tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92203583447029481172024-01-02T14:44:44.673-08:00Razor Sharp InsightsKenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-26972847306268184122019-04-10T14:00:00.000-07:002019-04-09T13:41:20.347-07:00Welcome!Hello and welcome to my Blog!<br />
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I have established this as a means to keep Family and Friends informed about what the heck I am thinking/doing these days! I also hope it might serve as a chronicle of sorts to my Daughter one day.<br />
The photos and music you find here are my own. Feel free to save/download anything you like. If you want to download a pic, click it to make it full size before saving it. (or you'll just get the thumbnail)<br />
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I welcome your comments or questions. You need not "register" to comment, simply reply "Anonymously" and leave your name at the end of your comment. If you have one of the recognized "ID's" then you may use that as your signature.<br />
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When clicking on a <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">blue colored "link" </span></span><i><span style="color: white;">(or a photo to enlarge it)</span></i> you might want to "right click" and then select "open in a new window". This will allow you to keep your place on the blog page!<br />
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Enjoy!Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-41672329034260247662019-04-09T13:38:00.001-07:002019-11-12T11:53:23.546-08:00The Cuckoo Clock<br />
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It has been a little over two years since I have posted here, or for that matter, really sat down and written much of anything! Shame on me!!<br />
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The events and challenges that overtook our family during that time, simply overshadowed my desire to write. Things have settled quite a bit and time has a way of pulling us along....and through...even the most difficult times, like a stubborn, faithful friend. <br />
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Recently, a good friend had some encouraging words for me, regarding some of my past blog posts. Encouraging enough, to motivate me to shake the dust and cobwebs from the part of me that shares anecdotes and simple stories. Here is another. <br />
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From 1985 - 1988, I was in the U.S. Army, stationed in Berlin. Sometime in 1987, I received a call from my parents. This was as uncommon, as it was expensive! I don't recall if it was my Mom or my Dad, but they wanted to let me know they were planning a vacation in Germany. They wanted to visit me and at the same time, fulfill my Mom's lifelong dream of visiting Austria, (specifically Salzburg...where the movie, "The Sound of Music" had been filmed) and Germany, where my Mom hoped to visit the "Black Forest" and buy a "Cuckoo Clock".<br />
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The dates were established and it wasnt long before I found myself at Templehof Airport, greeting my parents! Now, it bears noting that I come from a rather, well....lets just say, "stoic" family setting. I was raised in a time and place, where Parents concerned themselves more with Parenting, and less with being your "friend". It was quite normal and I assumed everyone's family was disciplined, stoic and ...Catholic! I mention this because this would be the first time in my life that I would be speaking to my Parents, and spending time with them as a "sort of" responsible adult! <br />
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We enjoyed time at a variety of places while they visited, and my Mom fell in love with Salzburg, as did I. In part because of the connection to my Mom's favorite movie, "The Sound Of Music". However, one place and one event has stuck with me these 30 plus years later, more than any other.<br />
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We took an enchanting and picturesque train ride into the Black Forest, specifically to Triberg. It is perhaps, the quintessential place to buy a traditional, hand carved cuckoo clock. It is a breathtakingly pretty town, surrounded by the Black Forest in all directions. The thick, dark woods reminds one of the Grimm Brothers fairy tale, "Hansel and Gretel!<br />
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While in Triberg, I recall talking to my Dad, at dinner I think....and conversing about something that had nothing to do with him being my Father, or me being his son. We were just talking....two men, talking about...whatever, with each other. I think he related a story from his youth, I admit, I dont recall. At the time I did not really notice but later, as I was lying in bed going over the day, it struck me that for the first time...ever...my Dad had told me a story and just talked....to me. Not because I was in trouble, or because there was a lesson I needed to learn....not even because I was being "grounded" for some transgression! He was just talking to me, like I was another man whose company he was enjoying. It was the first time that had ever taken place...I was 25 years old. It was a turning point for me, and I have never forgotten it.<br />
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The next day, we visited several "Cuckoo Clock" stores. Now the word "store" is a bit of a misnomer, as some of these were half "workshop" and half "store". At the time, there were still ACTUAL craftsman and wood carvers that would hand make cuckoo clocks. My Mom was like a little girl in a candy shop. She would bounce from clock to clock....a small clock here...a large clock there..."ohhhh look at this one"!..."it is much bigger"......"listen to how deep the cuckoo sings on this one"! God knows how long we spent looking at clocks. My Mom was in Cuckoo Heaven! I then overheard my Mom and Dad talking about the prices. The prices of some of these hand carved, all wood clocks ranged from the hundreds to the tens of thousands of dollars! <br />
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Now I must pause here for a moment and explain something. My family was frugal. Not "Stingy" but rather the frugal that comes from a Dad working to support the 6 children that Mom was home taking care of every day. "Powdered Milk"? Yeah...We drank plenty of that. Campbells Soup? We thought that a grilled cheese sandwich and soup was almost like going out to dinner! To be fair, we never went hungry (unless we went to bed without dinner because we had committed some terrible crime like talking back to Mom) and we did not live in poverty, but money was not wasted in our family. Money was required to provide for the family and there was usually little left for amenities. We drove used cars, wore our cousins' "hand me down clothes"...and our family lived paycheck to paycheck. <br />
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So, when I overheard my Mom and Dad talking about the cost of some of these clocks, I was shocked when I heard my Dad say to my Mom, "you pick what you like, don't worry about the cost"....I was floored! And, it was not my Father being flippant...I could tell he meant it. I wasn't the only one floored. My Mom stared back almost in disbelief...and I saw at that moment, a look in each of their eyes...that I had never seen before.<br />
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My Mom eventually settled on a clock. It was beautiful, larger than average, completely hand carved and it played two different Mozart Minuets....one when it struck the hour prior to noon, and one when it struck the hour after Noon. Little people would emerge and dance and twirl ...rotating just under the little cuckoo bird....it was beautiful...and it wasn't inexpensive. When I watched my Mom select it from the hundreds of clocks, her blue eyes were bright and sparkling. She was smiling like the little girl I saw running from clock to clock a while earlier. I had never, ever, seen my Mom like this, and even writing about it now...it is a powerful memory.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">My Mom Selecting her Cuckoo Clock (Triberg, Germany 1987)</span></div>
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The clock was shipped back to their home to preclude it from being damaged, as we still had several more days to vacation and travel. Me? I was left carrying the three wooden encased weights that hang under the clock. I dragged those weights around...all 21 lbs.....train station to train station...as they would have cost a fortune to ship back to the USA. To this day my Father laughs when he remembers me carrying and cursing the cuckoo clock weights!:)<br />
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From what I hear, my Mom LOVED and enjoyed that cuckoo clock....my Dad, well, it sometimes drove him crazy! <br />
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My Mom passed away 5 years later, succumbing to cancer. I was fortunate enough to make it home about 2 days before she passed. I was able to hug my Mom, and whisper that I loved her...as she lay on the couch....under the "tick tock" of that same cuckoo clock...the night she left us. <br />
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Years later, my Dad would give the cuckoo clock to me saying, "I know what it means to you". It has hung prominently in our living room ever since. It gets cleaned, repaired..whatever it takes to make sure it continues to keep time and play the familiar melodies at the top of each hour. And it serves as a bittersweet reminder of that "little girl I saw running from clock to clock" all those years ago....my Mom. <br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-80261925686793336012016-12-28T02:02:00.002-08:002017-09-19T12:17:34.857-07:00Catching Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our house. New Roof, New Paint and decorated for Christmas!</span></div>
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I do not have a large following here at RazorSharpInsights, but those that do look in from time to time, might have noticed I have not posted for about 9 months! There are a variety of reasons that I put my commentaries and pictorials on hold, but for the most part I have just been busy and preoccupied.<br />
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This year brought with it...a number of choices, challenges and chores. To say it has been the busiest year in recent memory would be an understatement! I have decided to use some photos and captions, to quickly "catch you up" with what has been happening in my life!<br />
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My last Post was in March of this year.<br />
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In April, I took a few photos in and around Tacoma. The purpose was larger than the posting of these three pics, but that is something to be discussed/Posted at a later date!<br />
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The first photo is of the Lighthouse at Browns Point. The photo below it was taken from the Tacoma waterfront at sunset. And the third photo was taken in Tacoma's Wapato Park.<br />
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In May, I tried my hand at taking a panoramic photo of Seattle from across Elliot Bay <br />
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Our daughter graduated from Clover Park Technical College in June! Congratulations! <br />
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July brought with it the traditional, neighborhood fireworks, a closeup of a Dragonfly escaping the disorienting noise and flashes of July 4th, and our dog Bella, during an outing to the Dog Park!<br />
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About this time, I made a decision to retire this year. Those that know me, likely appreciate and understand my reasons. I also scheduled a very long overdue Knee Replacement for September. This would allow me to finish and enjoy a little vacation before being laid up for a couple months...and the recovery would take me into November, when I would retire. <br />
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August saw me taking some vacation time! I needed to get some chores accomplished and I had some planning to do. The house needed some siding replaced, a new roof, windows repaired, some appliances replaced, new paint...the house would be 19 years old, and I wanted it prepared for retirement as well!! <br />
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I wanted to get a solid, 2nd car before retirement, as we were still driving our 15 year old Isuzu Rodeo! I also wanted my wife to have a dependable and very nice car to do her "running around" in. Since I had become very familiar with the E46 BMW's (1999-2005 3 Series) quirks and positives after maintaining my daughters E46... an "Orient Blue", BMW 330i it is! A set of wheels, a cooling system overhaul and some replacement pulleys and she was ready to go!<br />
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I took some time to attend the Air Show at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and snapped off a few photos from outside the Base. Represented below: Current, WWII and Korean War era aircraft. See if you know what they are!!! (No quiz...but fun) <br />
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I would obtain a new "Portrait Lens" for my DSLR later in the month and I took an opportunity to use our grandson Landon as a test subject as he was walking towards me in the sunset lit garage!! Below him, an unsuspecting Hummingbird.<br />
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I also bought a new Wide Angle lens for my DSLR...yes, it was a shopping spree!!! First test subject???? The State Capitol Building at night!<br />
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September came quickly. I squeezed in a camping trip with Sandi and Landon, to the Oregon Coast. We enjoyed the beach, a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, a day trip to Depot Bay where we saw plenty of whales, and even a late night stroll on Pacific Beach!<br />
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Sandi and I repaired and painted an old, oak bench I had given her for Mothers Day years ago. It went from old fashioned to WOW!!!<br />
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Then there was surgery. September 13th crept up quickly on me, as much as I tried not to think about it. I have had a couple of "knee surgeries", but a complete knee replacement?!! I was a bit apprehensive, but the day came and off I went...in the wee hours of the morning to get it done. Before I knew it, I was out of surgery and in a bit of a daze. I looked down...yep, my leg was still there! Seems it had went well. From here out it would be an uncomfortable 4 weeks, (made bearable due to Sandi's efforts) then a couple months of some uncomfortable Physical Therapy. Oh well.<br />
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October. Halloween!! We did a little pumpkin carving to help decorate the house for Trick or Treater's!<br />
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November 1st, I retired from my most recent profession. I say this because "retirement" is often associated with not working ever again!! This will not be the case with me, though I am still not sure what I "want to do when I grow up".<br />
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I was ready to begin some light workouts to strengthen my new knee. When I plugged in/got on my trusty recumbent bike that I had so faithfully used over the past two years, it completely malfunctioned! The screen blinked wildly, the speaker screeched out some strange sounding "beeps"....and after some investigating, I realized that the computer board was kaput. I learned that it would not be cost effective to repair the bike, sooooooo off to the store I went! I ended up buying a higher quality bike and had it setup in no time! Gentle workouts commenced that day.<br />
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In December, Sandi, Veronica, Jesse (Friend from work) and I, traveled to Chicago to attend my Niece Erin's (and Tim's) wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception and it allowed me to reconnect with family in Chicago. (and everyone else that came!) While we were only there for about 28 hours, we were glad we had made the trip!<br />
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From Chicago, we headed home to Michigan and took a few days to enjoy visiting with my brothers/sisters and my Dad and his wife. I made sure that Jesse was able to experience some of the places I knew growing up, and gave him a brief tour of the area. We visited my old neighborhoods to include the schools and church I grew up attending. St Lawrence Church is pictured below.<br />
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We also visited downtown Detroit...to include Hart Plaza, (note the sculpture of Joe Louis' fist) the Detroit River, (across from which is Windsor, Ontario) the Maritime Sailors Cathedral, (yes, the one Gordon Lightfoot mentions in the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald) Greek Town, Yates Cider Mill and we toured Hitsville USA, the birthplace of MOTOWN! <br />
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I think Sandi, Veronica and Jesse understood my love of the "MoTown
Sound" a little better, after standing/singing (we sang "My Girl" in Studio A) in the same house...the same
studio...that Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas,
Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes and so many
other talented singers and songwriters had stood, sang and recorded some
of the best music ever produced!. There is NO music like the music that
came out of that small house on West Grand Blvd., Detroit!<br />
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We took a short trip/detour to the 8 Mile and Woodward area of Detroit. An area that has felt the sting of the failed economy of Detroit. We drove past street after street of vacant, vandalized and burned out houses. There were also plenty of large manufacturing buildings and auto plants that stood vacant and destroyed. It was sad to see.<br />
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Before we knew it, it was time to fly back home and start preparing for the Holidays. We took off and flew west into a beautiful sunset....hours later we were back in Seattle/Tacoma.<br />
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Thanksgiving came and went and before we knew it, Christmas was upon us! We decided to get a large, 10 ft tall tree this year. We wanted our tree to symbolize the great thankfulness and joy we felt this year. It was a very busy, sometimes anxious...most times happy and grateful kind of year for me. <br />
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So there you have it! I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and I look forward to the adventures next year will bring!<br />
<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-48784389219273844412016-03-13T01:26:00.000-08:002016-03-17T02:39:26.191-07:00Overnight In Seattle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently, we decided to spend a night in a Seattle Hotel that we had actually toured some 20 years ago...thinking we would stay there sometime during that 1996 summer. At that time, we were relatively recently married and we were enjoying different romantic places to stay throughout the Northwest. If I recall correctly, the places we were exploring were from a book titled "The 50 Most Romantic Places To Stay In The Northwest". We stayed at the "Inn At Langley", "The Channel House", (in Depot Bay) "The Sorrento Hotel", (in Seattle) and the "Four Seasons River Inn" (in Leavenworth) just to name a few.<br />
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I recall that none of these places were cheap. In fact, they were all quite exclusive and like most things, you get what you pay for! So, when I called and booked our 1 night stay at the "Inn At The Market", a half block away from the Pike Place Market, I found myself wishing I was paying the 1996 rate!<br />
