tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62046177503289192112024-03-13T10:35:15.383-07:00MDK10 OutsideMichael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.comBlogger816125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-69334810528711128412023-10-28T17:04:00.002-07:002023-11-30T17:40:07.463-08:00New York City and Pennsylvania 2023
<br/><br/><b>NEW YORK CITY AND NORTH JERSEY</b>
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The kid thought New York was overwhelming – first, the walking, and second, the crowds. Times Square the day after the Hamas attack was predictably loud and chaotic.
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But even for a suburban kid, NYC has plus sides. Like NYC pizza! And <a href="https://www.algonquinhotel.com/the-algonquin-cat/" target="_blank">Hamlet</a>, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Round_Table" target="_blank">Algonquin Hotel</a> cat (below, credit Daily Mail)!
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And the Natural History Museum! I have to say that the California Academy of Science still beats it. I’m typically suspicious of virtual exhibitions with computer graphics (can’t I see this at home?) but they took advantage of the immersiveness allowed by the use of projectors – walls and floor are all part of the imagery.
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The next day, the Statue of Liberty was a big hit, but not as much as the Ice Cream Museum. (Don’t take the edible slime on the flight home with you, it sets off the chemical detectors at security.) Later that day I got my Scotch egg at Fraunces Tavern, where Washington gave his farewell address to his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War (interior shot credit Tripadvisor.)
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After that, I finally did my run across the Brooklyn Bridge, then back across the Manhattan Bridge, up the East Side past Chinatown and Bellevue to the U.N. Notes: somehow I was surprised at the crowd on the Brooklyn Bridge; I realized my default assumption is that the places I want to see are obscure. The Manhattan Bridge is LOUD when the train goes through to the point where, if I lived there, I would bring earplugs or avoid the bridge. In Chinatown I overheard an earnest young man tell his friends in a crowd "Bro I just matched with that girl on Hinge!" I used a public restroom at Lion's Gate Field which was mumblingly reviewed by the homeless man who entered ahead of me as "motherfucking filthy." Unsurprisingly, less than 2 days after the Hamas War began, there were big protests next to the U.N. Notes:
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Above, evidence that there really is a neighborhood in New York called Dumbo. Below, now going across the Manhattan Bridge. Between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges is Main Street Park, which has an actual beach - would not have expected that.<br/><br/>
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Above, Brooklyn across the East River. You can't keep going north past the Platform (because of U.N. security issues?). Below, the U.N., and also, due to my extreme metalness, after some light editing, my metal pose is indistinguishable from the album cover. One block in there were opposing Israel-Hamas rallies.<br/><br/>
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Differences in NYC from five years ago: SO MUCH WEED in Manhattan. On the West Side I smelled weed on most blocks. Not an improvement. Also saw blatant grab-and-runs twice from the same 7-Eleven in two days. Also we had to make reservations for the Museum of Natural History. Like wine-tasting in NorCal, museum-going in New York has gotten less fun and spontaneous.
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Also (not specific to NYC) the kid has only ever seen non-streaming television in hotels and refers to it as "channel TV." (As used in the sentence, "Channel TV is stupid" when we couldn't rewind something.)
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I looked for 7 different<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toynbee_tiles" target="_blank"> Toynbee tiles</a> and none were still there, although I'm pretty sure that I could see where one had been pressed in then pried off; here ends my quest of trying to find one.
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Also note: Google lists Penn Station as being at 34th Street and 10th Avenue. It is not, and there is apparently no way to submit a correction to Google Maps.
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During the last day we visited Rockefeller Center (just being set up for skating) and of course FAO Schwartz, some of whose toys I couldn't figure out how they worked. It's like living in the not-too-distant future! I should note that during our time in New York, on two occasions, a German-speaking child approached the kid at the top of something (a sliding board in Battery Park, a rock in Central Park.) This is consistent with the wife’s <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-san-juan-mountains-are-neat-o.html" target="_blank">racist theory of hiking and climbing</a>, that people of Germanic descent are a mountain and forest people who instinctively seek out high places and often find their countrymen there. In North Jersey we enjoyed the Rainforest Café (if you have kids, go). Things we missed: in NYC, One World, and getting a drink at Stonewall. In North Jersey: I STILL have not ever been to Princeton. And, hopefully the <a href="https://tworivertimes.com/agreementreachedinholmdelhornantennadispute/" target="_blank">Holmdel Antenna will be preserved</a>, so I don't have to be in a rush to get to it. This was the microwave antenna where the cosmic microwave background (the echo of the Big Bang) was discovered. Having recently been in the New York Times among other publications of note, now hopefully it is receiving more attention.
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<b>PENNSYLVANIA</b>
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On the way to PA, I finally got to Washington Crossing (why isn't this visited more often as a historical site?) and New Hope, which I'd somehow escaped. Northern Bucks County is really pretty, especially in the fall, as is all of Pennsylvania. I actually felt a little homesick flying back this time.
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<i>Above, Washington Crossing, credit kids.outdoors.org, and below New Hope, which when you look up "cute little town" in the dictionary, this is the picture they use, credit Grace Paradise on flickr.</i>
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And once we got to old Berks Cauwndy, we <i>ate</i>. We ate Lebanon bologna, and ring bologna, and drank cream soda, and ate
lebanon bologna, and shoo-fly pie (from <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/black-buggy-baking-company-oley" target="_blank">Black Buggy Baking Company</a> in Oley - get the moist kind) and finally, the cheese wheel at <a href="https://www.mangiaitalianrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Mangia</a>! Cheese wheel. <i>Cheese wheel.</i>
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<i>Above, Black Buggy Baking Company, below a shoo-fly pie whose charms were such that I couldn't stop to get a photo before I dug in. Below that, the Doghouse hot dog restaurant (note the Berks County dog, though we were just there for cho-chos.)
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfT0ZIqJhN_xluIyqII-3i9R7HXnW1EZrngZ2gtd12YoVlRHsG0TsIG4wZ7pI3QBf5T0F8yYxe_3J05-lu02-LfDqVJ7i2KDbK957SESTlNOxVreJhFQjSZdKx0cf-xzocHVpwCpLCyhpY2KCp1tQbjXyvdVc_oI-R_VvrbELJgP1tsQyqY98kPlLi8Nf/s1600/2023-10-12%2017.04.04.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUFA3o9kQsZPHadAYHJa8lM2BZ6bH6saNebhd_SlLqrSC_sYMVAK1wM8VfZoIaYg50zWngc4WRqz4EwG2sqeFUnq-7mP-AHGOteyBYgdkIm03o_ldBmwJ73MI7nZPP76nYbsklCVNTbuVsxTcTiMGwRo-DViNIu2l760mg3JtoyVzjgIVA8qe2QqRAx03/s1600/2023-10-11%2012.37.16%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOfZ4ux0BGsoF4ciYIAo6Xb2CdH8LoVkTlsi6C5RFnNnPJ5vvEDEZRJTAxHGZv6wYF7ohoJUSxflL2rBn7cQiCOsRBeLDJBGhwTEr-Dnon7pqOkpoNkK6ynq1PiFF2CXyBV43ov3YEeJY5tri_Sos_K-q_ml_yIjIVlytbXe5KhTgtolitbh-tBeebN96/s1600/cheesewheel.jpg"/></a></img>
<br/>Above, someone set up us <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVx3XNHCmN8&t=1s" target="_blank">the cheese wheel of doom</a>. (Image credit berkscountyeats.com) <br/><br/><br/>
</center>
We finally got to the Deitsch Eck, an awesome PA Dutch restaurant in the metropolis of Lenhartsville, along with Motoo the Egyptian (who also made an appearance <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-slot-anza-borrego.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Highly recommended. The staff are warm, friendly and funny (decidedly un-PA Dutch actually but we'll let it slide.) Among many other things, we had scrapple (duh), apple butter, and yet more shoo fly pie for dessert (which I haven't been able to find anywhere in NorCal, nor could I make a passable one myself.) Normally I don't like scrapple (this is why they made me move to California) but this was tasty.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0g59FZAsQ0uUSu7R2nEKJht4i6Pn5CaCcUN_fs0IgjbpSp49toijIMzyyGs2ncZLk7-Eai46JbRlTO9Xm1zQm2l7SKgkZ7jdn9-N0QDxfm5pe3gW4n6w1tdOY-kVvjY_zFZ7n0YKx482e8S-WqGxJ6mcb7Xkhw1i1vNEob0Zh4ztSivIYLXtgUXTIRu8_/s1600/deitscheck.jpg"/></img><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPzB8L5Dlk7zwUeyAxuj5XgrbXb4ZWxIoZ7esupdjYcbnUaKQXPLMPqO1wzNCV5bvfcwlaYXqQH0Ez7Ag6gk_OW4CrZEg0uouqGqcEcvBRuLWC41M5ENimWbO4UtjOw1VN-qQ-LEaSRHDvYherVPNOwg5f3lFrIKv9OjAPr86bLqZtsvJhliCRQvtqql3/s1600/2023-10-15%2019.23.44.jpg"/></img><br/>
Chakey!<br/><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxAsTiAL0rtXTFVoKz0n4Z0xYnI53w61KBIg5uhIsidxbsp4v7DaHx5MRVQe2NPyqNqYggbS6cZCH3X8AsEevKb4LGPvLLyyadFOGFAdM9tXC7n8ZgCOEplCqxsyBhdU-GqSYLI7A4jJPX5fyi3pLNXz0W6Dm7ADkN9Y1EkLZwxfhrB4Pv_7XQY7s4vwb/s1600/2023-10-15%2019.25.45.jpg"/></img><br/>
Ah, earthy humor<br/><br/>
</center>
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And this is where I must disclose my shame as a parent, that the kid somehow escaped Berks County without eating sauerkraut, scrapple, funnel cake, or even shoo fly pie. I am being called to the PA Dutch High Council to answer for this omission.
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I was grateful to get over to <a href="https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Portals/39/BML_WebMap2023_1.pdf" target="_blank">Blue Marsh</a> one morning for a beautiful autumn run, straight out of a painting. Criminally underrated, most of all by me when I still lived in the area! I've done my best <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/01/i-lapped-blue-marsh.html" target="_blank">to make up for it in previous visits</a>.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BK44YfQy6m1x1eEXvsuiGlfaSz4otBWmmDSMDleSjnpDxAgvIJ1wiLEF6yxPkl0HyKbajuswmoETxTh5_Xy_FeUlpex4aUbjn0BGWjTbDe9xyFj2OUyrTudfJE9fPhY8udqBUMpAfuh5BCCMefRtzR6_muDdnMcMWFFQSjGOwSiUEdfTIJkCfqzfrBN6/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.23.18.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhXEWLcIQ-kGHn_VJR_Efr8IcYyn_YMctvWQ4Si0ZBZWsIzyRrBANiOfgKVUP7tj7SSEsiw-0NY9TJkB1jBxo31CthL2tsLzv6Pw-sDUkp9i67_O3EpIQ6y2pKj2eN_BxF0sqiKch1zZBpqmHGe4TRf-oNWnnfujDI2GOyXODcY9eXeBwvnOpPu3zfoO/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.38.03%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzH_pytulJvvKXQa5M0Q9QFvHk4LkHGD4Wjt8YiRiNqsndN1QuejYD9tbTaylsBVf0qRZPXoeHbuyCoN4CBXTmmSMI0ayLco37cuQyZaoOr1Yt1StRHboePT_lEGhyphenhyphenpzeukUxJnDxtVcYk0CPsvTyXhHwsKVtA1UsYwzWLJEGc_Mqe07soY5hRCBqZL7B/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.38.34.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi423zEz3Oi8fD5-_VLJTwiWz2r5svaBGkZTsI5LqXzL8aLVAZEZ0nV5_qb6fn1qFR7DohFLYlfK9jFptdWpViFFtrchPYBzUjA7SQagzgrYa4c1dYTa-SWZdz9zMyno-SMuycOcrvoOEg-szRGY1_aWyO4bN1G2EeaN3q1bSZ21hhNW5CmAJRqtPrKD8U0/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.40.18.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri62gOa1nSY85EOo4Lf-PKixktrs865GTHxn12MYOiEzY7GyMN_bflm21wQCb2M8rWQpls_JtzD7PSs45wxIwK9MXsC2yHht6IsMTSBNs_3JRS2rEvjriS2Af-5Nizmw9fhtg5nh3rL-pGsfm_h6_HoEhg7BHaR1aC7gqSK42kYV1QHUdp9b5gvboGxaX/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.40.24.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgzY2teRDG9GfaaFWvlcxfhCG0NeN5eUuj5bQ3ZzfOaCYlD3Umx_9UGnRJBN-2r6l-z1XIwbOyzzTxJ1ncob_5wdzqrqHkcMLvO8-s4AV_cTKCAYD64OKQya7-wSqMDZXbDzmoeQwUxDq4m8wptrZLJIGG0Y4YStHni3mamC5trClceB-ImabbTUZH4T4/s1600/2023-10-12%2008.43.10%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjMa72yUGGpYNM_bGExwbwb9kUtU3b-aZMx986aba4DhoBs2LpDOXCytILfvLSq4yJ4rKYT7_RxD5tKVA_q2oENsYgbXbsKCstqouoLfMV26yQNLLp-e1VZRH3ySEJWndtEqr_hE1byPIQpNKxkCyboAdcHDTPPo7eUSz8xiTwgwOm8J2lkNc5_wTlPNO/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.01.46%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTr2SloGslUwWjAy1i2BFQvnns69P4La6KdeV0jBgGSVgbX6czrPOx7ih6GVg79nh-IgHBy_9xG2SE4HDfVVhlrATznoBiZelbp-4JCidPhbtQ_Tx_j7ok6u32KVwZyhDCPwvx1AntqT7VhGo7Ag7tTvJ56wgrkNhBz36FDhB6Sicp-P-PWy2os7ugP1I/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.02.03%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildEJP-pKenoxFOagbHb3nS0Fsb-7urw-KAPokA1cxIkcvDI5zPFVW1s5OMUuZaYYDINc2x4JLx3Cbazk4kMCiOCz_-f_DIqwLCpZGiL8hSf0wpiV4oG8X_62kKsgXHIvWphLrqQGFHg26c_JtlX2cZ1pvXCWg7bSy0y-eeON1VXzXUg2uN-DRCm529III/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.11.16%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OhFFFbhZMDMQifJ396IKn5ahfSDlzoOsYTmN8JUYGr4vxU2WMZfoxXUWDgk5Yf_VQEV5ETBvm4W2LJXVtwgi_LNr2AC6NVsCOHHAr0lUHdGjEVvRWMARK1yHoIBiZD20mJ4m3PMBC2s8dmlM_o6lGzhH-HzW-i6G90VDrOzRNnbM9pU-FvT8-TgxH08o/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.11.27%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnp5P7u_0cKYAkxTbop4YfRE3IYZ9Z3WhWmCzX-mEHwW_f1-LLmvyCwnfuL01jvKplaJdPjXSE8Ru3W6_JmGdQFKkkQWmBiCqvEcxe9XeVuFSxrXuYcGtr6PdbbYVnp3Nb-nCCzluqBk5hdsQEySKYwJ6e227aNHNNTKZ3QMeleWGPYQNfgB7kZ9UCfJ7/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.21.53%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkHZLwVwxrVjI7tjOASXU5Djhczp9Ki917R1qaPMcR6E8NFi-LAlIoI05RT3CA7SIVxwOHZ3RuQZsGGGd4d3D-jjOPT5g8PJIGknq1YNxUKs0jlDcDFDf3qltYHAq6scbGtXIWFo88RzUN_nLHLe1Aqe8Pp7B7z-t0r77x9ac0-Ro65C0BFquyT-gy8HJ/s1600/2023-10-12%2009.05.47%20-%20Copy.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
I also, without meaning to, drove through Stonersville. That town is not capitalizing on their name at all, similarly to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool,_California" target="_blank">Cool, California</a>. (Image credit Reading Eagle.)<br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo-EvjDmtzIDE2K-RCFCjG5e9VuhQziPkChUq6a7kaBD6T6XoobsU4K6x2UDYmIt2AZKDFGgLwKY-zfR7bcauIDZGLOS5ADqE5zLocH0KltveQUnHk-SrtNEldrnoJDzFyW3JiRmk8nd9cLGxtqRdOP-K_Sx5NUTdCur1n7gwN_JeivTa6IFOwB7VkZx4/s1600/stonehotel.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=75% height=75% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bvn84JLfAfa_0-rwIirsUJF1ax1wgl5MlVq7xBFo2sXoNgyen07-lLGLsMGwVYh3gS3z5wML6Pnq4j49WLTLm41qollcQujNP3CPqyerXrdCHBGAOpPx1G4pwOYZWGxbgsUTCh8d0n_-CrfSxTNA5ct3CwveWgdNdpQxP8qG0CF4DB9tAGZufylUy4Va/s1600/stonesocial.jpg"/></img>
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Other exciting events: my high school was kind enough to let me corrupt the minds of innocent students in exchange for having a good old high school lunch. (In all seriousness, I was honored the school would have me, thanks to the faculty and students who gave me their time and attention.) It was actually really surreal being back there, since I hadn't been back for over 30 years. You know those dreams where you can't find the exam room and you're panicking? Every time I'd been in those hallways for the last thirty years (or my mind believed I was) I was panicking, so maybe that's why I was uneasy. It's also a bit disconcerting how much I've forgotten. Did I ever know we had two gyms? I couldn't even remember where the library originally was.
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Yet MORE excitement: finding a leopard frog in a creek at <a href="https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/NoldeForestEnvironmentalEducationCenter/Pages/Hiking.aspx" target="_blank">Nolde Forest</a> (the second most underrated trails in Berks County), and driving across Bitzer Bridge (below, image credit Thoughtco and WabbyTwaxx on flickr.) As with so many things, until now I never noticed how beautiful leopard frogs were.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGxwBXfLZsp7EYVfOlFVJLm2BGjVTG0pFCmTqABa6O6kTUMg9Hi0cGKtetkahYzK1cq2Vaso-jWnNlrUcTW7XQx1GUrcXSGhvXHX5gnHPeiQ7JEurJDZSLLCgDlreA_MWHoBZFCCwtY-8yBM_CCTZxJtVj5MSLuWAZ2pxyatHOBaGYhmKFRmgoEbvg7oD/s1600/side-view-of-a-green-and-brown-leopard-frog-on-a-white-back-90805815-5c8513b346e0fb00012c66f2.jpg"/></img>
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<br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YDW25kpT3O9mjqu-Siez1ljYNugEwl4nSMhSSrUQCHiWzre_GnbwZUySWXaf1Rl4Ccxeeti_f9neJdQOelZoC4JtMnsdfBeE6poLhDsmq52f7I0KRcRgbhtUJd5lo80MK11bEn75rCDWwgRl4OhOHToIejLLEqifsKtHnFI5clMFg-KybChZFV9l23wP/s1600/bitzers.jpg"/></img>
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<b>
HERSHEY</b>
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Hersheypark was a blast. I hadn't been there since 1995 and I forgot that this New Pennsylvania keeps up with the times. That place has grown! There are what, 6 roller coasters? In truth I was kind of glad the kid was with me so I had an excuse not to go on the newer scarier ones. We spent most of our time on kiddy rides but I did get the kid on the Comet, and she was admirably brave though obviously a bit scared when we got to the front of the line. In the end she loved it. She's now the third generation who has ridden this roller coaster, the tamest in the park, though I often joke that it's scary because you wonder if the time you ride it will be when it will finally fall apart. The park used to close in September I think but some marketing person realized they were missing an obvious opportunity with Halloween, a holiday celebrated <b>by giving children candy,</b> and there was a trick-or-treat thing going one where the water park rides were closed but they had a path set to go through and get handed chocolate. Obviously popular! THe professional-grade s'mores were also a big hit. The wife commented that the doctors trained at the med school next door must have excellent education in diabetes management. (I know many doctors who did train there and one is in fact an endocrinologist, famed among other things for his ice-cream scooping ability.)<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdodqneQr_Zs6Ly9_yAQ3QZkWPUOwpy8zXZ6EfefZI3WFJorgkwn9NSFrnNB-t1GZdTkgB_l33BpZ4RAVlQX9L1JK_dTjz2uPkNGLIpEmbG9RCTryi6rbUwy9wIQBgvhyjD1hjW7Eb8vOqNj_gqsqAxh4Sc_FjVyAjWSJ18YuI_ysferCjZEqj4oX9OPsi/s1600/hersh1.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
On the way up to State College there was an ill-advised stop at Gettysburg, which it turns out young children give exactly zero shits about. (And I missed a chance for a bonfire in the backyard of none other than the creator of celebrated tabletop game <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/247320/maze-minos" target="_blank">Maze of Minos</a>!) Having missed this, I consoled myself with a visit to the Red Rabbit.<br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfRDTlwar3s4XiCSmq7QNuBUqdq19VezrY5hUcBFiO1oN7oW-c-6VWMs7-tDZziJ1nGJp6EvHfQEOueLUv9eT06Jiy3CzkkmrBSDUS2ZQWnhKyU4Uc7D0gZN2aozOJecACiMBgy-vsNiQ5taODagb_cbcHu-fSrXSjPqZcWhyphenhyphenWPhnGVMjSuVZqaRUxBA1u/s1600/redrabbit.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKyqk2AW3ewUhW4ylwG-fbyNu56X_Mp0JSwtYimIJkNZ1Fc2QceEgdUb_V8W41wOmgP2td-ZKk2swrwt5lvBWFRVEsbTrYTpGbqtmWUG7_-s0odBqxPJT4r6_y5wiac6C4xN8y0QzvQrgioHBNo6JySb1SxRhHq1w8FEV-gvtVvXMJWz-Xu25J6fSvHbv/s1600/2023-10-17%2021.05.08-2.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Make it a habit</i><br/><br/><br/>
</center>
Finally we were in State College. As ever, the evening began at the Gentlemen's Club, where we were discussing Wittgenstein over a game of backgammon.<br/><br/>
<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vLIyh6UVV1kQtMa-qil6EdkR0VLeC2CZLPgCY18tjZjnCX4-a2QX0wf2icLTlAWCIf4NP62PNr8l65g4__DGjWqh_wvvVNTa9fTuDhsAQzbnDes5-X_SryH02sdt944JvpVK8kTFMJh-bZY80msSE_aKslmDSGFsbseYvqOcKdjOe5836aF25HQ2PNqM/s1600/2023-10-13%2020.06.48.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>An elevator of historical importance</i><br/><br/><br/></center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6bOpIXCRUf-YNgzt9fPxQPxBcsMlBC2wkJNzQUSV6s5nhSV1L8VVBDr7bIoFIZxCL7ckd_eBukppjGZm6fW3rjuAR8-q_iWnMxlcNVeFjvpSUdRI5V70FnR_mFKw45Qtcz16Y95xhQql_nEjEvCkH6AjdnA3nGWnYftX5LhenF_i-4VA-JozaiKZUMwv/s1600/2023-10-14%2003.59.00.jpg"/></img><br/>
I'm not sure why I took the above picture, or of many other things I apparently did that night. I do appreciate the gift of underwear from my dear friend Matthew. I will cherish it always.<br/><br/>
Morning rolled around earlier than usual, raining and miserable, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsN0_9tgwXo&t=14s" target="_blank">which probably didn't account entirely for my lack of conversational abilities or indeed any thought at all</a>; I regret this as my friend and former roommate who I hadn't seen since 2003 made the trek up from Harrisburg, and we met at <a href="https://www.pennscave.com/" target="_blank">Penn's Cave</a>, which somehow I had missed during my time at Penn State. You take a boat into this cave and it was cooler than I expected.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhschdhelOLL4OQ8ylb0_irW_AQJ9b1LnUJBwsnh_AV5KEb33RDGVV69WN86LcqVfrALl5Ir6ZP9t_o_pBiooy1jk1JlgpYvlsaTSkgWdSj18d3VcrPxfO_ZWrOJYe2ghik1QpV2MxbH0nW_Eiqa4-ErenUXzs2hNep3ms3Axc2jzuAvZyLcUPXILcSjei0/s1600/2023-10-14%2010.09.53.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlVc86sQPoTkUELKw20U-RYAEn4h58WSzBG1ixerUsfl9DHG1RrWU3oWHF2wCF0ZRpcL4IdFuPYM7TREu-ED-axfQknVWTycdYqT9tRH3iH51A_Wsai9tFXBu5CHyx1B8TbABFbIXToaguFCdMtpOVlyd5mwzsRONlq8RIcwL3UA_DIBLMunblvJYyGiy/s1600/2023-10-14%2010.12.04.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VBqB86c8VFBoPtvqmPpBAb24vcL0PXaSY8Thk1dyOZZC4YN1ekV0jqfJmrkHejkevKQ27U13htHUwbduV1oPIAWeRvdfXWT0Y0N80OaY_ieJdGOtAGC8G_1Sz3EFzClXlMobhjaP50p3aOJwEDA8ug2zGssclC1BgRkf7n9LkK4ytmjcJE_M8hl3RQ8y/s1600/2023-10-14%2010.39.40.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbiRnHCv5iTnishSY-v7LW0aiZdGtNHVzlG6z9wI7Ea4bdP4Q3_NJhcfjbHy2E1gHzij5ALp0d27VE8LvNj-9Way0ojAkPBXmOkHWqn6OPTe0jjk1Ugd2cTKmq2NefXiGX-1b7Byym2N2GZUIgQc4BsiCgi6atlEzMB36Z-g4BuEgXQRgkHs4MzXMCoLh/s1600/2023-10-14%2010.44.39.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_FCF2A6GnlzoUcZykHH5624t01768Z_ONjD63etHy0NsIq4eCAPxGVDfNJNuosgl4q7Lhq5u1NHUhtpr0SkL0h6J2Kx6YMkBtaeeFLeXs_2iiY1uZCovcZuZ-yzE75a_Qz26oQP7i9MeSnjPQ26UJXhWGau_3Rah1JCBBfzRX9EARtBa2GifSKc5NsLw/s1600/2023-10-15%2008.30.58.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above, this sorry fellow was on the grass just outside the hotel. One of those random images of sadness and beauty that can sneak up on you anywhere.<br/><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0ZgAHjF6BeqJPrdWi06_0PT461ez9HnpFdC4i70Gz0juLyU5VcLvEz3nU67rYq6bc6eCk9xh7YIZ58a_ndDKUalwwHGpbK3tt6I_Yu_pU6E5N1QK-_OPjwhoXmmY6fxlZNb97JjHPs8MRF3uh-RcbcqnEn2qmqFUQ_5v400L6ttulM1bCraF2ThUsjnB/s1600/2023-10-14%2015.52.34.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
We then repaired to Beaver Stadium, to view the annual sacrifice of a bad football team at homecoming. (The team was UMass and the final score was 63-0, largely owing to a standout performance by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gODZzSOelss" target="_blank">Hingle McCringleberry</a>. The same could not be said for the Ohio State game the following week.) I prefer tailgating to the actual game, and my complaints about going to big metal shows are ten-fold going to a football game. I very much felt the attitude of "it's your privilege to be here, so you'll endure whatever discomforts you must" which is hard to find in any other product except maybe Apple. And endure we did. Walking miles around the stadium in rain, wind, cold, and muddy fields for tailgating is especially fun if you have California footwear. The company made it worthwhile but I'm sad to say now that the whole family has seen a Penn State game, it may be my last for a long time, if not ever. But if it has to be, I'm glad to have been with my crew. Long live Ground Zero!
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<b>BACK IN NORTH JERSEY</b>
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For reasons I won't go into, I ended up spending a day in the charming airport hotel area surrounding EWR. For obvious reasons, I spent a lot of time thinking about the inhumanness of these areas. They're unattractive (see below - picture of the area around the hotel), they're confusing to navigate, and there's nothing to do there - which leads to the feeling of being trapped, if you're without a car. There's actually an interesting neighborhood behind Spring Street (For example <a href="https://www.algarverestaurant.net/Welcome.tpl?action=nc&from=Top125" target="_blank">Algarves looks great</a> - too bad the only way to get there is a half mile walk in the trashy strip along a busy highway with no sidewalk. Why does this happen? I can't think of any motivation for the hotels or airport to conspire to cause this (to get us to use the snack bar in our room?) There are lots of airport hellscapes but this one has to take the cake. Out of spite I documented it; it's like its own ecosystem or urban zone. Even here, the autumn sky was nice.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSAEk74uGGfs0Ek_JXumVjBIHfaQRoomFunozX6hZqsnBvmMPdKAN-TSf67qNXa29_9lARfxmMh9Oj7tqcuz2tZyOWAG8WtzCLHQYtIbcuBBM9UWtg-iZI5EjsgB9qLUeTpCmC8ITrtw5yYAC2nM_41_edhzRsmErNCrq9oQs-97QUkbLrPNFLuo_WRPH/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.36.07.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KSY2MwQuTmzouwBnEGRACVnysh6LDziKHfQk25sBFVXXS7K8mXPPlE_BMMvNKbG6nJ5zuO38IAQZnPNRjodclcbjHmj4Vvi8C6BuuByVJyAyahTOA0Vp3nmOxCGDPdavMLyxdiNu9b672VVSwmEIfuK6Ctt2NXw6uZJgAVEg_KqFrjaCTNwyqfR-3BUZ/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.36.24.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQKiPbgopkvPUkSDyrmMjth9iFaqG1CbbTJ23s7HCNTug7FewswalOUP8JazaS1bKUXNOSqWrvZZ5SMF3h3dmDx2aWj-RGPPu-t7p3F3K-lSICwcmwVjlFqJwNqM_kFnThXfiMQdcuUZVtJzasdCyC3RiLKyBf_Oc12Bet2S2RiB94me8bJI8LnjEasxn/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.37.30.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW7MVMZalTnC2q2g5zI5nVXuDy6thV4CeLpLAE9U83ceO7cgLNlu-mAq4p5RLKyGC949p56sHBzxyCuzVNHOs__i5E9N2NlXrkWd6ojr_-EjXv-EcG43dIonHEINf6Iqfh0IIl44P295cspkstPccatRcKzqWg5KonjMD01QtcIQRec_Q-k00iWICqfP_/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.37.36.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheN3f0aanW6RpkEvlAFdxOjXvGH_HLEE4OaF3NCu9C3tssT1d2IOf3_0qaMU26YCIsoj5ytZ1ma2X3ee9ItlRle3dW9Cd8pE4-84ekg9ffr5nGEya-igGtPBqZP_0mq1CMVa43EV6nn1HpzayvsIMeTeIp45COKWlBdEBvF-J1peq2FlcwlrTbHzNC0WQZ/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.37.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5rTfPBmdQ1rJNBqXpNihISxMXMkQ9fm4uM9uN-2EFfqK-ZgJ6Jz0JSQqtER83jv0ZYPgrLp3lEQb3BU2rxpaU2d8CiNn92FEYm2RS_Hb04fajGWvQ1VuyAugfN2cPOx8q8FtBrwF_ilCT6Qphe3LnfAjuGC0XWr_B2yuYJTsBeBJV_xkWPvAqW-qUyFa/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.39.49.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XNMi2ws9w0F8q5ddfgzwTGPT1Xg8BJn3Yizf57F7myfaB9lIbgBCHBLvvt9-bs3WdE4HCtqsBjEVLKMYD1DkZl9cNy8r2NHAeCTcYgPKB3T3WGs_Nk_LsLW44DeZlX2kIAl__6b-alDqgK4-Fjg8IJ_NsBl4c0iwRI3aNVXG5var5h1I7H0-RegAF9H_/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.40.05.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdZp-HpLhzrtMsqWGNDURcpjXlMbvBaBOOHA9wG4xsn9VeApKZvatEn_Gp6h0Usa9zlujYFYN7bfwcXW6NF915qg35U8oiiFXmeRJV8v2k2X_Fws0jMo55ENzmpG6sx_yOo-fxiIS3deSdu8_oER6tAvl1uCZiDXU4B-wQ0M4GT5WneqAe1HEMVQJy-LT/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.40.21.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLFYd99ZZThNFilvn-bzsSLALFf3AEhnmXs_QA5gmSDp5wInxUftW9N7QTDaFqTXDDW-_ZruYIAv7pyUbz8MoaedWJAZuEUfWQ2I3KD-1lRb931LNAD2sdCh9WeWLRug-k-GJAj2cf7Gjg4jOvXjfDB8q-fapiZwWMiGu0_S-VrQDnQXWqs8TZTUxhiWa/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.40.57.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHKRSos6j4YJp4Fb2l67rdoPpNEHgpO8YB8-ExKmlF-r5KWqNDZwJglJ3_eFJ7es4zZfeN_unuHhqeQkvkhtnpQho_aeK7kvG-RccfgnC6xqBw9Rr0py9mpOqW0QMA85aQ4vx0CJcl0dWBQ8W4ZMy0nuGAodyGWlqEUYIY6i4Ud0kg_-MfOdtTJu_v0Rk/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.41.10%20-%20Copy%20%282%29.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARUaZYMP5NXHHu6SZ1JSUWvg8wDR7a0QYF73GhSlXnMnFfTOzmikOP9i3XjkqKu_mKqINVSJ7DoOvrKuZkXIlBpEibsYmXaTxmL3-fKeZUQazfOp7xeRFaMEQ64LlmUaJMcdoTf3bTQF-_ITCNhnLej7c_x3QBPi_lhw8CrfLqsjFgyDUEyAioz-DVD8w/s1600/2023-10-16%2018.44.35.jpg"/></img><br/><br/><br/><center>FIN</center><br/><br/>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-73678119906618527282023-09-04T16:08:00.293-07:002023-10-24T23:18:01.102-07:00Some Volcanoes in Northern California<br />
<i>(You should read about the <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/01/volcanoes-in-berks-county-pennsylvania.html" target="_blank">more mature and seasoned volcanoes of Pennsylvania here</a>.)</i>
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<b>MOUNT LASSEN</b>
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/lavo" target="_blank">Mt. Lassen National Park</a> and volcanic far-northern California is a part of the country most people don't think about - even most people in the rest of California. California is big. It has a whole top half that people forget about. From the Golden Gate Bridge it's 340 miles to the Oregon border.
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<center>
<img height="210" width="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVWZNyESt3reGi_Oid8b1ggH6_bLzBSe4vH_g6BSPH6uorYmvBhUAnPCbk786eJgWOxE8ez-JRSg0UdRztKjuHIgI-FkPYGchr3poXodjyQhvBEM4iOgMXEsCZPvCWJMTcVY1GoHBqT9pyh2spJgSokNTQuy89h-xLnIYJCF_jFlsIMSPJWYaZe6KYTZD/s1600/jdfmap.jpg" />
</center>
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Lassen is in the Cascades, not the Sierras. The Sierras extend north to about Susanville (the border is the red line on the map - border zones of any kind are always interesting in their own right.) The Cascades begin there and go northward just barely into British Columbia, a product of the subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate (red arrow pointing at the submarine ridge marking the southern plate boundary.) Our first stop on this trip (the middle circle on the map) was therefore the the southernmost Cascade. I used to argue that the often-overlooked <a href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2009/05/geological-anomalies-of-northern.html" target="_blank">Sutter Buttes in California's Central Valley</a> (the southernmost circle) were the southernmost Cascade, but among geologists (see <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2011/3024/" target="_blank">here for Hausback et al's article</a>) this seems to be more of a settled matter today so I must defer to the experts.[1]
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The area has more geologic and cultural history than any such empty quarter has a right to. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjv02TxK6FA" target="_blank">Lassen last erupted in 1916</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishi" target="_blank">Ishi was the last uncontacted Native American</a>, a story that's really worth reading, both fascinating and of course sad.
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<center>
<iframe width="373" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nZD9K4q55jk" title="Mt Lassen 1915" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Recent eruptions aside, Mt. Lassen is a good volcano for families. I've literally lost count of the number of times I've been at the top, but it's also a hike, not a climb, and it's not a death march by mountain hiking standards. That said, it's 2.5 miles to the top of average 15% slope, starting at 8,500' ending in at 10,500', so it can be annoying.
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<center><img height="50%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26L07G96fNS3ZwWqjZQxJSkf9jDWjO2B3GPeN8ljvQ38Y5jji4Xsnj8oL9TwgTQ5mmdqdW3k8gL9VNfeE6lZP8SZuoVeclJISJnfmoqU3zXiuLp_9TQNIb7NkIeHwRMhfCg7y3uZUZj-vxPWtYGhmdTAQRLLDJ1YiSYgijPphUMNXmhpuFg9kPTkPVruc/s1600/Screenshot_20230904-154840.png" width="50%" /></center>
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As you can see above from my awesome mountaineering moves (I call this the reverse glissade) the top is cool and all (there's usually a lot of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_snow" target="_blank">snow algae</a>) and there are steam vents but the best part of the park is Bumpass Hell, a steaming, boiling, sulfurous, <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/moons/jupiter-moons/io/in-depth/" target="_blank">Io-like</a> bubbling volcanic waste in the middle of the park, down the slope of the mountain. <br /><br />
<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIanvuAeAk3Lx92nwpAFdSd2hmzHsesUd1KXmLiNOk0K3DnB2VnWsOQuSkfwhF5KpNZTITXNzWwBdqH7O3bL6uzyt1v1SZketM34RwzDv4mxOouHV-U9RH5hVR3V-FmY0zLIhZGpGrJ6A4q64HyhxOm9-eyLaMZhB2E3VJmnqZ34Sm2nv8TzI_XYrF-6dh/s1600/2023-08-05%2014.55.52.jpg" width="99%" />
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivy7w1x1MjkO8rwTYzVi6uT27t4AUhgjukOy6HkY14QZqrMgNS71eSeAVKAd63NQn9uyYCBlh6ygqrI0K-ZpPQvu8IAbEcUHfI2gWUD-o5nWAifNGPsbDPj7DNjgHCVbNkyaFgYqJkLPp8h3fURMyebDHn9UP_wsWPG_ZHmKrVfeaurlnkYoAfG7wTPyr/s1600/2023-08-05%2015.52.24.jpg" width="99%" />
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p8-XOFTcuQlMHCTFBiUKuIuPfc4Z8p1MprvlOomRTcD6I_Ir-b10lckiavdcXK4WyV-XRQcVsTRXU8fOVKFsJ0nanoaQkqXrcslzCxMVeqUnljZ9peo77VFjKf8Ctaws0kWEh86xbEOsS5c75cD3cebI6ETMla2YQWwcSl4B_Xgc9FGIFHMnUzu2osU7/s1600/2023-08-05%2015.52.29.jpg" width="99%" />
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEzAMDE-rSNpzO5tz3LDZ6n9npo9AS9gOnPSLADFMFSuvxKcAfAAEwNFlNosiqeFfpHeuTfxXkEuTPzFI928wlL2aizwg2KpNg3Hg5RBUgk4lVGCAvkfF9THB5H-r__nbCBhnFtO-23oCPSgBtEp2-i4IPEdQ5OSXF4lNA69bJv8QT7_KAkbNZvAo3W5c/s1600/2023-08-05%2016.04.10.jpg" width="99%" />
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPmL_kx1e-xRenK_6snf_7f9Eku8f_gi64VOHi53KeDxVUjWYSWz8Yplk0WoNG3ygXk1SeC1kn59N7fAKOIyGVK7HKysQeGPazNfMf6dUdI_PCK3RN35-_HYp7G-QpeNgwxiflMWm4A55JgyAl0PCH_795Mw3p5Rfoa1abqFysWn7kk2N0rkSp3CxtoIA/s1600/2023-08-05%2016.10.01.jpg" width="99%" />
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDR9CFW-kaR5kIxzrjxe4ZUKGNBf1CQzpzM06h5vPrbEGXBEBWdc9L9jShdxYx3if8ae7Ufnl1JvrbxpLPGOx_L2GPktZ7gBKmJwlWkKxxdBGf5nZKZ1OgmwV9AFXTcH8WESsQsMdKhAfpqIQUQoJhg7iWzqlMB1vGGpMTT-RhgSYX_6kuC7DW4yA3sNU/s1600/2023-08-05%2016.10.09.jpg" width="99%" />
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(More<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0f0CIjw9TY" target="_blank"> here</a>.) They close the trail to it for much of the year because of snow and ice hazards, because they don't want MORE people falling into the boiling acidic mud and cooking their leg (seriously. That's what happened to the eponymous Mr. Bumpass. If you thought "Bumpass Hell" wasn't family friendly, would you prefer "Cooked Human Leg Thermal Area"?) And the rangers REALLY get sick of people asking when the trail will open, so to prevent this they put the data from past years right on the website. I knew we would be going the first weekend of August. Through July, the trail remained closed. I was getting nervous. So I did what any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3S-IuxseAI" target="_blank">family man</a> would do, which is plug the opening-date data into a linear regression:<br /><br />
<center><img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3u2HbsQzjUcnUrUlz5krCqBgXyTPM1VMELM4atcwHmcaA7C8pFd8bl8qDp0swdsSTUJjf3JkKdjYqyUUT3ZX_EVAacY8GyxCLVLbyWBQ21pWBXftWAnbak4aIgHDMNhRNaVSLwVWayMqMnxRMkj18jcbW0brsEK-I6cNBCK_WDmNg2yD0G5U3HsKddOX/s1600/bumpass%20graph.png" width="99%" /></center>
The black circle is where the regression predicted the trail would open this year, with a snow depth of 217 inches on April 1st.[2] The red circle is when we would be attempting the hike. I recognized that the rangers were probably not going there every day to stare at the snow, and it's probably at most once a week that they inspected and announced the trail opening (or not), introducing some noise into the data. So the graph did little to address my nerves. Thus, imagine my joy when I checked the National Park website the day before the trip, and it was open! The regression did its job, and it was only off by 4 days, within the noise introduced by weekly checks! Needless to say, I claim credit for not only predicting the future, but controlling both weather, and volcanoes. It's only fair.
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<b>BURNEY FALLS</b>
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I don't know how I missed these after 25 years living in this state. First, maybe not a necessary point for anyone else besides me: they are NOT McCloud Falls, with which I often confused them in days past. You can swim and wade in McCloud Falls if you can tolerate cold water, but Burney Falls is colder still, remaining at a toasty 42 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit. As we descended into the valley the temperature dropped by at least 20F in 0.3 miles. I was trying to figure out on the map what stream or river the falls were on, and the answer is - they are the <i>beginning</i> of a river. If you look at the top of the falls, you can see the water is coming directly out of the ground. Definitely the most unique and I think most esthetically pleasing falls I've ever seen.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jhWLkY5TOr9r-GHdo9xSw0H0pYwW-crfHjTk88FMmU1YkFLi_Pefw3Y1go6NT4dZFdXecv1NbcQIXpXoi0hiTLOPtM-MTyTiYuX0puQHM88pBy3eUkVWfVq1U4M9GUWqkmZkAlsTOqUt3ONWE8oOv75ebVMtnI7lzyw23Huw8nzrYgWPNHHNEPUAeW4b/s1600/2023-08-05%2018.55.21.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfmPqWCRf8pFxqrBjwlZSny48Slz_X56DxiRGiuz4eOpCjCrHHGU9GfeK8Qzz2uWGUatw-ix4VHiA8Bl8nhACMoTH-7Fui-4I86yoCrZwNfbTnzuD99sS2jYk9DnbzrnvejkiQmjMJxwHSzSN8NJ_AvJJYISMih9b3HlBxP3NG0IjywYppKsrUfXZiVlD/s1600/2023-08-05%2019.12.27.jpg"/></img>
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<i>Below: it's good to see that visitors to the park are so considerate that they risk a fine for vandalism by carving an underline into the sign, emphasizing the strength of the waterfall, so as to warn would-be swimmers of the danger.</i>
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<b>THE LAVA BEDS</b>
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<a href="http://www.nps.gov/labe" target="_blank">Lava Beds National Park</a> is the greatest national park you've never heard of. Great for families, full of "actionable" geology, native history, and two of the less-proud chapters of American history. The Lava Beds and neighboring Tulelake really are smack up against the Oregon border. It's inland high desert, so it doesn't look much like what people expect the area would. (You want redwood trees? Go to the coast. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/redwood-national-park.htm" target="_blank">Redwood National Park</a> is a mere jaunt of 286 miles to the west.)
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<b>The Lava Tubes, Cinder Cones, and Ice Caves</b>
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There are hundreds of lava tubes in the park, caves formed by the movement of lava underground. Some of them are big - you could drive a truck through them. Others are small and you spend most of your time inside crouching. There are some developed for tourism, many of them within 1/4-1/2 mile of the park. By "developed" I mean, one of them has lights, and others just have a ladder leading down into the darkness. The undeveloped ones are holes in the ground you crawl into. I thought this would be a tough sell for a young kid, but after initial hesitation, this was by far the favorite part of the trip. Sentinel Cave in particular was pretty cool. There are lava flows and cinder cones throughout the park as well. You don't have to be a geologist to see them and understand what formed them.<br /><br />
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<i>Credit above to NPS, and below to <a href="https://wanderfilledlife.com/lava-beds-national-monument/" target="_blank">Grant Sinclair at wanderfilledlife.com</a>. </i>
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<i>Above: the interior of a cave without light (Duh. Although, it really is an actual photo.) Below: with light (Sentinel Cave.)</i>
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<i>(Above: a collapsed cave.)</i> We also visited a cave outside the park that has year-round ice in it (the aptly named Jot Dean Ice Cave) but it wasn't quite as nifty as I remembered - no River Alf, no floating hair, and not a flashing eye to be found. Maybe because I forgot to bring any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2byjJkN_nVY" target="_blank">milk of paradise, or honeydew to dine on</a>. You can see a couple tubes just peeking above the surface in the pictures. I've read that just in the Lava Beds park proper they discover on average six new caves per year, and there are doubtless many more to be discovered in the surrounding national forest.
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<i>Above image inside the cave from Steven Johnson's Flickr page. Below, landscape around the cave, and below that, a very ominous sign. "Other occupants"?</i>
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Any trip that doesn't have a (positive) surprise is suboptimal, and for this one, it was the fantastic dark-sky talk given by a ranger at the Lava Beds. I really can't recommend it enough. Learning about the stories behind the constellations (not just the Greek ones), and seeing shooting stars and Milky Way so thick against the sky you imagine you can reach up and feel its texture.
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<b>The History - A Stolen Home, and an Unwanted Home</b>
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There are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroglyph_Point_Archeological_Site" target="_blank">petroglyphs carved into the sandstone of a cliff face</a>, dating from when there was a lake there. Of course we don't know what they all mean; you can imagine people fishing a thousand years ago, sitting on tule mats and making some of the dots to count up their catch, others to tell a story or protect against disease or snakes. Some of them are definitely snakes. Amazing to think of how different we are from the people who made these signs, and wonder whether in the distant future someone will try to understand what we write today.
