Galapagos Adventures Continued

Mike and Dan swimming with the iguanas

Elizabeth -thoughtful girl that she is- forwarded an updated set of pictures from the Galapagos Isles. featuring more big reptiles (All right!!) and their friend Mike who recently visited.
Thanks!. Check them out Here.










In other Galapagos related news: evolutionists have been flocking to a Charles Darwin image that has appeared on a wall - a miracle! Being in its presence gives one an overwhelming feeling of logic.

Excerpt: "I brought my baby to touch the wall, so that the power of Darwin can purify her genetic makeup of undesirable inherited traits," said Darlene Freiberg, one among a growing crowd assembled here to see the mysterious stain, which appeared last Monday on one side of the Rhea County Courthouse. The building was also the location of the famed "Scopes Monkey Trial" and is widely considered one of Darwinism's holiest sites. "Forgive me, O Charles, for ever doubting your Divine Evolution. After seeing this miracle of limestone pigmentation with my own eyes, my faith in empirical reasoning will never again be tested." Read the article HERE
(Courtesy "The Onion")

Yosemite Conquered

We made it! Happy trail crew Beverly, Kristin, Dave, Cindy, Marty, Steve & Sarah at lunch turn around point in Little Yosemite Valley after hiking up past Vernal and Nevada Falls during last weekend's outing. First night of cold rain cleared to allow perfect hiking & biking weather. The day after this picture was taken we biked to the Yosemite Falls trailhead and cranked up the unending switch backs to tremendous views of both the lower and upper falls. Kristin and Marty almost made it to the top of the upper falls but group capability and short daylight necessitated their turn around before summiting. The meals were fabulous (My only camping experience that included being served rack of lamb on a rainy night - or any night!) and the company unbeatable. What a great group! More pictures HERE

Half Dome captured under an almost full moon by Cindy (Ansel Adams) Phelps.

Note to Obama: as we traversed the Yosemite trail systemi we enjoyed the benefits of incredibly crafted riprap and stone work of all kinds including eroded patches of pavement . We encountered several crews doing the backbreaking work of splitting and moving rock to maintain the trail. I stopped and talked with one of the guys to thank him and mentioned that his crew was probably repairing work that had been done by the CCC in the '30s. He had never heard of the CCC. After I explained it was part of FDR's effort to put unemployed young men to work during the depression, he said 'Hey, that sounds like a great idea!" Hmmm....

Big Boys at Secret Spot

One for the ladies

Bob, Roark & Eric: The Masters of Big Surf

I don't have any details except Roarks's pictures, but it looks like another successful expedition to a Secret Spot on the North Coast. The adventurers appear to have survived the long, low-tide, in the dark, hike-in and were rewarded with both weather and waves. Way to go! Roark's expedition pictures HERE

Rednecks For Obama

Two days ago I was lucky to be able to visit Henry in his natural habitat, the Prairie Garden Trust. The day was cool and wet which brought out the fall/earth colors for our walk around the property. The highlight of the day was a visit to Tree House III. As faithful followers of this blog know, the tree house is masterful in concept and execution, a bold human foray into the world of bird nesting. For pictures of the structure and of our walk click HERE.

Thanks for a great day, Henry, and the update on your amazing projects of natural preservation and restoration, health care, art and good living.

Iguana Pie

Elizabeth has forwarded more great pictures she has taken in Galapagos Isles.
Here is the link to view them> LINK

Science in Action

The harsh realities of the global financial crisis is hitting hard in the Galapagos Islands, but trooper that he is, Dan carries on in the cause of science. Whatever it takes! More pictures HERE

Mountain Man Climbing High in Seattle

John showing how it is done - with fearless abandon!
Shortly after this photo was taken Sally, Betsy, John, Thomas, Khaki, Dan and I had a nice game of Frisbee throwing as a light rain began to fall. Hey - its Seattle!
For more Seattle trip photos go HERE

Abalone Rockefellar?

Click to enlarge this photo

Bounty of the sea! Sarah and I had the great good fortune to camp with friends at the mouth of the Albion river near Mendicino this past weekend. Much paddling, diving, fishing and eating.Here fresh caught abalone and sea urchin are viewed with interest & some skepticism as to edibility. All doubts were put to rest later that night at a great sea food feast.

View trip album HERE

Participants included:

Tony, Kay, Paul, Rob, Ralph, Debbie, Daphne, Rorke, Erin, Magnus, Piper, Kit, Marty, Cindy, Sarah P. Sarah K, Mike, Bob, Holly, Heather, Patrick, Adam and many others. What a crew!

Afghan Fund Raiser

Another picture from the front from our boy Badass in Afghanistan

As we know, war funding is under more and more pressure in congress.

Twelve billion/month isn't quite cutting it. So our troops have been reduced to fundraising on their own. Ad revenue is certainly one option, and Bob's unit believes in advertising only products that they can personally endorse. Note the viking helmet and authentic Ibex horns. Goes well with the Gatling gun don't you think? What Exactly does PJCA on a Spade stand for? Devils Canyon is a Belmont CA based Brew created by local talent with Kings Mountain connections. Support Our Troops- drink one today! Check it out HERE

Word has it that shortly after this picture was taken, Badass led his unit on a secret training exercise designed to practice nighttime Humvee diesel repair while stuck in a riverbed. How did that go, Bob? Military secrecy prohibits me from further disclosing expedition details except to say that a few Devils Canyon brews would have been a big help had they been available (Which I'm sure they were not.)

What makes glow plugs glow?

See you soon, Bob.

Addendum: Thanks to GoBevGo for pointing out the crewman repairing the rear rotor on the helicopter in the the background. Click pic to enlarge and see.)