tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89018193505571667702023-11-16T08:18:52.248-05:00Lavelle-Kessler Red Rock TripMichael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-83538334987087320102012-12-23T21:27:00.000-05:002013-03-04T13:43:22.765-05:00Trip Map<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Introduction</h2>
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Seeing the
West means traveling long distances but it is well worth the effort.
Every family should have the chance to make such a trip. You've seen the
pictures in magazines and in cowboy western movies. But seeing the real
thing captures images that never leave us over the years. This blog is a
small effort to remember and teach what such a trip can do for each of
us.</div>
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You
will find references to national parks and images from Google Maps and
Google Earth. These personal images and links provide a quick method of
seeing and learning more about the opportunities out West. </div>
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Because
Google Maps and Earth embeds are included, you'll need the Google
Maps/Earth plugin for your browser. Download and install them when
requested. I recommend Firefox and Google Chrome browsers. Depending on
which version of Microsoft Explorer you use, the viewing experience
might not be satisfactory.</div>
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Click on an image to see it blow up to full size. In fact, depending on your browser plugins, clicking on a single image will bring up all of the images to view. Click outside an image to return to the blog page. <i>Some of the Monument Valley images are spectacular. </i></div>
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Please report any problems to me at this <a href="mailto:mlavelle1942@gmail.com" target="_blank">email </a>address. Mike Lavelle</div>
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Remember: the sequence is inverted in the September index. Start with the oldest date from the bottom of the list. </div>
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This trip was planned with the help and guidance of Ann Kessler. Talk about knowing where to go in Utah!</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZsA-8LYTXRyD9NZH2VsbJ3V19ehYhLhuLtDcsVssk5Q0O-VqRuoF5kFoSUs8NxYgIFb4WxcuVL0rCUEYRVx0XriMHmxqmA-LKN8fXasr9l-P31Yzy2ouskdOtptVj7xDQPC0XaS7nkLO/s400/Red+Rock+Map.png" height="277" width="400" /> </div>
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Google Map Version - 1200 miles </h2>
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<br />Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Indianapolis, IN, USA39.7685825 -86.157955739.378089 -86.8034027 40.159076 -85.5125087tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-82971053960929190462012-09-17T10:13:00.000-04:002012-12-23T13:13:32.529-05:00Los Alamos<br />
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<img alt="Pajarito Plateau" class="right" src="http://www.lanl.gov/radiant/images/area/losalamos/pajarito.jpg" /> </div>
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The first thought that strikes a new visitor is: <i>this is such a clean and orderly place</i>.<br />
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Los Alamos sits on the Pajarito Plateau, a consolidated mass of volcanic tuff from the Valles and Toledo eruptions (1.4 to 1.1 million years ago). The town-site is built on a series of fingers of land (locally referred to as mesas) separated by deep canyons. The canyons result from water runoff from the Sierra de los Valles (a branch of the Jemez Mountains, one of the southernmost extensions of the Rockies) which border the town, and range up to several hundred feet deep. Most of the town is located on the top of the mesas, at an elevation around 7,500 feet above sea level. In addition, the community of White Rock sits at the base of the mesas, around 7000 feet. <a href="http://public.lanl.gov/radiant/losalamos.html" target="_blank">Read more...</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Los Alamos (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_language" title="Spanish language">Spanish</a>: <span lang="es"><i>Los Álamos</i></span>, meaning "The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populus_deltoides" title="Populus deltoides">cottonwoods</a>") is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Townsite" title="Townsite">townsite</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Census-designated_place" title="Census-designated place">census-designated place</a> (CDP) in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_County,_New_Mexico" title="Los Alamos County, New Mexico">Los Alamos County</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico" title="New Mexico">New Mexico</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a>, built upon four mesas of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pajarito_Plateau" title="Pajarito Plateau">Pajarito Plateau</a> and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_United_States_Census" title="2010 United States Census">2010 Census</a>. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rock,_New_Mexico" title="White Rock, New Mexico">White Rock</a> is also part of the town. Technically, both are part of the same incorporated city/county. Los Alamos is home to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_National_Laboratory" title="Los Alamos National Laboratory">Los Alamos National Laboratory</a>, which was founded to undertake the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project" title="Manhattan Project">Manhattan Project</a>. Los Alamos County is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_corporation" title="Municipal corporation">incorporated</a> county, and many county offices are located at the townsite of Los Alamos. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_High_School" title="Los Alamos High School">Los Alamos High School</a> is the public high school of Los Alamos County. Before the Manhattan Project, the site was occupied by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School" title="Los Alamos Ranch School">Los Alamos Ranch School</a>. Los Alamos has a county council which the people elect to four-year terms. The county council is seven members with four or three persons elected every two years to the four-year terms. The council elects a chairman and vice-chairman.</span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnTqtUQGP9xi8CjwD7CH5L4bO7IFSqHWOD2vuNNCO7CFGjKGAJUUi2-ahGUvRRv5emJiTNnulCMAyZdgjwcRbgF6wFd4f-bk66KnnMf5gJrJCydL5Wx1C05h9up3q3J11cEJTSi54_1Rg/s1600/800px-Los_Alamos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnTqtUQGP9xi8CjwD7CH5L4bO7IFSqHWOD2vuNNCO7CFGjKGAJUUi2-ahGUvRRv5emJiTNnulCMAyZdgjwcRbgF6wFd4f-bk66KnnMf5gJrJCydL5Wx1C05h9up3q3J11cEJTSi54_1Rg/s320/800px-Los_Alamos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Los Alamos has a long and varied history. However, its uniqueness – and what it is best known for – comes from its role as the site for the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Los Alamos Laboratory, known as Project Y, was conceived during the early part of World War II. The United States wanted to build an atomic explosive to counter the threat posed by the German nuclear development program. The term Manhattan Project came about because the program began under the Manhattan Engineering District of the War Department. </span><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Los_Alamos.jpg" target="_blank">Full size view</a> of city.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYAFuO5ozK_XOz9L1SQK-Bj5yVYXpKrqDB_zZWS7bOC6nQ3AUS-h7uU613qBIIFJDvyAaqhNsGl-4aXDEFpD5ihAXmWBCerQEm5HpaLc1kRVQrQ44Eq-WRAA4mC5WrI-1yu0APe1vqzWX/s1600/Bradbury+Science+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYAFuO5ozK_XOz9L1SQK-Bj5yVYXpKrqDB_zZWS7bOC6nQ3AUS-h7uU613qBIIFJDvyAaqhNsGl-4aXDEFpD5ihAXmWBCerQEm5HpaLc1kRVQrQ44Eq-WRAA4mC5WrI-1yu0APe1vqzWX/s1600/Bradbury+Science+Museum.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Bradbury Science Museum is an interesting visit. Several good videos play explaining the history of the Atomic Bomb development. Lots of hands-on exhibits too. <a href="http://public.lanl.gov/radiant/losalamos.html" target="_blank">See more...</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRqhDCG1sEnO_q5Q_Izm96r31omn4adr6fDmS8wrO8jbnI-thhZFiRh12u-MTOxfbxuxl6T5ZdzbXdiI8rt852nbmIj72V3jYEnT6aOHwTsDJla1dRgiB6Ox5vr3lRA735YzReR6WbnF/s1600/800px-Los_Alamos_Historical_Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnRqhDCG1sEnO_q5Q_Izm96r31omn4adr6fDmS8wrO8jbnI-thhZFiRh12u-MTOxfbxuxl6T5ZdzbXdiI8rt852nbmIj72V3jYEnT6aOHwTsDJla1dRgiB6Ox5vr3lRA735YzReR6WbnF/s320/800px-Los_Alamos_Historical_Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We found the Los Alamos Historical Museum very interesting, if only as an introduction to the city and other sites. Definitely worth the time. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Historical_Museum" target="_blank">See more...</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Manhattan Project</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For those not familiar with the creation of the Atomic Bomb, this is a VERY famous place. </span>Los Alamos grew from a few hundred people in 1943 to over 6,000 in 1945. It was the center of the theoretical calculations that under pinned the bomb development. The Manhattan Project was a huge development. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project" target="_blank">Read more here...</a> The development of the "bomb" turned the world upside down. It signaled the start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.<br />
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<span dir="auto">J. Robert Oppenheimer</span></h2>
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<span dir="auto">The leader of the project was J. Robert Oppenheimer, a physicist at the University of California (Berkeley). His health lead him to spend time outside in and around the vicinity of Los Alamos. When searching for a suitable self-contained site, he recommended the city to General Groves, who ran the Manhattan Project for the Army. Oppenheimer is a huge figure in this development effort Every student of American history should understand the impact that the Manhattan Project had on the world and Oppenheimer's role in that effort. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Robert_Oppenheimer" target="_blank">Read more about him here...</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Atomic Bomb</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The effort to build the Atomic Bomb consumed huge resources of the U.S. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner recalls rising early with her father on their ranch in rural Arizona one morning when it was still dark outside. They saw a bright light in the distance that they could not account for at the time. It was the first explosion of the Atomic Bomb at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_%28nuclear_test%29" target="_blank">Trinity Site</a>.</span><br />
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This is the only color photo of the first atomic bomb explosion. <a href="http://www.abqjournal.com/trinity/trinity1.htm" target="_blank">Read more about it here...</a><br />
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<b>Los Alamos Ranch School</b> </h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Th</span>e original main school building, Fuller Lodge, is very special. Read about it below.<br />
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The school was a private <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boarding_school" title="Boarding school">boarding school</a> for boys in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_County,_New_Mexico" title="Los Alamos County, New Mexico">Los Alamos County</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico" title="New Mexico">New Mexico</a>, near <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otowi_Historic_District" title="Otowi Historic District">Otowi</a>, in what would eventually become <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos,_New_Mexico" title="Los Alamos, New Mexico">Los Alamos, New Mexico</a>. It was founded by Detroit businessman Ashley Pond II, father of <a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peggy_Pond_Church&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Peggy Pond Church (page does not exist)">Peggy Pond Church</a>, renowned New Mexican poet and author.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-LAHS_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-LAHS-1">[1]</a></sup></blockquote>
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The school, which was established in 1917, offered a program modeled after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America" title="Boy Scouts of America">Boy Scouts of America</a>, combining a college preparatory curriculum with a rigorous outdoor life. Famous alumni included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_S._Burroughs" title="William S. Burroughs">William S. Burroughs</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore_Vidal" title="Gore Vidal">Gore Vidal</a><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-LAHS_1-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-LAHS-1">[1]</a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_Opera" title="Santa Fe Opera">Santa Fe Opera</a> founder <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Crosby_%28conductor%29" title="John Crosby (conductor)">John Crosby</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup></blockquote>
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In November 1942, the school and the surrounding land were purchased by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army" title="United States Army">United States Army</a>'s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project" title="Manhattan Project">Manhattan Engineering District</a> for use in the top-secret effort to develop the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon" title="Nuclear weapon">atomic bomb</a>. The school awarded its final diplomas in January 1943 and the Army took control of the property the following month.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-LAHS_1-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-LAHS-1">[1]</a></sup></blockquote>
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[The Army gave notice to the school that they had 5 months to clear out. In order to provide a diploma for the school year, academics were accelerated for a January end date. This was a very interesting school. All the boys had to where short pants, including in the winter, with knee socks to ward of the cold. Many of the children were sent there to offset some kind of sickness or health condition.] </blockquote>
