Lunch? /
Having a mussel for lunch. This star fish has begun the 4 hour process to pull a small opening in the shell and then will eat scrub the shell completely clean.
