tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12669459061095121932024-03-04T21:25:40.365-08:00Horizon SeekerShips at a distance have every man's wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.
(Zora Neale Hurston)Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-74801255866730965122014-06-22T09:58:00.001-07:002014-06-22T09:58:10.336-07:00Christmas and Spirit<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixowY6ZRCDdVtkiSZYqHIJcQfTkw4-NyR0AsSIrzywDeRFawuRkOtFm2EM2_i64KOrZ0TA7I3NppuSI09EF0aLYPlJGjl6pWCyF5v9S4ORK5Tegqe1WJjhwgSK6zx6fIerRfyZjrD53HZf/s1600/IMG_20140516_100512_722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixowY6ZRCDdVtkiSZYqHIJcQfTkw4-NyR0AsSIrzywDeRFawuRkOtFm2EM2_i64KOrZ0TA7I3NppuSI09EF0aLYPlJGjl6pWCyF5v9S4ORK5Tegqe1WJjhwgSK6zx6fIerRfyZjrD53HZf/s1600/IMG_20140516_100512_722.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning at the marina</td></tr>
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Just a reminder that my worksite this summer is 3000 ft below the town where it's technically located. I call it my summer in the hole. But it's a beautiful hole ringed by the mesas and mounds of the Black Mountain range. And I'm surrounded by the clean beauty called Lake Mohave. Most mornings lately I'm up at 5. By 5:30 I've hooked a leash to my neighbor's lab and he takes me on a 1-2 mile drag part way up the hill and back. After a rest and some water on our return I usually go down to the dock and jump in a kayak to get in some paddling before the heat rises (it's usually in the low 90s by now) and all the jet skis get on the water. The water is so clean you can look down and see the fish and turtles swimming under you. And it is so peaceful until the boats get out. The water surface is as smooth as glass until the winds pick up, but if I get out by 6:30 I can usually get in an hour or so of paddling before the hard winds get here. Then it's back to Seeker for a shower and breakfast and off to work.<br />
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Except on my days off. Then it's make a shopping list and gather up the laundry before driving 14 miles up hill and up above 3600 feet to town. Now we do have a laundry at the rv camp but there's no internet signal at the camp so by coming to the one in town I can use the wifi signal there and get my uniforms clean at the same time. That's usually about 2 hours of wash, rinse, surf, and fold. Then on to another town for grocery shopping and odds and ends. You see, the town of Searchlight has a McDonald's, 2 casinos, a new Mexican restaurant and a gas station. But the nearest grocery store is in Boulder City, another 45 minutes north or Bullhead City which is another 60 minutes south (but there is a super Walmart there). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePEh0zm9xntwcsCNhTy-NmtteKSnS1sxIXrqx5q-vrS9lEc9ZAr45uG1VCAsK8kfXXZh8WqPjEbOfBOjmYgbjKZ45sVXdHyn6CCQo1d_mFJZVPlR-RPUPUYHnJ2lRM5kxIPl97ncVN2xI/s1600/IMG_20140616_112116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePEh0zm9xntwcsCNhTy-NmtteKSnS1sxIXrqx5q-vrS9lEc9ZAr45uG1VCAsK8kfXXZh8WqPjEbOfBOjmYgbjKZ45sVXdHyn6CCQo1d_mFJZVPlR-RPUPUYHnJ2lRM5kxIPl97ncVN2xI/s1600/IMG_20140616_112116.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>So Monday I had the day off and was back from my morning paddle when my neighbor asked if I wanted to ride to Bullhead with him and split the gas. Sure thing I said. Along the way he decided to take the scenic route through Christmas Tree Pass, a road I had eyed before but was too cautious to take my little car through. In his big truck it was an easy drive. As we drove along I was thinking that I wish I had a signal to see what geocaches were around me because I was sure there had to be some. We were driving across BLM land you see. Then I noticed a tree along the road decorated with faded Christmas ornaments. I started laughing and then my driver told me that years ago people started coming out to the pass and decorating the trees along the way to make the drive more fun. It was certainly different that's for sure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qBr7Xu48ZauFxMH_b7ILQSJEyTgpIQ40xqzhNqBjykQh6v5nHhArKJ8kbZvEIR4mkQGs4EMVrUjqlvZ0FDQ-iLJ7DcVCa0hvDeFCoqf-zkLk_JCiOUEhD0qyZbjGkeOI_GoZTuvy-gcw/s1600/IMG_20140616_112338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qBr7Xu48ZauFxMH_b7ILQSJEyTgpIQ40xqzhNqBjykQh6v5nHhArKJ8kbZvEIR4mkQGs4EMVrUjqlvZ0FDQ-iLJ7DcVCa0hvDeFCoqf-zkLk_JCiOUEhD0qyZbjGkeOI_GoZTuvy-gcw/s1600/IMG_20140616_112338.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Soon we were driving onto National Park Service land and the home of Spirit Mountain. The views in every direction were breathtaking. We stopped at a spot where we could look up to the top of Spirit and enjoy the views, the quiet, the spirit of the place. Eventually we were back on BLM land and stopped at a short trail where I picked up some rocks I'm sure my grandson Aiden will enjoy. Decided to start him a box of Nevada rocks to take home this winter. Can I count that as a Christmas present? <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-iBgE-h0ciRd8wHVL2j2V7exogf0G1juzThFaW0X4vMZN_eBW22DG4FnceViwjmnrcyzXFdjXxRAUDBycYuup5t6zc2Rnh9rmhcJFAX9zWK2uBbwk3q0Qm8XMrQmBDS38Mt3-k1a2SzC/s1600/IMG_20140616_114902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-iBgE-h0ciRd8wHVL2j2V7exogf0G1juzThFaW0X4vMZN_eBW22DG4FnceViwjmnrcyzXFdjXxRAUDBycYuup5t6zc2Rnh9rmhcJFAX9zWK2uBbwk3q0Qm8XMrQmBDS38Mt3-k1a2SzC/s1600/IMG_20140616_114902.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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Eventually we made it to town, ate lunch at an IHOP, and headed on to Walmart for our shopping. Then, since we had some items in the ice chest in the back of the truck and it's 62 miles back to the hole (without the side trip through the mountains) we didn't mess around. By the end of the day I was tired but happy. Hope I get back that way again, but the next chance I get I will be sure to load those caches on Christmas Tree Pass.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-41474845152180742512014-05-16T14:10:00.001-07:002014-05-16T14:10:19.726-07:00Settling In<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;">
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Just realized it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I guess that's going to be the way things go for a while here. I'm settling in to my summer home on Lake Mohave and while I love a lot of things about it, I miss having internet access. Sometimes if I stand on my patio and hope around on my left leg with my tongue hanging out of the right corner of my mouth I can get a hint of a signal, but it seldom lasts long. Guess that deserves an explanation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Boulder City is filled with trivia about the dam.</strong></td></tr>
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After finishing up my tour of duty at Bosque del Apache, packing up, hooking up, and heading down to the Arizona/Mexico border to visit with my friend Ann it then seemed like a good idea to just wander around northern Arizona a bit. By the last week of April I found myself in Boulder City, Nevada where I stood on the new bridge looking down on the Hoover Dam. Boulder City is a cool little village really that reminds me very much of Old Hickory. Both settlements developed around an industry and stayed small despite being in the shadow of large cities (Nashville and Las Vegas). I really liked the area and thought why not stay here for the summer and play in the lake on my days off? As it turns out the only position I could get was at Cottonwood Cove which is in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area (a very large area that straddles Arizona and Nevada). At first I wasn't sure but then I drove out for a visit and well, as my friend Ann claims, I have a knack for planting myself at the ass end of nowhere. This time I really did get to the ass end I think. But it's beautiful.<br />
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Just west of Boulder City is highway 95 running south toward Bullhead City in Arizona and Needles in California.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Highway 95 is long and lonesome with little cell service.</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>About 9 miles above the lake and where I'm parked</strong><br />
<strong>for the summer. See all that blue water?</strong></td></tr>
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About 30 miles down 95 is the town of Searchlight (population 539 plus 2 casinos, 2 convenience stores with gas pumps, one sketchy looking motel, and a McDonalds). Take a left on Cottonwood Cove Rd. and keep going until the road hits the water, about 14 miles straight down the hill. I'm not kidding about the hill. The elevation at the intersection of the road and the highway is 3600' but when you get to my rv spot you're at 600'. Be sure to chew some gum to keep your ears from popping! And be sure to take advantage of the pull offs to just admire the view. Rising cliffs on the other side of the lake are in Arizona. Old played out mines dot the hills on either side of the road as you continue down. Look out for big horn ship and an occasional wild burro as well as the usual desert snakes and scorpions. <br />
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I am 43 miles down the river from the base of Hoover Dam and technically <br />
I'm on Lake Mohave. Folks come here from all over to stay in the motel right on the water (I'm the one who checks you in at the desk) or to rent big luxury houseboats and cruise the blue waters. In fact, the cove is so big that you can see it from 12 miles up the road like a big blue jewel in the middle of the desert. It really is a great spot to spend the summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Rental boats on the beach at the motel. </strong></td></tr>
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I'm looking forward to some good kayaking and swimming over the next 3 months.<br />
<strong></strong><strong></strong> And every now and then I will drive up into town, but a happy meal, and sit in the back corner with my laptop updating the blog. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>And bigger boats for rent at the marina.</strong></td></tr>
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Until then.....Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-74774405658995156912014-04-29T15:55:00.000-07:002014-04-29T15:55:12.404-07:00A Visit to The Boneyard<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xPOJ2KPaJb514USBO5Ccgnt2ObRL1-Gb7nGEBBXT0cgwvZ9mn4S11nohcV0N7Zges1PtC7rFIJ9tnYpD6_qZXuzZO8AXEG6s5t1VuvV-WQVU8iPuPTPXSJLHeM232d9A1oQ9AhTacwPV/s1600/IMG_20140426_134636_468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xPOJ2KPaJb514USBO5Ccgnt2ObRL1-Gb7nGEBBXT0cgwvZ9mn4S11nohcV0N7Zges1PtC7rFIJ9tnYpD6_qZXuzZO8AXEG6s5t1VuvV-WQVU8iPuPTPXSJLHeM232d9A1oQ9AhTacwPV/s1600/IMG_20140426_134636_468.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>So it was a cool, breezy morning in Las Vegas and I had just finished participating in a roadside cleanup in Red Rock Canyon with the local geocaching group. Then I pulled out the GPSr to see what caches were close to me and started following coordinates and signing caches. As I was <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQJZBAgUlEgQFCol_dBpfEmTECiaPyE1qUFla_-4mA2IQivCZo6GWEMNuTpPwTuEFaghpn15dz557J4uJ9bDSMqrqF67KQiYX5S73P80Vc3gEiaS_i2MHEhHUTe_pQfvVM9oWb-VuPmZ/s1600/IMG_20140426_134601_299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQJZBAgUlEgQFCol_dBpfEmTECiaPyE1qUFla_-4mA2IQivCZo6GWEMNuTpPwTuEFaghpn15dz557J4uJ9bDSMqrqF67KQiYX5S73P80Vc3gEiaS_i2MHEhHUTe_pQfvVM9oWb-VuPmZ/s1600/IMG_20140426_134601_299.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>heading toward a cache near Woodlawn Cemetery I saw a sign that said "Neon Museum" and I took a quick right. OMG! It's the boneyard! Well, not the real one because it <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fcKlms5cMEgv1JlufpLPgyGgFuhZvC6hjESLIbpa-kdGYkhmTxlhM92UHH_yPU9TUj42BIfRjLjZJ4-WA3UDyazD3EcD5VAGPY1uT6Xhk3ENwQiwAJrFeDKc53jUlRrlgVDrLTduPTOK/s1600/IMG_20140426_162303_754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fcKlms5cMEgv1JlufpLPgyGgFuhZvC6hjESLIbpa-kdGYkhmTxlhM92UHH_yPU9TUj42BIfRjLjZJ4-WA3UDyazD3EcD5VAGPY1uT6Xhk3ENwQiwAJrFeDKc53jUlRrlgVDrLTduPTOK/s1600/IMG_20140426_162303_754.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Part of the sign that the daughter</strong><br />