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The site was chosen for the Manhattan Project because of its isolation, access to water, the fact that it had pre-existing buildings which could be used for housing, the fact that much of the surrounding land was already owned by the federal government, had ample space, and was located on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesa" title="Mesa">mesa</a> in which all entrances could be secured. The facility originally was referred to as "Site Y", but would later become known as Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, then <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_National_Laboratory" title="Los Alamos National Laboratory">Los Alamos National Laboratory</a>. During <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II">World War II</a>, the school's Fuller Lodge and the Big House were used as social gathering places for Los Alamos project personnel, and some other buildings were used for housing. The school buildings were known as "Bathtub Row" because they were the only houses in Los Alamos with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub" title="Bathtub">bathtubs</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-4"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Ranch_School#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup></blockquote>
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Currently, Fuller Lodge serves as the site of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_Historical_Museum" title="Los Alamos Historical Museum">Los Alamos Historical Museum</a>. The main part of the Lodge is open for visitor viewing and is frequently used for meetings or weddings. The Los Alamos Art Center is housed in the south wing by Central Avenue.</blockquote>
The lodge is located almost in the middle of the town.<br />
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The end houses offices, both on the main floor and the second above.<br />
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It was built of local timber and looks as rustic as you might imagine a western building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYOWoSpplgAdLEkJOnOTAbAiuVCbvV4xlxpsui4_-VHMaRwiyfCaEOfL0u8u61yP5dzQ10l2aG3_YqrM2-sPCGHq_WPQZk_3q9Xk1s9FaJa9vfNlLLNc1X0yxSVgu_R05hF2qvdSYEgU2/s1600/2012-09-17+11.13.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYOWoSpplgAdLEkJOnOTAbAiuVCbvV4xlxpsui4_-VHMaRwiyfCaEOfL0u8u61yP5dzQ10l2aG3_YqrM2-sPCGHq_WPQZk_3q9Xk1s9FaJa9vfNlLLNc1X0yxSVgu_R05hF2qvdSYEgU2/s640/2012-09-17+11.13.02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main hall opens to the yard on the left. Rooms (now offices) are on the right. <br />
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Check out the would work at the second floor level.<br />
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Both ends of the lodge have large fireplaces.<br />
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View looking from center of main lodge hall to the far end.<br />
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<br />Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA35.8880796 -106.3069722000000235.8366246 -106.38765320000002 35.939534599999995 -106.22629120000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-85465163054773621342012-09-15T15:10:00.000-04:002012-12-23T13:42:53.883-05:00Navajo Festival - Bluff UT<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We arrive the night before the annual Navajo festival (September 14th). What a treat. This is the one day the city goes from 140 to 1400 people overnight. People just piled into the city within a few hours. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On that Friday afternoon late, we drove over to the nearby county fairgrounds to see the Navajo rodeo. We had dinner at a quickly-built Navajo vendor tent where they prepared native food on a grill out back (you could see everything going on – a little like the Steak ‘n Shake motto “In Sight It Must Be Right”. But looking through the tent to the food prep area all I could think was “I hope they cook, whatever it is, thoroughly”. And they did.) We sat at a table in the front of the tent and chatted with local people about any and everything. When we told them we were from Indianapolis, the Indian fellow said “I was just in Indianapolis too”. Really? “I was there for an Episcopal conference. “Really? Episcopal? In Indianapolis?” Yep. And there was more. He was about to become an ordained minister in the church. It all seemed too much in that here we were, eating dinner with a Navajo American (we just don't have Indians living in Indiana - the land of Indians - anymore), studying to become a mainline Christian minister, who had been to Indianapolis within a few months of our visit out there. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rodeo was lightly attended but there seemed to be a big crowd in the back – way in the back. We walked through and around some giant tire ruts in the almost-dry fairgrounds mud to a circular arena where Navajos were dancing. This was an authentic dance exhibition with ages ranging from early childhood to older adult. The beat was provided by one of several Indian men’s groups around the perimeter. The event narrator kept the patter going as he talked about the young people who would go on to become teachers, engineers, and doctors. The attendees, mostly parents, were justly proud of their heritage. We stayed for several hours as it became dark and more dancing took place. All the outsiders gathered around the outside perimeter of the circular shell to watch the festivities. It was certainly interesting, especially when compared to the Mexican Indians we saw in Mexico who put on exhibitions for guests from the nearby tour ships. This was for real.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We walked through big tire ruts in the almost-dry fairgrounds mud to a circular arena where Navajos were dancing. This was an authentic dance exhibition with ages ranging from early childhood to older adult. The beat was provided by one of several Indian men’s groups around the perimeter. The event narrator kept the patter going as he talked about the young people who would go on to become teachers, engineers, and doctors. The attendees, mostly parents, were justly proud of their heritage. We stayed for several hours as it became dark and more dancing took place. All the outsiders gathered around the perimeter of the circular shell to watch the festivities. It was certainly interesting, especially when compared to Mexican Indians we saw in Mexico who put on exhibitions for guests from the nearby tour ships. This was for real.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bluff Navajo Indians Dancing </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Navajo Children Encouragement </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More Navajo Dancing </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ceremonial drum used during dances. Only the "elders" (men) were allowed to participate in the drumming.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The event was held at a circular parade ground at the back of the facility. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The Parade</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday, people (mainly Navajo) piled into Bluff. When I say “piled” into the city, it seemed just that way too. After breakfast I walked out the lobby door and didn’t see a spare parking space anywhere between the front door and the street. Everywhere you looked was jammed with cars and Navajo’s who had set up chairs to watch the parade. Al and I managed to squeeze into a space along the street thanks to the generosity of earlier chair occupants. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Navajo parade finally got started around 11:00. Truck after (pickup) truck were festooned with banners touted various Navajo princesses, Navajo event or some other cause. I was struck by the slogan that virtually every vehicle had “Unity Through American Heritage”. Several vehicles mentioned Navajos who were serving in the military, including those who served with distinction during WWII (Navaho Code Talkers). It was clear to me that Navajos are an integral part of America.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fellow who co-own the Recapture Lodge came out the morning of the parade with his Fire Marshal hat on. He was loaded with four radios for talking to the just about everyone. His one complaint was that they have too many frequencies – one for the sheriff, one for the state police, one for the local fire department, and one for the Navajo tribe police. So there he stood with multiple radios to pick up signals from everywhere. It was kind of interesting to see him in his Fire Marshal red baseball cap all ready to give orders and send trucks off to fight whatever.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A local teacher (in the center looking at the camera and leaning down on her bike) has a weird headset on for the parade. She commented that "it's scaring some of her children." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPm2nrsLrlDJZH_rfBL8l1-io0Kr8aKEZ5q3l5Dxgno9MO_GSh2nN2OP6LppxzQ8pVM-oSe3rRT8bfI1OrbLhcU6CcVCPX3AIt8zZFGuXRSH9I0WzDE3B9Wi9fvdFMnbwVOBXWP3fjWw1/s1600/2012-09-15+11.04.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPm2nrsLrlDJZH_rfBL8l1-io0Kr8aKEZ5q3l5Dxgno9MO_GSh2nN2OP6LppxzQ8pVM-oSe3rRT8bfI1OrbLhcU6CcVCPX3AIt8zZFGuXRSH9I0WzDE3B9Wi9fvdFMnbwVOBXWP3fjWw1/s640/2012-09-15+11.04.01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever seen bike wheels this big? It was a special purchase from a bike fabricator in Alaska. The big tires work well in snow, the owner (in the blue-green shirt above but on different bike) said. He bought it for to ride in the sand near his home in southern New Mexico.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrW5yi_3Yrg0gt8ldo6QD2_li94BCD8ATZX_CBNNcpb_LSsOYc_aHPOYHMopNx7TUkSIQPDKOCnhk_pMiWlxfHbdnJsYrO17wTfA1bfOMxPydBWLSfXQutp3OC79H1eFj3fVYQLTtzVza/s1600/2012-09-15+11.48.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrW5yi_3Yrg0gt8ldo6QD2_li94BCD8ATZX_CBNNcpb_LSsOYc_aHPOYHMopNx7TUkSIQPDKOCnhk_pMiWlxfHbdnJsYrO17wTfA1bfOMxPydBWLSfXQutp3OC79H1eFj3fVYQLTtzVza/s640/2012-09-15+11.48.32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Parade Route - Trucks: A LOT of candy was handed out to the children.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NVKFGDFKYnU?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></span></span></div>
Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Bluff, UT, USA37.2844448 -109.5517876999999837.1833893 -109.71314919999998 37.385500300000004 -109.39042619999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-59121535964102487612012-09-15T14:46:00.000-04:002012-12-23T13:32:10.608-05:00Hovenweep CO<b>Hovenweep National Monument</b> is located on land in southwestern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado" title="Colorado">Colorado</a> and southeastern <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah" title="Utah">Utah</a>, between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortez,_Colorado" title="Cortez, Colorado">Cortez, Colorado</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanding,_Utah" title="Blanding, Utah">Blanding, Utah</a> on the Cajon Mesa of the Great Sage Plain. Shallow <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tributary" title="Tributary">tributaries</a> run through the wide and deep canyons into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Juan_River_%28Colorado_River%29" title="San Juan River (Colorado River)">San Juan River</a>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NPS-VG_3-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hovenweep_National_Monument#cite_note-NPS-VG-3">[3]</a></sup><br />
Although the Hovenweep National Monument is largely known for the six village groups of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Pueblo_Peoples" title="Ancient Pueblo Peoples">Ancient Pueblo</a>, or Anasazi, people, there is evidence of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter-gatherer" title="Hunter-gatherer">hunter-gatherers</a>
from 8,000 to 6,000 B.C. until about AD 200. Then a succession of early
puebloan cultures settled in the area and remained until the AD 1300s.<br />
Hovenweep became a National Monument in 1923 and is administered by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Park_Service" title="National Park Service">National Park Service</a>.<br />
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Hovenweep is relatively small. But the ruins are interesting. You can walk around the site and down to the individual ruins.<br />
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Walls were made of stone and made to last for thousands of years. Some of the sites were high on the hills while others were nestled down on the side of the valley.<br />
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Typical of the site ruins. <br />
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<br />Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Hovenweep National Monument, Cortez, CO 81321, USA37.3837623 -109.072602236.9799463 -109.71804920000001 37.7875783 -108.4271552tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-18167458022188518452012-09-15T08:03:00.000-04:002012-12-23T13:45:44.127-05:00Mesa Verde CO<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8901819350557166770" target="_blank">From the park</a></i> web site</span></span></i><br />
<i>Located in Southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to see and experience a unique cultural and physical landscape. The park contains more than 4,000 known archeological sites including cliff dwellings, which are elaborate stone villages that the Ancestral Puebloans constructed in the sheltered alcoves of the canyon walls and lived in from approximately A.D. 550 through A.D. 1300. These archeological sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.</i><br />
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</i> <i>The park also offers visitors 8,500 acres of federally designated wilderness that support a great diversity of wildlife including 74 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 16 species of reptiles, five species of amphibians, six species of fishes and over 1,000 species of insects and other invertebrates.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mesa</span> Verde is located in Colorado not far from Durango. The two nearest towns are Cortez and Mancos. The drive into the park is spectacular. Coming from the Midwest, it's hard to believe the relative height of Mesa Verde over the valley floor.<br />
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This satellite view of the same area makes a different point. The colors show how the vegetation varies from outside the park to the visitor center. This place is huge. (click on image to see full size)<br />
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See the interactive Google Earth ->> <b><a href="http://lavellekessler.blogspot.com/p/mesa-verde-google-earth.html" target="_blank">here</a></b><br />
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Mesa Verde is on of those classic Western Indian settings we've seen so often in the <br />
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This picture provides a glimpse of daily life. <br />
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Walk down to the primary site. Very nice.<br />
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Close up view of one site that is relatively intact. <br />
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Believe it or not the Indians lived in these ground depressions. <br />
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In this living quarter example you could climb down into the room. <br />
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Mancos CO </h2>