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<i>Credit above to Sierra Nevada Geotourism, and below to Wiki.</i>
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And we <i>are</i> different from the people who made these symbols, because the Modoc people were removed from their land at gunpoint. Their first encounter with white people was with Fremont's men, marching south, who mistook them for their traditional enemies, the Klamath, who they'd split off from six hundred years prior. (Imagine aliens landed on Earth in Russia, the Russian army shot at them, the aliens took off and landed again in the U.S. and attacked us to get revenge. That's what it was like.) Twenty-five years later the army came to remove the Modoc, the Modoc realized the land they had been marched off to was terrible, escaped and went back to the Lava Beds - where they used collapsed, un-roofed caves as a place for trench warfare. Two hundred men, women and children held off two thousand Union troops for six months, at one point making the mistake of thinking if they killed the Union chief (General Canby) that the Union would withdraw. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/upload/Modoc-War-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">Modoc War</a> only ended when the Union cut off their water supply, beginning the process of draining most of the lake that their answers fished on and made petroglyphs next to. (First photo below of one of the trenches in Captain Jack's Stronghold credit tripadvisor.)
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Just outside the park is the monument to <a href="https://eacc.janm.org/camp/tule-lake/" target="_blank">Tulelake internment camp</a>, where almost 30,000 Japanese-Americans - those considered "troublemakers" among interned citizens - were sent during World War II. George Takei was here as a boy. I'm torn about this. It should be recognized and we should remember it and teach our kids about it so we don't make the same mistakes in the future. But somehow, once something like this is cleaned up and formally recognized, there's an artifical safety and sterility to the place, like it's behind glass (e.g., see <a href="https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm" target="_blank">the better-known Manzanar internment camp in the eastern Sierra</a>.) The first time I saw it, I only knew where to look by looking it up ahead of time, and it was just piles of cinder blocks and rusting barbed wire, with no interpretive plaques to filter and protect us from reality. Image credit to discovernikkei.org.
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<b>MCCLOUD FALLS</b>
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They were cold this year. There was a bit of wading. Definitely no swimming. You want to see people being happy swimming, check out the video. (Narrator: they were not happy.)
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<b>MOUNT SHASTA</b>
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Well there it is man! Looming over most of the proceedings, and especially impressive when approached from the east via Route 89 (image credit newsfromnativecalifornia.com.) Please also enjoy this historical image of of this dashing and, dare I say, <i>rougueish</i> fellow conquering the mountain ca. 2003.
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<b>Footnotes</b>
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[1] You might understand the attraction to the idea of the Sutter Buttes as the southernmost Cascade - if you look back up at the map, there's a smaller ridge parallel to the southern boundary of the modern JDF plate, south of it, that comes ashore at Point Arenas and would pass immediately underneath the Buttes on the way to the northwest corner of Lake Tahoe. The Sutter Buttes are about 1.5 MA old, newer than the Cascades, but about the same age as the coastal volcanoes like <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2020/10/wright-peak-mt-konocti.html" target="_blank">Mt. Konocti at Clearlake</a>, and the volcanics <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/pleistocene-volcanism-and-shifting-shorelines-lake-tahoe-california" target="_blank">NW of Tahoe</a> like Granite Chief and Red Star Ridge along the <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2016/09/from-golden-gate-to-nevada-i-ran-across.html" target="_blank">Western States Trail</a>.)
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[2] It's actually kind of amazing there were only 217" there on April 1, given <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2023/01/21/rainfall-totals-california/11026775002/" target="_blank">California's historic rain and snow year</a> - although the further north you went, the less remarkable it got. People in Washington State we visited were surprised to hear how wet it had been.)Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-90939801353452598102023-05-14T23:14:00.003-07:002023-05-14T23:14:51.543-07:00Colors of Marin Headlands Wildflowers in Sunlight and Shade<center><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0GKC3dbvz4BfnWx2rZZDd-gz2kEcU6X-5lIImd4-JSiROd_XrrCFN1X6EwFfWxk6n1kCumh5oS7rYjkr7hJneXLSH-4KDvyzMq5J_G7KRbi4-HOOORQEZUgsWkpCmZGLHFY4PqUy0uBEzTPjcy0pjMaou6gj1g7N5XrXwLwjtg1bglWNg8M-3rIpKQ/s1600/8aXjWhkw.jpeg"/></img>
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I took a lot of pictures of wildflowers in the Marin Headlands today, then used the good old MS-Paint color picker (eyedropper icon) to <a href="https://greenhandbookshop.com/products/rainbow-goblins-by-ul-de-rico-hardcvr" target="_blank">pull out a pure color</a> from the petal where it's illuminated by the sun, and a where it's shaded.
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I made this because
<ol>
<li> I am fascinated by attempts to <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2016/04/colors-of-forests-and-water-in.html" target="_blank">distill things</a> <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2016/02/more-pointless-us-geography-nerdiness.html" target="_blank">down to</a> <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2015/09/do-these-places-feel-half-pac-nw-half.html" target="_blank">their</a> <a href="http://www.geomidpoint.com/" target="_blank">essence</a>.
<li> It's amazing how we think of an object as a single color, and yet objectively it is multiple colors as the light is incident on our retina because of shading, and we <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checker_shadow_illusion" target="_blank">still understand it as a single continuous object</a>.
<li> Wildflowers are pretty as hell bro.
</ol>
I'm very much an amateur so if any of these are misidentified, I appreciate your correction in the comments. Also if you find the colors interesting please take them for your own purposes.
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This is the full "spectrum" of colors I sampled shrunk down to see all at once.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjF24zVvTravDJiFGx3FbfjALweIK13XSSDlfzv5rDvo7uB9YN6EnbbrZAgAKKzlb57euU03gaXq80ZR1G99NeFAxHDuVxibzTZQZIxbon4DNShtWG5nE1ogHeURCrFND4kgb5m__F_2fcnkEKK35AYUtR7Uz1GG3VRlsV_KbL4Y8SjtG330KFqRg6g/s1600/flower%20colors%20stripcorr.png"/></img>
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The first three reds are Indian paintbrush species. There are 20+ species of Indian paintbrush and their ranges overlap significantly, so if you can distinguish and identify the paintbrush species, thanks in advance for doing so in the comments. The last one is live forever, an endangered <i>Dudleya</i> succulent species whose red leaftips are much more brilliant when "purified" by this sampling method. Protect our coastal succulents - they're <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/california-chronicles/succulent-smugglers-descend-on-california" target="_blank">targets of criminals that are digging them up on masse and destroying them</a> (seriously, read that, it's unbelievable.) Also saw some <i>Dudleya</i> on the trail, which has red-tipped leaves (impressively red when directly sampled.)<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VUBn89w2yMHAtCDaq5JhbXPXd0RNqjCo2JqSvNlz57X_rUEd_xueZ8hwmHSu4au3kOsxNgs-ALYb6bR-RSnpaNHcva5dLGx83zkoxD-p9vbiiBMPx1zXkO_ECOdGPKE-3z60XXPkd-qUho8qNCTDlv_u0fJCxvD5ZK7f23l6TDGy3TJ180ovtkb8_w/s1600/flowersred.png"/></img>
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The top orange one is a harlequin flower (sparaxis), a South African invasive, then sticky monkey flower, and finally you damn well better know our state flower.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5KM-ATP_8RZ6C3bV9cBQuDTc3IAhn-Uam_1PbL7UgTcvRrFEKCCYirNE0Grt3BTtYOrnxSgWBHAkP8W87L7T53-vmXOzcbEtky8y-FY5VqnTefXnN_EC3Kr6zoaNZ9mYhgz2OaH2UylcUupd2P3q64NDIJjtlNP1j_-zvKobLsyQSDKEzTUZ_ogCTw/s1600/flowersorange.png"/></img>
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Respectively, again the (center of the) harlequin flower, field chickweed, the yellow part of the Ferdinand iris petal, French broom (invasive - die), goldenfields, and blue-eyed grass (the second stupidest flower name in this post.) Centers of flowers are often yellow, I wonder why. Then again, we're probably missing the important part of the story - flowers are "designed" for bees who can see into the UV.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4bcBeO-rcLRx8l-8jPbqcNBJjcvDLkPT9T_mZYVsAur4yHdLQpgmYFgZvBYXvrfgT6E5FXrRRue8pd9WE3UmTZAhMnlTkxtq-RvIijrKr9lwyhdvY-Qumogssm51FzgG2oTrmOBNhxiFKzGgdRX9WuLxJA2YbpcenkOcSRc2n-CIkWIjFNf45ToRWw/s1600/flowersyellow.png"/></img><br/><br/>
A nice green leaf, and then the stem of the goldenfields (a more minty green like sage) and the green part of the liver forever - again, amazingly yellower than it seems when seen in situ.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixud-dr_KGEfpfPsU3nUzs-lXUPaYVrsuVI-Ln4satKeU_w1Nz7eam-yX7vGEdJ_jQrE5Tl7st49ywSRN4XEA_hyZJ5mjBS9H5FFE7aVRsMcPUIhwKjam6NFD7VpH1eBTYWQLXiyvVmZFy8vK5Gs64hu6DkXp0HTQKGP0GURzNAZpulwp-0kzXgW7xA/s1600/flowersgreen.png"/></img>
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Hound's tongue (one of my favorite despite having the stupidest name ever - maybe they're hallucinogenic when ingested or something), then the sky just above the fog and then immediately overhead, and finallly ceanothus. <br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsHLmeM98QDDbraqcGZXE6WxTXry_nd2SU96am6fTUUmo-kOpLxVFe3v2bnHYgQ0aZV8mlLIOuW3ZEz4Y8OJoFpdzWoJGScx0PlSB-bdvr1umQmdKlpsAFhN8MW4rNM51v0zj26BknZ_rB5DpDOy9qsxTIuEha7BYO9-t090jTXaQyrMRo_n5meWfAA/s1600/flowersblue.png"/></img>
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Lupine (my favorite, which smelled amazing in this warm day - I used to say they smell like mothballs, but they're actually awesome and much less purple and more blue when purified), blue eyed grass, and again Ferdinand's iris.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg_JdyD6CQhaDhUrvJ79UoVYTj0RTbvQ8PHDBJhiBcHym-b4yqksIJcPPoy_zcBi-6FWJ5WaPEWj05W2EJ1RcpJMr0BpqYswhTWZBXJ3_cguhtM0lG21gNauHvybBCeorx6AiTM_CzJ9nZxg6zfUgdP5zQ3fzBsLcIVqD8ueQ9oGiU3HqivWqdtLFvg/s1600/flowerspurple.png"/></img>
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Pink is not a real color on the spectrum, but we'll pretend. Checkerbloom (I think), white bindweed, and checkerbloom again.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3eXGWFO4DePF3rDtnAFSeFZg4OTLLk0JcP6R2GoaxLG8Sv_JhRz7tD20cwlvVL0ElBVixve_4S9D8Uzt31wwoHnywldh-txo7pzcJLbp8h4xy_ZVY9kBNm2NiU9EFyNDTCWp8YkvEKWLHMpphlw1Yic544vQ55TD87K0nkaMd3qW-GvCZyyfHkbQRg/s1600/flowerspink.png"/></img>
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For white, yarrow, then the sky both in the fog and above it (in situ, seems gray, not blue). Then for black, I was wondering where I would get it from, and had resigned myself to just using the tiny black rim of the harlequin flower, but then as if reading my mind this fellow helpfully landed right in front of me near the trailhead and started cooperatively strutting back and forth. I happen to be fascinated with ravens and <a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1036US1036&sxsrf=APwXEdfZZuSu4eWIDEt5m8fQ8DUUlvfVgg:1684046905734&q=haida+raven&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8xefMm_T-AhVOCDQIHfuzA34Q0pQJegQIDRAB&biw=1600&bih=749&dpr=1" target="_blank">the Pacific Northwest art tradition around them</a>.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlW8IRrL7m5jcKm5hoWi0xQwzMVZwyj_UcKRHU6jzfhus9k1BJIcYyk0ooqM4umLo2yK3QUI3aJ5BuDRlP5QLghpQ9d8cy_kZrtHpUFPvPk_Htcded9cHGJewQZ64cZtEYP2lcLsgkPYswHTDL-7q2s2kiW5k9hi6biuE9dIwcPP9Cy_zwNICn82PIA/s1600/flowersbnw.png"/></img>
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<center>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzN07eLzo4QPjc-tFhpfuryL2vCjmeXs7mkSvWy2YUedhn94dkRp9tga9lNN_QeSI29RIwu1f60oKr-9wqn7vXRHQ_vSU7XleKd52uclvVfds74gGJq6BSiHPnwyMD44dVionJfwwnLrgBPepSbWMnCxaXPGowoh4P9UuScFxZup0Q7pbUsorBvO5HQ/s1600/flowercolorend.jpeg"/></img>
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FIN
</center><br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-17836469841593276682023-04-03T18:22:00.041-07:002023-05-15T11:02:21.062-07:00Zion, Monument Valley, Dineta, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Vegas
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I went on a fantastical voyage of discovery, with wonder - <i>and danger.</i> Read on if you dare!
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I wore an N95 in the plane, airport, rental car shuttle, and most of the time to stores and in the casino. Hardly anyone else was. Most people have resumed normal life, whether or not they decided that explicitly. I still feel guilty when I get on a plane or go to a restaurant, as if I'm taking an unnecessary risk for mere entertainment. The risk is still not zero and I really don't want long COVID.
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Here's where we went:
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<center><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5Z_UDkSSRSdBHHQm5apan-XyYx5yu1uKOxBszOc7D3tB0epmDSe9e1dJgMZbpCurPxaosWcwYEgBRvT28KJDpSN0UePeucfRW8nAJkaEA_ruOUDjL66mn1Rgx_HN8YUJxRSujUJonee94m6I-tldE0zR4ef6_I-B7wq38fmd9sNdJCMYVs6XHhXkXw/s1600/Screenshot%202023-04-02%20222148.png"/></img>
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You will notice it's a static image, because Google continues to fuck up and make their service less useful by not allowing the waypoints in the embedded map.
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<b>VALLEY OF FIRE</b>
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Years ago I used to travel frequently to St. George UT for work, always flying into Vegas and driving. Somehow I never stopped to check out Valley of Fire State Park, which has the Fire Wave, which is much better than the stupid old regular Wave in northern AZ. The sudden transitions in the rock between white and red had to do with whether it was being laid down in a reducing or oxidizing environment (swamp vs not at the time.) These are Jurassic but there are also Cretaceous red rock layers in the Southwest.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjET7hgnwlo6IUhnILj8d0rry1Gf5NcE2BfSBshcy9jzv8uNuNuYt0G-hphFx8UdCOnEaCmsS2UNaU1SGJ9ptHCdJFyKsVMghCWft82r9to-ivWpL7RSfnHLaFTwiozB7yg-fxqKJH0stxdnBz0O4W8GAAvns6LERx24xgEpvWDPIvZvVA6giT_CEBg/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.17.19.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLwK5QJLdI9L__0Qfi-eB-9TJ35zmiRapHgT1sc89yX5oEBZSnnbCF6mAKzIlTFnAbulnvWVVMePnKTb4dDwXvB8H_w7i_W0oIBhxnqJ9WF9KH5dTBuFJllW9tdnpt0HIPl5CNICuDWzpsEnyiuJSawdOCULw6scdjQSYpoLg4p6YHJjRXqm6kDsD4A/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.29.02.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AtCYG0PzC5UxmkjlUhxqltpWvTgIyiTcfE4GA_qtaFJAugm16KGbRe-AHqXW8WQ4YsrA32ANyyl2tqH54ahRB_bX-YBhw7ERh23Xki1Q0GSkuvThGlbzAtn82n_xlrSqAkd98xTs8vsPgZvptn6IyeuD8cB2Uc7TmDOFGcH1WkDcvNvRHHn_0ez4bQ/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.29.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nt8XLAniikW03VQrgpSvurLQaDEWQrDpnxHZ4HGz-BE1HPwk7KkkYh7jIdBlhxlBksySsWBdLnOPAuX0nANRINIIc9mHvcM510dHbv93l8lB-7RUp0DnmcySrAxcRnubc9sth44Ec2IKMVo1L_e5oOT4-z6EW37jEm9wVqvhtdHvekPD0LVOOcatHw/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.30.40.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: a fellow hiker chased down and cornered Salacious Crumb in a rock formation.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFam9t2G3QCVLQ3NpNN7FdjC1RxZ6VJANoxsn4ZzX_cH8RvW9_UmMeTqJoZY5GNpRzDnIvR_QiaBz7H7nUoYwAeEh4I6RSEQleDZBSkVA2RcXqWx2BbHU_5Rj9PFIwfEXyLfNO5HCm7CsRMmbo_EiVfn-hGSpCAn8GnmbBp8FuVD9-z4-QPvdGo1fXw/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.31.48.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi593mbobzVoaT94lGp52eGVuToqMzbMvgjZkdytAWx2vBEY6tsUj2NCYjvfuTpgu28hoUH8FS0A2-qzfoXWsdUT2bbzHKn7OCsIL7WpeYbhGnf2b5TRRQ0uZw_xrROLqXqaTpHy05WyIzYBUNOrdGVECOFpGWN943vXXivXlge2PC8pzoH5evdu73HjA/s1600/2023-03-17%2018.50.24.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: you can see how clean and rapid the transition is between red and white rock, reflecting a change in local water conditions at the time, possibly because of a change in a river flowing over the sand at the time. Sneaker for scale, and as you can see the effect of the rock is powerful, immediately turning shoes a featureless gray.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkuiGojqkrQMULChtn3XkrSbYtgOuUhGEB2zUeuqbz3lKmir02f5nIBIHnWTkSIAV9-7rg2GbMo838u_lw9RxTCM8-iAaecdvyQk3wiMoQvgD0eAJodfaovix1mpO33A2MoVRGVFkanVx7eqqh33UnIksE95KR8x1Cdx79SKBt0X5ULBU3co6Wuwisg/s1600/2023-03-17%2019.17.02.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: sunset in the Valley of Fire. Below: very mellow bighorns. (Very little zoom used here, they were just hanging out and very cooperative when people wanted to stop for pictures.)<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TTrU_EgICLD5FKSym6LyYQzYhPrdm4ht-wcez7BB3jCVONYj344YHMW4sOldliOMfqIoqoiezgyoh4xBes35AtpSLgEKZ7ICRo2_BEc1Nnrn_hFq2TpI07dPN6pbzgdSlKl5HDSbhebr65wYANwAQi9ZgedLoUfPJFYY21PEJjQyiWtnYXiIZE4cTQ/s1600/2023-03-17%2019.30.05.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width=432 height=243 src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WXg91f8-tGE" title="Bighorns at Valley of Fire" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<b>SOUTH UTAH AND ZION NATIONAL PARK</b>
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On the way to Zion you get off the 15 in St. George, and boy has St. George grown in the last 20 years, doubling in population! (I recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/larsensfrostop/" target="_blank">Frostop Burgers</a>, whose imitation fry sauce is indistinguishable from Arctic Circle's at least for this gentile.) The home prices in Springdale at the entrance to Zion in terms of price per unit area are comparable to some decent places in Sonoma County, a finding that I repeated at several other trendy growing outdoorsy towns on this trip. Zion was beautiful as always. We did Emerald Pools which was surprisingly crowded but people were nice. At this point in the trip we were still thrilled by the novelty of snow (visible in patches on the upper reaches of the canyon walls.) Flagstaff would cure us of this.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFGrxGKI6Ws4P2jDeX5UCUncZkDFgADbFcG9Nx4duHMXm1T2pEMziRPuJPmg6FCJDjojD8rRtEcM15TFW4ZKcd6iRgKeipRz_7GCGAAPCDnIF0ttbVOZVCbmpVMKgmb-zD-v1c0aEaAf7xR4YWpjHrTfdJVlwRNmZLogVmmecy5iVSKWSbxyEfpUU6g/s1600/2023-03-18%2011.18.32.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrdNck3WTgOHktjudrfugps2DI0vmNmT5WgYYKbKBtgUBPWjBgM0mOGD_QQ2lnJiKovYN2LuEBXZX6Let9S6dQZjU37MxPtinqAYu_B-0M30T-9fuRb0koPHyTgXuXaIoo6a6dB5B5lOLwIKkDvVnXXI1I4Bc3ChRZZN9FuBv5fdR5XKYRwlnVvd9TA/s1600/2023-03-18%2011.49.12.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4BygHJQdPaM" title="Falls on Emerald Pool Trail, Zion National Park" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2Nk3zzsUohpKAnoGlTht-RrriwyzriPOxD0RRidIWfQ1nanS2PcIKdWvL8A9vRjPsUhMXBURVQ6Ndm66YTDfTEfDm8pxgK9DmEXbc33e6I-bP7iSuQeRclpRg2WUJz_Evg5un6e5W6hkSPCzC9Ch5eCXVAxVGzqfO2TnMHX_dCXNlv6f7xqIlVXCkw/s1600/2023-03-18%2011.50.50.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KOK_ergK_Tt9Rgqfe5kOO0aPOvz86V3LcNR1k3xdIPOJqzX7luAraBR8GjK8eOXeClt0EPpQBLyPQj0Oua5vSeFBh2AKg1SZBeakDiGjA_HPpYTo-bf-Jx7MY9KQJEJDlonO8hD66laqPKaJNgpNhgrmXqhVCkqECYfUBXl3fpSKjBci6SxjDb_bTQ/s1600/2023-03-18%2012.11.28.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: I heard another hiker theorize that these smooth piles of snow near the misty bottoms of the several falls around Zion were the result of "natural snow maker" effects of the falls at sub zero temperatures. I think this is right because most high falls had one of these.
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<iframe width="243" height="432" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fFKunh_wE3c" title="Falls on Emerald Pool Trail, Zion Natl Park" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp0ri-EDfHvfK7GIy1sKC6WrWHkmht4qtdL2RpFPwVgzDjy3z-ZWawGjijikMtA0hAZfSeNUoyaYevgHqW_MIg_OnUv9YLnkfVE4P01mrIp-OYPosFExGk_7iQC4qPb5CF-bVhIB3vpLrpFOSBkEJfjUggHkbsuQNFODOoDn0YyRb1HrU7zUQrgbwuA/s1600/2023-03-18%2012.26.51.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireHryzGdMs8gI-6bAUYjiUWt984ZQ_rsdHkM7T4XVW9n5KeCCwrWkJ0IOWU57WZigGPHoYt3CmRc7g12hpoEkkxskYejWc66vkpnNocGtFXgRfftzP8kJQ0XoAfqjizAlxoOaWxVdOoRxAY1fVWuPcq5b0sKaVZ_1gssXXGIdSdegxF5gBk8pcoHqwQ/s1600/2023-03-18%2012.28.38.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qxBXedC3C_1ObJLwmOiG3hDdsMd7tvEjOY2TLq_fxExefgYBZNo866hnWsBg2pc_97n4y1_1VCEv2yW7QsEKjRh2YT82PAWRBCad4tnXTPm0AWntoBre1jCe1Lp17xuBFO83am_Rf8Kgbc6b3YrNbsn-HmwCyqltJsWkBDWUgK4vCI-b5zLYQ9FF2g/s1600/2023-03-18%2013.06.53.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6paOLq6NGaLLlQcKLkFLU8-TEBPTEPnYrwVR3qQMMssXhUDsMLT1XSK9xMIn87pOe7Pq9tMRP3YW7SLMkmwIaqmdTipybk0T3oGFtIs0Qi43a_FqjexjW86q238_Po_3AQrZd8L_jKhsgnS2WoySIhyeitz2lz9M1BLhUoYkCq3873fChpwhq5ihkgA/s1600/2023-03-18%2013.07.33.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWcEx1ekeDd5p0IfMwiFB-V2xVgtM5meXDxBbwbm7oJef42F9NRf76vYfZGR1wzJ_EVrdaVgnaAFajt2xOq4hJ54IKbsjfhpu7TkC4rN2ynveMoLNJNhX1tmbZIs6FK8gT4bOvKW42OSVZpB2yqQ0xuKD19nIRpypRL7d_MlLKnpKSiTDoki3fee4Kg/s1600/2023-03-18%2013.12.26.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQtPFrvM_uPTvZbnau_nMVDEfrwDyQHZF5zjijpFU8DgDJG3KTSJPqdQpwqFLOUm6GVAntty0_JM1kKNKxzS_lChJD_dkbFJq8ECGZjWTE6oqA1fOBjB78gkbGEZ2_DaaHZPvFsLooENeK5FUd3wEqtmsJMNeU9m-5jno1Wzrus1k8K_duSL1xjSGqA/s1600/2023-03-18%2013.14.19.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd1Qkow-N9EBo63hoHY9BYoB22IacHZLY-EoK-wMMo8l6g7LyTOM1jJC-HVPxC7eEi7SAntaAwAB3Utb7WXsDWZr-KE__-wi3Me7hE0a3xvLpuJdQJTaUj3sbTt1ORx9k8sMivBX_8JMSQWgPMssQqguIYHNTgoAENic86sgugGuN1p-X5t1ekd76Tw/s1600/2023-03-18%2013.19.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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</center>
Also pictured, Riverside Trail to the Narrows. Unsurprisingly this winter, the Virgin River was roaring, so no hiking up the Narrows (though honestly I've never done it and don't understand the appeal of hiking in water or rock hopping for ten miles.) Very proud of my daughter who kicked butt on both of these hikes. Although she was unsure of hiking to a place called the Temple of Sinawava became she said it sounded like a bad guy. In Springdale outside Zion, for dinner I highly recommend the <a href="https://bitandspur.com/" target="_blank">Bit and Spur</a>. Try the local gin (<a href="https://www.madampattirinigin.com/" target="_blank">Madame Pattirini</a>, named after Brigham Young's drag performer son - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Morris_Young" target="_blank">yes really, and yes he really performed for LDS elders with their full knowledge</a>.)<br/><br/><br/>
When we left Zion we passed through the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKtUnQpeZs8" target="_blank">windowed tunnels</a>, then went into the Belly of the Dragon cave (pictured below, credit visitsouthernutah.com <br/><br/>
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</center>
<br/><br/>
Sadly Moqui Cave was closed. Our original plan was to hike Buckskin Gulch but there were at least two deaths in the previous week and the people who didn't die, didn't have fun. We made it down the fairly washed out 7-mile BLM road but, as I consider among my strengths as a father and husband that I don't kill my family, I decided we wouldn't risk hiking into it. And it worked out - because if we hiked Buckskin, we probably wouldn't have stopped at the understated trailhead for Toadstools SP, which I had never been to before.<br/><br/>
<center>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEHxkMlwCFmZG6Uw95-ZXoUOfIUxeAInRHmGnyPKOSl7IoXuIoMcUAuH64FZ4jrPh_5MkDqoiWJnu_avLdRg0tMjnU23lENFVY7LoLKzjtITQQiO6X6OkGtL0iUXu5mbcBa4CbejWih_GdftMdGt8HMF66VpBgidnwbGQqJhM-viCPy4mjzdxsrCBOA/s1600/2023-03-19%2013.27.00.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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Above: inside an amphitheater. Three pictures down you can see it from a distance.
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This was one of the big surprises of the trip (and if you're not surprised by something new at some point on a trip - why did you go?) In the parking area we also had our first encounter with a native person, who sold us some jewelry (nice lady; we later saw her in Safeway at Page.)<br/><br/>
Afterward we crossed the Glen Canyon Dam (holding back Lake Powell - Hoover Dam's younger brother.) I know someone who did their honeymoon on a houseboat exploring the side canyons of Lake Powell which sounds like a blast. Page is smaller than I thought; also more native, although I'm not sure why this suprised me given the proximity to Dineta (Navajo Nation.) The <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/street-of-the-little-motels" target="_blank">street of little motels in Page</a> would be a fun place to stay for a little bit, but I'm not sure I'd want to live in hastily built cinder block proto-<a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/googie-architecture-of-the-space-age-122837470/" target="_blank">Googie architecture</a> indefinitely (as some people do because some have been converted into homes). Navajo Mountain stuck out as always but I learned it's off-limits as a sacred mountain to Navajos (<a href="https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=3915" target="_blank">clearly doesn't stop people though</a>.) Navajo Peak is an igneous intrusion in the Colorado Plateau (itself a block of crust pushed up during the Laramide orogeny.) We skipped Goosenecks because it was out of the way and Antelope Canyon because you have to schedule a guide and it's expensive.<br/><br/>
<br/>
<b>THE NAVAJO NATION</b><br/><br/>
From Page it was a long haul across the Dineta (not sure people realize it's big - bigger than West Virginia, more than 200 miles by 100 miles.) There were signs offering compensation for radiation exposure - there was <a href="https://www.epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup/abandoned-mines-cleanup" target="_blank">uranium mining</a> in the Dineta, which you can learn about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxAB1REv4rY" target="_blank">in this brief video</a>. One person working at the Monument Valley visitor center (which has its own exhibit on the history) told me she'd just watched it herself and this was a known problem during her grandparents' generation. (See also, the <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/07/eastern-europe-july-2017.html" target="_blank">uranium mine at Joachimstahl in the Czech Republic in this post</a>, where political prisoners in Warsaw Pact countries were sent during the Cold War.)<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAV-kW_Up4Ma1z5rer5zJsDIcH4vxl3MNEQC6uSygQj9u2pjiPq0M-Rr1bBi71uBreKal95c1ZYCqacw8fDPMkVgCaPyTnLiy2hnpw6MjPGbGJqrJ9OaExh6T0cLk16DvWGZXoZxub5Hdwd2I_WzOctz0C_gC3ea1a0Dz8zL2ZjS8kcdabc857RUM3Q/s1600/2023-03-19%2017.39.02.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
Why is this list posted in the Burger King in Kayenta, AZ? It's part of a WWII museum, which also includes captured Japanese guns and flagsThe Navajo Nation is justifiably proud of their role as <a href="https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/american-indian-code-talkers" target="_blank">code talkers</a>. (Note, the Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano, who is famous for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr_PNoCZXg4" target="_blank">his role as Genghis Khan in Mongol</a> among others, is actually a quarter Navajo - has grandfather was a code talker who spent time in the Japanese home islands.) We stayed in Goulding, which had just as great a view of Monument Valley and unbelievably cheap dinners (great steak! Suer cheap!) I noticed that the room TV was tuned to the Sirius XM metal channel when qe got in, and later noticed obe of the house staff wearing a Behemoth T-shirt. (She admitted yes, she listens to metal while cleaning.) Keep on spreading the metal gospel sister! I have <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/09/random-pictures-from-desert-southwest.html" target="_blank">more/better pictures of Monument Valley and the materials at the Kayenta BK here</a> (although the display is updated now.)<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPco3alIp_CTUcz1pYP_RU5Tt-9EoAUSsyBg5tlIeOhoIRwTnfJAbqyWZw8KG_PijMNB1t3WPjzNX6QsICw9aSwjF71j6-MbDz2tnUIuRWtsHDE2nfQu_R2XhGWc3HXySrNRozheEfN2qStgsNd9lNNCVw7cYgYIxY4ILpgVxB-wRD4G6Xbb3ILIYKQ/s1600/2023-03-20%2010.11.33.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUQKPhmkdB-hAG2JotnagdqqrIQi9TK9ddEhKOxDh4lZ_hXkebhWl17UGoGa2FspxGghOsViscMoouKorxNpaO2jB0l16YhVRjxOrlYKBkQ8eqjV57pWkugDNfCN4khZnSC7O3Z_sbrCyJbHpVhmG2d2JZKIpCVKFW133RtbBfUSpXrW2Khaq5mViag/s1600/2023-03-20%2010.11.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1ixOobWauXan2ex8TPrmXGKHOVpUI7vyj6mH7BK06EPOrOvXr5uj9YAYi43kSxUN67glNFQdnDrZhtD4aCwqbv7EP-Q7GWKXjChIkKcUwW4i1RVG2Lg-pS9SoV8bEZYTP-2lOFIIkdH-cDMa2f1BgWPfVOFNYBNlhAfIVmnjwewqZPthHsxU44DiFA/s1600/2023-03-20%2010.12.48.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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Next day, it was back across the Dineta to Moenkopi (Tuba City) to see some dinosaur tracks and buy some turquoise. Yes, they're real tracks, made during the early Jurassic. While we were there the wind blew harder and harder, until finally we could see a red cloud rolling toward us from the flat land to the south, and a sandstorm blew in (no these photos were not taken on Mars.) The woman we bought from told us March is usually bad and she advises against trying to drive in that area (one benefit, now I didn't feel so bad about taking my family the long way to Flagstaff instead of over Olympus Mons.) To get the sand out of our eyes and mouths we went into Basha's, an AZ grocery store chain which has a specialized chain in the Dineta. The main difference in products available inside the rez was that they had a LOT of lamb.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dy9ZNNsl7uHqwPmQf-8KwRoUl_mJ-lc_mP12BMx7c2GCmphd1y8eFH0HyoGXx5XnwSDxdH-N7mIukTdewzn19wMn0VSHI7p_3mKw-Q3639x1c3QVBy7qfsgrpWdPijkdPlp0f0sqH90YyyGds9okSntMwzWlxCkY-Uv-PgLL__YB3hqu2XZ_mi8M6w/s1600/2023-03-20%2012.13.50.jpg"/></img><br/>
Yes those are all real tracks. I don't know how the Perseverance rover is missing all of this.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKp5Ge4eHY4UWi88qDlDD0xN7CaymAo_IAEhcjz6SPJ5NUvNVgCpc6i7JlqapIGw3nMWYrFsz-qtveTnx4VSjzhD3NKoB1BO3tlAbr6WnIKqQqLUIt8umFfPUjknz2ide32P4QhiYQ7K7xJhCNYpRj6xA9b1rjnplF3oCPKHs6HoBLRTUaWv86GUJ5Q/s1600/2023-03-20%2012.13.59.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0NzBaYZAuBCJOpycSEoEMxJ3j-0bdJcBBOKyfFpTEPvyZVoxL0UtQCisorAdCXBr1YNd3nxp77e3R-IrkPNIADmAVZPfi5Dcsj79ojQpjumylho7mKYJhyoxsBArKinjUjbpGUNDqZq9CeC7BuKgRLe4dX72YZTzp1k4xjaaIgj1Z3Hnqh9in7yhAA/s1600/2023-03-20%2012.14.25.jpg"/></img><br/>
I'm going to submit this to the "cozy places" subreddit.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqc-yN4t945FztQyeYaX8NjAi_70FToUCubdJ9q3b03yiLQX9uFmY-BQIPug6kPS1c-7Yc3yxRG3K1VaJZU65RK6PHt7PI33eseNrCYPDLC46fHvrGaC92sRl6KpsRPOokIvGutK2XZO7eR3OAOrw-lyn7vAjCSOkxA11ZRgQuitXYBeUVOGbj6e_vA/s1600/2023-03-20%2012.14.33.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprYWoDfCVyKQk43C2cBr-Gh7eTjNe92DkJAtwL6zr2qS8cIM_aNZDFBPWeVUlOge0LvQjrC3LwJSXx5d-PHt9c4cTgu3fuAhGeO7pn5gT9luk4zKKOsmSY3ePAVu2CYK9mW29K_FMjsm0Il59j_ZAh-gyHo0TPWLdryBsQYynNeCKg1oBG8_Sx-chmA/s1600/2023-03-20%2011.31.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_DKw6DkiiD6W-GwkM4Y7pirOdh6DFI9h0WzjJCRSM-ruC-T3Y1xFyrFncTDd54TpWuNwmQV3NbyyWq2577ZnYoGY_x8pVwCa_wA4fAATBepZK6Ow580dicWqf7-imDTXXcbvpmaySRc9oA26QjhF__Awjh_ftGm3dIvuIlkbMvzQtLXDDFBXzyYVJA/s1600/2023-03-20%2011.32.10.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxojELYWO9HR_iDPbVEAZ8HgAl2HNNKy7DGtgS9oRPS3kZuGeIBlZZ1tsnxl6MvuUnz_5NERITFs0CXXpvpscMibXzgKzNvZgma5RihAp-ztOGAAyLN0b0TDiyRN2gnRAE0_mFBTCC-nL6VxKWzdsHf7Y86rqZp2MKPVzNpM7apsuuJdsfSAY4Gwgqg/s1600/2023-03-20%2011.32.53.jpg"/></img>
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As noted before, the Dineta is big. In fact it's so big that it has other nations inside of it - namely, the Hopi, who live on the effectively named First, Second, and Third Mesas. The simplified history of the Southwest is that around AD 1000-1100, it was drying out and resources were getting scarcer because the population had grown (in some areas on the Colorado Plateau like SW Colorado, the population today is still substantially lower than it was at this time.) That's when the common ancestor of the Navajo and Apache arrived from the north where their relatives still live in pockets up the West Coast, and on much larger territories in western Canada and Alaska. This couldn't have helped things, and the appearance of easily-defended cliff-dwellings at that time suggest things weren't going great (and the fact that the people living in these abandoned dwellings are referred to today by the Navajo as Anasazi, meaning ancient enemies.) This is also consistent with the typical pattern in history, where more aggressive newcomers push the previous residents up into the highlands - it happened with Basques in the Pyrenees, the Polynesian-speakers in Madagascar when Bantu-speakers arrived, <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2022/04/maui-and-haleakala-march-2022.html" target="_blank">the Marquesan-descended menehune of Hawaii when the new Tahitian settlers arrived</a> - and of course, to Native Americans as a whole when Europeans arrived. (See also: the region of Zomia in James Scott's <a href="https://booksandideas.net/Zomia-Land-Without-State.html" target="_blank">The Art of Not Being Governed</a>.)
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The Hopi were part of one of the few even partly-successful <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_Revolt" target="_blank">native revolts against the Spanish</a>, and in the early twentieth century after American influence was penetrating the area in a way the Spanish never had, part of the Hopi <a href="https://zacksammons.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/the-oraibi-split-1850-1906/" target="_blank">chose to withdraw completely, Amish-style, and remain so today (in the village of Oraibi.</a>) I had no desire to force myself into the village, but even in the theoretically modern towns nearby like Kykotsmovi, it's anything but clear that outsiders are welcome (hand-written signs warn against photography.) At one point I got off the main road and drove into Kykotsmovi proper, which was clearly much poorer than the towns was saw in the Dineta. For unclear reasons, they were also much more committed to wearing facemasks than the Dine. We went to the <a href="https://www.visitarizona.com/directory/hopi-cultural-center/" target="_blank">Hopi Cultural Center</a> and got Hopi tacos with sliced beef; we would have gone to the Burping Coyote store just because of the name but sadly it was closed, possibly due to GI problems. I have to say the stretch from Second Mesa to Winslow seemed like the most desolate.
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Below: yes, I'm <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ZZHNRHA2g&t=58s" target="_blank">standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona</a>. This is not a growing town but they capitalize on what they have, and it's interesting to see that for the first time they have a native mayor. Below that is the entrance to a typical Route 66 trading post. One of the take-homes from this trip: kachinas have gotten popular and expensive. I mean, good for them, but they're cool and I want one, just not at the $500 level. Maybe time to make a Sonoma County style kachina.<br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUrwiqIdrkrCjL8cgKufV-n3FnTZHcEiwwfdGEam0Rtfbh1Om-iDmsF3aEpCLADw9LFDW66WPtMrjy9wVNyhK6q1yRSjMIu5APSCeARJ8-NE-yO2CDwiOYc2s3agIV1qLcASB_-vzAUf9d4ankEk8QWHCWlcUx995RBLz9dnyoHIcWqYCPYI46ij4yg/s1600/2023-03-20%2014.57.37.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNAnuZ476dXrEJHwJLVCpkii3bOenmAiq0lPh-itdnmpNfwBjU2UjH_bfTbcsKoxpRaPJKDclQ57TbqtcuzH-NhCj6LXuYs50-FEifM4C1GAgP6MJvAuWM8blroBTi9e7JeglPgCOh3jH6NEQ4cwYjQ-UExxAXjK1iqLYrU3xXAMibh7ur2XQg-Pq6kQ/s1600/2023-03-20%2014.44.49.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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OK, real mature, guys.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuRiZ2DZw2MevMaYWHfp0uo-XM1btVV567mMACUo8mYC9SHiENM1i-JczncoVbnmzRYvDhC1F6glAg_OT1kcuXeHMzxzbPgUtAYMAUTmb3Eq7rh4tybLSrm12AOCFYJfb4b-A8uAK7YjUGlTkeTVgFM7gBJdNjyOSph36y-YZZORrO0YEzw-iVm2ISw/s1600/2023-03-20%2014.44.57.jpg"/></img><br/><br/><br/> <br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmEZ3zr-rU0ZRJqPnpzJNJyvAyQuDVaWDPG1tukNRbaMpxqjVSWUbW4wuveuNEvaYTXqERMM-Tr1tBB87S9dAO4-KEQaA-OKOW0wfNXvJfNwBTl3D5fz5dRmjYfAMjVxohadODub1h8XuKwZv_eDn7qnpEJFOq5sBgTYlLcLDlyGYmgKcJUvg68b3zg/s1600/kachinas.png"/></img>
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Above: from <a href="https://chimayotrading.com/2021/02/05/about-kachina-dolls/" target="_blank">Chimayo Trading</a>.