<strong>danced on in the movie Vegas Vacation.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
would be too dangerous with all that broken glass and metal everywhere. The museum is the cleaned up version and while I don't usually spend money on guided museum tours I did here<br />
(it was the only way they allow you to tour the sign yard). <br />
The museum is on Las Vegas Blvd within sight of the Stratosphere and housed in what used to be the lobby of the La Concha Motel.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAxB0Adoibnx9Vbl23Hkw2c7xV77GQQt4EAtFxJxRW84J8SNHZdP87_eGIhAVUx48TAzGgG3q7ht_Q3ALTXo97kvQ3ZNjNzuoKlSeJKMLBZAs12wF95CLgOZck68PrDF2EtMvfeD7_M1f/s1600/IMG_20140426_164218_487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAxB0Adoibnx9Vbl23Hkw2c7xV77GQQt4EAtFxJxRW84J8SNHZdP87_eGIhAVUx48TAzGgG3q7ht_Q3ALTXo97kvQ3ZNjNzuoKlSeJKMLBZAs12wF95CLgOZck68PrDF2EtMvfeD7_M1f/s1600/IMG_20140426_164218_487.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The docent was very good.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyBchUUU1MpDAAkLuMRCRN9eEPEvszfSTSwjcYEJ52bTzRcyZ_rtFtq7YSbi5-6zwcitoNvek_hWMbakMOGDWo4vWbYTVKGrzq9w6UYi_KuOVA2jYcAbObr7ohyphenhyphenZx6OYWbp9LpeLdsn_c/s1600/IMG_20140426_163941_468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyBchUUU1MpDAAkLuMRCRN9eEPEvszfSTSwjcYEJ52bTzRcyZ_rtFtq7YSbi5-6zwcitoNvek_hWMbakMOGDWo4vWbYTVKGrzq9w6UYi_KuOVA2jYcAbObr7ohyphenhyphenZx6OYWbp9LpeLdsn_c/s1600/IMG_20140426_163941_468.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thirsty?</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF8nc2awZlLMBjJE_i664ziUvu3tp4Ize3SulFRDMHZcP3RWwiwBETWccHIF97CSkBAO5Y_gE2Jme9b7OK5rXwL2V2NSDcFffeKFEvSqOJxhmweQlGBgJQNVlx1AKDOE7AA9TaBCHAlC6/s1600/IMG_20140426_163554_714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF8nc2awZlLMBjJE_i664ziUvu3tp4Ize3SulFRDMHZcP3RWwiwBETWccHIF97CSkBAO5Y_gE2Jme9b7OK5rXwL2V2NSDcFffeKFEvSqOJxhmweQlGBgJQNVlx1AKDOE7AA9TaBCHAlC6/s1600/IMG_20140426_163554_714.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wonder if they'd notice</strong><br />
<strong>me taking this?</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tour takes you through the yard where the signs are displayed and some are even cleaned up and lighted. So without further ado,<br />
I will shut up and just flood this post with pix.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dK0FpaJWXknwqZhhswYzi_01upAYHTbP5AN9Bno9-OTqMJ88HbJhYKb5Djw1sl-v-7VYvLWE24jWUFulwz7pJSsEcK4rEPTvy9eRUHWDDrfE2yrANs9SNQMtHi1y8eeSjharY1YLaHFY/s1600/IMG_20140422_143134_661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dK0FpaJWXknwqZhhswYzi_01upAYHTbP5AN9Bno9-OTqMJ88HbJhYKb5Djw1sl-v-7VYvLWE24jWUFulwz7pJSsEcK4rEPTvy9eRUHWDDrfE2yrANs9SNQMtHi1y8eeSjharY1YLaHFY/s1600/IMG_20140422_143134_661.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>A beautiful setting</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SwvbmBeyen-jdzbOkXVOlFUyOKJ9Fwc2zJ3PTTyk6MlfzOSJZjIkjnwt_7NN-_EfPOnIw2gnc4n3Mlpjxu6t5wO6jCWHS02PqfuczZ6ODTSnkYNzv6Nb2F8FTWqBhmR3HGMuouB9z6cT/s1600/IMG_20140422_150724_585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SwvbmBeyen-jdzbOkXVOlFUyOKJ9Fwc2zJ3PTTyk6MlfzOSJZjIkjnwt_7NN-_EfPOnIw2gnc4n3Mlpjxu6t5wO6jCWHS02PqfuczZ6ODTSnkYNzv6Nb2F8FTWqBhmR3HGMuouB9z6cT/s1600/IMG_20140422_150724_585.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZEo7ZViE-YvkI0ieIN6WNiOAwFqil_Y6xGwZD9LZyM96iCEoYEuBSxCtkoaILOBXoY0minoxbQ2EOsc28juFlwHT_v8hc5S9PVvXLdoD4DjytZeYr2fDfzSSe3bvgwRC1nvb0h9YQSd5/s1600/IMG_20140422_142748_046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZEo7ZViE-YvkI0ieIN6WNiOAwFqil_Y6xGwZD9LZyM96iCEoYEuBSxCtkoaILOBXoY0minoxbQ2EOsc28juFlwHT_v8hc5S9PVvXLdoD4DjytZeYr2fDfzSSe3bvgwRC1nvb0h9YQSd5/s1600/IMG_20140422_142748_046.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>A recent visit to Kingman AZ's visitor center was a real learning experience. Most importantly I learned that the longest continuously still in use portion of Route 66, the so called Mother Road, runs right past there. Of course I had to investigate. From the California border 66 starts off in Topock and weaves gently through the countryside. I stopped in at Havasu Wildlife Refuge but the spring winds were too strong for me to put the kayak in the water and paddle the canoe trail. Ah well, back on the road. Soon the road was not so gentle. It climbed and curved and swerved. I'm sure all the bikers I was passing <br />
were enjoying it but I'm not crazy about it. Good thing the speed limit was 45. I noticed some crosses on a hill and took the turnoff to discover an impromptu veterans' monument on a very scenic spot. Definitely worth the stop.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcrd_HVgeDh8uDPJgr16RIEFBcudE5OOYAYsH9jjIZMa5486YHHqr8tErQxBwpsSw9miskAIcNErpe5IeeYyus7mCnM09GZMlln8QcGQnAC_PUlH6XNV3as4am5Knm3yHv0CaNppZR57_/s1600/IMG_20140422_144911_662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcrd_HVgeDh8uDPJgr16RIEFBcudE5OOYAYsH9jjIZMa5486YHHqr8tErQxBwpsSw9miskAIcNErpe5IeeYyus7mCnM09GZMlln8QcGQnAC_PUlH6XNV3as4am5Knm3yHv0CaNppZR57_/s1600/IMG_20140422_144911_662.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hee Haw! Welcome to Oatman.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next I pulled into the town of Oatman. Once a thriving gold mining town till the government shut it down in <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ci3oq-9pxhYNMXZJaUor-QeFagexLp4AFAgqHGdRUz2hNBzbnWjViwwxjn-L3Lpc3oL750fLwdN6rViash1L2QGAGGMj5YrUgsIX_lZ8YUzsIV6Ne44WaLN9aNtmlDNKe6MxEBz5zagg/s1600/IMG_20140422_144827_543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ci3oq-9pxhYNMXZJaUor-QeFagexLp4AFAgqHGdRUz2hNBzbnWjViwwxjn-L3Lpc3oL750fLwdN6rViash1L2QGAGGMj5YrUgsIX_lZ8YUzsIV6Ne44WaLN9aNtmlDNKe6MxEBz5zagg/s1600/IMG_20140422_144827_543.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>1942 due to the war effort. When the miners left they turned their burros loose in the hills so today when you drive through Oatman and the surrounding areas you better slow down so you don't hit one! In fact, a drive through town is really a creep as the donkeys are so used to<br />
being fed by tourists that they walk right up to the car. They also stop and poop/pee wherever they please. Made for an interesting stop.<br />
<br />
The next stop along the road is Cool Springs but for me it's the worst part of the road. As the bikers say "Five miles and 120 curves" which of course makes them happy but I really was glad to get past it. In Cool Springs there's an old gas station with lots of Route 66 memorabilia. Really cool stop. About 15 miles further and the old road crosses under Interstate 40, briefly passes through the older historic part of Kingman and then goes on east out into the countryside (and thankfully almost curveless) toward Hackberry. <br />
<br />
The old station at Hackberry is really fabulous. Lots of old 66 signs and vehicles as old as the <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn91wRiGACpScSQMYz_ob-PwCM1bgiVPCvFU_9QJEbPcw2U8zNsyL-9J6LoDi8T0jr-IdgcY-uGS_1DgrBfFGDJOO_2PQCWuJdbAnWWmcgMvYsAPqmOAtFYPfdDqx8h45lW2V1OaKL3eBu/s1600/IMG_20140422_164049_690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn91wRiGACpScSQMYz_ob-PwCM1bgiVPCvFU_9QJEbPcw2U8zNsyL-9J6LoDi8T0jr-IdgcY-uGS_1DgrBfFGDJOO_2PQCWuJdbAnWWmcgMvYsAPqmOAtFYPfdDqx8h45lW2V1OaKL3eBu/s1600/IMG_20140422_164049_690.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
highway itself. Inside the ceilings are covered with license plates from all over: every state including TN (Blount Co.), lots of foreign countries (no doubt contributed by visitors), and I even saw one for the Panama Canal Zone and US Armed Forces in Germany. The crowning touch is the 1957 Vette out front. Wow, what a stop!!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIFAtwm71y4k3y7Jsj6SnXkCbjwsF6vJYgP7MnT1wfd8gadWHv2uOUvQoYpdJ98sYVbuyNOx7bL-N67OEYn1qSnyL-hhk9-2hyMYklHu_flPPxPCDmPsJYgZJMCsAD02KRfc7QLmSbp6v/s1600/IMG_20140422_165619_053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIFAtwm71y4k3y7Jsj6SnXkCbjwsF6vJYgP7MnT1wfd8gadWHv2uOUvQoYpdJ98sYVbuyNOx7bL-N67OEYn1qSnyL-hhk9-2hyMYklHu_flPPxPCDmPsJYgZJMCsAD02KRfc7QLmSbp6v/s1600/IMG_20140422_165619_053.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>And that's where I stopped. There's still more to see but I ran out of time and energy. You've got <br />
my promise that I will be back to catch the rest of the continuous strip of 66. <br />
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Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-85593666750089521072014-04-23T13:52:00.003-07:002014-04-23T18:11:00.982-07:00Another Day Another SeaFinally, after 3 1/2 years on the road I made it to California. And with gas prices hovering around $4.50 a gallon, I won't be staying around long. I found a nice moderately priced rv camp just across the Colorado River. The first thing I figured out is that I could go back across the river to fill my car up at the Flying J for $3.39 a gallon. If you go early in the morning you hit a line at the pumps and most of the cars have California plates. <br />
<br />
Originally I had thought I wanted to camp in Yuma but this worked out better as it was closer and meant burning less fuel in Seeker. Since she gets around 12 miles to the gallon when towing it seemed better to camp in Blythe and drive my car to Yuma for a day trip. Which I did do. But don't expect any great reviews. I hit Yuma on a hot day with temps between 95 and 100 and also the opening day of their Centennial Celebration. Bad timing is an understatement. Perhaps I'll get back there one day. Just on a less hot less crowded day. <br />
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<br />
On a better day I did get out to the Salton Sea. This place is unique to say the least. It's an inland salt water lake basically, and while there are 2 rivers and agricultural run off that add to the sea, the only way moisture leaves is through evaporation. And did I mention the salt content? Try 50% more saline than the Pacific Ocean! Once upon a time the lake was a fishing destination but with the rise in salinity only one fish, a tilapia, can live in the sea. With the abundance of fish and decline in fisherman the Salton Sea has become a destination for lots of birds. And that's what brought me here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfzQRMDboVqG_8tIpnT_Srmk9wz_YeFXE4kadXihx-S-xhPdFrWQuLVXl72kmBG7sMKiFduZSQYoi27qbEWlUOhkU1jn2LxqmbKXFVbk2rBqRI59HwmR9bh-5vfOmFHgctndjkoxuIPh4/s1600/IMG_20140413_155244_529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfzQRMDboVqG_8tIpnT_Srmk9wz_YeFXE4kadXihx-S-xhPdFrWQuLVXl72kmBG7sMKiFduZSQYoi27qbEWlUOhkU1jn2LxqmbKXFVbk2rBqRI59HwmR9bh-5vfOmFHgctndjkoxuIPh4/s1600/IMG_20140413_155244_529.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
I only had a few hours to visit, but I did manage to see some great birds. Oh, and with all those fish be prepared to face a strong fishy smell at the waterside. Nevertheless, I thought it was a beautiful destination and hope to get back there sometime this fall or winter when the birds are really good. Till then I have settled for sticking my feet in one more "sea".Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-26505968859548351482014-04-14T19:21:00.002-07:002014-04-14T19:21:34.771-07:00Visiting Friends and Family<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EJwTwhtHkEGvJ5_hi0ivUGp33RX-uXfNB_zQ1_x_XCTXHdbokIfyqPjypBMxQIS0X2DB6LGVhPuP_vklaIhuTUi_LXvcrxtmgCGOEe_cCjPCe9aLiYRUpgXpeZ2MrRsSKaHyln5FwoQz/s1600/tubac+cemetery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EJwTwhtHkEGvJ5_hi0ivUGp33RX-uXfNB_zQ1_x_XCTXHdbokIfyqPjypBMxQIS0X2DB6LGVhPuP_vklaIhuTUi_LXvcrxtmgCGOEe_cCjPCe9aLiYRUpgXpeZ2MrRsSKaHyln5FwoQz/s1600/tubac+cemetery.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Of course I had to visit the local</strong><br />
<strong>cemetery. Some very unique</strong><br />