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We arrived early on a Sunday morning and were able to check in early. We loved the location of this place as everything that we would be visiting or doing, would be within walking distance of the hotel. If you are spending the day in and around Pike Place or Post Alley, there is no better Hotel to stay in. The bed was ridiculously comfortable, the room modern and spotless, and the bathroom was the nicest I had ever stepped into! During the summer, the outside, 5th floor terrace gives a fantastic view of Pike Place and the entire Bay....looking all the way across to Alki.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">View from our room</span></div>
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Later that afternoon our daughter and her boyfriend met up with us and hung out. We all enjoyed some fresh market food...clam chowder, fresh crab, some french pastry's...good stuff! I had planned on getting over to Alki Beach around sunset, to try to capture a night skyline photo of Seattle. It was raining, but I had never photographed Seattle from Alki and I figured since we were so close, why not take 30 minutes and get a few photos! We got into my daughter's car and drove to Alki, where I snapped off a few photos as the cloudy skies darkened over the Emerald City.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Seattle skyline from Alki</span></div>
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We then spent 20 minutes trying to decide where to have dinner. My daughter's boyfriend, Darren, said he had heard great things about an Italian place called "The Pink Door" near our hotel. We all agreed we should give it a try and within about 20 minutes, we were back in the area of Post Alley, and walking into the restaurant thru it's pink door! We enjoyed a truly fantastic meal at this highly regarded Italian
restaurant. Fresh pasta, fantastic sauces, Limoncello...perfect little
doughnut things with a hazelnut dipping sauce for dessert...amazing! We
congratulated Darren on his highly successful recommendation!<br />
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My daughter and her boyfriend said goodbye and headed back home, as we walked back to our Hotel room. It had been a very pleasant day, rain or not...and we still had the next morning to shop at the Market and pick up flowers...something Sandi never leaves Pike Place without!<br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-84370538795968674212016-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:002016-03-02T02:05:12.710-08:00Winter "Paradise"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Driving up Mt Rainier</span></div>
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For some time, I had planned on taking some "winter" photos in the Cascade Mountains, and figured I would do some snowshoeing or hiking to get a less than "common" photo of Mt Rainier and the surrounding area. When I told my wife of my plans, she said she had not been up to Mt Rainier in the winter for many years and wondered if she might tag along. She advised me that she did not want to hike in "the cold snow", (She shivers just <b><i>looking</i></b> at a picture of snow) but would love to go along for the ride. We decided to ask our daughter to come with us, and we made it a family trip! So....snowshoeing was out!<br />
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We took our time driving through Orting and up into the Cascade Mountains where we enjoyed a sunny day and virtually dry roads all the way to the Paradise Visitors Center. I wanted to catch Mt Rainier in the more interesting, evening light, but discovered that the road past Longmire would be closed at 5 pm!<br />
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As we made our way toward the top, we stopped and I hurriedly snapped off a few photos from a
roadside Viewpoint I believe was "Glacier Vista Viewpoint"? (Hike/climb up as high as you can opposite the view from
where others simply snap pictures from...the extra 10 or 20 feet of
elevation will really help your composition!) The lighting was quite nice and the view was beautiful. Back to the car! Let's go!<br />
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The drive to Paradise was a bit longer than any of us remembered (We hadn't been up there for about 15 years!) and we got to Paradise at around 4:45 pm. I took a few more photos from an area
just off the parking lot at Paradise and we took a bit of time to just enjoy the view of the majestic and snow covered Mt Rainier.<br />
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The time constraints prevented me
from setting up a tripod and composing anything fancy or "unique", but
Mt Rainier National Park is simply beautiful in the winter and getting a few good photos is hardly a challenge.<br />
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As the sun started to set, we headed down the mountain. We stopped and snapped a few more photos but as we descended, we lost the glorious, snow laden branches of the Douglas Fir trees, and the otherwise heavy snow that we enjoyed at the higher altitudes. We enjoyed the leisurely drive home and ended our day with dinner at a local sushi restaurant.<br />
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We had not been out for an extended "scenic drive" as a family for some time, and the consensus was...it was a great day! Below are a couple photos I took on our drive to..."Paradise"!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Glacier Vista Viewpoint</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Paradise Visitors Center Area</span></div>
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-52809987593608786622016-02-17T22:48:00.000-08:002020-05-29T11:52:02.492-07:002016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I haven't been much for writing the past few months. Seems the Holidays and some of Life's twists and turns took me a bit off guard and before I knew it...2016!<br />
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I have been contemplative and at the same time, attempting to plan a few adventures and family travels for the coming year. Through it all, I have thought much about my elderly In-Laws, and the care my wife has needed to provide them, and I have thought more about my own Father...all of whom faced significant challenges in 2015...Unfairly, I might add.<br />
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World events and society in general have left me confused, and less hopeful than I have been in the past. Some days, when I put on my boots and head out the door for work, well...I just don't know. <br />
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Over the past year or so, I have begun listening to my CD collection during my daily workouts. Recently, while jamming to some STYX, a song snuck up on me and really struck a chord. I will let it speak for itself.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7Y8XVnSb0Q" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Show Me The Way</span></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/styx/showmetheway.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lyrics</span></a><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span><u><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></u><br />
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-32106497671538310502015-10-24T22:12:00.003-07:002016-01-16T21:25:43.174-08:00Senior Picture Shoot: Haley <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was asked if I would do some "Senior Pictures" for Haley, by her Grandmother. When I first met with Haley to get a feel for who she was and what she had in mind, I remember her saying, "Well, I am a wrestler"! What?!?!! <br />
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We talked for a while and she spoke of her fondness for her Grandmothers house and property, where she had spent so much time growing up. We decided that we would spend a little time at her Grandmothers to capture her in the surroundings that she grew up with. We talked about a few other possibilities, especially if it was raining. As luck would have it, we never had to implement the "rain session" plans, but we were ready to! <br />
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Over the next week or so, Haley would send me a couple of pictures that she wanted to emulate. One of these photos depicted a stern-faced High School football player, harshly lit, in a locker room. It was a great photo and quite powerful in its effect. She wondered if we could do something similar with her, in her wrestling gear. I agreed that it was a dramatic photo and told her, "let's set it up"!<br />
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For our first session, I met with Haley at her school, with Sandi acting as my assistant. We had obtained permission to use the girls locker room to take the photos and Haley made sure the coast was clear! No fake back drops here!!<br />
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We shot a few dozen photos in the cramped space of the locker room, with me setting up the tripod and taking the photos from inside the showers! The harsh, flash lighting was a bit tricky, but we got it done and I was happy with the pics that I reviewed on the camera's small LCD screen.<br />
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Now, Haley had been pretty casual in appearance when I first met her,
and she looked pretty formidable in the locker room, giving me her "all
business" look! (I wanted her "I am going to pin you" face!) When I met her at her Grandmother's place a couple weeks later to do some location portraits, and
she came out of one of the bedrooms, I actually didn't recognize her for
a few moments! The confident, fit, competitive wrestler I had taken
photos of, appeared to have transformed into a feminine and very beautiful lady!<br />
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We walked around the expansive property and captured a few photos in places that Haley was fond of, dodging a bit of rain in the process. <br />
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I had a great time capturing a few different "sides" of Haley. When taking "portraits", I try to capture my subject's character, or personality and often this is accomplished with impromptu, candid photos that capture the subject relaxed and being themselves. Oftentimes they are not even looking at the camera! <br />
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Here a a few of my favorites from her photo shoots, both planned and candid. <br />
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-46377821351701044212015-09-11T20:50:00.000-07:002016-01-16T19:27:46.319-08:00Panama 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thunderstorm rolling into Panama City as seen from atop Cerro Ancon</span></div>
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Part of my rather "Trip Filled" year, was a visit to Panama back in September. </div>
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I had asked Sandi, almost a year ago, if she wanted to take a trip to Panama. Her Mother is native to Panama and met her Father while he was serving there while in the U.S Army. She has always balked at the idea of going back...perhaps because it had been so long since she had left there.</div>
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Sandi left Panama when she was 11 years old and had not been back since. I have always wanted us to connect with her family there, as Sandi's Mom is the only one (of her siblings) that left to live in the U.S. </div>
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On a night when she was in an especially receptive mood, I asked her about taking our vacation there this year. When she agreed that it "might" be fun to do so, I got on Expedia, checked out Hotel Reviews, discovered i could get a great price on airfare and booked the trip! The next morning she was more than a bit surprised when I told her I had locked us in for Panama. She told me, "I didn't know you were going to go book it! Yep, I did.</div>
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Long story shot, she connected with a couple cousins via Facebook and let them know we were coming. One of those cousins, Amett, would faithfully message Sandi and stayed in touch for the months leading up to our visit. He and another cousin of Sandi's, Malvira, would prove to be wonderful friends (and cousins!) and would make our trip incredibly memorable.</div>
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I will not attempt to condense the experience of this trip into a blog post. There was simply too much in the way of experiences, sights, and family connections to explain and properly write about.</div>
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I will say this. In over 20 years of marriage, I have never seen Sandi smile as much or as big...and have never seen her moved so deeply, as I did during this trip to Panama. She was able to retrace her beloved "Mama's" steps both figuratively and literally. She walked through "Mi Pueblito", her Mother's favorite place to visit every time she went back to Panama. She saw and re-connected with Cousins and Aunts and Family that welcomed her as their own...as though she had never left. She smelled the jungle, enjoyed the food and re-discovered the sights and sounds of Panama...the Panama that for the most part, had not changed much (outside of Panama City) since she had left. She visited her Great Grandmother's house where she played as a little girl and chased chickens...and there are still chickens there! She put her hands on her Mama's hand prints still preserved in the cement floor of a house built by her Parents, that sadly, no longer remains in the family. These were special moments and often, very emotional experiences. I think she had forgotten how "Panamanian" she is. </div>
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It was the first time I can remember, that Sandi was not ready to come home at the end of a trip.</div>
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Rather than even attempt to tell the story, I will select a few special photos and caption them. It will provide a glimpse into our experience in Panama. </div>
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I went through approximately 900 photos taken between the two of us, edited a ton of them and put together a 109 page Photo Book from Shutterfly, so that Sandi would always have a chronicle of the trip. I will post a pic here of the prologue contained in the book as well as the cover "quote". A picture (or several) is worth a thousand words...and saves me ALOT of writing in this case!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Front Cover of the Photo Book</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Prologue in the Photo Book</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Leaving Miami, heading to Panama</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Arrival at the Airport in Panama! Sandi and Malvira. Two peas in a pod!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sandi and Amett</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Outside the Food Stand where we ate our first meal upon arriving in Panama City</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Waterfront. Panama City</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Church In Casco Viejo</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cousins and fast friends, Malvira, Sandi and Amett</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">We visited Many Old Churches In The Old Part Of Town</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Old Town vs New Panama City</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Plaza Francia</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tablet describing the idea of a Canal through Panama by the French (Plaza Francia)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Graffitti In Casco Viejo</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Closeup of Casco Viejo, from atop Cerro Ancon</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nighttime, Casco Viejo</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The "Metro"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">School Kids In Uniform</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Malvira and Sandi, Late Night Talk</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Portobello, Panama Cannons defended the Port from Pirates seeking gold in the 1700's</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0zhG1PMf-z4vrspLqa5-Q5H9ETWJXcKjdelhttojAqDAnOGTRMkTl1s063t7Y5f7f5jnAGHVqsCRpaT56NLHmSkoQfL9Me7Atth9lZTKofLFJyAHUnG6mHPBlnybrugXclpW9h-Fyg9j/s1600/Portobello+School+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0zhG1PMf-z4vrspLqa5-Q5H9ETWJXcKjdelhttojAqDAnOGTRMkTl1s063t7Y5f7f5jnAGHVqsCRpaT56NLHmSkoQfL9Me7Atth9lZTKofLFJyAHUnG6mHPBlnybrugXclpW9h-Fyg9j/s400/Portobello+School+Girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">School girls in Portobello, Panama</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Portobello...just over the Old Forts' Walls. My favorite photo of the trip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Portobello "convenience store"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Portobello Store (larger view) </span>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sandi with some Portobello students</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Colon, Panama</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Ghetto, Panama City</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sandi in the Hotel Lobby</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Albrook Mall</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Albrook Mall </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sandi and Amett, Trump Tower, Panama City</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">House that Sandi's Parents (and Malvira) Built in Penenome, Panama</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Penenome, Panama</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mama's hand prints and Name (Evida) in the cement</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Family in Penenome! Pablo, Joyce, Malvira, Jaja and Sandi </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Night View from our Hotel. Downtown Panama City</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Our hotel room</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panama Canal</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panama Canal</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Panama Canal</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Best cake I have ever eaten. (I had 4 pieces)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jungle near Gamboa, Panama</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Men's Room, Hard Rock Hotel, Panama City</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Old Tower at the ruins of Panama Viejo, a medieval town of sorts</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Another view from the tower looking down at what would have been a small village </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Saying goodbye to Panama </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will try to update the captions and organize these pictures a bit better, until then these will give you an abbreviated visual of our trip!</span></span></div>
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-42146371728407571782015-09-09T23:30:00.001-07:002016-01-25T20:06:21.274-08:00The Grand Canyon "Rim To Rim" Part 4 (Hiking Out) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgSK-yBE_SgluAy0zDx9l44QYdFTK_2BhHO6tP7w0XiE2ot5bpoz4eaRFvAHosUaJQyvYE1BdnG358q3ZYp5DTBL2kk88aX1PXDgs8CbqcsrYt8X69Ix48ivj9rx6YJJNGVyjdA29RhUI/s1600/South+Kaibab+Blog+4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgSK-yBE_SgluAy0zDx9l44QYdFTK_2BhHO6tP7w0XiE2ot5bpoz4eaRFvAHosUaJQyvYE1BdnG358q3ZYp5DTBL2kk88aX1PXDgs8CbqcsrYt8X69Ix48ivj9rx6YJJNGVyjdA29RhUI/s400/South+Kaibab+Blog+4-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sleep??! What sleep!??? Morning came
even quicker than the day before! For a brief moment I thought,
“Maybe that rest really helped my legs recover from the hike
yesterday”. I did feel much better as I swung my legs out of the
bunk and onto the floor. I quietly gathered my things, stood up and
put my small pack on.