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Just west of Winslow is Meteor Crater National Landmark. Incredibly windy that day (continuing the theme that I'm the only idiot who takes his family to Arizona to be cold.) The site is updated since I was last there 15 or so years ago, with information about the Chelyabinsk meteor from 2013. Image credit Planetary Society and Barringer Crater Landmark.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSbK73rWy5BmroHjTlQCYDtZDN6Djf-G7RMNkavZ8nV7elUXW3mZ8fJzKwBRYKvMMsohJmSYO8pmrlqvkClhMXCOk3eGwpne5U_hmOvObAgYOkqDYT9T_fJ84zeSg6JEuV2Z5_i2qKiyqtfky7hkhoiOTpESFk2QDmVjWjsDD4OemNiX6RakYs1MCYg/s1600/crater.jpeg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgADYSvxwHChpkNFGROLp3svKToNoMKJFdNJEuh_U72UjebNy9r0MXC2HNLr_5T0gyqPt1TzXh5m6Yu2o2oY6Kjavtt2w0XCnsSxP8nrf-cZzY4l2b19NpfVAXFMVBKxbMiOMs0wsue0qG2T6G3w05H3lIJ2KmX2yozSAe88TtDs9mQ0X8d-ZzklP6yA/s1600/barringer-crater.jpg"/></img>
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<b>FLAGSTAFF</b>
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It was sleeting that night, and then the next morning I was awakened by the unbounded enthusiasm that can only be shown by a child waking up to snow. This was the last time any of us would be charmed by snow. Even the child. I should add: I grew up in the Northeast where it snows, every winter, at sea level. I have traveled quite a bit in the mountains of the Western US, including the Sierras and Cascades. Of the three scariest snow driving experiences in my life, two were in Flagstaff, one of which was during this trip. It snowed literally every day while we were there, regardless what the forecast said. One day we kind of escaped by driving east into the rain shadow of Mt. Humphreys (on which much of Flagstaff's inclement weather can be blamed). Possibly due to the weather, Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University reminded me quite a bit of State College, PA during this visit. It wasn't all bad - we had a couple days in which we were forced to relax (something many Americans are no longer good at, even on vacation) - bumming around the Airbnb as a family, playing board games, walking to dinner (in short, it was awesome). Two experiences that stuck with me: when grocery shopping I dropped something on the massive stack I was balancing to take to my car, and someone rushed to help me (wouldn't happen everywhere); and as I went for a walk, a Native guy was running around the street in the snow trying to be helpful and show people where to step to avoid getting soaked. He was pretty clearly intoxicated and noticing me doing my best to diplomatically refuse his attention, he turned and shuffled off, saying "We're not all bad people you know." I do know, but man that was a bummer.<br/><br/>
The first two below: like the rest of the American west, Flagstaff has had a bad winter - with difficulty delivering mail and goods, and it showed on the produce shelves the night we arrived. <br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFJScl4DAJf9OPzgyxdbPdzKjMEnSE1sDmOuwP8LDvaLIfFn2EB7vL8r_koV6qJ_COG4wwqD45WxLgoJSGww-vQEdk7bx0QDd3Y_a9kt7kSyoKHX183jnZJGqL6MKvbnkkW7b3lDKkDWQWGR-eUGlxT_mH9k-J6bzxQoEClGBGV88SXDL9QC-p5QZuA/s1600/2023-03-20%2021.37.17.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hagN58dmwNNTEugNPcHlQJVZsjV9E94yU5W7jlBh7hxF32eB6xZbQMWu9Y4wh9nuvmhF4teyTljqk-MdOPO4aQBzmTC9pAxf2-Rgmodr_igLcUN6isW0hfzz4__QIn1fjm8IjEpZOlUmwFtGEEe6LQ1IPAjtCXlae37-ldfcRUx614ViT2avuNM_KA/s1600/2023-03-20%2021.41.58.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB1-YdnS-6CqPXKleQCGUnNQZQNov5ZC58Su-WoNmswLx1nFELsKbw8xIC_-guW_0-qqgZqnn-P6G3wuyRuZ3zTPMzEcTYBY06TEvkPowU7LqzP7SMViepwV-_DvLHTvT9AVbvR2OmiiOchByT2srrmwRyV0zwsvJhIJcqjy4A4Eh0GkSRycrFDyEPA/s1600/2023-03-20%2018.43.53.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: see, I told you it was like State College. Below: a clever system at NiMarco's pizzeria, which I consider the analog business to the now-defunct Gumby's.<br/><br/> <img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6fRtBAoW2b-RDkZFepzywzf2Sg32UmWUpPJGVHkRTf23q7tFCT87-9f7Esu43D3LJmnG7z7uiH2Ez7jJkNVPWlm7Acz56AjpIiiuHybs8xGand414JKRb43s8AMIjP4RHrKKDCx5Ud_ZGyFxYBszy_i1cQfIDiBUMvhPPIveekUaDQp_FbW09y3sig/s1600/2023-03-20%2018.50.17.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoXX-5N3AG63oGxyiaExFUnNhZEmqCnpXEvdnoq2gceC-CD2rfxsB5iYgz8tzkvHzH5nmQ-wEInCcWkzZh0WOO3ReNEiKP_vCRaptL6TB1UxF8qBFFSUYUc1c3MoSuZAho6EdzT3OTXIG0zAwkZa7HnVM6F_W9mpv-_CGgI2sepBp_5RGaw55ieYMvg/s1600/2023-03-21%2007.34.03.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMbhJfUn1d6Y8sYpZjiOBXSWw2JGwq_jdksAZjPsjEUw-FC52fPhUyg3ZjWQXjuI4Sm2Ub5GJWAFk_lTt6B2-Y0AValkOVMsknjOg6tmvaMWCeJPZj-KFguk5cL0Y0u3I6jaXJPL-c5PAoJo7r3DFhNE5O0kjma5cpY48Fk5pz7raoayXS5KXc7AN4w/s1600/2023-03-22%2017.49.28.jpg"/></img><br/>
Flagstaff looks like it has some cool urban trails and the system connects to the Arizona Trail. The problem was, the trail was either under several inches of snow, or several feet of water. You can see the creeks which are dry for much of the year could barely handle the weather.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4_7vl0AYphPOKbIolti8B6sHVXkmYw_DEp1vs9QCN-ENQiavTEZLfe0e9oTbXeN8MZuAnmsW8A1wSetxC-bwsqbtoMsblFE9k-IRAf0Xerr2w9ZE9r5B-haXHigTuH_bp461H3bQcF2rXTOq-IM7X54M10pupOT8-_xGcg2ixH5w8dClbMz_SFSW3A/s1600/2023-03-22%2017.54.54.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="243" height="432" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sGarfOxS7ME" title="Rio de Flag, Flagstaff, March 2023" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/>
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Then we headed off to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/wupa/" target="_blank">Wupatki to see volcanic craters and ruins</a>. Built by the Sinagua people (an exonym for the likely ancestors of the Hopi who abandoned the area around Flagstaff and went to the mesas shortly after the arrival of the Dene speaking Navajo). I always forget how volcanic the area north of Flagstaff is and I don't quite understand why there would be so much activity there but not as much in Nevada which has some of the thinnest crust on the planet. We got to the ruins but the family had clearly lost their patience with windy ancient things. <br/><br/><center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxwqF0T6RhrFlIafJ8suJ_UwsOUlxSpIEveWqWMMFpFeHzlKw44qJFmJonTRgbv8ghrb7MfWLz7VG5jdykz2whyoUOS135YPvOnx4PaainHouddfp0XPydj0AeabiRvkPlgkDoaIgxZmdKpmPShU7D_-Bh5xC-3A8AiOjQxSTk4E-4UGbKqJYNkaNuQ/s1600/2023-03-22%2012.52.22.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA13Wn34inaNiDzeazpj03HxwvGUk9OeHPIj6X-1-Mq3WbRQYUk7mnS1eFyryuqwXq3riXTBGwnmSaiszFS3WrRxZTbD_B4EzDh8ophoKhE4ZKvOChK0ils9TYr-GLDsGy45Zc_Ptr7n37iMVK2I6_DPNakuT8u8MsaIG7vBnrUNqhckeddiCaJbFGDw/s1600/2023-03-22%2012.53.39.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLuSfeTDfDzSJPT8tlNoc0vwoekcfgJYDRQXT6xZpsZFi4RcYXR4SrodeqiX46Ngz0vcrlQTSPKWXVvcGkZ8jSO0cHslCHyKl8CSJAHNZxz3idd6Is3WLlY-sZPC0XnHsAo8PV_i7ZfboeHOMpocHeEmavPPUVP9uBr5t4MwsEHwcfBcW57Dp4XSWVw/s1600/2023-03-22%2012.55.40.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy7EtUUvAdhhOgXKhtUO3UeCkN7W4-AkWYGYWUdDvmylj8_tW1-38AU-ef_b_U4nT62qg_eY08TV113hjng8AI2X-fnKS45TyJOYAp2v1c1g6tETMTzLSxe4E0BXFCNdULrBYKgfheIH9f3NfSbGCq-8nY3jJbtZF9tUQyzbKzGBIf9x6npb34k-5Wg/s1600/2023-03-22%2012.57.05.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje13W3E_6fzxq1EuQi_B6RHKakbomEnJjpD38a6J7ARQMz6lpOhKGFW_QE56BjWKMnwf4_ilObtpRl8beW9A8JAQM-LL6KB7CUhoG7UHte-Zj55M_FqWQNlnFdV8t6oKuHIRCWqStfAVbkmANBTGKBRUDGQHA6N4FpFoGmhUbxU9xx6eJ5D6wnNCzZdQ/s1600/2023-03-22%2012.57.25.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6X4GzJV60lJGZ4W2TXd3MxuYh09nXFjW-GnR1OITRBiarTr0JJFORKPDDV9d9sSXfZr7iuXC4iU4bW9zfIFESHZY0v8vEMETN_5_XQUw6tzVAuKHQmUeTgP-qx9TOfBiKPIiT_e_h0xReVrB0_gUGid5qKGltGgbPuo9NCGzBY7SPOmC2pz1SRMSO1A/s1600/2023-03-22%2013.00.17.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm9WkKFU-vEzuxRJyQb36SPHgZaQeYkVPbqsjSBLfF4kYeVv71PTyA69ZeihshJx-DCnww7lR7i5RX8ryGPV9TVNoHSjNrsM9oYUxLmPlchbEEUVMykI-MBtoYQwEPKR9vUzQfov2-THMxS3nX0D059tpW8h1A_Elb11mJ_ABhWapRXpfcVK5s1giwQ/s1600/Wupatki_VNI-AZ_031_9947086bb691814808dadcb5213cf411.jpg"/></a></div>
<br/>The ruins at Wupatki, built by Sinagua people about a thousand years ago. From Visit Arizona.<br/><br/>
</center>
Other notes on Flagstaff: try <a href="https://lafondaflg.com/" target="_blank">La Fonda Mexican</a> (which, for Berks people, is really the Mexican <a href="https://ve-ii.com/" target="_blank">Victor Emmanuel's</a> of Flagstaff). <a href="https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089789028453&_rdr" target="_blank">Ponderosa Trading House</a> is cool but had genuine kachinas, which were of course expensive. I also wondered why the BNSF rail line runs right along US 40, and it basically goes back to the initial surveyor Beale who was charged with making a wagon road roughly following the 35th paralell to enable the settlement of California. The route he found through rough terrain was used not only by pioneers in wagons but later by trains, then Route 66 and finally US-40. Hence the rail line that runs right through Flagstaff along the old 66. On San Francisco Street: <a href="https://www.flagstaffclimbing.com/" target="_blank">Flagstaff Climbing</a> is cool and has a good staff. There's <a href="https://evansfishandchips.com/" target="_blank">a fish and chips place (Evans)</a> that's not bad for being far from saltwater, and a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/Kokiyo-Flagstaff/100065213491210/" target="_blank">Korean place we liked, Kokiyo</a> (note that all this stuff is on or within 1-2 blocks of San Francisco Street.) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hankerinflag/" target="_blank">Hankerin'</a> is a good late night stop for burgers, tacos and beer and is clearly an establishment by, for, and of stoned people. And, I got my first straight razor shave at a <a href="https://www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com/rays-barber-shop-serves-as-clubhouse-for-men/" target="_blank">barbershop at Ray's</a>. Actually much more relaxing than I expected. <br/><br/><br/>
<b>SEDONA</b>
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Sedona is one of those outdoorsy tourist magnets that I somehow have missed despite my travels, though this one hasn't become a pretentious uppity place like Moab or Banff (not sure what I mean? <a href="https://thelateenlightenment.blogspot.com/2017/02/making-outdoors-into-status-game-humans.html" target="_blank">Read this</a>) possibly by appealing to a broad range of tourists. (If you want a fun experience and to taste rattlesnake sausage, have lunch at the <a href="https://cowboyclub.com/" target="_blank">Cowboy Club</a>.) I should add: I noticed a high frequency, throughout this trip, at any themed eatery (of the sort that might have hired a consultant at one point), of ambient 80s hard rock. Obviously these establishments were targeting the demographic of middle-aged white men which (sadly, also obviously) I am in. But it's so pervasive that it's what I would expect if there were a middle aged white man exhibit at the zoo and they want to keep us comfortable in a facsimile of our native habitat. (No joke, I started typing this on my phone as I waited for my BBQ order at B66 in Flagstaff, when I realized "Love Bites" by Def Leppard was playing in the background.)
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I wanted to show the fam an arch so we hiked up to Fay Arch, which hides on the side of a canyon. Needless to say it blizzarded on us on the way back down to the canyon floor, then cleared up and was nice by the time we got back to the car. Sunny Arizona. In all seriousness, originally I had rented a bike to give the kid her first experience riding on slick rock, but due to the uncertain weather I'd canceled it, and the hike to the arch ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Hiking down a canyon during blizzard conditions is tricky! Especially if you're a little kid! Uttered during the descent: "You know how Daddy likes to tell you stories about his adventures? We'll you're in one now."
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Sadly, we were unable to experience any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXn4_JkVFVo" target="_blank">mystical consciousness from all the vorticeseseses</a> and though I liked Sedona, the amount of New Age bullshit we DID experience was pretty amazing.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUdG1HbJgxnCj3oZsbwrIp15b25nHsnpsCY6DX2VHVHkeymC4T3wxrGahB59advwwfZizvME2OinZv8qWF6Iq_fHNBvaxw92pCm8LCb5bnCF7vRratW8V1MqVkuLv7SFvN7-xq_eCAVhgEXP9CFNcj9PZnvO0lcOJ0PELasRmWrZFlOJ_sO5JD_NMoQ/s1600/2023-03-23%2011.58.32.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vxtLIRW8Ifg" title="Under Fay Arch, Sedona AZ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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</center>
Above, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/moca/index.htm" target="_blank">Montezuma's Castle</a>, so named due to the overactive imagination of the whites who first saw it rather than an actual association with the Aztec monarch - this was built by Sinagua people like the people up around Flagstaff. It wasn't actually that far out of our way because 89 was closed due to Oak Creek flooding, so we had to take the 17 anyway. And this is relevant because driving back up the 17 was the most harrowing snow-driving I have ever done. First black clouds moved in which dumped rain as we climbed back up onto the Colorado Plateau and covered the highway with more than hydroplane-depth water. Of course, this turned into snow soon enough - not just snow, but seemingly fist-sized flakes that covered the road within a few hundred yards of making the transition from rain, and created white-out conditions. And of course once you're on that stretch of 17 there's no other way to get to Flagstaff and not many exits.
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<b>THE GRAND CANYON</b>
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The North Rim would still be effectively closed at this time of year in a normal year, a thousand feet higher as it is, and <i>this</i> year, it is especially closed. Despite my obsessive checking of the weather to find a clear day (and it did say the day would be clear), we got about 20 miles from Grand Canyon Village before our morning blizzard for the day started. But we fought our way through and made it to the rim for the grandest views that the human eye can behold!!!!<br/><br/>
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Oh YOU feel let down? Imagine the mood in the car. After my wife (not literally) talked me off the ledge, we had some lunch, saw some elk randomly walking through the parking lot, and came back, and it was much better.)
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</center>
The kid made a snowman at the rim (collaborating with a visitor from India) which I think not every kid can say. We were just barely able to make out a mule team coming up Bright Angel Trail, but they were so small and far away you can't really see them in the picture. <br/><br/>
<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eK2rwryV6vQpWjobx7y1EFDcTqE9VtiCIj40ropUT63BgDsa_etq-qAGPsAjoqHQBidqX1u5kw3BuLPRSjW3yG6dGVrUrS60v-V3MtloNb8NaIuYUZUZlIa2njwmEinIpL49x30KedJTddXII_LvrL-nNzDKOfvOQSGVJBJ5d0uMymPYY73EgpFAMg/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.47.47.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4oLR_QzJphP_5wFrL-FcIgNtvMWOOADEZ8l0821Rm9rXp442IwLDN53L1-iBzCwNLup7C4lAKVd8z3MnyMQPb_tBgYcyssbyYtldv1hyKcvpGamPA6mreZFgkMHVjFi_JFRDGyL2usTjgTNooTt-olFdoGHw2WqgYWDtanvxZYRN83X7pkffLxXeZQ/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.48.37.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSoS19lLPQslJejJRMkT0TGafbyx5z2EZsMbWQLqWo3qJvNpbqx9m5r38HShbkfuA8qr735mfVIH35dQnJYYkDlCZJedcDXh_g49jWpofv4uzG4tE8aR5drPbYp2eU60bBAbI5cK4W5CL5ApK4DK4ByurB4vzdPmU-0BrWek41Wv4sSpHtglM-G5Mjg/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.50.33.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislnrAxepDKNcPE0bEkn7k25rkY6ntBTiEdIUNGBbYMQiYh9PnTPK3Kp05MM_0hlyMw_zVpPndoPomY7OEd8mmvWdo6zOi_2plV0NTzS7wdb7y35kSgPkTugbtjisfJhgk0sYSXvmGcNxi_BsnA-HgmEHhMyQi1BLEWbysMlY5ZOpyVJSAl_0K6nQbyw/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.53.37.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyocAfs7LvdSQtnDvnJjn6eTdrLeJY9lzaQXnGKonbMQJVKPq4b5utxuOcvhMKIAHFBPtqCR2EZwv2HozrWKPyhf03aGzzu8jomn9fyOvBKd4WqOnhOjJmWWwxcnuBmX5f23mXW2x00f1q5e_dqYZ8A00fpB4yDOV93rjXEJlGli3_ZqWQgJjQUKibxw/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.55.15.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL96OPo8dq79ClGOKggO3lzehgHMG6yA_3WO6Cbd1V-oqvK8AjFGrThf1LfqTR3An4BFbM5h5fSUTz3rzBrqFgCfzL-R8p_TeNyAfmVhguzpBChIlAoT7Os32DVdsUBQHiG7IdF85uNm9drl5hfcLAmJAEPnFhEvf-lhV0pBU_dpEWfre7Y4Vi-NFISQ/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.55.28.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: we nervously watched the snow fall on the North Rim 20+ miles away and hoped it wouldn't cross the canyon.
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJG2-07STu1Dhp4NL34a8iPo0hjqKqi2SiUIDQ1vWoMPB9XPu83_1nHrzA9-ckq6LbKO7NYcqRVQfprcl3Ri6kQntOmPDqBlgChDHu4FXKBtYWkDS4y5M1FmmUOYn764nfnuehBV8ib9vD2q6m_3BQ6QdExVoVqaTIwk_1ae-x2NM37nh5IyxUOnQyQ/s1600/2023-03-24%2012.56.34.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBs1HKLK5vYvtltCqFd-5PyyOncGxEeu0MR8YE1ItnQTplA8AmbR_10ByvIFuS0H17aGUcMI26XC5tw6kbHkyepGsxutWXCtsdpvSnndexxaRD59Bq6cale2ZuMzWH30-XPOuE9fZ7LCwAkYPrOHSYkdoJXur0B0o_cO-kskSGWBwUpLXZceYx1i2wQw/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.01.55.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYMCgDKqZl-ZI5OeoQszrNSs0ghRYtPHP0uGTJShGH9c24BsqiKxBL3aYjXlZ9yJT72U-ppvYDXG1pWSm2n7OI51QC0CJEq6mDU_JbOWkv7nCun2uYv8QEPux_t70Uw3PYiAjKqzLIwfaB5P8r9ttqa_fshS-6ThT6IIM9xAKeOz4fm693Q_Ml9nD5Q/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.02.11.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWThQZAA7XsYP7eutB1mSoh3lk1RhYelOkK1NoRAtZt46WsXKzs5leizCnQPKiuJjIcM7GsG6k3N_mE4g__HXZQ6gtzP33jZ0nx9LWvGFBhKQcabbOI4msB2SQaqWA2Yh4DtW_keIm0lxG85DIkF89iZpbuoyjhxioTGYcuGQnsQ5LSTeFTYjA8lRXA/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.10.19.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyil2-2Wk8WI7phRkQdOxTDXl1XPIXjDeoLMpBan1e8U5Ed4_95Yl6s9sZqStBOBH9d74ZKOmDueQYt8xe9949YN69KLBHRWCaJwCJIzzS4RKrzdi4tnWmO1BbgNWQN7ZGaHvjwAc5phCnUZ64ash2vWh49gtl9WQcoPG5AfnDtDWhNRmoU0t5IiVqvw/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.11.07.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iG4Sk8vl1mecYm4pNObuX5tooivuQWepF_5LTtVS7_FpKwDPdUyXD89QKalO-aBY9NBEWTUPLHjo1XmL80vXTNEpXJnBThMXNTfmqMBM9vb8B6HRATKuJMN4dQ4Yxu6Nt9aX1Ptse1bpjZdVOXWL6hOEnQLTZGl9b0sHDzAepDtVAyl2f8g2H9wauQ/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.11.13.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DEQAwUtFDL4Yc-XxOyrHMxhoKk-Gdu-bJMcXJBx2WT8L-bfawIRsGpTNJptjiS77p-VbnPZ42EC4tR47vRStM87fADyokaMsHlRH3Fde1R1CrhzNm5U17lGkDFoAg3oFcqL4EL0_V-RnVdlG9W9I1MSc-lbeLEvsQ-Es8u25RUj3LiuY8Y1gysbU3w/s1600/2023-03-24%2013.18.16.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
</center>
(Note: Red Mountain on the way from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon is, I'm told, a good place to find gypsum crystals if you don't have the time to make the detour to <a href="https://hikestgeorge.com/glitter-mountain/" target="_blank">Glitter Mountain</a>. But we didn't go because it was too snowy to find a DAMN thing. And Lava River Cave road was invisible under the snow and closed, even if we had wanted to go.)
<br/><br/><br/>
<b>THE HOOVER DAM AND LAS VEGAS</b>
<br/><br/>
<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLuzLq54QDOZ5f4TT1w4gYTObcWA768dS7D33sqqY0OUZEpyOdHR3yht9NSd1P4xQ9POjBZ3bI6bA_1wkIWTOFbyoUrBjSVxS8PJa5rL7V6sgrNjp4o6ofNd34lqyp9OYjgVNSIyytkgM9IS5N_gX1IDYPP1I57ChNejAlNjqTO1NM0Tp9xMiFT4B8A/s1600/2023-03-17%2013.33.08.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above and below: Las Vegas in the modern era. Despite this, it really is more family-oriented than it used to be.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg189fP3zNxG_zFoA5BbccdsNQl0b0CQ_7ERupl5_viEAx2WozO_kBMZjjLooU-lETs3rCNmPTadZ8V3SH-PedPQh1diiz0c0YJl7VOFjvQLdPQpayGoClzTDZ3xFYEsWhhWiTm8SnGMM6T8IbO75gVhDPqav_djXqEA8F_l9EdaEsGMcsej7sR_YnTXg/s1600/2023-03-28%2010.11.17.jpg"/></img><br/>
</center>
I hadn't been to Vegas for about 15 years, and it's changed. More construction to be sure (rumors of its demise from the 2008 recession were greatly exaggerated) but really a lot more to do there these days besides drink, gamble, and otherwise sin, especially if you have kids. On one hand, this was kind of a forced move. Millennials <a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/19/the-millennial-problem-why-we-dont-gamble.aspx" target="_blank">just don't gamble that much</a>, at least not in person. But more importantly, besides all the neat stuff for kids (detailed below) people were just NICE. The customer service people, the tourists, everyone. Literally the worst thing I saw the whole time was two guys sliding down a banister. The second-worst was a guy and his daughter walking up the down escalator (come to think of it they looked really familiar, move along, no need to discuss that further.) The biggest negative is that the monorail really is pretty out of the way for most things and you might as well just walk the strip or, for about the same price, take a rideshare.<br/><br/>
We start below with the Hoover Dam. Though it's still low, it's way downstream from the water that typically fills it and they seem optimistic. Despite jumping up and down on it, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhe0DkX3e78&t=7m19s" target="_blank">we did not wake up Megatron</a>. The I-11 bridge was not there last time I was there. Who says Americans can no longer build big things? There's a new big thing right there, next to an old big thing!<br/><br/><center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GMENOpmj-X7UN0Pw6W1-wnJ5pj3LqEjMmukfCngkbu5WwGhVipXDea_pz2JSsjuz8QvkE3HTiO--dUQjfwdgjXeNhASOZ5n2a3_ka1wlJRvEpr0jMFX6-2zHLd6IW8gU9srgf6NHafnRV9-9qbTdeFfkcJctLqFK5pSA55m4bqGXPCbuo-y6opxs9w/s1600/2023-03-25%2012.45.50.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJz3iDEUa1E72fpCZMvVmYLgtzrRCLo85Gq9_l5plMKdAeDdChCPB9M_B7NoTteMh3L1fm_iO9WYJTF9avsE8oyM1_Mx3iGKJPNNDzZNTEWrwwNjrxWKsxDu6ibK4SwkShDRoItsmmYC4O_vH0_dipX7GjwQHms27aeM5Bekh_RBvsaBbYsMNP6r2OA/s1600/2023-03-25%2013.17.51.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZaz8kAcIbB0VQsFgnDppzLZYHvWJjuBhv04lvr0gefuHIQMue-ljwZmKK4WJjSbt6jT-YxUbE3SvBCxfcYMAhUgZk1aB2CUvbGLvkL1Az1dawX18gj12Lj_Z6q5GVkv-obpb5FhdwXEwS3UznK0PzlkkrvwWnQA1hp8ERTjDSL1rja_82ZbaVhpRUg/s1600/2023-03-25%2013.19.17.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lidKxK-L3pxYjUhB8kFRKqgf1QZKms2RYfK3b9VEkAEjog3XcHFOR-wAk8Y0ZWQorsOuuXOutUzJzeYhE0EX2QrTeF5GwYMb3oWgbRPXR--e6NW4c8j4mLx3NpPMv9Lf4xMCokA-LID4qrRw9-IhiWjbbziJXjCQdv3Jl4YECc-1XzzMU_BAorXimg/s1600/2023-03-25%2013.19.20.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSKV30e4lYWPSqTU9Vp2rbkEVMNXIc95FOmUApsP7cIeNIoeFcsypIUmKZFtuPK15Y5r-8Obh4R-JzXbL90AclgOam5mfj8NJcYjWMSLC5ZfYGLUWq6qp0PMCdbi5zoKJDmmKyx8KwelWNlSm9UTYDZ_VzmKxjHZIgR_ciy059Y4A5AWo5432SooTBw/s1600/2023-03-25%2013.55.09.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: the view of the dam from the new freeway bridge. Below: the people in the image are thrilled they've found a support group for people with reverse lockjaw and tooth whitener addiction.
<br/> <br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuuPJqvzfiDbqn25xZ_Jv5vTPAh9AKYHzHfE-LzjUuGyhNuVvxof7Or4_kwNJJwf2i-S14_AhwaUCSJAQkEUzxDPR5SxZy9CXaNRPdEqL_R12H8NeK8ZnqYHHY31YLb6mJrax59s0MBskVjjNx3dyfmVdvmkdrKfSIQRX6CDnl7I6vxg6y_U1jhrXSw/s1600/2023-03-26%2009.24.31.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
Below: the flower arch at the Bellagio. Even a dead-eyed philistine like myself has to admit the Bellagio is quite beautiful.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGndtat6_6P0oSp9dFs-FFypXZRq7qJoXwYnXFkjfU_mCc3MNPbztDC1Sg4cGrTsR7ym9Pn8CmDrFJ-dkM2k7ShJdrOec_T4xGlW8HUfxjBQ61fc438tG9X6sHpNkcKELEbJPCZU3lKNqfny5UYdWoBnRooCqBRZ0OotmfQsKfaXGflyvmu0RkOE8Lpg/s1600/2023-03-25%2019.53.21.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaLTP8x4OKeHexki9_XPQF6dx0flcL11z7MJtJSzQyrmPXfA8TbmC3DtssSbtDl66YVqtYjJlP6wyhyc1eLzWLijNi-w5NKRY1p0oLBdjAYc0ebgXjQkpZVHVaFWYqda0M9tGBrKcdpXoRMoCnprAAE4e8vj21v_m95tWdfBWxRQV7DPqTM6st8eA2Q/s1600/2023-03-26%2020.41.05.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: the Hershey store (one of the aforementioned family-friendly activities) which adjoins New York New York. Sadly the chocolate bar did not seem to specialize in any sort of girly candy drink, otherwise I would've totally been right there dude.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ONuy2TeoAWefLmv1talfvody9riHbT2MSA4W7aJSXdwnXQD9HCri1oC1DFgJuFgxpbtr5Ck7hSkur_zfIrFn_S-DvHaiqwPThH5TDqw-iyKVgvGjaLJXU9EzLwadHsqpDZ4UfqH9jWy1TLLZz620krfxCFp3kYML4jIK-JzkY3hDxB8jkZB4OfYs6w/s1600/2023-03-26%2020.41.15.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTtOD9hcYCKa6wuYESRNjeWw5jpvYFwBGt4AIKNSJENQuNsDEQRdhPJPYx5yn5o3pXxhA9L4yherwdFkQL_7ceEFYnjh9rmzgW0mTjZuOW_s_npmG5aAW8BL1xlULvxv57P_tdExLN-gPIZIEMXG94OKcbEGS-7pufTiL7tHPbav6yyuuomFzjVE1ww/s1600/2023-03-28%2007.41.36.jpg"/></img><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5d0Tfm9m5kvsOTyKfDa4sQ3VJmENAk1DmJ7_1rufeTVHkRGQv1LDvP__LicS7_0Lfe55PPmA62kRWQhbejRkJLT_qaHMXFSQVwi_7m3yTIJHvZcDCiOWNTwMy46i5qeO2AZqJMxcH7FvUtLnvILqwmaJBLrn7ywtcY_fKEZOSneKS78b9ASeLWmjUg/s1600/2023-03-26%2023.33.34.jpg"/></img><br/>Two photos above: what it's like in a room at the Luxor, and the interior space of the building. Below: you didn't think I was leaving Vegas without my steak and eggs breakfast did you?<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqU1tzig5144fcCCNv7pDXUXSlalFJQ8vAF5lFtVNrJrSsM3XWmTNDrAsDYDwMDxcHqHnnIWMF-9mjuBkxtdXhrx0gDCGagj02Btp5azgDBtqFrA4UGvVmXNGaFC9kSljmvxrSOWm2YP0ktYZuloCnKvd2uIFJN0w0iUIAmB6oa5dFR-fxui0VXAlJQ/s1600/2023-03-27%2008.48.28.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk9VPqVYWhnFnIMcAqgBqoxs1H-UXRLhs3MxQM3LeClOwLGh__ICvelt3DW2goBwE_Kkvp9dLRGemEARi8Wl3y2mCKAdsIg0wCO0uIiJ-3o545ZkcJAKJ1Hx6_qXBjiTROvgWT_Z8kzWDX2JUU57Z_KM-BdZPNzfiiAS6MQPjk5T6r3WsX7pWdvKdhg/s1600/2023-03-27%2015.49.52.jpg"/></img><br/>
The view from the canal in Venice. Insert essay by Umberto Eco about hyper-realism. (Was he wrong? Is this bad?) <br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiz9xdcLmAxzXAZdXiQDJrXaGIZgm53K0Zr6YxJWP-jGwYt8MO-Bhg3zOeQaS9iR3yYB_XXkWareQ7gJ6JpQ8WLBWUw_S8Xhe3Z0Wb9GGU3wEwg8W3rszFINbQt5DeM1mB2hNL26vbYjqWZwJShcicNEsx8dyYwkk0AlnJ_L6cWu3AuOPP3fSvRk_YA/s1600/2023-03-27%2015.51.49.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgpPtmjyrWB9bzPy8wOSu2PlV9zkhCKShxjPRnRIq4R7cA0aIDdLJ8NpuQPWgk2IgB2GjiH0AE8qxOHceSHg8CVW95in8jniRgZOHPxZC-yJicmopbRHdVMoSxWD8JCtzLSO5mlHpkqLxk6vgiEvtiWtpZMUz5_Ipvm1Al8RCxNHSWpqgEe857xB3OQ/s1600/2023-03-27%2016.53.42.jpg"/></img><br/>
Aboard the High Roller ferris wheel, with the Bellagio fountain display ("where the water dances" as the kid describes it) far below.
<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5MevG7lTGtnWv2DyMqk-t9x7PJm-cQtC6oa2ua4AAnJcWv6QkXxmwne3whlNMFOqMyf-_wvw5me_s0yf5cjx-cLzcpUyKXNt4mOTQ7_uV3642MHBC_8C85z1wvk-mdTXOUI_38IVnA08_2aOvrMyKNdqqfO1jDJtCXN14F7ZuuxBFtwIrPjm47-Sig/s1600/2023-03-27%2017.03.04.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKOU-nEeSYUeZF48gzZtXFDczg7JC6BlDMPmMeH8mKKqZjAVtPeM37Pik_mtgRCxZSsYJURDL_391JMTU6bFdb-Iu34exlQanmILCDn7fT-YZ_WtS0ex589QEmvUIujS7hDXd6oO1qfHPVetV8rHRXCkLJGH3gugAsrUUFf9TbZHbruRLQFGuWg9UFQ/s1600/2023-03-27%2017.05.01.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above, you can just barely make out the parallel zip lines, running over the alley next the the Flamingo. The black dome is an entertainment arena the Venetian is finishing that should be open by September 2023.
<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0Hkxx0feqioeJ9EanXZJcT3jmMLOY5GoWerBqkSwYxDrIBdjmb2di9RXnOlOI_j4MjljsI_VujAZLOeZesbZwKsSj9DcmQW1i8PwPP4rf9qP7hk8-AA4PkE0SIFTZfcuZ8Dlxa8RtauRB4CDBw8dTYjUO1uw91lhmhBq7FzulmCWOcp-dIIXaqDxFw/s1600/2023-03-27%2017.06.46.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjSwYQmvaqZcMkW1FQSZvMQ0B2bSLE299uwUMeMbiviGlmUVVs1D8njeDRpn1LND-rNEKbGIXz8trk6sB5USZEGL_QiicInEQoNkhNVOJN_ufYz1_vRpsipKFgoxNCX3OESmdsCK5mcBgfxP5P9hGS7RAlfJT3NfLN_UcQ4Ip24ajbwxMlhI7jvfb6w/s1600/2023-03-27%2017.26.44.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FdpTZEHwO-sfbic6oajinEmtKmkvdvSjMvUn4LAYYBeh4v8ymxuZ7nVcKJIhWIfqMAyC_zVB_IY-8kRUo0Kd-JoZCV-5sV-LM8AGjRonHSyp5-qZFiaJThg9LhqKNZw2inzA8h8dfCDuA5dQBZxbwRrO1VOjQHAHWjF0ZBdUe-lFiqNfNhxF78srpQ/s1600/2023-03-27%2019.10.51.jpg"/></img><br/>Above, a ceiling at the Venetian.
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</center>
One day I went out to the recently-protected <a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/sloan-canyon-petroglyphs" target="_blank">Sloan Canyon</a> to get a desert run in and see some petroglyphs. When I found that there were steeper and steeper scrambles to get up to the next level of the creekbed/canyon bottom, I turned around since I was by myself. I had also wanted to go to <a href="https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/2881/Picture-Canyon-Natural-Cultural-Preserve" target="_blank">Picture Canyon in Flagstaff</a> but elected not to due to the aforementioned local Ice age. This means that, <i>in this part of the country where you have to move petroglyphs to get to the toilet, my family and I failed to see a single one during the entire trip.</i> There are obvious igneous intrusions in the sides of the valley. In the distance Charleston looked remarkably white.<br/><br/>
<center> <img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHEFFvACiYUAlC8Rjhr62ZuhstQsqqHJaTDn8-rSPtz8FMLpI4_52samAcM-G7rvWcDYIBTSD46WYXkK-kdOQzOIaa8t6W_UXFKG4_BVLaZtuO0A3hqiyrOyQmus0GOb-N54y71wjTqAZrlsX964giH_XpndmqXkNSBUYvhU3iMEFx89UZ21B8bMUkw/s1600/2023-03-26%2014.37.49.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6xh_zuwbkkf04va95wW0sPmJ-Z8rRkkGXZiROcYokUptraJscGeXDyeldQrHvnuO33n6cw2t7x2RVlY1iOSDC2d-CndUwjqVZdT-hXMHKHBi8zis29bA8jzsQInrPTuK2gSQ7k-lwpH-vA5YzePw9xoDLW78F9dzTCZXmW9dN1y-SL6ub_T7fMzqTA/s1600/2023-03-26%2014.59.14.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9tsQaR8djw-u99VQ7d6qG8SWpoj5HmebQAZ22KD7E0e7Esn8RTqLgiq1yq4spNWXLEWYW-RYgGKPm4KqEUvlLsdAG8sWvu-gnGQPJFGI5TFo-0yc9Ur6Dm887cg-nsLHh076tJXiOV5rax5B3nNy-gFIH-zxTZ0PhbshxjKADbR730cNygl26z3HLw/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.00.23.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCareI_7AGCUDp_SCsqT5snkRW-iUOQrHLtvS31DENSaDjEQxOR-Ci85Ov7hmYDqRSeqECp01KFl4ZYTYIQyFxfurEkyZ6X4oV6wohZBjITk60fEb_alLK938j-F_4eMoIn8OVbhX5_H3oDN__nff_FNhX807gFQ64-Q17FW3eWX9k869rXmiAL1hdng/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.03.34.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWs9oA4TJSlJbo8oDmVhKeST8dT8eM8k-A-OvCkLmR9YFRQDRFreljFIWNl7CxFQzRXKPhiBOAixCLqIJMjVrnCa-q9r5qNezhdee-GWRS99wtYPs7Jvdrin6_XfDHYnhcn6LVghS-Xh4hHO_3q2FCpWBMQakOJtBzBqD1Ev53IhmmTbLIl52c3JuKg/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.10.25.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2saCWSM7n01uLD3hGmWP-P2N1cYJbb4BavYpjCUUdxmoMQ7_Wx4leHqB1PTFXRCe-U3gdghmLJNyarJTcZbYrNk56pb1uXAdad89SkP_gqEUpUVvD_e_jok4FE77Uty1EEg6g21EjuVOvNWQk5JsQ5QD2qP54-KZRQ9xPRbS0Thcc_FmlySu6PmKT2Q/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.25.27.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmWPGVmETY1iL6i5V6BW8Kt3jDXnvXZ45qVrj37ia4imhBs4ERTaA3eVt59b0GKZ1_gkDzXzRCW0fHN--wNjcYq5_tezeeZQMjahy4N4Sp576RxT-Bv6-N5GO_A42FsuitgueVxPt8Z3AeOQ7vDctPAMwgeOShI8RQjxxfUq19GpyZX7GJ59rUT7wwQ/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.30.31.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOymNppz81htvwsAHLuK2XThBYxoEUKM-fwRv0enOfp4nj6vMbhcTDBBZcFYzVkzI0a1zVTRdUpi9RQLxhSrJlG3ALuq6vuxKhd5pW-MJ3aiIBkpmsfwTHy107uZlkYaFef4mwRAOgWV0ZIswKsZ4LHkq6iRyVe5wcRG2BA274oOA77340d2fMvhcsSQ/s1600/2023-03-26%2015.33.16.jpg"/></img><br/>
</center>
<b>Other things we did in Vegas: </b>saw the mermaids at the Silverton, virtual reality ride in Excalibur, Circus Circus, the Bellagio fountains from close up, the Mirage volcano* (it's on borrowed time, go see it now, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/North-America-Travel/Hard-Rock-redesign-plans-for-Mirage-Las-Vegas" target="_blank">won't be here anymore at the end of 2023!</a>), the flamingo habitat at the eponymous casino, and of course Rainforest Cafe.
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Things we didn't do because of the cost, i.e. either the kid wasn't interested enough to justify the cost or we have same/better at home: aquarium at Mandalay Bay, the Marvel suits exhibit at Treasure Island, and the human anatomy exhibits at either the Luxor or Horseshoe. For some folks those would be worth it (although you knew you can dissect your own cadaver now if you want, <a href="https://www.landhortnursery.org/biology-courses.html" target="_blank">right</a>?)
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Things we will do next time: see the indoor rain at Miracle Mile, that thing at Excalibur where you eat like a queen or king, shoot a machine gun in the desert, four-wheeling, the roller coaster at New York New York, the stratosphere, the Coke Museum.
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Things we will <b>not</b> do next time: virtual reality rides, because vomit.
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Things we may do on future trips to the Southwest: SEE SOME PETROGLYPHS, Acoma Pueblo, Mesa Verde, Glitter Mountain, hike up on the "plateau" above Zion and see some condors, go NORTH and see Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches, do the Grand Canyon crossing, and if in Flagstaff - Walnut Canyon, Picture Canyon, and NOT get snowed on.