<strong>headstones here.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my last post I talked about being in southern Arizona to see some pretty gorgeous birds. I was also in that area for another reason. My good friend Ann was out here for an artist workshop so I made sure our paths crossed for a few days. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlws8cBUgXRordCPvXS86diyGjjXkM728virGYpzpzXPUk1xlPED4zGslT3X3Rr7KoypcN3kZg9s13wOLEm0JowjU2J0amsMrPB9UqQAAcwpyyMupUvGLZEh8vB-5PHbKFAdD8Yjd8sYX/s1600/tubac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlws8cBUgXRordCPvXS86diyGjjXkM728virGYpzpzXPUk1xlPED4zGslT3X3Rr7KoypcN3kZg9s13wOLEm0JowjU2J0amsMrPB9UqQAAcwpyyMupUvGLZEh8vB-5PHbKFAdD8Yjd8sYX/s1600/tubac.jpg" height="109" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The courtyard at Tubac </strong><br />
<strong>Country Inn. Almost made</strong><br />
<strong>me wish I could stay there.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ann was staying in a former ghost town that is now a well known artist colony called Tubac. I caught up with her at the Tubac Country Inn which is a very charming spot. If you are into art and get the chance to visit Tubac I highly recommend staying here. Her room was spacious, nicely appointed, and decorated in southwest style. The inn has a gorgeous courtyard where I met up with Ann and sat in awe of all the folks sitting around making jewelry, drawing the landscape, and doing watercolors in the garden. I of course was briefly distracted by the Broad Billed Hummingbird. <br />
Later we strolled into town where the shops are filled with works from local artists and imports from nearby Mexico. Her week was full with all the <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLkxT5XwlvMXR0ZNfwZF1h0po2v91cox4-piJehF0zP_kT5UfGPymJTKx2gi8nAEObaGjZxS7GIYcG_bxzf90FYWE_NKk_ycvj6YjFSPUzabZe1pccBfK6R-2WDduxGJE-lTDVB9q3Mow/s1600/cache_2914593204%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLkxT5XwlvMXR0ZNfwZF1h0po2v91cox4-piJehF0zP_kT5UfGPymJTKx2gi8nAEObaGjZxS7GIYcG_bxzf90FYWE_NKk_ycvj6YjFSPUzabZe1pccBfK6R-2WDduxGJE-lTDVB9q3Mow/s1600/cache_2914593204%255B1%255D.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Teresa does beautiful</strong><br />
<strong>mosaic glass work </strong><br />
<strong>like this.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
workshop classes but we did get to have a day to get out and see some of the sights nearby. And then she was off again and back to Nashville.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tcxCrK53VruOgKkUscpJ2RFOAf1RSwsEkBrTeujYjU82lNkRbHPzKyXbucomKc-LwzR9_4SqwpO9x_TRN6GtkdPqZiehqDme9qFdWzsLeOA4Hb7LxU53uB2V9979m7xFKVgl1OJGiMHP/s1600/cache_2914594004%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tcxCrK53VruOgKkUscpJ2RFOAf1RSwsEkBrTeujYjU82lNkRbHPzKyXbucomKc-LwzR9_4SqwpO9x_TRN6GtkdPqZiehqDme9qFdWzsLeOA4Hb7LxU53uB2V9979m7xFKVgl1OJGiMHP/s1600/cache_2914594004%255B1%255D.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>This bracelet is soooo</strong><br />
<strong>gorgeous and it has</strong><br />
<strong>a matching necklace!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIW_lXmGkJtln9XgP7fxmbzjBC6TBLLHo7MgiLS8ig5gCKKXubRppy0BGOvsaGJqak8yNRDyu5YCONDApsa-NFCrZQPOzslO2kf6R2DfERSs-57SJNIzQsxpL0_XIVTiXIg2VBHuA4sP/s1600/cache_2914594104%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBIW_lXmGkJtln9XgP7fxmbzjBC6TBLLHo7MgiLS8ig5gCKKXubRppy0BGOvsaGJqak8yNRDyu5YCONDApsa-NFCrZQPOzslO2kf6R2DfERSs-57SJNIzQsxpL0_XIVTiXIg2VBHuA4sP/s1600/cache_2914594104%255B1%255D.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>My favorite piece of</strong><br />
<strong>Pat's beadwork. </strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My time in this part of Arizona was done so I headed up to visit with family. Pat and Teresa have been living in central Arizona for about 5 years now. Their home is warm and cozy with a great back porch that looks out on a small lake which I of course used for some birding. And once again I forgot to take pictures of us or them. So I'm filling the gap with some pictures of some of their work. Yes, you know I'm surrounded by artists out here. It was a good week and Pat and I had some good visits. I always love to hear him talk about Grandpa Wade and my uncles. And now that Tina and her family (Pat and Tee's oldest) have moved out here they <br />
are never at a want for company. <br />
<br />
Soon my week was over. Time to move on down the road. I hear Yuma calling I think.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-87440896205864930992014-04-14T07:53:00.002-07:002014-04-14T07:53:42.838-07:00WARNING: Bird Nerd AlertOK, I try to spare my friends and family from my birding addiction, but my visit to Patagonia Lake State Park was so great I just had to share. By the way. I borrowed these shots from the park website. You know I can't take pictures.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE7rL3obLNmLjAtaCzaVHwlyFtzWzQ3iXC2ZtUoO_CwhLRyrDTxOekpH2T9fqdiDhd3fMUjEAI68YMroQgrmfZRnnfwbSJphjdmCdrg2ZVWUQUNnCEp7_RcGzLQejoonlTrjzTwVvisQo/s1600/PALA_minimap%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYE7rL3obLNmLjAtaCzaVHwlyFtzWzQ3iXC2ZtUoO_CwhLRyrDTxOekpH2T9fqdiDhd3fMUjEAI68YMroQgrmfZRnnfwbSJphjdmCdrg2ZVWUQUNnCEp7_RcGzLQejoonlTrjzTwVvisQo/s1600/PALA_minimap%5B1%5D.gif" /></a>This lovely Arizona State Park is located only minutes from the Mexico border. It's central draw is a gorgeous lake in an otherwise desert locale. The campgrounds are full most of the year and the number of boats on the lake on a pretty day is probably in the triple digits. Thankfully it's a big lake. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a class="image" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elegant_Trogon.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Elegant_Trogon.jpg/220px-Elegant_Trogon.jpg" height="293" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Elegant_Trogon.jpg/330px-Elegant_Trogon.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Elegant_Trogon.jpg/440px-Elegant_Trogon.jpg 2x" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>This Elegant Trogan is a once in a lifetime</strong><br />
<strong>sighting. Many birders spend days</strong><br />
<strong>looking for one of these. Our</strong><br />
<strong>group happened upon 2!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other crowd that is attracted to all the water is wintering birds, and that makes Patagonia a must do destination for birders any where near the lake. After leaving all my wonderful friends and memories behind me at the Bosque this was my next destination to reach before the weather turned too warm and all the Mexico birds head back home for summer. <br />
<br />
So I went on a bird walk which means I walked around with a group of about 20 other bird nerds led by a local birding group leader. We only walked about 2 miles round trip around the southern part of the lake but it took us just over 4 hours. And <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVVjAB9GZY61XJqNDiGBePfXGAcoDETGEtB5ZaynLPquZGXMAHzabTqQhMiZ5DUnDaYlmZFJmIEB-rg52KABuXLxftRzRcRORu7CxUzKo4hEvM90h3anuBMZIi6Q9nsWQNY2IWoEIgZSY/s1600/Northern_Beardless-Tyrannulet_b13-38-507_l%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVVjAB9GZY61XJqNDiGBePfXGAcoDETGEtB5ZaynLPquZGXMAHzabTqQhMiZ5DUnDaYlmZFJmIEB-rg52KABuXLxftRzRcRORu7CxUzKo4hEvM90h3anuBMZIi6Q9nsWQNY2IWoEIgZSY/s1600/Northern_Beardless-Tyrannulet_b13-38-507_l%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>This little guy lives most of his life in Mexico</strong><br />
<strong>but does spend the winter at Patagonia:</strong><br />
<strong>Northern Beardless Tyrannulet</strong><br />
<strong>We located him by his chirp which</strong><br />
<strong>sounds like the beep your microwave</strong><br />
<strong>makes when the popcorn's done!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
my results? I saw 38 individual species including 2 that I saw for the first time and that some birders never get to see. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPPefSkYp-RQkU6wGB4ExYlBNXm0Ea0m0vUICLf0fXbevhePEuytIW4EpQLRTPT3ftnTdidFS7-1FuaGSTu-YlsJmv34z42KyoxYgLCDXd9Ytx-PC3McXqkhsnoPt75S_n5mlibcuVyNB/s1600/Costa%2527s_Hummingbird_s52-13-169_l_0%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPPefSkYp-RQkU6wGB4ExYlBNXm0Ea0m0vUICLf0fXbevhePEuytIW4EpQLRTPT3ftnTdidFS7-1FuaGSTu-YlsJmv34z42KyoxYgLCDXd9Ytx-PC3McXqkhsnoPt75S_n5mlibcuVyNB/s1600/Costa%2527s_Hummingbird_s52-13-169_l_0%255B1%255D.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>This Costa's Hummingbird was a ho hum</strong><br />
<strong>sighting for the local folks but for me it</strong><br />
<strong>was very exciting. Arizona has 15</strong><br />
<strong>species of hummers!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, all done with the birding news for now. Sorry if I bored any of you. Hope some of you enjoyed my side trip. <br />
<br />
Next post? Visiting friends and family.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-51046313016471266772014-03-22T20:41:00.002-07:002014-03-22T20:44:33.232-07:00Breaking up The Bimbos<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOFSxDXBhEr7njbtmjRV1vaZpDPvUuBVcn3_rWtGsSXHMwyQJrdaYIoNh3zPWZj71AHd6H1F_tgyjeLdjfg3Q1bHu3YbDihgqHkkxVEcREBzDNmEefPp44lWQeN1zH1wwVYS0srrqjuOk/s1600/SAM_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOFSxDXBhEr7njbtmjRV1vaZpDPvUuBVcn3_rWtGsSXHMwyQJrdaYIoNh3zPWZj71AHd6H1F_tgyjeLdjfg3Q1bHu3YbDihgqHkkxVEcREBzDNmEefPp44lWQeN1zH1wwVYS0srrqjuOk/s1600/SAM_0256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Honestly, Frenchy, you could slide easier</strong><br />
<strong>if your butt wasn't so solid!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I see it has been over 2 weeks since my last post. I could just say that nothing has been happening, but that would be a lie. The fact is, I've been so busy I hardly had time to show up for my last 2 weeks of work. And who can I blame this hectic pace on? How about the Bosque Bimbos? Or maybe my belonging to such a nefarious (well, not quite evil but not far from it) group. It was like we woke up one day and all realized that soon we would be going our separate ways and there was still so much to do, so we tried to cram it all into those 2 weeks. I guess now I can rest but I really thought they were trying to kill me there for a while. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU21MgATi56Q1-9SRBO3V71GQRwgDNyn0h5sHNJ9hZ-2NTUHwd1YOd4t0smZMueMGWMAEuRdoxXqHgdw-GTxsxtTqohaJqFKFzGLIcLmRnJRcTpTMrU0kY0loN8FKsBc9QdCi4Hxgxcf7/s1600/SAM_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU21MgATi56Q1-9SRBO3V71GQRwgDNyn0h5sHNJ9hZ-2NTUHwd1YOd4t0smZMueMGWMAEuRdoxXqHgdw-GTxsxtTqohaJqFKFzGLIcLmRnJRcTpTMrU0kY0loN8FKsBc9QdCi4Hxgxcf7/s1600/SAM_0298.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Frenchy finally shows how it's done</strong><br />
<strong>with a French flair of course!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm sworn to secrecy and the Bimbo code of honor not to reveal what we've been up to but the adventures included but were not limited to: wine tastings, sledding on white sand, tasting pistachios, geocaching, hunting for sheds, dancing, testing the limits of a sauna, testing the limits of quiet hours, and of course, speed humps. I had to leave that crazy group to give my sides a chance to rest. I think I laughed non stop for hours at a time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I won't tell you how long I cried after seeing the girls (and you too Jim) in my rear view mirror today. Besides, that's just not my personality, you all know that. I will say that in the 3 years of living this lifestyle I have never felt so close to a group of people before. I do hope we all get back together at the Bosque again next fall and herald in the cranes one more time. <br />
<br />
PS: Someone tell Chris we guarantee to come back if he swaps the sauna for a hot tub. Frenchy, Pickles, and Barbie will do what we can to make Tulie keep her clothes on!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAkgFGLiXGdJPOi4mVXz_72yhDLLijK1TgJPEvWMWwvCi0BshJy6vDxQKKvGAYj7vxzNxZAighbtQnvXnbCq2VTsfkDtd8-_l-e6emDTFYfvetOlHYhFS2ol__yDinw3pHLvEMCOXFH4C/s1600/group+photo+of+me%252C+John+Olson+Kathleen+McGee%252C+Bev+Bubello%252C+Betty+Olson%252C+Priscilla%252C+Wayne%252C+Fay+Reddick%252C+Mary+Stumpp%252C+Jim+Bubello%252C+Jim+Shipley%252C+Tammy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAkgFGLiXGdJPOi4mVXz_72yhDLLijK1TgJPEvWMWwvCi0BshJy6vDxQKKvGAYj7vxzNxZAighbtQnvXnbCq2VTsfkDtd8-_l-e6emDTFYfvetOlHYhFS2ol__yDinw3pHLvEMCOXFH4C/s1600/group+photo+of+me%252C+John+Olson+Kathleen+McGee%252C+Bev+Bubello%252C+Betty+Olson%252C+Priscilla%252C+Wayne%252C+Fay+Reddick%252C+Mary+Stumpp%252C+Jim+Bubello%252C+Jim+Shipley%252C+Tammy.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Bimbos and the rest of the crew. </strong><br />