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As we made our way out the door,
careful to not wake the other 7 people in the bunk house, I was
surprised that it was still quite warm! Not cool in the least! A
few steps from the bunk house I think we laughed...I know I did...my
legs were not rested AT ALL! It was comical seeing each of us
hobbling along for several hundred feet, until our legs stretched out
a bit.</div>
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We walked to the sign that pointed us
to the trail head and off we went. It was 3 am and the stars were
amazing! I had brought my DSLR and a small tripod for moments like
this, as I had planned to capture the Milky Way as it loomed large in
the dark, desert sky, but my interest in taking the time to do this
was simply outweighed by the desire to make the most of our hiking time in
the cool darkness. It shows just how much the energy drain affected
my photographic enthusiasm.</div>
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Shortly after hiking out of the campground, we came to a large foot bridge. We would cross the Colorado River here as we hiked down the South Kaibab trail. As we crossed, Dennis was grumbling about coming all this way and not being able to see the mighty Colorado River! He was right, it is a rather large geographic feature to miss!! He was very disappointed that we were out in the middle of the night, on a foot bridge with the river beneath us...and all we could do was listen to it. I mean, technically we could see it....when we used our headlamps/flashlights to illuminate the tiniest portion of it! Check that off the list...."Saw Colorado River"! Done! <br />
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We made really good time to the first rest point. The uphill grade was a very welcome change
and was so much easier on the knees. No pain, all gain! We hiked through sand along this part of the trail, which seemed odd to me!? We also found ourselves quite close to the edge of the trail at a few spots. I should mention that perhaps that aspect of this hike was one of my favorites. The trail today as well as the day before, came excitingly close to the edge on numerous occasions. I suppose for some it would be quite alarming if thought about too much, but it really gave the trail some character and added to its adventurous feel. We took a
break at the River Rest House about 1.5 miles into the hike and after
watching a group go past, we hit the trail. It was still dark, so no photos and no real interesting observations as we were just hiking in the dark at this point.<br />
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What I really liked most about the next section of the trail, was the long and somewhat dramatic switchback about
midway between the River Rest House and the Indian Garden Campground
water point, some 3 miles in front of us. Dawn brought some light to
our hike and we were now able to take a look around us! This climb
was enjoyable for both the views and the uphill climb. The ascent
certainly got our heart rates up, but I really enjoyed this stretch.
The scale of the trail here was made clear when you were able to see
a hiker further up on the long, stark switchback. It is one of my favorite parts of the trail/photos that I included here.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look close, find the person on the trail to the right. Gives a sense of scale!</span></div>
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We rested at the top of this beautiful
switchback and took in the view as we watched some hikers slowly making
their way up...breathing hard and smiling....just like us. We then set off for the Indian Garden Campground. We
walked through some pretty green areas at this point and I was
surprised at the change in geography. Up until now it had been mostly "desert" in nature. We rounded a corner and came
upon a little waterfall...almost an Oasis of sorts! After pausing here we walked a good long stretch
with trees and greenery on both sides of the trail.</div>
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We were feeling good at this point and
before we knew it, we were walking into Indian Garden Campground. This was a nice little area with water, benches and even a couple Raven's to keep us company. I felt like we were really moving quickly compared to yesterday's initial downhill of 4 to 5 miles. </div>
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After a short break we were on our way, with the sun accompanying us! When that sun comes out, you feel it! From here out, we would start to feel the effects of the sun and the elevation gain, but we would also start to enjoy the views available from a higher perspective! We continued our hike up the trail, and by this time it really started to lead "UP"! 1.7 miles up the trail, we took our next break at the 3 Mile Rest House. You earn this rest a bit more than the previous part of the hike as the grade steepens a bit. We were certainly feeling the previous days hike in our legs! </div>
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Just as we were about to start back down the trail, we observed some mules and riders taking a break on the trail. It was proper etiquette to allow the animals to rest, as going past them would be impractical and rude. Hell we didn't mind a longer break...who am I trying to kid!!?? </div>
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When the mules made their way past us, we got up and followed a few other hikers that had been waiting. From here on, the trail would maintain a relatively constant and significant uphill. We found ourselves moving a bit more slowly from here on. The previous days hike...the elevation gain, and the heat...would continue to slow us down. We found ourselves taking more frequent breaks. In hindsight, it was a good thing, since it forced us to take a longer look around and soak in some of our unique surroundings. </div>
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An additional interesting fact in my case, was that as I became more tired throughout the day, I found myself occasionally not lifting my left foot up high enough to clear a stone or carved out step in the trail. This caused me to bang the hell out of the front of my foot/shoe several times...and each time I thought to myself, "pick up your damn feet"!! This hurt like hell, as the previous day had my feet hitting the front of my hiking boots once in a while due to the steepness of the descent the first few miles. I would later pay the price for my laziness!</div>
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As we trudged our way along the trail, with fresh faced tourists walking down laughing and talking...likely wondering why we looked like tired old men, I remembered something I heard at the Phantom Ranch the previous day...that this hike was "not a race"...and, "try to enjoy the journey...take it in vs just completing it". As we took our break at the 1.5 Mile Rest House, I realized that we were about to complete what had been a likely "once in a lifetime" adventure. From this point on, while I enjoyed the views from our ever improving vantage points, I felt a little somber that the whole thing would soon be over.</div>
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We were now taking breaks even more frequently, sometimes after just a hundred yards or so. It was of some comfort that the wide eyed, energetic tourists that we had seen come down the trail earlier, would later be huffing and puffing, with looks of "I didn't think it would be this hard" on their faces, on their way back UP the trail. It made me feel better....<br />
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Our legs were smoked as the last three miles are just a steady climb up and out of the Canyon. We talked a bit about the hike and what we might sit down to eat once we made it to the top. When we rounded the last corner, legs sore, and somewhat exhausted from the 2 days of hiking, it was exhilarating and sad all at the same time. Patrick wasn't able to sit and take it all in, as Dennis and I sat down just before the end of the trail. He hiked on up and out! I think he simply couldn't resist just finishing, and he was the first one to the end. <br />
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After a few minutes, Dennis and I got up, groaned a bit in doing so, and walked the last 400 feet or so, meeting up with Pat near the South Rim Lodge. We decided to have a sit down meal at the lodge....we deserved it! After a fantastic cheeseburger and several of pitchers of lemonade/iced tea each, we did a little looking around in the Lodge's Store and picked up the requisite "Rim To Rim" T-Shirt! We then slowlllllly made our way out to the rental car and we were off to Las Vegas...A/C on full blast! We had completed the Rim To Rim Hike! <br />
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After a long drive back to Las Vegas, and a long hot shower we were able
to get a good nights sleep...FINALLY!!!! The next morning I enjoyed a
great breakfast with my two brothers, and I was dropped off at the airport.<br />
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It had been a whirlwind adventure...challenging...difficult for sure, but at the same time very rewarding . We had met some very nice, and equally tough people along the way. I had completed the hike with my two brothers, making it all the more gratifying. It would take some time for the whole thing to sink in.<br />
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A week later I would lose three of my toenails as a result of banging my left foot into a few steps! A small price to pay for conquering the Rim To Rim!!Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-26837374230000464922015-09-06T22:47:00.001-07:002016-01-25T20:07:50.368-08:00The Grand Canyon "Rim To Rim" Part 3 (Hiking In)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Trail head, North Kaibab Trail...4 am</span></div>
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It felt like I had slept for about 5
minutes, when one of my brothers gives me the “shoulder shake” to
wake me up. I had last checked my watch at about 1:25 am, hoping I
would fall asleep....it was now 3:30 am. 2 hours of sleep?
Ridiculous!</div>
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I splash some water on my face to shock
myself into consciousness. I get dressed, gather my pack, brush my
teeth and about this time I hear Dennis emit a sound that was between
a shriek and a yell! Seems our little chipmunk friend had taken up
residence overnight in one of Dennis' shoes! I had to laugh as I
haven't put “unchecked” shoes on in the morning since my Army
days.
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Dennis is pissed. In general, Dennis
is either happy or pissed. Right now...he is pissed. Patrick? He
cant stop laughing!
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Dennis tries throwing the shoe up in
the air a bit, hoping when it lands, the little Chipmunk will scamper
off. Nope. Still in the shoe. He throws it higher...nope....
Seems a bit odd, as they are pretty skittish normally. After about 5
more minutes of creative “shoe shaking”, Dennis pronounces the
little Chipmunk deceased. It appears the little creature literally
curled up and died in his shoe!?</div>
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It is sad, and I am initially puzzled
by the whole episode?! However...we have a van to catch!!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We meet our driver and he drops us off
at the trail head, which is pitch black. There is a group of 4
ladies heading out right in front of us, and we decide to give them
10-15 minutes space before we start down the trail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsCg_P_HX9ybTYP08NiAh4_f9BXWwT_P6JfI_gaVxL8iTVdbll3rt18AIFM7aWVSLN0VTFfRctvI6yxCY4ndPXf4ua-xa0Cd2JY25gLtUXVQY1HRGk0a1BBFY3FsA0K_Yy_Z_mr8cJD_8/s1600/Start+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsCg_P_HX9ybTYP08NiAh4_f9BXWwT_P6JfI_gaVxL8iTVdbll3rt18AIFM7aWVSLN0VTFfRctvI6yxCY4ndPXf4ua-xa0Cd2JY25gLtUXVQY1HRGk0a1BBFY3FsA0K_Yy_Z_mr8cJD_8/s400/Start+2-1.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A short time later, we turn on our
respective headlamp/flashlights and head down the trail. While we
make our way down the trail, I am struck by the sound of the steady
wind rushing through the Aspen trees. The sound is probably more
pronounced given my sense of hearing is much better at this point,
than my inability to see. (Beyond the light cast by my headlamp)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We can see the trail immediately in
front of ourselves, but not much more and it isn't long before we are
walking steeply downhill. I often find myself having to carefully
look for my next foot placement as I encounter scattered steps cut
into the trail and a less than even surface with each downward step.
We also discover that there are also plenty of rather sizable mule
droppings to be avoided!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Camu3q_mFgVgFB_jBmCJFYy3uPo4lFiww2dkKuClFlxZcBHdbFEc4_y-7R1Kt0cgdOs9VRKJ9I2vdLBrRe0NqmKMxVbr-AoaRGePEsN-i3NdqoFKEuM3Eac5MWQc95Y3QGpsIa3MX3t9/s1600/Cocino+Overlook+Dark-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Camu3q_mFgVgFB_jBmCJFYy3uPo4lFiww2dkKuClFlxZcBHdbFEc4_y-7R1Kt0cgdOs9VRKJ9I2vdLBrRe0NqmKMxVbr-AoaRGePEsN-i3NdqoFKEuM3Eac5MWQc95Y3QGpsIa3MX3t9/s400/Cocino+Overlook+Dark-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
We continue down the steep, winding
trail for about an hour or so, until the black, starlit sky, turns
navy blue, allowing just enough light to give an immediate view of
our surroundings. As we move down into the Canyon, the
sound of the wind gives way to the sound of a bird that I have never
heard before! I never catch sight of the bird, but I tried to
capture its unique, morning greet<span style="color: white;">ing.</span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://archive.org/download/BirdSong_201509/Bird%20Song.mp3" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Bird Song</span></a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: white;">By this time, it is obvious to Patrick
and I, that this steep descent is going to wreak havoc on our less
than perfect knees. I feel like “being careful” slows down the
pace a bit, not that you can move that quickly down this stretch of
trail anyway. Whatever. We round a corner, and find our first
water point and a restroom at the “Supai Tunnel”. The ladies
that left before us, are just moving out.</span> </div>
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<br />
We take in some water,
replace what we have drank so far and are on our way. We take the
requisite photo of the Supai Tunnel and move on. It was a nice 15
minute or so rest and we will not hit another water point until we
hit the “Roaring Springs” Pump House checkpoint some 3 miles in
front of us.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
At this point we can see into the
Canyon and see the floor. It is still a long way down and the depth
of this Canyon is starting to sink in with me. We try to take a few
photos, but it is virtually impossible to get a wide enough photo to
do justice to the view we are able to take in with our eyes. We stop
at a point that looks directly across to a sheer wall about ¼ mile
in height. I think it is a suitable place to check out the echo
effect of the Canyon! We yell a few things and hear the resulting 4
or 5 echoes. Doing this is something I don't think any of us
outgrow! Dennis comments that the ladies ahead and below us are
probably concerned about the idiots behind them!<br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
We are making good time and after the
first 4 miles or so, the downhill grade loses some of its steep
angle. It makes for a more comfortable walk/hike and before you know
it we are nearing the Roaring Springs Pump House area. It is still a
ways off, and we can see the water gushing out of the Canyon
wall/floor and hear the power of this Spring that literally provides
water for the entire trail complex!.
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHEyj4GGwYTpzX0AOjf92ovVJ5du4qJCmloZdWdfm74hrza8HwIZV6MKMi6ZBGinAgEPrCyMBs5UohJ_o3waPI1GadZQkIMPJHc-oDNA-0HJD3nUz7H8WXqwnUHi3IWpEkUkcOvC2Cpsc/s1600/Cliffside+before+roaring+springs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHEyj4GGwYTpzX0AOjf92ovVJ5du4qJCmloZdWdfm74hrza8HwIZV6MKMi6ZBGinAgEPrCyMBs5UohJ_o3waPI1GadZQkIMPJHc-oDNA-0HJD3nUz7H8WXqwnUHi3IWpEkUkcOvC2Cpsc/s400/Cliffside+before+roaring+springs-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are able to see the trail and a foot bridge below us
and I spot the 4 ladies that left before us. They are about half a
mile or so in front of us and probably 300 feet or so below us. We cross the bridge and a half mile or so later, and shortly thereafter we are treated to a dramatic view.