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On returning home we watched Ocean's 11 which I hadn't seen in over 20 years, and I was surprised to see that they fictionally robbed a real casino (turns out the producer knew the Bellagio's owner.) The kid correctly noted that the protagonists were the bad guys, since they were robbing a casino owned by someone who was just minding his business. And, as unique and spectacular as that part of the country is, it's always nice to get home, and the weekend after our return the clouds finally parted on a weekend to reveal the lush green spring this wet winter had prepared in Sonoma County (in Annadel State Park.) Time to start looking for turkey feathers for Sonoma kachinas. <br/><br/>
<center> <img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyE1A4CwISHzGiAQmmABVeAD6m2Qxv4Sn_r7lXArrmsQeCPaY5EUVHZzX4eT8VhN5r8TBVjK7oOPS_bOGxuclGGZQf6pxsBYNIdvls1Zl49PWYGjGodQ1cf7RAsyvS6cpxGsSwwHIswPXF-uUDlktboLvHJTCBb6ZMdmqjFQD49P3_yL18_xhEGjgg_A/s1600/2023-04-02%2012.44.52.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPPwdMA9tZmL_RIvUgTyHiS7Aoiys5FTUlA_XiPagwG3c0YXCe0GP6JFr1Iun7anCgZc2cNfRrED050cgYnTwlJtsPXz0KDtx92rjS7y10CYg7M85iaXW4GcDyG3oD3t2fys__I-E2TDzeTpbW5n_WDGMwiOxC_oMgEx0pnNd8w3oDKT6u7mYSwJyZA/s1600/2023-04-02%2012.45.30.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo4IfiPr7s6SyWtGBtcOA2D3MwWjakl51SyCLQnn_eJuxP_r_xPf1RJQ1_Ywnw6JD5BDYIY_t8tGapGsVLcpkx7uqV0HqS8mOeBsvqfXiEiJPknt_KdgL0sm-2CrgkNIKIuwSBxmyBufbLdzPAGTA4lszMAiWccYf2Z5WgHiMibCy43OoIyeedACWYw/s1600/2023-04-02%2012.51.55.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxQyjYPPSThHBrDzBOwcY8NAWjP93o450BJM15erPqSiNh2rDfm9RgalFeJgeq2p1ftFMduxhbuKLHvvabgu1J8GPR5VVjWgh-Y4Bh4lpel0O-CZjbgc5SL5hbDOonuKI0K1Mm-4KW1FArE6r3tH_onpwZe398jbDhiVlsfL80ZsNpe6JAwkerXa_Vw/s1600/2023-04-02%2013.11.06.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUHNVXvWJFfuSzTMnkOQaTCxjUA2fvNJwrYI-FLLYuPx75iocYavMZmjZ-rQZiewVJXFnq6UMVzxfD0SJGId4RQsJq0kPK-wZScRf6mhkiB6y2VyO3TTyh--o9QwWTGCswiHQvZcyq0rA_dmJ9aIump3wRkvYqtmbTrxGIQFmuQ1pC3t-i4yrwR5Ipw/s1600/2023-04-02%2013.11.40.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTEsEntGKvwBKmgXE6NwId_hq7PkfFT1ZBmmaxnDbE58IuI2zPEHU7OXbJYNHjTaSPo2evmOZuez8YWjwPzrdVa1fJo4WZot7ObCooqSDPckek-hNpiyJCh48h_4Os_pXWvxp4oQhEPHXauT_yfFJtXIAo7ayO5KhSYsvxyU3HySo6U6_mK2Qemx5Hg/s1600/2023-04-02%2013.28.16.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl7rA1Nu8L2lDDolv5Wn9xQwMQp06zcn0fTmVJKFIaHxy9ppfkHHL0UMTXDyZXSRHt_3EFY1sQ-0iGZbMGvvHE-lCpivPFxXSaZnj1IXS9xKHkqCf6v2qNJhu9UjXlNl93IyjWzfhmU2OchrvDTWt-2Ykw0jJAi4v2ceH-IJcJSCXm9FYpNl3AfJmMw/s1600/2023-04-02%2013.50.19.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVdOHKr0ZQQPvwlHFXJyQ3CUhg1nleVXXCEmKGyPe2_BpiGFku0-SwojIVrHHDpZqiXjoYwbmDU33NmG64sC5YnkpwU8bf6xx_NsQMBHpFr9GcYpQF-ZvOWhu14lCrXgbooCyzT6HbRhts-cANYI-QsUB-yRBKccEe0rPJUhcTmlxhK_JTvJEgG3HlA/s1600/2023-04-02%2014.17.12.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
FIN<br/><br/>
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<i>*There was a goose tutting around in the Mirage volcano lagoon who looked increasingly apprehensive as the eruption time grew closer, gradually moving toward the back of the lagoon. We'd all but forgotten about him until a minute into the eruption sequence proper when, to the delight of all, this same distressed looking fellow passed overhead honking in terror and hauling ass to anywhere but here like the metaphorical bat.</i>
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Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-89606781563589851742022-12-03T01:33:00.008-08:002023-05-15T11:06:01.180-07:00Los Angeles, November 2022<br/>
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<img WIDTH=99% HEIGHT=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijF0OUf5m9_HOZgxhRybEJrPEj3uD8-lMItwC1e94qmJzKZIZkZuT3R8TYy6IUL_48PJt1mNe9S0dOBu9JE-3LM-mIEbac7u8kvs6icakpLgFvkRSuSKq_SI678eHWBcm8J1bbXqycagVbUnTzJlzjEEgU0h2RsqYyU83a71EIzTKcKpjWH2eDMQCzyQ/s1600/BR.jpg"/></IMG>
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I'm always amazed and grateful when I talk to people who actually read my blog - and of course you tell me you've noticed the decrease in frequency. Partly that's family- and career-driven, and COVID certainly hasn't done anything to increase my traveling. And in 2019 I wrote that <a href=http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/06/may-2019-classic-california-road-trip.html>I was just going to be a Californian for a while</a>. I had no idea at the time how much I meant it!<br/><br/><br/>
<b>FOOD</b><br/><br/>
<b>Venezuelan food in Little Ethiopia</b> - previously unbeknownst to me, there is a little Ethiopia on Fairfax not far from the tar pits. A neighborhood never smelled so good about 6pm. That said, I went to <a href=https://www.flavorsfromafar.co/menu>Flavors From Afar</a>, which has an interesting model where they have guest chefs who are refugees from various parts of the world. When I was there, it was someone from Venezuela. I'd never had Venezuelan. The shredded beef, goat, and cheese bread were pretty tasty. Not surprisingly, Caribbean, in my experience reminded me of Puerto Rican food.<br/><br/>
<b>As a rule, when I'm in LA, I will not leave without hitting Thai Town</b> (~5100 Hollywood Boulevard.) Pictured below: octopus from <a href=https://www.crispyporkgangla.com/>Crispy Pork Gang</a>.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1sjQcrpfsZSSp6VYzGqLMhHMr6L2fUUbO03EKJTwXNf8uGxa0S7fiQuNlJR1vs-2KvQDh-aZ8kZLLXothpNsnXzSlzcsXa0T-Aa8k0WtMRJ-X7rttWRytSOOXoH6du2VnH9-d9ipG_zs-wcLwqXuotOvXXfIGnvxVh8k0e8itXS2_VCd2BXg5fcw4g/s1600/oct.jpg"/></img>
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Pictured below: <b><a href=https://www.seriouseats.com/chengdu-taste-best-sichuan-chinese-san-gabriel-los-angeles>Chengdu Taste</a></b> in Alhambra. Pictured from left: fish, chicken, and gizzard.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o7nWWlUQORigBWbbEiUCNfF9c8GXZr85wgLYxwV6bDX01wz9W7qPBD247zdm51IcmCpf-ct1y_v46l5ttmszk_zhNWbd9NqJQjBcszFuxIe9DqeXklYFQa3q6Ex6_lTTfcLzqKZ80sQBQAQSY0J0DpMGxs2PC3XK_b5sbFTxwTdwWsdvKDJ5DdQCUA/s1600/sich.jpg"/></img>
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<b>Din Tai Fung</b> - the one in Glendale. <a href=https://dintaifungusa.com/>Din Tai Fung</a> has developed the Mercedes model of international marketing. That is to say, at home in Taiwan, they're a solid but not fancy noodle house chain. In the US they are a high-decor type of place with earnest and good-looking young servers (the one in UTC in San Diego is similar), and prices to match. But the noodles are still quite good. I came back to life in this place after getting unexpectedly rocked by Mt. Wilson.<br/><br/><br/>
<b>CULTURE</b><br/><br/>
<b>Laurel Canyon</b> - I'd never spent any time in this area before, and it's pretty neat. Reminds me a lot of the Berkeley Hills. If you don't know the history (which I didn't until recently) it's an area well-known as the place where a lot of folk and rock figures from the 60s and 70s lived - Joni Mitchell (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obRVlFCVlAg" target="_blank">Ladies of the Canyon</a>), Jim Morrison, Mama Cass to name a few. Jared Leto lives in a converted radar station at the top of the ridge not far from Mulholland because of course he does.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-MmQnI4KiXwNSHoxw9UoE3SJTfSOK8jDYdufqI716_shPa_ai2x2a9sCbm_5e-WUGz4LR_Ryp1q6IMr4bfUD9d1QdkQh4o1peVI8aRVA9ngvMx_k1NM1IysmR7vLPBlr5AAipzPht2nt6NzL8ahUSd5Wf4VmDZxbBUGDWVVXeLFn4MVoFJCON4M6dQ/s1600/mtw5.jpg"/></img>
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<i>Above: the San Fernando Valley from an overlook along Mulholland.</i>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpXXMvskJcWE-Im0TKKeWW6pj6-yV1YtNtDbJnnejb5A9ZAbywsi4NLfjKjqq8wV7UPQtytYzU5D5lN1TQq7VNHNOiwmbYmYZAEOeYJBXXxhVWigSIjax53Ey56nLx5QEcOaEsP9M30ESOEJ_RQFvDJ81Q5mlUrAn1MXlmujavgtqF-bwmKWGXI3gbA/s1600/lcday.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXlSuJ3MezFxU6EEt441tbXAMnuD74x75ixeEE4PpaRzs8xAhitlVIggnHCbZGqqY16p2oiDKO4pR_chMIUpQiJPLc9Sonc17zWWNdvmRtkb7mBO-4MQEsaSn-O5mrDYVNFzkYdr5haERP6BNd8aOsF5FeTacik3c7KReXkosdw-dVGpPgSmOBIn2cQ/s1600/lcnight.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAiBEnJHM0vw3toUwvhinCL-_4rMwlQ2rVgUL1ox6We481rMwj0N7B6QCScwqPdH_zo7h_aAdplskyFFgj3ilQueSXTWwC3tbQf7iEyUKlawtw3KQdEU80cXf4sfgQ-NWhDk2vhkN8kf_csnih-f1p8SeifqGgm6DRyaAgSBsg4P_KeBAWd2IIuqZWw/s1600/airbnb.jpg"/></img>
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<i>Above: Laurel Canyon during the day, at night, and from inside our Airbnb. Below, Griffith Observatory, with important astronomical markers to scale.</i><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28CDf3_vw-F1aFtIfda5uYTmasoVEvv0T5lWr5WR6ze1G6EuGDwzdfvw-NP-CVpWy47BJu4-YnPZZqkA9ciB1TflN2W4q_mTzLpyJoh1Hcug9Af28lkMjELo3EWpbDhL_cjVtN_gq1WEX7VpNTRea2L_iMW1UceyQZDkuzxWFVAElrTS30Pn5qELuaw/s1600/download.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8THGuNEvVyuDO0Q-Q653-H9-R_UBM09yqmCAR79sHa3HNZcRKxSqaN3YFYAiO0krIP8J-MkclSZQZMyJDZHD-EMdcMVsX0xvvDDF2dXYolDAIR0290pWSoymaLdg4QsnoQi3sk0Zy9s3D2oDeYXMm1SEd4uJ7fFoPqMjR8ZbK3364eKjHChWpnmPnQ/s1600/uran.jpg"/></img> <br/><br/>
</center>
<b>Griffith Observatory</b> - sadly the planetarium broke while we were waiting in line for it, but the museum and views are worth it alone. Also, not surprisingly, it's been used as a backdrop quite often (<a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjpBs2BfNbw>Terminator</a>, <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eselLQax8us>Rebel Without a Cause</a>, <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvOM0eXKMF8>Metallica</a>, and <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27F3tR12OKI>Star Trek Voyager</a>.) Don't forget in Griffith Park you can also hike up to <a href=http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2012/01/las-griffith-park-is-neat-o.html>the Hollywood Sign</a> or <a href=http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/06/may-2019-classic-california-road-trip.html>the Bat Cave</a>.) Not an unreasonable hike from/to Thai Town.<br/><br/>
<b>California Science Center and Natural History Museum</b> right next to USC, who <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/01/rose-bowl-2017.html">I still have a problem with.</a> They have a Space Shuttle but that's certainly not the only attraction. (I like to keep track of positive surprises when I travel and the positive surprise for me here was Natural History's mineral room.) The Science Center has a pay-by-exhibit model (like a small amusement park) but most are free, including the shuttle. Detail on the shuttle includes tiles, and reaction control system thruster ports.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzqMt8a0cv7Gy2dcGgmCLCjgcCruS2DSYebqptGiu23j8BUMKLI-9M9HOl5Fuwu_lGhazPBpCCQ_O7zbkz1lSDpfvDluAqhs1ol9VnO-1sbsSxTKNHlk-FF18-rh8o8p2U7Jw9wOq1x1feyMsx5SKMFlmR8qvNlh_70S3huBbRdWZCMlNGoAElY0uLw/s1600/shutt1.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuMiE9LY9T3iYZZmnftG6_mZTocsUdUfCco6888pkzQYivZImgK6wfsweSgMzHMPvNCGHjdHYJS070r9NFj1OxoBz3GNB7ooBZ9o6VZIHyCwTD1uH-85KHhvymR_7Q1q2puFXQypmPstdhZrOd-S9Jl3UQdAKqb8Lj0LGSZ8Ndj8mn9xKr8hLkZvvfQ/s1600/shutt2.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzq66ThVZ0cgtm61pQpJAY40ENtrBjH8w_3JtQyk2Nvwk1zp51YrEoah1vYo5HOymF3Rbn_paaIV6FM7epVqePfLYyUTGmw4bR6yKB1M4ehp7QQ1QjZjZqshmAaDPPp_DfIKqJOYEhFxcyyQUWGdPsm-q31LoYyORGJBMcqfHW5-ISrcJCNjmQGGWzQ/s1600/tiles.jpg"/></img>
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</center>
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<b>Hollywood Boulevard</b>. Of course. I think maybe I went there once with my parents when I was about 15 and found it underwhelming. I can't say I find it that much more exciting now - it has a claustrophobic, trying too hard to be Times Square vibe to it - but you have to take your family there once. Instead of Hollywood, here are pictures of the inspiration for the name, actual California holly (toyon), taken a few days later in Novato, Norcal. (Merry early Christmas.)<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJN5tD1DCBieHj4YjtVRgsarmolBgliUzsQHa9pJlHfQmx5DXpI6MJdUcygN6-qR_hYdOHkFeOS06pmWMTbYxKE5NnByyUxOkQBEiY_6jHIO_KsgTlXKunypCzotKNPOjaJdVUNcDDWGp3_J-BSDaxHXCF__owhY-Y3woZ3hghaNc3MeGzUZ7shLAqbg/s1600/holly.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2aAByFFqSJ3EXTJ302Nfmx0fDmHNmuLqE72kHtJbZOSPAdWcEyAx62kibsertBIxe6ak7Ln8sQpr0HjGad_F7lKHZeAPikREp4DacmiU8yJp7hYqR6H3WCtZnAQUoCILmWFXexiav8VEir_AzaDEtxyYVnMxtjzQRnafnCgilxrjNcMUC5EYI9Zq79w/s1600/hollyhill.jpg"/></img>
</center>
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<b>Danzing's Evil Bricks</b>. Do you know <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kREle_uGckw>who Glenn Danzig is</a>? Do you know <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaLO-QgZudw>he had evil bricks?</a> (Really, click on that.) We paid a visit to his house (or maybe he moved, I don't know) and to be honest I actually got nervous. Related,<a href="https://montysgoodburger.com/" target="_blank"> Monty's in Santa Monica</a> has a dog as its mascot and the style of the logo may seem familiar (see below.)<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk1jD3Sm1pOLcrKKPY-yJe19VVK_UQE2XALf94elM_ZcVR999FyXwWSa9Dy-NVMgzvkA5YzqmPIy-uOsccJNPSvQ1e38B5ZCyZ97vhCaXebAZSU-GIE9aA4RQTbD5wJKVnPsgI4hei2VUV_jVQcif-I9esjuoW0EwUBbiWO-3yeM3VBK8FoPxancl_Q/s1600/deb.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5vujjBiYCzdufZOcF5xOm6ykWSaEEnsuiGE2KGKB3MJZoFuxRBDZ7bUtxvpg9nm0Z2G5KcadYcVSPFno8JzFzP0Wuuy1pGbiXiJOvrcbPCSBZ9d-JJEvtJO8Z9n-gCJ9-FYqosFgGMsxJ-To3UFOZ-fJPFYk9VP6eUgc7bYFDfVsPgZFVpiFSNaazw/s1600/shirts.jpg"/></img>
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</center>
<b>OUTDOORS</b><br/><br/>
<b>Hiking up Mt. Wilson to the observatory.</b> I was getting over a respiratory illness (not COVID) and this mere <a href=https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/best-la-hikes/mt-wilson-trail-hike/>7.5 mile, 4500' climb</a> unexpectedly sucked the life out of me. Beautiful climb next to the Santa Anita trail complex, in the western greener end of the San Gabriels. My bizarre obscure association with the roads winding through Angeles National Forest is now the <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtEWow8nPzM>Name of the Game episode L.A. 2017</a> (made in 1971), one of Steven Spielberg's first projects, where he imagines a future Los Angeles moved underground due to pollution and policed by psychiatrists with intramuscular sedative guns.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju98NG3RCjSJE9DYaV_PsZGWfsy_OAmMXhWQtZmM-UiLxUCl30YNBBlCfoliL7XF_K9Gtlebqi3pmIuYHu8BGJWEtDFIQ5wMRJnlBRktFbxrLRqJEj3us7U2du7gLOVa_GB0QBu-n1EJe3W1dudvarVBbeLW3soBWlFPmPaFGlFN4CumbusUELgpz_gw/s1600/mtw1.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLo74mTUc-sppt3TjiCGV5XHQVVADpeX9QDJoT6pTfBNI8iKHSWlGj2Y1eC5213ZOwJz-h_Y1rlJPR929J_35IEx2eB4_cr6Z8KlY-kQvoSFxhXZ2j02VIf5W_ctIykgZylY-oUHXhgLOCX5Xuw95XwKqsHx-2kP1Rc-4OKCT8f7HXydJtoUU0saXfQ/s1600/mtw2.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_yqXPZmgzLsDRlV8Z_mkyehwhX06MWaRgFjjyrNX202E22uPHvE63yyLBnxg2FppoIwr__uocsLdNhAjQYkPfLbpmPmAvZQuNWwkvr_LRkKlcozluOVTTgJuD_0VsWUtHWdLBLLz3T0MrDfE5OnVLbvN2ptu7g8CIRPmX28HcKsqMXF2JjOiMgtA8DQ/s1600/mtw3.jpg"/></img>
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<i>I'm always surprised by how "ferny" the western end of this range can be. It just seems inappropriate for them to be in such close proximity to yuccas.</i>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfWZNAXnJx54d1sjvGH4hW3vCW6rBC6XV-f57sQ6bBaaxz5kB15Az4YShf11Ko03IwNldK_5trAAcgIxpeaNNc9U28uWM-HZrP3VkfjWwFfxgIhqbF15IU-bpCf7Zs9ajC4uGQriOfCJT3Ve4ewGj3A-2xv1Q1D6Wuy3lqb5okefxuDfes1UqFexWFg/s1600/mtw4.jpg"/></img>
</center><br/><br/><br/>
We also rode from the Venice canals</b> along the boardwalk past Muscle Beach and the skate park to Santa Monica pier.<br/><br/>
<center><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-z6E9gc1mKcyAPS4OeOH8UsrkOeKseCmWWhj6JqIFWaEf6s5SIdGZRYsbfxyMfFbA_9B30_OJcabaHQ1VNwaOY8anuY7mGGXLr2vx4JZEhiiG8h8Al-PXap3NSHXgj6CM1BsEUV5qN_iUnVE8WWl3zsYpjs15hVWSGtK3NdN3EJ-5DPPjf_BIS1E2-Q/s1600/image.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAz7HaDakm0-PkRDhKDbVc63IcFcss2D4KmJSjTOwbgZ10uWETUjCP3-Go7A9CVlZAyA7hfoDCcp8udIl0i54ZTHyVCew_ovFnrFHdnTknyURC7wAcKZdVxvGOhX8Bx8_xgbZQHZLfIV0g-dpYhqFk1LP8ad_dkA0C5-2a2fOS6RAgu4uQRd6A73GbQ/s1600/vb.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0Z65AmkpvOQN5N91EMes1TZk_Kza2W4bP2gmQ4Z7DFUFSfPzG2W6MVB4pWHXPEAnDlGXGAxKEsdHks7zfG375IN3kwmu8jpjgMa3cOoYkJVwZeStvs-VLt5I_kjORrQMDN27fZTamRVdazLUj-B26OnfM00YdFyhjRHwKA2NZ2VEbO3Ne9x08FqTeg/s1600/skate.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEcRBhO-10hCdR1Bxp482eUX3HcFY3-NogVFJ1_-MgONfTSiZFFABZyZZTRL_l5nYvGuBLlXsMeIJnaCjvLqChiMWIQCFJSnW986MqIwJ_0WlC2eqiMMzUOGJF788WpIPbcCNgF1Yv6-1xPPuxgvLq2LmPU4SCVqA5sH6etm-MjR2bz0G0YFWgu60dzA/s1600/pier.jpg"/></img>
</center><br/><br/>
<b>Idyllwild</b> up on San Jacinto. San Jacinto is part of the SoCal mountain trifecta which <a href=https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2012/06/socal-triple-crown-33.html>I bagged starting from Humbert Park in 2012</a>, though the <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactus_to_Clouds_Trail>Cactus to Clouds route</a> is more interesting for sure. <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II>The mayor is a dog</a>, Maxwell III. At lunch at a brewpub twice I overheard from the hostess speaking to a group of customers "Unfortunately we're at our dog capacity so we can't seat you right now.") A group in the late 60s <a href=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20170112-the-lsd-cult-that-terrified-america>manufactured LSD there and then dropped it out of a plane onto Laguna Beach</a>. It's just that kind of place. As for us, we just met up with a nice family and had ice cream and played with Aussie shepherds, so you can do that too. Below: two photos of Idyllwild I found online, forgot where, if they're yours comment and I will gladly credit you.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRSTD2fOU4hCE-eQKURX_6HEMCRHqTGngQtE8G7S_LknXibF9JwSMJ_PAG8Y28vtE4TGdKkNc-IdYAmHECjVadtNVNHF4bnsXKMLU25UGOXwIBgRoDQlMrFR8zS0y_6y37Y37_ydIzb-y3DM1Oa6YVe8jcmnQ75vrUfDYCYuHrzVmUrwC976uJVTwqw/s1600/sjac.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DaNOErJ4dS0MeRvFcBCREmh6HO6K36XPwLoMhBz8OdKn5YT7RSUTUZ0nQqaqh2iZpQ-b6KIjx5d24EpQbVtxVthXaQjVapVMkOdkoPonraKT-EZ6C8KNGugJW1DWG9YuQrG5StIpVKCHChlVQu-2KNW_QDTzhcMfbOQ7Zid_1jsQxYcQKPSd23qVyA/s1600/sjac3.png"/></img>
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<b>ERUDITE CULTURAL COMMENTARY</b><br/><br/>
<ul>
<li>People like to talk about how LA is a homeless hellscape. Yes we saw a few tents and homeless people. It was maybe a little worse than the average U.S. city. The worst thing I saw was a breadline on the boardwalk in Venice Beach on a Sunday morning with about 20 people in it. Two of them said hello and were polite and just regular folks.
<li>I made a point of driving by Paramount's Bronson Gate (reminded by having seen the tank sticking up looking down from Griffith Park.) I wonder, why do some studios have an amusement park and others don't? Is it just real estate? (On review sites people seem to complain more about the lameness of Paramount's tour.)
<li>Downtown Glendale is getting better and better and I like it for many reasons. And it's going to sound cringey but I'm going to say it. Walking around, I saw a bunch of young people with genes hailing from every corner of the planet, either busting their asses working hard, enjoying life, or both. This is the American experiment working spectacularly well. When these kids run across some aggrieved Republican crying about America's supposed decline and yelling about taking it back and making it great again, I can only imagine they just think to themselves "What are these people even <i>talking</i> about?"
<li>What happened to the prominence of the defense industry in SoCal? The pseudodystopia of <a href=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Californias_Trilogy>Kim Stanley Robinson's Gold Coast</a> is not what happened.
<li>Like many northeasterners who migrated to California, I imprinted on the part of CA I arrived in (Norcal) and absorbed the chip on my shoulder about Socal from the people in the Bay Area. But it really is a one-sided rivalry, and after living in Socal for a few years I got over it, and I really like visiting LA. And, amazingly, a city based on the entertainment industry DOES have a lot of good-looking people! Shocker! Still, somehow LA always gives me a feeling of desperation coursing underneath the smiles (that I'm certainly not the first to observe) which is at the same time somehow also freeing. I cannot recommend <a href=https://www.bldgblog.com/2007/10/greater-los-angeles/>this essay</a> enough.
</ul><br/><br/><br/>
<b>BONUS: CITY OF THE TEN THOUSAND BUDDHAS, UKIAH, CA</b> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Ten_Thousand_Buddhas" target="_blank">learn more here</a>)<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVJGSxENrLgFnIWOUoAmxCWih3XxQAGSwL5BccZ2Cc0GZgairVlR1uFSJX8j_hkzdj2hJcmc7aUd4tWDki644yDm09YFJd-eVDtkVMcWCDZzrxXDzd2wQVq3-RG2LkBqeenN_qEdUz07IL5p6Bjt2ZF3Z39eTCU5zcXc0krjXCzaoY3Wpqz4-tNDv5g/s1600/temple1.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0ZvIzG5d9IErH9gbhOOEL6dpxPm2Qmlh3fOG0_xq-qWNe_cIhrN4A13cQEHAARVMoeg7IE1GT6wGHwJOCAAqvow9B5dIMngOpF3FSjD2gpBlf-mfXI5WyccY2zUo3RopTxjiuNlNCSsK5_7GF2X5U1GQahZeo_LF3GoM9n2HcxmlC0fuZClv3uolLQ/s1600/temple2.jpg"/></img>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgW04OHT4cFne4aJ9qvoO6TRAqzaJYE0cXIa2Lnl8ENJzx3Hrpu4XNY71_SpK9pl_wiqhXtbmP2Qe0Av8ZPD3pq9yCvK-X-94lPCIfErw2ueDOUv7HFTqoBLkOvJICBPWvjEkvlOHlT9r0nc_4lJQB6RhXOcTsXvl3bcV16w6SyexcY5Czc_ePb1SiBA/s1600/peacock.jpg"/></img>
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FIN<br/><br/>
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Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-33205001678156651872022-04-12T01:08:00.052-07:002022-07-25T14:25:06.759-07:00Maui and Haleakala, March 2022<i>tl;dr If you came to this post because you're planning to hike the Kaupo Gap Trail, and you retain only one thing from this post, <b>follow the pink flags</b> (March 21 2022.)
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To make some small attempt to pay it forward from the people whose online information helped me complete this (<a href="https://www.summitpost.org/kaupo-gap-trail/162166" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/hawaii/maui/kaupo-trail?u=i" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7009549/kaupo-trail" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uxIBxKb9Oqc&t=845s" target="_blank">especially here</a>), I will try to include useful information for others undertaking the difficult and little used Kaupo Gap Trail in the future.
</i>
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If you want pictures of Maui (stratovolcano or otherwise), just scroll down past the volcano stuff, but do stop for a minute on the native rainforest pictures toward the end of the volcano part, when I was descending to the ocean via Kaupo Gap. I had never seen a place like that before in my life, and unless you've hiked in a Hawaiian cloud forest, neither have you.
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<b>THE VOLCANO: HALEAKALA SUMMIT-TO-SEA VIA KAUPO GAP TRAIL<br/><br/>
PRAGMATIC HIKE SUMMARY STATS</b>
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<b>Date of hike:</b> 03/21/2022
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<b>Duration: </b> 8h30m (9:00am - 5:30pm)
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<b>Total elevation change:</b> -10,023' (+10,023' to sea level) (my hike was motivated by not liking hard math) (yes occasional very minor uphills but I'm not counting them)
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<b>Conditions:</b> at summit, high 40s, clear and windy at 9am. Warmed quickly into crater even with clouds rolling across intermittently. By Paliku around 7000' at 12:30pm, mid 60s, misty with solid clouds. Broke through clouds for good around 3:30pm 2000', 80 and sunny. Least favorite weather was when I first got past the clouds at 3000' - intense sun!
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<b>My condition, for your comparison:</b> late 40s former marathoner (emphasis on former) who now needs 2h30m for a flat sea-level half-marathon, still active hiker; psychologically ready for long difficult slogs.
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<b>Mileage</b>
<table border=1>
<tr><td>TOTAL</td><td>18.5 miles</td></tr>
<tr><td>Inside crater - visitor center to Kaupo Gap Trail Junction</td><td>10.0</td><tr>
<tr><td>Back and forth from Kaupo Gap Trail Junction to Paliku</td><td>0.4</td></tr>
<tr><td>Kaupo Gap Trail</td><td>5.7, about 3 of which was inside the park boundary</td></tr>
<tr><td>Road from Trailhead to Piilani Highway</td><td>1.6</td></tr>
<tr><td>Hui Aloha Church</td><td>0.8</td></tr>
</table><br/><br/>
<b>During the hike I consumed:</b>
<ul>
<li>4 L of water (was thirsty at the end, and it was 60s and mostly cloudy during the hike)
<li>2 power bars
<li>1 wild guava in the Kaupo Ranch portion (could have had more)
<li>Beer and poke afterwards (so I'm told; consciousness was compromised)</ul><br/><br/>
<b>Opportunities for food and water along the way: </b>
<ul>
<li>Paliku for water - NPS does not guarantee it will always have water, though it did; it tasted nasty enough even after filtering that I actually just kept it as an emergency reserve and didn't drink any more.
<li>Guava along the ranch portion of the trail
<li> <b>Kaupo Store appears permanently closed</b>
</ul><br/><br/>
<b>Clothing/protection:</b>
<ul>
<li>SPF 50 on face, neck and shoulders (but not my legs, which got pretty red - if wearing shorts, put sunblock on your legs)
<li>Long sleeve synthetic shirt
<li>3.5 L Camelback
<li>1 L handheld filter bottle
<li>Regular Android phone for photos and thin plastic bag to protect from moisture
<li>Standard running shorts
<li>Cotton-polyester blend standard socks
<li>Hoke One One shoes
<li>Also carried: light rain poncho (never put on, was soaked already and not cold), long hiking pants (should have put on, pushing through vegetation cut and irritated ankles and shins a bit, just too impatient to stop and do it), change of socks (would have been soaked in 5 minutes anyway, why bother)
</ul>
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<b>Communication and logistics:</b> Verizon texts worked at least by the time I entered Kaupo Ranch. Per a local at St. Joseph Church who was kind enough to pick up the phone and talk to a rando (me) who called with questions about the mountain, cell reception can vary with weather because the towers you connect to from Kaupo are actually over on the Big Island (wild!) For point to point projects like this, rather than worry about parking, I obtained an extremely patient and understanding spouse and I recommend you do the same.
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<b>General notes:<br/><br/>
Follow the pink ribbons.</b> I can't emphasize this enough. Ultimately all my map studying, GPS, even making maps with lat and long marked out manually, etc. didn't matter - it was staying focused on the pink ribbons.
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The portion from the trailhead to Paliku was not hard. I was never cold, tired, frustrated by the ground surface, disoriented or lost. Only problem was I should have applied sunblock to my legs. I burn fairly easily (Fitzpatrick 2) and still only got mildly red and tight in my skin, but okay the next day.
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Try to carry all the water you need. Paliku is quite open about being non-potable, but I'm used to drinking "non-potable" water with a filter and having no problems. Still, even with a filter the water at Paliku was nasty-tasting and tinted green, and I did refill my filter bottle but reserved it for an emergency.
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Kaupo Gap Trail is psychologically very difficult. I imagine it would be worse going up, which is part of why I chose to go down (it's less demoralizing getting lost going down.) Three or four miles of plowing through jungle with branches in your face and scratching your legs and ankles, long grass wrapping around your ankles, not being able to see the trail below your waist and anticipate the grade, or the large rocks rolling around that you <i>will</i> step on every fifth time you put your foot down, all while the water in the air and on the branches is flowing down your body. Then you get into the more open environment of the ranch, but the coarse loose gravel is every bit as annoying to descend as the other reports claim, and then some. On the ranch road section I slipped about every fourth step but never actually fell. My quads were killing me for 2-3 days afterwards.
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<b>Did I get lost?</b> Yes, once - see map below. Frustratingly, it was right at the end by the ranchhouse, 0.3 miles from the trailhead. Apparently people climbing the trail often have the same experience when they start at this same spot. I couldn't follow the trail at all, and ended up 50-100 yards east of where it says the trail is on other maps including Gmaps below, bushwacking through a creekbed submerged 10 foot high grass that you can't see out of in, climbing a very steep hill in that grass, trying to pull myself up with a tree which them cracked and fell over and whacked me on my head (no joke - the closer to the end I got, the harder it got, it was like Xeno's trail or something.) My apologies if the ranch workers heard me cursing because my frustration got the better of me at that point.
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<b>INTRODUCTION</b>
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As a still-exciting single person, I admit Hawai'i (the so-called <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/04/canary-islands-gran-canaria-and-la.html" target="_blank">Canary Islands of the Pacific</a>) always seemed kind of boring to me - a place for family vacations, not true adventure. And sure, you can choose to just stay by the ocean and go to the beach and eat poke (nothing wrong with that; more later.) But Hawai'i also has three volcanoes over ten thousand feet, the tallest mountains in Oceania, right <i>next</i> to the ocean. And it's a trivial exercise to conclude that, which such vertical relief, a reasonable person really has no choice but to set out to hike between the extremes in a single day. You understand of course. My original plan was to start at the ocean and go up. I modified this for two reasons: I don't think my physical condition would allow it anyway, but more importantly, psychologically, getting lost going <i>UP</i>hill is extremely demoralizing, and Kaupo Gap Trail is infamous for being poorly marked. In retrospect I am quite confident the choice to descend was the right one. And even so it was still one of the harder outdoor experiences I've undertaken. I'm really glad I did it. The rainforest once I started descending Kaupo Gap is easily the most unique ecosystem I've ever been in. Combine that with the fact that in pretty much every other rainforest there would be snakes and spiders that would make this kind of bushwhacking a lot more dangerous, amd the cliche becomes truer than ever - there really is nowhere else like Hawai'i.
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If you'll indulge me a moment of nostalgia: at eleven years old I visited Maui with my family and drove to the top of Haleakala. The place is amazing for anyone, but for a kid from Pennsylvania it was overwhelming. And when I arrived at the summit it seemed like I had just been there the previous week. The way it took me back to childhood, and bidding farewell to my wife and daughter at the summit, and realizing in the first minute of my run that this week would be the anniversary of my father's death, unexpectedly turned it into an emotional experience. I was worried I'd have two red vertical streaks of sunburn on my face from tears washing away sunblock (I didn't.) Dad, this is dedicated to you.
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The route breaks naturally into two pieces: the Sliding Sands Trail from the summit to Paliku Cabin, and Kaupo Gap Trail from Paliku Cabin to the bottom ((the trail plus a little bit of road to the ocean.)
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<b>The Volcano Part 1: Haleakala Summit to Paliku via Sliding Sands Trail</b>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG6vCTGw12DuNUIiJH9jXdscbnEU8nMLIC62X64DYpGHa2EJrnbGVH2wCeNX8H2hgZ6-6WeXPqEgr2YnouXipaJz_4AWoAyBkFJ1Vrm3GGZg40zIc8LXY6b4zJdtZYnV0XVIkm32n2P7d3e57_Xp7kFsjqdVEIf0tSeU2tfKU_DpmIXbE8F2Dp0lxBDA/s1600/PXL_20220321_182356836.jpg"/></img><br/>
The first view from above the cloud deck as I drove up the volcano.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdkGhLxBbXTr1bShlPfLr38zQMp5V7kPQWG_lVDUkB9gqzx_jB7ZIfedoDTDqsrIm2pAhB_FClqPLg-QvMlJ04T5fXULnK0B13Jrrvq9cqbJtoPYGvHZBf8wFQf-oth2EXQCNtgNZm7AA9sMSvEmVN2EwAySGPbACNgFIo4ltPC1gj_NpCIfctIc8_g/s1600/PXL_20220321_184646492.jpg"/></img><br/>
This sign obviously doesn't apply to seasoned adventurers like myself.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4Yz8r3FoQKfeQCrBXv_AYArDEXMOv9s2fwkuWr6arOwwkWHTnSyLF7TkPMS43hg9yAy31gYIhuvS_9CIg2CpRgSicvBVP3Oh9GBJzFRkqDcc-mPpm26ahJMim-6iKZ-hNMwvXIZ06bUszdWFwhlKrxTY1UoHGdCRmEYR5MjdOOsrAxNEhstV8J7zxQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_184801387.jpg"/></img><br/>
Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea over on the Big Island. To my right the other islands south of Maui (Kaho'olawe and Lanai) seemed very far below.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgv88ZSwnjQTjiLnp359kew6scxzWvQz6mwC7gvCozQUzb8LLqsZ-YGzjxwxeZM2CZRjZAa8hbRMFVsIDu1z2IYKjSU5kgIbcBnWip20aOQLm6SLcBjC-qWF9prZAFiH0sDBTCJRuoTOpTPyeNgumYe2ItpIh5WqrYiNCQLebO9hlZI-ESfdoTc_0lw/s1600/PXL_20220321_184847534.jpg"/></img><br/>
This whole thing is a scam, and I just had a sign made. This was actually taken on my back porch.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcuNMnETaeESNkJP4TzsXhGCeJB8Q5x2wVHABmH2spwXEoNxecdgB2IUvuZBIGWBsztI9tU9K5cDQ-EmbMR_Esdu1ZhCyWWC5syv4IBCmUC6Lww4ICTCQKkvyU7b1ynW6q4LqCFFz_AuX1xIjAE0JtaehybCTg83BZ4djCWLqaEdzkAS-RtXpfPW4KQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_184914204.jpg"/></img><br/>
The observatory. This is where <a href="https://speculative-nonfiction.blogspot.com/2018/08/no-radio-signals-from-oumuamua.html" target="_blank">'Oumuamua was discovered.</a>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZrqwNrL4LTAwnJIq0617QgWv0NAYnQOTogyuj3k1fr7p5xbb_22iZ-lsgdQYJBhX9GEATbe6uwmRpnd3MMlGfdIj6Xn_rxmwIcb6VY5PSIGH7BgWlisKNIp4OzIFJ6qUL9gsikBKjCFX0_qMkQM8Vjl6h080ZnRZc15XPK8kW905-M4FdrvQJB4e6g/s1600/PXL_20220321_185000620.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
To get from the summit building to the trailhead, you walk down the road toward the lower parking area to pick up Slidings Sands. I kissed my family goodbye in the summit parking lot (it was cold and they wisely didn't want to spend much time outside the car) and began my descent. There was a sign and orange plastic post at the Sliding Sands Trailhead saying it was closed, but there was a group in the parking area that said they'd just asked a ranger who said it was fine. The poor marking begins immediately! Inauspicious! (Turns out that besides this, the marking was actually fine until the very bottom of Kaupo Gap Trail.) This is the view into the crater from the trailhead. <br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiDWArGsseWzr5aCz8AeFWLfBTG_i-jhkwk1jJgif4dWsm7cefF9Q0EEy2M9mztl6jRlzd0QFLqVvTn0GSgyrcmHtHEyNxkbOOZron9BE3JKDOHlHB9wk5TdIw6uJjCK_zacSb7E6EdMZSuvETjS-jE0HGlrQL4RBFNISklyeZbAqeCdEdq0ImWbv2w/s1600/PXL_20220321_190838963.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzRyBh-afzPGYabRNF3KGhRNxzqAolJZgzLGBofMJzNvW2hw9GhFeNfeHRfhjCtzd8mcSMfpla-Xqpsp0POGqmqDLTrqqXbjgMKylA7bgHs574sUXsfY_UPrhGv3r7R8H4d12ss4pWbLAewBsg1uE4mKnqhqJkj1jDRnrLBqss93nkSB7qy5CXuzF6A/s1600/PXL_20220321_191427616.jpg"/></img><br/>
Looking back up as the trail descends into the crater. You lose the first 2000' in about the first 3 miles, then it's much flatter after that. In fact there's some mild uphill a couple miles before Paliku.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegbxm2wM_26SM34VV2bnw9a7U_2qBSi-Dz80lR6jVPVyWnK9rYD8O3vSOKcYqb5dzEMJF8dLNvAHo8dBwdttcC_eMB_TnfIAYx5fHzcwkb0W-1Iwb8xu32HYjHT5OeMmR2TlIiqwzHNgwFya0jx_4Ju7azuolemtNqgwpg0V_YUaZUdrMmSn_oTvspg/s1600/PXL_20220321_191431759.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhH9fm5pT5w9EJqn4ltzMxhBkrobVII31-BH43h2Rps_AAJXJEIhmMFH8DTNu79RA1JpOigjgWpVlUAGo4Xgplmkm8hb989DkiT7PfkmA4JLL_1Fwea4OS5sIqLwvK__GCDo45ukTzOw9ARJ_t8CnB1OFNwpvbIr31UjBZs16J2B8hdA9SCmwuH4xFw/s1600/PXL_20220321_191444872.jpg"/></img><br/>
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<br/>I don't know who this fellow was; doesn't look like a young nene to me.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaYUwM2NAKFuD_K6ATY7ZDgfL34OMLaWKf-J5p9pgzX0pRINKRuEM5kar7dF7SF_PqNRUr8A5zaJ_Ev8M_A4zVpHj97WobmadSh08CWGafFEWXWKyzlJCzayWUTJr-oMXCeU5dBIYKyWBpIYzltmxDHjgdqZV0taXsGlxgHUVErtce6vnT5mlgXvn4Q/s1600/PXL_20220321_191450282.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBFBar08YhUh85ftU0xnS4VqwWumsJYf_lyNuA_nrjTGipeUzM0A8UV6x6ZqLX7eas_EEsTtfErDkRDW5MkzQHGNNceUaFk1KInT7ikLH27pj5nqGtKrDLkJWq_utcjnG1h5Ng_Pi7gA7k1BHKeziwSaQ42zGt73VfPea6aWDtM7KKJfiAbT66t92Nw/s1600/PXL_20220321_191710832.jpg"/></img><br/>
When you're somewhere like this, where you have little similar experience in the natural world to help you relate, you start thinking of metaphors in man-made abstractions. You start thinking things like "This area looks like if Rothko had a diagonal period."<br/>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByY61VpaVRVtNzDcVCuG6DmN3VxTPRbzFtExRJoDardyx9Wg-erXWfDpWjeFkVztYxeyzrYwtPS0OTso3pS89oWN1EyWswS0GaUgz2t33hKQMY9gPu_Opl4D22t_y_ahk72r15CiKcgX6b1SlgV6MmwQ8GHVt1HGIAvV840vcoUykpltgvTN8zDke6A/s1600/PXL_20220321_191950161.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkhhj5sBNhQSq2z5j01pv8vyFtZ3ko4ZfkopNN2-qKFjEUtff25xAvS8AgVoBpIAsI41pKrhirKfUqiawT6vKJ27IhI7qQhFyxeNCNbDvku8_LktU2HDlcQA4o-iAfelZwJD3K5SGwvICWOlE7cIZdqwWwrNuNju4kRTApENzntLYeEZ22fRnJNgOAA/s1600/PXL_20220321_192305766.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DuHYYWUMRYcn1GSKPPpc4FT1Kyt9SHKccQyDObC-uxZKBkLYo57CZVOYLaTSrMCZomEXpJ2OY_BxEBHBYwS1g_ncPl_2SSvsFNhSAdMqhDEfKYOKfvB5aVbW5vJxfv39SBYxgLZeL58EzQ9vadR-Qm0mqsobjYUInCZ45PlN-2uxKZ4Lun-827xfwg/s1600/PXL_20220321_192454355.jpg"/></img><br/>
This is not a silversword, but it's still weird, as you'd expect the plants that survive on the summit plateau to be. In general, inside the crater it looks the set for a Star Trek landing scene (though I saw no Gorn.) In <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2014/05/new-zealand-may-2014.html" target="_blank">New Zealand I'd noticed</a> that it always seemed at any given elevation that you're higher than you actually are; there's effectively an Alpine meadow near Queenstown around 3,000'. My theory is that New Zealand's flora is all evolved from wussy South Pacific plants that can't handle low temperatures, whereas Hawai'i is just barely close enough to North America that it has some plants from California's mountains and with some tweaks they're a bit more adaptable to cold and extremes - like silverswords.<br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDAevxcOk86JDwlvoxRnd5WDVhlGmD8OH8ka0KMsWOi2fnVG35bQ_5tTwgIhqsaM-Uc5KEzQ4LHX5xbaUqphd7lyARqmGE7BVLr9UBez47erm1vYtcqd_o6tCT_kKGFCvxrCgvBd9h4_pF5S8YQwcJXH9zmfLB5JiLXXSjU9JHtslZnGs_cKbQs-JSQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_193443266.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGL8AhhOx5ofP3Xi3yYWop0QL8LmA76RjFa1L0IJA-8DoYDU_m1RBdEehA760AoPlNmRy65bDqjxE1uCaa4pCuK73TkMnRFkcAG9lc1GQHuHgxJi84vWeUrN-YotkD5R307I0GSClMDFMOZhU-Jb4GkBMk7-gAAFFX1Q9R3M9PsBb3SPtvf2X0317pw/s1600/PXL_20220321_193702627.jpg"/></img><br/>
Now <a href="https://www.nps.gov/hale/learn/nature/silversword.htm" target="_blank">those are silverswords</a>. They're descended from California tarweeds (below, <a href="https://landislab.org/assets/research/pdf/Landis_et_al_2018_Evolution_silversword_radiation.pdf" target="_blank">divergence time about five million years</a>) and though that's recent by evolutionary standards, the two plants look nothing alike. In fact, they're used as an example of the limits of morphological difference per genetic change. That is, this is about as different as one organism can look from a related one, on a per-mutation basis. One of its tricks is that the curvature of the leaves focuses heat out toward the more exposed, vulnerable tips. I presume, but don't know for sure, that the silvery coloration is an adaptation to high UV.<br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt4MTgSDAJspBEt18SPt4R35iSw9Yp1OPiuAVY3MxufuUFcUT1p5cILbsubvNphM2mLJmMXh3GEgG5Z0HtRQrS2m1xNt1xi3wmtO5jNciRLjf8PTh-AZYrl98jmsr7GTHipElBlUDKOodS36-P4CNjCR0f8RfMx4FQnpcDQODKUEX-9trsxYUqGFXrQ/s320/tarweed.png"/></img>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyV5DAMcfPdXBjc247RriCiQujqXMz-k3r767JqiFJ858jAuhmprxqwti4J07X7EIjF5np6Uop_0frameurPl-56ODDHdm3K62RHfW3yBB7A6jymcVCtdXvbziNRj0RlHxrpDqYBnbppslhViy17iDttdFLW55M4dACdu-87iROuZ-rH85BUlTd6L_bQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_193907817.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZHQ1xOmGWtME7b8huqP7kAgLgbEmazZurQ5s4_iSIWE6uMueorRfsovik-RMHEbGGI_ZaasfbwPZtJxSdkJRp7rT4JS8gT2s-hHiWjNR4kt0jLuKCCxo_flVgcno_TFJLMBXtQ-ytJ9x9di67fGMw3tWp3eKY36E00Ymt1TfPCW8vh-MI5P49eMwKg/s1600/PXL_20220321_194104962.jpg"/></img><br/>
No, this is not a picture from Perseverance Rover. In fact in some of these you can see people on the trail if you zoom in. I saw less than 20 people in 8 hours, all of them in the barren part of the crater except one; one more coming the other way as I approached Paliku; and then none on Kaupo Gap. <br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDrU8oWi9iJVx7V7b_smYEXRaGvWKoAtXy2wXoCPrr4mzxgGU_6qr3xhZvv2XdDcgTEI6QBGFKQIORKLhhAAtiXGS7l_pmOLORtHqW01ufYiwB4KwWkHhh0oSIRayubY62DG6gcNtmM_WSEofrBmM1ERWOArvRHpV-6mb0kWV8WZp3KuHYL67ZkHFDw/s1600/PXL_20220321_194153267.jpg"/></img><br/>
There are other trails throughout the crater approaching some of the cinder cones and lava tubes but I was focused on my route, to get to the other end of the crater and descend through the gap. If I get back to Haleakala I will be exploring those.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyd2B7qY8SJbgI0SzkQdsmWvQtW7aW-ZMCUrWHm9hY-Qz5-qwwnaqBR5rD-Z9_t83QSCoqVlSZD8xAJiTYKpg2ub_-g53Zyj81X163bSg7xhg2PVyvFXze-BqlVEzIjeKkappzMVOMowUptWpQD97hKIWow0VcLaXmHhVXCZhHDtADwGqILYGTyBYPg/s1600/PXL_20220321_194225201.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkkZzNrYNzl6UyIUnJDxR_B9vjrR2qhdMHHFi8Jg_sb9KOywsvEK9iuPmkZatHFQ6CwqusVLH0vP8yTheA9yqCDcURaKZ2ASBgPXdfp_7oLYNQS8KGbIGS8WdJhIgi_VeQa2SRldLQfoDgVMzbJXafmlM88xkL617wx_DnIH5hZdstbXnJVsjpsQmSQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_194427939.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3Y_3v2mkDWepnUktW7P_ih7yOpNhXvt5cO3VMvLFveEcANjywS0O-_k67xhPQWQXLaJZnTO5g6KXEsmAw6JXsHI35DAUzEMEFLiJb6C99f5SPyN0eT4pIEUiAfI1ZfUkoL9GIIHWb2FHjm4R_dtFfal9zPbZaIuXkLaA4fueDbNsMoNyAK64VkpqUQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_194829332.jpg"/></img><br/>
More silverswords.