<strong>HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-48962028087717134602014-03-04T03:32:00.000-08:002014-03-27T06:09:20.723-07:00Friends on the RoadWhen I was in the Navy I made new friends at every duty station. Either we were brought together at work or our living area, but through some force of the lifestyle we met and developed a relationship. The same sort of thing happens out here on the road, and that has been especially true here at the Bosque. In fact, one couple that I have become good friends with over the last 6 months wouldn't even be here if not for me. When I happened upon this place they were looking for someone to start right away, but I needed a couple of weeks to go see brother Pat in Arizona first. After I left our manager called the next name on the list, the Bubella's.<br />
<br />
I returned to the Bosque a few weeks later to start work where I met Jim and Bev. It turned out that Bev and I like to read some of the same authors, we both enjoy jigsaw puzzles when the weather is bad outside, and all three of us are geocachers. Since our work schedules aren't exactly the same, we haven't always been able to cache together, but we do manage to find some days to get out in the field as a force of 2 or 3. Bev and I have gone to Albuquerque together a couple of times to shop, do doctor appointments, and grab a bite to eat and even a cache or two. <br />
And a couple of times I've gone off caching with Jim when no one else was dumb enough to realize that his idea of hunting a cache meant a slightly scaled down version of the Bataan Death March (one morning Jim and I hiked 3 miles along what the early settlers called the Journey of Death portion of El Camino Real just to sign one cache and walk back.). <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljUDOqkG8croXSMBUSpXzzvAvx_OzyBYHM3Z4bWCDOrhjOy4O2CaQouVbT2vmpIZmCYIZAoncqSnBRap-eUlKOpgWY7WpCWOlK4G3Roth5rhex9UGPpDeF2H56pacC0iq0_ybhqtMh3B2/s1600/IMG_20140221_144416_896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljUDOqkG8croXSMBUSpXzzvAvx_OzyBYHM3Z4bWCDOrhjOy4O2CaQouVbT2vmpIZmCYIZAoncqSnBRap-eUlKOpgWY7WpCWOlK4G3Roth5rhex9UGPpDeF2H56pacC0iq0_ybhqtMh3B2/s1600/IMG_20140221_144416_896.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Bev finds #37!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just last week, as a farewell gift of sorts to me (since I'm leaving soon but they will remain longer) the three of us went back into the desert to hike for about 3 hours and sign 37 caches. Now mind you, these were not just regular caches. Each cache had a qualifier you had to meet in order to claim the find, and once you sign and qualify for all of the caches your 3 hours/37 finds show up on the map as a large question mark in the desert. As if to beg the question, "Are you insane?" Yes, I'm sure we all are. <br />
<br />
On the ride home we stopped near Caballo Lake State Park to sign a slightly evil cache near yet another New Mexico historic marker. On the way back to I 25 we saw the perfect sign and just had to stop for the photo op. It seems to express our 6 months together on the road in New Mexico.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyARW1miEH807sfRQotdU6KFUHBud4Rva9xybcoie-ogu1T9xAaz1LYjSvM79g1UmgmFAJ8sHlblSAbuWI8ytA6Nn5Enzs3UPZ5bYbzBmIYIrQN_WxXyQGjUjNQxguXL062ZFg3fK1QmB/s1600/IMG_20140221_165611_508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyARW1miEH807sfRQotdU6KFUHBud4Rva9xybcoie-ogu1T9xAaz1LYjSvM79g1UmgmFAJ8sHlblSAbuWI8ytA6Nn5Enzs3UPZ5bYbzBmIYIrQN_WxXyQGjUjNQxguXL062ZFg3fK1QmB/s1600/IMG_20140221_165611_508.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
It's been great getting to know these two and I hope I get to spend time with them again down the road. Bev is an ageless beauty with a sparkling laugh. She inspires me. Jim is a great friend and always so helpful to anyone who asks. I will miss our escapades on the back roads and through the rocky canyons in their Jeep (although I do hope Jim adds me a step before our next ride). These 2 have really given me some fond memories to take down the road. And I will miss them dearly.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-50757422098263137192014-02-20T06:44:00.001-08:002014-03-27T06:10:11.907-07:00One train and two windshields<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBhW3bsuyw9FbW54gA74ky_iQFENnCZmk4hgIk-Ec9VijfVq9OVonWWAuGUO91upSaMxB0b8LWmmMJlVlmDUuHpjUaXwaILgt7RmbHI0VCymWOfs4gd-Rxg42JurV_4WZ2rn42Sc4mgCa/s1600/IMG_20140213_092638_404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBhW3bsuyw9FbW54gA74ky_iQFENnCZmk4hgIk-Ec9VijfVq9OVonWWAuGUO91upSaMxB0b8LWmmMJlVlmDUuHpjUaXwaILgt7RmbHI0VCymWOfs4gd-Rxg42JurV_4WZ2rn42Sc4mgCa/s1600/IMG_20140213_092638_404.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Riding the rails.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally got the chance to ride a train in New Mexico. I fell in love with train travel when I was living in Asia and traveled in 4 countries by rail. Here in the US it's a bit trickier since we Americans have a love affair with our cars. Whenever the opportunity arises I do love to hop a train, so recently I drove north of the Bosque to the southern terminus of the Railrunner. It's a commuter train that travels daily between Belen at the southern point and Santa Fe at the northern end. Of course I could have drive to Santa Fe but the train offered me the option of taking the journey at a slower pace and sitting by the window at a raised elevation with great views of the scenery. In fact, a large part of the travel goes through Indian pueblos and gives the rider a chance to view areas not normally seen except by the residents. <br />
<br />
The weather was great in Santa Fe and after browsing in the depot (the original building) in downtown I picked up a rental car and drove up along the Rio Grande to Taos. All was going great until just before I reached town. A truck passed. A rocked pinged across my windshield, and then the ping turned into a long crack right in front of the steering wheel. I had no cell service at this point so I drove slowly into Taos where I was able to return the car and leave in a different rental with an intact windshield. That extra $15 for the vehicle liability insurance made things a breeze. Sure glad I took it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After visiting a few places in Taos I decided to head east toward Las Vegas (the one in New Mexico, not Nevada). <br />
This meant going up and over the mountains, past the ski resorts and all their buses, and coming out on the other side all while enjoying some really gorgeous views. There was snow on the mountains and even right up to the sides of the road, but I was thankful to be driving on clean, dry surface all the way across. In Vegas I made a short visit to the wildlife refuge there. Not much to see since the drought had made it impossible to plant crops the previous year and very little water was available. The wildlife was taking refuge somewhere, but not here.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XtmZddNP_990FYF9ILyR8iFQ2gwWt850uLMXKCCvvkBOSngTwXq2_v2ibPz3mPfT_Ll5zq3j0vOHVORYuMMVWpwKcOLCvwG-Bklr0wQGm1Jne7Hvdy2ulLZYbtCtJyf-Xk4ZJZOFmmb-/s1600/wagon+mound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XtmZddNP_990FYF9ILyR8iFQ2gwWt850uLMXKCCvvkBOSngTwXq2_v2ibPz3mPfT_Ll5zq3j0vOHVORYuMMVWpwKcOLCvwG-Bklr0wQGm1Jne7Hvdy2ulLZYbtCtJyf-Xk4ZJZOFmmb-/s1600/wagon+mound.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>View of a visitor entering the cemetery in the village</strong><br />
<strong>of Wagon Mound with the famous "mound"</strong><br />
<strong>in the background.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGPemZl-J1LB6iIcbtLJzzM1u8HY1DqtQ2nuTjMAYUGGwfKogX_b93FwcScAIqkrsNyLGA1ZuVlWu_tj_6ZTVwyidgSr9Di6MnBygtwJdAF-fRyQtoZ8PA5BGBOf317iJ-A-MMQ1rsGy0/s1600/IMG_20140214_073220_325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGPemZl-J1LB6iIcbtLJzzM1u8HY1DqtQ2nuTjMAYUGGwfKogX_b93FwcScAIqkrsNyLGA1ZuVlWu_tj_6ZTVwyidgSr9Di6MnBygtwJdAF-fRyQtoZ8PA5BGBOf317iJ-A-MMQ1rsGy0/s1600/IMG_20140214_073220_325.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>My name on the log as I perched high above</strong><br />
<strong>the gorge at the cache.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next morning I drove into the village of Wagon Mound, a sleepy little place that once had been a very important stop along the Santa Fe Trail. The large rock formations were trail signs for the travelers that here they would find shelter for a night or two of rest on their journey. Today it offers a view of the wagon mound rocks and a truck stop along I 25. All around me the land was flat except for the mounds. I could see why travelers focused on this spot. But turning east on state highway 120 I found the Canadian River Gorge and some breathtaking scenery. Of course I also found a few caches along the way including one that offered a 360 view of the valley and gorge. Very impressive.<br />
<br />
By lunch time I was back in Santa Fe returning my rental and having lunch near the train tracks. The trip back offered a full rail car: full of UNM students heading home on a Friday with their duffle bags of dirty laundry for Mom to magically turn into clean clothes. Once again I enjoyed a window seat with panoramic views. I followed the journey with an app that helped me learn about the areas I was cutting across. Back in Belen I loaded my bags into the little orange car and after running a few errands I heading back to the Bosque where only I could turn my duffle of dirty laundry into clean clothes. All was good until about 10 miles from my exit off I 25 when I heard a rock ping the corner of my windshield and then saw the crack formed across the passenger window. Now how about that! Two windshields in two days! Sure did make for a memorable trip.<br />
<br />Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-38015148986368707502014-02-09T21:51:00.001-08:002014-03-27T06:10:32.753-07:00They Call Me "The Duck Whisperer"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U4Sxt5ZdGqkQTdKZuSMYBp5nZHA0Os0NEhXkf7fWQkQTQt26iwNYxhcjVSzXeZNmntzVN3x0Y70Fq1Ac1jWLRNRXzAMaoQiVczi4XMrGzWf9prfOaKZaLF4GlIGTMWCiD-PyeM0qbvLF/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1U4Sxt5ZdGqkQTdKZuSMYBp5nZHA0Os0NEhXkf7fWQkQTQt26iwNYxhcjVSzXeZNmntzVN3x0Y70Fq1Ac1jWLRNRXzAMaoQiVczi4XMrGzWf9prfOaKZaLF4GlIGTMWCiD-PyeM0qbvLF/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(1).JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>John discusses the Northern Pintail, our most common </strong><br />
<strong>duck at the Bosque, while keeping the Susie and </strong><br />
<strong>the Drake calm.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I suppose there are worse things to be called. It all started innocently enough. The staff here were kind enough to establish a day when volunteers could participate in the capture and banding of ducks here on the refuge. I couldn't refuse the opportunity since I had so much fun helping with the kids banding day back in November. It was a cold, clear morning but not as cold as the day we banded with the kids.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W_e3cvmazmoYx2nRsDENdCvFFlhzCYE84wJx-Z_7j4JoP3__PbpzAmnpgQKKo1IYvjpOcDBVZ6SlA65e-L6x4_m9eWhtAcWnTUngHduJQmHWJlhLNaNUt8ag-wTjK3uH7KDRCf5LKvgq/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W_e3cvmazmoYx2nRsDENdCvFFlhzCYE84wJx-Z_7j4JoP3__PbpzAmnpgQKKo1IYvjpOcDBVZ6SlA65e-L6x4_m9eWhtAcWnTUngHduJQmHWJlhLNaNUt8ag-wTjK3uH7KDRCf5LKvgq/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(11).JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>A drake mallard gets some attention too!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The birds were captured with nets launched by small rockets in an area away from the public tour route, but one that the biologists had been baiting for several days to insure plenty of ducks. There were 2 different days to attend to allow for work schedules, and on the day I went there were about 9 volunteers and the one biologist in charge. Once the ducks were in the nets they were sorted into crates by species and sex. Then the biologist gave us a lot of info about the ducks we were working with that morning. Finally each duck had to be taken out, weighed and wingspan measured, and released after having a small metal band attached to its foot and the info recorded in a log. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM6z4QKleon7iqWgoOKETeTwhRG6ZUbp0bYrLGk_904qAn4VtGBnAi1Eu7DKoS3m0kbCGh9Q93mvRKwvf8DhYJHxDXtFlBAbrWNuEIcf4QagLssT3jlbqnF8d3Uj11uSQZKPLe8DEVAdF/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(178).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRM6z4QKleon7iqWgoOKETeTwhRG6ZUbp0bYrLGk_904qAn4VtGBnAi1Eu7DKoS3m0kbCGh9Q93mvRKwvf8DhYJHxDXtFlBAbrWNuEIcf4QagLssT3jlbqnF8d3Uj11uSQZKPLe8DEVAdF/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(178).JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Showing off the colors of my favorite little duck </strong><br />