</div>
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The trail is literally cut into and along the edge of
the canyon walls for a good distance and makes for a hell of a view
both down and across the canyon!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Look close, you can see the 4 ladies on the trail next to the cliff!</span> </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Some more downhill....and a couple miles later, we find ourselves at the Roaring Springs Rest House. We greet the 4 ladies that are
finishing up their break and learn that they are hiking the Rim To
Rim as part of an annual Breast Cancer Awareness event that one of
the gals started a couple years prior. We chat for a minute or two
and they depart as we water up and use the very new, clean restroom
that is on site. It is a very nice little Rest House/area, and I
feel like I should have looked around a bit more, but we were focused
on making decent time along the trail.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The sun peeks over the top of a nearby cliff and it is starting to heat up a bit and while it is only a mile and a half to the next rest
stop at Cottonwood Campground, it seems to take us a bit longer than
I expected. The downhill of this day's hike has started to take a
toll on the old knee's and it shows a bit in our pace. <br />
<br />
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<br />
When we arrive at the Cottonwood
Campground, the heat of the day is upon us! I do not
remember the time, but at this point it is hot. We take a break and get
some water and make our way out towards Ribbon Falls. Wearing a wide
brimmed hat really helped keep the sun from baking one's face, but it
became obvious that the heat would be a factor when it came to energy
levels and pace etc. My arms would be wet from sweating from this point on, which is OK, as I use that as an "indicator" of sorts. If one is sweating in this heat, everything is working...if one stops obviously sweating...uh oh...means you are well into Heat Exhaustion.
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
By the time we hit the Ribbon Falls it
was about 95 degree's or so. (Likely hotter, but that is what I
remember seeing when I checked) Just after we arrived here, the 4
ladies were just exiting the trail that led down to the Falls. We say hello again as they comment on how pretty the Falls were, as they headed back out on the main trail.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our pace had started to slow down over the past mile or so and
when Dennis said he was going to head down the ¼ mile trail to the
Falls, Pat and I told him to enjoy the Falls...and we would wait for
him to get back! I figured that there would be significantly less
water flow at the end of July, making for a less than spectacular
view and I wanted to save the energy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
15 minutes later, as Pat and I sat in
the sun...Dennis returned. He appeared less tired than either of us
in general, and we asked him if it was worth the ½ mile round trip.
He said, “nope”! Oh well!
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We headed out again and by this time
the heat down in the Canyon was intense. We were walking slower and
the drain on one's energy was significant and unexpected. The up side of being in the Canyon was that we had lost almost a miles worth of elevation, giving us more air to breathe. A mile or
so later, we found a small outcropping that provided a tiny bit of
shade, so we took a break and drank some water. I commented on how
it sure seemed like it was hotter than 95 degrees! I discovered I
had cell service as a few text messages from friends asking for
updates had popped up on my cell phone. I decided to reply to one of
the texts, with a short video. ( I will try to edit out the bad language/convert the video and include it here later)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cell service thing reminds me....I found
myself using my cell phone camera almost exclusively at this point.
I had brought along my DSLR and a small tripod, thinking I could get
the best quality pics possible by using the DSLR. My energy level
was such, that I simply did not want to stop, get the DSLR out of the
pack and then shoot a pic or two and put it back! I would discover
that my cell phone cam was simply much too convenient to opt for the
hassle of the DSLR. I think all of the pics on this posting are cell phone cam pics! I digress!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A mile or so on, we came to a spot
where there was significant shade created by a large outcropping
above the trail. Under the outcropping were a guy and a gal,
stripped down and wet from a recent dip into the nearby river/stream
that ran along the trail. We decided to break here and allowed
ourselves quite a bit of time to dip our feet into the water, wet our
shirts and relax in the welcome shade!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was about this time, I think, that I
sadly realized that I might not have picked up every Ibuprofen tablet
the night prior...possibly contributing to the demise of our little
Chipmunk friend:( Made me a bit sad, but I also couldn’t help but
think that the Chipmunk could have eaten any number of things, from a
dozen cabins, and just ended up in Dennis' shoe as a coincidence!
Yep, I am going with that....and yeah, randomly popped into my head
on the trail, thus randomly shared here! I digress...again!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This stop was the last rest point for
us before we would enter”The Box”. The “Box” is described as
a canyon with high, reddish walls in an area that gets direct
sunlight from about 10 am until 4 pm. It is HIGHLY recommended to
avoid hiking this part of the trail during those hours as people have
been seriously affected by heat exhaustion/stroke and have even died
due to the “convection effect” of the sun heating the canyon
walls and amplifying the heat along this stretch of trail.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The couple that was resting there asked
us if we were going to head into the “Box”? They went on to say
that they were going to wait it out in the shade until after 4 or 5pm
and then complete the hike to the Phantom Ranch. Now, I know Pat and
I were thinking...”that is not a bad idea”! On the other hand,
Dennis had made 3 reservations for a steak dinner at the Phantom
ranch, at 5 pm. I think it was about 2 pm in the afternoon at this
point...and I knew that Dennis would NEVER forgo the dinner
reservations!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In my mind I also thought, “the four
gals in front of us had definitely hiked thru the Box...so ehhhh”!
We said goodbye to the couple and headed into the “Box”! The
heat in this part of the trail had to be experienced to be believed!
I mean it was HOT! The heat slowed our pace a bit as it seemed to
extract energy from you, even though the trail was pretty much level
at this point! I am not certain, but I think it took us about two
hours to finish the last 2 - 2/12 miles...given the breaks we would take when we found shade. I could not remember
enduring this kind of heat...ever.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUWqqZXKYwQsTJ7uInFvU6wSdRyBOExiBifRbs69Iev1xQ3cRsMZxuDwxk2fbcKphGQEdvCaVK1-i1F74FcYKUU71sQ6BvY-p_D6lIHz_Xuf8JKKVMH-h3tUzLcbelQGJuT2jTEOBTIYL/s1600/The+Box-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUWqqZXKYwQsTJ7uInFvU6wSdRyBOExiBifRbs69Iev1xQ3cRsMZxuDwxk2fbcKphGQEdvCaVK1-i1F74FcYKUU71sQ6BvY-p_D6lIHz_Xuf8JKKVMH-h3tUzLcbelQGJuT2jTEOBTIYL/s400/The+Box-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In "The Box"</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When we stumbled into the outskirts of
the Phantom Ranch compound, we were elated! 15 miles, and the last 5
to 6 miles in the hottest part of the day...it kicked my ass! We had taken 10'ish hours to get to the
Phantom Ranch, but this included a few longer than needed breaks,
photo stops, sound recordings and the like. All in all, not a bad
day, but a very tiring one!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwhFuPv1gC2iK0rz4UJfKGiS7uVacFVwe1nDNMQHbUThWGfLagM9rdWBppjxRvGm5t2hMM-iwccIKs3f_82G8uQ2_WFLTLxdnfkW84lUVsDsWZVCFki6aGkuaXk42nvicxIIbuGWe7aF-/s1600/Phantom-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwhFuPv1gC2iK0rz4UJfKGiS7uVacFVwe1nDNMQHbUThWGfLagM9rdWBppjxRvGm5t2hMM-iwccIKs3f_82G8uQ2_WFLTLxdnfkW84lUVsDsWZVCFki6aGkuaXk42nvicxIIbuGWe7aF-/s400/Phantom-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We checked out the bunk house we would
be staying in, marveled at the A/C...and claimed our bunks. I could
have called it a day right there (Pat actually fell asleep in about
30 seconds) but I needed a shower and wanted to change out of my
sweaty stuff. After we all showered, we headed out into the compound
and looked around a bit. I had experienced some “toes getting
jammed into” the front of my boots on the steepest downhill portion
of the trail, and this caused a little discomfort as we walked
around. ( yes I tied my laces tight/know about keeping my feet from
sliding forward etc...don’t lecture me!) The steepness of the
trail likely does this to some extent to everyone, so I just kept it
to myself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We went into the Canteen and got a
couple of cold drinks...with ice!!! I cant tell you how good the
iced tea and lemonade tasted...or maybe it was just that it was ice
cold! We went back to our bunks as we had about an hour to wait for
dinner. I think I dozed off for about 45 minutes...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We readied ourselves for dinner and
half walked, half limped over to the Canteen, where we waited for it
to open back up for dinner. We spoke with a Park Ranger while we
waited and described the heat we experienced while trekking thru the
“Box”. I told her it sure felt hotter than the 95 degrees
reported on the Weather Channel site I had consulted when I had cell
service. She laughed...and told us, “those numbers indicate the
temps on the Rims”! She went on to tell us, “when you hiked thru
the “Box”, it would have been 30-35 degrees hotter...about 120+
degrees”.<br />
<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My first thought was, I KNEW IT WAS
HOTTER THAN 95!!!!!! Then I was glad I hadn’t known, as it might
have played havoc with my mind!! Whatever! The doors opened to the
Canteen and in we went. We were served a fantastic steak dinner with
all the fixins. The steaks were huge...I would guess 24 oz steaks or
more...and I had no problem finishing my steak!<br />
<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Check out the water info on the board, for the South Kaibab Trail</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
We chatted with the people at our table
and everyone shared where they were from etc. We were entertained
and informed about the Phantom Ranch the very nice and knowledgeable
employee that had also single handedly served all 40 of the guests
dinner! A few things I remembered were: 1. Hiking this trail was
not “a race”...enjoy it, take your time...there is no trophy
waiting for the person that finishes first! 2. Everything, and I
mean EVERYTHING at the Phantom Ranch, is brought in by mule or
horse...and the trash is hauled out the same way! It is difficult to
describe the quaint, rugged beauty of the Phantom Ranch with words.
It is truly something one must experience in person....it is a unique
and amazing place...an oasis deep in a Canyon that itself is both
beautiful and foreboding.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After dinner, we said hello yet again
to the 4 ladies we had shadowed along the trail that day. They had
opted to enjoy the steak dinner as we had. Seems they had finished
their hike less than an hour in front of us and had endured the same
heat in the “Box”. (Those are some tough ladies!) We introduced
ourselves and after some talking learned that they were from....of
all places...Michigan!? Talk about a small world! After a bit more
talking, the world got smaller...turns out that one of the gals
actually teaches at the same school that Pat's daughter attends!!
Now what are the odds of that happening!!????</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wendy, Tammy, Sharon and Karen (The 4 ladies!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
I told them that I would be writing a
blog post about this little adventure and I provided them with the name of the blog, should they want to check it out. They told us
they were staying at the Phantom Ranch the following day, and giving
themselves a rest day. (Smart ladies!) We said our good nights and
headed off to our bunk house. Dennis wanted to walk a bit to see the
Colorado River, but even he was too tired to make the ½ mile trek!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We decided that we would want to start
an hour earlier than we had planned for, to get a head start on the
sun rising the next day. So, it was decided that we would head out
at 3 am....that meant getting up at 2:30 am.....uggghhhhhhhhh...when an
I going to get some sleep! We had all been operating on about 2-4
hours of sleep the last two nights! I half laughed to myself, and
half cried! Haha</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I reviewed a few of the cell phone cam
pics I had taken, stuck my earplugs in (yep, more snoring men...bring
earplugs if you do this!) and tried to get to sleep. For some
reason, I just couldn’t get to sleep! Trust me, I was plenty
tired, I just ended up laying there while everyone else around me
slept and snored. I think I faded about 11:30....yep, 3 hours of
sleep! Ridiculous!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tomorrow would come in the blink of an
eye!