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXBKd5g9LDxGoA3aVSQKAMvKI-n-r_ckHcxlrvx_y8uRwz95b_btAhzWoeDTlkbEPG8_yYGvku9UCxR73G6VdJh2vV2_Uw74m8xlhNs-UZjDh30SdzeG2mcJ8t0TvaxFeuOibjiQLr8f_EFmNGW5_ZArbWL7i5D5agRsoeeeMmsecMdBEP_gGVjVNVA/s1600/PXL_20220321_195032593.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJauUVZO_mvpj8EQZsK6m-Fg411HGui8WKymPKfkO_aifPJNAHQIb1iO7XjypFg64n0eQqRlfRT_l4Kf3gHBpFe7ryM0rSk7Xn9NXqhmqVG_0gGI7JfOFOaRO_KGLNaM0QloZhoDLhK6ZpuwWA4Rm076jaAph3DwhrJnIabCTK1KTDKQD4GSbsaoL1Nw/s1600/PXL_20220321_195521595.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFPfEd4HaCrDmvjQv-wL8Xk-d1Ygkq57jaUX1NVE6ux8lAyo-71T4X_IPQUvEEWGzdei5vHQlTVVKgtK2wFnOhVEpHqD028TMGltXF8gVMmUCDBT6MgMUVmnbyN6a8U23vDCzBZT_nbOa13mtEwU4LPWKReqelgy5kKCz21CSXjTPtZFkg9sWFH2ZYw/s1600/PXL_20220321_195527771.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R7-csI-XYWw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLQDzm84RbzXQSQX--Si2gv-6Fo6ZthiT2G20JuAz5cLT3XnPISqN0EhrQGIQAZYExf-jZA-nhkpd6CqqG4HasHMKCCzPX7b2pUvp4Gx8uhVF_jrUtqjgPXq9oqtwW0YDHBTv84ZadpFFgOxNchT2cM7vQUut0w2gQvCSt_d9vDWVCPGejp12z6-UeQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_195946175.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBx0X1ThbUQteg5BNjkiEqenK0V9cK1V1NfD3Gc8Zn27hjPoMzT7Y8Vb260h2YQOI3gxb6H62A_qsToxiA2srsZ3omJiyVfBjEX0Js50F8c9LP2qr6ZUsoi5OAF1-FIoGSqZWdeYwWFO1Rsupih4TLDetwncJVPy0lYazv2rChbkD9dOLoRoLd4e9AdA/s1600/PXL_20220321_200301561.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bHK6ZbzsfNI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOc5Ns-e3nGv1tR6lhR-XbmdenmMz_Wjt0KR-LX4rMq66dLPCCrEEL3_lJOHiWR6t_gQjUi-9v8hRkcx5sMSWE-yZYP3WGFxK8QXo3O1SBf0QwJpeedCnHMqjwgZLi2edTD0GrY4JD6b70-MZOIDV1Rw67_CqNPgFHATQZcgTTOvD3lUibc6sATdKp0Q/s1600/PXL_20220321_200430630.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfyFlrSSoFl-I-2TiUqQAQ5I7HrgTZEwrJnWH-mGOg-rSk-fC6_MygLnSRifC5lwEwCqCAFGGcjffRSqPxukFrODPzidN-6_MLLzdin6XpUUkD9EwjJlE0jsUm5-5FW0QldMEnv-DC5RWR1IfgCA5l0Gu8BakMYt3DPBcucxbhjX-s0sVA9SaRE94Bg/s1600/PXL_20220321_201418744.jpg"/></img><br/>
The signs seemed a bit absurd.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0TeLd0Ogc8krqs_to1D8XD9hBnZRyP3iND7kdQa_Z0Urp_70P_V8IiHwlQXv-C40i0e5ajktoYW8VNFrB2_rn-IGkNpT9TXhya6wgvgu8J91I6oJXffJ40XFm3dEJE6XzQZuXKW2WFYYbMMkFOax98mYwPuKWfntFSz3MEcdUpS-C6v_jj_Me2WF5Q/s1600/PXL_20220321_201427174.jpg"/></img><br/>
I'd lost enough elevation that you can see the vegetation is starting to increase, and the clouds (previously below me) were getting closer to the trail elevation. This was really where the flat sandy portion of the trail began. It wasn't as bad as some of the reports have said, and at no point did the elevation bother me. But then again, if I had already come UP Kaupo Gap and I had to get through a few miles of this at elevation in the second half of the hike, it might be more annoying.<br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TyKbDRuecmv8_gjlGlsOa-Y8WP2jH-o9IZ5l4F5Z_XNmANm2akUClbcMQUHwW5aBli4q9VTeA1VO8lgD39enAZ66vazFEkjRmx3tA09F1hTIK3QjTKxFeQwwAgZM-mGHwdzC7-NeBHxzmT1vHtEOWHJLcUPyUZIIdqskpS3tad2xoFEV5s-onzCo3w/s1600/PXL_20220321_201443227.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XxADCtTb_Uw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7nx0tIXmDzsK413qWJKljASyhF2j-hfqnqXHL7-96OjuMWJrbjGP-GxUh3o-MwXovpTrL2_aSmuhpjWa1klcWC6qNaWbriXTyfnRBWRKuHUJaWOyqiMPUOeD2q13Tji3Ob9aFZGCxFPmYWeCpo1WVlMKwbjS0FICo0Yfqcuxlb86GrkTmPDku40PLw/s1600/PXL_20220321_201457302.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_NqRdBSy_kU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbDXEJC3k3POL0RbwhzioXvgPz5pDYkdwE1ZzFKSa1Ll8rNVwu4-cCqurl7rwCX8FC1t8SSVHHTV4sILR-AFzePAWGKeQOd_KZ_t_zKokleJ2142v1fTgegiZBDME96QeIavO4bYs0GD4QT9w-RH4Q9KilakUhdumlhVea6zP9JcRoBuqebdWFLarEQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_202244568.jpg"/></img><br/>
There are also related <a href="http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/carr/agra.htm" target="_blank">greenswords</a> that grow at lower elevations. It seemed like the lower I got, the greener the silverswords were.<br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdieipojwy7fCrAbzS7gqQBtsB5o4QL7PrbEgF8Tw1faBsBSKZpnbMr5B5rqWnx8Mll-qpwBkWtMUqM9jLxhEbEvSBVk9Q1oDqG9ng3enLjeOOd_wfRDqHtV4sahkUG1PXPfqENly2TUJso6K7Bn5G2yso3zr-SUwM9XDYPSnCwyoUs43qzsZPFUYlfA/s1600/PXL_20220321_202254503.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSgVooZO1CD7_KBztPJ-ZOsGDz7Zmxo7hEWzW6qrinL5GdzGVd-1BKPuAoodUZomEO12QnwtNEo2vIRKWGA8GTXEu4Va9vArvSSLCTz2V4fNScPnY0HUQp0I8uyxqeNGriEjftJRNCarHGiUlRwJxeSaGUNT6LlW-PQblukfyIx9Zz1sPhlHZj73xWQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_202259838.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi0fetu4XqFGfUS8xexCDhASq9iJHt7nqV51XzIH2DBBTFT_Fz5Q2oYFp2LPI8SvQ8Nv7A9c8UD-uZqZBd4mwOJpnZ1BvMYFsUq8OyMbliqROTK1Xp5T4RttsNCJ-HUGISDs87W5ii8BJ1botj3f4bBl5gh2H6Y6gWkFaOvK4wPrNcPNPZksmIv2tQA/s1600/PXL_20220321_202627553.jpg"/></img><br/>
I know of two myths about Haleakala. One is that Maui's grandmother wanted to dry her laundry but the sun passed over too quickly - so Maui went up on top of Haleakala, threatened the sun that if he didn't slow down he would chop off all his legs, ie sunbeams (doing just that to one of two of them) and kept the sun tied to Haleakala to slow it in its passage. Hence the name of the mountain which means House of the Sun. The other is that the volcano goddess Pelee lived here, had a fight with another goddess, and lost, and had to move to the Big Island. This second one is an attempt to explain why Haleakala no longer erupts, while the first might explain why the sun is stronger at the summit; also how tidal drag has slowed the Earth's rotation over time, decreasing the length of the day from (for example during the Devonian) 20 hours. Oh you don't think so? You don't think the Hawaiian creation myths are real? Well guess what, ever since we stopped teaching in schools that the islands were formed by Maui pulling them up from the seafloor with his hook, kids are growing up with no moral compass and that's why we have mass shootings in this country now.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzWqme7fQTn6fngI0mEF9dFCMC4p9pKkQwreqtMTo97qOsZIU-oV2kJ-j8GVbHRA24GMS3hxwOPqarITD83wXSWSMRzGc8P08ZrZTC6Xxp8sTvBJE87LvwP5AnbWnE1aJNZdO_XKWwGdr_6lcRVMH9p7VxtLkDXWRJmn5_RJWEZh5Fpqrab1qDe3UvA/s1600/PXL_20220321_203043212.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfWZylgmqeTSwVm10kGt4Aghl3VJUKfdoldgOqFFtRGS5DdKQZbcVxKIcRXyKjV1IiF-EZAatufSVH3ak9AYVkaRruY44wKtu1_6EuFfpk9kwMexECoyRr2qaDPXj9Mke0SjoX4v77qNjGkhE23Cci8gZf2tI_N1V-4fFUe5-ngzhwUplSvEpQuYwfA/s1600/PXL_20220321_203123537.jpg"/></img><br/>
If you want to sleep overnight in the crater in the more Martian part, there's a cabin at Kapalaoa.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyOfgaOzIIog79KwTnGhJQS8X2gjPl2GswQ7mi0j0vKLjz8B2NOPvOSF69ejGmakY71ezhBmN0MreI7kikvgf7seQHkwYxkXSN4kJr8xdMmYBphLxVQF0MPm_p9zHDr0c2byUsPQ_iLJ7lT4GXFcSAyG3RRNMMbmKeZoV0AqEHTaQ72iBBx0mVsXTqA/s1600/PXL_20220321_203501356.jpg"/></img><br/>
A question people often have is when Haleakala last erupted - latest was 1600, although I think that refers to the flow lower down by the ocean at Makena and Hoapili Trail. I don't know stats on when the last activity in the crater was. As per usual, when I was in there I jumped up and down a bunch to make it erupt. No dice. Didn't work on Shasta or Hood either. I might need to find a new method.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9G9DPLFxmz6R6-oIzzwDQbqNm_wV12nXQyWg24czCdBmcPGAx4uZ5mEvSh_bTmUCJd8x1LDz1ADBVnGNTe4j7XyE77d9M-DKkrLEkiSZQ6gSEodly8hMICEPKK61hLuJ9lKGsxAQkn96LiNJxMe8YFcrAw6P0_lNtzAE4-Cm_h4RzieVXxC9yEWf7g/s1600/PXL_20220321_204631756.jpg"/></img><br/>
The trails and signage inside the crater were never a problem, except within half a mile of Paliku there was a ~200 yard side trail that joined back with the main one anyway.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e8fjjzCf6YWkf2vQusoIzatgOLJa2ylLPbTjUcm4f58s82qulUrwB5ivpFsGHegSC9mD62PN0CE2Tai8nCTxZ6TbnLAfuXWCnPciPYwxaOQAqBvIhqJghueNree3YBbqB8VsRUSplp-qVJ_Dl6i43MbT79xrehBiBtA2RyvgXHpt7E61PlyCygU_SQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_210431327.jpg"/></img><br/>
After Kapalaoa the vegetation picked up but the trail was never difficult to find. At this point the surface was less sand or gravel and more solid basalt - that is to say, the floor was lava. ZING<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDPRMYvhuCBQssN9UwO4jFFe61-NSQdHnSGK8RUvqUTpDGk4yZR-zWmJ3zu96EWWMtkl26F48fKCRN-EV-rd53pseMfji8pe0PlmQ7bo1g4kSpAq0qZ6nJGLmpRlnEsjkaPRPWGRHqBO73hDugCgTV2nX09ryFvjX2c7QBIpdeHj3lVUdBouo_5_oOw/s1600/PXL_20220321_210507089.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuRwPC961FsNtWoP4XJrHGERs_X_dRWU1owEoc1vHH8b-9zzrLxtN3HNZewJ_aQf0d0eCfkImEJJio0Oo7N4IkIDJciJgSbyg8WUvU8JHrG40XXgyiuQVeYmwK4-c_PezkLVhcrwZNGCkBFID-Wa2l415381G-QmWLnB2LjJDn6jAdXd3aPysPD91wg/s1600/PXL_20220321_210753599.jpg"/></img><br/>
Around this point I started hearing nene flying around honking in the clouds fairly regularly (other than possibly that one guy right at the beginning, I didn't see any in the more barren part of the crater.) They sound like their Canada goose relatives (divergence time a little over a million years - see <a href="http://www.timetree.org" target="_blank">timetree.org</a>) though with a honk that is more extreme - that is, starts on a lower pitch and jumps to a higher pitch than Canada geese.<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpF7vpegk_QdJKgKzxszoSh3uu29gkjXp0zkWkQnpTg4Lhz06wLQQSMUUIdYhy0EQiCqb5qZyhJ21zWcumilG5mmp3w9oN_wKZewxytSLLrUJsaY2X-XUuE04kbrfVeZzRIIdHXOi3PsqeEm8aI-XCfAwxV-APmt945IrHioJZOIBzgHY9n7YPqWZdKw/s1600/goosedivergence.PNG"/></img>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhEuRU8etWQErJvS06UCjosHElKIzsjAEUyJP4qeD_4s6iQ4z7Td1t7PXXhB3r2HRx7WJ_wrfnHJfTmnlM4UNe_nNRMVehMbReNZTCCQEObuaImd_7XuN-3VrFYPshzma3FnAzg-ycirPHzsYanXz_gWtRM-IAHx0dPF4iA-BFoj2smRcvJ6mN1FEvA/s1600/PXL_20220321_211607830.jpg"/></img><br/>
Who would cross the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three<br/><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEbXyeksLIMAVUK9mKcPqrrPSEKsrZSaQGWVl65OQoxXGRmMQl18zpOTzPXgmrzsKz78uojd1KiV4NSpDTuIJpHikrOc936C4UaxsdipCd8NSNJy3nMy-muZO0AfAUNvQn0VZ-U7gdw9AJhZ0fe5Uc8Clg5bNBVbss-CaVQhmF9a2CvF_4Q7JfIyFuw/s1600/PXL_20220321_212329462.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgenWcIerx8i9Dbiu-RMjJlnZ7i1lfLo4K2ueMtnNm2JmSwb46e2psOO1rd0guPThH3SmMxtKDZI9B1kcIViAiDWsyTNUQKCgr27XlqxtaoLwvMHg1WdN1tJzdQ_c76VMCGl0nA0DkWynYlmL4kKIOekZ8QwbPo9BKWX2MHkBzL2ivGtXIZpEEy41LA/s1600/PXL_20220321_212627893.jpg"/></img><br/>
A small lava tube under the trail.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfjJRp2xw1C_s3hKJZM9lRm9deQ_BqockYyouiwTsEvHjU7pZLHofw6n11FAF8MwF824hEhKs1YCIIFsmxoWnUFQ0hcaBKv6M1JzKgARIzojeV0lF8yVIK4FNvr_3eh0BTGoaSyEDulpLsDT8kSzR_5uq4wWVm2wgy8Gvt7vcNH06NvoHMHiQeBoVWA/s1600/PXL_20220321_213019524.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrc8V1qguKUuLv3hRdNUmXM4mNwvb2bl2n4iN_hifUY6Q-BLEFmIIXCcpg8PoZfR3ASpkzK7FmTdFToO1hLhy6GQYQhi87NhdcdGWJyjPnGQcaRJnd_HXoXlvsxDpckyPmlCGCUK07xe_4ppG95yjuNOzlaU4IGXusn3gN-o3XGZnTnYRrHVsdmNb6rA/s1600/PXL_20220321_213042953.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuM5aqQAI5o_ZQL602Ess7O1jWt5GdnWXx5EegiUA9Ii8Q0Lcr2MpcZxDPa7e8TNVq3a8km9nAC2jcHsHXbgeZqEZkSM45VwccWGpCL8pS3-BLWzrqf_LdxSzLpAgN-a9D2cfZkFXh63q0yjCIw5CsobWCdDC4B4I2Rn19CMn3lsjBlBfBZx3wp6BBg/s1600/PXL_20220321_213058767.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEL6Fj_6oTobgwuSTUW2bVT_9El8_jW8SwodlVVyk8CSueg4hCEubmbU5y7s1BriAL9IZgin6B5WOZ3Wg9rB8ea7Q-TG61z0XtkSXUQy8HWF3CtzQZsX51qiLIigmsRIDWpL65YoSlPHFe-SPBBNdNUrFifyCsuP6uZL_5aacZhubO3HfYfvl-aAtZA/s1600/PXL_20220321_213107615.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4kZ5wP4Fkdq-yZfXO7-HFToy4yNSLaUx6ua1orFv4WkBryaePtxPZVgpcO9s3tizl5q8KNMnqMaBZQctnE5ol67G-N3y_Qfof5UdEPv5OgqcNZNoCGRX75bK1BOFo72wWSkzWRS-TadxQPI22PQZJOd0etfbUEq0P4nZqsvl0CUZHwVJIAB2ueY2Sw/s1600/PXL_20220321_213128678.jpg"/></img><br/>
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<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ej7p4oMGKCo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvg9uAOZtEB3YwKNC_rgAIwguCdLjWZczcc-H4eiI01Je4ZI9YNZ8YV33UxcXjdVVSIkMYJMXyHk0eYkgriXmR0MuFBgJvu7N9EZTfni1yfzBNj5FIfUVwHjceTcaaH4c6fba_wU7Zkky7zL1mKs-M_3XJjWCSpfx9OELGEwflTZcDnBri-jIS55iTQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_213330793.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vomD85g4B5N9bDG9D4AoPlQ7T9-L4C-hOA66PLf0tUOp0Lxde5iZxc_RgygPdWjvIG4cdGKjmCIFAXQrFfrh6wPOpm_QqXREnLiH3HbN0AoseDKt841cH2AEChQugGj6jbk1rJSmo-S40ONEkchuubHEKFhzBUEFOp1RJHsCVxNHZzpoHsVSp64M3Q/s1600/PXL_20220321_213339009.jpg"/></img><br/>
Yeah okay I <i>get</i> it. It's<i> lava</i>. I'm on a <i>volcano</i>. Relax.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fqWMIkBQDPcUMbPg62tqla3EWDv1cKfT_X83ddJs9TT3Gj4PSTrk-Vmf_AX3tAdvTKGdqADDtcziwYy5DKWXC0KV5ZypyyEqCJy0mx7GTh8JJ3LXU0FEUEBsDzY56ZsoiNs1zvLvCqtQuyt7VsSSJQjUzgtjTPB_qhlQk_9UJhKtAy-x1svW9xFoGQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_214344768.jpg"/></img><br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe7yjaVnNAWw5-reJE9jhBD2f-9m_obcEh9DOK34Rs4lCDB1Wp_Vk9-F24gKzK1xOu3PUUkGVtzw6Ab2_tCoSkfzK3_cLuSjcKTZ6DlZdDThN-O0C8V2YhHaptv7BPMv2WCtNg_4KpS7vayIeRf3b3mOg0fvNJK0NOS2n0lSHOpAlCAGpuOKbgjSEHA/s1600/PXL_20220321_215605527.jpg"/></img><br/>
Right around here I saw my last human of the day (until a guy on a 4-wheeler as I walked down the road from the ranch.) I hadn't seen anyone since before Kapalaoa at this point.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD5_k2SYFF1IJayj6Abcsc6Qq79dAfOe6bou2D-lWVfAVH572XY_IXM3H8-XjXvj_-EYynAmq9jWFgAduT94R_U0Fm0RUlWomaoMJYl7RLu__tgr7AhCT30TcccFSUTXaUFNFGc1etbYbbFMlJbBZgXkeDRac9ZL9LlEECEjWnKhAD8T-I1vav8HLSQ/s1600/PXL_20220321_215741489.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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Sliding Sands ends at an intersection with a 0.2 mile spur to Paliku, and Kaupo Gap Trail. At this point you're at about 7000'. There is water at Paliku, but there are signs that it's non-potable - okay, I have a filter, fine - but even after I filtered it, it looked a bit greenish and tasted odd, so I kept it as an emergency reseve. I called the NPS ahead of my hike and they did not guarantee there would be water there, and they have no way of monitoring it. <br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJZIqcON8ptt3U8_zAaraT6M0eBQekEEV-phTonPKPm_TSNDkPqxGYvqzJVuctNKIXdVoOMxpXKSQO4Umn_1Zf0Cx5DcOBz43MwPCm1LGW1NTI6DUj3gu33_1EMd7UR8VEUnyOU-WQ4E6iSL7J3CS_O6sd4BNF4t5bf19U-6AuAxLZ19ml3KrzVSsSw/s1600/PXL_20220321_220345375.jpg"/></img><br/>
It was here that I had my only "negative" wildlife encounter. See that faucet behind those honking idiots? That's the water source at Paliku. This (what I presume to be) husband and wife pair were extremely comfortable standing <i>right goddamn there</i> and they were not at all interested in my explanation that I needed water, as you will see.<br/><br/><br/>
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I don't know if the raised back foot is the bird version of giving the bird. But I now realize I misunderstood them: I thought they were guarding the water from me. I now realize they were warning me in vain not to go down Kaupo Gap Trail...<br/><br/><br/>
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Since they wouldn't move I plucked those silly bastids to show em what's what. Kidding! The nenes were gone when I came back and there were nene feathers actually littering the ground around the Paliku shelter. <br/>
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<b>The Volcano Part 2: Paliku to the Ocean via Kaupo Gap Trail</b>
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<i>Life-savers. Whowever did this, park rangers, local hikers, the demigod Maui, thank you.</i>
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<b>Notes on trail conditions on Kaupo Gap Trail as of 3/21/2022: </b>Heading down, the pink ribbons begin literally exactly at the intersection with Sliding Sands and the Paliku Spur. <b> FOLLOW THE PINK FLAGS.</b> Without those, this trail would be completely un-navigable. I studied others' videos, text descriptions, satellite images, etc. Once I was on the actual trail, I referred to that only once - the pink flags were far and away the most useful navigation tool. I never counted more than 120 paces between flags, usually fewer than 100. There were occasionally flags of other colors too, moreso near the top, but I don't know what they mean and ignored them. The flags continue onto the Kaupo Ranch easement part of the trail and I only got lost once, at the very end (more below.)
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Trail conditions in the park section of the trail were as advertised- very overgrown, constantly pushing branches out of your face, grass wrapping around/sticks scratching at your ankles. Furthermore you usually can't see where you're stepping and the ground drops away quickly, the grass is slippery, and there are unseen lava rocks rolling around underneath all that vegetation. Plus I was in clouds pretty much the whole time so whether it was actively misting on me or not, I was soaking wet the whole time from water flowing onto me from the vegetation. It was warm enough that it was refreshing rather than chilling, but still - I made a point of trying to accept that these would be the conditions and I think that helped psychologically. I'm sympathetic with the NPS trying to mark the trail since they don't have many tropical parks and the usual system of trail marking is quickly overwhelmed (though I checked online discussions about Virgin Islands National Park in the Caribbean and they don't seem to have the same problem.<br/>
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My apologies for not having more pictures of the rainforest. It was a combination of wanting to get through it, and my phone malfunctioning when I had it on battery-saver mode. You can get an idea because above, you are looking directly down the trail. See it? Me neither. And three miles of that. (Don't believe me? <a href="https://www.halfwayanywhere.com/united-states/hawaii/haleakala-day-2-kaupo-gap-trail/" target="_blank">See here also</a>.)<br/><br/><br/>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTGfntmB2adrXRe4KyIvUS6C_7wUshP6EmfaBbkJXrjsW1SZNgi_RyRbG8NEV4vd5D4Do_RuKSLH_CqJMO4ETa3LYdKevIvWRxvVeuOQ5xeZvgSD-MGfKsSYOHt5CLczA5koQtoNU6BzjaPdq7q9vV-whIRjm-gSFNfXidfxi0esISlecJABGUbVwPA/s1600/PXL_20220321_224329274.jpg"/></img><br/>
It was here that I accidentally walked into a Tang landscape painting. I kind of expected this in China (<a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/06/china-march-2016.html" target="_blank">see Ermei-Shan section here</a>) but not so much on Maui.
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This is a very bushy fuzzy lichen I saw growing on jumbles of otherwise bare basalt in a number of places in the rainforest. Apparently common and a widespread genus, <i>Stereocaulon vulcani</i> is often found in Hawai'i as a pioneer species on bare lava rock. The image doesn't capture how white it was against the black and green of the volcanic rainforest.<br/>
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<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt4gD51YLYHvYNVW6tZTYlI-FjdMc4CDwdPmj_y8T37MfswD46i6h_vf7kaXHW3S2Vrbh23b6BhPVOmkD8T7OyyeD6R1ePVvbGcDXKYK3FqwCVCJHOrESKgP_qt6HuGtlFbIbBsHR7b511eFsx-Qmce_46CN-34RYnjbzukasV8mzCbCGLlpJ3rHZ4Q/s1600/PXL_20220321_225440533.jpg"/></img><br/>
'Ohi'a flowers. I figured they'd be in the myrtle family from their weird "petals" (think of eucalyptus or callistemon flowers.) Nice <a href="https://abcbirds.org/hawaiis-ohia-tree-holds-legendary-importance-for-birds-and-people/#:~:text=Native%20Hawaiian%20mythology%20tells%20the,Ohi%27a%20into%20a%20tree." target="_blank">Hawaiian myth explaining their origin</a> about separated lovers and Pelee's jealousy.<br/>
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These open grassy areas would have been impossible to navigate without the pink ribbons. Hashers would call these "natural checks".<br/>
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Above: once again, you're looking directly down the trail.<br/><br/><br/>
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This was literally the first actual trail sign I'd seen in two hours.<br/>
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Yes that's really helpful, thanks fuckface<br/><br/><br/>
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Gradually being swallowed by the forest. This sign has looked like this in online images for years. By this point I started thinking I'd somehow entered <a href="http://mrdamodeo.weebly.com/uploads/3/9/1/9/39191519/the-long-rain.pdf" target="_blank">Bradbury's Venus and wished for a sun-dome</a>, or maybe the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hothouse_%28novel%29" target="_blank">far-future plant-choked Earth imagined by Aldiss in Hothouse</a>.<br/>
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Yeah great, that's super!<br/>
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Helpful as always. This is I think the Park-ranch boundary. I saw a large pheasant right about here; I had heard many birds on trail but not seen a one at this point, since the nene posse at Paliku. I was thrilled to be entering open terrain but the lesson of Kaupo Gap is it always gets worse, and is worse than you thought it would be. If you're thinking I might have been having less fun by this point, you're not wrong.<br/>
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Mostly taking pictures so future Kaupo Gap hikers recognize the signs when they get to them, as I did (signs are in order as I was descending.) I saw no feral pigs, no feral dogs. I heard dogs barking at one point but not at me.<br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJM7S_c_eWGx1m2i1PiqaTOgc42mjYJdVPcGyLwV9Ht-0uLG2t1S7Iqi0PfFxDu1DJUyJIAN8KzgwXk7OL9mR7crR5f6ccHNE0hpzaZJAlAqeotvPmraOIjo7sjnWZXSiir2FtZvBGCEjYjXx8ix5ffIOGKhTeC7P4nXEZX_GVXU3Ea88yIJHumx8BUA/s1600/PXL_20220322_004929196.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: this was the first time I saw the ocean since I left the summit building, about 3,000'.<br/><br/>
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At the end of the video above, as regards whiskey, I was inspired to quote British officer John St. Clair, who was in charge of building roads across the Pennsylvania Appalachians during the Seven Years War. And I stand behind that.<br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQTIhrEp5AVndTn40og39VExny4AbhoWLFxeteFKXapHSbMfFYDPoQ5C7KGctVVeErFCkZeOILWSjfruW1ZYDoyWRORo9MrSUnG6gF34mO9WMk63BInGw-6xfCTKlAKFVh5Vudq44NODkE0K51k0qKnnp7htsfSqHJyZMdQd3sixcyFoSxwbQdKp2jg/s1600/PXL_20220322_012041910.jpg"/></img><br/>
Typical of the upper ranch area (except for the sign) - actually the footing here was better than I expected. Imagine the worst coarse, rolly round gravel you can think of, on a steep grade, for miles. Much more annoying than I'd prepared myself for. Near the bottom of the trail, as far as I could tell, there was no trail, and that's where I got lost, in the last 0.3 miles. I think the park service actually should just tell people that there's no trail there, and be prepared to bush-whack - it's quite misleading to say there is a trail here.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAVdUDfhrnYK1wEn9Sjg8VJJOrhhn95uqMvgKTvtl0mbTDpZM_ZW3m8iSzbGDuhgoK416QbNQEbABgFq-ivXLt6GCiEf7vhMmXE5VEHPZYtuIW0XxTi3iHI2pDqN1XooT69xFJcWzNlw2FCYkEx6S01P7cqZFRjXTOzI1Kav0uisyR8G_qx0ZrHA3pw/s320/PXL_20220322_024153847.jpg"/></img>
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This is Popoiwi Heiau (temple), an old Hawaiian temple foundation on private land, just to the east of the road down to Piilani Highway. This area - the south slope of the volcano that Kaupo Ranch is on - was called "Kahiki Nui" (Great Tahiti), though Kahiki was used as the name for any foreign land, not just Tahiti. That said, this part of the island does face south toward Tahiti - the channel between Lanai and Kaho'olawe is called Kealaikahiki (the road to Tahiti) likely for this reason.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqwfgisgCO5-8WQESUn2DPQIHVzH5aKADPDymlhYd98WcnCJ6Y4Q62AwST_GOTjHyiKMEV1MxeRLCLkoU4G_C9gimHVzfZ8Y3_as-hXerq13gpeDtEgXOQ5mJjAv6kdWjMHObtAruVycZXLc-ld_b-kffLh_H-Jdqzvp_L1Tw6uu-jYthdthEGBItvg/s1600/PXL_20220322_024439180.jpg"/></img><br/>
The road down from the ranch to Piilani Highway. NOTE, the Kaupo Store appears to be closed indefinitely. For the record, on a day where I hiked about half the time in cool misty clouds I got to the bottom on about 4 L of water, but I was still thirsty.
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It is self-evident that Kaupo is the Leesport of Hawaii.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD2cuQCPphR5kk9etyflgoHjYRKRM1SrfMgYmecMWPU3D5qNJk_nwmIGSPxqvmJcxcXRJRhOM6SWS7qQLN8H0HHICtBVbO2BkJNgURVhwzGDxbITf8t6qQ6AkeMy2AIR1tQwxSYCaYhSPrc74p9D4VHHPL4hC02QsuMbR_nHSgqHE-7hHxrmxeqDENg/s1600/PXL_20220322_032602029.jpg"/></img><br/>
Hui Aloha Church, just before I touched the Pacific.<br/>
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<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilXlRqYbuNI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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The proof. Hear the unalloyed joy in my voice.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLnCOPQbqyjASgIbKDzpEMEdeeXPTIswHhie11qGgWCY5gRaRKIOLmEQaRXUhU2jk2oJhHIcNsDTuB2_IBjXLSJOGDafqihMKNw4v_UnmDjcOqNVkKgQCURWxGAOe4tOgdR5Xi_IvoffKkLD-xquW5-Sy8MdK1Wn9xfAej0YRNDnZ9LOMZb0tLYWxA/s1600/PXL_20220322_042908149.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above and below: views toward Kaho'olawe from Piilani Highway on the way home.<br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeTzbb7DNx5-c_46dAx95Rt-xy1kKJH2G3Qf8Cg2ezpZvUwSTpflpZcD4aJbi8XWWXzYxBbPR_UbjCZcDpwMRzTG7FPaEzoEwjCHxwWOZU9VINfPpF36x6VFU1vExOFFVcvbeTIGPMr4trz-S6rEkZENU3sv8IQgXCk2h89x3SGbquz7Rhx0mruqxGg/s1600/PXL_20220322_043314525.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<b>NON-HALEAKALA STUFF</b>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwuYztA-3LM3qz_u2oemuLmj0PNgLKuYG-OomeVtQpUvWdyuall8g8fO76WneepWItmgk9zQtSEBtCus9QcnrzQjhBxq9eiNmXXTD57VrMHO6bgkUDUkXWdv1Jpv9MnKMO2MNZ6OLD5ReD5AwWv79_MJiKLq7fb3a3YUeKCfMSOauOdcj5ZHHoLSl7A/s1600/PXL_20220319_180757443.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: before leaving home, an even dimmer-than-usual view from a clingy cat at the moment he realized he was about to be abandoned for a week. Well let's have a widdle pity party, 1-2-3-AWWWWWW
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<b>In the Ocean</b>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nvR_6W1UTIMJiJbruW81wW04keKjgTCo5E_GKQxDHBBW0c8A0Rp6zFv_Wu81vRNd9Y5gtMkndSsLG3pzepJjUbTp1Wx1uIuRhnRycSC7obYw1M6anbVRvh_Iazk2NBdpQGu7j6Z0Own8aJQaJZgNZB5_giF9SetIv8FHZiwbydQLoJIxktM6yc-zaQ/s1600/IMG_20220327_164813.jpg"/></img><br/>
</center>
The highlight of the trip. All photos taken by <a target=_blank href="https://johnoleary.smugmug.com/Turtles-with-Fish/">John O'Leary.</a> In 1985 there were probably a few turtles around, but this time, I saw my first one in my first 10 minutes at the ocean, without even really looking for one. At one spot where I snorkeled, at one point there were 6 turtles within 20 feet of me. Needless to say the coral and fish were spectacular too. Occasionally the freshwater seeping out through the sand from the island's absorbed rainfall blurred the water and interfered with photography (but interesting in its own right anyway.)
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<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dg24cIspoPau_H6Lu-rf52eB2fezmUixBM8fqqQfXDGmuRD1mqC7tH46gdEWBjwqWJ1lUWy-jhGA8WxkVEzMgqAqfqOYpv8GlfSRWbdAEV5sOUMbmQ580JXgwiFxIUMivr6vZML1-NW7srUCkyMSooenksUlS9olDJDZgl-kA34rZWONHCypeGbZmw/s600/P1010042.JPG"/></img>
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To quote Spinoza: there was turtles all up <i>in</i> this place.
<br/><br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXqEzgYvrlZqNu7aaBuH8YfEoKOKMa4lZZCB5fG32F4Yddb5u0Iyx5-b-0XDOz-0yYadLgJmo5GhQ-TuSWtv2Q30Cql1hsaMZeNHOkMWJarGxGBC--cDDLUHtFAejwI-HRK5jQYkvBdz9dAEXMhafed-NFylnIbTKY5NyCFUXGHeczzS1iSsEKgIrQg/s600/P1010069.JPG"/></img>
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</center>
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<b>Iao Valley</b>
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Maui is really two volcanoes that were once separate islands, but grew together during the last ice age. The older, lower more broken-down one is in the northwest, exactly as you'd expect as the hotspot tracks southeast across the Pacific (now active at Kilauea and underwater at <a href="https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/loihi.html" target="_blank">Lo'ihi</a>.) The mountain is called Pu'u Kukui but I never heard people using this name. The windward side is green and beautiful but really such a small area, and it would be easy to destroy it with carelessness. <b> THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NOT HIKE THE SECRET TRAIL IN THE IAO VALLEY,</b> unless you want to let everyone know you're an asshole who doesn't care about nature. Seriously. Don't be a dick. (If that's not enough for you - they now patrol it, and they very often catch people, and the fine is steeper than the mountain.)<center>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BAxM-dD0XVe-5OrsUZcbnuT264vcZSiGOEo7xPP4ugxAnXXFds2tWTZcXZldqjvr8NAgMJaOzfvgEb9dCwarRX2dQzgT_Qp9sHLp-ea5grBfiuay-PP7iteDXiermPXGVMsRfLY8CADA2LJlS2uSVhM0K0XON4Fkirf8fDHfXRM_rNSacIUvo7bMEA/s1600/PXL_20220322_214928696.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: the Iao Needle and Valley, inside the smaller (and older) Pu'u Kukui volcano. Green inside where the clouds hit it, dry on the Lahaina side, where you can see the fog and clouds lingering inside the peaks. Below, a closer view of the Needle. This formation and the forest below it were a place of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcaRzDIg3KM" target="_blank">Kanaloa, the ocean god</a>.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfTNoEK6pFoGBvCDqSKjhizdM4RR-XMHbZ27AVma9ICe1XmANC-8d7W-CsSYtXnJOnIElJHq2hq2Tzujfm_JBWnmhtuX7Albb-j6A7fmnbtGgPKBvR1LTv1vBD-puBp9DK4aRy5wk7YMaKUlQ2q73901B5RELR6SUh0jSWnORBMEgn8pWR30FWuQUsg/s1600/PXL_20220322_215334529.jpg"/></img><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnztRWUlb0hNBzEI-ASQLJ-w5GpWQznYqO7AV7TlGn5_p8AiB7wO5bie0Q-UbjnyZO1fooDQ1mQjiqieYXQ-gij_i0os6HoSE7SEOxbDT88DhA5PV2-r7BfXRaq7YXKyI5JtSoej8jCUzPyuXXn7tPWyFlf_grQQJMDGFX4Sxsk5TGElbvmz78VRfOxw/s1600/PXL_20220322_215534247.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: More inside Iao Valley. Below: looking back at the coast. When the warriors came from the Big Island in 1790 this must be where the Maui defenders watched them from, before encountering their first cannons.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4lZfppMTeYBgEoYvl5cpm98Z1VS0TMisXJzfUOEYbSNLTSOaW_TTKLWDAharMLSYEtdkfJgxVipdzGfeVtQVhf7CGHrJ096GCeflq7qha_izXRC6FmYiZvXpI31YyiH4z48y49ExiD4LBaThbz5X73WQ794O27e2nGITrVFWsHWIinxnIJpeyIuQ8A/s1600/PXL_20220322_215346011.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9gSIGGKDZOZqg2chuX_PTOdaF8vyTUk3DBWERdGwhkLC0YUVr22sQNyN3ygQfVmJocpj36ZoNR0jxPi0I5XdoQadggGOEipNa-zxUrUNjrOMsvN4y35ymRPlxGvZrO9Lvh_FqSqPy-eOYJzEoyNQEkJrUfXby1vtpdm2WNUYuEbDk_RlvirQKqdUgw/s1600/PXL_20220322_220327387.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKQ4IQVg-h48CsJjtL_2g4aTHi0UIlxFH-T_Jd-9joJJA76e3tUZh3Y7CBI2gRda9G5Rt7w8uhfc7GpW59YEXryaMWXaTJxSSHZrejABViFhSX3lMHLwCfCvJM9OPBom7dOz0t7OCApmLeZk8rNsVTfmqLhdIbLddFHy2tgRSQNAn9K2Rr9-Y4WEJ-g/s1600/PXL_20220322_220341783.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUbGFlZiAzgU4s2IoCuoI_ntrniVKee8oVCNLRlb70r2Qk-UP0Nnnu7PFeexkNATGWoyvqAUuVOMrcCOtgpWXi2JDwOqQOyP7RIsfRbLmR8IjcWJI6cM6Tl8HMoT_XUuyyF_MJxW4Wa638vZzrByDfJybxJyC2Whqwb0_KISvWEjs_PGwH_SZ1hWN6Q/s1600/PXL_20220322_225650865.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: Iao Stream in Kepaniwai Park, at the mouth of the Iao Valley. Dammed with rocks to make it swimmable, it was once dammed with bodies of <a href="http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&PageID=269" target="_blank">hundreds of Maui warriors who fell to the Big Island's cannons</a>.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-Kq5VpU5W92KYcy1A35x5Js7yJe3N06BAwrP3jo-dZxRt0iExtIL3wzgUhX7NBjOQE-FneUupRWpboB02XLT_d61g4edlc2ZtVRbjz0lWqA66Ro9tGc37Ok6f8L8olwCbkib0rB70Ib7P1EUF9UXlwJfSXJ4b4K4k8_8JkR5eFILo8eVGWr-1UxOJw/s1600/PXL_20220322_225741908.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<b>Wailuku (and Food)</b>
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Sam Sato's is an old local joint famous for their dry mein (which it turns out is saimin without the broth.) Wailuku is culturally by far the most interesting place on the island and we went there repeatedly just for food. Below: the exclusive side dining room.<br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQOh1qbJxt_MYllQ3OLmPHqoWhjhETVoThF_6EAIZysseGi4lRsJvbtm-X16-RSfaojSy34gQcI7X42NthovssL3JzQk0sMJ7odWwV2ghlDPX3YZGZeXgECY5lMP-vQWooA_nNLaA05sxHCNjSe3H3vqm9RivBQqUZ9ML80xzCT3qYfvQxw9M-fPsGw/s1600/PXL_20220322_235042119.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
Above and next three: Haleki'i-Pihana Heiau: this temple was the seat of religious authority in Maui. All we can see now are basalt platforms, but when active these would have had grass and wood structures over them. In 1819 the Hawaiian religion was abandoned (just 30 years after contact) and in 1834 Christianity was mandated. It's funny how the rulers never just say "ah, that was all B.S., do what you want", it's always "that was all B.S., but THIS one is true this time, and you have to do it." Weird!
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjB2hukKG61X7E8uKBqVKZF58YvBSdUH6l3boQT53pYsnB58Y6bc81PVRUW-hOHLLbbJClIg-9BH_8XkQ_mJYICKUNQVbQcazPfVP4cBu2-HqbflSvxmVBtqEKafhoZ2feSAvGW6uCdivRoUb6QQXjTEfaGNIw1aSvdBVp9XJaIgo5jZrxd6M9BljSg/s1600/PXL_20220322_235059094.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GHfuJz5pFs30fzPLp7eX00i15g3IemzbWWd3GkGzHYqhgVztBm-zi-N0t2iv9083JhQuM8NIm-4OvXMqbLKO9etR97Z83sL8RTg8lymrJwLgrQTf7mqnt03moZDJFDaUO7jLvLwKOU0t661H9yxQWrpp_CNzTXM13u_cE3QNoRQilBBX7Xsv4Goo8A/s1600/PXL_20220323_000035825.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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Listen. I'm in Hawai'i. I'm going to eat Hawaiian stuff. Although admittedly macademia nuts are originally Australian, one of the few useful-to-human things originated on that otherwise benighted and cursed continent. Not pictured: mass amounts of poke and spam musubi.
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Yeah I got shave ice. It's good and the Hawaiians have done wonderful things with colors, but let's be honest, it's not Rita's. (PA represent.) Reasonable people can disagree about this, though keep in mind that people who think shave ice is better are wrong and bad.
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Seen in a restaurant. Useful for all of us to think of. We're living in strange times. Be kind to each other. Except people who think shave ice is better than Rita's, they suck.
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<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZIxApSUphzlukFjx-P64FdkqhTRXk_KqP40WLwvwVW_jjGKn7vaEEhT8fpv7cVdvttTaC1nSbsIc0-b0ObyoEVCOrqmqHk22xvmpN-QbU-gNwoMPqYEOczE8ZuuFWd8yH5_QqFJ9QVickZ7dltwNJdZfRqU2oaN8_nnnlwHYy5KtRiUItbsQbapZJw/s1600/PXL_20220325_211119825.jpg"/></img><br/>
Also, go to Zippy's. If you don't eat at a Zippy's while you're in Hawai'i then what's wrong with you.
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<b>Paia and the Road to Hana</b>
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Above and many more: <a href="https://www.twinfallsmaui.net/location/" target="_blank">Twin Falls</a> on the Road to Hana. We didn't go all the way to Hana because there's a tropical paradise with a swimmable waterfall pool in the rainforest already just east of Paia.
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Above: that's what a growing pineapple looks like.
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Above: someone in mid-air about halfway down.<br/><br/>
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<b>Lahaina</b>
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Above, a house in Lahaina whose owner (I hope) likes mangoes.
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Above and below: Olowalu Petroglyphs. First go to Leoda's Pies, where I may or may not have purchased and consumed a chocolate macademia pie, also lilikoi, also pineapple, also guava chiffon. The petroglyphs can be accessed from behind Leoda's (see map below.) If you're reading this and you want to see them, screenshot the map (no signal on Verizon there, and other people the same day couldn't find them.) An employee at Leoda's told me it was fine to drive right up to them, but next door the clerk at Olowalu General Store said "They don't like you to do that." I drove and had no problem, though road quality is poor. From Leoda's/General Store, left of the buildings there's a driveway going away from the ocean that comes to a T in less than fifty yards. Turn left at the T and then after a little more than 50 yards, right at the water tank. Go up that road, aiming for the small hill with the basalt outcrop on the left side. At the last slight bend in the road you see on the map here, you'll get to a shack that looks like it might be a dead end at someone's house; it's not, keep going and you'll see the the rock face now to your right with a small metal shack and interpretive plaques. Of note, the plaques seem to have been installed about the same time the petroglyphs were drawn. If there were pre-Columbian contact with North America (see below), there might be some similarities. But none of them looked similar to California petroglyphs (like <a href="https://www.nps.gov/labe/learn/historyculture/rockart.htm" target="_blank">these</a> or <a href="https://www.loc.gov/item/2013631567/" target="_blank">these</a>) to my amateur eye. <center>
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<b>Kihei</b>
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I did have a personal tragedy during the trip which I debated whether it was appropriate to share in this post, but in the interest of preventing others from going through the same thing, I think it's the right thing to do. And the tragedy is, that Kihei has no taco trucks open past 10pm. In fact I was unable to find evidence that any are open past 9 (2 of them closed early.) So as an insult to Kihei I went to Taco Bell.
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We found the poke at both Coconut's Fish Cafe and South Maui Fish Company quite tasty.
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Lanai in the morning, from Kihei.
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<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQPxc-Dp4dAyBXNebTxbqBiIPIb5LTmm9ngIFDs1QnI4uaQ78t9Xs9uTflAv9eewJQEchxbDf5tEQKJVs0v94GsBe9kbHCrnB4sgz7YsNJI-iK79UaGRM-x9uPqc9yz_bz6MlaCHf45HMSWYeTpNKwRaVpL-1P3CoZGBNfHMYM7Kiw7PigsbhwLFuBw/s1600/PXL_20220326_212650400.jpg"/></img><br/>
There were chickens everywhere in Maui. I didn't remember this from 1985, but they eat centipedes so they're alright in my book. Mauians seem affectionate toward them. The theory as to where they all suddenly came from is that a lot of chickens got out and went into the woods and bred with the wild fowl the native Hawaiians brought with them (and handsome fellows they are as you can see) but this doesn't explain why the Polynesian chickens wouldn't have done the same thing and similarly overrun the island long ago.<br/>
<br/><br/><img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAaMJyZ3-USSO_yotY6D-8ql2t4aw9X__VOwWa5HKQYcqtB3cwSdq0AzgdCqwOvGHOw0J-JtUiwtyha_SNefLwGHl3c4tNc3ZDvdUtnWSaDxZBibeVht3hH7QyCtaJzO4Ds3zXBs-D_xi7uIEV8jbJCYAUuR-sKc2VBu4mc704Wi4FuNrOh1e-2WVPQ/s1600/PXL_20220320_185534751.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggWxmttMcreZMk8jyeNNoMQJv-n2fRaQbd_lvlJZwiagojkPZBDRz3GWEmWDiUzyjktCkZ3VYxfz0i8VWsZCHAtYE_IYJolJ5PY3_9G304kfcd3ES2I4gO0uq03E_ZellOIRg42tZxo5eu_TlqwvsMx5u9BmLa5KbXhxCBKffXHd628INvkPATmzIoA/s1600/PXL_20220326_051054272.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitfsFIcL42lTPe2FKNN1Bja7DnOIBazHnBFP8YtC7OeDrUAv99sRKAQgr10OFE9utESa7zXe_-SCKryjLYjW2g0QPCdLm-GuEK-MCqZ5nxi2sb0ZAbUfAWxaCvQSL3yl3l8dGLBoPoZS5PMq4kSPN--FSIKOs_Cisy83AusEPp0XXKlCMCbI1kWEuTGw/s1600/PXL_20220327_154831642.jpg"/></img><br/>
Venus and the Moon at dawn looking back toward the volcano, the last morning in Maui.
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</center>
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<b>ADDENDUM: THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND SOME THEORETICAL ARCHAEOLOGY</b>
<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cqRs2yg7TbG3qEWU663mMimnB3UbvD27KvicikAIb1et19keGRipw91xr9DZE_-VcLVtKGI8daQSVvW4pmVE-xjFNBiXRQtYn-ZP3cuUFlVEcNu_4MU1iJuWPjKPENXTwFyAW4tZN2d9T7-9ozYMFJLkEldzZXJLbXEykf4kbZN1VGJ8Jqy5lhNqOg/s1600/PXL_20220326_054246554.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>No idea if this is a reproduction of Cook's actual map, but you can see the Tahitian spellings of the islands (modern L is R in the map, modern K is T.) </i> <br/>
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One of the things that interested me in language from an early age was encountering Hawaiian. 13 letters? And one of them is an apostrophe? And later I discovered it's verb initial ("I eat fish" is "eat I fish". Turns out that's not so rare though, Mayan and Celtic languages do the same thing.) There are made-up alien languages in science fiction that aren't this fascinating! And then when I was in New Zealand a few years ago where the signs are in both English and Maori, I noticed the obvious similarities to Hawaiian. We now think both groups of settlers left Tahiti around the thirteenth century CE, and Hawaiian is actually the language with more innovations (that is, Maori is more like the ancestor.) Still, Hawaiian and Tahitian remained similar enough that the Tahitian interpreter Captain Cook brought along (Tupaia) found Hawaiian intelligible (and Cook made a map of the archipelago reflecting this.)
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtP7xwY0HBcgQ0xRu-iMo9SEzLJpkBRGl-FCCoOX2KIOqRL-IQtepp4q2F8iDVlbtP3yN4IJJD1KCje_oU-OwGzFikLucxWaYbKWQtle7EzP_KAi234PgtUaOX4cydOvleVnmWlQSH6IS3sXYdZ2D1Jw9qe33g1v0b8Wy5guyERSXyjcbivKwHTQyWg/s1600/polynesian-expansion-map_orig.png"/></img>
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Basically, from Tahitian, Hawaiian changed T's to K's, K's to glottal stops (okinas, written as apostrophes - like that little stop between the two i's in Hawai'i) and R's to L's. It produced fairly predictable shifts, so no wonder Tupaia figured it out. The R to L and K to ' transitions might have happened earlier, but the T to K transition didn't even run fully to completion by the time of contact - in Kauai, the northernmost island, local dialect still used the T (meaning they called their island Tauai.)
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<table border=1>
<tr><td><b>English</b></td><td><b>Hawaiian</b></td><td><b>Maori or Tahitian</b></td><tr/>
<tr><td>Pleiades</td><td>makali'i</td><td>matariki</td><tr/>
<tr><td>Spirit/statue</td><td>ki'i</td><td>tiki</td><tr/>
<tr><td>Ocean god</td><td>Kanaloa</td><td>Tangaroa</td><tr/>
<tr><td>wood</td><td>la'au</td><td>rakau</td><tr/>
</table>
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We think there were probably already people in Hawai'i when the modern Hawaiians came directly from Tahiti - probably the original settlers came from what are now the Marquesas, but the new arrivals from Tahiti overwhelmed them with better technology. Hawaiian mythology has a demi-human called the <i>menehune</i>, kind of like their leprechauns, who were said to be small and live in the forest and would build temples with superhuman speed. This has an unfortunate resonance with the actual histories of many places in the world where the first, less-advanced inhabitants are displaced into the less desirable mountain areas by new arrivals (Basques by Indo-Europeans in the Pyrenees, Algonaian-speakers by Iroqouis in the Appalachians and Adirondacks) and sometimes enslaved. (Added later: turns out in Tahitian <i>manahune</i> means "commoner", and in the decades after initial contact there were lower class Hawaiians that the upper class referred to as menehune.)
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And this connects to another interesting speculation. People have long speculated about Polynesian contact with the Americas, most famously Thor Heyerdahl. There are lots of curiosities - one is that the sweet potato originated in South America, and to this day New Zealanders use the Maori word for them, kumara, which extremely concidentally is also the Inca word for it. We now have solid genetic evidence that <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/native-americans-polynesians-meet-180975269/" target="_blank">the Polynesians did indeed make it to South America, around AD 1200</a> when everyone was leaving Tahiti for other faraway lands like Aotearoa and Hawai'i. (Perhaps also not coincidentally, Tahitians banned cannibalism around that time too - I wonder what was going on in 1200 in Tahiti, yikes!)
<br/><br/>
But did they make it to California? It's curious that the Chumash who lived on the Central Coast from about San Luis Obispo to Ventura a) are a language isolate (some include them in the Hokan language family) and b) were the only people on the coast who made ocean-worthy canoes, using tar to seal them. The Hawaiian word for "useful tree" is <i>kumulaa'au</i>. Before the T to K transition that wasn't even complete by Cook's time, that would have been <i>tumulaa'au</i>. The Chumash word for canoe is <i>tomolo'o</i>. The theory is <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2005/08/03_chumash.shtml" target="_blank">seriously discussed</a> but the jury is very much out on this and the contact would have been earlier than the Tahitian dispora discussed above.
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<b>Outstanding questions:</b> what was going on that was so bad in Tahiti around 1200-1300 that people set out for distant lands like Rapa Nui, Hawaii and Aotearoa/New Zealand? Famine? Cvil war? Improvement in navigation technology? All of the above? Clearly they were motivated. Also, why is it that of all the places American settlers encountered native people, Hawaii was the place that they adapted local words and customs the most strongly? Because it happened later (than say, Virginia) and they were more enlightened? A larger native population? A more diverse set of colonists, also coming from Asia, with less of a dominant culture of origin for the new arrivals?
<center>
<br/><br/><img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDUzwe7SLsVnEW7YYF43yph86N_NZWkiabFue_7LHK8DlO6IjOqqYA3__9kQ4KHCBUia6fn8KGixLWQH865xn4J0-ToF3biTJfji2wMIXj_VAmnjDzKXJRnyu1oMeu3_7__awXLhE6CKSkKDCsXu-Tvf2hRrTCOjWeyiLnqZnCqDmJfu4aySIT0QROQ/s1600/PXL_20220402_223451273.jpg"/></img><br/>
Above: back home in the possible Polynesian colony of Norcal. <br/>Pros: <a href="https://www.summitpost.org/hood-mountain/706213" target="_blank">volcanoes</a> less than 10,000'. <br/>Cons: have to worry about poison oak again.