<strong>friend, the green winged teal.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLntltbXZqQbx5828oB1SEX4PoLSfG7erfYKV57cBleHbbKiLr17NeKWIpiYGUCDVid8KFnAwCU9tUF9Rsc6HoXqgJR-lBHTwi3pCp0IiF3ziJwn7Zq5dJCXc6OgDYhJNvtvCSNHKeJCo/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(119).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLntltbXZqQbx5828oB1SEX4PoLSfG7erfYKV57cBleHbbKiLr17NeKWIpiYGUCDVid8KFnAwCU9tUF9Rsc6HoXqgJR-lBHTwi3pCp0IiF3ziJwn7Zq5dJCXc6OgDYhJNvtvCSNHKeJCo/s1600/2014_02_06+Bosque+Del+Apache+(119).JPG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Saying farewell</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's when it began. Since John the biologist was busy teaching about the ducks and making sure all the info was recorded and that the data was gathered and bands attached correctly, I just opened a crate and began to hand out birds. I don't really have much experience with live, wild ducks, but somehow I just did it well. So now I am the duck whisperer and considering some of the things I could be known for here, that's not a bad thing. Besides, while all the eagles and hawks get lots of attention in the refuge, as well as the sandhill cranes of course, I think the ducks are the most fascinating birds here. So whisper on my web footed friends. You know I love you!!Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-66097832835830881352014-02-02T18:42:00.001-08:002014-03-27T06:10:55.514-07:00Trying Not to Scratch an ItchWell it's been a long time since I've been sitting still in one place for 5 months. I have really enjoyed all the time I've spent here in the refuge and I've made some new friends here of course. The winter has been mild according to the locals and for that I'm grateful. Somehow I thought being in the desert meant a much warmer winter. Maybe next year I'll get it right. <br />
<br />
There are a lot of changes in the air. The eagle population is up and the crane and goose population is steadily declining. The first cormorant has taken up residence in the rookery and bluebirds are everywhere. Of the 14 volunteer campsites currently occupied, 6 of them will be vacated by the end of the month. Neighbors are getting busy with packing up and exchanging email addresses. Then, during the month of March most of the rest of us will be slowly packing up and moving on to the next job. <br />
<br />
So where am I off to? Not really sure I can say yet except that it is narrowed down to somewhere in Arizona. In the mean time I will keep doing my job and try to keep from trying to scratch that itch that has me wanting to move on down to see new horizons.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-13759814069915279282013-12-26T07:09:00.003-08:002014-03-27T06:11:09.665-07:00The Christmas GooseIt's the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz0ZJ9CSODDyxZ9vbEi_Rmt-o5BrdhfmtFvHv725nwMxCyeo3Un1vPdUIxqzX_POMHEybtsEOzbZdSUFnxyvcqMrbgDeejWDXzS1_s9XZokHm6dq-11k4D5U9Vgoe2odFFz-SHADuYuGE/s1600/snow+geese+coming+in.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz0ZJ9CSODDyxZ9vbEi_Rmt-o5BrdhfmtFvHv725nwMxCyeo3Un1vPdUIxqzX_POMHEybtsEOzbZdSUFnxyvcqMrbgDeejWDXzS1_s9XZokHm6dq-11k4D5U9Vgoe2odFFz-SHADuYuGE/s1600/snow+geese+coming+in.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> day after Christmas and all you insane friends of mine are out fighting the crowds for another bargain or two. My hat is off to you for having the courage to fight your way through it. I personally don't need anything that badly. In fact, I had a lovely Christmas. It started with sunrise over the mountains while I sat deep in the Bosque watching the sandhill cranes fly out to other fields to feed all day. Shortly after that I watched as the snow geese covered the surface of a large pond on the north side. They are so loud coming in that I could close my eyes and imagine myself back home at the Hickerson family gathering (actually this fly in was so loud they could have been my Ogg family gathering). <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtTsCk3NA0ydWMF6VJIZ9VJwTUBZvTCFDmH4Skq5SL_s8l4DiS5-grKUS2x1UCP90oI2fcCfScrAvdvIyXdF5s1rUIjE0Q7hcmB4Z6mNjdgjRzBDkvxxWqxezWgmuuN9r0ZlPmAtgzKtc/s1600/DSCF3348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtTsCk3NA0ydWMF6VJIZ9VJwTUBZvTCFDmH4Skq5SL_s8l4DiS5-grKUS2x1UCP90oI2fcCfScrAvdvIyXdF5s1rUIjE0Q7hcmB4Z6mNjdgjRzBDkvxxWqxezWgmuuN9r0ZlPmAtgzKtc/s1600/DSCF3348.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Lots of people from all around the state and well beyond come here to see the sandhill cranes but the cranes are far outnumbered by the "light" geese most of which are snow geese, but about one third of them are Ross' geese and if you look closely you will even see the fabled blue goose. <br />
<br />
If turkey is more to your liking for the Christmas feast just head to the woods in the northern reaches of the Bosque where I found about 100 of them in a corn field. They tend to stay hidden from the visitors here although they are certainly protected like all the other birds.<br />
<br />
So I sat and watched the geese for a while thinking about the traditional Christmas goose in Dickens' Christmas Carol. A hunter out looking for a fat goose for the table would have his pick here - as long as he avoids Ben the Bosque game warden. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2n0Mqy_Ct-HGCg_bRAnBSvD-dbIV28j7435MwgjhwNz175hdo2UYUffjSbKcE57SCqiCyhAxaQgczIueossmZXDKdQWYOh9uEAEDI2yasNiM0nwbmnccBE0t8-c4S8yF6kDScRjpcYiQ/s1600/IMG_20131224_162519_618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2n0Mqy_Ct-HGCg_bRAnBSvD-dbIV28j7435MwgjhwNz175hdo2UYUffjSbKcE57SCqiCyhAxaQgczIueossmZXDKdQWYOh9uEAEDI2yasNiM0nwbmnccBE0t8-c4S8yF6kDScRjpcYiQ/s1600/IMG_20131224_162519_618.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>After a few hours in the refuge it was time to head back to my little home and check on the crockpot chicken and dressing I was cooking for our covered dish Christmas dinner. Late in the afternoon we all gathered together in the lounge and followed the Christmas tradition of stuffing our bellies one more time. Lots to eat but no goose!<br />
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<br />Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-53574737045288618652013-12-22T07:00:00.000-08:002014-03-27T06:11:21.014-07:00My Life is For The Birds<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYto7pD7HFrkApi_YMDkxv8ZsfLwQBIMle2a8QQxKSpv5lydbTQ9ufFJuTozTLUbPKaQLHt_6A9fbas_GFb70GuS9gE7ZHpo2xQZHZHpCRB6kwv6WTFqiOTSI7cJjjPjifGBaYpWVjPJM7/s1600/DSCF3102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYto7pD7HFrkApi_YMDkxv8ZsfLwQBIMle2a8QQxKSpv5lydbTQ9ufFJuTozTLUbPKaQLHt_6A9fbas_GFb70GuS9gE7ZHpo2xQZHZHpCRB6kwv6WTFqiOTSI7cJjjPjifGBaYpWVjPJM7/s1600/DSCF3102.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>The sky is filled with cranes every morning.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looks like it's been a while since my last post. I would apologize but I feel no guilt for it. Seems like my life has been for the birds more and more since I moved into the refuge. And boy do we have the birds here.<br />
This week's count for Sandhill Cranes is a little over 8,500. The cranes are the main draw here but the snow geese give them a run for their money. And these guys do their best to take away attention from the cranes. It makes for very interesting shows all the time. The cranes have a loud bugling voice that rings out across the refuge night and day. They are tall and graceful with their scarlet caps that seem to glow on sunny days, and when they come in for a landing they drop their long legs and flap their huge wings resembling small aircraft coming in for a landing on the fields and ponds.<br />
<br />
The snow geese aren't about to be put out by some showy cranes. Not only are the geese numbers more than twice the number of the cranes, but they have a way of being noticed when they leave and arrive. First of all the geese arrive in groups of one hundred or more at a time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9bnev5dZhYjDGY00uCA43AP9K5L2BjGqwFiXNC_NLHs3frMmpmgeCAbEuFv6Sem6G5Qa7IZ88CHe4rjsEvqe8Mdwd__spFuSjzkeGTsxswWWDn1ODcNq6P2x5taJ6wHYjL_pXRaZB3-M/s1600/IMG_20131128_132500_457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9bnev5dZhYjDGY00uCA43AP9K5L2BjGqwFiXNC_NLHs3frMmpmgeCAbEuFv6Sem6G5Qa7IZ88CHe4rjsEvqe8Mdwd__spFuSjzkeGTsxswWWDn1ODcNq6P2x5taJ6wHYjL_pXRaZB3-M/s1600/IMG_20131128_132500_457.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>It's snowing geese!</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They fly over the field in a dramatic swoop then swing back across a little lower before finally coming to a noisy landing. Try to imagine a restaurant full of chatting people. Multiply that noise by tens or hundreds depending on the size of the flock. If you are used to the honk honk of the Canada geese on the pond, forget it. Snow geese sound like that restaurant full of people. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MnutzG3D80Bkq6mkScip9vuhrxnrzxgYWZr9SxddDyMX5bqboGDJI7e6iJS9bS5T7QrCdaiY2VO33mACZm5CfOQfI_B3JAfbtmkon3CiXU4klGpWV25y6S1gMZMuw4s584edszHVaG0G/s1600/DSCF3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MnutzG3D80Bkq6mkScip9vuhrxnrzxgYWZr9SxddDyMX5bqboGDJI7e6iJS9bS5T7QrCdaiY2VO33mACZm5CfOQfI_B3JAfbtmkon3CiXU4klGpWV25y6S1gMZMuw4s584edszHVaG0G/s1600/DSCF3389.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>An American Widgeon is unimpressed by my visit.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
And then things get ducky - like more than 85,000 ducks worth of ducky. Most of them are northern pintails, northern shovelers, and mallards. But mixed in with them are ruddy ducks, buffleheads, canvasbacks, redheads, ringed necks, and a few widgeons, green-winged teals, and wood ducks. A drive or walk down the south loop is filled with lots of quackers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXl-7fMfXQ1751zLTQSXetSLwkBPcLjLzidLoiZ7w2_X6gyIKq4nRrYVho56BiMoBhGydZuFkkBgwcggP5ruoo3XsHj3bBqTU7YL5qqnbUDweggySPvxE2EQuripFuSo9N97-ySZ7CYCF/s1600/DSCF3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXl-7fMfXQ1751zLTQSXetSLwkBPcLjLzidLoiZ7w2_X6gyIKq4nRrYVho56BiMoBhGydZuFkkBgwcggP5ruoo3XsHj3bBqTU7YL5qqnbUDweggySPvxE2EQuripFuSo9N97-ySZ7CYCF/s1600/DSCF3265.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Just one of the training sessions I've attended since starting</strong><br />
<strong>at the Bosque. We are taught the history of the refuge and</strong><br />
<strong>the Rio Grande River as well as birder training.</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the cranes and the geese, the next big draw here on the Bosque is the raptors. I rode the 12 mile tour loop last Sunday with our bird guide and ended up with a count of 3 mature bald eagles and 5 juveniles; 2 mature golden eagles and 1 juvenile; 32 northern harriers, <br />
1 kestrel, 13 ravens, and 37 red tail hawks. And the biggest thing I learned is that not all red tail hawks have a red tail. Go figure.<br />
<br />
Beyond the big show there are all the little song birds that come to the feeders or hang out on the dried sunflowers in the fields: white crowned sparrows, white throated sparrows, song sparrows, house sparrows, juncos, towhees, and a few house finches. The winter weather here is mild but what few bugs we get are kept in control by the resident flycatchers: Say's Phoebe and Black Phoebe.<br />