</div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-23544521176424119952015-08-22T21:59:00.000-07:002016-01-25T20:07:16.952-08:00The Grand Canyon "Rim To Rim" Part 2 (Getting There)<div align="LEFT" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"> <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
wake up early as the sun rises over the Nevada Desert...earlier than
I prefer! I probably got about 4 hours of sleep, but I figure I can
sleep a bit in the car as we drive to the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Pat grabs some coffee, and we throw our gear into the Toyota Camry rental car and head out.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
will be stopping briefly at the Hoover Dam, prior to making the 4+ hour drive to the Canyon. It is way too early for me to eat anything
so I gulp down some water and it isn't long before we are driving into
the Hoover Dam complex. It is about 6 am at this point and we are
the only car/people I see! We park and take a walk to the Dam, where
we look down at the enormous mass of concrete from above....the same
look millions of others have and will take...as we stand next to the
warnings painted on the cement next to us.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
spend about a half an hour, walking the roadway along the Dam and
taking in the bridge that had just begun to be built during my last
visit! (2010?) As the sun crests the distant hills, we feel the
obvious heat of the sun and we make our way back to the shelter of
our air conditioned car!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvEMcd_1rs86Hx10VLHYxO3GZmzsVI5DHn0quILHsq_O-SWzf6F6zahrJJsL4qqT1YQijOl6VOMxgdZ5BpT1M7fBhm-7fk7KoG5HZuFSecG77NdGnjTAsryRFQuT9tWix880skruB4XbB/s1600/Hoover+Bridge-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvEMcd_1rs86Hx10VLHYxO3GZmzsVI5DHn0quILHsq_O-SWzf6F6zahrJJsL4qqT1YQijOl6VOMxgdZ5BpT1M7fBhm-7fk7KoG5HZuFSecG77NdGnjTAsryRFQuT9tWix880skruB4XbB/s400/Hoover+Bridge-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"> We
hit the road, settling in for a long and relatively boring
(geographically speaking) drive. Dennis is driving so Pat and I are
free to sleep, but we end up talking about family stuff...inquiries
about things one of us may know about, family legends...and general
catching up as it has been some time since we were together.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
do the typical fuel stops and grab travel food....Doritos, water,
Granola Bars, Oreo Cookies...the usual. It isn't long before we
close in on the Grand Canyon. It is a bit strange because when you
get near the entrance of the Grand Canyon, you don't see it. It is
not like a large body of water that you catch a glimpse of as you
approach, or a mountain range that rises above ground level...easily
seen in the distance. It shouldn't be surprising since it is a "Canyon", ie...below
ground level, but it is interesting in that you just expect to see
something!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
wait in line for a bit, pay our fees and find the South Rim Visitors
Center and Lodge. We check-in for our Shuttle that will take us to
the North Rim and allow us to leave the Rental Car, so we can
complete the hike North to South and start back to Vegas.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">I
walk out to the wall, where again, millions of visitors before me
have stood in awe of the Grand view before them. It is the first
look at what we will be traversing and the scale of the hike now
becomes more "real". I hold up my cell phone and take a
couple snapshots, hoping to capture some sense of the size/scale of
the Grand Canyon. It is so cliche' and so "beneath me" to
photograph such a spectacular view with a mere cell phone camera! OK, I am typical...one of the masses...I have joined the flock of
sheeple!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First look at the Grand Canyon from the South Rim (Cell Cam Pic)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">I
figure that we will be back at the South Rim and I will have ample
opportunity to capture some images using the DSLR I brought along for
the hike both during the hike, as well as after the hike when we are
back at the South Rim, hopefully enjoying a good dinner!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
grab a quick lunch...hot dogs and the like and we are soon boarding
our air conditioned, 11 person van/shuttle. We will be the only passengers, so plenty of room! I figured I might be able to relax and
get some sleep to make up for the general lack of sleep we have all
experienced...I figured wrong.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">It
seems our driver, nice as he was, had aspirations of racing in the
Indy 500! He drove the large and rather cumbersome white van like it
was a modern sports car! Dennis looked back over his shoulder at me
more than a couple times as we hurtled uncomfortably close to the
edge of the winding asphalt , sometimes just inches from some 100-300
ft drop offs! It was all I could do to resist the urge to say,
"um...we are not in a hurry"!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
drove thru the Navajo lands that border the Grand Canyon and we
passed homes and shops along the way. I think about how sturdy and determined the Navajo people are to
thrive in such a rugged and harsh environment. </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">4
hours later (30 minutes ahead of schedule) we arrive at the North Rim
Village. We thanked our driver (more for not killing us, than
getting us there ahead of schedule!) and arranged for him to pick us
up at 3:30 am the next morning, to drive us to the trail head some mile or so down the
road.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><span style="color: white;">We
checked in/got the keys to our cabin for the night, claimed our
respective bunks and then went to the nearby snack shop and grabbed
some sandwiches for dinner. </span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"> <span style="color: white;">We found a table on the patio
overlooking the North Rim and settled in for a simple dinner as we
enjoyed the view!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
were once again looking out over the expansive Canyon, but this time
looking across and toward the South Rim, where we had had lunch just
4 hours earlier! The sun was getting lower in the sky and we watched
as the shadows in the Canyon steadily climbed upwards along the tall
towering mesas.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">It wasn't long before darkness fell and we retired to our cabin for the
night. We we had decided to begin our hike at 3:30 am, to get some
miles in before the Canyon heated up with the Arizona sunrise. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Just
before we were about to turn the lights out, Dennis is startled by a
tiny, fast moving creature darting past him! We figured it might
have been a mouse...but soon discover it is a Chipmunk, likely
looking for some free trail-mix or something! It is amusing, but at
the same time, none of us want to be awakened by a critter crawling
over us in the middle of the night! </span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"> We
decided to secure our packs in the bathroom, as it was without holes
in the floor and the door shut tight, unlike the cabin room we were
sleeping in. I also secured my hiking shoes in the bathroom,
remembering a few times where a scorpion, spider, or snake had
surprised me on some dark mornings in the distant past! (Think Army
days)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">We
all agreed our little friend was welcome and we settled into what
were verrrry comfortable and welcome bunks! </span></span></span></span>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">I
had been dutifully taking ibuprofen for several days and as I dumped
several pills into my hand, I dropped a couple on the floor. I was
careful to recover the dropped pills, as I observed our little friend
lying comfortably on the couch across from my bunk. I downed my "too
many" pills and stuck my earplugs in to avoid the snoring of my
brothers, who had already fallen asleep/begun snoring!</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">As
I lay there thinking, like I always do, (I should be sleeping...ugh!)
I couldn't help but think that 24 hours prior, I had been in Tacoma!
Now here I am, 4 hours from starting the hike into/across, the Grand
Canyon. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Crazy.</span></span></span></span>
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-77955546031861942792015-08-17T23:19:00.000-07:002015-09-08T23:34:00.572-07:00The Grand Canyon "Rim To Rim" Part 1 (From Dream to Reality) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
About a year ago, I received a phone call from my youngest brother, Dennis. Since he lives back home in Michigan and doesn't often call, I never quite know what to expect when it comes to the subject/purpose of the call.<br />
<br />
After some "how are things?" chit chat, he asks if i would be interested in hiking the Grand Canyon. Specifically, a 25 mile hike from one rim of the Canyon, down to the floor of the Canyon, across and back up the other rim...appropriately called, the "Rim To Rim".<br />
<br />
I would learn that he has imagined completing this hike for years and had decided to quit thinking about it and simply do it this year. His plan was to get a reservation at the "Phantom Ranch", that serves as a midway point and an overnight rest stop for the hike, allowing us to use a bunk house so we wouldn't have to hike in any tents or camping gear. The problem with this, is that it is a VERY exclusive place given its remote location and the limited space it offers to hikers.<br />
<br />
The Phantom Ranch is unique enough to require its own Blog post, but I will briefly touch on it. It is a small group of buildings, set up near the Colorado River and the Bright Angel Campground at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It is completely supplied by mule/horses...read that again...because if it is man made and its there, (or needs to go out) it is accomplished by mule or horses. The compound has a couple of "male and female only" bunk houses...approximately 20 bunks total, (10 per bunk house) and a small Canteen which serves as general store, meeting place and dining room. There are also several cabins within the compound that can be reserved as well. The bunk houses have running water, a shower, a bathroom and are air conditioned. There just aren't many bunks to be had, thus...the exclusivity!<br />
<br />
I digress...<br />
<br />
Dennis tells me that he called in, every day, for God knows how many weeks/months, hoping to simply get a cancellation at the Phantom Ranch because when they come open for reservations at the beginning of the year, they are usually sold out for the hiking season...within a few hours! Long story short, he said that the last time he called in, he was told that there was a cancellation that had just posted. He said, "I will take it!" not even initially inquiring as to when it was.<br />
<br />
He said that a group had apparently cancelled and he reserved three bunks and three "steak dinners" at the Phantom Ranch, for one night, in late July. He said he thought it would be a great trip and thought it would be even better if all three of the brothers (myself, Dennis and Pat) could do it together.<br />
<br />
The trip would require 4-5 days, as we would fly into Vegas, then drive to the Grand Canyon to do the hike, followed by a return trip to Vegas to fly back home. We talked for a bit, and I could tell the trip/hike was important to him. I told him I would give it serious consideration, see about time off and the like, and get back to him in a few days. In the meantime, he was going to ask Patrick about it.<br />
<br />
Now, I have done some hiking, backpacking and road marching in days gone by...some of which were quite difficult/challenging. Most of the difficult stuff was when I was in my 20's and 30's, and long before my Right knee needed to be replaced!<br />
<br />
I had spoken to Dennis' wife about this hike and she confirmed that this was something that Dennis REALLY wanted to do. She said that he was going to go, whether it was alone or with Patrick and myself!<br />
<br />
I talked it over with my wife and a couple days later, I told Dennis I was "in solid". Not long after, I made the round trip plane reservations that would set my commitment in stone. I didn't have to do much else, as Dennis had made the Hotel reservations in Vegas, the Shuttle reservation at the Grand Canyon and the Car Rental to get us there. It was just a matter of splitting up costs.<br />
<br />
After committing to the trip, I realized that the hike would present a few unique challenges that would combine to make the hike more difficult than the distance alone might suggest.<br />
<br />
First, the reservation at the Phantom Ranch was for the 22nd of July. In Arizona, July is well....HOT! Not normal hot, Arizona desert 100-110 degrees hot!<br />
<br />
Second, elevation. Our hike would start at the North Rim which is above 8,000 ft, take us down 5,000+ ft and then back up almost another 5,000 ft. It would present a challenge for us "sea level" dwellers for sure. <br />
<br />
Lastly, at least for me, was the poor condition of my R knee. I know, I know, everyone has a "bad knee". I hear it all the time too. My situation is this: In 1978...yeah I am old...I suffered a football injury that resulted in a knee surgery that removed all of the cartilage on the inside (medial) half of my right knee. This is not to be confused with modern, arthroscopic surgery that removes a tiny portion, or trims a small piece of cartilage off and leaves you walking out of the Doctors Office a couple of hours later. (Had that done last year to my L knee...no biggie)<br />
<br />
I have had no cartilage between the bony surfaces on the inside half of my knee for almost 40 years. Short story made shorter, I beat it up pretty bad in the Army with all the running, marching, jumping out of planes and the like and it endured a lot of abuse. It was always just a matter of time before it would need to be completely replaced. My Orthopedic Surgeon said it needed to be replaced about 10 years ago. (then said I was too young and would have to wait?!)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looking at the knee from behind</span></div>
<br />
<br />
So, I went to my Orthopedic Surgeon and told him what I had planned for July. He laughed and said, "the good news is, you cant possibly make it worse"! He recommended I get some Ibuprofen into my system before/during the hike, gave me a Cortisone Injection and said, "Enjoy the hike"! Thanks Doc.<br />
<br />
Sometime later, I learn that my brother Patrick, after some time, has committed to the trip. In his case, there was concern about his being able to get the time off from his job. There was also the peer pressure of knowing his "oldest" brother had committed to making the trip! He almost HAD to go! On a side note, his L knee is at least as bad as my R knee, but... he is equally stubborn, so Rim To Rim it is!<br />
<br />
Ultimately, I think the idea of taking this on as three brothers encouraged each of us to really make an effort to make it work. It would be the first thing we would undertake together as brothers, since I took them to get fast food while on leave from the Army back in the 80's!<br />
<br />
Once committed, I began to consider how best to prepare. Equipment-wise, I had what I needed...a Geigerrig 700 hydration pack that would also contain spare clothes, a flexible tripod and DSLR, and some "Lara Bars".<br />
<br />
Physically? Well, I knew we would be descending from the North Rim and ascending the South Rim. This meant a steep downhill for at least 4-5 miles of the first days hike of 14 miles. What this meant for me was: <br />
1. Take a BUNCH of Ibuprofen prior to/during the hike. (Sorry liver and kidneys..its just a few days!)<br />
2. Strengthen my legs, specifically my quads and the structure supporting my knee.<br />
3. It's gonna hurt. Steep downhills are hard on knees, healthy or not.<br />
<br />
I began a regimen of cycling (stationary/recumbent) on a daily basis. Not an easy, or pleasant 20 min ride daily...rather a serious, focused program to build muscle/strengthen my legs. While I was at it, I added a Total Gym workout and stuck with the program for 6 months. My "hill profiles" got steeper and I got stronger.<br />
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I chose cycling as it is the best "bang for the buck", given walking and/or running would tear up my knee. I chose not to do some hard day hikes at altitude in the Cascade Mountains, just prior to the trip, as I did not want to injure or screw something up and not make the trip. Laziness played a part too! The workout regimen worked well. I improved my strength, put some muscle on my legs and my cardio improved dramatically.<br />
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I knew there would be no "training" for/acclimating to, the expected 100-115 degree temperatures. Just have to "suck it up". I also figured the loss in elevation might be a blessing on day 1, and a curse on day 2. Which reminds me...we had to do this hike in 2 days vs the preferred 3 days, because we were only able to get a bunk for one night at the Phantom Ranch. Many hikers take a "rest day" at the Ranch, prior to heading up the South Rim.<br />
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The day comes...to board a plane and head to Vegas. My brother Dennis had booked a show, "Love", (Think Cirque Show set to Beatles music) for 7:30 that evening. I would be arriving about noon or so. Driving to the airport, I get a text from Alaska Airlines. My flight had been cancelled and I was put on a flight for 9:35 that would get me into Vegas at midnight! Ridiculous.<br />
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Long story short, we drive home and after an angry Sandi calls Alaska Airlines a couple times, I am able to rush to the airport and catch a 5:20 flight, (with about 40 minutes notice) getting me into Vegas just about 7:30. Dennis is able to swap tickets for a 9:30 show and avoid completely screwing the night up. My plane takes off from Seattle and it's not long before I look out the window and take the obligatory Mt Rainier photo, from above it's towering summit.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mt Rainier</span></div>
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The plane ride is uneventful and the landing unusually smooth for Las Vegas!? I disembark and walk past the slot machines that clutter the Airport, making my way to the cab stand. <br />
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A short cab ride later and i am at the Mirage and meeting my brothers. It is a typically stoic reunion, as no one in my family gets excited
when it comes to seeing each other...even if it were after 25 years and
surviving an Earthquake and the Plague. God forbid anyone show
emotion...That's just us.<br />
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We sit down to dinner at a Brazilian Steak House and catch up while enjoying some amazing food! We decide to get an early start in the morning, so we can run by the Hoover Dam, as Pat has never seen it. Then it is just a matter of the long drive to the Grand Canyon, so we can make our shuttle check-in before 1:00. We finish dinner and head to the show. <br />