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<b>FIN</b><br/><br/></center>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-74496603122273205712021-06-25T23:29:00.004-07:002022-09-22T21:25:57.541-07:00Pennsylvania 2021 - Schuylkill River Trail Complete, From the Appalachians to the TidesThe second to last trip to PA. Previous installments: here is <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/05/running-schuylkill-river-part-ii-berks.html" target="_blank">upper Berks County</a>; here is <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/01/running-schuylkill-river-part-i.html" target="_blank">lower Berks Count</a>y; here is <a href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-lower-schuylkill-river-trail-and.html" target="_blank">upper Montgomery County</a>. Details of the last two (lower Montco and Philly) are below, but first, highlights.
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<b>As always, running and in particular running on roads is dangerous and you run the risk of getting killed. My blog posts are not intended as a guide for running these routes and if you use them as anything but entertainment, you're doing so at your own risk.</b>
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Notes on the overall trail:
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The stretch through the first Appalachian Ridge, where the river exits the mountains from Port Clinton to Hamburg, is nice.
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There isn’t much of a trail from Reading to Hamburg but the upper part of that through PA Dutch farmland is really pretty in the spring.
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Through and just south of Reading there is a lot of interesting industrial backdrop.
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The trail is pretty but unremarkable through southern Berks and northern Montco, where I ended up running 724 for a while.
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Norristown isn’t as scary as you would think. It was at this point I most appreciated that this trail running project (like my run the <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/05/running-manhattan-island.html" target="_blank">length of Manhattan</a>) was different from the trails I’m used to running. (Seriously! Change is nice.)
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Conshohocken is about what you would expect. You can sneak between buildings to get off the trail right next to Conshohocken Brewing. Even once you reach the Philly city limits, it’s more rural-feeling than you’d expect. Everything about the Manayunk stretch is awesome, including Manayunk.
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I finally got to see Wissahickon Park, which should be more famous.
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The stretch past Boathouse Row and the Art Museum are cool as you’d expect. The boardwalk was nice on a hot day.
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From there I just ran through Point Breeze/Grays Ferry, which was a bit sketchy at times. Then the industrial area in the very south of the city to as close as you can get to the confluence with the Delaware.<br/><br/><br/>
<i>You may notice that the camera lens didn't quite line up with my phone case in some shots. If it bugs you, pretend it's an Instagram filter.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3p_3EU8x7pbreyJmSES4ArhcGqfhmPNPbMo8CiD5r0AWpRX1QF7xqXbRLbeBQ-aMKUsj8Hcesk749G0mDZmXI-brVXKI8e0VmKA9vecWqSoS-iVMs8-IxqMS69iSRcgIVxUY2itiGod6/s0/PXL_20210617_144645736.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvprgxs8UcfjFaYLVy0RfSPX3Nty1SSv1Jj1IXK8BL8wMiwYbXCqNcE0JD-Xx_OD8EOQ-cI62b3r_f7AI1VIev5Wl_xJM8aaRV4BuchBTGO-nYphz1mRdDpEhrJWRDHKmI3trQUnJyckN2/s0/PXL_20210617_145125009.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Above: a view of 202 I haven’t had before.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrL3zvn7ihXiWV3czMi24XblTVjxlRBe3hsnnJeba4i2NnCvgT5SMyVivhfVbxNUbQx_m5an1eLxnRNNgfISVxtJOd9DbRCEiHzeruMBztCxPMbrBPzw0FfOU4tnNFPkOzBn03s16ju9pA/s0/PXL_20210617_145834962.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Above: Norristown didn’t look great but at no point was I uncomfortable for my safety on the trail.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyQdLONxOp5JFJrfRk6fO1q8wLzxVsZL90teVGOSXivpisoT2b0EN6ygFdjl0L9zqt6bqjvrSh6nzEdah8fZIZMRrKYYtlMiUthwH9K85UQ7wFTr0mdybEnWuG-kd0RapEGkmMGu0zN08/s0/PXL_20210617_154334471.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>The Blue Route is actually blue. I would’ve been really mad if it was painted orange or some shit.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWpoyvvDwhNkjy4KeF3ekVC9E3xYB0nxMx5WnjpNU6V23aUujJ-D9t-32YWwH_LbpuHKTI1pa8BTb3chwANibbC8iC4DC-azuCCbF56zEPkqA_I0xNGdJS9AgE2DTRPbfDzS7MZ8HVN2R/s0/PXL_20210617_154752438.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteLT20J8gd391bTDlWYSOuPwY92qjyqVqngvcJ_ukEUn3JJHS9NLPZlgKrylyVssnzZyfqqwNaaNJsXhHeZlONrpIGLryhGWELJZnTJwHxsiwwSN-h62Z1y2tfdxLWRK9bRfC7gfaPhP1/s0/PXL_20210617_162323228.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaCKryD4hEjn7Ga2YKd9WJmmI67D1IcDFZEQlE3f81W_bqLQxtwLJp7sn23sO-v370BnAKgHQXDowiiTvxgr95yM84fRFaHRLXJ2Pkuwz5pTLRUTZdUbiO0-xbtXivb4fiCDFG3HSbL2S/s0/PXL_20210617_163551467.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Yeah go welcome yourself</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FiZJNQNRbRxC7dEGSad8XsjliNIJQE4pxahqVpdWTHkFLMjmgO43_XukPiGsYkqbOJfNRjUixMwHe1PtpL9VSFETH_mdi_BOAfVWeq2WYdGXwQitqMIJq4KZ89UXLR-mr3qFvjC3q051/s0/PXL_20210617_165743323.jpg"/></img><br/>
Next few: the canal section through Manayunk was my favorite along the whole river, partly because of the canal and the trail itself, partly because of the neighborhood. And there were old-timey bicyclists.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA-2HWeyp1bcaDQNMh15Gay6nUPNBy_MsUQ4GkXMQ1zLf8N7xo8gPFHz1suU2G0n1frJwOWw_BJs3ZbjVAyLQTFmtO-5bGvHcexnLus4D1y99QqpWZ87WbBDHN9GMONT2_UE0kkMZ9KWy/s0/PXL_20210617_171338928.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4dFQfRvdWlOzgjNq6r-dDMus37VevHflm6YQHxY5uN_3W3Yu0fm1KJhz85DDM7hBsMbEYC71xr_qirLIKzPE0WTDHSjnCnoH67sJZrYsYVz_l5OeHo_c1nDRkzIYrS5PQlvHWJAbtJbD/s0/PXL_20210617_171307596.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkcEKtuTBl9tjIkRLQ-Eun-xAbC3bs3midwh7JXzh9TSuGIsFqdacPrk75AX3rFt6MEeXOPA6IgQ3ZIplBeugRiWiSL9Sr6aPofBT2gWt8vpftM4p4751KB0HlT7IGza6QRovzia4lOnU/s0/PXL_20210617_171245910.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK0JfhFygCSX6i2ldRPiXfzZKwtTiTZUYwd6bf52Zj-9-I8WjZeTy3Q8gJigM0eNMV5cH0UQ8rAOeuJ0rs9Y0q0SGd0cOi1bug6rjboUqdeXM6Cp9MmzuKITwSX_HMrw8aCUpgRBLkQ7g/s0/PXL_20210617_171426492.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoOL7NHGRuNsLMBkVunEsuDFCOOEcMKeLVlIZqfJNT7qnVK7BFkjQ9pRyWwxlSJDrXB3-M7_anxGRqEOQ4MhmWGuX-g0-QkTUIQYHrTbEY1Pe995rV7DoK6Omgbsg7Jl_GPG00mU2MJfB/s0/PXL_20210617_171552305.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1u5BAL0RYjmLR7I56nTuMu3HhSyYGoON-HBw_xRxFgJ37hWLWW3sAiKtHdy8xTVSbhHi400c7G5h3e0m67680284-mLoLxiGYXYcfjaXeC7HzZ3QWbTdKygqbzKHnnkJgfZWbSjt84FK/s0/PXL_20210617_171903430.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ5k-Tb5g02jEpIX0PGrSickcfP4yRSgIsFPLtNb3__IMIeT4oC5BQFUEsg8xPBkx5SF1hTUQQupKlnfmLMHsRAiNQqlKlroiOenK6ErC7O4rt-bHNtbTUk7sIYvZbyxbImXWW0TkO0jt/s0/PXL_20210617_171910154.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES1U71-Nv0CppvH6oBu8D24laKhu3gWjFJa3s0UCEb-QUWB28QJXvSs-k9NTdotouEJQQ1cKtDYp0V2LttO4_oZbJEi8H-o8ntkNOALR6Kz4euk4P3ZjVkyEHuAzFgx-2bI83bkNAO0cU/s0/PXL_20210617_172044875.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfbZOhQ56JkmHzG0tjXSGy_doV8ifTJm8gPg1Cnq6YGB53I2vzbvjiKIMglI7rfeygCmNpOik5ItuPCMiy9LIzcxi0kZU5qp8QhH1y-RfX_N7tw0xxMmgVvliBiQzZPDKjH49Kib_bUrM/s0/PXL_20210617_172747447.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf97oHQFo3sgYInEomsWClhZEJLfTmfijkaN8VPTNIqx0PMJGmqGwN4cqePsCnAVKy1xWAXe3Pk9ywoxs7PPRdXW5E8otxb5Psk2adg6SSkDzDELy8c5lwgfLAzRbd2ZlJMWdnYYeD8bu/s0/PXL_20210617_172247271.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Real mature, guys.</i><br/><br/><br/>
After I got to the south end of Manayunk I took a little side trip from Manayunk to Wissahickon Park, which I had never been in before. I was not a city guy when I moved to California and things like this continuously make me regret that I did not get to know Philly better before I left PA. A friend from California who later went to B-school in Philly extolled its high points to me and was shocked I had barely heard of it. There's also some great history - a house built in 1690 by the guy who made the first paper in America, the cave of a sect of Lutheran mystic Pietists that heavily influence American culture today and whose leader sat for the first oil painting, and Edgar Allen Poe wrote about it in 1844, "Morning on the <a target=_blank href="https://www.eapoe.org/works/essays/mrnwisa.htm">Wissahiccon</a>".* If I were going to be around Philly on a Sunday I would likely join the <a target=_blank href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/chasingtrail">Wissahickon Chasing Trail folks</a>.
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The area under the overpass was labeled Lover’s Leap but I saw no views, nor places for jilted jumpers. <br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIfqlmZJjc8bWjR26E6GE6UMLY9kCOb2DIGaFrA44fFYEU_KQWt-cRFmSmg240kXzD4TCY6d_4mfyd3rKrTXGjUsYkRt1kwu5NG3UNSpcenNFOK8PZgJVZFEe-EHgbjvSZakPNViQ8GtM/s0/PXL_20210617_180232614.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwvXrC7NXLacIa_1XCejIn8aY4LCGqwrxL7fB23eipDdrytwBiOb-Big2N1sccdKszNogutaX1N_tyqJX4gGiy7xNM-9T5wYShgWcXtRqlzNbEfxZnpZnYn8G1KSQq9Zl-TnlVL3Kqx05/s0/PXL_20210617_175548527.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR6KMt_UOBzuoyYJWYnwRbzY79rDn9KAptcxLPZpl9B9mCoPxzJ9dinWnkaPXZcA9WZIOhX2GKniXkd6H5pAMAyo8LW_3N3uJUvsajG7wvlA2iSE3LvQ0Uv2HHkQOH3KlytuiAhfRrdmB/s0/PXL_20210617_175512118.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAQYKy1IyYxDlZUwkwcpX6pRhMLwGff2apdqe8sArLCImmbBf473HaL8v5kdRjChUcUjiQf8Ikq3mj5IM__1nFuIHyoGH-kRT9wlcQEbwXG4sd6YaB5b3fWr4uKBppyByM8m1d18eZ0dy/s0/PXL_20210617_175858053.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>A popular urban rock-climbing spot I guess.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOGrAmI5AexWZ5VcY3ad67S82TFjwfC-1fZe4iS7TUDlBtKt29j6EvCMT9oAM8zm-Ryr4QSyQLF6UPYildFOVLl7spRkpoB1CKFaBl4GNlH6ovVE7Glnn5kQLXmPf1pUY1-zas5dyh5Dh/s0/PXL_20210617_180317212.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Above and below: are these not the Stella steps from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcg9PSLr9vs" target="_blank">Saturday Night Dead</a>?</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1Iud1Qn5HzaVkCwAU8A6T8gbHkKqY_Yw-RxEFD457scFcen7G7FxXwbLPojfO2raczKCHgLtj0ex_c7dprBfPimd8YSFxpatfeWrqxoxBuyjoBNzEs_tutklF5FPe9BWpWVS4r2ePd3I/s0/PXL_20210617_175954682.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksZ2ED4FM9JKTaBQXg597AmXJoDM0LdYRIMolExUXHjLXymAqtxgSDWS1Igyf8BX0TmBr37ztJNXp-XcM4i6s5Svl7cKdfuQ-eVEgWdWXwFJZDC2LpjOmmbBPBosh6LE46FQ4pUKvmUZc/s0/PXL_20210617_182549701.PORTRAIT.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Kelpius" target="_blank">Cave of Kelpius</a>! </i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlRI-2PQQCeIDk5WiHip4nWqFDxlWdM20NefYgdNi3v03zoO5BkA7WvEPtixQp2OX6YSxpRzpABcz5E4ToXTrNvbOO_EtPQh6A-nP4y7Oohw4PuI3wjvahdcnNDyvIEGm7kRV4JquYK8y/s0/PXL_20210617_182528217.PORTRAIT.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvevdZJRgghp47vYJecfidCdjk9-EgM7FZ6WUiH-bkqZE9XRFVENQRQGyijR-fkQT7-l-hROC1q0EYvwQzC_h1l8W3W0FMezpOAOeh688_OugfOacZRqf74TGUPv4ktQqbUlWAsHROV5R/s0/PXL_20210617_183612610.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQSiUG1bgqV5zsoku31B00oV_nbiPvIsY3dAlaUFnCm6lb0I-hxXzKG9h3JHc36m4gp49ZEFkZGJkrbnGpDvI6pfkCTfY7xerfTRUXNswuYx0JfdtcCYO9sUWWr397CAfSRKhqxRDNjfw/s0/PXL_20210617_183910190.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3DAXc4gPHYzAs-dBR1uNMH-U3hKy9s0v3ivn6IWHueJdI68H_v_kzdnMZyYwK1qUqBbh6CnSdFHAlEew-uF0UjHlSa_p2jHxwBpwzUfz7Koihq3E_S3AqkQ2MiGKDnHjc3U1BEhFPkOd/s0/PXL_20210617_183541333.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
Then past Manayunk into the park and crew area.<br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChHfKkuFCdbDqNRIVU4w8Z9KO6CizlVXKd6rZyTjvBR05RheRfNRrlI164jsAzVRJXPMGUcv5NKkmEYr2Tl6TpO8DuYbcvKDXIDvrume4tXJzxunsaImwsFmYenfrL9lO6Jf3f25S8uCZ/s0/PXL_20210618_160403996.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwKCIvHh9rtMV_VRAZXWMhgsKFnK-qBxIrMXMInIsLcl_YcPDQbXtyPVvRXYcU5YyJXpcrlIZmUw_tg6iRIjeUZi_yxGKFDAaxtC7By2GmcBOtWtEWdaaOpjnSeXu7CQcOTP819wBa0Kt/s0/PXL_20210618_153948373.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TM4m8Ym7bkWcr50k85aG3v3LfGB5JiGJ0YpwzAKssp_7HI-nt9pVdTB5HLDkC8FbeMdTXFQnFIy3SKGs6brBRORsad935ecMqHNNP7mnXh3mgMX6o5pnSJ2-azNR_DSkeR1EqwCkYY0O/s0/PXL_20210618_160200468.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUwtLjqmKtvp92Uf8BHmV3Yri7YI-WJ-UjBleX17hNkKZc4CnPBKrz4Cn4w2QRVJM4yf20FxSBGLt-bKYOSxyHZCuTMoKWCPJgxnkUlnpGiKHtS8nY1jiwB635Hx8t6mUheZfvM34sy5l/s0/PXL_20210618_160240358.jpg"/></img><br/>
Boathouse Row (or at least the crew racing area) extends further up the river than I realized. No idea of the history of the sport here, or indeed really who Kelly Drive was named after.<br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-r8ZdEw_cQqDrpbAh67xCUrmTgzbBqmldOEyNlAqPXiZsCJxP-tW0KVzt_GaJkLrqoV6NuSFdnYtNWdLq3_blV7v78-t8yd-fFLOrhygPmE7IQeCALaqsWVle1y14qkaVKIY8-Spc4Qk/s0/PXL_20210618_160255335.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9H8bqcn0wlLTYweeJxatJiCLM_ZHWiB4c24LznPBr-5o75s21Ahai4UBztaGiwkwcYCbq-mpXwTEV96tfOZVKpsi7SE3aG2_kS7c4Rlv-L4kDqqFeYO1KJIHI6y3otQagB3AKh9IBotdp/s0/PXL_20210618_161528955.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ALatKoaf0yak-94AUascbL2UWHnyeWBlu8IFnBu8k-DIOJIXg8e4rOpSSizgEzsWg5DtZC0HImHxfGp5TuZQhBPB5u_yge0PM1MO5h6lxnS04Jtd-LK9P4qtZKi0-JiRUhfG-afMdCZe/s0/PXL_20210618_161019158.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>The Playing Angels. I vaguely remember running through here in the Philly Marathon in the late 90s. I think.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGyoxBn88cTF38lR1ko-4qV0Xu-7JGXzB8uddyl8s6L9Lp3vf0300TBzjWop7KFt_UMtw9ctLD61EOHvJ-DBx-_ULWs8NHnY5cAgYWd8JvpJ52xhws7I0XZaqjhaPFCQVuosFjrYiBNLq/s0/PXL_20210618_161643298.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUB8NP9V0KId5_1iQpv0UiCIv9icMtry5nnWphfeebe9yfNU0hiCqmej2dQz3vHrs55FzPPTMt7CBQpMGwt2TH9fPFqrKS_SpUOxUmR9FeFHdZ7bHyJ4ykQ367eSM8iWhCXMIPpYuZHWo7/s0/PXL_20210618_161948898.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQQ_h_16Lp3CSeIvqlLj5GlQEV2rdQ9X9CcUonXTEpZa1zERgJwpm-sQ9ZgU02_Pgc_szPeq6hXPw_oQ3VL_HiAYk1qgtqVpSpEQRnFku0cql8_fLYznScUHwq-sFZiB3i26_fBtt6tVA/s0/PXL_20210618_162325790.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>The back of the boat houses.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXsEUgAqkFMgYY1IWlEs7m9j_R5FVK2HI1QHCD6fbvcZ9f3njh6ue61zp4EKZDbei69glSDddWwYMWzAQp3KUQLJbSVR2TvjECkETnIYgoKq5OoFuU_5iPI96tHE2UKKulCNesOp9bi9E/s0/PXL_20210618_162557255.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9N9tUvP-fceiH_jQqXDdx8aQp0MZVMareFJ8_sHWOjfh44JO1Lyhv7xWGkDJbUpQ7iKoRQ7dcW97cn5nNJsUXt4F3Nw0uF1kVFUYo-SUGrWzoczHVud4dxCbL-zQOi3B7WmgWc6qO3es/s0/PXL_20210618_162545384.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZakbDzG3_U-7_Zg6QezthsjUnZlvbSWE0P75DZEltLk-GMh9BqcTrqTvrFhMeYwWIz4yD3f-0gnfRpQrRmU8biF-06URjvmm8JWOIrXLqB6FwRz0ZAQhFir-0dCMOy9MUtFryvrREV-mj/s0/PXL_20210618_164110251.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>The Bard of the Central Coast (<a href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2021/04/pismo-beach-and-tahoe-march-2021.html" target="_blank">see here</a>) made it all the way to Philly.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdzTF0lUSHk6qygCFDjQnCGLvLA5odOTvXbb9HuFrhw5KWFerO95g-kKvxCGI-0Za3JDYrne0_MkAXlasV7FWZP-VCO4rAQB5iemPiGSES41LKzjpH2ZqS5qG_VSGM5yod1bfbI7Y0M9h/s0/PXL_20210618_163340507.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>After these falls at the Art Museum, the river is at sea level. That is – at this point, I had come all the way from the mountains and reached the tidal zone.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-rnOWTqx7ZjOAVD58i7nrKsyAUABJhwuCpnQ5j8saw6uH1iGHCH2NLcehsffYWSomR1ZZc17iQXvjm45fAwlhQKnN3E8f9ftbscgWU5a_kG5E5eLsa-UfJn19rl4MSltzYKUT0r04nor/s0/PXL_20210618_163118334.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>I have already run the Rocky steps many times.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3Z_r7tQzMpPG_22xiafQVwqg4LJ_i35Nlz7EYJKskac7nXDiw_rHdcekclTe3B7Bc_QxRIxaOzlibm1iv9duLR61V5q8N9NYYTYw2uJx4nAVN2_msrOa5msjItOZwGXDMWxnNcT54hSm/s0/PXL_20210618_164015106.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmk8N50mythM5cHIq-EeTvRaSnYmo04aMEpOwQ7KrYMZTzrIjo919K7SUL_cwrcZrw03pFAxSP88xFJ2Wl3uX-k3aAOh2LjjQz7F360YvcXxdi4xt6iVh0Gm5NVknWMl-65_V0izQ7zgg/s0/PXL_20210618_163359938.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_bVFv3KGz6D4fjgmKJrqpfHUV9Tsnh7DHTeubhSSIbe3HQxmqQnaGf8rzZSnc8cOSvb2j7pMUOUdx5ECrVVEZhMPeDwQMSrtvwycfAk4SU1JfMF2aYiO6KvRwShZyC9uJrx0xRoqc3_B/s0/PXL_20210618_164416848.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
The next few are the boardwalk on the river, which was neater than I thought it would be.<br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU7HHjiXAnojUr8Dw6LFMhzBSja6UgU5rjMVOR5wwnI2a8WhgkaTJRYLYabLOoa4YKImmgRv8DSBGsYdkO8sa_nhyj_9ZiVg0sNrOnCjh4GO3l4ibeMfMTqOSL_GqAY6wPPN90GjYT1t8/s0/PXL_20210618_170037148.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUDFihDx2CArTWDqCNG5fVWu-mAmACPZ6X68Fd4UOwqPJxt6GXhS8abfl4OUAx8uMDUxJAaQ_7YATSW0RthHtqxpRlF5F6TogKjnz0AP-B3VvBDOunS7ILsI_HA0K7vBvfQrNZ-3D5-Iw/s0/PXL_20210618_170059104.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfER7CtTUt8nzSjK-qeIUCTbPqPqCiO2UVWg9UVhddPi7E-Uwg6qVo8NQOXBx08akd1tq_aMjTr1im67ttuNJSY-PRN0Y-idMsaKlNcY52QEsLI8to5KZ6JWzpkLcCPt-0NaopibGz2MK/s0/PXL_20210618_164415284.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcZKlZxFiJK0k7gfj0Aq6Z3jMBZhFhrwUcer8HlRtz1137bkTxrI4FgmxZ7laT3ZhxwZjAJ7cgpAdm8rObtHkWZ-v05HlqeR4tvTNpFywXJkAXW75ufBzTqn2LuJlwCM_KTHKu7pQPqoE/s0/PXL_20210618_170413693.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
From South Street I just went my own way through Point Breeze/Grays Ferry - the official SRT continues for a bit but is a dead end beyond South Street.<br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQVoDX6QwwdwJd_G3S2mCJIF7z_CSX1uDszXryl0X81gsxeY9cbwjWLbR0EeKrk9oJgrcMStKZO_MdVRO83MPg9xM4mXpUfwb8t0QLcd76lLkXSzQZFi2vQpoMfYVFD7WqWKphcsrt-Ro/s0/PXL_20210618_171950346.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Found this kind of mini-food pantry here. Surprisingly and reinforcing the goodness of human nature, it was pretty full, and I did my good deed for the decade and closed the door.</i><br/><br/><br/>
Thus I entered the Point Breeze neighborhood. At one point I think I was being followed. Once I crossed Passyunk Avenue, I lost him. The demographics changed dramatically at that street. I should note I was sad I couldn’t deviate from the course and have some Cambodian food. From then it was boring industrial areason. The next few are of the I-95 bridge. Even the Mother of All Highways must arch high into the air to clear the great mouth of the sacred Ganshowehanne!<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeD8Gftln42NS2yhU3aHs7zr7Ul1TYqeMqewnbyvOwQ7aGj54VSfX8peC701mV6AX-KukIKEivopzTisU-KNtVK4_CMUBKC_6J_4qmGHSAzwWqeUmODH-_U9-gTbLUHX46GoguGoQAh4Y/s0/PXL_20210618_181232663.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA46_nO11vlF9MuMc906jhQupoSft7BrMpO9PnfDuW1YUlX8RuGXyEQnwA9PCq-z0NshaUCnw90rnI_Tq_Kv8w703c-NR3CAUy2QI5lZrFGTAscdvUGHKvnYlDIvIBF0E3Gq6eDKxsX7T/s0/PXL_20210618_181801968.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Iq9-beLCKkH-sRqGqF32FmUqZEUDBr3cv-Pv_l9dORsOiau9WjlFKZtKtIDndP9mB7eESqRVcUZ0pzhvERBHOAINSKWzHNB-eI7tq9PEp_Uq24VjTaUPkRwgHdQpH4Y68KE_6HXofRrq/s0/PXL_20210618_181459327.jpg"/></img><br/>
It was fitting that my run should end so close to the Tastykake plant, which had done its damnedest to keep me from physically being able to complete it.
<br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexIEMwZXOxdbgNwnFtvMvIk_77RAqkWZaRaopSu-a_qStgNEA6_b30tjLVI8jL5XqJDfRjhOlHi9bG8533LTFij8gbVwT8QVqFUI-6m8FLDtXiRT3fQ2hbAOQAGRNcPOPOF_1tZJqwSfG/s0/PXL_20210618_180920227.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9zGV0rVYLqdXC0loOpQPEemxP_gI6yDp5m7gf_ymaPZ5WRQTak140PJVCyTClSH3aPnibvY9Zkw9kaxlUj54ktgLqBmxZTUZNLe0u-D7Og2Wa76Gf3x3n5ygEKP5CC4Ia1SqhS4g98fg/s0/PXL_20210618_180943019.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrmtwNupEn_WAj990UORMoFfxcXnTETJILWpmVwcXfz2PF5gotAHI6heW02iEIFS1kd9ytWft3AXAkrXh7tlcpSTtu5Egfq1890AU4E9amnmyIPkPZeL8vuoKUcDCSHuqUogNg1J16kfB/s0/PXL_20210618_180952111.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
And finally, there it is - the closest you can get to the mouth of the Schuylkill on the Delaware, at the Vance Brothers Launch. <br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFlqERxTgPaqbFSkfG5d5woEUxNdiMvwR2ci-ECTDsa5auTEid9Z4B36ANqpMpc7Y4DTsnERYEE4aBG4lYo9eIS1NBE5rGjnRY3nEWbe0eIdubWcsOhB4C5LMeJFiseFoBpqtK2QXhHFh/s0/PXL_20210618_181828293.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
I went back to the Tastykake plant where my wife picked me up (fittingly.) I had run the Schuylkill River Trail.
<br/><br/>
No trip to Pennsylvania is complete without going out into the country at night to look for charming murder houses with candles in the window, and this one in Green Hills, Berks County did not disappoint.<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43TUNHCv0u2FFiQZxDUAh2WDk4EFdAFAlpGz5aVyoqfQix7V4UqZk9O17yweomJNkaTzSiSFUo5T8RMsnbLWECW2uXV-rvXlD8VCBdxX07uOcLODt0cg7TK4tV_l8mTo8IDzMlqjOB4-8/s0/PXL_20210614_024628123.jpg"/></img><br/><br/><br/>
<b>Safety Always First</b>
<br/><br/>
"But wait! You didn't run to the <i>source</i> of the river, or indeed even the stretches of trail in Schuylkill County!" you say. While your passion for this topic and attention to my blog is a clear sign of intelligence and good taste, here I must set limits dear reader. For one thing, I don't have any nostalgia for the parts of the river above Port Clinton. But more importantly, for safety reasons, I am now declaring that I have run the Schuylkill River Trail, because I've run the <i>non-suicidal</i> part. These are fun projects that I do for the hell of it, and I'm not willing to trade safety to score imaginary points. (See my similar decision on my run <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-ran-around-san-francisco-bay.html" target="_blank">around San Francisco Bay</a>.) The official website <a target=_blank href="https://schuylkillriver.org/map/">shows, unbelievably,</a> official trail <b>on Route 61</b> from Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville, and again above Pottsville to Frackville. 61 is a fast road with many turns, a narrow shoulder and no barrier or separate trail. I was shocked to find this as I began, then abandoned, planning for Schuylkill County. It's fine to have a road doubling as the trail and I did use roads at many points, including 724 in Montgomery County - which is still safer than what they're asking you to do here. I would actually recommend that the Schuylkill River Greenways Commission either fix the map to show a planned future trail for those stretches, before someone takes them at their word and gets run over.
<br/><br/><br/>
<b>After Returning Home</b>
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After being in the green summer of the East Coast, Sonoma County looked as parched as ever. Part of Hood Mountain had finally reopened so I headed up there.
<br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEVw3yQ2HtvOpo6TuDaGztd2QlkJGvHJFdCrFmUQo3B6CJ7cvpH0FUT3aanfRN6tqAo4MyKVke-71iIvKyt3nXDmw7PaJnInB94W3wVoKMzJz1I7odttbLb7FM-Bjf3DIxQ_YtVvI5n1H/s0/PXL_20210620_215121884.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>A random wildfire in western Colorado.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEesUjsvlpbofdpySI0hWwJ6Z94sUsb43W3akSQ0a5XXjNaRFoyMP7kikeltz4Pj5Ec9s05F5j2m4nUnDrJxvTlKRGvXjtaVqkbhvLzUDmzB678CUdubpEgKAkiPfdvt4NYP54YML77kQd/s0/PXL_20210621_205651631.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Okay yeah OKAY YES WE GET IT man</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMgVurApFTcTS0mB2NLwidJgUQ7RmqUQh9nu9mTo6vPIKu4VcPIDUHg59aDJ2luwQWMHS88C7m9UUltVk01VlHvcvhPr0AVuuXw-w8TdaGXQgergyQvUdia5r_ZMbCkDyh3N9XuUzgvp6/s0/PXL_20210621_200633881.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Not an old chassis up on the mountain - tags had a 2020 sticker. This vehicle burned in the Glass Fire.</i><br/><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMoQNbCG4y5I2pS7WFtL63HtCiP9mjQT6JE3f1ZPOtvCpmm8Tu7Xmnwir1JH7uHiCk-LB-PtmeXOOSAgLvS9FUZSxjbYyirNVpK3yahUymlcdyP6e9envhHge5jpUgyfA5oZsiiZMg5a5/s0/PXL_20210621_204846579.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1vh5mDihLGKGpgC03AHZNcEL3ptFDLPFr_RCCkP5nrst5kclRO8Hb6N7iA7_xk-Bkfxqqufq2aTF9mY4x0kQSuGisN22HWji_K_BmyapIYjHUGBmHqBY7npvv_BdXou6TgHSKahWQKnS5/s0/PXL_20210621_204457108.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxySdluB9v63jVyECQ0LK89TOl4zst1yS4zEOhaoopAtKV7gUWO1JV8eNsrgcXaL9q39Irpk69MeXJrAXDKhBfFvK72w-aSX4nEBW-fG3GvKhSTy3esnRgk9dtdLvOkHcPO1gpHDAGMQ0o/s0/PXL_20210621_204301557.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdJ_hepHyqpTXcxUkLoq3Jlh2os6ioOPmOPxiseJXTDTQuGVwsVcFKqahXAKvzqpBEje8iood-PRZzhatg5HrE5hThaEIqB1yZgCW27D42weZD8i63gf_Ib-u5fgZ0Iy1DUgBpOn7Z_uJ/s0/PXL_20210621_204024400.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpbiu6S-RQENfjfW5mf8nURVi-kD6CvCFUhYC3OqVN9LaFLjKGnYDBKVCG0Svp8bo06260HTWYW6waCzN2HBjYjBGrGRXKlPJwoB4YCUak0F105PzQHpEqV202U5poiwvHyDEZ9zz6FnC/s0/PXL_20210621_201918444.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4lTafwkjucvNFEFAhy_puhrWMHfKaOG2RbjVzmW-n0SjXlveIuW1hGrso3GnEpwsZSgcYyDTW-hOmXAEOu2rD4-sXk96lJLEjsL_LrApz0fUPB4B1jpZzg1nqV48-rprBf_09loN0R06/s0/PXL_20210621_202420387.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHbmtSKFkeoUYHPpVbYlHKvKp49hV-bg9KAi2v4gqGMddEJuwfcGyPMaxHHD7Hz0n_Ipa8nqA-aQDX4c9uCNT03F5N3b88AXH1nTSzlF_rnxh4zo9J2wVbLuusLh34PePqeAMCZoQC2ue/s0/PXL_20210621_201651913.jpg"/></img><br/><br/><br/>
<i>*Poe's article about the Wissahickon is an interesting historical artifact. Since the U.S. did not extend much west of the Mississippi at that time, the article demonstrates the interesting anachronism that it's an article about the American outdoors, and there's nothing about the Rockies, the Sierras, the Cascades, or the deserts and forests and canyons in between. But it's actually quite interesting for several reasons - Poe is not known as a nature writer, he effectively extols the virtues of backcountry beauty only accessible on foot; it does so specifically in the great state of Pennsylvania; it captures some of the intrinsic conflict when we try to encounter nature in "itself", invariably affected by the human observer's definition thereof; and most importantly, it <a target=_blank href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/04/england-april-2017.html">makes fun of England, and English people</a>. (In the link scroll down to the bit about Ryanair.)
<br/><br/>
To wit:
<br/>
<blockquote>"...the sweeter portions are reached only by bypaths. Indeed, in America generally, the traveller who would behold the finest landscapes, must seek them not by the railroad, nor by the steamboat, nor by the stage-coach, nor in his private carriage, nor yet even on horseback — but on foot. He must walk, he must leap ravines, he must risk his neck among precipices, or he must leave unseen the truest, the richest, and most unspeakable glories of the land.
<br/><br/>
"Now in the greater portion of Europe no such necessity exists. In England it exists not at all. The merest dandy of a tourist may there visit every nook worth visiting without detriment to his silk stockings; so thoroughly known are all points of interest, and so well-arranged are the means of attaining them. This consideration has never been allowed its due weight, in comparisons of the natural scenery of the Old and New Worlds. The entire loveliness of the former is collated with only the most noted, and with by no means the most eminent items in the general loveliness of the latter."</blockquote>
He goes on to say:
<br/>
<blockquote>"Now the Wissahiccon is of so remarkable a loveliness that, were it flowing in England, it would be the theme of every bard, and the common topic of every tongue...The Schuylkill, whose beauties have been much exaggerated, and whose banks, at least in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, are marshy like those of the Delaware, is not at all comparable, as an object of picturesque interest..."
</blockquote>
Settle down there Poe. Stick with making fun of the English.</i>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-23558680624444977992021-04-03T16:06:00.020-07:002021-04-29T17:17:41.876-07:00Pismo Beach and Tahoe March 2021
In this weird "COVID is not quite over" time, it's still not a great idea to go on a plane, especially if you're still not vaccinated. So we stuck around California. A friend once remarked to me at a party how great it is that in California we can ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon; a disagreeable interlocutor demanded a show of hands of people who had actually done this, and nobody had. That said, last week I neither surfed nor skied, but it's true that within 36 hours I went from playing on the beach to throwing a snowball. It was kind of cool, spending a few days in Pismo, then home one night, then a few more days in Tahoe. Activities including sitting on one's ass, running, sitting on one's ass in a hot tub, eating Mexican food, and eating pizza. I had 3 alcoholic beverages during the week although I tried to drink more, I really did, I promise, I just couldn't do it. Here is the evidence.<br/><br/><br/>
<b>PISMO AND SLO COUNTY</b>
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Somehow I'd been to Pismo many times without realizing it is (or was) known for its clams. I've never before found a live clam with literally every handful of sand I pulled up, but I did here. Of course there are the dunes, complete with native shellmounds (consistent with the clams) - and brand new (to me) trails through a vegetated part of the dunes which were really neat. I'd always just run along the beach before and never knew about these. It's pretty cool when you can run the 3 miles back to the hotel without shoes. Fire can even make it to the dunes it turns out. It was interesting being there literally two days after they decided to eventually close the beach to cars.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBlFhvHXuzH69sYE_VDnnBTkBu1VJAzaYUrVSfB0iUdgwAysMyyh7loA2epdwPWGXUn1m4Viir_QkkcYa3WiUQ64qJd7WG7ke6bMuvRdLsOPV4dUmt1a1Mp6b04iE6f0cCu0aGv_y42fy/s0/PXL_20210321_193359133.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdbbF5N7mGWyuLJIilfbAGaQQ42C7G2sD9Ehe2fH4D2xKU5zPtj6UTyLfLNzhefsNQLQfSONQO1MzCk5_897CCegom_u42ui-Yi-lMU1H7ki6T5fjUHluFEQ4tRQmejxVInU4fCniMrwh/s0/PXL_20210321_193414962.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hmGAzzPPCJPTw7ucYr89OJvUMi5LQKOcLJj23K6nfcrKJDQ8jBK0oN8FVhzi8VrSAOspGkZrU10umqwaWZmshkDlrPAAYRp0lf5NkJrjF1EQTkRsbI9x0ThZdfwoFiIaQICKTAOOM2aB/s0/PXL_20210321_193426867.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqtl7IroXzHaBzMnojg3-3_ltDlsPob3Hpl4x-em1ckwbfd6ZccNF0vq8jlTIPsDOZA4dMfPA8V4-anhwXjt6fsGizkQZLajisi7XB0VevDQ8nAM32lXcPBJq0hFhFGQEVF8_sLmQSS_M/s0/PXL_20210321_193837685.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYNQ1-AwoZv_3tF7Kmo88zdEAgtzbFK7qGksFIuDuk_3wKYTwmGQnmGo8Eg3ydYEMAC3-LY4EAmwsheu2-lvXBh1Lu_WZxVuYkFT8PruRcG1W41vnhpCVLYmKwQEqWyoVpq6iabxC9c6U/s0/PXL_20210321_194114733.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlOAkyWR1YBcs7NBIHwwMv1zFluMseVGKFDLh9XOBOFSIWUIGIcBeIVCwKGaVgcsc0xM1-kakAcB830xHnTSWnEMlCeMeMXFRMthi_6AvE5qZGgJLNvt-joX63IQVF-ckvpXNq6-WRjKx/s0/PXL_20210321_194702266.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKTTfU40bSnY0m5qx5oBiC04pLowtD_LF6XNRXeYaT4xmmLV47XpeWEb_QpJWDRqknGrFEDT9GRwdezE8YQ6n8vbMjc-qsvVdaQaz8dyJ5MuYucHjJ88t_gxfe2aVfqNxpv8e8kd9HeTq/s0/PXL_20210321_194704853.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjnZ5Ln6SW8wJblZH8zpSP0MNojPIhRvQ2AgAB-9kq0NYIkR88o4n-zbXTFqepv_gqsTID_FuGv7nUo0nuBA4i2Ks2T0wk06hbpkGJZQsEuV6jXCn0eEvvZEIVpQz47hKU7a_WvCWdkTa/s0/PXL_20210321_200741475.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo0Eyj6t_wLk1SEYqUwW81G4Gw4sEDgWup9DmyMxtoqFc541LmQAkwgjCS_zGcha62lYkbTDYNenx-0_fK0sQI5Do9UxR8ZfScDDCRkKxscMDjRfH0kQ3QS7h828F5ZDc6fRmBOrgYyxZ/s0/PXL_20210321_200814481.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHdrcj8z8EuB4wB3HKTNOrgOz6b1DBEljENBfqXnQ1hlkFweJWM2Qt4sW5A4teb6XxSVD0bjGpifI7tThpnzeMTphZlTyBiEf2obo1lsMYhBxjDno165NSW3Msq1NZHPdcpyCY2_4UPQ9/s0/PXL_20210321_201054101+%25281%2529.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pT8ZVk2wpm3IVObdnMUuRa9RkKWxQMXHhly85kH9cA1qcNYyAtltCOQh4UO6v5tPipMtrrUPCF5R9qU6UaTxh5ViWu2IhYYl1MpAKiFLFP12S9kqj6u1iuZT-AIfq191Irk3vJ8wplrB/s0/PXL_20210321_201210078.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCx3iy1000G6bDNskiN9JsgXRg8K5xpd78Z_dkEutqQZ4jZ5f4ATSAI-PiSvuhA9hKz8_pjuYZXpfKzJaeZRTsEeDOCXKaDfogV6pVWV8wZ7yjjm1gvPQlYRbFCwAglvzijxzOhTThLaeU/s0/PXL_20210321_202306186.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihA28DGBghpFrVFlzlS6DZMwWdorl2iPZY51BsTQDA4VlZOs91Zy0XGrBnA-Kdfv6nPE9aULcgIPXUmYPEI-eOgBsKK4vp_NzjOWUOK8ZfZ43QDcADtiobGN_EVw5dD-lG1vWIjXh41zY0/s0/PXL_20210321_202316531.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9lkj5cwKB1D-z__orT385VPNmJHaPWswpzPODNsDFhgaZ_3ewAwgfXwSiWz13ISsH6nAF7FGsO_fqDGruatwPKkb53pO8iwY0iQNKpdLokXTjBvHVIpN_CQfZ_UhV7jLpnI8mL6ikcZI/s0/PXL_20210323_172221373.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU-8gdfM0wDV1YKsClQCzjtj9W7vk_OAkL5aygY-PfKEqYTI2SJfWjScjzYKKYLkmd6hTFSS7Uf8v8NEKW8_NyLlzQLcbYbGLQf9i2EnJ1e7Nb-CGEBRM0iVKXFTej0lpj9YtB5Vq6UcH/s0/PXL_20210321_153939687.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RT3LMqLRbAIxsbW8MUU4341m_lEE4vtpfthmHVPYOsrt1ZMJMM2uUeqOna7xUuQCe-oCBma3KLUohpFXbGsi7uekPxdTy5fgiw3_ZGiNov3gzsP9hJXp2_tlDvkzHhh_Qq0I5Kfs-UEl/s0/PXL_20210321_020031159.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQgG5WIL81bBTii2_c_fcWSv4mr_5xXATONFVFN4WUvUtFlJK1YAfYhQRTFkbzzZxB4N205JcznNxyWHZTbV9gGQU-aEjAhpuK94VUHEgTZwgjH5HsEHct8K9ZzpSAphrBXPrujiDCN12/s0/PXL_20210323_050905521.NIGHT.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
</center>
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The "architecture graveyard" in Poly Canyon, San Luis Obispo is the place where students apply what they're learning. A visit is highly recommended. Some of them look like college projects. Some of them look like professional buildings. All are interesting.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdmIuClVOvD9rLTNZu7H0dIcyWhq7lovw7IZe6TLSEdKY5fGSwyLAkXEpV0zV1vvbDr11J1_oB9L3hYUfC3DHHAmjEqbDc0Goa0vNe_J3hyr8J-vz4z6xyeeNzpyT1kZQouyEjt92Rll1/s0/PXL_20210322_000137913.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OjYYeO1N02vqW4SgIuFm_FLcVy7hvJUmjRTaK_c10E-bH34T-yJOj3PLMH9q7MmvhcgNtvLpKHXnJ8PxqNSaO9GzfrLVLcMfyamFej_33gudCMxxSJcj1HhGK4I_qNV0FZn_qdy5COpY/s0/PXL_20210322_000619327.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiRXB9lUsKCHAbc2z9kcAt3bNMcrnfDIldev7qo0BisAGozO2rrx8yJbMlahcx5V7SQ-C_QPiStd-tCcimOCkbOEStZGx66-FJUlGgS8SuP09D3BObcCUtgZfENQaF-t5r7gjf1nke20C/s0/PXL_20210322_000628212.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGWjHa68uo2_ka0wBMxrBXIhG81d_Zry-_-z9aByZjVpOsR4G0ZKoi8IjL7E6o-1B-gd3llGGh2rPAr__wrOS0ATbpJZrtFFC-nrbf_xMjJc6ccFiQFrokj4bBF6koQPYJWWIPuq_e-77/s0/PXL_20210322_000714275.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ0IDslxn-jrByZ5R43CEhMR_W7JjedeMi7rfIOAkD2xZpDSrUmkg3S251vomxVV4FDjrWpEYtXEzA_f__ZT2jthDz6LNNzYam7WcJ1a7cxhkR4cKsGg9ITrchkFYrPTc652UOAMI8RST/s0/PXL_20210322_000830485.jpg"/></img><br/>
<i>Above: there were occasional graffiti contributions from an individual or individuals I like to call "the Shakespeare of the Central Coast."</i>
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tpsdLWI01wN_i8T5ywd9kcJO0JxXPjuuVm_9Wvdw5nqMqJ8uFoPgP-AsX1wVtgVaJ4n4kgKb-20hVFMB_wWDrfhe1ntL-H-taROX8G_Gf__Jyff0qf5x_CegS3QIPplwmhHRUN7A6eS1/s0/PXL_20210322_000932934.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoKHXz-Z6FkR07c-da3ZD6e0lqnF82t30LVnUVHGeLDkTym3ZWUpXlbXKuUlXhSvQoDpj-bb_on4XXfwJyoxe9O5clafDWhU1dlUDBD_q8zQ2p4DjvfyESO0pEQscf-XmY5Rx0qi713mC/s0/PXL_20210322_001042764.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdEuesAUiaHGCsQ0yROt26aDRAwMaGFZhlvsLK-ir1R6dBQr0Vff2QAAsaWJtQAtOnteoZ8UxJOl0hKrpLSm3m8wSpukQFJXuYs4Cn3DIMLJj3YYuih0yiQInul9kGxZo3xBRjyJ3X0L3/s0/PXL_20210322_001248962.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d7mqvWzqqR-bSVbP2Qqglbrhsv7bwS9chrk2Su7BhyphenhyphenqsS9msGVLM2ZNAZu_QmP5t8FBwt0MHgbYQsgIEk67J6M8E2qje_KdRqAeyyOTtheQGUi0utcLpALNyU33wODSawQhK6QtJqNF5/s0/PXL_20210322_001318400.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibr-7Vuz_av9H-1oMJsb1XTdCD7nRxbdmOXkWELDksyEP90rp18WVaWwfl4ZXYtdb4l64Y08vgwI7Ey1QeFmX9Ie4nPHbIM0AUuVvLpYfgTGyqaakdW9fiizojt1meyeZrN2ZvMX9qDlPM/s0/PXL_20210322_001427245.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEins7kYEoX0o53-fdMD6U5d631vLM8UtgW22Aj85ULFpEZzLTikNCiYrnr9vBjXcghDcthHWHS2jwYeuRN1n2gdDl4nZtLJFlAzAUqOfARAx2jJnLlh6SkEtDIib1KUtxuef8NYlSf6tJzr/s0/PXL_20210322_001435715.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
</center>
<br/><br/>
The highlight of the trip for me was Montana de Oro. There's a new (to me) trail open which was Hawaii-like, between the greenery and sheerness of the hills.