<br />
Wheww!! Did I leave anyone out? Well, wintering goldfinches and mountain bluebirds of course. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15mJp5iBS3_Uz2GESONya4FwruqduSAykTbFtR67sBeywX7F1qZc0nRy0Fz_gtKy9pkn40KQEzWotwEHrhpb2TPtH-QwXvldK-yYvWg5QqeXSOK-H9yXaXkTO4SBaBecXCG17iKRkRGHB/s1600/DSCF3368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15mJp5iBS3_Uz2GESONya4FwruqduSAykTbFtR67sBeywX7F1qZc0nRy0Fz_gtKy9pkn40KQEzWotwEHrhpb2TPtH-QwXvldK-yYvWg5QqeXSOK-H9yXaXkTO4SBaBecXCG17iKRkRGHB/s1600/DSCF3368.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>A murder of crows</strong></td></tr>
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So if I don't blog as often as I have before you'll have to understand. When I'm not taking visitors out to see the refuge and our residents, I'm studying them. It's a tough job but somebody's got to love it!Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-6183908834984036372013-11-30T01:51:00.000-08:002014-03-27T06:11:32.972-07:00How To Enjoy a Beautiful Thanksgiving<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTQUJAWPM9WJflvos6qlFRPMGRWBzXhk3V6rvMDPUdGQ-yzl_OhNPgYQNAeU8Hq2pMYUyVCsZZppm5AhxaBlWJ4XOd_zkPQddkHnuAQ89s3vjDOX8SURqftk7E9auuckDYUs5fBQDau52/s1600/IMG_20131128_093540_060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTQUJAWPM9WJflvos6qlFRPMGRWBzXhk3V6rvMDPUdGQ-yzl_OhNPgYQNAeU8Hq2pMYUyVCsZZppm5AhxaBlWJ4XOd_zkPQddkHnuAQ89s3vjDOX8SURqftk7E9auuckDYUs5fBQDau52/s320/IMG_20131128_093540_060.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Halfway up to the cache</strong></td></tr>
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Got up early on turkey day and turned on the news to hear the reports of shootings and fights among the folks camped out all night to start their holiday shopping. While watching the news I scrolled down the list of all the posts listing what my friends and family are thankful for. After listening to the news I was thankful not to need to be near a shopping mall. Soon there was a knock on the door. One of the other volunteers wanted a partner to go along on a short cache run. It was 8:30 and we had to be back by noon because of the potluck turkey dinner this afternoon. Was I interested? You bet!<br />
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In 10 minutes we were on the way up a narrow canyon gravel road in his jeep. The first cache was a simple micro in a cut out along the canyon wall, then we were back in the jeep and driving deeper into Box Canyon. The sky was blue, the temps were brisk but not too hot or too cold, and the canyon walls were high. The next cache was on top of one of those canyons. When the GPSr beeped at 190 ft. we stopped and looked straight up - and up - and up. It was a no brainer to drive to the end of the canyon, park the jeep, and hike back up the other side of the canyon's edge. Only a quarter mile hike but really a beautiful view from up there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZXji9snvULNLwP-M_DfPCrJVYCI9owf09iVeuaOP-hj5qMol4cbwzu4N3SNZkWGZduJ7ffKdfWkCuZT-UKeaCWjX-nOyvfBDEhoqgSkkuD1ioIhn3Pq2FV-pUpik6lxy-uSfkrQo3KJA/s1600/IMG_20131128_105255_252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZXji9snvULNLwP-M_DfPCrJVYCI9owf09iVeuaOP-hj5qMol4cbwzu4N3SNZkWGZduJ7ffKdfWkCuZT-UKeaCWjX-nOyvfBDEhoqgSkkuD1ioIhn3Pq2FV-pUpik6lxy-uSfkrQo3KJA/s320/IMG_20131128_105255_252.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Just a little hike up and over that old mine</strong> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpOKf3kq9PYcHWvCbw2Z1fyw2cNcdC_9yPkdUPVBPNwX7taChGhH3Ojc3xT0We3YmTWuPxa713WbKDrJ0MaEtGvwvQWHdUt5VVp60YWIu8jZ7sT5c0NC817aKVh6PzTXi71BUXb4rOxfk/s1600/IMG_20131128_104133_815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpOKf3kq9PYcHWvCbw2Z1fyw2cNcdC_9yPkdUPVBPNwX7taChGhH3Ojc3xT0We3YmTWuPxa713WbKDrJ0MaEtGvwvQWHdUt5VVp60YWIu8jZ7sT5c0NC817aKVh6PzTXi71BUXb4rOxfk/s320/IMG_20131128_104133_815.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Looks like we found it!</strong></td></tr>
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Back to the jeep and deeper into the canyon we found our next two caches near the remains of some old abandoned silver mines. More parking the jeep and hiking up hills. Oh, and there was still snow and ice in the higher climes so there was just a little slipping and sliding in some spots. Before I knew it the morning was over and we had to drive out the other end of the canyon onto the highway and back to camp for lunch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSyxKOiqj-lL-CboRtUs77ivY8fos7ZuZsgaJTVGx-4ReDKwvHJclhHFVMPolHeErWofTVtZwERrulYyXezVb59QRwkMKQsLukQ29dtCTnNqmCZuc5rbr-s45gVJyU5l-XdI4z9yn6jlM/s1600/IMG_20131128_132115_045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSyxKOiqj-lL-CboRtUs77ivY8fos7ZuZsgaJTVGx-4ReDKwvHJclhHFVMPolHeErWofTVtZwERrulYyXezVb59QRwkMKQsLukQ29dtCTnNqmCZuc5rbr-s45gVJyU5l-XdI4z9yn6jlM/s320/IMG_20131128_132115_045.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Here come the snow geese</strong></td></tr>
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And after lunch there were the birds in the refuge. Lots of them. And lots of folks standing around with cameras. I was amazed at how many dedicated birders were spending the day watching the sandhill cranes. But as the sun set I found myself standing in there with them perhaps feeling a bit of "lens" envy holding my little point and shoot camera in the midst<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIRvCo2OW5LWbHwE859pQxQK9XsCtpNtKih1iINE8x3-nKtHb8tTFoi6KLndx7fYlTSlZFgl1_e2txnoV5os5pYZBPrjFwPeInONy9O0NV2PsUzyLJcr_eclmbbmGuVcpybd-a_QGQKfE/s1600/IMG_20131128_132824_420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIRvCo2OW5LWbHwE859pQxQK9XsCtpNtKih1iINE8x3-nKtHb8tTFoi6KLndx7fYlTSlZFgl1_e2txnoV5os5pYZBPrjFwPeInONy9O0NV2PsUzyLJcr_eclmbbmGuVcpybd-a_QGQKfE/s320/IMG_20131128_132824_420.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a> of cameras with long range lens so large some folks have to wear back braces to carry them around. Still I think my pictures came out pretty good. I hope you agree.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-11750833147683765562013-11-07T21:26:00.002-08:002014-03-27T06:11:52.292-07:00Apologies for the long wait on a new post<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8lvy7SL_kkIXsxdU97lUFh-TsjCgawBq72XMlp3bN95KoWI11BiF5OuXlXP9gPGEKMK11Ayhs72lvLSoonUiuFwzI3cfPM4RZJba1Id-dDyRv-k53pOww0rUSYi7p45tDClrxZJhb-BD/s1600/2+roadrunners+in+the+same+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8lvy7SL_kkIXsxdU97lUFh-TsjCgawBq72XMlp3bN95KoWI11BiF5OuXlXP9gPGEKMK11Ayhs72lvLSoonUiuFwzI3cfPM4RZJba1Id-dDyRv-k53pOww0rUSYi7p45tDClrxZJhb-BD/s1600/2+roadrunners+in+the+same+tree.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Two roadrunners NOT on the road</strong></td></tr>
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I am embarrassed to say that the main reason I have been so remiss in posting to my blog is technical. Google changed a lot of their set ups and it took me a while to cut through all the new stuff to find my way back to here. Well, there's that and there's all the birding I've been doing. And boy are there birds here to see!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB9eVfW4lSj9lFGNo7geQbIcte1mNP-RxyJLgRhfyDTg_bM7QYopbz4lzPyhdaTxkjh70yNRfstcwjOF2NEhB1U-c6VB5aaFyQ8BHnsOECddpBzqN3iQkfvfEw8T-GqVctes1KLv8Vnbm/s1600/DSCF3281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkB9eVfW4lSj9lFGNo7geQbIcte1mNP-RxyJLgRhfyDTg_bM7QYopbz4lzPyhdaTxkjh70yNRfstcwjOF2NEhB1U-c6VB5aaFyQ8BHnsOECddpBzqN3iQkfvfEw8T-GqVctes1KLv8Vnbm/s1600/DSCF3281.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>What's that knot on that tree?</strong></td></tr>
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The Sandhill Cranes, the main stars of the show here, are coming in day by day and the latest count shows that we have a little over 3,000 with at least twice that many coming by the end of November. And while they are beautiful to watch, I really like the snow geese which the latest count shows at a population of over 5,000. And I can believe that. Some mornings I look across the highway into the flooded grain fields and it's almost a blanket of white. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Sneaky perch</strong></td></tr>
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But then things get ducky! We have over 22,000 ducks here in the refuge. I am busily learning to tell them all apart. One day last week I was manning my post at the spotting scope on the Marsh Deck and saw a few ducks: ring necked, bufflehead, cinnamon teal, widgeon, pintail, mallard, redheads, and ruddy ducks. Wow, it is really hard to pick some of them out because most of the males are still in their drab summer plumage. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Buffleheads in the afternoon sunshine</strong></td></tr>
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Of course there are numerous Canada Geese along with all the red wing blackbirds, the hawks, the eagles, the woodpeckers...... well, as you can see, we host a large variety of creatures here. And I am loving it despite the wintry weather beginning to set in. There is snow up north on the mountains but so far it hasn't found it's way here and I hope it doesn't. Well, OK Madeline Ruth, I do think it would be pretty to see the place covered with a light dusting of snow. But just a LIGHT dusting. <br />
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Next week the Festival of Cranes will begin and I'm told there will be over 5,000 birders and photographers here for that. It should be interesting. I'll try to do better at posting some pix from that.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-6122023426926643222013-10-17T13:42:00.001-07:002014-03-27T06:12:09.600-07:00The Cranes Have Arrived!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhWyirJJ_l0SXfHjQ5advIzF13IRUiFH1wUv4c5odw1Rm61SEl7yek_-6gvO7rPh3QaOMZDOPAa4W6yYsp4BCTEuD173XLQngXwZxFk7UZpyEYfu0OGBm9rd9twOjTW2bHLpE6ArVC6xp/s1600/DSCF3096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhWyirJJ_l0SXfHjQ5advIzF13IRUiFH1wUv4c5odw1Rm61SEl7yek_-6gvO7rPh3QaOMZDOPAa4W6yYsp4BCTEuD173XLQngXwZxFk7UZpyEYfu0OGBm9rd9twOjTW2bHLpE6ArVC6xp/s320/DSCF3096.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It's the middle of October and still the government is shut down. But the birds don't know. I stopped at the viewing kiosk on the north end of the bosque which is not closed off to the public like all the trails inside the area. There was water in the field beyond the kiosk which is normally dry. We haven't had any rain so obviously the rangers had to have flooded the field. Of course the Canada Geese were there and lots of mallards and susies. I saw a big spot of white which with my binoculars I was able to identify as the first snow geese of the fall. Thinking I was done I started to leave until I noticed some movement near the back of the field. Yep, there they were. The first Sandhill Cranes of the year. One pair feeding along the back of the field. Talked with another birder who had stopped to see the snow geese and also hadn't noticed the cranes at first. Finally I went home wondering if the canes will continue to come since the rangers aren't allowed to work in the refuge knocking down the corn fields that the cranes feed on. Then yesterday I stopped at the same spot on my way home and watched as wave after wave of cranes flew in. By dusk there were at least 200-300 cranes in the field. OK Washington. Get your act together so we can feed the birds!Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-28965746349920476402013-10-16T06:14:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:12:27.266-07:00Up, Up, and AwayI<br />