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We enjoy a pretty impressive Cirque style show, and are taken back in time as the show chronicles the Beatles and the worlds events, as they move forward from WW2. Particularly good from my perspective, is the sound system and music...loud, but crystal clear and with perfect mid-range that really highlights the vocals! It's like John, Paul, George and Ringo are right there singing into a mic! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Pre Show" as there are no cams allowed once the show begins</span></div>
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Its about midnight when we make a short drive from the Mirage to the Excalibur Hotel, where we will stay the night. (We will come back and stay at the Mirage once we complete the hike) We take in some of the Vegas Strip along the way!<br />
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I call dibs on the bed that is right next to the A/C, as I like the cold air literally blowing on me as I sleep! A bit of small talk and its lights out.<br />
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Tomorrow will prove to be a long day.Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-48307502174200324522015-04-02T02:51:00.000-07:002016-02-17T22:52:36.300-08:00100 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I like this song enough to have practiced playing it on the piano for several years now. I intended on playing/recording it, and giving the recording (just the music, no words) to my daughter for her 15th birthday as a sort of message...to enjoy her youth and all the discovery it brings. Frankly, I just never felt I was able to play it as perfectly as I wanted. Funny thing is...she has heard me playing/practicing it a thousand times!<br />
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Years ago, I watched a very good movie that dealt with extreme hardship and the hope of escaping that hardship and confinement, to finally live...to live in a way that recognizes and values freedom and to consciously appreciate the time we have on this earth...and the people in our lives. One of the lines from that movie (The Shawshank Redemption) was, "Get busy living, or get busy dying". I have reminded myself of that particular line many times since hearing it.<br />
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This song reminds me, in a similar way...to live. When I hear this song, I hear much of my life being sung about...youth, love, a family, crisis...and most of it is past tense.<br />
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It is a sweet tune...speaking to years passing in the blink of an eye, and of a finite life. I am reminded that we will always remember "15"... but we can never go back. It encourages me to value all of the years of my life and to live in the moment...and cherish the experiences and people that I encounter on the way to my..."100 years".<br />
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Have a listen.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR-qQcNT_fY" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">100 Years</span></a><br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-53690977092988386152015-03-13T22:45:00.000-07:002019-08-29T15:47:04.527-07:00A Bit Of Magic!<br />
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Several years ago, while on a Cruise to Alaska, my wife, daughter and I attended a Magic show.<br />
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I have always LOVED magic! I still watch in awe as Illusionists and Magicians make things disappear, tell me what card I am thinking of, and otherwise outmaneuver my ability to reason and logically analyze things!<br />
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On this occasion, we had the pleasure of watching World Champion Magician, Shawn Farquhar, perform an original and truly wonderful card trick set to a beautiful song by Sting. I knew and loved this lesser known song of Sting's before seeing this act, and it brings a "touching" and romantic feel to this Card Magic. This has been imitated and "re-done" by others since, but the experience...and the look of wonder in my daughter's eyes will forever cause me to fondly recall this performance.<br />
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Prior to his unique "sleight of hand" performance you can hear him say, "It's my favorite...<br />
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It is mine as well. Enjoy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVwJek-fXY" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Shape Of My Heart</span></a><br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-2195904178444152682015-03-04T02:26:00.003-08:002015-09-08T11:07:28.456-07:00A Whiter Shade Of Pale<br />
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The English rock group, Procol Harum, recorded this song in 1967. The groups name? It came from the Pedigreed (think formal/fancy) name of a friend's Burmese cat. Yep, really!<br />
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This was an unusual song, with a structure reminiscent of Baroque Music and was based on J.S. Bach's Orchestral Suite #3 in D Major. Matthew Fisher plays the Hammond Organ and once heard, this song is hard to forget for a couple of reasons.<br />
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First and foremost is the haunting Organ Riff that opens and sustains the song. It isnt often a rock song is based on a Bach classic! It is instantly recognizable and combines with the rather "simple" drums and unique voice of Gary Brooker, to make the song a "one of a kind". Second...and no less unique, are the cryptic lyrics that one struggles to make sense of!<br />
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The song Hit #1 in the UK as well as Australia, making it to #5 here in the USA.<br />
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The song is presented here in it's "Electronically Enhanced For Stereo" album version. The original was a mono recording and this Album was produced in a manner that tried (Not very successfully) to take advantage of the rather "new" technology of "Stereo Recording". I recorded it straight off the 1967 Album using my vintage turntable! Check it out.<br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bofiY6Tn20&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">A Whiter Shade Of Pale</span></a><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></span><br />
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-10434588932855140102015-02-17T02:07:00.003-08:002015-12-30T17:36:44.899-08:00DSLR Astrophotograph: Orion<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aYMPp7VCfQirClrH2UIYtU_Qc-G62s4Z55HWye0OncoZ4kFCmCaJZGYZqzHLp5oMilR2hMYSTFGcQzaTysovHB6u-SKlaU4sH2DDtfjqyMkE_Ik0dpF6CaL4yxCpanfe20s-rj7ZYJsF/s1600/Sternbild_Orion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aYMPp7VCfQirClrH2UIYtU_Qc-G62s4Z55HWye0OncoZ4kFCmCaJZGYZqzHLp5oMilR2hMYSTFGcQzaTysovHB6u-SKlaU4sH2DDtfjqyMkE_Ik0dpF6CaL4yxCpanfe20s-rj7ZYJsF/s1600/Sternbild_Orion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After watching a few episodes of "The Universe" on Netflix a few days ago, I decided to lug my telescope downstairs and take a look at the night sky, something I have neglected for some time. I realized that I missed the quiet, cold nights...my eye "wandering" among the familiar constellations and planets.<br />
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I had a quick look at Jupiter and realized that the "seeing" conditions weren't all that great. I swung the scope around to the constellation Orion and took a look at a few of the stars, as well as the Orion Nebula under the left side of Orion's Belt. I could make out the four stars of the "Trapezium" within the blurry, gas cloud that makes up the nebula. <br />
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I called it a night and before I went inside, I took another look at Orion. It is such a large and easily recognizable constellation...it literally dominates the winter sky! I decided that the next night, I would dust off my Astrophotography skills and grab a decent shot of Orion.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I went outside a bit after 8 PM and spent about 15 minutes capturing the necessary "Light Frames", "Dark Frames" etc., (Technical mumbo jumbo...it is not hard to do) that would combine to produce the finished photo of Orion. After some "stacking" and processing, the photo below was the result. You can even see the reddish star "Betelgeuse" (pronounced Beetle Juice) at the top left shoulder of Orion! <span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob65PZThyfR36HNh0uo7BoU8ct6hbKxof55Ja8MBnAdQcHSEtmT7lZFuzaO8HrODM5NHgrXxkBsI9wNhSi2Srcgf0LRed7bCvksee330ve0WLJjazoD0XVB5_li2Epbun2aEW01Tvdu2Q/s1600/Orion+Spiked+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhob65PZThyfR36HNh0uo7BoU8ct6hbKxof55Ja8MBnAdQcHSEtmT7lZFuzaO8HrODM5NHgrXxkBsI9wNhSi2Srcgf0LRed7bCvksee330ve0WLJjazoD0XVB5_li2Epbun2aEW01Tvdu2Q/s1600/Orion+Spiked+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Constellation Orion: Canon XS, 17-135mm, F5.6, eight 5 sec exposures stacked</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Next time you are outside on a clear night, Take a look up and to the south/southwest and see if you can spot the mighty Orion!Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-47770095970912275862015-02-15T22:08:00.000-08:002015-12-30T17:39:56.937-08:00One Hit Wonder #4: Love Is Blue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Most of the time, when we talk about "One Hit Wonders", we are talking about Singers, or Bands...that performed one big hit song and then faded into obscurity. In this case, I will be highlighting a "One Hit Wonder" in the form of a single song.<br />
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The man that arranged the instrumental cover of this song was a very successful Orchestra Leader by the name of Paul Mauriat. The original song, "L'amour est bleu", (Love Is Blue) was written and composed by Andre Popp and Lyricist Pierre Cour in 1967. <br />
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Paul Mauriat toured with his Orchestra and specialized in the "Easy Listening" genre of music. He is perhaps best known in the United States for his Orchestra's performance of this one song. In 1967-1968 this song spent 5 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is the only time a French artist has ever topped the Billboard 100!<br />
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This instrumental simply stirs something in me that I cant put my finger on. Something sentimental...romantic perhaps? The simple but pronounced snare drum presence, the harpsichord riff, the almost "Chicago'ish", staccato feel of the brass punctuating the chorus...and of course the SOARING, SOARINGGGG violins/violas...they all blend together in an unlikely combination that just hits the sweet spot for me!<br />
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I decided on a simple, Mono version of the song, played off an old "45", just like I would have heard it for the first time. Gotta love YouTube!<br />
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Have a listen!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTo9-lmZ6oE" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Love Is Blue</span></a><br />
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-48675033718892002082014-12-19T01:27:00.003-08:002015-02-15T22:10:38.186-08:00One Hit Wonder #3: How Long<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nO5hZ9ufkWWqEDnjNm-711KpDjXgWQwavJQgqOC24r65LmvNrroT1Lu0RhKhTFZJE9ptQs0cT30eMQMHwmERqid07rt-DCiOpcyp7qqoryoiuGKO9q1WCo9Ba9CjjQBNZItTdkP0dris/s1600/Ace.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nO5hZ9ufkWWqEDnjNm-711KpDjXgWQwavJQgqOC24r65LmvNrroT1Lu0RhKhTFZJE9ptQs0cT30eMQMHwmERqid07rt-DCiOpcyp7qqoryoiuGKO9q1WCo9Ba9CjjQBNZItTdkP0dris/s1600/Ace.png" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
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Another One Hit Wonder for your amusement and listening pleasure!!<br />
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This is another 70's tune by a group called "Ace".<br />
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Many people really liked this song and knew it by heart, but could not tell you what group actually performed the song...Even back when the song came out! <br />
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This song is instantly recognizable from the first few notes, given its unique bass guitar "hook"/intro. It has a rather repetitive lyric, but I really like the strong bass line, the rhythmic synth/keyboard, and the great background vocals/harmony. Give this song a listen and see if it "hooks" you as well!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_al1IRKi60" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">How Long</span></a><br />
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Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-89303468238412367902014-12-06T01:35:00.002-08:002015-09-08T11:24:20.998-07:00One Hit Wonder #2: Too Late To Turn Back Now<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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When I listen to music, or more
specifically, songs...I am usually reminded of a particular person,
place or time in my life. Oftentimes, these are mental “snapshots”
from my younger days and even my youth, as I still tend to listen to
much of the music I enjoyed as a young man. Why my taste in music
hasn't stayed “current”, I really don't know. Musically, I
admit, I am stuck in the 70's and 80's (and maybe some 90's stuff?)
for the most part! I do venture out into the modern music world on
occasion and find myself enjoying more recent stuff, but less than I
probably should.</div>
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This particular song takes me back to
the age of about 10, when I was “riding around” all summer with
my friends, on a bike with a “Banana Seat”! Riding into the 7-11 parking lot past a row of pay
phone booths, to buy a few pieces of “penny candy”. You know...Jolly Ranchers, Mary Jane's, Fireballs and
the like. I can almost feel the hot, humid, Michigan summer...and I remember the smell of fresh cut grass...and the
incessant buzzy noise of grasshoppers.</div>
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Like so many of the tunes I like, this
song has a strong violin/orchestral presence. It also has a rather
typical “Motown” feel, though this song was produced in Florida
and not Detroit!? The song speaks to that universal topic...the
power of falling in love. Although the concept was a bit foreign to me at
this young age, I would appreciate the lyrics later in my life:)</div>
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The lead singer has the most unusual
habit of completely distorting the last part of some of the words in
the song. It's a most unusual annunciation and for some reason, his
careless addition of an “N” sound at the end of words that don’t
end with an “N” for instance, adds a strange novelty to the song!<br />
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I love the drum intro, that leads right into the sweet, rich violins...and that crisp, simple drum beat and the soaring violins sustain the song till the very end. <br />
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It is also obvious how old the song is, given the line, "I found myself phoning her at least ten times a day..." I mean, no one "phones" anyone these days! (You younger folks, just substitute "texting" for "phoning"!) </div>
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The group, “Cornelius Brothers and
Sister Rose”, is comprised of siblings; two brothers and two
sisters, and they have that “cool” 70's vocal harmony that was so
prevalent in those days. They actually had two pretty big songs, so
technically they are a “Two Hit Wonder” I suppose?!? This song
hit number 2 or 3 on the charts, and got a ton of
airplay on the local radio station CKLW.<br />
(Windsor, Ontario)<br />
<br />
A good memory from the long past summer of 1972! <br />
<br />
Click the link below. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7hWl0YNz7Q" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Too Late To Turn Back Now</span></a></span></div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-84541285661370815412014-11-29T02:21:00.000-08:002016-07-12T22:32:38.711-07:00Lime Kiln Lighthouse<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lime Kiln Lighthouse</span></div>
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<br />
A few months ago, while reading
something about Lighthouses, I wondered if there were any local
Lighthouses in the local Puget Sound area. It seemed logical, given
all the water in and around the area!</div>
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After a bit of research, I discovered
that there were several Lighthouses in the greater Puget Sound area,
but that most of them were simply not “active”. Seems there are
only a few that are still sending out a light or a beacon at night.</div>
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I also discovered that unlike the tall,
grand, East Coast and Great Lakes Lighthouses, these local
Lighthouses looked like...well...more like small houses with a small
cupola on top! (Duh, “Light House”!)</div>
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I determined which of these were still
active at night and decided to visit and photograph one at “Lime
Kiln” State park, on San Juan Island.</div>
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I asked Sandi if she would like to join
me and make an overnight trip of it, since it was a few hours away
and would take the whole day to get there and wait for sunset etc.
She agreed to join me in my little adventure and we booked a motel on
nearby Whidbey island, so we wouldn’t have to make the long drive
home that same night.</div>
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My goal was to capture the Lighthouse
at, or just after dusk. I wanted to be able to capture some of the
light from the Lighthouse’s lens if possible. Not a terribly
difficult shot, but it would require some timing.
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The morning of our little trip to San
Juan Island, it was pouring rain. Arghhhhhhh!! I packed up my gear
and we headed out, hopeful that the weather would be better two or
three hours north!</div>
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A few hours later we had reached
Anacortes and enjoyed some unexpected sunshine and blue skies!!?? To
the immediate south, we could see literally, a mile high wall of dark
clouds. Not knowing how long the line might be at the ferry
terminal, we decided to get some lunch at a local place called the
“Shrimp Shack”. My brother in law had recommended it highly and
said it was an old school, shack of a place...but that it had great
fish and fresh “peel and eat” shrimp by the lb. I figured we had
enough time, so we made our way to the unassuming little dive, just
north of Deception Pass.</div>
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We enjoyed some amazing Cod as well as
the requisite 2 lb's of fresh shrimp! We had fun sitting outside in
the sunshine like two kids...peeling and tearing the heads off a
hundred or more tasty shrimp! We realized, it had been a long time
since Sandi and I had been anywhere without one,or both of our kids.