<br/><br/>
<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt1YFPsnJu-JzD7QxsNb5x828r1u8VnFtGa82mqQhFh7ll5RA3L1GFBE_I4wxBgDqqxm-a1IuXdTMjbfcSZG1l6ENoA4XKLUw898Xzq-jDBsp9raPSf2olAg4hUgpH1-2qwFdfYADdjh6/s0/PXL_20210322_161645173.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyVDVWIBkSdgSfDyHTI_dnZxF2sfRT9SMD7x77izjiHGidckF7mgZKSXb4InJs2Vdqzalq-XyXI60CG1aZ-R6HYd3EQyNzVomvPfYuF0rA5NNTgFh_qLUW1bVXyUaTf6dYpN0OlFpOpuq/s0/PXL_20210322_162023299.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ROUUIf4bypbeXydguLUgx2-Yee25n5jRc5TjCv9QT3rmFSjmNKM7HaAFO5izK2C6gxFyrybDrY74PG8eFxqMBdvMenkvh6Q5oJeHNGwdsFqCgI8Fn8beE2XlR0MH30Q5aa3L8XkYJcqe/s0/PXL_20210322_163958003.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQmMWIv3iJf7KBCVOAXZVbCHBdjcq3A9cGIpsBZGhOKdjIB7bGE9AKXFKIhpR_z5H4auGCmmsrqnpjqlleS6CHRkZI4Zew51rKuOITIXEJnDpWR5HClLjZ-aBnu3MPydVfcfRd9S2k90V/s0/PXL_20210322_164013059.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAxnJApCDdGu8HABVXryNIfEDafAW03PnHRXXXVaO9UyGf-DvRnFiat6nfW4XHmPgB0VDMmG4yAIJQowzPldda_PspAVGLAIVxMlCqZV1uPjuG-tID_ZyNLvci1bSicQY9r-Wiv1p8Lpa/s0/PXL_20210322_164212699.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1ed38WICysjBU9rA3kTCfUXGMAkrjQv7kOqm4kvjGV1MvHV8H9qTByQT2QuzhqF367PSu-iQaaLaQSnm-VGRAv-zouhN1YDhYHljZ9KtlBO9p9za3QJtyb5Gt8nf5cUc_lq8_y1ylU_6/s0/PXL_20210322_164525163.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Lo0F7dNSWZbs27s7GXG5ZAVEhFJU2Vys6QhtEtv-YERdQMk_REvTd0t0CvwRm2WjhYx32LHtO3_Xqj4ZhjwWlVXNi1KO3E10g98l9cI3w-4IB02Ds3qHqYmWxMtmlDtnCt3U7d_CWpG/s0/PXL_20210322_165424322.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqnZDxBsDUMmrSk2IaTuIMuYTxOt6lJxd9HwAbrw1BebHogyBA-ZESGo1PQz64NaiWeQAKoPKrUcHLjxiuCTDpkUvkmd66LtGJPKs9FGXChfaZbmFblZFsUhCcVQLVEen0x9-5j-pvjpr/s0/PXL_20210322_165950804.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDwZZbUt5Jl8GFUQ2QOedRSwX1ItZMZG4Kn1aboAzN5TmREb3atXu6VyQPFI3Ka7kgFlXlLMcnhqgHcqwMYsSU-67zF4pTEPRPPYS5k1kCXQf1u7iW9-1jb2qtWf4miMQ-U08jFcb4WpF/s0/PXL_20210322_170012638.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKc2n-C2y6K76SkHkCyJRPFyVCebyi3EV4OU1kuLhFTM0DHdB623RPkcExq4qqXM6XWi5vW5rlCTirpVlcRrVxKgWY0zairtIhtGUIbDTXaykCLQGfa2fW6ywTKYxbk2DBWPxzRKzW700s/s0/PXL_20210322_170125907.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI9TqUkVwMwjvC2fJqww1FqlIhgjSdABU2oI4SKfL7M7rK16QmBerawvMplKV9vHiCdB0IUI_pLqpPSDasf1t5qyAgN2b1P2P7PkzO35oIlu0rby87O5PQSl6MkEl6IPCiBg_uMy0u3HJ/s0/PXL_20210322_170504496.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThTtbyciekZITjdcqxLyKDWRKXKL6QE5K4qSdBlHFdwjuI01zq9IKkQe-zsmA7grShvYtfuk8EzEl8_75-GKrtx2sLo3ZCGu8BolcASfF3CYGTb1hEoeh-umP5Mek7jITBGn2boXCEXwt/s0/PXL_20210322_170722421.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGf7jywe_xnbvcLoetOkBrdNXs1U14UPw-J09dTDjMSPsKdxrEAp2yvLthol2oPs1Z7BviVkmMzKYXLazjgu2FEOCHEihpAcMDdxZ0TeinZZ_M4hFtQwa9C3QDQKLZPfQsFfkfVzcqS6W/s0/PXL_20210322_171558107.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwW9a_kvY4DVy-8UFyyOEFH-52uWYCNANJiTRxufvGRjuPlyyR1ITfR6SiXE_bj4JfHUZQQCPmwn6xqTwwBAKWLQMDiA5YPKpba-_DHdLNjmHUOjDkpYV_J76ZASv9z2uqdZ5amSXP0tZ/s0/PXL_20210322_171605708.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAY31lSX1C4Djd52sC68XbJIpxOmXtc3azAsY3wPYPldZB8AjUjlW9WmmEurzvl2ohdbIV2FUT40dQzwi9vUn4RKkFmUKzkKrtkEp2UgUnxjsNRdwvDumjyYts0WR33xObWIMCPrTWr7L-/s0/PXL_20210322_172303625.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2lXVZ4A3MT3CyImk_Yp6CzVosu2p5euPL2PyIeUycAQLEMng4jgHN2G1dqCrLw0w2NdttebQJdQ1OvHaF2gt7Hj0DYP8YjWcm8_bEkOnNCRpkUlZGfGIgUpiDqSC3OcZY4yN2P5agxGG/s0/PXL_20210322_172513028.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYGHBO0SxDvujKlUZlhE_Lg-N2ZO1FDsIrdV-IUKtDgItAOvMJrMMpkDCQoFNpZsVjBlmwOIu7qH0m6Zg3lFyQA5kRSOFK3dM4VkMzxuGQFwUL1qYwR1_F5gXxR41LwYNpAvNYPjrOcaD/s0/PXL_20210322_172528709.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomKFTbNMCd0yZbKcycwekbuUdl4jWc1UxULc3D1mteRDD8hbHmDzF6n4pfRAAICnTRAyXOhs6yYNJsZDUDL2N8KAslyKal_mXqlA2M7YdmbrRU7-oOMhZn9hZGsZFiA-wGTn2UBn5PwCW/s0/PXL_20210322_172616379.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi1EB9gAr96neXhAH2LxdmpValWJp4Qar0xqT13MiWmystGn-4-KTngyVGrVRftAch6YBQo0sfpTS5FPYQK7zuHLSfy6kcAojQcCjdJEJLb3ql75MawY77A4x7mQF5Zpdnb_adVpzXdSK/s0/PXL_20210322_172748205.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxi1Y54t_VciLnKSl4Gc4CF365TcbFCP3XXeNCwaCMyUHx1g6Ev2TWUSUREY9VmU2KlYMcyt5878eFBWiyTOP2peGlZMg77UQ4z55cksoAxnVuYhBiKaHA11w8Phzn0RRSU8MeQCPwqDZ/s0/PXL_20210322_173001798.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<i>Looks like Shakespeare made it up to Oats Peak too.</i></center>
<br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFJkp13_xywMgmCWih-oLEKe9d6MJmGFSVKB0WVfeNpAvAlUleb6OFKKFufaOifCSEZec_vz7da4faZ1TTDWBlxxh5_3_0_XjHMuB7rTS9b0bzIz-uawY82O6c5CKTWZ22qboqQ0ivT0l/s0/PXL_20210322_173033317.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxXLUiIeP1oUQ1uzMULCGH05Bb-jonx7GZRKkBHBTxlasWMN9gTcQ9yvo-eNXY_sZtZX7CXct15GcB6XbF5yqMixu7qKzKsTHzZrU9HxVLAfN5LLeWAaObFg_bsLwOUujO4VmxlJmR-JT/s0/PXL_20210322_173853779.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPFyvCSr0FNapyaAFbmX3z5zm80-pQiQFxo1SzD5mfp6flpCQqthsQRM4Q6-kJLiMPS7R6auPQ4mtslNSOuYJyYVrhQAyS3ob_XsSm-6GwwlRfRlQ-tcdLcIIZheneS3yez_Zl-PL_wDH/s0/PXL_20210322_173917951.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNFFt94At6XkRJZKHDTtW1X9roCJ6UOnJUFCiKq-poQfFsbKfMeSr6s-DyXw2VIXVLbmBrbPAZx_9ZPSCrJU89kxpiRQfFinxoZL1HX3qAGZAHjSkCa6Stb2FInhWVkAjt2LzGyNrPbr1/s0/PXL_20210322_175012523.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTsiTHCRcFL7I_gUo7zJwmeoE4-PUJiK1wovt8o4oWZyKn-2kS8A0pFEEfSOLMV7qBRTDZ2UvXd593XVPfktczvp_KL1B3rPyt1yxMZyyTilD97x9nK_5B__g_3rREYVw644k1RVfKm91/s0/PXL_20210322_175147528.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9y0ztju9YYCWb7aCG2WKw58AxpPFMEHHUNKHWcQxWIsXPFWGSZXP8RG2ejcoizTZICmJkVs5ff1OkNexhI_rlm5DL-tpzCqVvVX-nWsAr8Jv-lKEzhJNe8GSnT4gxVvNKdiCIUBDk6w13/s0/PXL_20210322_181200966.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3eW814RtXK8ULfffNuviddj5oPx-0IsFtvmMN7AFq4f4MChbvvlpvlQB-LJj5QbyzfjrEjqyNDWLv3ZXFv56i1vfNAjoh_tHlTT7DJwEf7zvJ29W3cMyhzt6sX_qobxp5f2CMAlJiT5r/s0/PXL_20210322_181212392.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KOFADZi6PgaGaF7z45Fn9Fh0Oo5GqshOBqn8W9f7TMKkANJcW8jTuKKF3DFJAdWgW5TPm2q-3TwADaamj63i0KAqvLfZNWf6YbUhPGQZ4MoaW880S4Mt7FISdNTdGn7cNz4NANZyIjFV/s0/PXL_20210322_181231318.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvDBCkRHjw_SsMuD1anq-e5Pxobbtr9RsNKN4QIYBcSoH_iNsAWS5YIBeb-h8zWt7Led4C2ncxLq1MAKqfjptwUhHNqqP55HYBZjfItgU3f3thS7o2dLSEwJDE-dmaVdo3WDpHu51GvqE/s0/PXL_20210322_184019653.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CCefAG-W9-i1cjTzyavENK-AC5z29XLvJoiXxL-HASXFLTfiWvuBwB78vPyfGMvPQ5aYZtc9mXVVBCZ0OiN_MdmRysPEIlMGgxrYa5tSspCnpiEGHVRFRxyXHyS-Goo70B-OuD966rk_/s0/PXL_20210322_192338349.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4W9uja_wa8R_MS5xCNpVfThZDokRSwbWkyCp_iWWfJRa3cB6eT4aJGD3RbfzE1yIag6F_zk5Y1ZtWwsYLIhMSZwhHxAzssc99k2yJhP5_94cxO9yJpAF3B1nslIPAb1r5CrLNrJjCs5Z/s0/PXL_20210322_192945371.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/>
<br/><br/>
I'd also never actually gone into the town of Morro Bay, nor gone out to the Morro. Lots of otters in the bay though I didn't include the video here since they don't look like much.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEykWrUl6FfUHTLDb_2lDLes_3Ijd73grE6Bargripb71l2tvPh_89uR-gItIt7fmMC_NuFglyFK484EtWUeiN3AdPiv16gRhnjK7jgcSk-KMAaG1tIqvV8OXDwYLcClHWfJFbRcFq_kdK/s0/PXL_20210322_220831137.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<br/><br/>
</center>
<br/><br/>
<b>TAHOE</b>
<br/><br/>
You know what Tahoe looks like in winter dammit. Note: the many crawfish in it are edible, and <a target="blank" href="https://www.wideopeneats.com/10-invasive-species-eating/">non-native. Catch them.</a> <a href="http://tahoecrayfishcompany.com/" target="_blank">Eat them.</a> <b>Wipe them out. Awl of them.</b>
<br/><br/>
<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbL198xQg5Nprv6gqhSifd3mZM2EfN9hRbXVnEtFeycbbd0o8_l0Jygq9lrWZ1UEToI7_H9dR8Z5MkUUn3_5lCBZy_4T-09XKxeNV2KmEBamx1eYn4Fvqqp91J0TIM7dGvUMV7Q5KsJ-vs/s0/PXL_20210325_011053252.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-Msn4xmZbT1CdqnwipXeBIv12CL95DYQt1OHf0k7bnGRNHNaRD28OhB8VcALcAUNAZwCUSHPNxPzf-va2j99r4iLnrxtSQHQiHcvPbLyLjH4YiuWIKbcNcfK57oElIqElWjR8eEV_nCM/s0/PXL_20210327_011031524.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
</center>
<br/><br/>
But it's good to be back for spring in old Sonoma County. Below: Taylor Mountain, then Bodega Bay, then a loathesome mindless land-jellyfish mental brain genius desperate to prevent his humans from escaping again, with the galaxy-brain move of laying on top of me at all hours.
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<center>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yXVOwNVoLNNyV1J__63EQ2NewUjYCyvunUb1smLYpLKGRonhBERbaueaOFFoOBqXKbzfOxziwnEmWu6IINjOAtGDlvS29O9qL8HF4iCoWUY8G7xquOcUmlzlf298gFmIdzuVq2vKd4FU/s0/PXL_20210329_182010959.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtpOXp_d6aPQrWjCHDjkqxJ15xWI4wJEYMwui1GlNoiaq9kas8cg6RjImKJSrYzWSNo7QRW6svHTPuKHX_35sCBvIDaw1hoa6VcGa06_OnXNbCuYvryu-EaV71Io49pYVJwX5UfciBXsS/s0/PXL_20210402_014431925.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNrp_xhOqOGgo9JvCWovreBQojACC9bBpfhold9smhMEKTcPx-2YEVgDv-YEm2CRzAAdHx7kLJCbOwtqV3FpNIAmu7Wq_k-umjXo8czwiwRWRLZSbhdkEypV8aI8Lu4FPXD9ld4TAFX5n/s0/PXL_20210402_014436642.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEhHzL4XluWGty17F6zlE03wk2IT4vI0fHIa9kpjzw3e7Nh9iejKnyEf2tP5_4Vm70GOl-MhsQRyWLhsg0Vsyz_bd_gnKQwRWc3-Uhks77rhiXukpMXI1VqFJnFp3NzR6uzlv-h5mvNxM/s0/PXL_20210402_014448499.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RP2FW0d3nPjQuIKPQIww2wrKmW3ACGIP1hO-lsC4Su9gPaZN5Wd_D4iNJYNOd9hyphenhyphenabD6-jj4oO7giqgnnLJNyvPd8gLFYH8MpzgDqF6jy730iuy1PjDfKXk_s5iyML7mchqHWYsTH77C/s0/PXL_20210402_014456853.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMOGgpSzujRqMm_4lC_TsLaEv2B3NrDSh5MjeUBX1CHTlDRMs5QjRDVrtyWXO6EQHCh8-NWBaylV2olU_7pMfxMwEXiNwonWkMdmxMgWhT4vIFsKOCFP7TR-jbPDxggXPabb6MVC1D8V6/s0/PXL_20210328_145457406.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-11947912737935852952021-03-29T18:22:00.001-07:002021-07-01T22:31:06.268-07:00Can We Measure Fan Loyalty By Looking at Disconnect Between NFL On-Field and Financial Performance?One day in the late aughts, I walked into a grocery store the day after the San Jose Sharks had lost in the Stanley Cup finals. I passed a guy walking out with a Sharks jersey on, who reacted well to my statement that today, we can tell who the real Sharks fans are. After our short exchange I thought: presumably a fan wants their team to win right? In economic terms, fans identity with teams to the extent that they win and increase prestige. Could it be that we can define "fanbase loyalty" as the irrational "price inelasticity" shown by some fans or entire fanbases, as this fellow was doing? (More here on <a target=_blank href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/01/why-do-people-remain-loyal-to-losing.html" target="_blank">loyalty as irrationality, vs the psychopathy of casual fandom</a>. If you're not offended by this post, you're likely a fellow psychopath. Welcome.)
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Of course I recognize how naive it is to get upset that money influences professional sports. Indeed it's really irritating <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2010/07/awww-lebron-james-is-leaving-cleveland.html" target="_blank">when people cry about their favorite sports stars signing with another team for (gasp!) more money</a>. But if you count yourself as a sports fan, should it NOT be about better games? You as a sports fan want to see good games, and don't care about the league making money, right? (Seinfeld said that really, sports fans are cheering for clothing; I think really they're cheering for market sizes and marketing executives. Inspiring!)
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<b>METHODS: </b>To measure the impact of NFL team performance on their financial performance, I took as my inputs the CHANGE in performance in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, both in terms of win record (ties count as half a win) and Elo rating per 538. I compared that to CHANGE in team valuation and total revenues in both 5/2020 (which reflects the 2019 season) and 12/2020 (which reflects the 2020 season.) Notes on methodology - using the CHANGE in quantities has the benefit of providing an internal control for market size, stadium size, local sports susceptibility, etc. and things like inflation and COVID apply to all teams. (Perhaps not equally - the more athletically successful the team, the more revenue they get from stadium sales - more on this later.) Sources for this data below. (Side note, I found three articles in Forbes and Yahoo claiming to list franchise value, but oddly they all gave the same numbers in August 2019, September 2020, and December 2020 - so I used the 18 to 19 changes assuming that reflected performance during the 2018 season.
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<b>RESULTS:</b>
Comparing team performance measured by Elo with valuation, there was a very weak positive correspondence (improving Elo means improving revenue) with R^2 of 0.0827; no clear outliers.
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The same could be said for Elo and revenues, with an even weaker R^2 of 0.029. Taking out 3 apparent outliers did not improve this.
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Using the lower granularity, more context (league) dependent measure of win record, the absolute change in number of games won from 2018-2019 was a better fit at R^2=0.1959 (more absolute wins, better valuation) <b>but there was essentially no relationship with revenues - which is a better reflection of fan engagement.</b> There was a similar but slightly weaker result using the input of improvement in record compared to last year's number of wins* against valuation improvement (R^2 of 0.116), and essentially no relationship between this record-improvement statistic and revenues. <b>Again, fans don't care whether the teams win - at least not in a way that affects their spending the following year.</b>
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Of note, the Chargers and Rams are new teams so we might expect them to be off-trend, that is with revenues increasing regardless of record, and that's the case - but Indianapolis has no such story and is the next-most off-trend in terms of "better revenues despite getting worse."
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<i>*(Reasoning for trying this statistic instead of absolute increase in wins - is the fan impact of a team going from 8 to 10 wins more like going from 6 to 8 wins, or from 4 to 5?)</i>
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(I also wanted to compare performance to Nielsen ratings but couldn't find a good data source - and even if I had raw viewers per game, there's the methodological question of how to credit the teams.)
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A loyalty index for each team would require tracking the relationship betweeen "worsening athletic performance" against revenue improvement over some period of years. Although I stated above that revenues is a more immediately sensitive indicator of fan engagement, over time one assumes that a constantly losing team MUST lose value - so as a proxy, I looked at current valuation against the 2010-2018 W/L %. Again, the better you play, the higher tha valuation, with an R^2 of 0.0739. Dallas is a major outlier here, though removing them does not make a major differencein the fit. I think Dallas's "inelasticity" (the irrational exuberance and/or broadness of its fanbase) is especially impressive when you consider it's not exactly in a population center (<a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/09/geographical-nfl-traitors-where-people.html" target="_blank">see NFL loyalty map here</a>) - it's not just benefiting from a big market like the Giants.
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<b>STADIUM REVENUES AS A PROXY FOR TEAM VALUE AND FAN LOYALTY</b>
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NFL teams vary in the amount of their income they get from stadium revenues. Interestingly the graph of percentage of revenues coming from stadium events against win-loss % from 2010-2018 looks very much like the graph for absolute valuation. Again, the Cowboys are way off trend, getting almost 2/3 of their revenue from game days. One imagines NFL executives use people showing up in person as a proxy for team sustainability. One shudders to think of the price of a beer.
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<b>WHAT IS THE NFL REALLY MAXIMIZING?</b>
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Profit, and sustainability over time. Fairness and exciting games are merely a means to that end. That's obvious - businesses focus on profit - but fans are often loathe to think of their tribe as a business in this way. Yet it's obviously true. The coefficient of variation for Elo rating is 31 and 49 times more than valuation change and revenue change, respectively. And profit sharing, a draft system based on performance, and lack of free agency are all things trying to keep this balance. (In much the same way that college football's bizarre insistence on equally bizarre preseason rankings is really just a way of <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2011/01/do-some-college-football-teams-get.html" target="_blank">deceptively seeding high-ticket-sales legacy teams into bowl games</a>. Always think about the money. The games are just a vehicle for making money.
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<b>DISCUSSION</b>
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There is little connection from season to season between a team's performance and a fan's loyalty, as measured by annual revenues.
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Over the longer-term, there is some connection betweem a team's performance, judging by stadium revenues and (more distantly overall franchise valuation) against performance for almost a whole decade. This does appear to differ between franchises, but measuring this is beyond the scope of this post.
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Darwin wrote a whole book called On the Origin of Species and of many questions he did answer in that book, that was one he did not. So don't judge.
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<b>SOURCES</b><br/><br/>
Revenue by franchise reflecting 2019 season (Aug 2019) <a href=" https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/rich-every-nfl-team-090000298.html" target="_blank">here</a>
Revenue by franchise reflecting 2020 season (mid-Dec 2019) <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-every-nfl-team-130040095.html" target="_blank">here</a>
Franchise valuations reflecting changes after 2019 season (Sept 2020) <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2020/09/10/the-nfls-most-valuable-teams-2020-how-much-is-your-favorite-team-worth/?sh=1d80bcb42ba4" target="_blank">here</a>
2010-2018 win-loss average <a href="https://www.patriots.com/news/nfl-decade-standings-how-the-league-ranks-from-2010-2018" target="_blank">here</a>
Elo ratings at <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-nfl-predictions/" target="_blank">fivethirtyeight.com</a>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-90338678481002734772021-01-03T15:56:00.004-08:002021-01-03T15:56:52.642-08:00Quick and Dirty Meteorology: Relative Humidity vs Temp Change; Consec Days without Frost or RainSeveral things I've been curious about for a while.
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<b>First:</b> I've noticed that on days when it's cloudy or rainy, the gap between the high and low temperature is smaller. This is not surprising of course - water has a high specific heat, and the higher the specific heat of the atmosphere, the more energy must be added or removed to change the temperature a given amount. This is also consistent with areas near the coast with weather incoming from the ocean having more moderate weather, ie, the West Coast is much more moderate than the same latitude on the East Coast.
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I used weather data for Pennsylvania, because I was curious about specific things in Pennsylvania, not just this abstract question. I used Weather Underground weather data from Lehigh Valley International Airport Weather Station (KABE). I only looked back the last two years because I couldn't find any way to get historical data other than painfully cutting-and-pasting monthly data from a screen. (If you know a better way, please comment!)
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Indeed, I did find that the relationship between average daily relative humidity and the absolute difference between high and low temperatures (moisture to temp range) is negative. The more moisture, the less temperature gap - but the linear relationship is not great, with an R^2 of only 0.0853.
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The linear regression shows that the temperature gap closes by about a sixth of a degree Fahrenheit for every 1% increase in relative humidity. The intercept is a 29.4 F temp range, i.e. 0% relative humidity would give us a 29.4 F change.
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However, unexpectedly, the same comparison using temperature gap in terms of % difference from max (relative to absolute zero) produces a positive relationship with better fit.
And looking at the relationship between high temperature and temp gap, it actually predicts temperature better than relative humidity.
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While I didn't do a chi-squared, for what it's worth the average daily temperature gap closes form 20.6 to 15.5 degrees F on days with precipitation.
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<b>Second: </b>Stretches of consecutive dry days. California has whole summers without a drop of rain, as a matter of course. When it rains during the summer it's a newsworthy event, and people have unwieldy explanations for what must be happening (hearing rain one summer night, I assumed it was just leaves falling. "That's a lot of leaves," I told myself, "The trees will be bare by morning.") But I was curious about the same question in Pennsylvania. Of course, this is not kept as a running tally - the only systematic way of getting this answer is to look at all weather data and then automate counting days with zero precipitation. For 2019-2020, the longest stretch without rain was 15 days in late September of 2020. During the summer, there are runs of up to 7-8 days without rain. How can people plan anything outdoors in that kind of climate?!? What a hell-scape! I did find <a href="https://climate.met.psu.edu/data/state/staterecords.php" target="_blank">this record</a> showing zero precipitation in the month of October 1963, beginning a historic drought. (By comparison, California can have 200+ days of no rain.)
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I was also curious about frost-free days, as well as stretches of days entirely below freezing. Of course, it does get cold in the winter in PA, but actually it usually goes above freezing during the day.
The growing season - the frost-free season, how many consecutive days entirely above freezing, was 180-some days both years. Both years, the last frost was mid- to late April, first one is late October/early November. Given climate change, it's not surprising that Allentown is shown in a shorter growing season zone than this on this map (you can see it better at <a target=_blank href="https://www.accuracyproject.org/w-FreezeFrost.html" target="_blank">accuracyproject.org</a>.)
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There aren't many stretches of consecutive days in SEPA when the temperature doesn't get ABOVE freezing at all - maximum stretch in those two years was 5 days. To my mind this is the real measure of the "endurability" of a climate. It's 40 F? Fine, put on a fleece to go running, you'll be fine. And indeed, here there were mostly a few 1-3 day stretches. Compare that just to Fairbanks Alaska's last full winter of 2019-2020, when there were <i>114 days where the temperature did not go above freezing at all</i> - and that's just because of a single balmy day in late November when it got up to 37 F, and before that it hadn't been above freezing since Halloween.
<br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-25792745242282683052020-12-25T23:58:00.008-08:002023-09-08T11:46:47.809-07:00North Bay Autumn Roundup(Update: we restarted the Winers H3 hash house harriers! Except now it's called <a target=_blank href="https://m.facebook.com/groups/3087865494810996/">the Valley of the Moon hash house harriers. Come on out!</a> You can also see us along with the other hashes on <a target=_blank href="
https://www.sfh3.com/calendar">this calendar.</a> If you live in the Bay Area/Northern California, what are you waiting for?)
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<b>The Great Redwood Trail</b> - in preparation for another of my <a target=_blank href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/search?q=project">Stupid Projects(tm),</a>
I've run to Windsor. Why? Because the old rail line that ran to Arcata will at some point in the not too distant future
be <a target=_blank href="http://www.thegreatredwoodtrail.org/">converted into a rail trail.</a> I will be ready to spend a month
or so getting to Oregon on foot.
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<b>Above: running in the backcountry around Lake Sonoma</b> on a rainy day, you’d think you would have the place to yourself. Nope! In 2 hours I saw like 5 other people! What’s up with that! In the rain, the western end of the lake looks very Pacific Northwest and even a bit Transylvanian with the fog. Lest I get too spooked, some friendly California newts were out to greet me. Also included: a sunnier day, and yet another inappropriately named trail, a sad testament to the number of damn hippies tolerated in the trail-naming department of the Army Corp of Engineers. (See <a target=_blank a href=”https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/07/pics-from-around-north-bay-first-month.htmlx”>here</a> for other such travesties.)
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<b>Above: Mt. St. Helena</b> - I remember this from about 15 years ago as having a much longer and more annoying slog up the fire trail than I encountered this time. Above you can see a few inside the “crater” (don’t know if that’s really what formed the bowl-ish shape at the top) and the redness of the post-harvest vineyards down in Napa Valley whose soil the volcano long ago fertilized. Also yellow leaves passes for “fall color” on the West Coast (one of the things I miss about back East.)
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<b>Above: the Confluence Area, Sierra Foothills</b> - after a year and a half finally got back there. <a target=_blank href=”http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/04/spring-in-northern-california-remains.html”>There isn’t a bad season to be up there.</a> Besides summer.
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<b>Above: burn areas are still turning green with winter rains.</b>
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<b>Above, BONUS! Western PA winter</b> - Two nice ones from the PA subreddit, my apologies for losing the usernames of the creators - comment below and I will give you credit.
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<b>Above, Salt Point</b> - the trails up to and including the Pygmy Forest, not just the (also awesome) coastal section which was my
only exposure before.
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<b>Above, Orion,</b> taken with the night feature on an old Pixel. Dammit <a href="https://www.sciencenews.org/article/betelgeuse-star-dim-supernova-death-what-happened" target="_blank">Betelgeuse going supernova</a> would have been a nice accent for 2020 but it wasn’t to be.
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<b>Above, the very last pepper I harvested was the only hot one.</b> After producing only peppers with a heat reminiscent of two-day old oatmeal, the plant gave me ONE hot one, just to prove that it could. Experiment over. For their taunting I’m letting the frost kill them slowly. I will now move on to planting a small gentleman’s vineyard, and a neighbor was kind enough to give me a single professional-grade vine (not pictured – dormant bare-root – looks like a stick in a cup right now.) Gardening is a relaxing, peaceful endeavor and it’s important to have a positive attitude and show love to the Earth and all beings, and if the grapevine doesn’t grow I will find its grape family and hurt them.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyDD833sdnE5dWo0BIW-ftJBBHNqpEyTTaYRlUzfR3dqGPYQOY2DHQ-GfSqUxBL6Rse0wO2pOMQ2vK51s2tuHtF3ieYaDikBMA2Ofh_4ZW42H3f0z_mvPN_2R2YkP2mq-cLdJtsx8B6Y9/s0/PXL_20201206_204012951.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeml7V2Ab0Qgw2Ib8tNyat8DcAgT9JS3B9sLYmDBkXtFJwBJBm1nHXwCOwbtUjzH5Yv3b38gVpgxEYoBkj_tcXk385tAGzw2GXsaX41QRS_7uN7I30Vy-ZIqj0cU7bEq89phj5M6VZGR-/s0/PXL_20201206_212552647.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2B9bsfqTULEpAU9YGurkQHDzgjuzFvhw0YkzSkeSBkE7vq3iMKIZi-EE0P4D5MSYLFL27BFFnt9AtIp0D6VaRNkN1RLpSeuGUdRmLytVWAEiWU3lgEcdyAYEANpJtti5uhc2r0qMQleEG/s0/PXL_20201206_213012652.jpg"/></img>
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<b>Above, Ignacio Valley/Marinwood Open Space/Lucas Valley.</b> It had been years since I was up on this ridge. Views of Tam, the northern Bay shoreline, and the city were to be had. Really nice, and my first time coming down Ponte Fire Road, which I will definitely return to.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz_rqeetaa176OtOJmKoytUjbc1rxbYYJGY67AnMsTfz31gDrqHXJkArPD5Ynvkx6RuqizUHSbrBazMhcplALmSBwvNRGT9C8ygxwDDZZttQjA67ecZZSydG0sg6KZbF4n4MiokwHRsmS/s0/PXL_20201101_215405886.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxApKFRzgVtgo2Pc3RfGQa0mPEZCSQIM5j5wBkQ_CwXk1M6Cnn9VYQAV9pBzGC28WJo9UYghKeZMEzPnC4SIXgM_0F2XnVR_kxwM8yE44eaoE8eI2Jj1zc1dWz5s_Z-W2tRlXgP3yEUkE/s0/PXL_20201101_202142437.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGA8BrzzbAPUQ4QmLT2esB1bBtKLgSWbnYhedDuteVw8oMRfu2bgnPL_hwHa4orW7-2e4PwGB0aH-KnZFobzXncPYQ_xw2DoQ8Hc8ahQpp3Mmj623aRuIS3Un8aMFvn5VHRoqtVfrDcO6/s0/PXL_20201101_202312197.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6txTBlTfCqubicDNiKSO5r-KN1ivacIaYuwa46nqSycmo6K_cNFgMT-gtQc_GTzQgue_aYe5bfH6Xs8VX0NIpXQ3lDEpW2TvuVR7Vm1xhLnaeIF-qUl_Oaw6A-N-GihpkrJkUS2VWsx5/s0/PXL_20201101_214102869.jpg"/></img>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1MygmsRbfgpTU9-fZD9So1cdayV0qo4VP6b3aKgx75uoHZiQOpI01bHzvpYm-O-P3lH0CB1sP-bVuHdQabX_3oKh8U8hkpZJtdZVHDmyQixlNEjNqK6TUjjKT3UgAlGqVqBsbbOev8Ad/s0/PXL_20201101_223448470.jpg"/></img>
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<b>Above, China Camp</b>. Similarly, it had been years, and the last time I was there I had set just a wonderful, delightful, not at all
mind-and-body torturing trail foR the Marin Hash and ended up getting my bare a** sat on a block of ice in public for
all my trouble. Sniff! New to me - the open space on the east side of the hill there has some fun, stupid-steep social trails which I must
admit I could not resist. As of early November the holly was out. Despite its best efforts to succumb to entropy <a target=_blank href=http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/11/fires-and-terrible-state-parks.html>as seen here,</a> the bench persists.
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Not pictured, <b>Shiloh Ranch</b>, which for some reason I thought it would be flat and lame but it's big and hilly enough to be interesting.
Had a great late fall run there.Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-88523692177672353152020-10-10T15:11:00.010-07:002020-10-10T15:23:28.299-07:00Wright Peak, Mt. KonoctiI was always interested in this mountain as a volcano. Years ago I was quite interested in the idea that <a href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2009/05/geological-anomalies-of-northern.html" target="_blank">the Sutter Buttes were in fact the southernmost Cascade</a> - either way they're anomalous in their own right, but part of my argument was that they were close to, or not far south from, the Mendocino Triple Junction where the North American Plate, the Pacific Plate, and the Juan de Fuca (or at its southern extent, Gorda) Plate, the latter of which is a subducting rather than transverse plate associated with Cascade volcanism. These are the remnants of the Farallon Plate which once subducted under North America all the way to the Rockies.
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Plates are physical objects, less abstract than you might think; the JDF for example can be measured as bending <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/juan-de-fuca-plate" target="_blank">60-80 degrees downward as it melts into the mantle about 200 miles inland</a> (DiPietro, 2018.) The map above comes from a <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/0095/report.pdf" target="_blank">1997 USGS report</a>, "Tectonic Controls on Magmatism and Geothermal Resources in the Geysters-Clear Lake Region, California: Integration of New Geological, Earthquake Tomography, Seismicity, Gravity, and Magnetotelluric Data", and you can see the Triple Junction is actually about a hundred miles north of Konocti, and the Buttes are about 15 miles north of Konocti, over in the <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2014/06/interesting-stuff-in-californias.html" target="_blank">Central Valley</a>. Some Tahoe-worthy views there, consistent with the elevation difference of 3,000' from lake to summit.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGOY8Nr2LW6Mryo2Pnip868QA0nYamPpOoYgcAdY4cBVu_WSfItVARWzhviT_o70O3BK8DjkiyMPGwqe-EhVjOBP4QatcJhPXfickvKlesP6RWc1oAzqcqvbwQDFwPzf6zkTJEooVmV5N/s0/PXL_20201009_222618877.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6IkVb0TDKN7sUYtqZLh3PBn4K9Ql19PLEfXAY-rYNx9cT8e1oCC3JlyJbYrQL6HrhKeUXV81lJhKwA9a-DgYOhIEchXgVRlF09xGXokvbKi8i3o7Fgf2ETCm_g4njrhMYXjarp8Kbke4/s0/PXL_20201009_224802093.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI0E3z1XhkvG3-bQ2llbLLi8di0n2mwmq1SVaJJ6cpg_3Ges4QyIZmnEZstKv4qhpPXTxyrtviFwco8sZocCgk2GSfYvYJ1FUn3lWIegCBPyuQ6ZoHz8bkeuTiCF78DfhcTRH1uP2JbT3/s0/PXL_20201009_225813649.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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Of course, there are several volcanoes around here (St. Helena, Hood, Geyser Peak) and a) it's never that simple, plus b) what does it mean to talk about something being a "Cascade" or not? Case in point, there are flat fields of lava from just the last few thousand years around southern Oregon directly between Cascades - no one would argue that these flows resulted from the same process that created e.g. <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2010/09/pacific-northwest-and-canadian-rockies.html" target="_blank">the Sisters</a>, but is it a "Cascade"? This region has to do with more recent volcanism (~2 million years ago) resulting from a gap created by the San Andreas meeting the Triple Junction. The prominent dark colored rock you see in one of the photos below is actually sedimentary rock uplifted during the volcano's formation, not basalt.
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Other notes: the oldest site of human habitation is at adjacent Borax Lake, one of several smallers lakes now separated by volcanic deposits. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax_Lake_Site" target="_blank">Clovis points dating from 12,000 years ago have been found there, with their age initially doubted but later confirmed by other means</a>. Unless you have DNA, it is always both highly speculative and politically charged to try to determine if the people then make up a large part of the ancestry of the people who lived there at the time of contact with Europeans - case in point, Pomo people speak a language in the Hokan family and can be found as far south as San Diego County, and probably preceded Ohlone speakers (in the Penutian language family; at nearby Olompali, there was a turnover in the archaeological record about 4,000 years ago possibly corresponding to the arrival of proto-Miwoks who occupied it when they were trading with Russians and Mexicans.) The fire tower is from 1889, which surprised me (I would've placed it in the WPA era), and was being actively used by a lookout the day I was up there - and he was quite busy. It's been a bad fire seeason, and you can see the smoke layer in some of the pictures of the Glass Fire to the south, still not fully contained. The mountain was a healing place for the Pomo and boy did I need that yesterday. If you're interested in this stuff, there's a <a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/734/files/CGS_SR230_GeoGems.pdf" target="_blank">California State Parks report here</a>, and another USGS report on the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/clear-lake-volcanic-field/geologic-history-clear-lake-region-northern-california-coast" target="_blank">geological history of the Clear Lakes region</a>.