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Our motel was in Mancos, about 15 miles east and hard to find in the dark (at least for old folks). As we pulled into the motel parking lot we saw a large fire blazing in an iron tub. The evening had cooled off and the fire looked inviting. We pulled up to the office and started to walk in, when the man from the fire walk right in front of us. I’m thinking: “hey, is this guy trying to get in front of us?” Classic city push-and-shove thinking. Nope, it was the manager ready to handle our registration. Ann and Al got a room on one side of the U shaped layout while we were on the other end. Once again, this was a classic 1950s motel that was clean but otherwise historically accurate for when it was built. Al couldn’t find the kitchen, which was included for every room. I helped him search for it and couldn’t find it either. Shortly thereafter Al finally found it behind a door – that looked very innocuous. Next morning Al prepared a large breakfast of eggs and bacon – a treat that we ate at the picnic table near the fire place.</div>
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One interesting feature near the Country West Motel was a large solar array nextdoor. It was protected by a solid wall about 6' high so the solar PV units could not be scene from the motel. </div>
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, CO 81330, USA37.2308751 -108.4618378000000137.0286506 -108.78456130000001 37.4330996 -108.13911430000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-91644048789248672792012-09-14T15:03:00.000-04:002013-02-26T21:42:36.093-05:00Bluff UT<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From Goulding’s we made our way indirectly (because there is
no direct path to anywhere from anywhere out there) to <a href="http://www.utahscanyoncountry.com/bluff.html" target="_blank">Bluff UT</a>. Check out the
latest ad for Chevy’s Volt as it cruises somewhere out West – without a care
for the distance even if it is electric. I’m just sure the picture is along the
road up from Monument Valley to Bluff. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu1Al-qNUNfYXsdreOYbewtrNoMal2tcXr2m_ZVh34KKSRAtYNqIBvcd-j-6CAUgkKl0Dt_jEzFxXIsMc4VUDBabHM1Keo4dOuHJwqXy-A48Fjxt72QQgSsrrVYc3Fd6VbQ5QnH6GN6Jt/s1600/Bluff+Utah+Road+Scene.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu1Al-qNUNfYXsdreOYbewtrNoMal2tcXr2m_ZVh34KKSRAtYNqIBvcd-j-6CAUgkKl0Dt_jEzFxXIsMc4VUDBabHM1Keo4dOuHJwqXy-A48Fjxt72QQgSsrrVYc3Fd6VbQ5QnH6GN6Jt/s400/Bluff+Utah+Road+Scene.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bluff is literally a two motel town. Ann was able to find
rooms for us at the Recapture Lodge. It was so named after a group of Indians
stole horses just down the road and Army troopers (way back when) were able to
recapture the horses several days later. And, of course, stealing horses back
then was like stealing from the bank – big time repercussions. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLlnVla1F8id4jKqr6ac7jW0MdVIqT40sqMiloKOEL9bQvHXEaOoI18mRr8mFNLlvQLNKw7-kbO9abaMKdR34NDDnxdB1tq4KYgi6v7AO2Ii1JK1-2xg4R02noVwlFU9xyxnltSvmXgwk/s1600/Recapture+Lodge+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLlnVla1F8id4jKqr6ac7jW0MdVIqT40sqMiloKOEL9bQvHXEaOoI18mRr8mFNLlvQLNKw7-kbO9abaMKdR34NDDnxdB1tq4KYgi6v7AO2Ii1JK1-2xg4R02noVwlFU9xyxnltSvmXgwk/s1600/Recapture+Lodge+Front.jpg" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recapture Lodge</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJZ4pCjsoCulNcHJOtF18rpbjvPYE0rYr-VqLBbbm5WTbuhEnACrwoD0-ZniT1L9oifZls277ltMgQTBeGJuXWy57NUK0FZtOZc56VheQvkDyWYO20xvuOhwiGSbidM10OV5SvuWqRdvP/s1600/Ford+-+1949.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJZ4pCjsoCulNcHJOtF18rpbjvPYE0rYr-VqLBbbm5WTbuhEnACrwoD0-ZniT1L9oifZls277ltMgQTBeGJuXWy57NUK0FZtOZc56VheQvkDyWYO20xvuOhwiGSbidM10OV5SvuWqRdvP/s200/Ford+-+1949.png" width="200" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had a Ford like this in '49</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Recapture Lodge was (once again) something from out of
the 1950s. You could almost see a 1949 Ford coming off a dust road for a night
at the Lodge. Al and I w<span style="font-size: small;">a</span>ndered around the back of the motel (the only other
motel was just a short distance away too) and checked out the junk - and there
was lots of it mostly in the form of long worn out swamp coolers. The town
waste processing tank and pumps looked like they were not visited by maintenance
for the past 20 years. (There’s something about living in a town like Bluff
where a sense of let’s-do-it-tomorrow seemed to prevail.) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Several old trailers were parked in the back. Our rooms were just fine. And there wasn’t a spare room
to come by, reason: this was the one weekend each year when the Navajo's have their national festival. See more about it at the Navajo Festival web page.</span></span></div>
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Interesting Place... Interesting Weekend</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It seems that the Navajo Nation would be holding their once
a year parade the next day on Saturday. As we were checking in the lady behind
the counter (one of the owners) explained that Saturday (the next day) is the one day in the year when the town
grows from 140 people to 1,400 people – literally overnight. Turns out she and
her husband owned the motel and had for the past 20 years. When I asked him what
upgrades they had completed over the years he answered “well, none really”. But, you know what, it really didn't need any. (One exception was the Internet connection: it was terrible. OK - don't complain because we were on vacation but... Don't count on doing any work with this Internet, and you may not even receive emails. I could see the transmitting tower high on a bluff (hence the name) overlooking the city. It appeared to be a dedicated service in what can only be considered an out-of-the-way location.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lobby was jammed with people signing in for their rooms.
But “lobby” doesn’t quite describe it. The size was small – maybe 20’ by 50’. A
stairs at the opposite side from the registration desk went up to a balcony
that looked like the front of a previous building. In fact, I would guess the
front lobby was an add-on some years ago, albeit one with a lot of interest.
Because in one corner was an old piano while in the other corner was another
old upright piano – two pianos in one lobby. Really cool. The next morning, as
we shared a table with a couple from the Netherlands, I watched the two young
children (maybe 10 and 12) of a French couple staying there too. The older
brother covered his sisters eyes and steered her to the upright piano. He
uncovered her eyes and she said “ooohhh” then commented in French as she
pointed to the classical music on the front board (like one of John Thompson’s
many music books). Apparently they both played piano and recognized the music. Their parents, a French couple, home schooled their children, we
learned, and were able to take them to America when other children were busy
with normal school days. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That afternoon Al and I discovered a swimming pool on the
other side of the drive that was well camouflaged by local vegetation. We were
interested in the home-brew solar array nearby. For a while we couldn’t figure
out what it was used for. Hoses and piping were strune around the unit,
seemingly not connected to anything. Finally we heard children’s voices coming
through the bushes and found what I would characterize as a darn nice pool. The
French children were having a good time and, frankly, the water looked really
inviting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Early
Saturday morning we had breakfast in the lobby with a Dutch couple that was on
“holiday”. (Hmmm… Why don’t Americans go
on “Holiday”? For that matter why don’t we go on more “vacations”? No! We’re
too busy competing with countries that don’t go on “Holiday”, like Asian
countries.) It seems the Dutch lady did “all the planning” and he did “all the
driving”. They were happy about the arrangement. He was semi-retired and it
looked like they comfortable and able to lead the “good” European retirement
life. Each had their respective assignments so off they were going that morning
to the next site for them – </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hovenweep. I saw them driving out of town a hour later at a
snails pace because the Navajo’s had piled into the city to watch the parade,
and they were going the wrong way to traffic.</span></span></div>
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Location </span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bluff is located in strange geological place. Interact with the map below - try Google Earth so see details. Zoom in for a really interesting view. To the left is so-called Comb Ridge. Check it out below.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=bluff,+ut&aq=&sll=39.766555,-86.441277&sspn=5.02382,11.151123&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bluff,+San+Juan,+Utah&t=h&ll=37.273506,-109.560814&spn=0.131136,0.219727&z=12&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=bluff,+ut&aq=&sll=39.766555,-86.441277&sspn=5.02382,11.151123&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Bluff,+San+Juan,+Utah&t=h&ll=37.273506,-109.560814&spn=0.131136,0.219727&z=12" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Comb Ridge from the air. </span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-giRekr92kWR84qbQqeSxA2gnoq-HIMVLMl5LeQr7LY2woaYkDW8bXRqqF9LClllfS3U5xoUaagubeLGpyiI4Z1HcnHG2NEoV5mRPXf4ODYWNyyAfM6sAoUln9-CZ9J6YxkV3FlPqpE0/s1600/800px-Bluff_UT_-_aerial_with_San_Juan_River_and_Comb_Ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-giRekr92kWR84qbQqeSxA2gnoq-HIMVLMl5LeQr7LY2woaYkDW8bXRqqF9LClllfS3U5xoUaagubeLGpyiI4Z1HcnHG2NEoV5mRPXf4ODYWNyyAfM6sAoUln9-CZ9J6YxkV3FlPqpE0/s640/800px-Bluff_UT_-_aerial_with_San_Juan_River_and_Comb_Ridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-24780474849245733672012-09-14T13:26:00.000-04:002012-12-23T14:10:07.796-05:00Monument Valley AZ<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Monument Valley is like no place on earth. <u>Period</u>. Below are some pictures to set the stage for this unique location.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooYCn6GDAe3PtEhSxs92LQ3WVOCe9oFT8vcY8h05XUGDzc8ZEctJu90uCjLXJA9JYTxiGpH7ByXcHNcz1IVQ4NDFhh2DF5el7howpT5SRjvmc6n8AxEMQDQtZiwP9mLLBoWycTPjqH3rq/s1600/Monument+Valley-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooYCn6GDAe3PtEhSxs92LQ3WVOCe9oFT8vcY8h05XUGDzc8ZEctJu90uCjLXJA9JYTxiGpH7ByXcHNcz1IVQ4NDFhh2DF5el7howpT5SRjvmc6n8AxEMQDQtZiwP9mLLBoWycTPjqH3rq/s1600/Monument+Valley-2.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>Monument Valley</b> (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_language" title="Navajo language">Navajo</a>: <b>Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii</b>, meaning <i>valley of the rocks</i>) is a region of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau" title="Colorado Plateau">Colorado Plateau</a> characterized by a cluster of vast sandstone <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butte" title="Butte">buttes</a>, the largest reaching 1,000 ft (300 m) above the valley floor. It is located on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona" title="Arizona">Arizona</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah" title="Utah">Utah</a> state line (around <span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion"><span style="position: relative; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="external text" href="http://toolserver.org/%7Egeohack/geohack.php?pagename=Monument_Valley&params=36_59_N_110_6_W_" rel="nofollow"><span class="geo-default"><span class="geo-dms" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude">36°59′N</span> <span class="longitude">110°6′W</span></span></span></a></span></span>), near the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Corners" title="Four Corners">Four Corners</a> area. The valley lies within the range of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_Nation" title="Navajo Nation">Navajo Nation</a> Reservation, and is accessible from <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Highway_163" title="U.S. Highway 163">U.S. Highway 163</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Director <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ford" title="John Ford">John Ford</a>
used the location for a number of his best known films, and thus, in
the words of critic Keith Phipps, "its five square miles have defined
what decades of moviegoers think of when they imagine the American
West."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_Valley#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The area is part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau" title="Colorado Plateau">Colorado Plateau</a>. The floor is largely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siltstone" title="Siltstone">siltstone</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutler_Formation" title="Cutler Formation">Cutler Formation</a>, or sand derived from it, deposited by the meandering rivers that carved the valley. The valley's vivid red color comes from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_oxide" title="Iron oxide">iron oxide</a> exposed in the weathered siltstone. The darker, blue-gray rocks in the valley get their color from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganese_oxide" title="Manganese oxide">manganese oxide</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULqn_ftKt5vGg6BPa31KmHw9tGeEEhRW-oyLcwxquruNq8cB6czVe6_vynOvAxlzoiy35yVLjARWGOlOQqi0e1fS8tV9c-n6KiMJdRZYcHpeEnGbrMr6qidiUp8VjFANNj87X1efxcigx/s1600/99_1Suns_eye__Monument_Valley__Utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULqn_ftKt5vGg6BPa31KmHw9tGeEEhRW-oyLcwxquruNq8cB6czVe6_vynOvAxlzoiy35yVLjARWGOlOQqi0e1fS8tV9c-n6KiMJdRZYcHpeEnGbrMr6qidiUp8VjFANNj87X1efxcigx/s1600/99_1Suns_eye__Monument_Valley__Utah.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butte" title="Butte">buttes</a> are clearly <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_strata" title="Rock strata">stratified</a>, with three principal layers. The lowest layer is <i>Organ Rock</i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale" title="Shale">shale</a>, the middle <i>de Chelly</i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandstone" title="Sandstone">sandstone</a> and the top layer is <i>Moenkopi</i> shale capped by <i>Shinarump</i> siltstone. The valley includes large stone structures including the famed Eye of the Sun.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The views are as grand as those below. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZPIDtqqGPubabFgz_7dQ31w5oAD7nnkuszynpP2lOjmWo1qEhSvkgJpgIN7Z-qyDGhyphenhyphen9OvlhalQR7RmcYe1inaN4Lmypoyhn92lY45508zSH3d1G3blHU7NHPniK_zPOSd4qTA4fyK7s/s1600/Monument+Valley-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZPIDtqqGPubabFgz_7dQ31w5oAD7nnkuszynpP2lOjmWo1qEhSvkgJpgIN7Z-qyDGhyphenhyphen9OvlhalQR7RmcYe1inaN4Lmypoyhn92lY45508zSH3d1G3blHU7NHPniK_zPOSd4qTA4fyK7s/s1600/Monument+Valley-4.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Welcome to the Navajo Nation's Monument Valley
Park. You are experiencing one of the most majestic - and most
photographed - points on earth. This great valley boasts
sandstone masterpieces that tower at heights of 400 to 1,000 feet.