It was nice to just hang out with each other.</div>
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I checked the time and we decided we
had better get moving, as we were unfamiliar with the Anacortes Ferry
and its Terminal. We took off for the Ferry Terminal and after
following our less than accurate GPS, we arrived at the Anacortes
Ferry Terminal. Just in time I might add! Had we missed this Ferry,
the next one would not have made it to San Juan Island before sunset,
dashing any hopes of a photo at dusk!</div>
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We drove onto the Ferry, got out of our
car and strolled around the top deck of the Ferry, enjoying the calm
water and surprisingly blue sky! First stop was Lopez Island, where
a few passengers disembarked, then it was off to San Juan Island. We
glimpsed a pod of Orcas along the way, though they were quite a
distance away. We watched as their blowholes would create little
blasts of water and air as they surfaced every so often. We also passed another Ferry that was making the return trip to Anacortes. </div>
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Upon arriving at San Juan Island, we
disembarked and made the 20-25 minutes drive to Lime Kiln State Park,
on the Southwestern side of the island. As we parked and got out of
the car, we noticed that the clouds were steadily moving in. I hoped
they would not overtake our little scene, before we got a few photos!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We walked about a hundred yards down to
the water and the Lighthouse came into view. I must admit, I was a
bit disappointed...it was so small! Why wasn’t the light visible!?
Oh well, I set about finding the angle I wanted and I set up my
tripod. Meanwhile, Sandi walked some 60-70 yards south of me to a
designated “whale watching” point.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I took a few test shots, then walked
around and snapped a few pics from some angles that I found less
pleasing, as I waited for the sun to set into the horizon. And the
clouds kept rolling in! Arghhhh! I then walked over to where Sandi
was anxiously waiting to see a whale or an Orca. She is like a
little girl at times like this...eyes wide, grinning and hopeful and
grateful to see things uncommon to our daily life. She ooooh'd and
ahhhh'd over a couple of seals that came close to shore and she
patiently waited to see something bigger. I love seeing her like
this. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The sun had started to move and as it
set over over the nearby British Columbia coast, I started to see
that the light in the Lighthouse was on! Seems that the rather small
light source is reflected through “lenses” that focus the light
and really only do it justice when it is much darker.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As the sky darkened a bit more, and the
scene was still illuminated enough to capture the Lighthouse and its
surrounding cliffs and shoreline, I began taking pictures...15-20
second exposures, making certain that I could still capture a bit of
the yellowish light shining through the glass lens atop the
Lighthouse.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now, while I was trying to get my
“Solitary Lighthouse” shot, there was a couple, hanging
around...walking...sitting..and it was all directly in front of the
darn Lighthouse! I decided that it was better to get the shot with
them in it, than not at all! I also figured that they might not show
up at all, given the dim lighting. A few of the shots I took had the
couple sitting and raising their cameras out towards the water. What
they were photographing, I had no idea...I just know that they were
in my photo!! (Maybe you can spot them in the photo?) <br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Lime Kiln Lighthouse</span><br />
</div>
</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
About this time, Sandi comes running up
to me excited and smiling, telling me she just saw a whale! She
asked if I was getting the photos I wanted and then told me she was
going back to look for more whales! She was certainly enjoying our
little trip to San Juan Island!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
About 30 minutes later, I lost the
light needed to take the photos I was after. I packed up my gear and
headed back to the car with Sandi, who sadly, had not seen any more
whales. We commented on how we looked to have beat the rain, though
the clouds had fully covered the sky at this point. I hoped they
wouldn’t screw up my pics too much.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We drove back to the Ferry Terminal and
found no one there but us!? Seems I had misread the schedule ( which
had just changed that day/for the Fall) so we would have to take the
last Ferry out, which left in about an hour and a half. We were
hungry, so we checked out a little restaurant near the Terminal. We
enjoyed a relaxing dinner, talked a bit about the whales, the Ferry
ride and the trip as a whole. I even ordered some hot tea at the end
of dinner...a sure sign of me being relaxed and enjoying myself!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We walked back to our car and when the
Ferry arrived, we found that we were only one of two cars heading
back to Anacortes that night! The attendants pulled us all the way
up to the forward-most parking spot, at the bow of the Ferry Boat.
Sandi covered up in a blanket and reclined her seat, to settle in for
an hour and a half nap. I reviewed photos I had taken earlier and
watched the Ferry moving through the night between the green and red
marker buoy’s, about a half mile behind another Ferry in the
distance.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the belly of the San Juan Islands Ferry</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
I exited the car to stretch and stood
alone at the front of the Ferry as it quietly moved through the
darkness...a cold, crisp wind pushing past me and through the empty,
hollow belly of the Ferry. I thought back on the day...I always seem
to “review” the days happenings. (I think too much) It had been
a busy, long, time-pressed day, but it had also been fun, exciting
and even a bit adventurous. Sandi had seen her whales, and I had
gotten my photos. Both of us having enjoyed the trip, the scenery
and each other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think I may have even smiled...</div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-34338633104680555982014-11-17T00:43:00.001-08:002015-07-12T21:55:40.753-07:00Luna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb2xQXCXn5GIL5WCRXEnUNAD6FR9aznTnfAp95dA2dMAZ239zyiD00Ch5_AOJD3blT-4alfLD6wWRHe6jFV8m1ZrLpZSBVqrTZOkq1B5xv5lckSlF22mUu8h-WZhVaRzWkOcVrlRnohgW/s1600/Lunablog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZb2xQXCXn5GIL5WCRXEnUNAD6FR9aznTnfAp95dA2dMAZ239zyiD00Ch5_AOJD3blT-4alfLD6wWRHe6jFV8m1ZrLpZSBVqrTZOkq1B5xv5lckSlF22mUu8h-WZhVaRzWkOcVrlRnohgW/s1600/Lunablog1.jpg" title="Luna" width="366" /></a></div>
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I have always been partial to Nordic dog breeds and in particular, Siberian Huskies. I find them to be spirited, energetic and very fond of people. My love for them started when i was about 8 years old.<br />
<br />
At that time, I had just read "Call of The Wild" and "White Fang", by the author Jack London. I immediately fell in love with the idea of adventures in Alaska and the Klondike and in particular, the strong, determined and loving sled dogs that were the main characters in these stories.<br />
<br />
Since that time, I have had the pleasure of enjoying two wonderful Siberian Huskies. The first, a dog named right out of "The Call of The Wild"...Teek. He was a strong-willed, close companion of mine some 20 plus years ago, and was part of a 6 dog sled team in Germany. The second Siberian was a sweet and loving dog named Luna.<br />
<br />
Almost twelve years ago, my wife and I went searching for a pet for my daughters 8th birthday. We came across a female Siberian Husky pup that had been returned to the breeders because the owner found the pup too "challenging" and "difficult". (This is a VERY willful and spirited breed!) We hung out for a bit, as it was a nice summer day and we played with the cute little puppy for a bit. We were able to meet the Mom and Dad dogs as well. The male was a very large framed, strong and majestic looking Siberian...outside of the standards for a Siberian Husky, but simply beautiful. The female was smaller, more slender and had a gentleness to her expressions. (We would find out later that Luna would take after her Father in stature and her mother in demeanor)<br />
<br />
We scooped up the little puppy after explaining to the Breeders that we understood the extra challenges that a Siberian Husky would present and that we would give her a safe and loving home. We headed home with the newest member of our family and as i recall, Sandi was quite skeptical of the idea of a new dog. Me? I was certain that this new puppy would be a blessing to our family.<br />
<br />
We presented the puppy (Later named Luna) to our daughter, who immediately took to her new, little friend.<br />
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<br />
It was all very exciting until later that night when Luna, likely still missing her Momma, began to cry and howl. This was pretty normal behavior for a new puppy, sooooooo I grabbed a ticking clock and a small blanket and hung out in the laundry room next to little Luna until she fell asleep. This went on for a few weeks until she got cozy with her new home and surroundings. Sometimes, as i would be quietly sneaking out of the laundry room...she would catch me!!...and back I went...until she fell asleep again...usually on my leg making it even harder for me to escape to my own bed!!<br />
<br />
We enjoyed Luna for years...her begging for food, and her demand to be walked at about 5 pm nightly characterized by her half growling and half howling. In short, she was an ever present part of our family and daily life. Even Sandi, who was constantly at war with Luna over the trampling of the plants and flowers in her large garden, (Luna apparently thought it was HER garden!) came to enjoy the positive and loving effect that Luna brought to our family.<br />
<br />
When Luna was about 6-7 years old and going through one of her "heat cycles", she found a way out of our heavily fortified back yard. (Another Siberian trait...escape artist) I found out while at work and was immediately alarmed as Siberian's like to wander and run...they are NOT prone to returning home. I was unsure we would get her back.<br />
<br />
I went about putting up large, poster board signs throughout the neighborhood and some days later, at the suggestion of a friend, I placed a Craigslist ad.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Craigslist Photo</span> </div>
<br />
About ten days and a ton of my daughter's tears later, I received a phone call from a lady in Federal Way. She said that she had responded to a Craigslist ad several days earlier that described a "Found", black and white Siberian Husky. She told me that she had recently lost her Male, black and white Siberian and thought perhaps her dog had made it the 20 plus miles to Tacoma. (Which would not surprise me!)<br />
<br />
She said that she responded to the ad, and after hearing the description of the "Found" Siberian, she drove to the woman's house in Tacoma to see if it was her dog. She said that while the dog looked very much like hers, she discovered it was a female, and not a male dog. She told me that she was told by the woman that no one else had replied to the "Found" ad and that it had been several days. She said that the woman told her that if she wanted the dog, that she could take it, as she only kept it to hopefully find the owner. <br />
<br />
The lady from Federal Way told me that she took the Siberian and drove back to Federal Way, and decided on the drive home to name this "Found" dog, Luna! (Yes really!) <br />
<br />
She told me that the very next day, she received a call from the woman in Tacoma, who told her that she had located the owner of the dog, and asked her to return the dog to her. She said that she then drove back to Tacoma and dropped the dog off, so it could be reunited with its owner.<br />
<br />
Now, she had told me this rather long story with some concern, as she told me that she had seen the ad I placed, as well as the photo I posted and she immediately recognized the dog as Luna. She asked if I had been contacted by the woman in Tacoma and I told her I had not. She gave me the address to the woman' residence, as she had kept it on her GPS from the day prior. Turns out that the address was about 4 miles from our house. I thanked the nice lady and Sandi and I drove to the woman's house.<br />
<br />
The short story is...we were able to get our Luna back. Apparently the woman in Tacoma had seen our ad, which included a 200.00 dollar reward, and had gotten Luna returned so that she could collect the reward. (We offered it to the lady that had called from Federal Way, but she declined)<br />
<br />
We simply could not believe that after two weeks, we had found our dog! It was a happy homecoming and my daughter was elated. Other than a few scratches and some torn nails from what looked like a fight with another dog, Luna looked just fine. Me?...I was out tearing down the 20 large poster board "Lost Dog" signs!<br />
<br />
A few weeks later, I commented that Luna looked a bit "chunky". Sandi thought it was just her winter coat coming in. A few weeks later we took our chunkier dog to the Vet, who examined her...gave her an x-ray and then smiled and told us that Luna was pregnant with at least 6 puppies!<br />
<br />
Are you kidding me!??! <br />
<br />
We set about preparing a "Den" for Luna, (Closet under the stairs) and several weeks later...we welcomed 7 brand new puppies into the world!:) Luna needed no assistance and after a couple hours of labor, she was exhausted....but feeding and caring for her babies and gently licking them clean.<br />
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I watched Sandi grow much closer to Luna during this time. She developed a strong bond with Luna the way only another Mom could....and she fell in love with every single one of the puppies....we all did.<br />
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8 weeks later, we had found homes for all of the puppies and after a few more weeks, Luna had re-adjusted to her human family...though it was painfully obvious that she missed her babies.<br />
<br />
We enjoyed Luna for the next four years...her begging, her nightly walks, her sleeping next to my daughters bed each night, and her sweet and gentle kisses when we knelt down to pet her. Luna even enjoyed a brief friendship with our Grandson, Landon...who was not afraid to pet her and offer his 2 year old face to be licked! (As well as sharing any and all of his snacks with her) Luna was also part of Veronica's Graduation pictures as well as her Graduation Announcement.<br />
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<br />
We recently noticed Luna slowing way down on her nightly walks...to the point of her laying down. She would then get up and try her best to finish the walk, but I could tell she was very very tired...very out of character for a Siberian. I knew something was wrong.<br />
<br />
After a few visits to the Vet and a few tests...I realized that our 11 year old friend was dying. She was very ill and so very tired. It weighed heavy on my heart. I knew that we would have to let her go and I wished I didn't have to make the decision.<br />
<br />
We spent the last few days just being with Luna...talking to her, petting her...and just loving her.<br />
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<br />
We went as a family to take our sweet Luna to the Vet for the last time.<br />
<br />
Veronica looked up at me with tears streaming down her face...barely able to speak...and said, "I'm losing my best friend". Each of us put a hand on our beautiful and cherished companion, petting her. It was very, very difficult to watch my daughters heart break as she lovingly held<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>Luna in her arms......until she passed. <br />
<br />
As anyone who has lost a cherished pet knows...these are special creatures. They are here for a short time....an abbreviated life....but that short time is no less fulfilling and no less enjoyable. We will miss Luna...each in our own way and we will treasure our time with her...and our memories of her.<br />
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-85707896501195586112014-09-30T01:28:00.000-07:002014-12-19T00:30:28.214-08:00One Hit Wonder: Luka<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Recently, while loading a few songs
into my Mp3 Player, I came across some older Mp3's that I had saved
to a disc some years ago. I recognized most of the songs as “one
hit wonders” that I had downloaded from God knows where!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being that I am more of a “Song”
guy, than a “Band” guy, I find myself having collected quite a
few stand alone songs, that were popular briefly, then died as a
result of the band or singer simply not producing any more “hits”!
I threw a few of these songs on my Mp3 Player and had a listen
during a recent workout. Besides bringing back some memories and
transporting me back to a different time and place, they still
sounded good to me!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are certain “attributes” in
songs that generally reel me in: First, if there are violins playing
a supporting role and providing a backdrop or significant
accompaniment to the song, well, I like that. It is a very common
thread to many of the songs I like. Second, if there are good
lyrics, that tell a story by way of a Ballad, again, I am drawn to
it. Third, for some reason...I find it interesting or unique when
the annunciation of a word or words is either done with an accent, or
an unusual tone or even an unorthodox slang or slant. Not the whole
song mind you, but just the subtlety of a small part of the song or a
word or two. This last one is hard to explain, but easy to hear in
some of the songs I like.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have decided to do a “One Hit
Wonder Of The Week” kind of thing and will be posting either a
YouTube viewable version, or an Mp3 version of one song each week,
from my “Play list” so to speak!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fist up will be a song that was an
international hit for a “Folksy Singer” by the name of Susanne
Vega. She had two relatively solid hits. The first was a song about
a Diner ("Toms Diner" or something like that) ..and that Diner...which was a real place, was later featured in the Hit Comedy Series, “Seinfeld”.