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f you ever get the chance to travel to New Mexico in October, be sure to check out the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque. It's a 90 minute drive from my campsite at the bosque, but so worth it. The festival lasts 10 days and I tried to content myself with watching live coverage on the local news show each morning. Finally I couldn't stand it, so I drove up to the big city on the day of the shape balloon contests. I arrived about 2 hours before dusk and walked around the field seeing all the signs and talking with the crews. That's the great thing about the festival. Not only do you get up close and personal with the balloons, but you also get to talk directly with the crews.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0_nJKdCmp0KXe3kbQntpmZtx61_V4zrsgM445eeQrtbM2C0Sm6lOAAkKG_zPtCv6u8epPGhAfe5bNCrWNZquVRRWH-P1SF3jhANG734PlfMftZGAR72ZPdt3c5bZaTR-aEtIeur8O5_S/s1600/DSCF3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0_nJKdCmp0KXe3kbQntpmZtx61_V4zrsgM445eeQrtbM2C0Sm6lOAAkKG_zPtCv6u8epPGhAfe5bNCrWNZquVRRWH-P1SF3jhANG734PlfMftZGAR72ZPdt3c5bZaTR-aEtIeur8O5_S/s320/DSCF3047.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> Just as light was fading the aprons started rolling out. That's the term for large tarps spread out on the bare ground to protect the balloons as they are unfurled and inflated. Soon crews were scrambling around with fans and tethers and all sorts of ballooning gear. The red, white, and blue rocket ship was first up and joined quickly by Peg Leg Pete and then Chica.<br />
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All the while guests walked in and around the aprons watching and taking pix. By the time I left there were somewhere in the number of 60 shape balloons in the "glodeo". That's what they call when all these balloons are tethered on the ground but glowing with the flames of their firing hot gases to keep the shape open. I left before the fireworks show thinking I would be able to see that from the r<br />
emote parking area and be ahead of the traffic to start my drive back home. It was a beautiful night and I'm glad I got to see it. Next step? Ride in one of those babies over the city. Why not?!<br />
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Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-50062765400451305732013-10-02T19:05:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:12:52.431-07:00Welcome to the BosqueI have finally arrived at my home for this winter - <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>My office</strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Some of my neighbors</strong></td></tr>
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Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico. The weather is nice for early fall: low 80s in the afternoon and cool evenings in the 50s. My walk to work from the volunteer camp takes about 2 minutes and is interrupted only by the bugling elk herd in the field to the north. I work three days a week in the visitor center or out roving the refuge. On my first day I saw 5 female mule deer, a flock of long billed dowitchers, a few white pelicans, and a six foot rattlesnake sunning himself in the road. In the afternoon I return home to Seeker to check email and listen to what sounds like a large croaking frog. Instead I find that a local Chihuahuan Raven has taken a post on top of the utility pole behind my parking spot. I have <br />
accepted the fact that he was here first and named him Edgar. I hope he eats the mosquitoes that are still around and large enough to saddle. Right now with the cool nights I love to sleep with my window open and even gotten used to the serenade of a local night owl. I love everything about my new home except the government shut down that has idled us all.<br />
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The rangers have asked us to just hang out and wait for the reopening so I guess I'll do some exploring. Sadly the refuge that I would like to explore is off limits to us all right now. But I'm sure I'll find something to do. <br />
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Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-39231496947986169452013-09-19T06:02:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:13:25.111-07:00My Excellent and Not So Excellent Arizona AdventuresI am an only girl blessed with 4 brothers. If you ask them they will all tell you I was spoiled and at this point in my life I will have to agree. I was spoiled by having 4 big brothers (well Ronnie is younger but he has been bigger than me since he was 12). They are all distinctly different in their looks and their careers and their lifestyles. And I love them all so much, but it is difficult to spend a lot of time with them since they are somewhat scattered. Last year Clint came to visit my campsite just outside of Nashville on his birthday and after fixing a couple of things on Seeker (he's my go to guy for car stuff) we spent the rest of the evening talking, cooking dinner on the grill, and just catching up. I hope he enjoyed his birthday as much I did. Ronnie is hard to get face time with. His busy career of over the road trucking keeps him running around the country. I did get to meet up with him at a truckstop diner in KY last year along with cousin Madeline, but was unable to meet up again somewhere along I 40 this summer. Now I'm afraid I'm too far west but who knows. Of course Mike is always just outside of Atlanta, mostly on Lake Lanier fishing if things are going his way. He is really enjoying his retirement. I did spend the month of December with him last year and did my best to help him and Linda through a tough time. Of course I spent most of my first year of rv life in Georgia and we got together a lot back then. Now days we just talk on the phone.<br />
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And then there's Pat. Pat is one of the reasons I have come so far west. He and his wife have settled in Arizona for their retirement years so it's a little trickier to visit with him. I did visit for a few days back in 09 or 10 (I can't remember which) but that was long ago, so I made it a point to get to Arizona this summer. I had planned to visit for a week to 10 days, and they were kind enough to let me park Seeker at their place so that I could be close. In fact, it was so hot out there in September that it was just better that I stay in the house in the spare room. And what a house! Have I mentioned yet that Pat and Teresa are both artists? Everywhere in every room there is evidence of their talent: stained glass, etched glass, glass mosaic, paintings, carvings, beadwork. It is humbling to be around such talented folks. One reason Teresa likes being where they are is the warm winters. One reason Pat likes to be there is no yard work. His take on mowing the grass: spraying weed killer on grass or weeds that pop up in the gravel that covers his front and back yards. He does have some trees planted around the place that have really grown since I was there before. And the lake out back provides lots of birdwatching opportunities as well. I had a great time visiting with them and learning rv tips from Pat (he and Tee full timed for a while before settling in their home). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qU2UMNrdRzcq9vKZg704IS8SApdPbf09KzLG7G2Jsr7BU7mepDKnxofzpecoxDIaCS4-iaFEgFPK2wWbBuYXTLldovOO49AW1toCeYkTpnDa8_LcJwrlTkKuSS_fv38jyN3jEtxc6IDz/s1600/CIMG1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qU2UMNrdRzcq9vKZg704IS8SApdPbf09KzLG7G2Jsr7BU7mepDKnxofzpecoxDIaCS4-iaFEgFPK2wWbBuYXTLldovOO49AW1toCeYkTpnDa8_LcJwrlTkKuSS_fv38jyN3jEtxc6IDz/s1600/CIMG1790.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>And then one day I decided to visit a park about 60 miles away for some excellent birding. Spent 4 hours walking trails and practicing with my new birding scope. Despite the heat I had a great time and treated myself to a new, compact birding guide to keep in my backpack. My mainstay, the heavier Petersen's Guide will now stay in Seeker. So feeling good about the day I left and went into a nearby town for some lunch and to browse. Finally decided to start heading back toward Pat's house but took a different route thinking it might be quicker. BIG MISTAKE. I soon found myself on I 10 heading away from Phoenix area but folks were getting off work and traffic was building and it was about 104 outside. My little car was not liking the heat and since I didn't need to hurry home I decided to get off at the next exit and wait out the traffic. That's when it happened. I got caught up in stop and go traffic on the ramp and got sandwiched between 2 cars. The guy behind me kept running up really close and made me too nervous. I paid too much attention to him and ended up hitting the rear end of the girl in front of me and the guy behind me hit my back end. Not hard, but enough to do some damage. So we eased up off the ramp and as soon as there was enough room on the shoulder the car in front of me pulled off and I did the same. The guy behind me just went around us and kept going. Luckily all he hit was my bicycle and the damage was minimal but it did put a new scratch on the back gate of my car. When I told the police officer about the guy leaving he just shrugged and said it happens a lot. <br />
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The good news is that no one was hurt and damage was minimal. The car in front of me was from California and actually heading back the next day. She just needs a near rear bumper. I was able to drive the rest of the way home (about 40 miles) and had to delay my departure I had planned for the next day for a week while my car was in the shop. But now my little orange car has a new hood and front bumper. And I got to experience flooding in the streets in Arizona during the monsoon season. What an amazing adventure. Hope I don't have too many more like it. Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-54133501044627606062013-09-03T20:23:00.002-07:002014-03-27T06:13:46.929-07:00BoothillWell, I feel like I have come full circle in my western pursuits. Been to Dodge City, seen the cattle driven through the streets of Ft. Worth, and now that I've stood at the OK Corral, all that was left was a visit to Boothill. Here's the pix. Hope you enjoy the visit too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbi2ocONOUMXCF5Q_mWpSY2-Dg0OcotjU7puWuP932un9QTti5ANSaANZf9WeTTKY4j-Iiisug3QjXcNuNfDgrt4qKD5FfFrLpe3ll5OEoL1nd-JdPqVFO-Yy9HLMvY6MZJCIaIcti6n0/s1600/IMG_20130827_111844_676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbi2ocONOUMXCF5Q_mWpSY2-Dg0OcotjU7puWuP932un9QTti5ANSaANZf9WeTTKY4j-Iiisug3QjXcNuNfDgrt4qKD5FfFrLpe3ll5OEoL1nd-JdPqVFO-Yy9HLMvY6MZJCIaIcti6n0/s1600/IMG_20130827_111844_676.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-70709208526923691472013-08-19T08:00:00.002-07:002014-03-27T06:14:10.042-07:00Ghost Hunting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuUK9ClQM9q-iZGqufhJakvQWt2H17obf7-EeHo53s4RIlxPvLFIxuHg-TCjv8OAytUbW44j6Cv7AoBVkLlzifreL2QlrOnuEUmcpAYATxf1vfdFKRkhIm27JVpkpwgLV_Zzg4EEVZrgC/s1600/IMG_20130815_095739_226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghuUK9ClQM9q-iZGqufhJakvQWt2H17obf7-EeHo53s4RIlxPvLFIxuHg-TCjv8OAytUbW44j6Cv7AoBVkLlzifreL2QlrOnuEUmcpAYATxf1vfdFKRkhIm27JVpkpwgLV_Zzg4EEVZrgC/s1600/IMG_20130815_095739_226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
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Well, I just couldn't be in the old west and not go visit a ghost town. Actually there were 2 on my trip today. Cuchillo has a church, a small café/store (and the only place in town with a public restroom but you must buy something first), a couple of farms, and a population of about 12. It was once a stage stop on the way to the silver mining towns of Chloride and Winston. And yes, the old saloon has been verified as haunted by Ghost Hunters. I stopped to take a picture of the old church which is still being used but by whom?<br />