framed by scenic clouds casting shadows that graciously roam the desert
floor. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The angle of the sun accents these graceful formations, providing
scenery that is simply spellbinding.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The landscape overwhelms, not
just by its beauty but also by its size. The fragile pinnacles of rock
are surrounded by miles of mesas and buttes, shrubs, trees and windblown
sand, all comprising the magnificent colors of the valley. All of this
harmoniously combines to make Monument Valley a truly wondrous
experience. Enjoy this beautiful land.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Navajo Name:</b> Tse'Bii'Ndzisgaii<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><b>Elevation</b>: 5,564' above sea level<br />
<b>Size:</b> 91,696 acres
(extends into Arizona & Utah)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GlmvDagF93PZt_Khlao_HqkMWzx1m0rDKxKmTA0RGKXDCRD7r83ohudIVMl55PTBHbJ1DnKsYK3v8Rc191LKInwCPYJsnwHMsTxxkXMirEh5ICFHrJWyz_epqkhu4lHPPlWu93Hb04Iu/s1600/Navajo+Nation+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GlmvDagF93PZt_Khlao_HqkMWzx1m0rDKxKmTA0RGKXDCRD7r83ohudIVMl55PTBHbJ1DnKsYK3v8Rc191LKInwCPYJsnwHMsTxxkXMirEh5ICFHrJWyz_epqkhu4lHPPlWu93Hb04Iu/s1600/Navajo+Nation+Header.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is where Forest Gump finally stopped running. Can you see him? <span style="color: blue;"><b><i><a href="http://lavellekessler.blogspot.com/p/moment-of-understanding.html" target="_blank">Try here.</a></i></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTbo7R8nAfhl-urNqdRU3w0zrsUnzLu5OvxUyUdbPj_elYr2kpQQD62yK15ovFh7uKa5Ql6xEMg5NMJ0bB-7cb8cXPM63BTkTLpo8qDnEwzvoc4SsrbvEiL_sGiM3mYsdOD0lcR-6tUiH/s1600/Monument+Valley+Forest+Gump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTbo7R8nAfhl-urNqdRU3w0zrsUnzLu5OvxUyUdbPj_elYr2kpQQD62yK15ovFh7uKa5Ql6xEMg5NMJ0bB-7cb8cXPM63BTkTLpo8qDnEwzvoc4SsrbvEiL_sGiM3mYsdOD0lcR-6tUiH/s1600/Monument+Valley+Forest+Gump.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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Arriving at Monument Valley </span></span></h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Leaving Blanding we made our way to Monument Valley via Natural Bridges. When we came to the edge of Monument Valley
– we were literally at a precipice where even the road map shows an incredible number
of roadway switchbacks to reach the valley floor. The valley extends as far as the eye can see.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were driving along on
seemingly flat land then BOOM – we had to stop just to take in the several
thousand feet drop to the valley floor. But it was more than that. As far as
the eye could see, the valley went on and on with a monument or two popping up
here and there – I’m talking hundreds of miles –
something had happened to the land millions of years ago. Where (in the world)
did it all go? So the monuments were made of sturdier material – fine. But for
heavens sake where did all that other dirt go to? Mexico? If so you can’t see
it from the road. It’s as though a huge shovel, with a blade about 100 miles
wide, just reached onto the earth and starting moving dirt. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb9SuTq5yxWqLqobNCJKFmVVTqsswaSiAZ-x0j1iT8AnJxLKsBycguOdAjfXPdzPcXbfNgLtQHiiD79PygWYaWpHx2gA8IeRniqd5HcfDDnwU_UsAss9CQU63UWZU7p62KefsyNN3FGEB/s1600/2012-09-14+14.40.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb9SuTq5yxWqLqobNCJKFmVVTqsswaSiAZ-x0j1iT8AnJxLKsBycguOdAjfXPdzPcXbfNgLtQHiiD79PygWYaWpHx2gA8IeRniqd5HcfDDnwU_UsAss9CQU63UWZU7p62KefsyNN3FGEB/s1600/2012-09-14+14.40.39.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't look over the edge if heights are a problem! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwqXXJwyMXspmeU3-_tnW-saNLNqH8ZHwyyHeewqFMzyRPygPNSyOlwmtAteJqlQb53yShg1PG_w5fVyk82qeLXSAbDg_AlmYhIGQQ3Q1Kdm-EpMhsNyc3XDrakZ8PHzTUcxkpHclmg3D/s1600/2012-09-14+14.40.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwqXXJwyMXspmeU3-_tnW-saNLNqH8ZHwyyHeewqFMzyRPygPNSyOlwmtAteJqlQb53yShg1PG_w5fVyk82qeLXSAbDg_AlmYhIGQQ3Q1Kdm-EpMhsNyc3XDrakZ8PHzTUcxkpHclmg3D/s1600/2012-09-14+14.40.44.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out the VAST expanse of seemingly nothing... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkVXCBfftav5Ou0803bYrSPLAuGl8sExOMdRDFdXCzzcZPPBjl6mdxTL4VcAcuK6H7zG0nlN8HJv4t3WOawuB2j7Uxvt3paqdbFi3c6IYwUfuzKT41PRuDMmMNgR1BnF2m2obh37OYycw/s1600/2012-09-14+14.41.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkVXCBfftav5Ou0803bYrSPLAuGl8sExOMdRDFdXCzzcZPPBjl6mdxTL4VcAcuK6H7zG0nlN8HJv4t3WOawuB2j7Uxvt3paqdbFi3c6IYwUfuzKT41PRuDMmMNgR1BnF2m2obh37OYycw/s1600/2012-09-14+14.41.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">View from Goulding's</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQgSObJXlhWR8JKpMZmXRMb_Oa0ISI67W-G9JUd4wUPgXhwOMDzFwRvExjeo9krXALd9yK7omeUF7nRTlp8aDrwhNm4NwHTPR4k9QadWW37YEGDdRHbml7sg8PLbSw7a_ucqyiQHXSj0z/s1600/2012-09-14+16.50.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQgSObJXlhWR8JKpMZmXRMb_Oa0ISI67W-G9JUd4wUPgXhwOMDzFwRvExjeo9krXALd9yK7omeUF7nRTlp8aDrwhNm4NwHTPR4k9QadWW37YEGDdRHbml7sg8PLbSw7a_ucqyiQHXSj0z/s1600/2012-09-14+16.50.09.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goulding's Lodge -<span style="font-size: small;"> don't miss <span style="font-size: small;">this tour<span style="font-size: small;">ist location<span style="font-size: small;">, and plan <span style="font-size: small;">an hour to go through the museum</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WafaW_j42EB3ThQ3UtMv3r6W_DXBXA1_oA6V1Lwot9sT7px5_zyoRz9_OfQiTDGD8pvYjalPXPNo6kPvCQkc48q6FRRBFYXd-rN3uPrVFMIaVj_YczyUfX_IBIch6h0FiyikU2vUOPUp/s1600/2012-09-14+16.55.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WafaW_j42EB3ThQ3UtMv3r6W_DXBXA1_oA6V1Lwot9sT7px5_zyoRz9_OfQiTDGD8pvYjalPXPNo6kPvCQkc48q6FRRBFYXd-rN3uPrVFMIaVj_YczyUfX_IBIch6h0FiyikU2vUOPUp/s1600/2012-09-14+16.55.55.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More <span style="font-size: small;">magnificant buttes</span></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Wdy1gM0HofmOi5M0kf68H9u297cvzm5ykm6lB7dSAf9qnZpw6qLGNLIKJcS7jraIhF3Lb0rm04tXC5vtWRpsm7dk3tJTBKbclmjirODZ5Wq9tb4RccLfiKxhCO1Pu0-ruxW-gh4TTg7/s1600/2012-09-14+17.02.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Wdy1gM0HofmOi5M0kf68H9u297cvzm5ykm6lB7dSAf9qnZpw6qLGNLIKJcS7jraIhF3Lb0rm04tXC5vtWRpsm7dk3tJTBKbclmjirODZ5Wq9tb4RccLfiKxhCO1Pu0-ruxW-gh4TTg7/s640/2012-09-14+17.02.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Oljato-Monument Valley, AZ, USA36.9913715 -110.193867236.8898965 -110.3552287 37.0928465 -110.0325057tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-41088132893692817202012-09-14T09:34:00.000-04:002012-12-23T08:06:58.151-05:00Natural Bridges UT<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Leaving Blanding we made our way to Monument Valley. For
those who have never been there – GO. We went by way of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/nabr/index.htm" target="_blank">Natural BridgesNational Monument. </a><br />
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<h2>
Utah's First National Monument</h2>
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Three majestic natural bridges invite you to ponder the power
of water in a landscape usually defined by its absence. View them from
an overlook, or hit the trails and experience their grandeur from below.
Declared a National Monument in 1908, the bridges are named "Kachina,"
"Owachomo" and "Sipapu" in honor of the Native Americans that once made
this area their home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGb2rg-TuZ6ExC2QgymEa1Pqa8fvJFEh952E-5Zlrvxpn_5_4YiZhjKqNshZpuQ0CkrMV9ZWB_GkpYgzVQdGQOMlLim1XBw31UanIWLYOsfDv_EdLI9rQdv5PhTRbTTdNuLoEJ81X3pL8/s1600/Natural+Bridges+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGb2rg-TuZ6ExC2QgymEa1Pqa8fvJFEh952E-5Zlrvxpn_5_4YiZhjKqNshZpuQ0CkrMV9ZWB_GkpYgzVQdGQOMlLim1XBw31UanIWLYOsfDv_EdLI9rQdv5PhTRbTTdNuLoEJ81X3pL8/s1600/Natural+Bridges+Header.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are literally hundreds of arches (bridges) throughout
southern Utah and northern Arizona. Then we came to the edge of Monument Valley
– literally at a precipice where even the road map shows an incredible number
of roadway switchbacks to reach the valley floor. We were driving along on
seemingly flat land then BOOM – we had to stop just to take in the several
thousand feet drop to the valley floor. But it was more than that. As far as
the eye could see, the valley went on and on with a monument or two popping up
here and there. As far as the eye could see – I’m talking hundreds of miles –
something had happened to the land millions of years ago. Where (in the world)
did it all go? So the monuments were made of sturdier material – fine. But for
heavens sake where did all that other dirt go to? Mexico? If so you can’t see
it from the road. It’s as though a huge shovel, with a blade about 100 miles
wide, just reached onto the earth and starting moving dirt. But I couldn’t tell
where.<br />
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Colors</h2>
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This map has more unusual colors than any equivalent in Indiana. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B8ttUCVP-A8tc6au1cO6KUNbhPVWw1F1VZSTYxKXZAIh_vx_KX_1xECEIQdGDMkLrv54ErpcdRus1YDaR9_kmAPd9Xzb4Iwe-2h8-26Bs4LGIe8mjE_bF1NwCUraZ97EaXgtzYjzwPRg/s1600/Route+to+Natural+Bridges+through+Blanding.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B8ttUCVP-A8tc6au1cO6KUNbhPVWw1F1VZSTYxKXZAIh_vx_KX_1xECEIQdGDMkLrv54ErpcdRus1YDaR9_kmAPd9Xzb4Iwe-2h8-26Bs4LGIe8mjE_bF1NwCUraZ97EaXgtzYjzwPRg/s1600/Route+to+Natural+Bridges+through+Blanding.png" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blandingutah.org/" target="_blank">Blanding</a> </h2>
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We spent the night in Blanding at the Prospector Motor Lodge. Stay here only if it's your last resort (humor) available. What looks like a mountain is actually huge depressions (valleys) throughout the area.</div>
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Natural Bridge</h2>