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<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gQ6aCIBw9Axgen5HedMWM8AmqjNuFXFeljrWrSbrI7w1xJPQd2taNFEoLjahlHoH-wbtnExFoBI5A9j_XxFzDdv-6gXyhgX2xws05RSXV1dwhtaH4dpUu53hlYSpFkHhDRfp2w6FeXUw/s0/PXL_20201009_225854979.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUui2j84uPhj2TiFHXIkF1D0Fi_pwydoKUv8HBOTvZCffxcWCpyratMxiBXty_PmOAvlUHnJQ-B-hasmbpqsdYDxkJ9q3k9Aj1pdl-97sVeTCRYZK6fQ3fB0qaHZX2OrZNxw7A82OLio-/s0/PXL_20201009_230027518.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
<img height=99% width=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlf0LokLAQVqWZpHMwEW8CYQuznLUnokW8yyGJHqn7cjlPwYH9NdBN1SKfODDHXX3aZ6lujTLI-uX6bx8ccnksm52oy4PagjwHnrMwteXkPDQrckNvY6QRLf3ysNQOycsBWV0vMcjNtJV/s0/PXL_20201009_230033041.jpg"/></img><br/><br/>
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<br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-8626192915830957502020-10-07T21:27:00.004-07:002020-10-10T11:48:55.267-07:00These Are Ridiculous Men and They Should Be Proud<br/>
First: an 82 day, 1,100 mile golf game (par 14,000) in South Africa. Learn more <a href="http://mobile.twitter.com/rickyleepotts/status/1313845514895462403" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Second: a man who rode from Poo Poo Point Trail, Washington (<a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2018/02/seattle-in-winter-san-juan-islands-in.html" target="_blank">which your humble blogger has also visited</a>) to Pee Pee Creek, Ohio. To raise money for food insecurity in Yemen. Also, for <a href="http://tanksgoodnews.com/2020/09/30/poo-poo-point-pee-pee-creek/" target="_blank">poo poo and pee pee</a>. CLICK THAT.Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-38699472376077149892020-09-27T16:24:00.003-07:002020-09-27T16:24:15.134-07:00New Record on the TRT: 37:12:15By Adam Kimble - <a href="https://www.kolotv.com/2020/09/22/tahoes-kimble-sets-record-on-tahoe-rim-trail/" target="_blank">story here</a>. Clearly inspired to beat <a href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2017/08/tahoe-rim-trail-desolation-wilderness.html" target="_blank">my own record</a> of 3 years and counting so far!<br/><br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-85187436711556011282020-08-30T11:11:00.074-07:002020-09-06T16:48:57.105-07:00Pennsylvania RoundupI'm including extra Pennsylvania news which is sure to please Dirty Uncle J, who was just visiting, and peed in a drain next to my jalapenos. Such a philistine.<br/>
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<li><a target=_blank href="https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/state/republican-lawmakers-push-for-entrance-fees-in-pa-state-parks/article_154d2cac-e60b-11ea-ad71-0b72e96c5e54.html">Fees to be added to Pennsylvania State Parks?</a> Pennsylvania has a very underrated state park system - underrated most of all by Pennsylvanians! And most states don't even HAVE a state forest system. Or game lands. Start valuing it or it will a) get more expensive to maintain like this (due to legislators not wanting to spend tax dollars on it) or b) it will go away.<br/><br/>
<li>Cool study showing how ecosystems changed in southeast PA after the arrival of Europeans. Basically, until then, streams branched a lot more and there were richer wetlands. Europeans arrived and dammed things for mills, depositing a lot of silt and channeling the streams into a few bigger ones. I used to look at the landforms around Berks County and wonder how beavers would have been able to survive, but with marshier streams, it makes more sense. The work was done by <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/08/secret-hidden-centuries-old-mud-revealed-new-way-save-polluted-rivers" target="_blank">Dorothy Merritts and Robert Walter at Franklin & Marshall</a>.<br/><br/>
<li>Reddit user <a target=_blank href="http://www.reddit.com/u/geotolken">u/geotolken</a> posts this map on the <a target=_blank href="reddit.com/r/Pennsylvania">PA subreddit.</a> S/he is clearly doing important work. I have several crates of Utz products in my garage in California as I type. I don't think many Pennsylvanians realize how thoroughly abnormal and wonderful it is to have basically a snack food manufacturer for every county! I know it's hard to see on here so <a target=_blank href="https://i.imgur.com/oVwffxx_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium">click here</a> to open in a new tab if you want to see if your favorite one is on there.<br/><br/>
<center><img height="99%" width="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmbklqkn6mgLsWZxTi6C53pXdEopgA4p3aNLOSKw3s4Cbpptm0v6hroHAufqvuKqNoOecwz3Y9sSiS7Go3HL1CHaHXNXP1CXQiym8FwG4XWAmKxGtpsGzyPeZYx0No8hH7j9Yb6wm2_fU/s0/pasnack.PNG"/></img></center>
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<li>Below, great video of kayak camping on the Delaware. I've only done this once, and was serenaded by foxes all night. So much wilder than people realize. A friend where I now live in California, who grew up here and spent his summers in Yosemite and is quite well-traveled, told me the Delaware Water Gap is one of the most beautiful places he's ever been.<br/><br/>
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<iframe width="432" height="243" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IROeGOB7Wr4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> </center>
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<li> Daily pH cycle for Loyalsock Creek near Williamsport:
<br/><br/><center><img height="99%" width="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrF1bsJfoRXIAuKKgHe6O3lQ6jAWq2F5-aCinJCJphUOuNiPZjyCuksgsh3Jwg8sVylfiGgqOuPBPaJhJgd427aQf932vIOQ1QJAlK6VQOXPftKi10et-uVZibJcAUBFzQN1tpNMvvLLV/s0/creekph.png"/></img></center>
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Bonus Sonoma County California news: laugh it up Pennsylvanians! <br/><br/>
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz5CBjV8_bpPlmpRJyn59tU3co1KopWLCUTL7o36YbqtQJFsm1zQEo83DN16EU4h0jwNPdZ088nuoqYGEO9aU52G_zq7laOy8rzxFsvYJwDMdT08SDnoGRHe125_CIoAmmlrP92Ne9eA-/s0/sonoma+air+quality.jpg" width="99%" /></center>
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As it does every summer, Sonoma County has caught on fire and at this writing has been burning for two weeks. This set of fires "only" burned 580 square miles (the ones in the Bay Area - the ones in the northern half of the Bay Area anyway) and even though they're mostly out, we basically haven't been able to go outside for two weeks due to the air quality. <i>COVID plus megafire = just really a great time.</i> And to top it off, yes I had my first home-grown jalapeno (pictured, fortunately prior to J's micturative exertions); and of course, it's about the ONLY thing around here that's not hot right now! (Yes it's my first and I was too excited to wait for it to show corking but I don't think that would make its heat more respectable as opposed to the nursing-home-gruel-level it's at.) Below that is our new county seal.<br /><br />
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<img height="99%" width="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPg1f-Q_VAzD6fkBt7DCfvL4EBJj2fRqLs1krL7LXbJbWoouznI5CV2zi0xtNkU5FlGdpZg5cb8Cs_Q3dQT2LJ430DFvmPaqMv7_FyEWJ00MWx478LjrueZ9Uq28gU_Nb08fiy4ffMDmm/s0/jalapeno.jpg"/></img>
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<img height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FFIOdIWQxKkN2pKCk2pJU06Y6ngN7yR-GDZ5zD2doglGP0vEY7VSLFhjQeMhwOvpmHDSBIOIAOBYyv9yfToGkvUAr1T3FQ-OswQhc7V08eLVk-v7EFiC0GzE-9WKaXzqcWUW9wXbnEoH/s0/meansonoma.png" width="99%" />
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<img width="99%" height="99%" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK02saCo_-VGZzJMlqQp-rkmEOKrz7mV6OHbvI1gGs8PHNFPIoDSO0e0TiqIvZgCbjrCM8Mf4epDMnq0dDbbSEfiGL-50btEUJpFts5nhtl_IKreSfrEPgUSfTqPkIzlpBn5hf5cFBgWX2/s0/farsidecoldcoffee.png"/></img>
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<i>Above: a commentary on experiencing the unexpected mildness of the pepper during the summer of 2020.</i>
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</ol>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-86732676610898153732020-08-11T07:26:00.004-07:002020-08-20T19:49:04.752-07:00Point Reyes August 2020, Woodward ValleyMost of these are from Woodward Valley Trail, a heretofore unknown gem and new favorite in PRNP. <i>Sadly, a few weeks after I took these pictures, the Woodward Valley Fire burned most or all of it. It's gone now. I'm glad I got to see it but sad that I can't take my family back there. </i>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwPp7TPNgA5JEOuzdSdznuSf-pGTnmK84QyvujmMehp9x1Ioa1if1qX5vVS5agIdkb9eOPMNcd037d8UJ08dApqGamXTskmQX-wC4bMZINQ_7nSmHwhaWc3gnUi3O7HP3VanCA8L6lX_r/s640/IMG_20200808_114210.jpg" /></img></br>
Above, "sand" at Schoolhouse Beach.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3OOd0d0ziXVnEBukRaB15KTTZp_Rj-L5tR-KZNXZLcUQNTS1ewUmQOwYpFSapDqC6ZxoCfrhdSSY_2Zj9zQVq2dUi38jfrTR5do0tlbbksNrBsvmCYpNc2g4HsHG-MLrDnykrM9MVyCk/s640/IMG_20200809_120412.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH1Waz9B6zrwCeU5IkqJELEv9jXE1D_Vt-Fu1ZmMt4Fhe2f72RoTjXV6gZ-M5I5n04I3ocVOfRZsqukg2yXklCuaucFndGMB0DPaFOcT4T7bYlIORb08FZ7VC4EM7qCiMEX8PgIG2Pg8Z/s640/IMG_20200809_121653.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRLKSGh4k4doSAanz6XaJWQJ5oqGoZCommQzAHL9XwZ_IHsFfaNor2TUPQ7Fz0v0kdYN1sVd6T3svStB9x7EHLKWRbtGS5d_ingz8jXtz6lOldrcs8SfKXLjGguNiqeXT24cOjjlWXJUT/s640/IMG_20200809_122231.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqhwUeeVfxM56DFnYax9J5Oas4OSAHPC4YasYT-3pWScVmd1X0Lwr7D1LL93_SJQARwbhPySvl0mewkIt0tw8eSjW4Imwprsk9c9xNsvHWmmt4NPhDvIAktBKnM1zT0hf_FZKrHzkjWB_h/s640/IMG_20200809_122242.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20vq-0KBGlCphmwRLcgWEGKVq8f8SEo8NODQzSdL172oiJP86CB0FgJ_nMoCsQVpi1QCytvBcqYhxhwFsrgJjkRRAqfLMVgWrXJkYYik4YlWPKb4VKCLT066YV2-WKiMJApteX9T77Y1x/s640/IMG_20200809_123304.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YJOicBKlQr8x9CPstQ_vLtiG-WAKVplAikm0fjNfKkT91na2EjlW7xUvgqMYwoakbeH_uYfipWMjt04_FXj8ydJgY85Aw8mg912Ci22Ro_Q6pF7OfLel4E0Bnat_ckn7jk-Dov7UmMih/s640/IMG_20200809_123516.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeNARZTaEbK9J2Wc1rS4kFg5B_N-AYF4jmTg4sLTxAjj_ex76aHGxUzlT8zupQ5N2AgzQa7OpRwC5kcEYKz8RqLfvjv8DppDW4zeaV95OeYQbxo1nwFIOSHdFXMCsf1nuJYWxzlLDEYt6/s640/IMG_20200809_123552.jpg" /></img></br>
These are crocosmia (montbretia), southern Africn invasives that mak you think you got lost and are now in Hawaii.</br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OZGI1-uqK_SzH5O8aNI6lSb1nNFRzqbh1tnA2ncASVP5Ph1Ubz_AF-Vau0SKujPmo6UdX63y7-6HYsbitTBiqdG9mb5YQ0U6Z_WuInd1bIYLaraOcLofsC4yVIxubTK-4-pxafSSGl79/s640/IMG_20200809_123608.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWgJfirXuWkHV0rBV_xIA2EikIpVr6mJ0QDKCb2lFeVKI_O5hJLLlP6554GYW7GrcrGjdYoHrR9RkIrm-RJMK-OrHfZ6L3jpGb4byzsou-apTRbVgE5K5tDDMYzkzQ1EZRzM40b43ZZrq/s640/IMG_20200809_125028.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ9YKjEyzA-aO3r9xEqCHurgTYeWbf2NJl3itqabXwnd_jRXi81_PLJb5sZW4TtLHjw1w62OgIecWOqpnKGHFGZULpUHF8mJXEqz2WZCEaG9y73_8hjt2owg_kHwf8J2oNcLK6L7LERdA/s640/IMG_20200809_125143.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ255B0mxKi780kJvqSkTJNLfLe1mP9ZpBIudj_0b2IXBBrvPdNy7i6pwMZwi5VIAIxigbn5uHRvuPnC577rlRbKt_jgMIAYBbj7Gr0BfGjxRkekBIEVm_gLQmxjbO_MS4qluWIra94424/s640/IMG_20200809_125945.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiXs8FbGPg3XKIKMTEiegIQLTDs1yXTIowQZWM9MZkewu1a7PYsW4fGN_zGnFozhZnKz9J8wgSRymg-9uIcgYXcaE6jHeFPE3NTsqp6HBFamASxVXehM7Dhyphenhyphen7a4XOQukGVic5ODg-293n/s640/IMG_20200809_130047.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsNlDWo8jmBHpsj875vbppDccLpscYFh6oXHMUj8xtb2LX3DA5B27CBosQxhoxvZg1ifv6iOr38L9pcljp49RmHWLhA2cDClzFV_L9jX1UndDaMVs6tMyDD-QGwcy-PKDeCc01H1xkN2Z/s640/IMG_20200809_130333.jpg" /></br>
Fog was striking as I descended Woodward Valley Trail. Glimpses of Sculptured Beach through the gaps in the cliff.</br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv9n09_hOa6-fLSNd3p26QPJBsmAmCaKOq73ifpq2My9h_CY9Ha79ZYCvtLQKXgLCZ8pOogR-5QqTReJtyyuS8s_p_mec8oIbLa4yCSdFEyKvYXiI4i-bs3Z6k236XXt0carfBqC4BRuq/s640/IMG_20200809_130501.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdvTiZny5GckWN0672VNaK3D6zEEo88XQ6MxcGRiG4ZScSx-_8Mr9XLL1Kcc_e9lFWc9NogfoVlDmZ9c48j1qniXvdNboer2vfvmJqqhDbqusAE9Thb3RFYf7584w_ovEW3Zjn02-qeLG/s640/IMG_20200809_131645.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAQrLUv2G_wtaJFzpgn8YPWl30zAGi91l8X05apo7voyzyfg48XEIv9yxpoAjMQD7xn-YBmE1uu398W2AdY-Vpb4FJTXFyYLSHWwMkCwGIYkg5XBaEmuvsnEuFB-dAXartm0TuUv4uat3/s640/IMG_20200809_132223.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-2f20UoCalqK7WLLS7QJIl6C_yiPoFdu-dA5qB2DF5DjvXijJwiyc27n-pU4Xo_U3SbGPtXmcBsAsJ2lozaZASa_VtJ20kOZXYkd1uxoOaI2A4I1tm1Z9FJ_sV9Ia2ghCTawYWapNxZg/s640/IMG_20200809_132246.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLKYK_X9boRbA02QnGXZVnp_A_DONwRBMIVL4PyelMWaCUwbZUVwFZuEt_wQtCZ-x19KSVo2pbtj1CtzmxibTvYqBLlTPlukg3558ndX8UkDuvfDb982k51829sfGI_xJ8r2oR6p9zcd-/s640/IMG_20200809_132356.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsXZrIyzNVtfHbEJ8S5dpLhdbwZFD6eM4Y0Cf2lvcdGpQ5_PniIrthu6tcNeiE_rQ21y9U0PyLpc2C7jkyGne52pW04lnNDQxpL08cvSlifsn_bGrq3gaDy6oXsnD9eLzysZWYM15-IaN/s640/IMG_20200809_132418.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHsFGyAzNzHq87rpYig8FT7sktkueFHS2VQomQDiMpPSOAJJ_f_9xZHAKUZrMOBsSwwIxyT0ONHgtRztLwQpEblPt_aVBgGWXkuuoyqVXXXKXZ5ZRh7pza4oc4rbrF2fP2sw1I_8KdUpE-/s640/IMG_20200809_132556.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAEDE24tLra1X6OHTQwLP5eJ9HIj9uX0J3NIja9HUQknutNzlNcom15zHK35gKcOO71tCMhxJr2EwqNsAWpWax-C8WeKFLVvQIlkAD6vel8HESBZCxC6GmGVLt9qG0a3LzuksajT3hR9M/s640/IMG_20200809_132649.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlvNOCfL_U200BdXLez0hvgIBIuZd8peE5oHLMnel_YI6anO-Mh9bOTcn_yU2WPTLCmyJzJyPVjUGQwmtFZwBYNcQ_uByWvBYYs3tZ9bpmJU1wCcZUQ1gTFwyvgXM3PIkBvTwzSmWLt-j/s640/IMG_20200809_132828.jpg" /></img></br>
Above: Tamatoa not looking so good these days.</br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCrFQMpK7HbZCacsNX1BkGLjFUJZbIdnjaFixnaOChyphenhyphenbf93pcfEjAGLNI0HxkYgIWnKTmVcJIzB9HBPuUDjIAUWs7mMPsExY2wSMvvi8QrhBl6gqs8IVfaTyw5fEcYoCqbunY4culeRCS/s640/IMG_20200809_133044.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVirngN6WlD8Maeka0og3AeSZuSzNlEGWocvAqIJ4or2T8qOZxJR7pN9zMl8RKoP8JbVY5OQ6ItY8Ly_4TTgSMxnPfw7xjsZ4dTpjmUnWsC3KDMdXUNztwhUdSFTbM_d-qsnrwid66eE-L/s640/IMG_20200809_133137.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet9xdCaVo-iQgst_YbdyjZ9YBDeOYS2IUsyKvGNDqkPPIF2mPFivOfIUwYK2CgmggZTD2uKowN7_B-vQukNNNvrIIfgijWHZnBzd4H05_2MHR3-GadJO_TmJ0IiEkK0Esi1JvGo8rbV2o/s640/IMG_20200809_133525.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1zW-423Vnpd7jaQtjXWJ2I3py0D9wCvdIP-jQu3Ap_pDt4FqRdCbLPqkVD4ErpaG00BW_FIMhZbdDOGKo-4cst6gmoXP9xZmZZkpscWpLTSzTPVIgjIpHcJKFBi6Aj2L01izhAsBbZS4/s640/IMG_20200809_140308.jpg" /></img></br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpWKVvQ58gd60UbrZpRN3UcqBR23taNtSjIofSSQJTJL81bY1EmLb3JWyYKdU-BJDTQU2w8ZSPw7GSw7ok6Muy9EQ7zTwl0a_qTCMo0eil6yzjKXFK270mspLb84GMKxEUxqwYxBVxWDD/s640/IMG_20200809_142536.jpg" /></img></br>
Below, blackberries starting to ripen.</br></br>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_KkTGa6svHn7V55XjMGrceTUNy6mEHqtMoRu5LPeOljhqrgIFqEgtJ4T8IUb2hFMRw0QBdtfWW2KFCsxqdRjkdsj7sNDmDEWgN8gUxcOepJVR8LyHk3kaadWGbzbdUZFac4M0KUvVoIE/s640/IMG_20200810_160651.jpg" /></img></br></br></center>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-41557008835212156842020-08-09T19:53:00.002-07:002020-08-09T19:53:52.192-07:00Bear Scat? Point Reyes, Upper Meadow Trail, 9 August 2020There have been bear sightings around Point Reyes before - the most recently reported 2 years ago. There are bears just north in Sonoma and they even wander out into the flat parts of Yolo County occasionally, so this would not be all that surprising.
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLU9aT4kP5VmmrqK3iQKZmIVLevkWP40WBeBPwwaYC41LE6I9aBsrzOHj6HwBXcwo5XMIOBW_ua32ZDlwvDLuqXjR6ktbNpJTOelybig2yf7MgV_8fNB_ISwaUfdGahNkFAkdYVLoatwp/s640/bearscatpraug2020.jpg" /></img>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-14760708148058901782020-07-26T16:55:00.001-07:002020-07-26T16:55:38.492-07:00Patriotic PA Outdoorspersons - Get Your "Hike PA" StickerI didn't make this, I just think it's cool and want to support it. Get it on <a target=_blank href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/837206577/hike-pennsylvania-vinyl-sticker?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=hike&ref=sr_gallery-1-6&bes=1">Etsy here</a>.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnk_m5rqR0nyeoi0L3Z1EhqXjem6JAfooIPUZGxg1Cf8Y8tt__Nh2ufFYLxBD_HAMa6BRtZLNnzUT223V31ORsNVzbtgrjvU2c4RxyMiIG62KIFU_LwF5XdOej6XOO8JkgyciHgfOK36V/s1600/hikepa.PNG" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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</center>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-37220378340913817432020-07-26T16:32:00.000-07:002020-07-26T16:32:09.132-07:00Art Deco Style National Park Posters Based on Comments from Clueless Online ReviewersFrom Amber Share - <a target=_blank href="https://www.instagram.com/subparparks/?hl=en">Instagram here</a>.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKyMEORAuwawLADYyEf1kIGLfC7YEWh4xpkX98aFX6br4GhZ4Qxs3iPo71OQjaOzj2BhBHFyd6S71T_CyBqewqZPx0Pus3OcvgeBUFhtPFAqOZreyKm8iUI2ZC0MNV1W6GetPPiDme35n/s1600/sppbr.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLzfdGHSMQOeRR3pRfAr5CY7XidLIaPTuxHc92wvDA8BpPW1ZQbkHvzDB1fJk1dDs-XxTw2Sj3zMqjNlfrn1bEvEubJPSNx79qA9SSdIsov2O0BQ3UwWq2cygS2DNn0NfBvnbl_sG3YsU/s1600/sppcr.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1g9CSFZvO8FpXTyQ7xUGSQbzXCPPcTpfjulmzCONPDt7Qfz7Gom59Yr-_2yLlcRu15gK-RXmCrvzwArbAg1DKGdB0FTIbAiYBf8pnl410W2RZC0o87rCPaz_MCNxFT7oJjQeYyjvaVrD/s1600/sppir.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnQJBfx33y-q_ddwfRI8vYSeaAIBAUME27PwXz-BuUx7tfQ9ByNh-ewSTwmh4cv6AYg-fEhW7WKjHHpYNBN_-PFdCMAKF3lAafOKuwwdB2UwNHmoyX5sG0SjqbVKNlcEdTPtceRv3eKNB/s1600/sppjt.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmqEKfweCQwP8rlvE1H1QaBppdGikABi72BUNKQqymsdBTNyNMhKpTYpWOPBgEpemCQ2Zk5-BmskVmTfZ1wunIDl8rdrR-f8641JSK_aA7KnbDilorZANSPOEAUtE7Z6V5d9ey310Xn7x/s1600/sppyose.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvZwdU0Y6N0oOKxKD7VxzESKvGDfaNmAB8fklk7DKSh0P_aVX0Pk3AG1svkmboGgoLKGT23oPDq3lYOELFwfQYf-R9PCSsDekjRHMM1pwMs3Gut3ZDuRebjL3PA38oF6z9NWrdTjE1wF5/s1600/spseq.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<br/><br/>Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-63405077401817976642020-07-12T19:13:00.002-07:002020-12-20T10:02:21.400-08:00Pennsylvania State Flag, Redesigned Along California Lines<br/>Old Phil never looked so good:
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WITVvZ8BIggN_jI9MAw-e3lKTiS-MwqqcsfHuts6bUVKEfe_aOwtZSvb9f0CABcEwEhdH9NBEtSieHyDPqYfkUJAiO82uH47eEzs_J8I3giLvwZGMPPLjYy4-w6BjaGTUReHDxwskW1t/s0/paflagfinal.png"/></img>
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California's real flag for comparison:
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNRKcJEh7cl5BOwZyJgRIMGPcZNe96PbzJO7oSzG9lISYIHlAuABGKmVRT1x_1dRVW5KgF3S2_1OfmB6uATaV35LVBds6uoukxxJalc2TVnRCrqqnJIfZceRy08gpve-HNUwPHklX1z0c/s1600/mycaflag.png" data-original-width="601" data-original-height="399" /></img>
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Credit to the originator on reddit, user <a target=_blank href="http://www.reddit.com/u/eccekevin">eccekevin</a>, who did one for all 49 other states. I made this <i>obvious</i> improvement to his original PA design. Though it pains me to admit it, the coolest state flags are Arizona and Maryland, but California is a close third.<br/>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-49443531190859347172020-07-05T12:05:00.000-07:002020-07-05T19:47:28.148-07:00Willow Creek Preserve, Pacific Union College Forest, and Sept 27-69 - 6:30. by knifeFirst, and let me be very clear about this, <a target=_blank href="https://www.sonomamag.com/han-bul-korean-barbecue-is-a-hot-new-santa-rosa-restaurant/">Han Bul</a> is a better restaurant than Soban. If you disagree then I guess you don't really understand authentic Korean food. <b>This means you SS.</b> ZING, HEY-O! (rimshot) (In all seriousness everyone, it's not yet safe to sit in a restaurant - but do support them. Consider getting takeout, or getting a gift card that you redeem later.)
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First I stumbled on <a target=_blank href="https://www.sonomahikingtrails.com/parks/willow-creek-state-park/">Willow Creek Preserve</a> by noticing some trails marked on Google Maps that were outside of the (also awesome) <a target=_blank href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2019/07/pomo-canyon-sonoma-coast.html">Pomo Canyon</a>. I noticed cars parked in a trailhead-like way along Coleman Valley Road and I KNEW you guys were holding out on me, and sure enough I found it.<br/><br/>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoel0ik9BJWPvLWHyxPXXVCljosKH9s3vF3NuTsmuhcx4Vq7mRDTwL859QlAa2YVHx_VKdbEp1EOzNvQKRUCDSvwuGoE5k6K5ObryK2tfXwmU1nXnkPLaa4gXG9Hbg2QMm4kdC0WWcLEtn/s1600/2020-06-29+14.05.04.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEC_h_d3W8H1mNbDByq9nW5NYhsCTKyADrHIwSOSjEI35ZR5KbZahqoGvreAm-6Pe4uMAq4b9-gY5KP0PUtk6uAu5ZpckzXwIgmkDNqJpKqpa-kX-Sq0JKttYw96gUfpT3O3IEiw0OKym/s1600/2020-06-29+14.16.11.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAjwYsmmjMQzYA8XWtHqafMlvpEe-N5WlECnXQYcu7qj1pz53xiXTgceFT_iGYAb0omVR7GezlZhnPaIzVEwTLSIAAUA6FL9S5_SQ7xovA1r6_yJ6hVQEln0ehaiL3pA4JSdyeYJ46JNH/s1600/2020-06-29+14.44.47.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<imgsrc="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcNLXvWtRn3IWuAtywBds1ApilocAlxLlDyJrBii53_ZjOfSTcR7WRCm3ikHdcwKVO21fYVSLadOLw7NHBNt-I4usGv_adScqIkm5LCPWwY6eRRGJmhDaV3WiPOHz9QgJIbJJWEZ9VTBJ/s1600/2020-06-29+15.12.09.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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I'm always struck by the convergent evolution of sorrel and clover, at least in terms of gross anatomy. The former is in the buckwheat family, the latter in the pea family. Per Timetree, their most recent common ancestor was likely 117 million years ago. (For comparison, humans and whales diverged only 96 million years ago.) Sorrel does not fix nitrogen like clover (I assumed there was a symbiosis) but does have a nifty rapid (fast enough to see it move) closure response to direct sunlight, which it's not used to, growing in redwood forests as it does. It's obvious enough why sharks, whales and mosasaurs would evolve convergently, but redwood sorrel is found in the deep shade of redwood forests and clovers in open fields, so this remains a mystery for some keen-minded botanist to solve.
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Then I had a little of the ol' patello-femoral recently from a minor acute injury going up stupid Collier Springs Trail in Marin County Watershed land, but still major enough that I don't want to exacerbate it. Was thinking of going up to Wright Peak at Clear Lake, but considering the trail is described as steep and loose, exactly the kind of terrain that caused the injury in the first place, I decided to check out Las Posadas State Forest. Well that's closed. BUT immediately adjacent, I stumbled across the quite-awesome Pacific Union College Forest, popular with bikers, through which the <a target=_blank href="https://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-ran-around-san-francisco-bay.html">Bay Ridge Trail </a>runs. Even on a holiday weekend-Friday it was still fairly light. It's amazing that I'd never even heard of this place a 45-minute drive from home and it's pretty sweet.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIWJb4g_eKis8pPUjJKueCmoIrMcxqMM5PF9WTcHzYIj7tepMh60a5BGy3IJ0r2c6tVe-Xh-IVBtXfgHdAz_PUmnEcdshxTnOER8sdpS9YsGNskFC2i5p0UNmucK5n1SANA6fNiNu-GXc/s1600/2020-07-03+11.47.49.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzTmBaGK553kSMV_fDmF4dpPSNgPnLV5642wMvl8VBas4Xy3uQa6E_tAHfkm8bjlk-irrBtMrDwTynLy3aga3_5ss-jzqHrQuhQViER9M2eaK1xssvTFSY5zdQQPCH38ayTb5T5TKdH2m/s1600/2020-07-03+11.58.36.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghUm6bupeDVcP_QzYVk_ZLzgW6IUzngzitsSyd3ChFLj7KAeaxmcGH-BkE4g3GdQ9v198hMvcpFnQgSNA1XDaPniYzWAww-AnADnB1OF-w8KWawF1hdeKXCBHQxaPraRH7-gwoRrexeQK/s1600/2020-07-03+12.11.29.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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It's interesting to see how each valley over gets progressively drier (Santa Rosa plain, then Sonoma, then Napa, then Pope/Berryessa.) The redwoods and Douglas first more or less stop on the west side of Napa, the east side of Napa looks drier than the west, and once you've over that (into Pope and Berryessa Valley) it's mostly chaparral and a few ponderosa pines and much of it, especially<a target=_blank href="http://mdk10outside.blogspot.com/2016/05/blue-ridgefiske-peak-and-ohlone.html"> the Blue Ridge on the east side</a> (i.e., the last ridge before the Central Valley) the often eroded-looking dry sandy scrub could pass for SoCal.
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1zOI9jAX0NfpIfPx5vfpfKWldX0PjNPMLKNMg1o-Vt5Hp-BHy7I_Cyviku9oS15_yNYMHVuC_j072lktVCoPN0yzzCmm9MgLEqxiiqkSfDhPU-n_aXgcanUZRX3gifIwS791K_CJJ90G/s1600/2020-07-03+13.26.47.jpg" width=99% height=99% /></img>
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After that I gave into my morbid side and found the island (above) where one of the <a target=_blank href="https://www.zodiacciphers.com/lake-berryessa-attack.html">Zodiac Killer's</a> attacks happened. After the dry Mediterranean summer, peninsulas emerge connecting these islands to the shore, as was the case in September of 1969. To take away the fun of figuring it out on your own - it's on the west side of the lake, at the south end of the Oak Shores Day Use Area, near the Lake Berryessa Field Office; nearest mile marker 6.75 along Berryessa-Knoxville Road. It turns out the victims were PUC students as well (I'd never heard of PUC until I ran in their forest mere hours before.) Helpfully, the killer called the sheriff's office that night though boaters had already heard the victims' cries for help (they did not immediately perish) and to further clarify, the killer wrote in marker on the couple's car door <b>"Vallejo 12-20-68, 7-4-69, Sept 27-69 - 6:30. by knife".</b> I've visited the first two locations as well and barely remember what they look like - this one leaves much more of an impression.Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-64451642407085479122020-06-17T23:04:00.000-07:002020-06-17T23:04:18.794-07:00Lizard Blood Kills Lyme Disease BacteriaAt least two lizards in California have a protein in their blood <a target=_blank href="https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Lizards-Slow-Lyme-Disease-in-West-Ticks-bite-3009330.php#:~:text=LIZARDS%2C%20TICKS%20AND%20LYME%20DISEASE,ticks%20that%20feed%20on%20it.&text=Those%20who%20feasted%20on%20lizards,transmit%20Lyme%20disease%20to%20">that kills <i>borrelia</i></a>, which has slowed (but not stopped) its spread. When I left PA in the late 90s, I felt like I was escaping Lyme disease - one group of trail runners I knew estimates the prevalence of Lyme in its ranks at <i>70%</i> - but by the mid-teens I had already started seeing cases of Bell's palsy caused by Lyme - it's here. But still not as bad. <br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mOQFYr4tChAyEjRDEVZEOQOU9LrXTd46XFqz4cDUB6pEk89P_k-UNgd9gR4jrkM8pnqJIyZkMaqIakvPvZ0G1zZAhC6RwoLYwiCmG56Op311I-LfpKHpFZ0hKmIkE9HZHexa2Btw4raO/s1600/Pathogenesis-and-Clinical-Manifestations-of-Borrelia-burgdorferi.jpg" /></img>
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<i>From <a target=_blank href="https://microbenotes.com/pathogenesis-and-clinical-manifestations-of-borrelia-burgdorferi/">microbenotes.com</a>. Note that <b>the classic target lesion occurs in only about 50% of cases, meaning that just because you never saw a target lesion, doesn't mean it's not Lyme.</i></b>
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No word on whether therapeutics are being based off this protein but it seems like an obvious move.<br/><br/>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-62460132069819504432020-06-07T16:14:00.004-07:002020-08-09T19:28:28.576-07:00Links, Photos and Miscellany For Your Pandemic Summer
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<li>On Facebook, <a target=_blank href="www.facebook.com/groups/483526105640199">the Mountain Lions of Pennsylvania Info Library</a>. I don't think there is good evidence that there are mountain lions back in PA - yet. But PA is such prime mountain lion country that it's just a matter of time - they're back in Kentucky and Connecticut and recently there have been some more convincing observations in Upstate New York. My offer for a bet stands - if you do NOT think there will be mountain lions documented in PA by the end of 2025, contact me and let's make a bet with money in escrow and everything.<br/><br/>
<i>(If you think there <i>IS</i> evidence, PLEASE comment below with source. Everyone has an uncle with pictures or a hide of one they shot, then when I ask for the evidence, they disappear back into the internet.)<br/><br/>
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<li><a target=_blank href="https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/05/trees-are-getting-shorter-and-younger/">On average, the Earth's trees getting shorter and younger</a>. The smaller a tree, the less carbon it can hold. <br/><br/>
<li>I can't believe we've fallen so far as a country that I have to say this. Martinis are made from gin. Asking someone who orders a martini if they want gin or vodka, is like asking someone who orders a steak if they want it to be from a cow or a chicken. And now my beloved Taco Bell is breaking my heart, as the Pacifica location (which offers alcoholic drinks) offers vodka "margaritas".<br/><br/>
<li>Random Sonoma County countryside, the Moon and Venus over Sonoma, jalapenos which when they are done will destroy the universe*, and sharp tail snakes I keep finding in my backyard.
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<img width=75% height=75% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFylY3h_58YFqDSqae7laQcOiW74oxwbOAmCpxwFjs_oR1uU-meE20-Egf5STMXTGWSD0ATKRPFMKP1pFxnaWNgui_ixMRIw6kDrcsn6_3XV4bfc3N8QzIX-Sd811VDTBksXBkI6nhBEbS/s1600/2020-04-25+14.28.01.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_J9RYPLDWgTmfn_e13SJ7s6BLUozErFo09G2ziRfw2OS98pptFrn2BQ7ug8eWQ-CnA6S-1vpsZzE2NI1_Hyh1sp0UJ2EE7v9iDEvsymEiVgGtoTnyY_pUPNm_kAMIVr1it9tkA928sVU/s1600/2020-05-12+21.30.33.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hCZjPR-2Nxxviz30jqwZcvD7BNEp86BG5Ekd9iF3dYw-tiDsq0T3Nn1pFk6IhjOysWGIWoAILtXC13y_89ntG5dl3fPHMqYyNOarSnXy9gbqiFH_3cwL97pg4l77GwiPdj4N42C9_0aO/s1600/2020-04-25+17.46.57.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhR0u9fWPxbUeOOFSQ0oSYjBIcKTzLr7A3QQlB2nZidSZMWAT9IQbDX7ctbh-vdq1vbnz0WlLtPNhbCq_NwfR3jwWMEXHJbRzw4ePnp2k8K9dOZp3ob132x7Hqz49Qyov-W1JekQVlOjD/s1600/2020-04-25+17.47.03.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqpABr4z3U2zkAhKVKnaEwidvHdpaEbq7HK8F2PEpbVoLc8tUiQG4z_eiVXnpk23t08V_EJ04AWWR4IGC01C2f15AgY58SXp5HnzCAXT1DxVsNHu1Mo-LiiFxXbdkeEDEbfPfxXeLoUrB/s1600/2020-05-07+15.23.44.jpg" /></img>
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<i>*I had the jalapeno seeds cursed by a shaman, soaked in VX gas, and for good measure dipped them into the accelerator at CERN to suck up some good ol' Higgs bosons, hence collapsing the metastable vacuum and the aforementioned universe-destroying.</i>
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<li>Salt Point State Park: do you know that there are <a target=_blank href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/california-chronicles/succulent-smugglers-descend-on-california">scum bags who steal hundreds</a> of <i>dudleya</i> plants at one go from these places? If you see them, let them know you're watching, and follow them to their car (often don't look like outdoor types and not enjoying their hike, carrying plastic bags, taking pictures of the plants.)<br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERFW3u70BpEWkgiUe6AlciERFaBHx71WW0LEVWTa_GT48k3RsS7YD3sW6ryo-v76KiIg_ewSGp7canklY9bXiBG1EKfzW2-2D9cuCvHfE6k2-n7k_8JdUjzZnyDsC__GVGwkF7G7XzQPa/s1600/2020-05-25+12.04.16.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1RMVEtgAX22PEbAZiauZ-IJeS1FhNEAoWmtR_95mt1UBsZ6YjkwjcsqH9TQ8oPK4VTQ7VetpKq2Jz6Ia8qN7RyowNtLRWohqhClAYjQaz9ifi8XceFL0NI2u6yykkbo5j_ceaebCZYWM/s1600/2020-05-25+12.12.45.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFLTdmchnr2Q5JRm8gFWGOEyXKNIBPx52WEtw3SMAlPciS93UpqfVIXwQAaIgsb17ad39mszFCPAVeyIyYnaZOML9wc2ovrnjSB6LNRsijL7i_ycw3KIX1UbU5UY1ZR3Mbh4V6F_p6U4a/s1600/2020-05-25+12.15.33.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMyJK-zX_KYia-KNPdYZxvqGr5eIXXRPOxoHKanQVe5DQDBBDxD-2wc1y_ZvK2rgsxpBJIhhI015KUPd2Mq2yVyVbwLouicqnbxc6OvdC9xo4rFHjHtathlTc64VlQZHlz2VP3_E5gAWD/s1600/2020-05-25+12.16.03.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfUVAM-Met_34GhZMx156naKXRRdB2cOHppUHX_1_yuAkcRVy9OGbryviItsooAWuL7Q-n09JAIOjodygg6JXxhQEx7WhC4b9ElXYjpl8DbsPl7Bgy2YXjtVTiNpwOgFT4ADhsblidxXK/s1600/2020-05-25+12.16.17.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdztvIC6RuuFUdblmOMEBtrqZAfQZXg07ApXD4PHVEjj2XfsHn-i7gNXJtR5pa_Kf8oPtFW6p2Any4oS37MHX_514agUiqDbx3rSVgP0S5URVIYobFdMm4yHtOAkXrtcv6cIyXUFqK3HEW/s1600/2020-05-25+12.16.39.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8p_8wm19sjQwgvLo6cVAHqhqU0g1w6BP1SblqfaCQYh61q74F6qZHVkGEft4ubZFvmEOyWNl2o9YCGml-SZdO3Cq6675upu3UwSBC44ZUoS8Y-btyVFuLL3Vv9DamenQ-t6muaxmcoBT/s1600/2020-05-25+12.34.29.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7mJZV_aef1Py4CR0AnUgmpXwpu5xXUvKpLtRtcJRSjYf49dsqXJ3EQfRcX0jz6fXAMp5PoDAEGBzV5FXUZLTvZKAF8b_3HxQbvDo5S-2wKXwpb0eFiKr-t7nOzwqdE5i93tuoj2ga7cM/s1600/2020-05-25+12.36.52.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin14bK8jz969nrg5ERARwGbWVmyzKZpU9bBSj_Lk1j5uEEqUFgJeC7vNu0U_lmPOZPRQKI4cNRVDEtx-IJucdZx0bcLDkoO0-vqhouuexSXZiitCm4lohOEJZfrcfvFD3SpFvd2OUCLr6R/s1600/2020-05-25+12.37.01.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj-X1e1KLxUd0u_Wwo1EKA-K1IaU7vfUjr4u6bm98gR8bEQtXALBcDGY90MgO2zTDoAuVI_Zcfps47PXp1syC1Hui6PCEiQusMe_xKkw5DsTsHjMp-nLiVLk0bP6doapnA8qHHrcOsHAX/s1600/2020-05-25+12.44.30.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdwyDZqI-JdPj4mPNjrErx_ANnZuneo_d1FaNoqOHyxXEcvw0pZL77az9di09tE2oklUUaYMgqGCp6zeJVuDGLgX0qGK2BD7zRZU80Bsx5fhBtjjpDgdMtkV3n9BUCr-AOYcwjIhLlpOH/s1600/2020-05-25+12.53.17.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwFIsALWl2Wpr1zSvEP_gUR9L-1kPIFzlbjwn9tJzxCRT2K94H2khltvBQAqx2HALoZLts5yfE2PdWrcCmcdYWO6SLvtqyaXKdBPOG143Fz1qwF9WJkJVHoak1EWfRwPPxkKA-POXVrZM/s1600/2020-05-25+12.53.22.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot_Ry8iuIGbnt7b4kungplMKVlzWwqUEJO_7XAOS70NcvciMWoo9DvptBVWMjqPU0bn9hZRCxjnLg5_Rk0dd7p_q4XZreH0junVrFpxrExr7s_icR3BDpaWGNhcxHYQapqZEWFPqro-EG/s1600/2020-05-25+13.05.44.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_Cexvo7xVHWHwWHnxUr7HaKbiYVWyUWa4vL7bXPRXRn7FJ6gvAkvCpnAkd0gT35AtSXwuFQYpRWk4yXW5NZoEnF78NDRXlJis0YKdISPvgGJavtBuANrMDwvcN8ZD-NnxRhGE1i5tUGz/s1600/2020-05-25+13.07.36.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaozDyznBixWNuamJcfv44MjgsKquXG4aJy0bWn1TEFIOsS0ys7O34FzERhdzXjHOkdJY11VGHgIqzTuEzga34bjgPFvEswv5U94D9sBHelflZz-AItfBa4q4sMe1lhz0RhiW1MV0L4A4z/s1600/2020-05-25+13.11.59.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
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<li>Annadel State Park<br/><br/>
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<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEUfG5rZhNFk164Pj3_u9BY5XFw6ix50LKK9qwurD38jI36sTmz7g_unpMpodV6Ypw5dcJyvMDrm827rMlPvaK1tNkNsRVZ7sXk5Rhyanj8k1k5RUhKpEgS6zfEnOOxCsawYnFJyJ2YHY/s1600/2020-05-03+14.26.47.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNMzued2uRHyy8x92JSC3o_QRIv1-A8l6z0TZXa7qTxL_o7YHHmzhZBlFV_3cWzDishgxZMZLGRmW7TwHKbstlAYqmZs46kBBv38WktU0JYJEmKsJaiEyWKUhvsSWxpS_yAAUW3bQDMJ_/s1600/2020-05-03+14.27.08.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSGK5RrZkRq7sHrzQJx3OOmj07_wPgmh3KeE2ZLflbmf0Z_fiKuJ9feWP4albQ4sxxtWzcbmKjfq4TtAOMPPShWm4iuz5GE-y-BtnzcmGc6l7NzK_rMZPGb-XZ1tNB-fIrBuXcux7hj57/s1600/2020-05-03+14.30.20.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPYsnYKueK83Y84MwsQZOB2APLvSqAh_OSa-3mTN3PPvq4GGbon0GaSQqVfeLRV4m_WIRIChvkDRS25SdtLbXRDqkIOn3zR-TI7h2VJl1BEULVXeypI4g5-X-Ycc6rX6MoqWinufl8Pr0/s1600/2020-05-03+14.35.02.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71GotUNoTqB8GN05Vzwt81tm3TU32xzO7dqcfnU7JGKHQp9zhIaBE_Pkt4RKc7W4skrgieqHU__HiKCyXKjy1hTnchLbhMw627EfGl9iV-9sVQ_wPIa4SwYJv_nchk0Mt-zMgy8gsg-J-/s1600/2020-05-03+14.36.13.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvcJTDUVv9sOjfJ4FL0YbtWuvYtX2gtfWfwh7-UtwUxkep99vkWf0MnTpEM17w_sJLwlPbXDxGONJOx1rNXUJOWD1bF_IBsH4VHEttcw_cq2tAJsSwTub-VAz8fihSi2x36ZNAEV4sXA5/s1600/2020-05-03+14.36.38.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpghS0gMjucBNE4V0_gIJc63e0EZyRyox_KZ6H3uBwBBsSIP0LQmOxX2xQsrbG2gu3pfJQl5CQ5t8F7rG4NtL32gzu53gii1YFDVTl6J76wZg3rErMkgjbvc3BvBKBOZq42bT4zbD1Evr/s1600/2020-05-03+14.45.32.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVMxu2ZuaO0bmGtu72WGJj_lR4btLaEJgbR0tam5hv2ksOX9GktNv-VeEz0hxjM8rU2godF8dnG1VPCAoufvGNmJYe54XJIHHuqeDfFGHK-1NBtyo5GOmjFeLuEnmGriKiFLE1PMuMxSh/s1600/2020-05-03+14.45.50.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zWBwdhTTQeXFM3MyuZFtSm6nZkR1HP25FqX5xNE4RdCSmAZh9cBAI12puWSK1T4JE3mHvGAwhqTHumjPURqlD5TQioMOc_rT2nDgsw_I9asQ5iZmV52gqtR7gz1JyuWyVHsTg9d_uptd/s1600/2020-05-03+14.46.12.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSBxlRPLy9VpYPHls2yVn5eyl7ZUHghp8X60hGJot1uQ2TqUcNtXBGMEN5CPQIEUo6DH2KSKLwFDm3q3aZ5pSC9T856ivsB06XgmriG-dIydUr_NXg-V2LgXqdeB9Jq3UmJfRPpdaZIgs/s1600/2020-05-03+14.46.32.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1WDDU4-otWKHWE6YyXlhSQnFQDoaBmcJx5v_fVEYujecNiAiQKQL7by5oiKEBZtiyiC7bgQucVqQyy2zne6H0oR-nfzvXEPUjoVKmapJLFrpbxoAb6vR9OMxKE7UT7vjOsqwFvp7hUvV/s1600/2020-05-03+14.46.54.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPOhlfMLwFf9ynR-9iSFvvi2DWrmIEq8ZhbJW1e8bUY-HMDI4ZKhVR3ASHV2Ic7ZUzSLKPSK6Sv0fHsNrpPrNSYuFa7GaBBbBgPdgpdZd9kuYdpxP3UNPOv61_468Kzn4v5soBG9FacvR/s1600/2020-05-03+14.47.02.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDShqnURlS4GbU9g7WdzsqPAn8S7eQWvcOILAU1nWUHP1BvAJ23xZ4pMY0bipgJmRwIiiOb8oCou_pGamlcOy6cXjIWBhNl1a5MIp88oIWKq63SAMaSkMe15NHmMkf22l6AWLGuhGmNypM/s1600/2020-05-03+14.47.41.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcF50xMLeSq1LmuIZsTRqMhC2Dg3LK0cPA2TMDWTd0PNIvkaBp_Gt3cuFw-gnMdhY3EMZEkTgbVuvlC6TES7dXwXl7IcqkcZ6u9-qL1w-onFToKp9cU00wsTO1xySyCDs37uiLtGz__MU/s1600/2020-05-03+14.48.09.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFSggoWLt7HnoomU1i-NHFb97BPE9TIg0Mt09QOqHJdwSKv9qtI8k2bFKiVS_cFpjOcgZivKiu5ApfzboYULG7AaArzRA2AbjXvcHa4xpyrbnvdzHy2lqTHMF4T0TUsxvIuNz4UW0TzJ3/s1600/2020-05-03+14.53.01.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGx9EW78GaopkoQ7xJeM_Sd0rmLoN5xhCrOMYVh2454T6I3VLK-_AQMw3RAgclTrV6FvtnpMD-4KNO3uUReOgsOXHLCO1Udr3vZDrGk0uH-OSkxWsEoGRBhbyzndN53RQnqSoPyTmp_8XN/s1600/2020-05-09+14.35.06.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
</center>
<li>Austin Creek State Park. Run cut short because it was damn hot that day.<br/><br/>
<center>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DJp9kk-hAMIVsUOsgPJ_gJCFQQPnYA70KrU6j_Di7r8qqV2mJg1-dkaGBQ9FCnEwN34bqqI29XLyOAbFV3u0lv92GlD3uEdx7QN98rjYjNXTpCFxFWvpp-bKxWpBPVLRbXWzEzW34cne/s1600/2020-05-24+11.34.47.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8z-PD1Gnh_FmYIEy2lsGoYFxaAj6AisIREycBy4aoy0_h4IpnnV1XmkPo4mf1H0JnAxtCmeCjgUGIu7MUKD3nBh5hsU41FPfZjjk4NE9hAicyy3wJ5OaGSc2zB6qPOJ08TGR-Xv85OkH/s1600/2020-05-24+11.40.53.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8rytKxficHu0_aWvJr4TUfleRwGkrxF_BY2WMnsWVmvrwYLCeW8B8e2eGDJ2gc6HDTgkSzO8JK5RPO9p6bFcXH8TlJ-xEFn2ZRpMskoFMc4eKXkVn2tUa-6RAFu7jxDkan_x5HZl5Gpr/s1600/2020-05-24+11.48.08.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy2c2f25MQKt96te2SX8JkArFe9w6HyshrM72MAKF6O50N6CRE6ToC3eDclVsfhxOkUeLeBfKXAqyxpTVI0sp9ORciXFeE6nqK2m7zHAl99vUJ8HJV8l928n4QMYcEcjD26zgTAsgJQCM4/s1600/2020-05-24+12.30.14.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBumsIoxTpF9BwbYxkJeS8XuU727Wf-fV4bJ-cmuzt9eoVSJzz6TPm3RumJ1UlYLjAMZ9IF4WzSm9avwPwtzXMH2vT8KLT-U2WTFipXIJwln3z3QEIgNBpNtuOiGKloDbQsrYJiDiXUOd2/s1600/2020-05-24+12.31.10.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2SaRWkBV6jMPENS-6b84lZd1asJxffWdkBjS67D1cNUmGKuIhKnrkCyIDwVi7QdDYkYDLysGzBv1KgDA8EDZpeUGDsalF-Fq1qiExYie38UYITwX_XE-XYdrvdGx7c5rp54_KB2zoFFk/s1600/2020-05-24+12.50.34.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzB1l63VUsTMxcTUw1mJeedq3XFw6sif5crSolR-QN5XlZxQ4eIbdgfWRd5iUEkNa2n3TPdgQSBU4BUIj2t1GmDFtobQnso9rD4PL8u4AsNcpXDphKvHFDf6Z2GzJen7uX_lje6prmBO7G/s1600/2020-05-24+12.51.15.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjDTDDgi02Rwvhj1nm8eVTwK6o8wxtGXlSBdsOhtKDA4Ry0h1acbsTDxtKTB6h8y45YH_plFI4X_PJo64AdoayjRz6fheBJ_eEQ8xKD26dVgeP9NH8SeyBVCG4JnkIWNrtOtMWjq6au0W/s1600/2020-05-24+12.51.54.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6-sSYwORAjGSLrmku9_4Xucy1BUClnDAhGEOVxLko8Gl3_l6gZizHgKw6FyYbyUqogtNdbkhY6gNINtsi7f1b4b8GG8x2AKpdA26vfnCdipENAblv_GtMDhpI3Sg2U_A-arAeFlXcsN4/s1600/2020-05-24+12.52.11.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc_IzCSsm9gfhY-IG6hkBHvBY7iipN8YxXdBInZnp3_oa74Uk4voDjdgmpopQgolvPlPEBjP7F_v4jrvKAULuw88Kad-ryIDruyp_b1ALq5ZaiQIBRSza7volLFy8dSdANLBvEy4cvqXv/s1600/2020-05-24+12.52.31.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
<img width=99% height=99% src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw6dFFZF7WRBlQnkr__9OCqlxtD11yz8R4uhmJo45lFJrpEEmn_J6vsVP3FbE14ebC_2VKZvvrcRPfqH0tlfKLL9H3TrKJBpUIJ8RHOUiLTBvcjacbYgPfZSDcfUSPtc7JFg3KOAvRDDF/s1600/2020-05-24+13.16.47.jpg" /></img><br/><br/>
</center>
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</ol>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-83606580195653517272020-05-21T22:14:00.003-07:002020-06-13T20:36:39.568-07:00This Man Sacrificed His Coronary Arteries for YouHe has, at this writing, consumed no fewer than 525 cheesesteaks, searching for <a target=_blank href="https://philadelphiacheesesteakadventure.com/">the best cheesesteak in Philly and its surrounds</a>.
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I was surprised that V&S was ranked as high as it was, suffering mostly because a baby was crying that day. Having suffered a lapse in quality 15ish years ago, I guess it's back!
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If you comment below to tell me about how I should go to some shit cheesesteak place in California you only like because of the depths of your ignorance, I will punch you.
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6204617750328919211.post-65544683275661359282020-05-10T18:58:00.000-07:002020-05-10T18:58:43.381-07:00Biomass and Toxicity Responses of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans) to Elevated Atmospheric CO2Of interest to trail runners and hikers. Just passing along <a target=_blank href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474014/">this paper</a>, by Mohan et al 2006.
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From the abstract: "Furthermore, high-CO(2) plants produce a more allergenic form of urushiol. Our results indicate that <i>Toxicodendron</i> taxa [which includes poison oak] will become <i>more abundant and more "toxic" in the future</i>, potentially affecting global forest dynamics and human health."
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<a target=_blank href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1474014/">Biomass and Toxicity Responses of Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron Radicans) to Elevated Atmospheric CO2</a>. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jun 13;103(24):9086-9. Mohan JE, Ziska LH, Schlesinger WH, Thomas RB, Sicher RC, George K, Clark JS.<br/><br/>
Michael Catonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017910055699348111noreply@blogger.com0