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After leaving Cuchillo I followed old highway 52 another 22 miles. 52 is a very curvy 2 lane road that climbs up and around the mountains and provides some spectacular views and fortunately has some pull offs for tourists so we don't run off the side of the mountain. During the monsoon season (that's now) the rains mean watch the low places in the road for water (I ran through 3) and rock/mud slides. In fact, just before I entered Chloride (which is where the road dead ends) the county had some heavy equipment out clearing a big mudslide. I didn't mind waiting my turn to go down the cleared lane. Serious mud slide there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOIUewqG6J8Lutc6yk1bgHEJ44QorCvfwjjR7qdQ3ax2FbfrUfWsxc1i9TqJ36pC6JCFkSefUSJ7VXaLVqB9sCo3QWMf1w8vMDBU2yaxmM9pT3XLAsbo_UxmQdFkKbhh2XnWLOdBGt-Aw/s1600/IMG_20130815_110029_668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOIUewqG6J8Lutc6yk1bgHEJ44QorCvfwjjR7qdQ3ax2FbfrUfWsxc1i9TqJ36pC6JCFkSefUSJ7VXaLVqB9sCo3QWMf1w8vMDBU2yaxmM9pT3XLAsbo_UxmQdFkKbhh2XnWLOdBGt-Aw/s1600/IMG_20130815_110029_668.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Chloride was founded just after the Civil War when a man named Pye staked a mining claim and started pulling out silver. Lots of silver. Soon the town was booming with others ready to cash in. Churches, saloons, mercantile, and homes were built up quickly, but when the silver played out the town went bust. And Pye, well, had a run-in with some Apaches and lost. For a long time the town was indeed a ghost town.<br />
Today there are 13 hardy residents of Chloride. One of the residents who is involved in restoring the old buildings gave us a tour of the museum housed in the old general store.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtxj4h_UCFNHV6Z0AG-TKY31zOtO0Lv4kq2XBSxLgTTnvzRJF8khbehUuwkUbwqgyhln7sXwMaYvOo0SsIZKyEyVq0VcYRvQHBbonuewGBdTpBwNyC05PNAyTtKgUrWU2aL67NOL5QVLM/s1600/IMG_20130815_111557_778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtxj4h_UCFNHV6Z0AG-TKY31zOtO0Lv4kq2XBSxLgTTnvzRJF8khbehUuwkUbwqgyhln7sXwMaYvOo0SsIZKyEyVq0VcYRvQHBbonuewGBdTpBwNyC05PNAyTtKgUrWU2aL67NOL5QVLM/s1600/IMG_20130815_111557_778.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadWtvvoHngjjVOD8918-q2cHu_xSFzdfQk2Yg7zyrQ_Pm37HWsYbuqEf9zDypdltBt44nTaxC3Xs-Q3O_e0jUNN_b_aO1jTWrRhJMfLzkvXZwbyuPpWHA469gUpqYx460UO5_WM9bCB3n/s1600/IMG_20130815_110318_364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadWtvvoHngjjVOD8918-q2cHu_xSFzdfQk2Yg7zyrQ_Pm37HWsYbuqEf9zDypdltBt44nTaxC3Xs-Q3O_e0jUNN_b_aO1jTWrRhJMfLzkvXZwbyuPpWHA469gUpqYx460UO5_WM9bCB3n/s1600/IMG_20130815_110318_364.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a>When they bought the property in the late 70s it was inhabited only by bats and rats, but all the old merchandise was till on the shelves. Slowly they have worked to restore this building as well as the saloon next door. In each case they have saved as much of the contents as possible. Anyone interested in a heart of pine child's casket from 1903? <br />
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The old bank is now a café and the owners bake all their bread and desserts from scratch. So yummy. And while the place seems like the right kind of spot for ghosts, there are no official reports or sightings. After lunch at the bank café and a little shopping at the artists' coop housed in the old saloon it was time to start crossing water and mudslides and find my way back home. <br />
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Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-72190722090984810302013-08-16T08:00:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:14:28.082-07:00Let it Snow!!Probably the most amazing sight for me on this leg of the trip has been what appeared at first to be a low hanging white cloud bank to my west as I was crossing Apache Pass. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97toO5dIlLUN_acvDHV4TKKM34IjCtWLl_1tP-M3ODQYWSd-jBmA9NP21jg7V56O2RFqnUbk5E_oyODZXliU5dteye1LUPhegau6Ps4emW_NI6XY1i9PpgC6Lt4KPh3Y7IkhIjRliB2jU/s1600/CIMG1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97toO5dIlLUN_acvDHV4TKKM34IjCtWLl_1tP-M3ODQYWSd-jBmA9NP21jg7V56O2RFqnUbk5E_oyODZXliU5dteye1LUPhegau6Ps4emW_NI6XY1i9PpgC6Lt4KPh3Y7IkhIjRliB2jU/s200/CIMG1681.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_M7kW5rLJuoCZlmtJuuKSJ7z5FDg5eTm0sd9sewLGhEqds0bDoNCmn2fWUM8t_GwkkcojcxiosBkLuvJYN1VmGzlnKfCYFUgpoEYfHV54_qiVKroS-Z41fF-gFsxb58kt7l0zLrkY8Y/s1600/CIMG1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_M7kW5rLJuoCZlmtJuuKSJ7z5FDg5eTm0sd9sewLGhEqds0bDoNCmn2fWUM8t_GwkkcojcxiosBkLuvJYN1VmGzlnKfCYFUgpoEYfHV54_qiVKroS-Z41fF-gFsxb58kt7l0zLrkY8Y/s200/CIMG1682.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>The closer I got the more I realized it looked like snow. In the desert? When I finally found a place to pull off the road and really focus and consult my map, it finally came to me. White Sands. Yep, that's what I was seeing 60 miles out to the west in a stretch as far as I could see. White Sands. Thirty miles closer and I could really see how large the place was. And when I actually got there, well, let's just say "wow!" doesn't cover it. It was almost like being lost in miles of snow drifts. If you've seen sugar sand on the beach you think you're ready for this, but it's just so much more.<br />
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Families come here everyday with snowboards and snow disks, climb to the top of the highest dunes, usually around 60-75 feet high, and sled down. I confess I didn't try it, but I did take off my shoes and walk around barefoot in the lower dunes. Honestly, it's just an amazing place and I kept thinking how much Aiden and Addy and Drake would love this place. After a full day of roaming around the sands and learning about the geological causes and impacts it was time to head out to my campground. The next day I actually had the chance to visit the museum at White Sands Missile Range. It's the only part of the military post civilians are allowed on and the scrutiny for getting in is a bit of a hassle but well worth it. I actually spent some time with one of the original V2 rockets taken out of Germany at the end of WWII. And of course the museum had quite a display on Oppenheimer and the trinity test site. Twice a year, the first weekend of April and October, civilians can sign up for a tour of the actual test site including the ranch house where the scientists set up their first clean room. I was really excited thinking of ways I could be in the area at the beginning of October until coming across a big sign explain that budget cuts cut out the October tour. Oh well, guess I'll focus on April now.Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-49268517465539225342013-08-11T13:22:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:14:58.262-07:00Feeling "Alien" atedRoswell is a town unafraid of embracing its past no matter how "alien" it may seem. Think Area 51. Roswell, 1947. This is a quirky little city and I like the feel of it very much. Not too big. Not too small. Friendly folks everywhere I went. And while I spent most of my time at the state park or out seeing sites within a short drive of Roswell, I did take a couple of days to just see Roswell. I laughed a lot of the time there too. How can you not laugh at things like Alien City Florist or mailboxes painted up like R2D2? So here's a picture tour of a city that is just too much fun. And if you have no plans yet for next July 4th week, try coming to the UFO Festival here. I hear it's (groan) OUT OF THIS WORLD!<br />
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Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1266945906109512193.post-89325550101694810422013-08-10T09:43:00.000-07:002014-03-27T06:15:25.284-07:00Gone Walkabout<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2eIg4EKvKRA9gR2_8IahrCKvp25zFkChDpsPkzNnO_Df__WmgbSJan7DYsLZenzziwy7DlngMCOanAxPKVvL7eGBV9_YqytkLJtAh1Os4WJ-vmxBdfHFffFFsCV2EJtKioSuJCQY2y4X/s1600/alien.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2eIg4EKvKRA9gR2_8IahrCKvp25zFkChDpsPkzNnO_Df__WmgbSJan7DYsLZenzziwy7DlngMCOanAxPKVvL7eGBV9_YqytkLJtAh1Os4WJ-vmxBdfHFffFFsCV2EJtKioSuJCQY2y4X/s1600/alien.png" height="200" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>My completed map.</strong><br />
<strong>Each smiley face is a cache</strong><br />
<strong>that I found in the desert.</strong><br />
<strong>Yep, I'm crazy.</strong></td></tr>
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The Australians have a word for when someone goes off on their own in nature: walkabout. "She's gone walkabout," they'll say. I guess you could say I've been gone walkabout for a couple of days on the BLM land just outside of Roswell. Unlike the Australians, I had good reasons for my walkabout. I was not in search of answers to deep, dark questions. Instead I was in search of Pecos diamonds and a few geocaches. <br />
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Actually there were 42 geocaches that I wanted to find. When I checked out the map of geocaches in the Roswell area I found that some local cacher with a great imagination, good understanding of plotting waypoints, and way too much time on his hands had laid out a trail of 42 caches that when viewed on the map created the outline of an alien head. Well, given that this is Roswell and how into the whole alien (as in little green men from Mars) thing the town is, I thought I would have to go looking for these caches. Plus I was told that the BLM land has lots of Pecos diamonds just laying around for anyone to grab. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Diamonds!!</strong></td></tr>
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So what's a Pecos diamond? Well, sadly not a real diamond, not that I have ever had luck digging for those. Darlene and I tried our luck at Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas one Thanksgiving but came up empty, and a few years later Brenda and I went back there with Gus to help dig. Still nothing.<br />
But I'm proud to say that I did better this time. Of course they aren't worth much, just pretty to look at. They are actually quartz crystals formed inside gypsum. But it's still a thrill to find them and I know my grandchildren will enjoy the box of rocks I just mailed them. <br />
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There was also just the beauty of the desert. Yes, beauty. The cactus blooms I saw reminded me of the hot pink water lilies in the gardens of Asia. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqL2ZVMXowae8Pq_-zdsILaWpAucqjpcMGs74M9H-HZRINZ8A60r5zkIJe5HEm3vgvRUStYog0Q9Lc7zQHxJk-sQu2ytfdwxyxNt6YgkiNd8kl32v4H1bW6UOqj1ylqp5RLWeALzSmULc/s1600/IMG_20130803_103156_091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqL2ZVMXowae8Pq_-zdsILaWpAucqjpcMGs74M9H-HZRINZ8A60r5zkIJe5HEm3vgvRUStYog0Q9Lc7zQHxJk-sQu2ytfdwxyxNt6YgkiNd8kl32v4H1bW6UOqj1ylqp5RLWeALzSmULc/s1600/IMG_20130803_103156_091.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a>The intense yellow desert buttercups were nearly as bright as the sun. And the little purple flowers I found but haven't yet learned a name for were in such contrast to the cactus and brittle sage bushes. I saw several brightly colored lizards skittering across the ground but not one would hold still for a picture. One day there was one lone pronghorn antelope that stood on a hill watching me. Too far away for me to get a picture but I know he was making sure I didn't get near his territory. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEKWjSV7rcpSIOgbq69eltNpVUQZIRYXkbbFjxTG0Hia8Zzt8-COpMpGcI0dHnbPgIvqfzsrlykjcVlfGSPTWBFsHv3BcnKH_II-MZJzAAITB7Fj1J3ti_pGv6CedQd1ugkgYoYAYSYIc/s1600/IMG_20130802_070318_189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEKWjSV7rcpSIOgbq69eltNpVUQZIRYXkbbFjxTG0Hia8Zzt8-COpMpGcI0dHnbPgIvqfzsrlykjcVlfGSPTWBFsHv3BcnKH_II-MZJzAAITB7Fj1J3ti_pGv6CedQd1ugkgYoYAYSYIc/s1600/IMG_20130802_070318_189.jpg" height="179" width="200" /></a>So for two mornings I drove out to the desert to walk about signing logs and taking pictures and bagging quartz. Each time I got there just after sunrise when the temps were in the low 70s. I parked my car on the road and walked into the desert about a mile and then circled back keeping the car in sight. Yes, the land here is that flat (and it helps that I have that orange car that glows in the sunlight). Each morning I spent about 3 hours searching and walking and drinking water. I carried two 32oz water bottles that I had frozen the night before and which were thawed quickly in that heat. Once the water was gone I got back to the car and left, so maybe I'm only a little crazy. For those that are wondering, no, I didn't see any rattlesnakes even though they are out there. I guess they had better sense than me and were somewhere shady instead of out on walkabout. <br />
<br />Horizon Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05544013862332876912noreply@blogger.com0