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Typical deep gorge - the entire park is a series of deep gorges. Just don't get caught at the bottom when a rain storm comes through.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYCCWTmc9ztP9BZ7rO1a5kpGo9zr5ln_Y9k293b59cubM5zd4WEaUQTEoH2ZsNaQrylLajkkdfvcrbMnSyMdSEbgPEWXNlz3l9L9SKb8F7YVR_93QzF1cvPjGErdg6AtCpx1KHWjm9Bdp/s1600/2012-09-14+11.43.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYCCWTmc9ztP9BZ7rO1a5kpGo9zr5ln_Y9k293b59cubM5zd4WEaUQTEoH2ZsNaQrylLajkkdfvcrbMnSyMdSEbgPEWXNlz3l9L9SKb8F7YVR_93QzF1cvPjGErdg6AtCpx1KHWjm9Bdp/s1600/2012-09-14+11.43.14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the Natural Arch - well photographed. More on <a href="http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/parks/nabr/index.cfm" target="_blank">Natural Bridges formation</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0q0XxNvFSLEsMJR9nc1HTADD3E5VtwX8O9Xv896zy-ty-lWLuzqVVCYcZU_AZw89TENN1gcmqVkk2xF3aN23_ZzpLqHNXCtkC3uekdcSlty8aZqf-yBfrEt4KmqqgtmRPzmE_OckGakd/s1600/2012-09-14+12.34.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0q0XxNvFSLEsMJR9nc1HTADD3E5VtwX8O9Xv896zy-ty-lWLuzqVVCYcZU_AZw89TENN1gcmqVkk2xF3aN23_ZzpLqHNXCtkC3uekdcSlty8aZqf-yBfrEt4KmqqgtmRPzmE_OckGakd/s1600/2012-09-14+12.34.50.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A close up view shows how narrow one end is. Reportedly cowboys would ride their horses over the bridge at one time (but not now...) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY2NVicwMMGhlWZz40_v7FrhvBJdACUwwG7DzWaPoQg3gk8Gv1birLKE3GWqTvTtjFakfFBJj109Zzczg6LSD7PWWr8iamZI0r2F8VQbwF2X5dzqMu52cdslRHscdNNcML3mFm9Zvd6J0/s1600/2012-09-14+12.36.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY2NVicwMMGhlWZz40_v7FrhvBJdACUwwG7DzWaPoQg3gk8Gv1birLKE3GWqTvTtjFakfFBJj109Zzczg6LSD7PWWr8iamZI0r2F8VQbwF2X5dzqMu52cdslRHscdNNcML3mFm9Zvd6J0/s1600/2012-09-14+12.36.36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipapu" target="_blank"><b>Sipapu</b></a>, a <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi" title="Hopi">Hopi</a> word, is a small hole or indentation in the floor of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiva" title="Kiva">kivas</a> used by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Pueblo_Peoples" title="Ancient Pueblo Peoples">Ancient Pueblo Peoples</a> and modern-day <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_people" title="Pueblo people">Puebloans</a>. It symbolizes the portal through which their ancient ancestors <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopi_mythology#Four_Worlds" title="Hopi mythology">first emerged</a> to enter the present world.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipapu#cite_note-0">[1]</a></sup><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V2baBxR_9uAvHOLF2Mcvm7k7lalwQrnrsk3ZMGa3zVj6sZzTMjAaBnWtm4ZPENCMi3e_oYajvHjTMUguZcpltJjZCFoAyLvlUFhzLoG105qi490DxD5jSG1xBAsv4t3kreV4UuwkV2qE/s1600/2012-09-14+11.43.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V2baBxR_9uAvHOLF2Mcvm7k7lalwQrnrsk3ZMGa3zVj6sZzTMjAaBnWtm4ZPENCMi3e_oYajvHjTMUguZcpltJjZCFoAyLvlUFhzLoG105qi490DxD5jSG1xBAsv4t3kreV4UuwkV2qE/s1600/2012-09-14+11.43.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/nabr/planyourvisit/kachinabridge.htm" target="_blank">Kachina </a>is "the middle bridge." Spanning the canyon equidistant from
both Owachomo and Sipapu bridges. It is larger than Owachomo but smaller
than Sipapu. Proving that canyons are dynamic rather than static,
approximately 4,000 tons of sandstone fell from the inside of the
Kachina bridge opening in June, 1992, enlarging the opening as it has
doubtless been enlarged time and time again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nDEN-j1o_NqifjxXVGJrFF-Cg3uQJaQFm7m4bJB7MFKeioDMzfMs78qMZRfo5tXBsno7h5LZqRM7kLFxVk2WSLFyVhHDC6FohS3soe9ut78Z0VOu4ehEcKgMliyTWGKO3DwarMFQ8lbY/s1600/2012-09-14+12.01.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nDEN-j1o_NqifjxXVGJrFF-Cg3uQJaQFm7m4bJB7MFKeioDMzfMs78qMZRfo5tXBsno7h5LZqRM7kLFxVk2WSLFyVhHDC6FohS3soe9ut78Z0VOu4ehEcKgMliyTWGKO3DwarMFQ8lbY/s1600/2012-09-14+12.01.57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Interesting arch formation. You can see where the water swirled around for, perhaps, millions of years. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A1zFb0E4rA9FOXLH0BsvsOezkFyscs3iyCO3mTsu2DuZMgSDXyruuDlr63k76E8I_4By2Ls0Glo9tmnz6Byw1XKwts5yO3SRyFjWDoMIWFoNYngHzZ6Q16ATnhIbn9iieq7yBIdVhiLB/s1600/2012-09-14+12.09.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A1zFb0E4rA9FOXLH0BsvsOezkFyscs3iyCO3mTsu2DuZMgSDXyruuDlr63k76E8I_4By2Ls0Glo9tmnz6Byw1XKwts5yO3SRyFjWDoMIWFoNYngHzZ6Q16ATnhIbn9iieq7yBIdVhiLB/s1600/2012-09-14+12.09.33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rivers swirls through this gorge after a heavy rainfall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WHNGDU71eD6uR9BgJ051GUu0XPLr7RDzqQYxovkTZYuRe5-Wq-xRQPE76Bg6y2rCbdLsg2w-_yqPYc2s6OSDqm-Fr7Mwgm_ryBopNcrLCcUIGie0dtj6H4BNDRU76lJXzzv1xb4s-p7o/s1600/2012-09-14+12.09.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WHNGDU71eD6uR9BgJ051GUu0XPLr7RDzqQYxovkTZYuRe5-Wq-xRQPE76Bg6y2rCbdLsg2w-_yqPYc2s6OSDqm-Fr7Mwgm_ryBopNcrLCcUIGie0dtj6H4BNDRU76lJXzzv1xb4s-p7o/s1600/2012-09-14+12.09.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Did you know... </h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUIhKcGvFFgWf2ku5XtNlBy4CltEipSQCM396mEx8tvk6ubCcQeJC3JHuCRxeFNJXSK_JumJZmS3DT_whIvRkCHGxOxtUg23V6NiFGwjp4oPaC8aD0R7iTYVZgukIOoTSPNvwYP99SKpI/s1600/NABR_pinyonpine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUIhKcGvFFgWf2ku5XtNlBy4CltEipSQCM396mEx8tvk6ubCcQeJC3JHuCRxeFNJXSK_JumJZmS3DT_whIvRkCHGxOxtUg23V6NiFGwjp4oPaC8aD0R7iTYVZgukIOoTSPNvwYP99SKpI/s1600/NABR_pinyonpine.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pinyon pines do not produce pine nuts every year. These delicious nuts
can only be harvested every three to seven years. This irregular
schedule prevents animals from adapting to an abundance of pine nuts and
guarantees that at least some nuts will become new pine trees instead
of a quick meal.
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Natural Bridges National Monument, Lake Powell, UT 84533, USA37.5938877 -110.0092344999999937.493247200000006 -110.17059599999999 37.6945282 -109.84787299999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-60734843536844141292012-09-13T16:56:00.000-04:002012-12-23T15:18:45.641-05:00Canyonlands South UTThe next day we made our way to the southern end of the Canyonlands park, a trip that took about an hour and half just to get to the entrance from Moab. But what a treat – the 22 miles from the southern entrance to the end (northern) of the road was fantastic. It’s like a scene out of a movie with incredibly huge rock formations that go on and on. Ann drove us in with her convertible top down while playing songs from the Beach Boys. Talk about a contrast in reality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvyhCM-j91oRm3m_FTtF3zaYqxsh8OR0YLd-xvjgy2y3K61aXzBtL7nx1-rVOvheN1xg3Mig9kyPehY2QUeTFOHSM23VH2snrY2Lvw3Ajp0PsVlHC2NZPWrxm4qqjNKB9CVEyBA4uNTAs/s1600/Canyonlands+Park+Service+Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm" border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvyhCM-j91oRm3m_FTtF3zaYqxsh8OR0YLd-xvjgy2y3K61aXzBtL7nx1-rVOvheN1xg3Mig9kyPehY2QUeTFOHSM23VH2snrY2Lvw3Ajp0PsVlHC2NZPWrxm4qqjNKB9CVEyBA4uNTAs/s1600/Canyonlands+Park+Service+Header.png" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Canyonlands invites you to explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm" target="_blank">Read more</a>...</i></blockquote>
For a sense of perspective, see the map below. The route from Moab to the south entrance is about 50 miles. You definitely need to come in from the south end to see Canyonlands from a different perspective.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ja6pxZ21HfyqmEnuKwaxK3clpj57I3YX006uMpKjjLEVZj3mznPGQftNcRFwCCiQ1Z8Q8hSnixfUmiuu-zMn8MbSVnxmOpBCx8cwBDfh34LP2zXPVhIl_ZMOlex9xt0chRptezU3C9xh/s1600/Newspaper+Rock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ja6pxZ21HfyqmEnuKwaxK3clpj57I3YX006uMpKjjLEVZj3mznPGQftNcRFwCCiQ1Z8Q8hSnixfUmiuu-zMn8MbSVnxmOpBCx8cwBDfh34LP2zXPVhIl_ZMOlex9xt0chRptezU3C9xh/s400/Newspaper+Rock.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Newspaper Rock.</h2>
The first carvings at the Newspaper Rock site were made around 2,000 years ago, left by people from the Archaic, Anasazi, Fremont, Navajo, Anglo, and Pueblo cultures.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sign_2-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_Rock#cite_note-sign-2">[2]</a></sup> These petroglyphs, pecked into these rocks allow a glimpse of the life and world of the people who farmed the Puerco River Valley 650 to 2,000 years ago.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_3-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_Rock#cite_note-autogenerated1-3">[3]</a></sup><br />
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In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navajo_language" title="Navajo language">Navajo</a>, the rock is called "Tse' Hone'" which translates to a rock that tells a story.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sign_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_Rock#cite_note-sign-2">[2]</a></sup><br />
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The petroglyphs were carved by Native Americans during both the prehistoric and historic periods. There are over 650 rock art designs. The drawings on the rock are of different animals, human figures, and symbols. These carvings include pictures of deer, buffalo, and pronghorn antelope. Some glyphs depict riders on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse" title="Horse">horses</a>, while other images depict past events like in a newspaper. While precisely dating the rock carvings has been difficult, repatination of surface minerals reveals their relative ages. The reason for the large concentration of the petroglyphs is unclear, making the rock somewhat of a mystery.<br />
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The pictures at Newspaper Rock were inscribed into the dark coating on the rock, called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_varnish" title="Desert varnish">desert varnish</a>. Desert varnish is a blackish manganese-iron deposit that gradually forms on exposed sandstone cliff faces owing to the action of rainfall and bacteria. The ancient artists produced the many types of figures and patterns by carefully pecking the coated rock surfaces with sharpened tools to remove the desert varnish and expose the lighter rock beneath. The older figures are themselves becoming darker in color as new varnish slowly develops.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-autogenerated1_3-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newspaper_Rock#cite_note-autogenerated1-3">[3]</a></sup><br />
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The location is near a stream and trail in an area with long expanses of otherwise impassable vertical cliffs. The carved face is located along <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_State_Route_211" title="Utah State Route 211">State Route 211</a>, the access road to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyonlands_National_Park" title="Canyonlands National Park">Canyonlands National Park</a> Needles District.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Tzw_5ReQpA7R6zlZSOt2TmEHn7LZbItNYQ-_8Noju8QDMMhRIpiCZfB-eOqkfF7Jriw3YaE87rLjCvBRvofooWfGlVhMVpbczRjF7YfebktcMFPLIe2QD_Ru89I8Gusqhlp8wC5MHti/s1600/2012-09-13+11.27.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6Tzw_5ReQpA7R6zlZSOt2TmEHn7LZbItNYQ-_8Noju8QDMMhRIpiCZfB-eOqkfF7Jriw3YaE87rLjCvBRvofooWfGlVhMVpbczRjF7YfebktcMFPLIe2QD_Ru89I8Gusqhlp8wC5MHti/s1600/2012-09-13+11.27.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Group of students speculating how the petroglyphs. One thought they used an iPad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwpIRVk3LMemEK0DNoLBVXcb3dC336ezpjg3HmrtM5UT_7lvt4B9KulhOfOW1TkL6taTo3YmXaI2STiH-rrP3nMQ2EanW9-sFp6qU7-KkfY4UrfhJCaTIS0mVVPfNHotI6vLUFKsTmzBf/s1600/2012-09-13+11.28.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwpIRVk3LMemEK0DNoLBVXcb3dC336ezpjg3HmrtM5UT_7lvt4B9KulhOfOW1TkL6taTo3YmXaI2STiH-rrP3nMQ2EanW9-sFp6qU7-KkfY4UrfhJCaTIS0mVVPfNHotI6vLUFKsTmzBf/s1600/2012-09-13+11.28.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out this valley floor. Look way down the valley. It seems to go on and on forever. What a remarkable view.<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"> <span style="color: black;">The grandeur of this place cannot be overemphasized. You've got to see it to believe it (can exist).<span style="color: #0000ee;"> This is working pasture land for a ranch.</span></span></span><u><br />
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View of Canyonland drive<br />
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At the end of the drive (from the south entrance) we reached the end of the road with a number of interesting rock formations. <br />
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT 84532, USA38.3268693 -109.878259237.5286843 -111.1691527 39.125054299999995 -108.5873657tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-55170506505278981722012-09-12T16:33:00.000-04:002012-12-23T08:07:22.998-05:00Canyonlands North UT<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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After staying overnight (again) in Moab, we made our way to Canyonlands - on the north end. This is an