(The one they always go to) Yep, Same Diner.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The second hit for her was a song
titled simply, “Luka”. It was a rather sad song that told the
story of a young boy that lived with abuse. Not a popular subject
for a song, but a powerful message and an equally well put together
melody etc. She wrote the song about a real boy that she met named Luka, though she said he was not an abused kid, but rather "just different" than the group of kids she had seen him playing with.
</div>
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I remember first hearing the song while I was living in Germany, a lifetime ago:) I immediately liked the song, as did most of the younger Germans, as it got tons of airplay on the Berlin radio station I listened to!</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What I like about the song most is the
sharp, clear and strong presence of the 12 string guitar throughout
the song, the driving drum beat and cymbal strikes, the almost xylophone sounding synth, Susanne's own haunting overdubbed harmony and her unique
voice and annunciation. When she says the word “trouble” for
instance, she says it in a most unusual and emphasizing way. She
really sells the song. If you have never heard it, I hope you enjoy
it. For those of you that know the tune, welcome back to the
1980's!!</div>
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<br />
Click the link below.</div>
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</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZt7J0iaUD0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Luka</span></a></div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-71564293089927388862014-08-07T00:38:00.001-07:002014-08-18T11:00:55.548-07:00Memories of Mama and Panama!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHfcegpmyqf3idFvJf67JX_cmuDyrLUTqIY-nhqzPciv6rrzw0NzTOXpRgByfwcpt8fWFTpJt3ApvLE5hhaKaXLlh6GAyWK8UCq-T8ynJ_Dt7na8SgLay6PRzJ3vr7O01YjLz1p8ONYAC/s1600/Pan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHfcegpmyqf3idFvJf67JX_cmuDyrLUTqIY-nhqzPciv6rrzw0NzTOXpRgByfwcpt8fWFTpJt3ApvLE5hhaKaXLlh6GAyWK8UCq-T8ynJ_Dt7na8SgLay6PRzJ3vr7O01YjLz1p8ONYAC/s1600/Pan2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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A couple of days ago, my wife started
the long anticipated task of finally (after about 20 years of
contemplation) getting hold of a “Call To Haul” company, to clear
out almost 50 years of clutter from her Parent's basement.
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like most people, they had simply put
things in the basement over a long period of time likely thinking
they would sort it all out later! Some of the kids had also left
things behind, or stored things there “temporarily”....meaning
virtually forever!</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, the Call To Haul folks came and
went, and Sandi certainly re-lived some moments as she worked through
the years of memories.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She came home later with a few items
that she could not bear to let go of, as they reminded her of her
youth and of her Parents and family as they “used to be”.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think we all have little things that
remind us of days gone by...and days we wish we could experience
again. For me, it will always be the cuckoo clock that I watched my
Mom pick out in Triberg, Germany...while visiting me when I was
stationed In Berlin. It hangs on our living room wall and is the
single most powerful reminder of her in my daily life.
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, Sandi takes out of the car, a
rather large “centerpiece” (for lack of a better description)
that appears to be made of hand carved wood. It is a three tier
affair, with individually crafted shallow bowls, and individual
pieces of fruit, also hand carved and made of wood. I see a Banana,
Guava, Star Fruit, a Pear and even a Pineapple atop the whole thing!
The three tiers rotate “lazy Susan” style and it all appears to
be mostly intact, though it is a bit dirty and covered in 40 plus
years of dust!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am told it came from Panama, where
Sandi's Mom is from. (Sandi is half Panamanian and half Puerto
Rican) It is one of few items from Panama that has survived the trip
from Panama and the 40 plus years of Tacoma living, (with 6 kids in a
tiny house!) since her family settled here in Tacoma.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She is smiling and tells me how her Mom (whom she has always called "Mama")
used to task her with rubbing linseed oil over ever crack and crevice
of this wooden contraption! She tells me how she was made to use a
toothbrush to ensure that all of the intricately carved parts got
their share of oil! Now, she said this half smiling, and half
recalling the tediousness of having to do this as a young child!
Even so, I could see that this piece meant a great deal to her and was a powerful connection to her Mom, who has been suffering with Dementia for
the past several years and sometimes forgets who Sandi is. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Knowing its value to Sandi, I take it
from her, carefully disassemble the whole thing and begin to clean it
up. I used some steel wool to clean some of the decades old dirt and
grime off the bowls. I fired up the compressor and used some high
pressure air to root out the gunk in the small cracks and crevices.
It took a bit longer than I thought to clean this thing up, but in
the end, after breaking out the toothbrush like she had remembered
all those years ago, and applying a cleaner/wood restorer all over
the piece, it began to come back to life.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I spent a couple hours polishing the
pieces of fruit, and making sure that everything fit and went back
together properly. There were a couple minor issues that I will have
to attend to at another time, but it all went together, worked and
looked very nice! I brought the whole thing upstairs and placed it
in the center of our coincidentally, just purchased dining room
table, (Dark Mango wood) and it looked fantastic!</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I brought Sandi upstairs and showed her
the cleaner version of her memorable treasure, and she just beamed.
I could tell it reminded her of her Mom...her much younger Mom, and I
told her it looked perfect and will remain on our dining room table as a
treasured family heirloom. She smiled and hugged me and thanked me
for cleaning it all up. <br />
<br />
An unexpected memory brought back to
life, to be enjoyed by yet another generation...It was a good day:)
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
When my daughter came home later and
saw it for the first time, she remarked, “that is so pretty”!
Hmmmm..I wonder how she would feel about putting some Linseed oil on
it from time to time!!?</div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-21542207419132490892014-07-31T11:40:00.001-07:002015-07-12T21:56:41.121-07:00Cereal Box Music!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxtSQY088tjaCk0bwtwxb_jxHnqFZPL0vu68URnnugNMOlhljiCk_mQPqlGQZCgTTWyP_os0lDwFYZEYc16l-ivaGQLLuGvVpedjTKHRvGNpsedrFnXqTq8TrINIO-AniHLXXrMcUnCkz/s1600/Cereal+monkees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxtSQY088tjaCk0bwtwxb_jxHnqFZPL0vu68URnnugNMOlhljiCk_mQPqlGQZCgTTWyP_os0lDwFYZEYc16l-ivaGQLLuGvVpedjTKHRvGNpsedrFnXqTq8TrINIO-AniHLXXrMcUnCkz/s1600/Cereal+monkees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I was putzing around my home office
today, trying to make the rather small amount of space seem larger by
re-arranging a few things, I came across some items that I had
forgotten I had!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While moving and re-arranging some
books and record albums, I saw a small plastic sleeve drop to the
floor. I looked, and discovered that it contained several 6 inch
records! Now these are not just any records...these are cardboard
cutout records that came on the back of cereal boxes! I doubt that
anyone under the age of 40 will even remember these, but for some of
us, these records represented the days when a prize in a Cracker Jack
box, or a cereal box was something worth fighting over!! (and
subsequently getting a spanking for!)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now I do not recall liking cold cereal
when I was a kid, though I did enjoy a lot of Quaker Oatmeal and
Cream Of Wheat! However, I do recall seeing these records on the
back of the “high quality” cereal boxes, such as “Sugar
Smacks”, “Sugar Frosted Flakes” and the like. Those were
expensive cereals for our family in the early days, but I can
remember seeing a few boxes of these cereals making their way into
our cupboards from time to time! I don't remember all of the Artists
that contributed their talents to the millions of General Mills, and
Kellog Cereal eating children...but I do remember a few. Oliver, (He
sang the song “Jean”...which was my Mom's name) the Jackson Five,
(yep, with little Michael Jackson) the Monkee's, Bobby Sherman and
the Archies...to name a few!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6RBF1bBjeTtmBGBWMQcmzCMBDMdBv1Gv47ONng_naQwXuz4WKlGlcxMJJjaowfEypZZZR7TLOV8ecW_vGo4JKu16iY1QCG90bKxd74FyMFvRVNjIWSlhVONVedOxAkqwF0f2Vu0lDoQk/s1600/Cereal+Records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6RBF1bBjeTtmBGBWMQcmzCMBDMdBv1Gv47ONng_naQwXuz4WKlGlcxMJJjaowfEypZZZR7TLOV8ecW_vGo4JKu16iY1QCG90bKxd74FyMFvRVNjIWSlhVONVedOxAkqwF0f2Vu0lDoQk/s1600/Cereal+Records.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cereal Box Records!</span></div>
<br />
I looked through the little records and
saw that I have three Archies, two Monkee's and a Bobby Sherman
record. Now for some of you that don't know, I actually thought
“Veronica”...the dark haired, keyboard playing girl, of the
“Archies” ...was simply beautiful! (Hell, she still looks pretty
good even after all these years!) Well, she was the inspiration for
my daughters name..True Story!
<br />
<br />
An interesting side note about the
Bobby Sherman record, is that the title of the song is “Seattle”!
I actually recalled the melody of the song from my childhood, but
back then Seattle was simply a place far, far away on the other side
of the Country. It might as well have been on the other side of the
world! Little did I know how close to Seattle...I would end up
living!?
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I could not resist throwing a couple of
these on the turntable and having a listen. First up was Bobby
Sherman and “Seattle”. “The bluest skies you've ever seen...in
Seattle”. ??? Hmm...after living here for twenty years...I
wondered, who the hell came up with that lyric!? Ahh heck, they
might have been here during the summer...I will cut the writer some
slack:)! Next up, a classic Monkees tune, “Pleasant Valley
Sunday”. A bit “thin” sounding, as these are plastic coated
pieces of cardboard...but it played just fine and the Monkees
sounded...well, pretty damn good!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The records seemed to sound a bit
better, and look a lot “cooler” in my memories, but that is a
common experience when looking back through the years!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I decided to take a few photos of these
childhood wonders and throw them up on the blog so you can see them.
I thought they might bring a grin to a few others out there!
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here is a quick video/sound recording
of the Monkee's belting it out via cardboard record!!</div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/SviZ2s0FxTo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Monkee's on Cardboard!</span></a></div>
Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9220358344702948117.post-29333536274315523592014-06-26T00:21:00.003-07:002015-07-12T21:58:44.957-07:00Tacoma Skyline At Night: Take 2! (A different perspective)After shooting the Tacoma Night Skyline looking south from the 11th St Bridge, I wondered what it might look like if I were to shoot it in the opposite direction!?<br />
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I looked for a spot from which to get a different perspective. First I tried east of the water, after sneaking into the secure private docks, but the docks sat too low to get a nice broad view of the downtown buildings, and they were too unstable for a long exposure...they moved with the small waves etc.<br />
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I looked east....and saw the Hwy 509 Cable bridge, the same one seen in the photo I took looking south. Looks good to me!<br />
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I drove over to the Cable Bridge and parked my car in the median just as the nice day turned to rain. Hmm, I was about 45 minutes early so I walked about looking for the best view and angle as I determined how I might shield the camera from all of the powerful lights that point upwards and onto the cabling of the bridge. It looks nice with all that light, but it is a photographers nightmare, especially when trying to take a long exposure, night shot!<br />
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I was set up and taking a few test shots, when a local Police Officer stopped by to ask what the hell I was doing with my car parked in the median and why I was over the side of the bridge 80 feet over the water!? Ooops!! Good thing I knew him! I told him that he had arrived just in time to save me from throwing myself off the bridge!!!... and we had a good laugh. I explained the picture taking thing and he was on his way. (I will be handing off a print of the finished photo to him as a thank you)<br />
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When the lighting allowed for a properly balanced and exposed "13 second exposure", I began taking pictures. The bridge is large, but cars and trucks crossing it while my camera's shutter was open, was bound to blur my photos due to the vibration and movement of the bridge that they caused. (Suspended by cables...duh) I took about 9 shots before I lost the balanced lighting I sought. Two of the shots were taken when only a small car had crossed the bridge behind me and I was relatively certain that it had not blurred the photo too much.<br />
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I had been rained on for the better part of an hour as I held my hand over and to the side of the lens to keep the powerful stray light and the rainwater out of my camera's lens!<br />
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Pretty successful outing and I dried off in no time.<br />
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Here is the Tacoma Night Skyline....looking north towards the same bridge I had taken the southern facing shot just a week before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ79eMjXS6AakS5FLDNqT6zGcMrO605qdRKAid_7sQh0fEssE9EPqhaMPGYmSwtPYnUmPRA9A2duKDy9ZX2LJRquOl2FCeFmpJYbLSg5tkqmwLOA4fdAP9vCYz7cNxk_WhZWx74fteuIGT/s1600/withoutbridgercrop+60d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ79eMjXS6AakS5FLDNqT6zGcMrO605qdRKAid_7sQh0fEssE9EPqhaMPGYmSwtPYnUmPRA9A2duKDy9ZX2LJRquOl2FCeFmpJYbLSg5tkqmwLOA4fdAP9vCYz7cNxk_WhZWx74fteuIGT/s1600/withoutbridgercrop+60d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tacoma Docks at Night</span></div>
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And here is the same photo, (Taken the following day!) but with the 11th St Bridge included so you can see where I took the previous blog post photo from! Both Bridges captured, each captured while standing on the other!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCcfIxJDkp3aRvM-JXqqUwiB-UNoDrvoAAqqQQQWaj3g3-UyVPNY4VF37gzyOeNjZLWWc7QpN2lpgYbqBB3R8T3kCS13sK6X71DusojoTxyayZxF6iVH6B5Pcoyhf678zW8sgtmJi_zOE/s1600/TacomaDocks+730+skywaterlumindown9contrastup536dforblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCcfIxJDkp3aRvM-JXqqUwiB-UNoDrvoAAqqQQQWaj3g3-UyVPNY4VF37gzyOeNjZLWWc7QpN2lpgYbqBB3R8T3kCS13sK6X71DusojoTxyayZxF6iVH6B5Pcoyhf678zW8sgtmJi_zOE/s1600/TacomaDocks+730+skywaterlumindown9contrastup536dforblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Tacoma Docks at Night</span></div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<br />Kenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16544493983319527803noreply@blogger.com1