interesting place. Frankly the name sounded like a generic description of
southern Utah but I was wrong. Talk about <i>big</i>. What immediately grabs your
attention is the scale of this park. In fact, you can make this statement at any
of the Utah parks. It’s just incredibly big. They all are.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm" target="_blank">Canyonlands </a></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvyhCM-j91oRm3m_FTtF3zaYqxsh8OR0YLd-xvjgy2y3K61aXzBtL7nx1-rVOvheN1xg3Mig9kyPehY2QUeTFOHSM23VH2snrY2Lvw3Ajp0PsVlHC2NZPWrxm4qqjNKB9CVEyBA4uNTAs/s1600/Canyonlands+Park+Service+Header.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm" border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvyhCM-j91oRm3m_FTtF3zaYqxsh8OR0YLd-xvjgy2y3K61aXzBtL7nx1-rVOvheN1xg3Mig9kyPehY2QUeTFOHSM23VH2snrY2Lvw3Ajp0PsVlHC2NZPWrxm4qqjNKB9CVEyBA4uNTAs/s1600/Canyonlands+Park+Service+Header.png" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
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1. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113554,islandinthesky.htm,720|">Island in the Sky</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113890,whiterimroad.htm,720|">White Rim Road</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needles.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113576,needles.htm,720|">Needles</a><br />
4. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113593,maze.htm,720|">Maze</a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113593,maze.htm,720|">Orange Cliffs Unit (Glen Canyon NRA)</a><br />
6. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/horseshoecanyon.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113625,horseshoecanyon.htm,720|">Horseshoe Canyon</a><br />
7. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/rivers.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113659,rivers.htm,720|">Green River</a><br />
8. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/rivers.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=113659,rivers.htm,720|">Colorado River</a><br />
9. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/cataractcanyon.htm" id="CP___PAGEID=114435,cataractcanyon.htm,720|">Cataract Canyon</a><br />
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Here's a view of a canyon that is at least 100 stories below our level. <br />
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Check out this view of mineral ponds in the valley floor below. Mining rights were licensed by the state of Utah.<i> </i>The water is azure blue - incredible vivid. See the Google Earth view below.<br />
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Potash Mining </h2>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Moab,+UT&daddr=Canyonlands+National+Park:+Visitor+Center,+UT&hl=en&geocode=FQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw%3BFRqWSAIdArhz-SFbM9of5vp8bSnVLW7mgh5IhzFbM9of5vp8bQ&aq=0&oq=moab&sll=38.311314,-109.856766&sspn=0.320571,0.696945&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=f&ecpose=38.4578943,-109.68202402,2974.77,0.031,44.11,0.006&ll=38.472619,-109.682014&spn=0.016127,0.027466&z=15&output=embed" width="640"></iframe></h2>
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Moab,+UT&daddr=Canyonlands+National+Park:+Visitor+Center,+UT&hl=en&geocode=FQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw%3BFRqWSAIdArhz-SFbM9of5vp8bSnVLW7mgh5IhzFbM9of5vp8bQ&aq=0&oq=moab&sll=38.311314,-109.856766&sspn=0.320571,0.696945&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=f&ecpose=38.4578943,-109.68202402,2974.77,0.031,44.11,0.006&ll=38.472619,-109.682014&spn=0.016127,0.027466&z=15" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB12IZof_nsq50sFF1mSdjUnZ312l6S1tzKF07xL_UKoj_v9hW0y8III4JVCm0FzCZfb0__br9lKH8sy9Bco_1Rbvj4lRxs4dkL9itbh3QcarYTQVlHtcmS3f5OBetQ9dNLQT_JKP1FaZ/s1600/2012-09-12+10.51.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBB12IZof_nsq50sFF1mSdjUnZ312l6S1tzKF07xL_UKoj_v9hW0y8III4JVCm0FzCZfb0__br9lKH8sy9Bco_1Rbvj4lRxs4dkL9itbh3QcarYTQVlHtcmS3f5OBetQ9dNLQT_JKP1FaZ/s1600/2012-09-12+10.51.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can get a sense of perspective from this map view. Talk about a squiggly road. Get the picture - this place is enormous!<br />
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Three intrepid explorers...<br />
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Mike and the Canyon... hmmmm... sounds like the title of a B movie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLU0ML0y0Qt2IvfejWmWxZjadaBY-txU32Z6rNDizjJWcaHxQgmIN25MO3WC2IrAKvf1nQb1_m0JUv269SnPwe_aYa1rwvuXAvPPbRRcDdAPIubUNLSpGh0gomT5dOFgOLagrwRyhnpcD/s1600/2012-09-12+12.16.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLU0ML0y0Qt2IvfejWmWxZjadaBY-txU32Z6rNDizjJWcaHxQgmIN25MO3WC2IrAKvf1nQb1_m0JUv269SnPwe_aYa1rwvuXAvPPbRRcDdAPIubUNLSpGh0gomT5dOFgOLagrwRyhnpcD/s1600/2012-09-12+12.16.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another actor...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZS181utvVZBaC_EKHi3HYAaa7ZfAVb-vz1YWkNO9G2xulTchBLSZRiZ2N-9BNXsVLWK4pmt5ZTvdouN6-JPtpYx8R9o-Y3aPTI89rfSjOaVVXmTkwAW7NsU0c8M5dlczgZDDUmdYwmIz/s1600/2012-09-12+12.16.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZS181utvVZBaC_EKHi3HYAaa7ZfAVb-vz1YWkNO9G2xulTchBLSZRiZ2N-9BNXsVLWK4pmt5ZTvdouN6-JPtpYx8R9o-Y3aPTI89rfSjOaVVXmTkwAW7NsU0c8M5dlczgZDDUmdYwmIz/s1600/2012-09-12+12.16.54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This road leads down to the mining (azure blue) operation below (like waaaay below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZfy-zR6llh_E625zTbANHL_y40b717qfOgn7AVfca-0h2C2mt293XqCQglKv6CmcavgSxwGencYrFdtyqoPeisU6LIpk6p-Z4SCR-_Gp9u428BL_UgMVmxxkyTn-Tsa9cL97fhxEea3Z/s1600/2012-09-12+12.19.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZfy-zR6llh_E625zTbANHL_y40b717qfOgn7AVfca-0h2C2mt293XqCQglKv6CmcavgSxwGencYrFdtyqoPeisU6LIpk6p-Z4SCR-_Gp9u428BL_UgMVmxxkyTn-Tsa9cL97fhxEea3Z/s1600/2012-09-12+12.19.39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check out the road in the valley that leads to the mining operation <br />
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First the land drops a thousand feet to the valley below, then it drops another 500' to the washout below that. Incredible. And for as far as the eye can see...<br />
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The views are overwhelming. Everywhere you look. How old are these rocks? Certainly many millions of years.</div>
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<br />
Marilyn checking out the Salt Dome explanation.<br />
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The Salt Dome is unique. Read <a href="http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/geosights/upheaval_dome.htm" target="_blank">more </a>about how it was created.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="style7">
What is Upheaval Dome?</h2>
Upheaval Dome is a crater-shaped topographic feature in Canyonlands
National Park. It is about eight thousand feet across and over one
thousand feet deep. Structurally the feature is a deeply eroded dome -
an area where rock units are up-arched a few hundred feet - surrounded
by rocks that are nearly horizontal and undeformed.
<br />
<br />
Two significantly different processes have received serious attention
from geologists and planetary scientists for explaining the origin of
Upheaval Dome. One of these proposes that Upheaval Dome is the stump of
a deeply eroded salt dome. The other suggests that the feature's shape
is consistent with a complex impact structure.<br />
<br />
<h2 class="style7">
The Salt Dome Theory</h2>
Much of southeastern Utah and Canyonlands National Park is underlain by
the Paradox Formation, a rock unit composed of thick layers of rock
salt interbedded with clastic rocks. The aggregate thickness of salt is
over 1000 feet. Because salt has a lower density than other rocks it
becomes buoyant when buried. It can also flow under pressure in a way
similar to glacial ice.
<br />
<br />
Some investigators believed that a salt dome developed above the Paradox
Formation and that it grew upwards, eventually detaching from the main
Paradox salt and moved upwards through the overlying rock like a droplet
of oil rising through water. Over millions of years the salt dome and
surrounding rock were completely eroded. The feature that we see as
Upheavel Dome today was thought to be the pinched off path left behind
the rising salt dome located about 1500 feet above the underlying
Paradox salt. The upturned orientation of these rock layers was formed
when the salt dome pierced through them. No traces of salt are found
today because it is such a soluble material. Larger photo <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/xx65sgsqnz7hosu/2012-09-12%2014.55.20.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />
More on Salt Dome. Large photo <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/qj5sg2hmppuuzxh/2012-09-12%2014.55.28.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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This is a good view of the Salt Dome - it's more than 2 miles across. <br />
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Marilyn looking back at the photographer... <br />
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<br />
Depiction of The Three Worlds. Large photo <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ffsrvuukgro6ayo/2012-09-12%2016.07.43.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />
The Grand View Point Overlook. Larger photo <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/naovj1xt1dcf50f/2012-09-12%2016.07.47.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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You've got to wonder what geologic forces created these huge gaps. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BDc9OR29ks8" width="640"></iframe>
And it goes on and on.... <br />
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<br />
Must be a space craft coming in from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Area_51" target="_blank">Area 51</a>. <br />
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT 84532, USA38.3268693 -109.878259237.528706299999996 -111.1691527 39.1250323 -108.5873657tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-66939137826860716922012-09-11T14:37:00.000-04:002012-12-23T07:59:12.292-05:00Delicate Arch, UT<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<br />
The views, even in Moab along the highway, were stunning. It was as though the city was preparing it’s visitors for the real
terrain just down the road. The first day we made our way to Delicate Arch, one
of those well photographed arches that we’ve seen dozens of time in National
Geographic. Talk about interesting, and here I’m talking about the hike to it.
Plan on a good hour of hiking along rough terrain, followed by shear cliffs,
followed by narrow rocky paths.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQs4tT-a0iGpBwFF-GAOvqY9TCqyz0c_Grpsjo3qngc0tV5pmUW4TnkToYlC12eV4_HtXVWjg1p4ZQXP2vsZmNdsTo4W7lgAuVghPgIYyHeO_wZFQsv_yLHA9Evd-j-ET_TRsFhGR165P/s1600/Delicate+Arch+Park+Area.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQs4tT-a0iGpBwFF-GAOvqY9TCqyz0c_Grpsjo3qngc0tV5pmUW4TnkToYlC12eV4_HtXVWjg1p4ZQXP2vsZmNdsTo4W7lgAuVghPgIYyHeO_wZFQsv_yLHA9Evd-j-ET_TRsFhGR165P/s1600/Delicate+Arch+Park+Area.png" width="154" /></a><i>Delicate Arch is located in <a href="http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/arches.htm">Arches National Park</a>, near <a href="http://www.utah.com/moab/">Moab</a>
in SE Utah. Spring and fall are the best time to hike in this area.
Summer afternoons can be very hot, but hiking can be pleasant mornings
and evenings during summer. Hiking is also enjoyable on mild winter
days.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Delicate Arch is one of Utah's most famous icons. You see images of it
everywhere: on magazine covers, computer screen savers and license
plates. But photos do not adequately convey the stunning beauty that
hits you as you come over the ridge and see the arch in person for the
first time-when you stand under it, the arch towering above your head,
slickrock canyons falling away below you, the snow-covered La Sal
Mountains in the distance. It is a spectacular sight.</i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Delicate Arch </h2>
The Arch is situated on the side of a very high
and dangerous precipice where a wrong step will send you down literally
thousands of feet to a gorge below. What’s more, there were no guides, ropes,
or monument signs to remind you to be careful. Yep. You are fully on your own.
Step in the wrong place and you’re a goner <i>baby</i>. And that’s what so appealing
about hiking to Delicate Arch. Unlike so many parks and public areas in this
country, out West you are on your own. Take of yourself too. (We encountered two
young women walking to the Arch in socks only. When I asked “why no shoes”,
which they were carrying, one said: “we have toenails coming off and walking in
shoes in really tough.” Really? You want to hike over rocky terrain, guided
only by a series of cairns, with socks only?<br />
<br /></div>
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The climb to the Arch is arduous - be prepared. Follow the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn" target="_blank">cairns</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kvdGwR4MMwTGvleN_kLzx53YiYO99XrGdaxmhYiGVr5f_gNX3_Yr0DX-_ou4-9ne-DLPJmjwjUSEQTm5q3Ef7CaqC3nmrh-0lioca50eGMiayz6wKnH1ufH09A5K_t6oSzHZnrQ9EFMQ/s1600/2012-09-11+13.35.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kvdGwR4MMwTGvleN_kLzx53YiYO99XrGdaxmhYiGVr5f_gNX3_Yr0DX-_ou4-9ne-DLPJmjwjUSEQTm5q3Ef7CaqC3nmrh-0lioca50eGMiayz6wKnH1ufH09A5K_t6oSzHZnrQ9EFMQ/s640/2012-09-11+13.35.29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The climbing path is along a narrow route on the route. One slip and you're a goner. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNQ7vz4azG5oxqmGkkyCi_dyaxOx_X33jSG5kctV_tub4S9w4FaBOdaKQFubKUfQh6Qr8KadIAOfoli_mjTEjjoInGGJbJuh2GnaYKbbONO2KGp4eTfiQ6s5UgqIvXDDaSUG6oujRW4LI/s1600/2012-09-11+14.09.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNQ7vz4azG5oxqmGkkyCi_dyaxOx_X33jSG5kctV_tub4S9w4FaBOdaKQFubKUfQh6Qr8KadIAOfoli_mjTEjjoInGGJbJuh2GnaYKbbONO2KGp4eTfiQ6s5UgqIvXDDaSUG6oujRW4LI/s640/2012-09-11+14.09.31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's Al marching to the beat of his own drummer (off the main path...)<br />
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Ann and Marilyn just coming up to the Arch. </div>
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<br />
We made it (after 1.5 hours or so...)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYLUt404Fey_eEgG4mW1s9WSKdWhgSBmiI7wwZLrG5YkNBku70ObEtkYvk7ClJHjO7IS2iYe1aTNMrOWgd0IbWuWl1lLA9qM7Jw6oASnitlkbdeJA-Zh0N2yqzjwgl-SPUZoCK1_-hyod/s1600/2012-09-11+14.12.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYLUt404Fey_eEgG4mW1s9WSKdWhgSBmiI7wwZLrG5YkNBku70ObEtkYvk7ClJHjO7IS2iYe1aTNMrOWgd0IbWuWl1lLA9qM7Jw6oASnitlkbdeJA-Zh0N2yqzjwgl-SPUZoCK1_-hyod/s1600/2012-09-11+14.12.40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A view of Delicate Arch (from a Google Panorama picture)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a-eRtUnfXeKXmi29EgvswrgciqeY92cBvVnmmiGLNe6Ohl_rG-dBWeBKS1VRmZFbGCevQp3Oa0qLWLjMjTFZob5e8-LrYlSL7KCBSDy82vF2oh5a_32zAzrYa4Uvyxp3c7a2JAtM7HTG/s1600/Delicate+Arch+Itself.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a-eRtUnfXeKXmi29EgvswrgciqeY92cBvVnmmiGLNe6Ohl_rG-dBWeBKS1VRmZFbGCevQp3Oa0qLWLjMjTFZob5e8-LrYlSL7KCBSDy82vF2oh5a_32zAzrYa4Uvyxp3c7a2JAtM7HTG/s1600/Delicate+Arch+Itself.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mike and Marilyn smiling because we actually made it!<br />
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Surprisingly there were quite a number of people there. In fact, it was almost crowded! Al is acting confident he won't fall...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rBHewSAsXDquLsLG56RFBkke6UUf9DaVfEZM6zOjnEADZBbKZN0BsFIn_6bZicmZ4JBSrIqvp6R8H6-GnDirWMtN6gMSfMKIrcB8ol3kSHwwW36rTkOoAdCCCpsa4Xj5vo0NNuy8RdOO/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rBHewSAsXDquLsLG56RFBkke6UUf9DaVfEZM6zOjnEADZBbKZN0BsFIn_6bZicmZ4JBSrIqvp6R8H6-GnDirWMtN6gMSfMKIrcB8ol3kSHwwW36rTkOoAdCCCpsa4Xj5vo0NNuy8RdOO/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you look down (from Al's position above) there's only this huge gradual drop off for hundreds and hundreds of feet. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJQIYhLh6-7YxAPYAOZHgjG0xEKmvevKjUB2p8706nPOfaQFrbFVAn4akCOVf_pUzlEWZZyZE3GQeqsgb_TVD7gFxx14ckQTqR5H7Ngv2yvsSSQfsbuCMIfS1C5W_Tpa_6ZcYoad3LBr5/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJQIYhLh6-7YxAPYAOZHgjG0xEKmvevKjUB2p8706nPOfaQFrbFVAn4akCOVf_pUzlEWZZyZE3GQeqsgb_TVD7gFxx14ckQTqR5H7Ngv2yvsSSQfsbuCMIfS1C5W_Tpa_6ZcYoad3LBr5/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just to emphasize the height where we are standing...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks_XUpnWDHA5uATw5KDU5-IXep7zQAcQWZeZOyQHOYcdGVXhMMGk2cB0Tp_ZeLtOSlSrrIipvfme2YvjiGS-6n_w8brzcXovkCCwXDu3dWdymUHn8zaibLm3NdK0IsScpIJJU_J7CCRNt/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks_XUpnWDHA5uATw5KDU5-IXep7zQAcQWZeZOyQHOYcdGVXhMMGk2cB0Tp_ZeLtOSlSrrIipvfme2YvjiGS-6n_w8brzcXovkCCwXDu3dWdymUHn8zaibLm3NdK0IsScpIJJU_J7CCRNt/s1600/2012-09-11+14.21.14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Al standing under the Arch. Notice the lady on the left - she carried their youngest of (3 or 4) all the way up there with apparent ease. When I asked how heavy he was, she replied "he's not all that much." Uhuh, sure...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQjUV8w0MK-FTdLoRyC0flxauVHhmQPoGy3nGFUso1HECVu22CyIkg8WGktFU4Fm72nfTU4hCGSODXfU-AL6PIp3Cg5gS2eKldE22LVgXXMa6M6TrXZTBfOn3wSES8aserDIxlS8kAAED/s1600/2012-09-11+14.22.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQjUV8w0MK-FTdLoRyC0flxauVHhmQPoGy3nGFUso1HECVu22CyIkg8WGktFU4Fm72nfTU4hCGSODXfU-AL6PIp3Cg5gS2eKldE22LVgXXMa6M6TrXZTBfOn3wSES8aserDIxlS8kAAED/s1600/2012-09-11+14.22.10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lot's of activity on top.
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It was amazing how many people had climb up there. The couple in the last scene were from Great Briton. They sold "the business" and have been touring almost continuous (years?) ever since. They most recently were in Myanmar - and it had only been open for tourist about a year! </div>
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Al, Ann, and Marilyn at one of the many terrific sites. </div>
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Highway 191, Moab, UT 84532, USA38.7435006 -109.4993269000000313.221466099999997 -150.80792090000003 64.2655351 -68.190732900000029tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-85386095006057919012012-09-10T12:45:00.000-04:002012-12-23T07:58:08.420-05:00Moab UT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Moab’s unique combination of beautiful red rock scenery, two national parks, and the cool waters of the <a href="http://www.discovermoab.com/colorado_river.htm">Colorado River</a>
has made it one of the most sought after destinations in the southwest.
Let Moab be your base camp for world famous mountain biking, hiking,
four wheel driving, or river trips of any length and experience level.
For a more relaxing visit just sit back and enjoy the scenery along the
beautiful scenic drives in our national parks or on Moab’s three <a href="http://www.discovermoab.com/byways.htm">Scenic Byways</a>. </i><i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<h2>
Moab</h2>
We met the Kessler’s in Moab on the northern end near the
Colorado River. Or a flatlander, like me, the Colorado was a river moving
through a deep gorge called the Grand Canyon. But in Moab it was just on it’s
way from, where else, Colorado, and served as a brown-chalk ribbon of water
through what must be described and incredibly barren land. Ann managed to find
accommodations for us at a camping facility along the Colorado, owned by a
friend of a relative. Yes, you needed to know someone who knew someone to find
a place to land for the night. Moab, I discovered, is an incredibly popular
place, certainly the kick-off point to other sites in southern Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I bought some hiking shoes just before we
left and saw a shoe model called the “Moab”. I told the sales clerk, “Hey,
that’s where we are going tomorrow”. He looked at me with a “duh” look, like
“so what”. That’s about what I was thinking too but then why did a shoe
manufacturer name a model after a city? Hmm…. I soon found out.)<br />
<br />
The map below provides a sense of location for Moab. It's "way down there" if you're from Indiana.<br />
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</div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Salt+Lake+City,+UT&daddr=moab.+ut&hl=en&geocode=Fcv1bQIdma1U-SntMdGIlD1ShzHKMU1IoLdTWw%3BFQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw&aq=0&oq=salt&sll=39.504041,-109.346924&sspn=4.653085,11.151123&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.656456,-110.720215&spn=8.117741,14.0625&z=6&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=embed&saddr=Salt+Lake+City,+UT&daddr=moab.+ut&hl=en&geocode=Fcv1bQIdma1U-SntMdGIlD1ShzHKMU1IoLdTWw%3BFQSVTAId8WZ4-SmNLbia5eFHhzEtxNXxerEyCw&aq=0&oq=salt&sll=39.504041,-109.346924&sspn=4.653085,11.151123&mra=ls&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=39.656456,-110.720215&spn=8.117741,14.0625&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
<br />
<small>You can get a larger sense of terrain perspective in this Google Earth view.</small><br />
<small> </small>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=moab.+ut&aq=&sll=40.763901,-108.039551&sspn=9.132938,22.302246&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Moab,+Grand,+Utah&t=f&ecpose=38.55048401,-109.50928431,3610.59,-52.083,69.876,0&ll=38.581626,-109.560446&spn=0.032206,0.054932&z=14&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=moab.+ut&aq=&sll=40.763901,-108.039551&sspn=9.132938,22.302246&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Moab,+Grand,+Utah&t=f&ecpose=38.55048401,-109.50928431,3610.59,-52.083,69.876,0&ll=38.581626,-109.560446&spn=0.032206,0.054932&z=14" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small><br />
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<br />
We met the Kessler’s in Moab on the northern end near the
Colorado River. For a flatlander, like me, the Colorado was a river moving
through a deep gorge called the Grand Canyon. But in Moab it was just on it’s
way from, where else, Colorado, and served as a brown-chalk ribbon of water
through what must be described and incredibly barren land. Ann managed to find
accommodations for us at a camping facility along the Colorado, owned by a
friend of a relative. Yes, you needed to know someone who knew someone to find
a place to land for the night. Moab, I discovered, is an incredibly popular
place, certainly the kick-off point to other sites in southern Utah. (I bought some hiking shoes just before we
left and saw a shoe model called the “Moab”. I told the sales clerk, “Hey,
that’s where we are going tomorrow”. He looked at me with a “duh” look, like
“so what”. That’s about what I was thinking too but then why did a shoe
manufacturer name a model after a city? Hmm…. I soon found out.)<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The </span>Moab Valley RV Resort<span style="font-size: small;"> is the small balloon (A) located next to the Colora<span style="font-size: small;">do. A <span style="font-size: small;">high lev<span style="font-size: small;">ee, however, prevented ea<span style="font-size: small;">sy <span style="font-size: small;">viewing access to the river. The campgr<span style="font-size: small;">ounds were incredibly nice. One camper comp<span style="font-size: small;">lained, however, that they had to move th<span style="font-size: small;">eir tent every two nights because the sprinkl<span style="font-size: small;">ers ran<span style="font-size: small;"> at night and tents (on grass) needed to rel<span style="font-size: small;">ocate so all sections of the land were well watered. Well, <span style="font-size: small;">how else will the grass <span style="font-size: small;">be properly watered? <span style="font-size: small;">Duh.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can see from this 3D image that the entire area is super hilly and <span style="font-size: small;">equally bro<span style="font-size: small;">wn dirt. But it's i<span style="font-size: small;">nteresting if only because of the contra<span style="font-size: small;">st <span style="font-size: small;">with the Midwest landscape.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Moab is a small city, by Midwest standards, about the size
of Frankfort or Delphi Indiana. But it is unique. School had started so few families
with children were visiting. What we discovered, however, was that most
of the visitors (perhaps 80% or more) were Europeans. Yep. At dinner each night (Zax, below) we looked
around our restaurant and listened to a range of languages that were mostly not
English. Tour buses were everywhere too but, strangely, the town did not seem
crowded. Maybe it was the ultra wide main street that was so clean. Maybe it
was the fact that the town did not have a carnie atmosphere but instead seemed
to focused entirely on outdoor activities. Another “duh” moment for me.</div>
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We had dinner two nights at Zax.</div>
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We went to one of the two town grocery stores to buy lunch
and breakfast foods only to be swamped by customers from tour buses. Was it
bad? Not really and if you had German or Dutch as a language in school you
could listen in on the many conversations. But what got me were the incredible
crowds in the store at different times of the day and night. Early one evening
I asked a stock clerk “is it always this busy?”, meaning how late in the
evening do the crowds thin out. His answer was “it’s this busy until the week
before Christmas, then it slows down through February and picks up again in
March.” Really? Man, I’d like to have this grocery store with this kind of
volume. Turns out it was actually owned by Kroger. Another lesson in buying
groceries (not too unlike Trader Joe’s on a Friday evening – but every day and
evening.)</div>
Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Moab, UT 84532, USA38.5733155 -109.5498395000000238.52366 -109.63052050000002 38.622971 -109.46915850000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-16727077714589792292012-09-10T11:47:00.000-04:002012-12-23T08:07:41.798-05:00Four Corners UT, NM, AZ, CO<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Our trip from Santa Fe to Moab UT was an all-day venture
through lands that looked forever brown and dusty. It’s a real stunner to
contrast green Indiana to shades of brown New Mexico. Our visit to Four Corners
almost passed us by as I sped down the highway – doubling back just to be able
to say “I stood in all four states at the same time”. OK, that’s pushing it a
bit but where else can you span four states with a single step from one to the
other?<br />
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<a href="http://navajonationparks.org/htm/fourcorners.htm" target="_blank">Four Corners</a> is an interesting place for no other reason than it is absolutely unique. See where it's at on the map below.<br />
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There is absolutely nothing else nearby. Click on the + to zoom in. Switch to Terrain or check out Earth to see the topology in 3D. Seeing this sight, in fact just traveling through this country, is a lesson in humility.<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=four+corners+nm&aq=&sll=39.766555,-86.441277&sspn=4.635492,11.151123&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=four+corners&hnear=New+Mexico&fll=36.992065,-109.040165&fspn=0.037636,0.087118&st=109146043351405611748&rq=1&ev=zi&split=1&ll=37.000908,-109.046173&spn=0.131609,0.219727&z=12&output=embed" width="640"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=four+corners+nm&aq=&sll=39.766555,-86.441277&sspn=4.635492,11.151123&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=four+corners&hnear=New+Mexico&fll=36.992065,-109.040165&fspn=0.037636,0.087118&st=109146043351405611748&rq=1&ev=zi&split=1&ll=37.000908,-109.046173&spn=0.131609,0.219727&z=12" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Indian vendors set up sales tables in the surrounding enclosures. Mainly trinkets but also blankets and other items. Here you can walk from state to state with one step.</div>
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<br />Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Four Corners, Kaysville, UT 84037, USA41.0307772 -111.919940515.508742700000003 -153.2285345 66.5528117 -70.6113465tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8901819350557166770.post-41649874909949942422012-09-09T10:47:00.000-04:002012-12-23T08:04:20.224-05:00Santa Fe, NM<br />
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We started our September trip by flying to Albuquerque NM. After a day there we traveled an hour up the Interstate 25 to Santa Fe. If you want
an interesting visit to a very
old yet modern town, go to Santa Fe. Some of the shops were well beyond
our
credit card limits, but the town as a whole is a terrific combination of
old
(one of the oldest capital in North America) as well as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>modern in the many art centers and shops. </div>
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We arrived the day of the town's annual festival (<span dir="auto"><a href="http://www.santafefiesta.org/" target="_blank">Fiestas de Santa Fe</a>)</span>. Included in this festival is the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTE2CYpzE8c" target="_blank">Zozobra</a> burning (very interesting video). People everywhere. Lots of street vendors too. Most of the residents were of Mexican descent. The building on the left is the original government building reaching back at least 300 years. Inside it's a museum (well worth the time to tour too). Outside local Indians sold their wares. </div>
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To the right is the town square (below too). This is a pleasant town. Life may not be all that easy but you can't tell it by the people - both residents and visitors seemed to be relaxed. </div>
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We stayed at <a href="http://garrettsdesertinn.com/" target="_blank">Garrett's Desert Inn</a> in the heart of the city. We highly recommend it for price and location. Downtown is only a couple of blocks away and an easy walk. (Most of the other modern motels are on the outskirts of town and about 15 minutes of driving away. Parking downtown is at a premium too. The city has several parking garages that are so well camouflaged in adobe style exterior that I didn't recognize them. The front of the motel lot is roped off to keep non-customers out.) This was a 1950s motel that had been modernized maybe once. Still, it worked out well for us. The land alone must be worth a ton.<br />
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The city parade was almost entirely people of Mexican descent. Horses, wagons, and lots of trucks made up the field. A number of princesses and school groups also marched. Our vantage was on a corner location just a block from the <span class="st">Georgia O'Keeffe</span> art museum. In that sense downtown Santa Fe is quite compact. (<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8rmm8h8y1b8e6k8/2012-09-09%2012.57.36.mov" target="_blank">Video</a>) Notice the riders are wearing Spanish Conquistador helmets. I kept hearing "Viva", which was referring to Viva La Fiesta -<i> <span class="text-highlight">"a curious blend of thanksgiving, revelry
and pride in the hearts of Santa Feans who celebrate Fiesta annually to
commemorate Don Diego De Vargas’ peaceful reoccupation of the City of
Holy Faith in 1692."</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWuR_WNk0KCnWLzxX5UjtVRus4_7Al4_9rEuVqxn13S_6liMa4XWTtBy8QOjTYu4O7xKOmL_7F-qItPTZsigghBuGo2yqVKdGbj9zlguzBM_u1meiDI-2hGHYtPz_zbP7ALP6iTNocZz-/s1600/2012-09-09+12.57.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWuR_WNk0KCnWLzxX5UjtVRus4_7Al4_9rEuVqxn13S_6liMa4XWTtBy8QOjTYu4O7xKOmL_7F-qItPTZsigghBuGo2yqVKdGbj9zlguzBM_u1meiDI-2hGHYtPz_zbP7ALP6iTNocZz-/s640/2012-09-09+12.57.02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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One venue we thought interesting was the <a href="http://www.santafeopera.org/" target="_blank">The Crosby Theater</a> (opera) located on the outskirts of the city (route 285/84). This is quite a site and worth a look. You approach it using a frontage road that also turns off into what I would characterize as very high-end homes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQBOY31U9tPN9O0uI6hBqaujuvQRCpjJk7iMg20mygCHI2IHamEekmp6h8meDGLG504zyUjQX827gpgozuE-n2vy_w_aQZ4fnqqbIThbXvYDQrrfHPbgKlhGxFD1tNJ7mD0atANk1CWo7/s1600/Santa+Fe+Opera+Building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQBOY31U9tPN9O0uI6hBqaujuvQRCpjJk7iMg20mygCHI2IHamEekmp6h8meDGLG504zyUjQX827gpgozuE-n2vy_w_aQZ4fnqqbIThbXvYDQrrfHPbgKlhGxFD1tNJ7mD0atANk1CWo7/s640/Santa+Fe+Opera+Building.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The city park (the band stand above was on one side) had a pleasant feeling. One fellow was playing the guitar (with amplifier) along with a partner on accompaniment. With the pleasant weather it was easy to just park on a bench and take it all in. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G2CU2sK56WBy_2lesevhBm9VnN0PkNzO82FY8XRn8m6hzKs1or5JP0KTyKRK74Yohpv8Ptixc8GnMBOsvZLlagyjnfgTsOoce5IucObDo_t-VRClvS0Vb8xZXSxpW0wQf4y2IR5VaTcv/s1600/2012-09-08+12.07.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G2CU2sK56WBy_2lesevhBm9VnN0PkNzO82FY8XRn8m6hzKs1or5JP0KTyKRK74Yohpv8Ptixc8GnMBOsvZLlagyjnfgTsOoce5IucObDo_t-VRClvS0Vb8xZXSxpW0wQf4y2IR5VaTcv/s640/2012-09-08+12.07.41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The dancers on the bandstand were celebrating Mexican-American culture with traditional dance routines (like the ones we saw on TV as youngsters in the 50s). An announcer kept the patter up. All the dancers in this picture were American. The women wore traditional Spanish hair styles (long hair pulled into a bun). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHSjfISQ72qG8wwC9f1-a7PViSax_X1EKMg0idlbSfZEnsEA9xuGcvf7gUd4eaoi7oi2LpwtgfDg9zGfIuzXTD85oEr3bc93ZJVPVEAIM_en1OuThwlNtvdmXewkqAc2QdWW3vDfZS6bn/s1600/2012-09-08+18.29.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHSjfISQ72qG8wwC9f1-a7PViSax_X1EKMg0idlbSfZEnsEA9xuGcvf7gUd4eaoi7oi2LpwtgfDg9zGfIuzXTD85oEr3bc93ZJVPVEAIM_en1OuThwlNtvdmXewkqAc2QdWW3vDfZS6bn/s640/2012-09-08+18.29.01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm standing in front of what looks like a simple structure. Actually it's an upscale hotel. There were several downtown like this. The adobe style concealed a rather elegant interior. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_JerDVn-4i98W7f47SRU_t26HvXk18jYVa4Rbh6zOBScKXnYBEDjc3zxeKCN1BjJFiegdpmW256mmEex-ryrtXFcSxGBbo35-jgrHl9FblHuPR3Fp9A0aXjUZl9Dy2cMJtff0_QrYzU/s1600/2012-09-08+17.37.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrB_JerDVn-4i98W7f47SRU_t26HvXk18jYVa4Rbh6zOBScKXnYBEDjc3zxeKCN1BjJFiegdpmW256mmEex-ryrtXFcSxGBbo35-jgrHl9FblHuPR3Fp9A0aXjUZl9Dy2cMJtff0_QrYzU/s640/2012-09-08+17.37.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Catholic Church influence is still important for much of the population. Below is one of the oldest churches in the city (as well as the country) <a href="http://www.cbsfa.org/" target="_blank">Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpXdHUEx2l21Bn_M39I0AEJHFwPSr1dukUU2k-Gbo-ICKUcM4S3USeBYdIcQAzXtyuatuw9ML-qAfvt9y6YqhyIL6IIOySanUtsRsKNqqQCK38AsF7wvod-bGxm2veh6-ljtIzEnSk_yd/s1600/2012-09-09+11.43.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpXdHUEx2l21Bn_M39I0AEJHFwPSr1dukUU2k-Gbo-ICKUcM4S3USeBYdIcQAzXtyuatuw9ML-qAfvt9y6YqhyIL6IIOySanUtsRsKNqqQCK38AsF7wvod-bGxm2veh6-ljtIzEnSk_yd/s640/2012-09-09+11.43.51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Interior decor is colorful and imposing. (<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/9mmsuh8e00su43n/2012-09-09%2015.10.25.mov" target="_blank">Video</a>)<br />
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A group makes it's way to the church.<br />
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For train aficionados this looks interesting. The route is from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. <br />
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Michael Lavellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06342598495458901101noreply@blogger.com0Santa Fe, NM, USA35.6869752 -105.9377989999999835.4806117 -106.26052249999998 35.8933387 -105.61507549999999